October 2024

Today is a big day on Father Seymour Field as we host three home varsity contests. Come out and support the teams! If you can't be there, follow the Athletics Department on X for live in game updates, or watch the games via livestream. Good luck to all our teams competing today!

The Parent Association will run the concession stand at the next athletics department "Game of the Week" (GOTW). There is a GOTW tonight: football vs. New Hampton School. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. and the concessions shift will run from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  If you'd like to sign up to volunteer please click here. 

The next GOTW is volleyball vs. Phillips Andover on Wednesday, October 9th at 5:15 p.m. The concessions stand shift will run from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. If you'd like to sign up to volunteer please click here. 

The stand will sell pizza, drinks, candy and chips. As a reminder the concession stand is Cash Only.  For questions please contact Nicole Barletta P'28, '29, Concession Chairperson.

Our next monthly Sunday Community Mass will take place tomorrow, October 6th at 9:00 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 tomorrow as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.

By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. The month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. The Office of Campus Ministry prepared an all school Rosary for the entire Austin Prep community on Tuesday. Students were encouraged to bring their own Rosary, which often has special meaning for the student.

The Class of 2027 had a terrific class trip Thursday to Boundless Adventures! It was a great day for sophomores to spend time together and create memories with friends and classmates. The Office of Student Life looks forward to planning more class based trips as the year progresses.

Austin Prep continues its celebration of 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. 

During the month, a series of art enrichment activities highlighting Hispanic art has taken place Wednesday afterschool in the Fr. Smith Library. Students are being taught to make paper flowers, weave bracelets, make God's eye decorations and create a Pinata. Librarians Mrs. Carine Auriello and Mrs. Barbara Lichtman are working with Art and Design Faculty Lena Caruso to channel the student’s creativity. The last sessions will take place Wednesdays, October 9^th and 16^th in the library.

For more information regarding programming plans for the month, 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.

On Thursday, Austin Prep's 8th Grade class participated in its annual campus ministry retreat. The retreat focused on vocations, centered around Austin Prep's inspiring theme for the academic year, "Anchored in Christ, We Venture in Hope." The retreat was hosted by Merrimack College and facilitated by Fr. Dan Madden, O.S.A. and Austin Prep Trustee Fr. Ray Dlugos, O.S.A. Student retreat leaders and Sr. Maria Gorreth Nassali, Assistant Head of School for Mission and Ministry, guided students through meaningful discussions and activities. This retreat gave our students a chance to reflect on their futures and how faith can be their anchor as they navigate life's journey. We're so proud of how engaged and thoughtful our students were throughout the day!

Tuesday marked the grand opening of the Maillet, Sommes, & Morgan Conservation Land, which is located on Willow Street adjacent to the MBTA commuter rail tracks. The multi-year project was funded through grants like the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant, congressional earmarks and local funds. The conservation land now boasts a fully accessible walking trail system from the entrance on Willow Street to Lowell Street with additional access located off Hunt Street. Intertwined amongst the thousands of native plants, shrubs and trees are a series of newly created stormwater ponds, designed to improve the quality of stormwater and its runoff by filtering sediments and pollutants through the series of wetlands and marshes now present in the area.

Head of School, James Hickey, Ph.D., and Mr. John Weber, Chief Financial Officer, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was also attended by State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representative Brad Jones, State Representative Richard Haggerty, Congressman Seth Moulton, representatives from the Town of Reading, and others.

Be sure to visit this quiet space at your earliest opportunity!

Note: Our vibrant campus comes to life as a result of the talented students and faculty who make up the Austin Prep community. We look forward to periodically highlighting those individuals here in the Cougar Courier.

Hometown: Haddonfield, NJ (Go Bulldawgs!) 

Education/Degrees: Secondary Education and English, Studio Art (Providence College, B.A.) & Educational Leadership & Policy (Boston College, M.Ed.) 

Years at Austin Prep: This is my first year at Austin Prep! 

Years working in Education: This will be my sixth year.

Department/Area of Subject: English Department. I am currently teaching Discussion & Debate, Speeches, and The Great War

Describe a teacher who inspired you growing up: I've had many wonderful and inspiring teachers throughout my time as a student, but one who continues to inspire me and even shape my pedagogy is my Sophomore year English teacher, Mr. Scorsolini. Mr. Scors instilled in his students the motto #g2be—Good to Be Educated—emphasizing the value of education beyond the classroom.

Do you have a motto you teach by? Or an expression you try to instill in your classroom? Knowledge is Power. 

What’s the most insightful thing a student has ever said to you? After concluding a novel, one of my former students began class everyday reciting her favorite quote from the book, “Raise your words, not your voice. It is the rain that make flowers grow, not thunder” (The Breadwinner)

If you weren’t a teacher, what career would you have? I am deeply passionate about being an educator and I believe it is the path I was meant to follow. I truly can't see myself in any other field; teaching feels like my calling.

Favorite Quote: “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” John Steinbeck, East of Eden (Ms. Choate’s favorite book!) 

Fun fact (about you or your past; something colleagues & students might not ordinarily know): I have run one marathon, six Half Marathons, and I will be running my second marathon in May in Providence! 

Our Fall Open House will be here one week from tomorrow, and we can't wait to see prospective families there! Faculty, Coaches, and School Leadership will be on hand to help families learn more about the #AustinPrepJourney.

Some of our best referrals come from those in the Austin Prep community. Know someone in your town who would be a great part of the Austin Prep community? Encourage them to join us at Open House on Sunday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Click here to register. 

The Parent Association will run the concession stand at the next athletics department "Game of the Week" (GOTW). The next GOTW is boys soccer vs. Wheeler School on Wednesday, October 16th at 4:45 p.m. The concessions stand shift will run from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. If you'd like to sign up to volunteer please click here. 

The stand will sell pizza, drinks, candy and chips. As a reminder the concession stand is Cash Only.  For questions please contact Nicole Barletta P'28, '29, Concession Chairperson.

In honor of St. Augustine's 1,670th birthday, we will be celebrating with our 7th Annual Day of Giving on November 13th! Our Annual Day of Giving is an opportunity for our community to come together as one and show our pride in Austin Prep and our students’ education with a gift. Your participation matters! All gifts support the Austin Prep Fund, which provides resources for professional development for our treasured faculty members, curricular and co-curricular programs for students and tuition assistance.  More details to come...

Austin Prep continues its celebration of 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. 

On Friday, we welcomed to campus Fr. Agustín Anda of St. Theresa's North Reading to celebrate Mass in Spanish for Spanish classes during G Block, which allowed students to be able to put their learning into the practice of speaking the language. Spanish student lectors also participated in the Mass. At the conclusion of Mass Fr. Anda encouraged students to keep working hard to develop their Spanish speaking skills.

For more information regarding programming plans for the month, 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.

Did you know the Office of College Counseling hosts nearly 100 college admissions representatives from around the country every fall for Cougar Block information sessions with our students? On Tuesday Austin Prep hosted Boston College, which is always one of our more popular sessions. Students can check the daily announcements for the college visit schedule, follow the Office of College Counseling on Instagram or stop by the Office to learn more.

The upper school math team completed the first competition of this year at Wakefield High School on Thursday. This monthly competition is held by the Massachusetts Mathematics League (MML). After six individual rounds and one team round, Austin Prep received 100 points, the highest score the team has ever achieved. Congrats! Math is Fun!

On Thursday at the Pennsylvania National Horse show in Harrisburg, PA, Addison Slye '29 and her horse Conrido (Connor) were crowned national champions in the Large Junior Hunter Champion 15 & Under 3'3" Division. Congratulations Addison and Connor!

On Thursday the Class of 2026 participated in their annual retreat, facilitated by Fr. Tom McCarthy O.S.A. in partnership with our retreat leaders and dedicated teacher chaperones. The retreat, themed “Anchored in Christ: Building a Foundation of Truth, Unity, and Love,” offered our juniors a profound opportunity to reflect on God’s love and discern how they are being called to live out their vocations in their daily lives.

Grounded in our school’s core values of veritas, unitas, and caritas, the day was thoughtfully structured to deepen students’ relationships with Christ and foster meaningful connections with their peers as they continue their spiritual journey. Fr. Tom's inspiring reflections challenged students to embody these core values, urging them not only to speak of truth, but to live by it with courage and integrity, unshaken by fear.

We are deeply grateful to all those who contributed to making this retreat a resounding success. Special thanks to Fr. Tom, whose wisdom and guidance left a lasting impact on our students. To learn more about Fr. Tom and his ministry, please click here.

Note: Our vibrant campus comes to life as a result of the talented students and faculty who make up the Austin Prep community. We look forward to periodically highlighting those individuals here in the Cougar Courier.

Hometown: Dartmouth, MA

Education/Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Master of Science in Sport Leadership

Years at Austin Prep: I’m in my first year at Austin Prep.

Years working in Education: 9

Department/Area of Subject: I work in the Athletics Department as an Assistant Athletic Director.

Describe a teacher/coach who inspired you growing up: One coach who had a profound impact on me growing up was my freshman football coach, Coach Cadieux. He helped to instill a mindset of mental toughness and determination in me and my fellow teammates. Coach Cadieux helped me develop a desire to push myself and always give my best effort no matter how much of a challenge I was facing. The lessons I learned from him still help me to this day.

Do you have a motto you live by? Put forth your best effort in everything that you do.

If you weren’t an athletic administrator, what career would you have? If I weren’t an athletic administrator, I would be working in sports media.

Accolades: 2-time Scholar Athlete of the Year (College of Mount Saint Vincent)

Fun fact (about you or your past; something colleagues and students might not ordinarily know): My wife and I have a pet bunny named Ash! He loves to hop around the house and get treats!

Any other information you would like to share: I’m so happy to be here at Austin Prep and am excited to contribute to not only the athletic program but the whole Austin Prep community!

In accordance with the school calendar, Austin Prep will be closed on Monday, October 14th. We look forward to welcoming everyone back when we reopen on Tuesday, October 15th. Enjoy the long weekend! 

In coordination with Student Government, Fall Spirit Week will kick off on Monday, October 21st and will conclude on Friday, October 25th with our first Pep Rally of the year! 

Spirit Weeks at Austin Prep will continue to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude is to advance cures, prevention, research and treatment for pediatric catastrophic diseases. Last year, Austin Prep raised over $40,000 for St. Jude and we appreciate the generosity of our students and parents in supporting St. Jude for their continued efforts in treating the toughest childhood diseases.

A donation of $20 to St. Jude is required to participate in Spirit Week, and is due to your advisor by Monday, October 21st. Let's have a great, spirited week!

Trunk or Treat will take place Friday, October 25th from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m., and is coordinated by the Middle School in conjunction with the Austin Prep Office of Student Life. Families are invited to campus - this is a particular hit for younger siblings and another chance to wear their Halloween costumes and enjoy some extra candy! For more information please contact Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School. We appreciate the several teams, clubs, and individuals who are sponsoring a decorated car for the event. We have a few more spaces for others who may like to be involved. Please reach out to Mr. McLaughlin to learn more.

The Parent Association will run the concession stand at the next athletics department "Game of the Week" (GOTW). The next GOTW is field hockey vs. Tabor Academy on Wednesday, October 30th at 3:45 p.m. The concessions stand shift will run from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. If you'd like to sign up to volunteer please click here. 

The stand will sell pizza, drinks, candy and chips. As a reminder the concession stand is Cash Only.  For questions please contact Nicole Barletta P'28, '29, Concession Chairperson.

Austin Prep inducted new members into the National Junior Honor Society on Tuesday, October 15th. During the ceremony,  Amanda Martinelli ’29, Arame Minassian ’29, Sally Cullen ’29, Olivia Visan ’29 and Giulia Zizza ’29 offered remarks and reflected on the pillars of NJHS - Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Character. Congratulations to all the new inductees!

You can view photos from the night here and a program from the event can be found here.

Student's in Director of Music Dr. Jessica McCormack's Topics and Technology Class visited the Mason & Hamlin Piano Company in Haverhill so students could witness firsthand how innovation and technology influenced the development of the piano, an instrument which peaked during the 19th century, often noted as the "golden age of the piano."

Founded in 1854, Mason & Hamlin is located in downtown Haverhill and the company prides themselves on their craftsmanship resulting in its "signature American sound – deep, booming bass, orchestral, warm tenor and bell-like treble – all marked with robust sustain and resonance." The local factory spans six stories and students were able to witness components of each stage of the keyboard building process, from gluing layers of veneers to form the piano's rim to "voicing" the instrument by adjusting the felts around each hammer. Each piano takes about one year to build and the factory produces over 100 pianos per year.  If any aspect of the process is flawed, it can set the project back months.

Students have been guided through fundamental concepts of music theory during this first quarter, including keyboarding skills. This trip provided them with an opportunity to play acoustic instruments in the Mason & Hamlin showroom after they toured the factory. The class continues to discuss how innovation and technology influences the development of music and how our society appreciates and interacts with it.

As we seek to anchor our students in Christ, this year offers the opportunity for them to venture forward with hope, deeply rooted in faith. Through Campus Ministry retreats, we aspire to help students strengthen their relationship with God, which serves as a steadfast foundation for their future.

On Wednesday, 6th and 7th grade students had an opportunity to deepen their understanding of God’s unconditional love through an on-campus retreat. Anchored in Christ’s teachings and inspired by our core values of Unitas (Unity) and Caritas (Love), this retreat provided students with meaningful moments of reflection, prayer, and fellowship. As they grow in love and faith, they will also build strong, lasting friendships rooted in our shared journey with the Lord.

The retreat, themed "Love Growing Together in Faith," was facilitated by the Campus Ministry Office, our Chaplain, Fr. Patrick Armano, the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth from Quincy, and members of our Middle School faculty. The retreat offered a unique space for your children to reflect on their personal relationship with God while discovering their calling to live out His love in their everyday lives.

Student's in History Faculty Mrs. Jess Swindell's Women in American History students held their version of the Seneca Falls Convention to discuss the need for women's suffrage. The Seneca Falls Convention took place in New York in July of 1848. Students played the role of various male and female signers of the Declaration of Sentiments, which advocated for American women's rights. The Seneca Falls Convention marked the beginning of the long struggle for women's rights that ended with the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Every year Austin Prep parents graciously support the Signature Event by donating items and services for the live and silent auctions, and we hope this year will be no different as our event success would not be possible without your help! The Signature Event is a wonderful opportunity to support this Parents Association initiative that benefits all Austin Prep students .

Here are some ways to help and to get involved:

• Donate an item, service or completed basket for the auctions.
• Purchase an advertisement in the program book.
• Make a monetary donation to support a basket.

Popular items that would be beneficial include: 

•    Event, sport and concert tickets.

•    Restaurant and cafe gift certificates.

•    Fun activities and night out experiences.

•    Destination and travel experiences. 

•    Scratch tickets.

•    Personal services (spa, manicure, pedicure).

•    Other items you think would interest a bidder.

Next week we will provide a Sign Up Genius with full basket and single item contribution ideas.  If you are able to help, we are beyond grateful.  Questions may be directed to Mrs. Jeanette Vigorito P'27. 

In coordination with Student Government, Fall Spirit Week kicked off on Monday, October 21st and  concluded yesterday, Friday, October 25th with our first Pep Rally of the year. Spirit Weeks at Austin Prep continue to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The mission of St. Jude is to advance cures, prevention, research and treatment for pediatric catastrophic diseases. Last year, Austin Prep raised over $40,000. 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. Thank you to all those who participated! 

In addition to the aforementioned Pep Rally, the week consisted of themed dress down days, a volleyball match between faculty and students, and lots of school spirit! You can view photos from Monday's "Decades Day" here and Thursday's "Tacky Tourist" day here.

The Pep Rally featured a performance from the competitive cheer team, and customary skits performed to music by fall sport athletic teams. The event was kicked off by Mark-Henry Novas '26, who performed his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner on guitar.

 

Today is a big day for Athletics as we host three home varsity contests on campus and a home cross country meet at Town Forest in Reading.. Come out and support the teams! If you can't be there, follow the Athletics Department on X for live in game updates, or watch the games via livestream. Good luck to all our teams competing today!

As we wrap up the first marking period, we want to keep you informed about the upcoming timeline for our parent-teacher conferences. We appreciate your involvement in your child’s academic journey and look forward to connecting with you!

Key Dates to Remember:

• Friday, October 25th: End of the First Quarter
• Friday, November 1st: Report Cards will be available on the Parent Portal by 5 p.m.
• Monday, November 4th: Sign-ups for Parent Conferences open at 4 p.m. in the Parent Portal. Instructions for signing up will be sent on Sunday, November 3rd.
• Thursday, November 7th: Sign-ups close at 4 p.m.
• Friday, November 8th: Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • In-Person: 8:00 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. at school
  • Remote: 12:40 p.m. - 3:25 p.m. via Zoom

We encourage you to take this opportunity to engage with our dedicated faculty and discuss your child’s progress. Thank you for your continued support!

The Parent Association will run the concession stand at the next athletics department "Game of the Week" (GOTW). The next GOTW is field hockey vs. Tabor Academy on Wednesday, October 30th at 3:45 p.m. The concessions stand shift will run from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. If you'd like to sign up to volunteer please click here. 

The stand will sell pizza, drinks, candy and chips. As a reminder the concession stand is Cash Only.  For questions please contact Nicole Barletta P'28, '29, Concession Chairperson.

Additionally, Austin Prep branded merchandise from the Unitas Shop will be available at future Games of the Week.

Tickets for the Fall Play, “Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,"” are now available! Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets will continue to be available at the door.

The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like Johannes And The Raven and The Girl Without Hands. Performances take place as follows:

                    ● Friday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m., Austin Prep Dining Hall

                    ● Saturday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m., Austin Prep Dining Hall

Annual Interpretation of "Thriller" Can be Viewed Now 

Trunk or Treat took place last night, Friday, October 25th, and was coordinated by the Middle School in conjunction with the Austin Prep Office of Student Life. We welcomed families to campus and the night was a particular hit for younger siblings and another chance to wear Halloween costumes and enjoy some extra candy! We appreciate the several teams, clubs, and individuals who sponsored a decorated car for the event. You can view photos from the event here.

The Austin Prep Math Team attended the 34th annual WPI Invitational Mathematics Meet on October 18th at WPI. The team has Hayden Bai ’25 (Captain), Nicholas Kuntz ‘25, Dilan Patel ’25, Celina Hwang ’26, and Math Faculty Mr. Sun as the team advisor. After two rounds (individual and team) of competitions with 40 schools, they received 13th place as a team. Hayden, as the top scorer in the team, earned a $1,000 scholarship to WPI! Congratulations to all of them!

Students in Dr. Ricardo Vanegas' P' 21, '24 Biotechnology classes have finished a three week lab session where they engineered a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) using a gene from a sea anemone and the bacteria E.coli. This lab session was made possible by Amgen Biotech Experience (ABE) which is run out of Northeastern university.  ABE is an innovative science education program that introduces students to the excitement of scientific discovery and builds bridges between school and the real-life biosciences. All the materials and equipment needed for the lab session was supplied by ABE.  This innovative program is a great way to expose students to cutting edge techniques and give them biotech skills they can carry on to future college labs. 

To celebrate Italian American Heritage Month, our Italian Language, Culture, and Traditions Club hosted a hands-on cannoli-making class in the dining hall. This event offers a delicious opportunity for students to explore Italian culinary traditions and learn the art of crafting these beloved Sicilian pastries. Participants discovered the secrets to making cannolis in partnership with Sage Dining, all while immersing themselves in Italian culture. Join us when Mr. Francesco Donati, Science Faculty, and the club hosts two more cannoli making activities during Wednesday afternoon enrichments for fun, flavor, and cultural appreciation as we honor Italy's rich heritage through this sweet culinary experience. 

The Augustinian value of friendship took center stage during a special visit from Dr. Mary Jane Rein, Director of Assumption University's Center for Civic Friendship. Dr. Rein met with students from AP Government and American Experience classes to explore how meaningful dialogue can bridge ideological divides in today's polarized climate. Drawing on St. Augustine's teachings about the transformative power of friendship and mutual understanding, she demonstrated how civil discourse can create spaces for authentic connection across differences. During a collaborative session with our History Department faculty, Dr. Rein shared practical strategies for fostering respectful classroom discussions where diverse viewpoints are valued and explored with intellectual humility. Her visit reinforced our Augustinian commitment to building community through genuine dialogue, reminding us that friendship—as both Augustine and Dr. Rein emphasize—serves as the foundation for civil society and democratic engagement. Through such exchanges, our students learn to embody the Augustinian ideal of pursuing truth through relationships marked by respect, openness, and care for one another.