March 2011
Message from the Headmaster Dear Parents and Guardians,
After a long winter it is great to have spring officially here! Spring sports and activities have begun in earnest and in this final marking period I hope that your son continues to be actively engaged in the life of Xavier. It is also my hope that during this holy season of lent he is able to pause each day to reflect upon the season and its meaning in his life. Lent is a time of great preparation. The columnist, Michael Daley once wrote in American Catholic that lent can be described as a “time-out” before Easter, much the same way a coach will call a time-out before a big play in a game so that players can prepare, strategize and collect themselves for what lies ahead. Lent is a time for us to prepare and celebrate what is at the heart of our faith; the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus that leads to the resurrection and triumph of Christ at Easter. We try to instill in our students that Lent means more than “what they are giving up,” that it is a time for reflection, prayer, and spiritual preparation. It is my sincere hope that you will join with us in teaching these lessons to your son. I am proud to announce that Mr. Joseph Petriello, the Chair of the Religion Department and Director of Ignatian Service Programs at Xavier, is being inducted in the Catholic Education Foundation Hall of Fame on Friday, March 25th. This is a great honor for Mr. Petriello and for Xavier. I hope that you will join me in offering him your congratulations for the incredible gifts that he brings to Xavier and to Catholic education!
*************** Your son’s third marking period report card is now posted online. If you need help viewing your son’s report card, please contact Mr. Luciano Lovallo, the Dean of Academics. Parents and guardians of seniors are reminded that, in addition to having a year-end average of 70 or higher in each individual subject, seniors are “required to achieve a final exam grade of 60 or more (in each subject that he takes a final exam) in order to pass a course.” Seniors with more than one course failure will not be able to participate in commencement exercises. I urge the parents of seniors to have a discussion with their son concerning the need to finish strong so that they can earn a diploma and all of the privileges associated with graduation.
As we enter the final marking period and our school year winds down, let us continue to pray for one another. Be sure of my prayers and best wishes for you and your family during this Lent and into the blessed season of Easter
, Sincerely,
Mr. Michael LiVigni Headmaster