Popsicles with the Principal
A few ways to get to meet Mrs. Rogers this summer before the official first day of the 2023-2024 school year.
Welcome to our New Principal, Mrs. Rogers!
June 16, 2023
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you know, our Principal Search Committee has been engaged in a search to find a new principal for our parish school. Leadership is important, and we were blessed with excellent candidates to consider. I am grateful to those who agreed to be a part of our Principal Search Committee, and have spent innumerable hours reviewing, vetting, and interviewing these candidates. We had the common goal of finding the right person to continue to build on the strong faith and academic foundation of our school, and move it to the next level.
I am pleased to announce that as a result of this very thorough process, Mrs. Haley (Ketschke) Rogers, has accepted the challenge and joy of being the next Principal of St. Francis Xavier School, the chief apostolate of our parish for handing on the Catholic faith in a rigorous academic environment, effective July 1, 2023.
Mrs. Rogers is a devout Catholic educator who began her career in teaching right here at St. Francis. Known then as Miss Ketschke, Mrs. Rogers has spent the last 4 years serving in the Diocese of Providence in Educational Administration. She served as the Vice Principal at St. Pius V under the Nashville Dominican Sisters and then most recently as the Principal at St. Augustine School. During her time in administration, Mrs. Rogers has worked to advocate for students with disabilities in Catholic Schools and to bring high quality curriculum materials to the students. She has served on many committees at the Diocesan level including the Curriculum Committee and the Social Emotional Learning Committee.
Mrs. Rogers shares she is “beyond blessed for the opportunity to come home to the school where I began my career and to serve the families in the SFX community. I know that St. Francis has worked hard to maintain its strong Catholic identity and rigorous academic programs, and I am humbled for the opportunity to continue to lead the school in their tradition of excellence alongside Fr. Ryan Healy and Mrs. Anabela Shaughnessy (Assistant Principal).”
We will plan opportunities for you all to meet Mrs. Rogers and get a chance to see why we are very confident in her leadership in communion with the clergy and staff of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Please pray for her and her family, and we look forward to welcoming Mrs Rogers as part of our spiritual home.
Once again, I want to thank the members of the Principal Search Committee for their untiring work and input on this important decision:
- Rev. Ryan Healy (Pastor, School Advisory Board Chair)
- Anabela Shaughnessy (Assistant Principal)
- Christopher Moniz (School Advisory Board Vice Chair)
- Jillian Allain
- Heath Antonio
- Helen Dandurand
- Paula Ferullo
- Erin Marcotte
- Odesia Melo
- Denise Peixoto
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Ryan J. Healy
Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church & School
Become a part of a great school team of educators!
We are hiring!
Join our mission:
We are inspired by St. Francis Xavier to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, to educate our minds and souls, and to use faith and reason to guide us as we live our lives.
Initial Application Requirements:
Interested candidates should email the following to info@sfxacushnet.com to the attention of Mrs. Haley Rogers, Principal, for consideration:
- a current resume
- a letter describing your interest in Catholic education and specifically in working at St. Francis Xavier School
In Gratitude for a Decade of Leadership
May 5, 2023
Dear Friends in Christ,
It is with great sadness that I write to you today as our beloved school principal, Mrs. Michelle Russo, has announced she has decided to step down after 10 years of dedicated service to our school community.
During her tenure, Mrs. Russo has made a tremendous impact on our school, fostering a positive learning environment that promotes academic excellence and personal growth. Since my arrival, it has been a privilege and pleasure to work beside her. Her unwavering dedication to our students, staff, and families has been a true inspiration, and her legacy will undoubtedly live on in the hearts and minds of all those who have had the privilege of working with her.
Mrs. Russo, together as a team with Mrs. Shaughnessy, our assistant principal, has worked to create a school culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and creativity. They have provided our students with an exceptional Catholic educational experience that has prepared them for success in all areas of their lives. As a Catholic school, we strive to create an environment that is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and Mrs. Russo has been a shining example of this commitment to our Catholic faith.
As we prepare to say goodbye to Mrs. Russo, I want to express my deepest gratitude to her for her outstanding leadership and service to our school community. Her unwavering commitment to our school’s mission has been a true inspiration to us all, and we will miss her dearly. The challenge of filling her shoes is formidable; there’s no doubt about that. But I am sure that the Lord who blessed us with Mrs. Russo has His eye on the families of St. Francis Xavier, and He will guide the process to choose a new principal.
As we move forward, I have asked our School Advisory Board (SAB) as well as Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. Denise Peixoto, to assist me in the search for Mrs. Russo’s replacement. The SAB is composed of dedicated and passionate individuals – parents, faculty, alumni, and community members – who share our commitment to providing our students with the highest quality Catholic education possible. We will be working tirelessly to find a new principal who shares our values and vision for our school. We are committed to finding the right fit for our community. We will be advertising the position through early July, and the board will make a recommendation of three names to interview and vet, and then I will make the final decision.
If you know of any candidates who would be worthy of consideration, please share the Principal Job Description with them and have them submit their resume and accompanying letter to info@sfxacushnet.com.
Members of the School Advisory Board:
- Rev. Ryan Healy (Pastor, Chair)
- Michelle Russo (Principal)
- Anabela Shaughnessy (Assistant Principal)
- Christopher Moniz (Vice Chair)
- Jillian Allain
- Heath Antonio
- Helen Dandurand
- Paula Ferullo
- Erin Marcotte
- Odesia Melo
Mrs. Russo will continue to be an active, visible presence in our parish community. She has also assured me that she will remain as a support throughout the transition as long as she is needed.
Please click here for a message from Mrs. Russo.
I ask that you join me in praying for Mrs. Russo as she embarks on this new chapter of her life, and for our school community as we navigate this time of transition. I know that transitions like this are hard on families, but the dedication of our faculty and staff means that the foundation of the school is strong and healthy, and we will keep moving forward. Let us ask God to guide us as we search for a new principal and to help us continue to grow in our faith.
Thank you for your continued support of our school and our Catholic mission.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Ryan J. Healy
Pastor
Support our Golf Tournament June 12th @ CCNB
Ways you can help our school raise the needed funds:
We need Mini-golfers on Friday, June 9th @ Caddyshack
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Tickets must be purchased through the school in advance for families to present upon arrival…please send in your payment for Putt Putt Tickets to the school SOON using this form sent home and tickets will be sent home to you before the 9th.
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Invite other families to join you!
CLICK HERE for the mini golf flyer
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We need Foursomes to golf at the tournament on June 12th!
CLICK HERE for Registration Forms
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We need Tee sign advertisers!
$150 per sign to promote businesses and gain support for our school through sponsorship!
CLICK HERE for the form to purchase or solicit signage.
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We need people to JOIN US for the EVENING AFTER-PARTY
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cocktails (cash bar), food stations/heavy appetizers, and fabulous raffle baskets for the silent auction portion of the evening!
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Maybe golf isn’t your thing, but you could JOIN US at 6pm at the CCNB for the After-Party!
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