September 2022

September 3, 2022

The 2022-2023 Academic Year Begins 

"Whoever walks in integrity walks securely..." (Proverbs 10:9) adopted as theme for the academic year

The 2022-2023 Austin Prep academic year is underway! Students arrived Thursday, September 1st welcomed by faculty and staff and reunited with classmates as we kicked off the next year of our Austin Prep journey together.  On the first day students followed a modified schedule to allow for time to navigate all seven blocks of the daily schedule, enjoy lunch, meet with advisors, connect with friends AND get their school photo taken (more on that below).

As is the case with every academic year, Austin Prep adopted a theme to help community members advance our mission and live our faith. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the theme that we will use to fortify the mission of Austin Prep comes from the Book of Proverbs: “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Through this theme, we will focus our conversations, lessons, activities, and liturgies on the Augustinian ethos of veritas and deepen our understanding of this essential part of the unwritten curriculum. As St. Augustine tells us in his Exposition on Psalm 33, “Let us listen to the truth from the One who is inside, and then speak from the heart to those who are outside.”

To view photos from the first day of class, click here.

Three Day Orientation Program Precedes Day One of Classes

Prior to the start of classes, students were on campus for orientation activities. Middle school students were on campus Monday, August 29th and Tuesday, August 30th, while members of the Class of 2026 and new sophomores and juniors were on campus Wednesday, August 31st. Classes received welcomes from Dr. James Hickey, Head of School; Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School; Dr. Bill Driscoll '89, Assistant Head and Head of Upper School; Mr. Anthony Benning, Dean of Students, and others.  

Click the links to view photos and a video from Middle School Orientation. To view photos from the Class of 2026 Orientation, click here.

New Faculty Welcomed

Austin Prep welcomed new faculty on Thursday, August 18th for a half-day orientation. They were joined by the full faculty for a week of professional development from Monday, August 21st to Friday, August 25th.  We look forward to introducing new faculty members to the school community in the coming weeks.

We Would Also Like to Welcome...Reagan!

In mid-August, Dr. Hickey appointed Reagan to the Austin Prep staff as the Special Assistant to the Head of School. Reagan, a four month old Labrador Retriever, will be pursuing training over the next few years as a therapy dog, and will spend most of her days on campus. We are excited to welcome her as a member of the School community. Stop by and say hello! 

New Era Begins | First NEPSAC Contest is Tuesday, September 6th

This fall marks the start of Austin Prep's affiliation with the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). The NEPSAC is an association of accredited independent and faith-based schools across New England.  With membership in the NEPSAC, Austin Prep will advance the School’s mission by aligning and building relationships with other like-minded institutions to support Austin Prep students in their academic, social, and athletic development.  In the first year of NEPSAC membership, Austin Prep’s boys and girls athletic teams will compete against schools from several leagues within the NEPSAC.

The NEPSAC era begins Tuesday, September 6th as Boys Soccer hosts Lexington Christian at 3:30 p.m. It also marks the Austin Prep debut of new Head Coach Tyler Silva.

Save the Date for Virtual Back to School Night September 8th

Annual Convocation Liturgy Takes Place Friday, September 9th

Liturgy kicks-off a year of festivities to celebrate Austin Prep's 60th Anniversary

Convocation Mass, one of Austin Prep's most cherished annual traditions, marks the official start of the academic year. This year's liturgy will be extra-special as it will kick-off a year of festivities to celebrate a milestone in our history. The first students of Austin Prep arrived on campus in September 1963 and this year marks our 60th Anniversary.

Bishop Mark O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Convocation Liturgy on Friday, September 9th at 10:00 a.m. Weather permitting, the mass will be held outdoors on Father Seymour Field. If there is inclement weather, we will move the mass indoors to Richard J. Meelia '67 Hall. All students and staff will be in attendance for the Mass, and Chapel dress is required of all students that day.

Parents are welcome to attend. If we have to move the mass indoors, however, seating will be very limited. Please email Susan Belanger, Assistant Head for Administration, at sbelanger@austinprep.org to rsvp. The mass will be livestreamed, and the link will be available on our website and sent to families the day before the event.

This will be a very memorable occasion for our students and a special day for all those within the Austin Prep community.

First Parents Association Meeting is September 12th

In an email to the parent community last week, Mrs. Maryellen Iannibelli P'22, '24, Austin Prep Parents Association President, welcomed new and returning families to the 2022-2023 Austin Prep school year. She also invited parents to the initial meeting of the Parents Association, which will take place Monday, September 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the Austin Prep Dining Hall. It will be an opportunity to learn more about the Parents Association and what it has to offer, as well as a chance to hear from Dr. Hickey with school updates as we start the year. Please RSVP as soon as possible so that we may plan accordingly.

Planning for the 7th Annual Parents Association Signature Event is already underway. Considered the parent social event of the year, the Signature Event has become a favorite with parents, is well attended, and allows parents to get together for food and fun in support of Austin Prep.

The Signature Event will take place Saturday, December 3rd at Andover Country Club. The gala features a dinner buffet, silent and live auctions. More information and invitations will be forthcoming. Mannie Gouveia P'23, the Signature Event coordinator, will be reaching out soon for volunteers. Many hands are needed for planning, technical support and solicitation of donors. This is a great way to dive in and get to know other families.

We hope you will join us on September 12th to learn more about the Parents Association and Signature Event!

Picture Make-up Day is October 11th

Our school picture make-up date will be Tuesday, October 11th. This date is to ensure families have an opportunity to see the original portraits. Pictures will once again take place in Meelia Hall with Mark Lawrence Photography.

The services provided this day include the following:

• School pictures for faculty, staff, and students who missed the original date.
• Students who would like retakes. Students must be in Chapel Dress for these photos.

Please reach out to Mr. AJ Benning, Dean of Students if you have any questions.

Austin Prep to Participate in High School Football Presented by Cross Insurance at Fenway Park Thanksgiving Week

Inaugural NEPSAC season will conclude at Fenway Park with Wednesday, November 23rd matchup against former Catholic Central League rival St. Mary’s of Lynn

Fenway Sports Management announced Thursday, August 25th the return of High School Football at Fenway presented by Cross Insurance, highlighted by the match-up between former Catholic Central League (CCL) rivals Austin Prep and St. Mary’s of Lynn on Wednesday, November 23rd at 1:30 p.m. A total of five games will be played in the series, with a double header scheduled for November 22nd and a triple header scheduled for November 23rd.

“We are thrilled to host high school football once again at Fenway Park,” Fenway Sports Management President Mark Lev said in a statement. “Thanksgiving rivalry games are always a highlight of the high school football season and adding the iconic backdrop of Fenway Park will only make the occasion more special for the players, coaches, and fans. We look forward to welcoming the communities and football fans to the Park to celebrate this time-honored tradition.” 

“It's an absolute honor for Austin Prep to be selected to play football at the most historic stadium in sports,” Austin Prep Director of Athletics Patrick Driscoll '97 added. “It will be a great experience for our entire community that will create lifelong memories.” 

Austin Prep’s participation in the series adds to a long history of high school football at America’s most beloved ballpark. Fenway began hosting high school football shortly after its opening in 1912. High school football games ended at Fenway in 1935, followed by an 80-year absence until its return to the ballpark in 2015. Matchups typically include hometown teams showcasing rivalries.

“Playing in historic Fenway Park is a great opportunity for our student-athletes at Austin Prep,” Head Football Coach John Florence stated. “It is a unique opportunity that not many other high school football players get to experience. I'm sure there will be a great crowd and the atmosphere will be electric.  St. Mary's is a well-coached program and it will hopefully be a great game.”

General admission tickets are available for purchase at www.redsox.com/highschoolfootball starting at $20/ticket for each day, providing access to the day’s games, with 25 percent of every ticket sold given back to the school each patron is supporting.

Austin Prep began its inaugural season in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Tuesday, August 30^th when players reported to campus for preseason camp. A member of the Evergreen League, Austin Prep will play a nine-game regular season schedule, kicking off at home on Saturday, September 24^th against Dexter Southfield at 6:00 p.m.

“The chance to play in the NEPSAC gives our student-athletes the chance to compete against some of the top talent in New England in true prep school settings,” Florence noted. “This will help our current players gain more exposure to college coaches and hopefully draw more multi-sport athletes to Austin Prep, which is a special place with great culture. I look forward to the football program and other teams continuing to grow and excel in this new organization.”

A full schedule for High School Football at Fenway presented by Cross Insurance can be found below:

*Approximate time – Games 2 and 3 will kick off 40 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding contest

Class of 2023 Visits Boundless Adventures

To kick off their senior year, the Class of 2023 visited Boundless Adventures Zipline and Ropes Course in Berlin, Ma. on Tuesday, August 30th. It was an opportunity to bond with classmates as seniors enter the final year of their Austin Prep journey. We hope that the day left seniors with positive, lasting memories of times well spent with friends and classmates! 

Summer Chapel Renovations Feature New Center Aisle

Upgrades in the Chapel of St. Augustine and Science Lab highlight Faith and Reason Initiative

Dr. Hickey has recently shared with the parent community insights about plans to expand Austin Prep’s science facilities and renovate the Chapel of St. Augustine. Austin Prep made significant progress on both fronts this summer. The construction of the first science lab and the renovation of the Chapel of St. Augustine cost approximately $650,000 combined, and was completely funded by the generosity of some current parents and donors.

Renovation to the Chapel is about complete, and now includes a center aisle, something the Chapel has never had before.  The Chapel's new pews were obtained through a partnership with the Sisters of Divine Providence who closed their high school, Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, MA. Once the school closed, we made an arrangement for the pews to be repurposed in the Chapel of St. Augustine at Austin Prep. 

The Chapel renovation also included restoration of the original marble predella (stairs which form the base of an altar). The Chapel’s predella was previously covered by a platform, which was installed in the early 1970’s to serve as a stage for Austin Prep’s student theater group. The Chapel’s tabernacle now sits on the restored predella.

We will share information and images from the expanded science lab in next week's Cougar Cougar.

Daughters of Mary Profess Their Vows

Last month, Austin Prep helped facilitate the perpetual vows liturgy for three of the Bannabikira Sisters who minister in the Austin Prep community. Sister Paskazia Nakitende, D.M., Sister Mary Namutebi, D.M., and Sister Maria Gorreth Nassali, D.M. professed their final vows as Daughters of Mary in a liturgy on August 19th at St. Ann’s Church in Peabody, where they reside. You can view photos from the service here, and video here. Because of complexities securing travel visas, they were unable to return home to Uganda for this milestone in their lives. Austin Prep was proud to stand with them as family during this important moment in their religious profession. Please join us in extending hearty congratulations to the Sisters. The Austin Prep community is a better place because of their amazing example.

August Prep to Launch Adeodatus Program

August 28th marked the Feast of St. Augustine. The Patron of Austin Prep, St. Augustine is one of the most consequential and well-known saints in the history of the Church, and his teachings help sustain our Journey in pursuit of Truth. A towering intellectual authority, Augustinian scholars estimate that St. Augustine authored about five million words, or approximately sixty 300-page books!

As we continue to examine and live in the Augustinian tradition, this year we are launching the Adeodatus program, named after St. Augustine’s son. Adeodatus is a student-led program of interiority and reflection. Student leaders were selected at the end of the last academic year and will take a class this year taught by Theology Department Chair Dustin Batista. Modeling the program after Adeodatus programs in other Augustinian secondary schools in the United States, the student-facilitators in the Adeodatus class will offer a brief daily reflection for one cohort of students (seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshmen, and middle school) each day of the week. The goal of the program is to dedicate a few minutes of quiet time for every Austin Prep student each week so they can find some personal inward space – a growing challenge in a cellphone-connected and overscheduled world.

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School Closed for Labor Day

As a reminder, Austin Prep will be closed Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day. When students return on Tuesday, September 6th, it will be Day One in the rotation. Extend summer one last weekend and enjoy the holiday!

September 10, 2022

Austin Prep Kicks Off 60th Anniversary with Convocation Mass 

On Friday, September 9th, Austin Prep marked the official start of the academic year with the celebration of Convocation Liturgy. Austin Prep welcomed Bishop Mark O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, as the principal celebrant and homilist. The celebration, open to parents and livestreamed to the school community, also served as the kick-off event for Austin Prep's 60th Anniversary Celebration. You can view photos from the day here.

Complete with the pageantry expected of Convocation – including the procession of students carrying class banners, welcomed by faculty in academic regalia to the sounds of bagpipers – this year's liturgy also included a parade of flags representing the national heritages of those in our school community. Over 70 national flags were included.

 

Jackie Brand '23, School-Wide Student Government President, began the ceremony by addressing her classmates. "Today's Convocation Mass offers us the opportunity to remember that Jesus tells us that He is present when two or more gather in his name," Jackie said. "I'm very excited for today as it marks the beginning of what I know will be an incredible year celebrating our 60th Anniversary."

Bishop O'Connell drew connections between students making serious efforts in their academic pursuits to committing to a life of faith. 

"This is a beginning. We all have beginnings. We begin every day. But we also have critical beginnings," Bishop O'Connell said. "We can all slide by in life, but there is nothing in the world that will change your life more than beginning a journey of faith. Nothing in your life that will bring you more peace, nothing in your life that will bring you more joy."

Head of School, Dr. James Hickey P'22, '23, '24 '27, welcomed parents, grandparents, Trustees, officials from the Town of Reading, and members of the Order of Malta to the Mass. While referencing Austin Prep's 60th Anniversary and the welcoming of the first students in September 1963, Dr. Hickey made note of the attendance of Fr. Art Johnson, O.S.A., who was instrumental in opening Austin Prep's doors in 1963, as well as Fr. Peter Gori '70, one of Fr. Art's first students.

 

“Each year we adopt a theme to guide the focus of the academic year. This year's theme is taken from the Book of Proverbs, 'Whoever walks with integrity, walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out,'" Dr. Hickey said. "Integrity is doing the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do. It's acting in accordance with deeply held beliefs. It's acting with sterling character."

To mark the occasion, School-Wide Student Government Officers Valeria Centinaro '23 and  Fiona Cullen '23 presented the Class of 2023 banner, which will eventually be hoisted to the rafters of Meelia Hall, where it will remain until being lowered at Baccalaureate Mass in May, 2023. View the raising of the banner here.

September 17, 2022

Next Week is Spirit Week

Week of themed dress down days and activities benefits St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

From Monday, September 19th to Friday, September 23rd we will celebrate Spirit Week, complete with themed dress down days and fun activities for both staff and students. 

In order to participate in Spirit Week, students are asked to make a $20 donation to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment, with a commitment to no child being denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has been the beneficiary of Austin Prep's charitable efforts in recent years. This student-driven initiative promotes unitas and caritas by generating a strong sense of community and directs our efforts to benefit children and families in need.

Please plan on giving cash donations to your advisor during advisory on Monday. Advisors will have information on collecting payments. Please see or email your advisor or Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion if you have any questions about payment.

Health and Wellness Parent Night is September 22nd

As a part of our Health and Wellness curriculum, we will be bringing back the Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (RCPS, formally RCASA) to facilitate discussions around the harmful effects of vaping. The RCPS team works closely with surrounding schools, understands the realities of adolescent substance use, and is well-versed in the facts and realities about adolescent substance abuse.

On Thursday, September 22nd at 6:30 p.m. we will welcome RCPS and school resource officers as they will host a Parent Night on Vaping. Please note that this event is for parents only and students should not attend. To RSVP for the night, please click here.

The event will be facilitated by Mrs. Lauren Sabella, Upper School Health and Wellness Counselor, and Mrs. Julie Rankin, Middle School Health and Wellness Counselor.

Mrs. Sabella joined the Austin Prep community in April 2021. She is a licensed mental health counselor with over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, including working with students and families with ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression and trauma. Mrs. Sabella is a certified child and adolescent anxiety treatment professional, has strong connections to the Reading community and shared access to many mental health resources. 

Mrs. Rankin joined the Austin Prep Health and Wellness team this summer. Mrs. Rankin has a Master’s Degree in School Counseling and has over nine years of experience as a school counselor, with eight of those years working in Catholic Schools. Mrs. Rankin enjoys working with middle school students, helping them to navigate social emotional needs and strengthen their skill building. 

This year both counselors will be joining advisory and engaging students in Health and Wellness lessons including healthy habits, stress reduction, and social media awareness. We know that these efforts in school often spark conversations at home. Throughout the year, we will be offering workshops for parents on these important topics. We know that if we can raise awareness about student health and teach them to take care of one another, we can make strides in keeping kids safe. As always, we encourage you to get in touch with us if you have any questions or if there are further resources, we can share with you.

Vaccination Clinic Available to Community Members October 5th

In our ongoing effort to keep our community healthy and safe, we are pleased to be able to offer you a convenient vaccination clinic on campus on October 5th, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Osco Drug Pharmacy will once again be able to provide various vaccinations for the entire community. Along with the flu vaccine, there will be COVID, Pneumonia, shingles and Tetanus vaccinations available.

The clinic will take place in the Gathering Room. Students may attend the clinic without a parent present, but must have a signed consent form and a copy of their health insurance card. Click here for the consent form, and click here for more information about the flu vaccine. To schedule an appointment, click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Begins

Austin Prep looks forward to celebrating diverse cultures, starting with Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th. During this time, we will recognize the contributions, achievements and influence of Hispanic Americans on the history and culture of the United States. This month is significant as it includes the date of independence for many Hispanic countries. This Thursday morning to kick off the month long celebration, Marcos De la Cruz '23 led the school community by reciting the opening prayer in Spanish.

Throughout the month we will provide students with opportunities to embrace and celebrate Hispanic culture. In the coming weeks, students will be able to indulge in different Spanish cuisine at lunch in the dining hall. Meals will include dishes from various Hispanic countries including Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Cuba. 

For more information, contact Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion, and be on the lookout for more information around campus, here in the Cougar Courier and on social media.

Updates from the Office of College Counseling

On Tuesday, September 13th, the College Counseling Office hosted a Senior Family Information and Financial Aid Night.  The first part of the program reviewed the college application process for the Class of 2023 while the second part focused on financial aid.  Amy Saffier, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Student Services & Director of Financial Aid at Simmons University, provided a comprehensive look at the financial aid process.

Every fall, Austin Prep welcomes college admissions representatives to meet our students and share more about their institutions.  This is a great opportunity to connect with college admissions representatives and learn more about various schools in the U.S. and abroad.  Often the admissions representatives who visit are the ones that read the applications from our Austin Prep students.

Important notes regarding the visits:

• Seniors and juniors are welcome to attend.  Seniors should sign up in Naviance.  Juniors should sign up via the form posted in the Class of 2024 Google Classroom.

• All meetings are held in the College Counseling Office, unless otherwise noted.

• Please get permission from your teacher or advisor to attend.

• If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in the connecting with a college, ask your college counselor for the contact information of the admissions representative who visited.

To view the list of college admissions visits for the week of September 19th, click here.

More College Counseling | Testing Day is October 12th

Austin Prep will host its annual testing day on Wednesday, October 12th.  All 9th graders will take the PSAT 8/9 and all 10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT/NMSQT.  The SAT will also be given to any 12th graders who signed up in advance.

All testing will begin at 8:00 a.m.  Students will be dismissed from school for the day once their testing is complete.  The PSAT 8/9 will conclude around 11:00 a.m., the PSAT/NMSQT will conclude around 11:30 a.m. and the SAT will conclude around 12:00 p.m..  A light lunch will be provided for any students who need to remain on campus. 

More detailed information about test day procedures will be sent directly to students in early October.

Sixth Grade Builds Community with Mini Golf and Ice Cream

Members of the Class of 2029 spent Friday afternoon getting to know one another as they played miniature golf and enjoyed ice cream sundaes at Richardson's Farm. Students were placed in foursomes to play their 18 holes of golf and were prompted to dialogue with each other with conversation starters provided by faculty members at different holes on the course. An ice cream treat capped off the afternoon. This class activity was planned by the Office of Student Life as part of a series of programs designed to build community among students. 

Mass Intentions to be Offered in the Chapel of St. Augustine

As a reminder, the Office of Campus Ministry has opened the Mass book for the current academic year. At this time, members of our community are welcome to contact us regarding Mass Intentions. Each day Mass will be offered for a particular intention when requested. The suggested offering is $25.00 per intention. 

In addition Austin Prep community members are welcome to have the Sanctuary Lamp lit in memory of a loved one. The suggested donation for a two week candle is $25.00. Please use this link to request a Mass intention or to donate a Sanctuary Lamp.  If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Maria Gorreth Nassali. 

Each day of the academic year Mass is celebrated in the Chapel of St. Augustine. Mass is celebrated at 7:20 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, Mass is celebrated with rotating Theology Classes at 10:00 a.m. 

Fall Sports Kick Off Season with Masses and Blessings

Our Fall Varsity Sports seasonal Mass and breakfast took place last Sunday. Varsity student-athletes and coaches joined in the celebration of the Eucharist in the Chapel of St. Augustine, asking for God's blessing for a safe and healthy Fall 2022 season. After the Mass, teams and families enjoyed a community breakfast in the Dining Hall. On Monday, fall sport sub-varsity student-athletes received a blessing from Fr. Patrick Armano, School Chaplain.

Fr. Smith Library Introduces Sora Reading App

The Fr. Smith Library is pleased to introduce Sora! The Sora reading app gives students and faculty one-tap access to ebooks and audiobooks on any device, at any time, using their school Microsoft credentials. Whether reading for pleasure or for class, Sora's ebook reader allows you to add bookmarks, make notes and highlights, define words, adjust font type (including dyslexic font), font size and lighting, and much more. For any questions on where to find and how to use Sora, please contact Librarians Mr. Alex Williams or Ms. Megan Michaud.

Thanks for Visiting us at the Reading Rotary Street Faire

Did you miss us? We will be at the North Reading Town Day on Sunday!

 

The 14th Annual Reading Street Faire, hosted by the Reading Rotary Club, was last Sunday, September 11th in downtown Reading. Thank you to all those who stopped by to say hello!

Austin Prep is a community partner of the Reading Rotary Club, which hosted the fair. Our Rotary ties are strong: current Reading Rotary Club co-Presidents Sheila Clark P'21, '23 and John Douglass P'19 are past and current parents, and Mike Collins, Head Girls Tennis Coach, is a Past President of the Reading Rotary Club!

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Austin Prep Participates in Race Amity Summer Art and Music Festival

Campaign supports the African Union’s Great Green Wall project.

This summer, Austin Prep students served at an event hosted by the National Center for Race Amity (NCRA). The mission of the NCRA is to cultivate race amity as it’s a key tool in advancing access, equity, social justice and unity.

NCRA has started a campaign to support the African Union’s Great Green Wall project. The Great Green Wall is an African-led movement with an ambitious goal of growing 50 million trees across the entire width of Africa. The Wall promises to be a compelling solution to the many urgent threats not only facing the African Continent, but the global community as a whole – notably climate change, drought, famine, conflict and migration. NCRA is working with contacts within the Gambian government to plant 15 million tress as part of a Great Green Wall Atlantic Slave Memorial. This project is a unique opportunity to support both climate justice and racial equity.

Several Austin Prep Students assisted in the Race Amity Art and Music Festival at historic Faneuil Hall in Boston on July 30th. The event benefited the Great Green Wall project and was sponsored by the NCRA in partnership with Ben and Jerry’s in Boston, owned by Austin Prep parents Jason and Jenifer Sweeney '24. Participating students included Will Cacciatore '24, Claire Harrington '26, Tristan Miller '23, Shane Miller '26, Lauren Neal '24, Elena Oulton '24, Amelia Oulton '21, Jack Sweeney '24, Chris Trodden '24, Jay Voica '24 and Brooke Voica '26.

The festival featured musician Stephen Kellogg, diverse local musicians and artists, a family oriented unity art project and free ice cream. The festival focused on sharing and celebrating the NCRA’s vision for cross racial amity and goal of E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many One.

National Center for Race Amity Founder Dr. William "Smitty" Smith was impressed with the level of engagement, work ethic and teamwork the Austin Prep students displayed at the festival.  “The presence and wonderful energy the Austin Prep students lent to the event was critical to the success of the Boston Race Amity Arts and Music Festival," Dr. Smith said. "They nimbly and quickly assisted in unloading and setting up tents, mounting signage in the Faneuil Hall Market Place, working hard through the entire festival supporting our goals, and packing and loading materials at the days end.”

Virtual Parent Orientation Materials Available 

Last week, Dr. William Driscoll '89, Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School, and Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School, hosted a Parent Orientation Webinar as a part of our Back to School Night programming. To access the slidedeck from the evening, click here. To access a recording of the session, please click here. If prompted, the passcode is: W0X3+8#B

Take a Moment to Ensure Your Contact Information is Accurate

Now that we have settled in to the new academic year, please make sure that we have updated and accurate contact information in the Parent Portal.

In the event Austin Prep needs to contact families for any reason, we will notify you via email and text message. It is important you make sure both your email address and mobile phone number are up to date to ensure you receive these important messages.

To check or update your information, log in to the Portal using your credentials - not your child's. From the Portal Homepage, click on My Profile in the top navigation bar. Go to My Personal Contact Information and check or update your email and mobile phone.

If you want your child to receive text message notifications, you need to input his/her mobile phone number into the system through the Parent Portal. From the Portal Homepage, click on My Profile in the top navigation bar. Click on Your Child's Contact Information, and you will be able to input or change his/her mobile phone number. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

September 24, 2022

Big Day for Athletics Today vs. Dexter Southfield

 

Today is a big day for our fall athletics teams as we host five home varsity contests against Dexter Southfield, including the season opener for football and the home opener for field hockey. Come out and support the teams! If you can't be there, follow the Athletics Department on Twitter for live in game updates, or watch the games via livestream. Good luck to all our teams competing today!

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Busy Friday Highlights Successful Spirit Week

To help us get ready for the big day today vs. Dexter Southfield, this past week we celebrated Spirit Week, complete with themed dress down days and fun activities for both staff and students. We had dress themes including Austin Prep branded gear (Monday), a monochrome theme (Wednesday), and class colors for the pep rally (Friday). Students also decorated pumpkins and had a great Faculty vs. Seniors Volleyball Game at Community Meeting on Friday. 

To participate in Spirit Week, students made a $20 donation to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Austin Prep raised over $15,000 to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment, with a commitment to no child being denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. This student-driven initiative promoted unitas and caritas by generating a strong sense of community and directed our efforts to benefit children and families in need, and we are very proud of our students for supporting this great organization.

Join us for our Fall Open House!

The Office of Admissions is hosting the annual Fall Open House on Sunday, October 23rd from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for future students interested in grades 6 - 11. Guests should pre-register for the open house on the Austin Prep Admissions page. 

We are looking for Parent Volunteers to staff our registration tables and to help welcome prospective families. If you are interested, please contact Mr. Ryan Patrie, Director of Admissions.

Open House visitors will have the opportunity to meet Middle and Upper School faculty, school leaders, coaches, and take tours of our campus with Green Key Student Ambassadors.

Some of our best referrals come from current Austin Prep parents. We would be most grateful if you spread the word to those in your community about the Open House event and your own Austin Prep experience. It was great to see so many current families visit with us and Austin Prep Green Key Ambassadors at the recent Reading and North Reading Town days and school fairs!

More Open House

Won't be able to participate at Open House but want everyone in your hometown to know you are a part of the Austin Prep community? Help us advertise the Austin Prep Open House by proudly displaying a yard sign at your home. Students are welcome to pick up a yard sign in the Admissions Office from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. any day next week. Signs are available with or without a stake. We appreciate your support!

Vaccination Clinic Available to Community Members October 5th

In our ongoing effort to keep our community healthy and safe, we are pleased to be able to offer you a convenient vaccination clinic on campus on October 5th, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Osco Drug Pharmacy will once again be able to provide various vaccinations for the entire community. Along with the flu vaccine, there will be COVID, Pneumonia, shingles and Tetanus vaccinations available.

The clinic will take place in the Gathering Room. Students may attend the clinic without a parent present, but must have a signed consent form and a copy of their health insurance card. Click here for the consent form, and click here for more information about the flu vaccine. To schedule an appointment, click here.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Continues

Austin Prep looks forward to celebrating diverse cultures, starting with Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th. During this time, we will recognize the contributions, achievements and influence of Hispanic Americans on the history and culture of the United States. This month is significant as it includes the date of independence for many Hispanic countries. 

Throughout the month we will provide students with opportunities to embrace and celebrate Hispanic culture. Upcoming activities include:

Updates from the Office of College Counseling

Save the Date: College Testing Day to take place October 12th.

Austin Prep will host its annual testing day on Wednesday, October 12th.  All 9th graders will take the PSAT 8/9 and all 10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT/NMSQT.  The SAT will also be given to any 12th graders who signed up in advance.

All testing will begin at 8:00 am.  Students will be dismissed from school for the day once their testing is complete.  The PSAT 8/9 will conclude around 11:00 am, the PSAT/NMSQT will conclude around 11:30 am and the SAT will conclude around 12:00 pm.  A light lunch will be provided for any students who need to remain on campus. 

More detailed information about test day procedures will be sent directly to students in early October.

Every fall, Austin Prep welcomes college admissions representatives to meet our students and share more about their institutions.  This is a great opportunity to connect with college admissions representatives and learn more about various schools in the U.S. and abroad.  Often the admissions representatives who visit are the ones that read the applications from our Austin Prep students.

Upcoming College Visits (week of September 26)

Important notes regarding the visits:

• Seniors and juniors are welcome to attend.  Seniors should sign up in Naviance.  Juniors should sign up via the form posted in the Class of 2024 Google Classroom.

• All meetings are held in the College Counseling Office, unless otherwise noted.

• Please get permission from your teacher or advisor to attend.

• If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in connecting with a college, ask your college counselor for the contact information of the admissions representative who visited.

Special Middle School Programming also on October 12th

As noted above, on Wednesday, October 12th, our Upper School students will be taking the PSAT exam.
Our sixth and seventh grade students will join us on campus that day for a structured morning of activities. Our eighth grade students will be traveling with faculty off campus for a field trip. These leadership and experiential opportunities stem from our Middle School Strategic Plan and are initiatives sponsored by the Middle School Office and the Office of Student Life.

Students will arrive at the normal morning drop-off and proceed to Meelia Hall at 8:00 a.m. Students will be dismissed with an early release from Meelia Hall at 1:00 p.m.. Additional details for the day will be distributed soon. We are looking forward to a great morning of leadership and educational activities with our students.

RCPS Leads Discussion Around Harmful Effects of Vaping

A reminder to have discussions with your children about unhealthy choices and good decision making.

This week we welcomed Reading Coalition for Prevention and Support (RCPS, formally RCASA) to facilitate discussions around the harmful effects of vaping.  Erica McNamara and Krystal Mellonakos-Garay were joined by School Resource Officers Brian Lewis and Eric Vatcher, and Special Officer Cooper the Comfort Dog. The RCPS team works closely with surrounding schools, understands the realities of adolescent substance use, and is well-versed in the facts and realities about adolescent substance abuse. In addition to the parent presentations, RCPS educators and school resource officers will be joining Middle School classes later this fall to facilitate discussions around the harmful effects of vaping. 

This year our Health and Wellness Counselors will be joining advisory and engaging students in Health and Wellness lessons including healthy habits, stress reduction, and social media awareness. We know that these efforts in school often spark conversations at home. Throughout the year, we will be offering workshops for parents on these important topics. We know that if we can raise awareness about student health and teach them to take care of one another, we can make strides in keeping kids safe.

Related to this, you may have seen media reports regarding the latest Tik Tok challenge encouraging people to cook chicken using the cough syrup NyQuill. While we have confidence in Austin Prep students to exemplify veritas, unitas, and caritas in their lives, we also know that students need positive reinforcement and reminders from time to time that poor decision-making and unhealthy choices can have serious consequences. In general, participating in Tik Tok challenges is not aligned with our values. Austin Prep has zero tolerance for any student who participates in social media challenges – or any other behavior – that has a harmful effect on our community or any person in it, including themselves.  We appreciate your partnership in guiding our students together, and as always, we encourage you to get in touch with us if you have any questions or if there are further resources we can share with you.

Take a Look Back at Convocation Mass

Austin Prep’s annual Convocation Liturgy was extra special this year, as the Mass kicked-off a year of festivities to celebrate a milestone in our history: our 60th Anniversary. Take a look back at what was a memorable day for our school community.