September 2023

9.9.2023

The 2023-2024 Austin Prep Academic Year is Underway

Students arrived Wednesday, September 6th welcomed by faculty and staff and reunited with classmates as we kicked off the next year of our Austin Prep journey together. Traditionally occurring prior to Labor Day, the planned first day of school followed Labor Day this year to allow for time to complete a substantial $4.1 million building modernization project this summer which included a new HVAC system, among other classroom and building renovations. With unseasonably high temperatures for the opening days of school, it was a welcomed addition!

As is the case with every academic year, Austin Prep adopted a theme to help community members advance our mission and live our faith. Our Augustinian values are qualities of the mind, the hand, and the heart. Together those values instill strength of character, and when practiced habitually, enhance the human capacity to act. Ultimately, personifying Augustinian virtues of truth, unity, and love in our lives is about integrity. To that end, for the 2023-2024 academic year, our theme comes from the Book of Psalms (7:8): “Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to the integrity that is in me.” Through this theme, we will focus our conversations, actions, lessons, choices, activities, and liturgies on the inseparable connection to veritas, unitas, and caritas.

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

9.16.2023

September 16, 2023

**Seán Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, with Dr. Hickey and the Daughters of Mary at the conclusion of Convocation.**

Community Dances the Night Away at the Black Tie Gala

**Dr. Hickey delivers opening remarks at Friday night's 60th Anniversary Black Tie Gala.**

School Picture Day is Monday

**Convocation gave students the opportunity to practice their chapel dress attire. These guys did great!**

This is a reminder that Picture Day is Monday, September 18th. Picture Day is for all students, grades 6-12, and will take place in Meelia Hall from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Chapel Dress is required for Picture Day. Students will be notified via announcements when to proceed to Meelia Hall for their photos. Mark Lawrence Photographers has three options to order photos from Picture Day, and those options will be sent to families in advance of Monday.

First Community Mass is September 24th

chapel aerial — **Join us Sunday, September 24th in the Chapel of St. Augustine for Community Mass.**

Our first monthly Sunday Community Mass will take place on September 24th at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine.

We encourage our school families who regularly attend Sunday Mass at their local parish to consider joining us for this monthly Sunday Mass. The Mass will give us an opportunity to meet each other and pray together. We will join for a time of fellowship in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to RSVP by clicking here so we can take an appropriate count for the Coffee and Donut Hour.

Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you on September 24th as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Begins

**Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion, presented to students at community meeting the Hispanic Heritage Month programming for the month.**

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. At community meeting this week, Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion, presented to students the programming plans for the month, as well as an overview of the Office of Mission and Inclusion.

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. Morales, and be on the lookout for more information around campus, here in the Cougar Courier and on social media.

Save the Date for Open House: Sunday, October 22

**Help promote Open House with an Austin Prep lawn sign.**

The Office of Admissions is hosting the annual Fall Open House on Sunday, October 22nd from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. for future students interested in grades 6 - 11. Guests should pre-register for the open house on the Austin Prep Admissions page.

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. Additionally, we are looking for Parent Volunteers to staff our registration tables and to help welcome prospective families. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Lisa Simmons, Assistant Director of Admissions.

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!

Austin Prep Community Honors Victims of September 11th

Monday morning, Austin Prep students, faculty, and staff took time to reflect, pray and observe a moment of silence to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the attacks and loss of life on September 11th, 2001. Dr. William Driscoll '89, Dean of Faculty, and members of Austin Prep Schoolwide Student Government offered reflections and read prayers at 8:46 a.m., the time of the first attack on that fateful day.

Additionally, this week our History Department examined the events of September 11th, including a review of first-hand accounts and primary sources. During Ms. Jess Swindell’s Research Methods in History classes, History Department Chair Jon Whalen visited to discuss his experiences during the terrible events of that day. Mr. Whalen was living in Belgium at the time as a professional baseball player living with a host family. His host explained to him that there was a plane crash so he tuned into European TV to learn the alarming news that was made more difficult because he knew his parents were traveling by plane at the time. After a frantic 24 hours, he finally made contact with them to learn that they were rerouted with 25,000 others to Moncton, Canada where they spent three days. Additionally, Mr. Whalen related the news of three of his classmates from Williams College who were working in the North Tower at the time who all had very different experiences. Students were engrossed in his narrative, especially when he presented them with a newspaper that his mother purchased on September 13th while in Canada. Mr. Whalen challenged the class to critically analyze the source and identify what reporters got right at the time and what information turned out to be faulty. This method of sharing direct experiences helps students to contextualize history while asking meaningful questions of presenters.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Sixth Grade Builds Community with Mini Golf and Ice Cream

Members of the Class of 2030 spent Friday morning 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. View photos from the day here.

Back-to-School Night a Success

**Ms. Aprille Hibbard welcomed parents during Wednesday's Back-to-School night.**

Thank you to all our parents who attended our virtual Back to School night on Wednesday. It was an opportunity to get a brief overview of your child's academic schedule and receive an introduction to our faculty. The collaborative effort between our Office of Academic Affairs and Technology Department was again a success, as we hosted nearly 80 class meetings simultaneously, with over 4,500 individual Zoom meeting parent log-ins over the course of the evening. The next formal opportunity to meet with faculty will be during Parent Conferences on Friday, November 17th. More details to come.

Sub-Varsity Student-Athletes Blessed for the Fall Season

**Derek Langenau '26 and Abigail Fiore '26 were among those receiving St. Michael medals.**

Austin Prep fall sports sub-varsity student-athletes received a blessing from Fr. Patrick Armano, School Chaplain. and St. Michael medals Monday morning as they journey towards their competitive seasons. St. Michael is an archangel, a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. Tomorrow, September 17th, varsity student-athletes and coaches will join in the celebration of the Eucharist in the Chapel of St. Augustine, asking for God's blessing for a safe and healthy Fall 2023 season. After the Mass, teams and families will enjoy a community breakfast in the Dining Hall. Best of luck this fall!

Austin Prep's Massive Infrastructure Project Chills Hot First Week

**Austin Prep classrooms were renovated this summer as part of a $4.2 million building modernization project.**

Austin Prep’s patron, St. Augustine, had an exhortation in one of his sermons: “Do not be content with what you are, if you want to become what you are not yet. For where you have grown pleased with yourself, there you will remain…Always add something more, keep moving forward, always make progress.” As a school community, Austin Prep takes St. Augustine’s advice to heart. The school remains in growth mode with the past summer being another one of sustained progress and transformation.

Shortly after the final bell rang to close the 2022-2023 academic year Austin Prep undertook a massive $4.2 million capital project to replace the school’s heating system, install air conditioning to instructional and administrative space, and modernize instructional space and technology. This initiative was another giant step forward in modernizing the school’s facilities. In upgrading the school’s mechanical systems, Austin Prep also installed HVAC equipment that is more energy efficient, thereby reducing our carbon footprint, and focusing on care for the natural environment.

The project was set in motion after the decision by the Board of Trustees in January 2023 to move forward with the major renovation project. The work spanned 14 summer weeks, an initiative that long time school project and construction management partner Pimentel Construction called “one of our most complex projects we’ve completed for Austin Prep yet, renovating 70,000 square feet across the entire academic building.”

Despite the considerable scope of work, the school year kicked off on time as planned, and in an ironic twist, students enjoyed a cool first week of class during an unseasonably late-summer heat wave that saw temperatures reach into the 90s.

The HVAC and classroom modernization project is an indication of Austin Prep’s bright future and continued growth. As the school closed a year of celebrating its 60^th anniversary – Austin Prep first admitted students in 1963 – the project was also a symbolic step forward as the school rises to meet the challenge of the next 60 years and beyond. It is likely that the only time Austin Prep experienced a project of a similar magnitude in its 60 year history was when the cornerstone was laid.

The summer infrastructure project was the next in a line of considerable additions to the campus footprint in recent years, including a completely renovated Dining Hall with all-inclusive dining plan in 2018; a state-of-the-art athletic complex including a baseball stadium with synthetic playing surface, playing space for soccer and field hockey, and a six tennis court facility in 2020; and a new modular and flexible science lab to support teaching and learning in the life, chemical, and physical sciences in both the Upper and Middle Schools, plus renovations to the Chapel of St. Augustine in 2022.

New infrastructure projects of this nature are funded by philanthropy, and in order to expand programming, launch new initiatives, or add infrastructure Austin Prep relies on the generosity of parents and benefactors to support these endeavors, and will need to continue to do so. The school is grateful for those who made gifts to advance the growth of teaching and learning, and to make projects like these a reality.

As a result of the work. it’s unmistakable that Austin Prep’s instructional space has been transformed – it’s bright, modern, and well equipped to begin the school’s next 60 years.

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.

9.23.2023

September 23, 2023

Community Dances the Night Away at the Black Tie Gala

We had an amazing celebration Friday, September 15th as nearly 300 parents, past parents, faculty, alumni, Trustees and friends celebrated Austin Prep's 60th Anniversary at the Burlington Marriott. It was an unforgettable dinner and dancing event, filled with joy, laughter, and a strong sense of community, noting the accomplishments of yesterday, embracing the opportunities of today, and imagining the future with pride, confidence, and optimism.

One of the highlights of the evening was the premiere of a video piece documenting our strong history with an eye towards the future. You can view the video by clicking the video icon above. Additionally, you can view some video highlights from the evening here, as well as photos.

We are grateful for all our students, staff, parents, past parents, alumni, Trustees, friends and more, for the six decades of unwavering support and for being an essential part of our school’s legacy. We look forward to many more years of partnership and success.

School Picture Day Retakes are October 30th

**Miss picture day or need a retake? October 30th is picture retake day, although this one looks like a keeper!**

Neither rain nor excessive I-93 related traffic could impact a smooth and efficient picture day on Monday. Mark Lawrence Photography continues to be our professional photographers and we are including a link to their website should you be interested in purchasing your child's photo. If you missed picture day, you can have your picture taken on October 30th. More details and a reminder will be sent the week prior. As always, Chapel Dress is required for Picture Day.

First Community Mass is Tomorrow

**Celebrate Mass with the Daughters of Mary tomorrow in the Chapel of St. Augustine. The entire community is welcome, but parents must accompany students.**

Our first monthly Sunday Community Mass will take place tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine.

Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.

Austin Prep Recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

**Austin Prep students enjoyed Dominican inspired cuisine in the Dining Hall on Wednesday.**

Austin Prep will continue to prioritize our attention and resources on promoting greater justice and inclusion. We are animated by the life and teaching of St. Augustine and the Augustinians. Our Augustinian values anchor our work in the Office of Mission and Inclusion.

Interacting with diverse cultures fosters intellectual and personal growth, develops leadership skills, promotes awareness, and furthers global engagement. Austin Prep condemns bigotry, intolerance, prejudice, and racism in any form and our Catholic faith calls us to action to do all we can to foster greater respect and justice for all. As we exemplify veritas, unitas, and caritas in our community and beyond, we are proudly promoting Hispanic Heritage Month at Austin Prep for the 2023-2024 Academic Year.

The programming for Hispanic Heritage Month is based on the mission of Austin Prep to encourage learning; educating the whole person, the service of faith, and the promotion of justice. The day of September 15th is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually to recognize the contributions, achievements, and influence of Hispanic Americans on religion, art, athletics, business, history, and culture in the United States and across the world. Starting in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the celebration was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to observe a 30-day period, officially being enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

Throughout the month we will provide students with opportunities to embrace and celebrate Hispanic culture. This week, students enjoyed Dominican inspired cuisine in the Dining Hall. Take a closer look at what was served here.

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

Dr. Hickey Recognized by Alma Mater

**Dr. Hickey last night at Wagner College's Grand Celebration with wife Cindy and children Madeline '22 and Ryan '23.**

Get Your Austin Prep Gear Now!

Shopping for Austin Prep apparel and branded items just got a little easier with our Fall Online Store, open now to parents, students, faculty and staff.

Please remember, only the polo shirts and 1/4 zip pullovers are allowed to be worn in school. School approved apparel is identified on the site. All orders will be sent directly to your home and are scheduled to arrive in late October or early November. The store is open right now and will close at midnight on October 1st.

Also, feel free to visit the Unitas Shop to purchase other Austin Prep branded gear. The school store is typically open every day after school from 2:30 - 3:00 p.m.

More online stores will be open throughout the year, but don't miss this current opportunity by clicking here. Happy Shopping!

Austin Prep Faculty Featured in Professional Publications

**Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School and Dr. William Driscoll '89, Dean of Faculty have been recent contributors to professional publications.**

Austin Prep educators seek to become forward-thinking leaders in their field: being visionaries and skilled practitioners in their academic disciplines. Moreover, our philosophy is nested within Augustinian pedagogy that takes a holistic approach to education that promotes the growth of our students to become lifelong learners dedicated to the common good. Teachers model lifelong learning through multiple professional development opportunities, including sabbaticals in the Czech Republic, Rome, England, Spain, and across the United States. Additionally, master teachers mentor teaching fellows from Endicott College and Merrimack College. Members of our faculty also serve as professors at Endicott College and Boston College. Our faculty is selected to present at national, state, and local conferences and are profiled in publications for athletics and academics. Throughout the year we will highlight examples of excellence within our professional community. This week we share two examples with you.

Dr. William Driscoll '89, Dean of Faculty, recently wrote a review for Teachers College Record on a recent publication on refugee and asylum-seeking students. This was the topic of his dissertation research. For a link to the book review click here.

Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School, coordinates the international travel programs at Austin Prep. This year, a Remembrance Journey will take 50 Upper School students to Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic as they confront the evils of the Holocaust through a series of visits and reflections. Mr. McLaughlin is also a freelance travel writer and regularly writes on the student group travel market. This summer, Mr. McLaughlin's article on the state of the industry, Adapt and Innovate, highlighted the programs offered at Austin Prep and was featured as the lead story in Youth Travel Planner, a national trade publication for the educational travel sector. You can read Mr. McLaughlin's article here.

Tennis, Anyone?

**Join us for tennis clinics on Austin Prep's Lower Sports Complex Tennis Courts on October 1st and 15th.**

The Austin Prep Girls and Boys Varsity Coaching Staffs are excited to offer two fall tennis clinics. These offerings are for all skill levels and grades including middle school. This is a great way to meet the coaches, learn about the program and get some practice or an introduction to the sport. All students are welcome, and students interested in the tennis program this spring are strongly encouraged to attend. There is a limit of 50 students per clinic and you are welcome to sign up for both if there is room. Please sign up on the link below.

Dates: October 1st and October 15th
Time: 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
Location: Austin Prep Lower Sports Complex Tennis Courts
Registration: CLICK HERE!

More information will be communicated through the coaches via email once you are registered and the first clinic date approaches. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any additional questions via email to Head Girls Coach Mr. Michael Collins.

Austin Prep Represented at World Tap Championships

Austin Prep students Molly Blaney '30, Maddy Dinunzio '28, and Kaitlyn Riordan '26 will be representing the United States next week as members of the USA Tap Dance Team where they will compete for the World Tap Championships also know as the “Olympics of Dance." This event will take place September 25th through September 30th, 2023 in Riesa, Germany and our students will be competing against dancers from approximately 30 other countries. In addition to performing in a new country, the cultural exchange is an important part of the experience as participants will not only meet dancers from all over Europe, but they will also meet dancers from Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, Japan, China and South Korea and the team will also have the opportunity to travel to Dresden, Berlin, Meissen and Prague where they will visit churches, museums and World War II sites. More information about the event, including schedule and livestream details can be found here. Good luck, Molly, Maddy and Kaitlyn!

Save the Date for Open House: Sunday, October 22

**Thank you to everyone who came out to visit us at recent town days!**

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.