Brick by Brick

That's A Wrap

Today was a bittersweet day as seniors finished up exams, cleaned-out lockers, received yearbooks, and passed their last school day as JPII students. Bittersweet because the tremendous familiarity and closeness that we share with these 27 students (and families!) has made them essential fabric in the life of the school and we now glimpse life at JPII without them -- mixed, of course, with feelings of pride in who they have become and how they will carry this special four years in their bigger adventures that lay ahead.

Many words will be uttered next week putting the experience in perspective  For today, it's feelings.

JPII Lyceum?

It's been a long-time desire of mine to teach philosophy since taking my Master's degree in the subject from Boston College. This current year, with the addition of Introduction to Western Philosophy to the JPII curriculum, I get my chance and am having a blast.

The value of philosophy was reinforced at a forum on education recently sponsored by the Community Leadership Institute. Three school leaders, Maureen Brenner from Riverview School, Eric Heiser from Sturgis Charter Public School, and myself, presented about our schools, personal histories, and views on leadership. Turns out that philosophy, whether in the form of high school level courses such as ours or the personal histories of the presenters, became a recurring theme and a subject of dialogue amongst us. This is further evidence that the habits of thinking and speaking so important to philosophy can reap life-long rewards and animate our adults lives no matter our work area. Here's hoping that more and more JPII seniors tackle this challenging and rewarding activity.

Check out a sample reading from Introduction to Western Philosophy here.

JPII Loses A Friend

Rev. George O'Brien, a priest of the Diocese of Worcester, former Development Director at the College of the Holy Cross, Cape resident, and early and ardent supporter of Pope John Paul II High School, died on Tuesday afternoon after a battle with cancer.

 Fr. George celebrated the first Mass ever at Pope John Paul II High School, on the anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2007, and ultimately celebrated three all-school liturgies with us (Read Fr. George's 2008 homily here). He was generous, helpful and supportive from the days prior to the school's opening into the young life of the school. In the spring we will again see the "Pope John Paul II" roses bloom at the school's entrance, lovingly donated by Fr. George.

 Most of all, I will miss Fr. George's sincere, wise, and generous support for all the good that we attempt to achieve with this high school. A good man, a good priest. Rev. George O'Brien, may he rest in peace.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Nice Party!

Saturday's NEASC accreditation celebration was a warm, wonderful evening.

Many thanks to Elaine McCarthy, her corps of volunteers and donors, and Corpus Christi Church for the gracious use of the Skylight Room. The space was beautiful, food abundant, and  good cheer and sincere congratulations for a school milestone prevailed.

View the handsome Celebration Booklet here.

Mr. Keavy's remarks posted here.

These Are The People That Teach JPII Students

Allow me to brag about something that strikes me, truthfully, on a regular basis -- that the JPII experience is one of unusually high teacher quality. Sounds kind of formal when put that way, though. Instead, here's something about two JPII teachers that you may not know.

Mr. Alan Lynch, Campus Minister & Theology (and Spanish!) Teacher, recently led a student group in a week-long service trip to Duran, Ecuador. Student participants reported that it was a powerful experience and something that will be with them in the years ahead. I expected this, and probably you would, too. What I didn't expect to learn is that there's a school in Ecuador named after Mr. Lynch in recognition of his work over the years to the people of Ecuador. Wow. Read Mr. Lynch's Lenten message about Ecuador here.

Ms. Jennifer Kelley, new Visual Arts teacher, recently completed the Lion athletic logo mural in the Fitness Center. No surprise there. But that's not the only mural work that Ms. Kelley, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, has done -- check out www.jennykelley.com for an eyeful of why I say that the JPII experience is one of unusually high teacher quality. I bet you'll agree.

Having Fun and Doing Good

That's the formula. Not 'Either/Or' -- but 'Both/And'.

Starting on Sunday, JPII students and staff are set to have a lot of fun with Spirit Week and its various competitions, activities, and themed-days.

Amidst the week of fun is also our chance to do good. Students will compete to raise money for the Haitian Health Foundation, whose founder, Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, will speak at the school on Monday, November 8. The Haitian Health Foundation assists some of the poorest persons in out hemisphere to meet their basic needs. I challenge JPII students to come through huge for the needs of Haiti's vulnerable with a big week of collections. At JPII, having fun and doing good go hand-in-hand. 

Check out the week's HHF activities here.

Gaining Speed and Strength

Its tough to single out one program/activity for special praise at a time when so much at JPII is clicking. But what we're seeing with Lions Cross-Country is all the right stuff and worthy of special note.

Upperclass leadership is being rewarded with an increasingly competitive squad and interscholastic success. Underclass harriers are proving to be competitive and promising of a bright future. Upperclass runners new to the team this year show what high school athletics can be at its best. I love the unity, chemistry, and personal and team success we're seeing this year.

My thanks and congratulations to Head Coach Sollars, Assistant Coach Kachigan, and a team of great Lions for putting together a breakthrough season of which we can all be proud. Catch these Lions if you can before the end of the season. 

Give and Take

Getting ready to serve as Assistant Chairperson visiting Arlington Catholic High School for the school's NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation visit. While I'm not eager to be away from JPII for three full school days (esp. my Philosophy students!), the experience will provide a helpful vantage point for the NEASC visit to JPII just two weeks later. This is the right stuff in this busy, NEASC-laden month. Stay tuned!

Your Shot At Immortality

Sharpen your pencils and stoke your creativity for this once in a (school) lifetime opportunity -- This year, JPII will hold a contest to write the lyrics to the school's Alma Mater Hymn.

Music to accompany lyrics will be written by Mr. Mark Girardin. The contest is open to anyone who has a connection to Pope John Paul II High School whether as a student, faculty or staff member, or friend. Please submit a typed copy of the proposed lyrics by January 15, 2011. Attach a separate card with the author's name and address.

Details, Details

•  Lyrics must be original.

• The Alma Mater should sound like a hymn, or a dignified, ceremonial piece of music. Lyrics should reflect the school’s mission/vision and should not be longer than two (2) minutes.

• Lyrics will be judged on the choice of “singable” words, metric fluidity, integrity, unity, and relevance to the theme.

• Once the winning lyrics have been chosen, the school will compose appropriate music. Lyrics may be altered or amended at this point and are the property of the school. Multiple winning entries may be selected for the purpose of combination.

• Appropriate recognition and prizes will be awarded to the winning author(s).

• All entries will remain the property of the school. Lyric writers understand that their submissions may be altered or amended.

• Anyone wishing more information may email ckeavy@pjp2hs.org

Better Than They Found It

My apologies for the long delay since my last post. With the onset of this new, exciting, and historical year at JPII (174 students!), my original intent with this blog -- to chronicle these unique years for students, friends and families -- has returned to sharp focus. Stay tuned for more frequent posts and this special year unfolds.

The journey undertaken by our first pioneers -- the Class of 2011 -- reaches its apex this year. The true measure of success in life is found in what we leave behind. In any arena, we can ask if our family, friends, school, and community are better off from our presence; and know that this answer speaks the truth of our efforts.

On our first day of classes this year, seniors were greeted by the theme of 'legacy' -- taped to their lockers as a reminder of their pioneering role and spoken of in a special meeting with me. These seniors and all of us in these first four years are charged with leaving a legacy for the untolled students to come. We must leave the school better than we found it. You be the judge.

'Legacy' art (above) designed by Emily Fenuccio, 11.