Xavier High School Opening of School Announcements

Among the plans are a full set of orientation programs to prepare students and faculty for the year ahead; the introduction of new programs to enhance the educational offerings, and a number of new faculty and staff appointments.

The calendar for the next month includes the following orientation programs and activities:

August 12-16 - Xavier Leadership Institute (XLI) (voluntary for seniors-approximately half of the senior class will participate)

August 20 - Used Book Sale

August 21 & 22 – New Teacher Orientations

August 23 - Frosh Falcon Blast/Transfer Orientation (Casual – “get to know the school”)

August 27 - Faculty/Staff Retreat Day - School Closed

August 28 - Faculty/Staff Meetings - School Closed

August 29 – Sophomore, Junior and Senior Orientations

August 30 - Freshman Orientation (Formal)

August 31 - No Classes -Offices Close at Noon

September 3 - Labor Day - School Closed & No Athletic Practices

September 4 - 8:15am - Classes Resume for All Students

Among the new and enhanced programs being offered are expanded Advanced Placement courses including AP Statistics and UConn Early College Experience credits including British Literature  (27 UConn ECE credits offered in 2012-2013) ; Law Enforcement and Basic Forensics, Marketing, and Personal Finance are now regular offerings in our Social Studies and Business curriculum; Guitar and String Ensemble are now a regular offerings in our Music program; the expansion of the Leadership Program for students in partnership with the Empower Leadership Sports and Adventure Center that was begun last year; and the full varsity status that has been announced for our Crew team as a Fall Sport in addition to the Spring season. 

Brother Brian said, “We are pleased to welcome eight new members to our faculty and staff this year:”

Mr. Peter Lyons, M.A., comes to us from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, NY and will serve as our new Director of Faculty Formation and will be teaching religion;

Mrs. Rebecca Cormier, M.S., our Technology Integration Specialist, comes with a wealth of school experience from the elementary to college levels;

Mr. Stephen Ambrogio, M.S., from St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown, will be teaching computers and mathematics;

Mr. Peter Belmonte, B.A., currently our crew coach, will be teaching SAT Prep courses;

Mr. Frank DiCapua, Ph.D., from the Farmington school system and ConnCAP instructor at Central Connecticut State and a career in the pharmaceutical industry will be teaching science;

Deacon James Tanguay, Ph.D., from St. Christopher School in East Hartford and a pharmaceutical career will be joining the science department. Mr. Tanguay has recently been ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Hartford and will be serving at St. Mary Parish in Newington.

“We also welcome two new staff members this year:”

Mr. Ralph Nicefaro, M.A., currently teaching part-time at St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby will be the afternoon library assistant;

Mrs. Meredith Dresko, B.A., will serve as the new associate in the Advancement Office.

Submitted by John J. Guerin, Director of Communications at Xavier High School