Brick by Brick

Not The Whole Story

The following message was sent on Tuesday to the Editors WickedLocal Cape Cod:

 

To the Editor:

 

The following is written in reference to "OUR PICKS: Top SAT Scores on Cape Cod​," which was posted to Wicked Local Cape Cod ​on March 19.

 

The post lists what is stated to be the "top high schools on Cape Cod ranked by 2013-2014 SAT scores." In fact, St. John Paul II High School's 2013-2014 SAT mean scores total 1661 (Reading=553, Mathematics=553, Writing=555)​, which is ​higher than the high schools listed. It appears that a decision was made to list ​public high schools only​;​ however, in fairness to the students and teachers who worked for these results, a complete listing of schools is warranted. 

 

Thank you, 

 

Christopher W. Keavy

Head of School

 

Casual but Not-So-Casual

Funny thing happened during a local running event recently. During a long run, I fell into sync with a pair of runners and we started casual conversation. One runner holds an interesting position in the community and was gracious as I peppered him with questions. Naturally, he asked what I did, and I was happy to tell him of my involvement with our school. 

We meandered, and after we hit the final 10k, he turned to me and said, "Look, in the interest of full disclosure, I resent private schools. They undermine public education. Also, Catholic schools are based on a fairy tale. After all, religion has done much more harm than good."  

I felt a shot of adrenaline in my gut. Keep your mouth shut. Listen and respond, don't react, I thought.

He went on. Private schools create social stratification. Religion is responsible for wars and intolerance. America should be a place of equality. It's ridiculous that people do things based on what one guy said. There's no proof.  

This casual, but not-so-casual conversation, forced me to articulate what we do and why we do it outside the friendly confines of mutual understanding. I explained that Catholic education is different 'in kind' from public education; Catholic schools recognize and infuse a supernatural vision into what we do. My companion objected that this does not belong in education. But without God, I said, there can be no true education. How can we divorce the reality of the Creator from knowledge of His creation? I don't want that, he said. Fair enough, but our families choose this for their children and we are all better for it. 

As is often the case, forced together as we were by the miles of pavement, we came to understand one another a bit better. We shook hands as we parted. God gave me a gift that day, a Lenten jolt, and I am grateful. I see this because I believe it. 

Casual becomes not-so-casual.  

Catholic Schools: Battle-Tested

Cape Cod presents a competitive educational landscape, and this is a good thing. Public, public charter, vocational, private, and Catholic school options enable families to reflect upon what type of education they truly desire for their children. Aside from school leaders' occasional sleepless nights, we likely all agree that competition forces our schools to sharpen our missions and be the best at what we say we are. 

JPII's strategy in this challenging environment is to stay true to what Catholic schools have proven to do best. Catholic schools promote academic excellence,inculcate safety, security, respect and accountability, deepen young people's spiritual lives with authentic Catholic teaching and practice, provide extensive co-curricular opportunities, and form a warm, caring community of students, staff, and families.

I'm reminded of the importance of staying true to Catholic school excellence when reading the April 2013 issue of CAPE Outlook, a national journal published by the Council of American Private Education. Typically, CAPE advocates for independent schools. Yet in their review of the superior graduation rates, college enrollment rates, and college degree acquisition rates that private schools demonstrate over public schools, it becomes clear that Catholic schools emerge superior not only to public schools but other private schools as well in these important indicators. Read the report here.

Catholic schools have proven their value. The right mission, sincerely executed, and in line with years of proven results helps JPII stand out in the Cape's crowded school landscape. 

Roar Lions!

Man (or Woman) the Stations

In the short history of the Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, three sets of 'Stations of the Cross' have adorned the walls.

In our first year, a set rescued from another Diocesan entity was installed, then, nearly as quickly, taken away. Second, a generous donor and JPII family purchased stations which have held us in good stead since 2009. Now, a second JPII family has secured and repaired full-sized stations, which were installed over the weekend. Arrangements are being made for the previous stations to make their way to Ecuador.

Next time you're in the building, check 'em out. JPII families are good!

Several people have asked after Dr. Francesco Cesareo's excellent remarks at the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony last Thursday. Read Dr. Cesareo's Address here.

Words that Challenge and Inspire

Next week, JPII will hold the fourth Induction Ceremonies of the Our Lady, Star of the Sea Chapter of the National Honor Society. With this event, we strive for a thoughtful exercise not only meaningful for those inducted and their families but meaningful for all students, staff, and guests. To accomplish this, we seek guest speakers from the larger community whose seriousness of purpose and engagement with the issues of the day provide good example and can challenge and inspire students and staff. Last year's speaker was Mr. Paul Niedzwiecki, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Commission.

This year, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Francesco Cesareo, Ph.D, President of Assumption College (Worcester, Mass.). Dr. Cesareo will share perspective on liberal education, serious Catholic intellectual life, and authentic living.

View additional information on Dr. Cesareo here.

Read Mr. Keavy's 2011 remarks: CWK NHS remarks 2011.

This event is open to the public. Please consider joining us on Thursday, January 10 at 10 AM.

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.