The last few months have been full with activity in every venue of our campus. Our young men are performing well whether on the stage, the gridiron or in the classroom. Our Campus Ministry team is completing our first round of retreats with our freshmen and will begin with the juniors in the next few weeks. We experienced a wonderful Homecoming Weekend in October and an even better showing at our Open House. As I’ve often stated, Bishop Hendricken is on the move.
October 30 saw the end of our first marking period one-quarter of our academic year is already behind us. Report cards will be mailed home on Friday, November 7. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, November 18th. Students will be dismissed at 11:00 AM that day. Teachers will be available to meet with parents between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM and again between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The early afternoon hours are usually less busy if you can plan your day around that, it would prove worth-while. Also, don’t forget that EdLine gives you the opportunity to check on your son’s progress throughout the year. Teachers are asked to update EdLine once every two weeks. Our new website lists the e-mail address of each teacher and staff member should you need to get in touch with any of them.
My thanks to all our families who helped make our Calendar Drive one of the most suc-cessful in recent history. Together, we reached and surpassed our goal adding almost $180,000 to our operating budget. Everyone realizes that we are experiencing difficult financial times this drive will help us continue a tradition of excellence in secondary education in Rhode Island. Please note that Bishop Hendricken, through conscientious stewardship, is on great financial footing. Yes, the times are difficult financially but we have the resources to keep providing everything necessary for a quality, Catholic values laden curriculum to your sons. Our ability to weather these difficult financial times is unquestioned.
As we approach the holidays I encourage all of our parents to take a very active interest in your son’s activities. Alcohol and drugs always present a danger and seem to be more prevalent this time of year. Please remember that children learn many of their behaviors from their parents. Holiday gatherings are wonderful ways to bring family and friends together be sure you are providing the proper role model for your children. I also ask that you talk with your son on a regular basis school certainly should be one of the topics of conversation but don’t forget to talk to him about drinking, drugs, and sex. Knowing who he is “hanging out” with is important as well as listening to his music and checking on the web sites he is visiting. It is all part of good parenting. If there is a problem in your home with either alcohol or drugs I offer our services to you. Our Guidance and Campus Ministry services stand ready to assist any of our families with any difficulty.
A few days ago, we welcomed Jason Evert to our campus. He spoke with all our boys on the topic of love and chastity. His talk was well received by our boys and I invite you to log onto chastity.com, hit the “listen” button and download the Catholic high school talk it is powerful and quite amazing! It might provide you an opportunity to speak with your son(s) about the role of sex in his life now and more importantly when he is married.
November is traditionally the month we remember all those who have gone before us to be part of God’s heavenly kingdom. Please join us on Sunday, November 2 at 10:00 AM in our theater for our annual Mass of Remembrance.
On Thanksgiving Day, Fr. Gaffney will offer Mass in our theater at 8:30 AM. Is there a better way to begin our Thanksgiving celebration than by thanking God for the many graces and benefits that he gives to each of us? Please join us and start your day off right! Please note that we will take up a free will collection to aid those who are less fortunate than we so they too might enjoy some holiday spirit.
Our next Open House is scheduled for Sunday, November 23 from 1:00 PM until 3:30 PM. If you know of any eighth grade student who might be interested in Bishop Hendricken, please pass this information to them. As you well know, we are always looking for a few good men!
I realize that there is an awful lot of information in this letter. My thanks to all of you for the support you give us each and every day. Please know that you and your families will be in my prayers and those of the Brother’s Community for a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. As always, if you have any questions, please call or send an e-mail.
God bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
Bro. Thomas R. Leto
President