June 6, 2026

The 2025-2026 Academic Year Comes to a Close with Field Day

Last-Day-of-School-2026 — **The Middle School Journey concludes for this crew. They are ready for Upper School!**

That’s a wrap for the 2025-2026 Academic Year! On Friday, June 5 Austin Prep middle schoolers celebrated the last day of the academic calendar with a special field day. View photos from field day. Congratulations to all our students, faculty and staff on a tremendous 2025-2026 academic year!

Teacher Appreciation Initiative Continues with Classroom Naming in Honor of Mr. Pollard and Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne

JP-Classroom-Named — **Austin Prep student-athletes familiar with Friday afternoon "stairs" in the winter will know the location of Coach Pollard's classroom.**

Back in late March, Austin Prep launched a new initiative giving our community a powerful and heartfelt way to honor the extraordinary educators who have shaped our students' lives and made Austin Prep the special place it is. We invited you to celebrate a beloved teacher or coach by making a gift to name a classroom in their honor. As Teacher Appreciation Month concluded, we unveiled two additional classrooms, bringing the total to seven in honor of treasured faculty and staff members.

After recently recognizing Ms. Celia Barletta, World Languages Faculty; Mrs. Michele Brewer, P'30, '32, Mathematics Faculty and Head Softball Coach; Mr. Sean Ryan, P'29, '30, Assistant Dean of Students and Head Boys Basketball Coach; Mrs. Tasha Scaplen, St. Ambrose Fellow and Instructional Assistant; and Mr. Eric Smith, Theology Faculty, this week Austin Prep unveiled classrooms named in honor of Jonathan Pollard '97, P'32, Associate Head of School and Head Baseball Coach, and Marla Pascucci-Byrne P'30, Art and Design Chair.

A proud alumnus of the Class of 1997, JP has devoted much of his professional life to Austin Prep and to the students, families, faculty, and coaches who make up our community. Over the years, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Director of Athletics, Head Varsity Baseball Coach, and Associate Head of School. In each position, he has helped shape not only the student experience but the culture and character of Austin Prep itself.

JP's accomplishments are remarkable. As Director of Athletics, he oversaw one of the most successful periods in Austin Prep athletic history, including three consecutive Boston Globe Nason Awards, recognizing Austin Prep as the top Catholic coeducational athletic program in Massachusetts. As Head Baseball Coach, he built a program respected throughout New England and beyond for both its competitive excellence and its commitment to developing student-athletes of character. Under his leadership, Austin Prep Baseball has captured a state championship, completed two undefeated seasons, and placed more than 70% of its graduating seniors in collegiate baseball programs. Yet those who know JP best understand that his greatest impact extends far beyond championships, awards, and accolades.

For decades, JP has inspired students to pursue excellence, embrace accountability, and lead with integrity. He has consistently emphasized that lasting success is built upon preparation, discipline, and a commitment to serving a purpose greater than oneself. Whether mentoring students, supporting faculty and coaches, or helping guide the strategic direction of the School, JP leads with a steadfast belief in the mission of Austin Prep and in the unlimited potential of every student entrusted to our care.

In many ways, JP embodies what makes Austin Prep special. As an alumnus, school leader, coach, and mentor, he understands the transformative power of this community because he has lived it himself. He has dedicated his career to ensuring that future generations of students have the same opportunities, guidance, and sense of belonging that shaped his own experience.

Ms-P-Classroom — **The Nutcracker "Suite", now named in honor of Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne.**

As Chair of the Art and Design Faculty and a driving force behind Austin Prep's theater and dance programs, Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne has inspired generations of students to develop confidence and discipline while discovering their own self-expression through the arts. Her influence can be seen across countless performances, exhibitions, and traditions that have become woven into the fabric of our community.

Perhaps most notably, Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne has marshalled “The Nutcracker” into one of Austin Prep's most beloved traditions, annually bringing together 200 student performers and creating lasting memories for families year after year. Her leadership has also helped establish and grow opportunities in dance, theater, and visual arts, ensuring that students of all talents and interests have a place to create, perform, and belong.

Beyond her work with students, Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne has been a respected leader among her colleagues and an advocate for innovative, student-centered teaching. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to Austin Prep, she was awarded the St. Augustine Lumen Award by the Board of Trustees in 2020.

In naming the Austin Prep Dance Studio in her honor, we celebrate an educator whose passion, imagination, and commitment have enriched the lives of students and strengthened our community. We are grateful to the many donors whose generosity made this tribute possible and proud to recognize Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne in this meaningful way.

Congratulations, Mrs. Pascucci-Byrne and Mr. Pollard, and thank you for all the ways you serve and strengthen the Austin Prep community each day.

To give or learn more about this special giving initiative, contact Georgina D'Cruz, Assistant Director of Development at georgina.dcruz@austinprep.org, (781)-944-4900 x4955.

It's Not Too Late to Register for Fall 2026 Athletics

Attention all students and parents! If you would like to register for Fall athletics but have yet to do so, there is still time. All registrations must be completed by parents through this Veracross link. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Assistant Athletic Director, Mr. Jim Wilkins at james.wilkins@austinprep.org.

Eighth-Grade Students Close Out Middle School Academic Experience With Mock Trial

2026-Mock-Trial — **Abby Salkins examines witness during this week's Mock Trial.**

This spring, eighth-grade students brought their study of the judicial branch to life through a Mock Trial experience in their Civics classes. After spending several weeks examining the structure of the American legal system, courtroom procedures, and the roles of various participants in a trial, students were introduced to a fictional case involving multiple criminal charges. Working in teams, they analyzed evidence that was created by the Upper School Forensics classes, reviewed witness affidavits, and developed legal arguments.

Each Civics class was assigned prosecution or the defense and spent time preparing for trial. Students crafted opening and closing statements, developed direct and cross-examination questions, and anticipated the arguments they might face in court. In addition to serving as attorneys, students also took on the roles of witnesses, bringing the case to life through character portrayals and testimony. Throughout the process, they practiced critical thinking, public speaking, collaboration, and persuasive argumentation.

This week, the classes faced off in a series of Mock Trial proceedings, transforming the classroom into a courtroom, with faculty serving as members of the jury. View photos from the trials.

Students Place Their Reading Order at "Starbooks"

starbooks-2026 — **Lydia Trull '30 showcases her book project to classmates at "Starbooks."**

The English department initiative "Starbooks," inspired by English Faculty Ms. Alexandra Galezowski '12 and Mrs. Kate Cavanaugh, P'28, '30, recently transformed Austin Prep’s eighth-grade English classrooms into a café-style celebration of independent reading. The event provided readers with an opportunity to showcase their independent reading projects among classmates in a creative and engaging way, in a warm and comforting setting modeled after a Starbucks cafe.

Learn more about "Starbooks" by reading this piece written by Klara Masterpol '30 (also a "Starbooks" participant!) that will appear in the next edition of the Real News in Schools special section insert of The Eagle-Tribune. This section features student-driven and school-related stories from a select group of area schools, and Austin Prep content has appeared consistently each month this past winter and spring. If you are a writer interested in getting involved with the Real News in Schools initiative, reach out to Mr. Brett Rudy, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Maybe you can write your story in a local Starbucks!

Evolutionary Mashups: Where Science Meets Creativity (UPDATE: Austin Prep Takes First Prize!)

Earlier this spring, Ms. Aprille Hibbard's 7th grade students combined cutting-edge AI technology with timeless scientific inquiry to reimagine the natural world, and they did it as part of the Faith + Innovation AI Contest: The Catholic Schools AI Challenge, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston. We are proud to announce that Ms. Hibbard's efforts produced the overall winner of the AI contest! The prize included a $1,000 purchase of education materials and supplies for her classroom, a subscription of SchoolAi for all middle school classrooms, and a really awesome personal stipend for Ms. Hibbard. Judges noted that Ms. Hibbard's project was creative, educational, and well developed. Congratulations to Ms. Hibbard and her students!

Guided by faith, driven by creativity, and inspired by what's possible, students designed entirely new species by blending vertebrate traits, then brought their imaginative creatures to life through AI-generated imagery. Students dug deep into research, comparing human discoveries with AI-generated information to develop critical thinking skills about both evolution and artificial intelligence. By exploring adaptation, ecology, and vertebrate classification through hands-on investigation and visual design, these young scientists learned how to ask better questions, evaluate sources, and think creatively about real-world problems. The result was a collection of hybrid creatures that showcase not just scientific understanding, but the powerful intersection of faith-inspired innovation and technological possibility...and great recognition for Ms. Hibbard and Austin Prep!

Next Volume of 101 Willow Now Available

101-WILLOW-SPRING-2026 — Students in Art and Design Faculty Ms. Nicolle Renick's yearbook class have completed the sixth edition of their online magazine entitled "Willow 101." All writing and design was completed by students, as well as some of the photos. Willow 101 is published twice a year. Take a look!

Austin Prep Recognized by Boston College as a Model for Catholic Education

Boston College selected Austin Prep for a professional multimedia case study through the Transformative Education Lab at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, highlighting the Summer Sabbatical Program as a model for faculty growth, mission-centered education, and inspired classroom teaching.

In the video, Dr. James Hickey, Head of School, explains that great classrooms are led by great teachers, and that investing in teachers is essential to creating meaningful student experiences.

Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School, shares that the Summer Sabbatical Program was launched 10 years ago to support faculty professional growth by giving teachers the opportunity to pursue deep questions over the summer.

Eric Smith, Theology Faculty, reflects on a sabbatical experience in Rome that deepened his understanding of Saint Augustine and allowed him to bring firsthand knowledge into conversations with students.