In Gratitude for a Decade of Leadership

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

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

  • 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.

  • Invite other families to join you!

CLICK HERE for the mini golf flyer


  • We need Foursomes to golf at the tournament on June 12th!

CLICK HERE for Registration Forms


  • 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.


  • We need people to JOIN US for the EVENING AFTER-PARTY

    • cocktails (cash bar), food stations/heavy appetizers, and fabulous raffle baskets for the silent auction portion of the evening!

    • Maybe golf isn’t your thing, but you could JOIN US at 6pm at the CCNB for the After-Party!

Please purchase tickets through the school and help us finalize our plans for the night!

Become our parish school principal!

Become our parish school principal!

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.

For a pdf of the full Job Description CLICK HERE (to ideally begin 1 July 2023).


Required Qualifications

  • Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church
  • Minimum of 5 years classroom experience
  • Master’s Degree or equivalent
  • Successful experience in school administration
  • Salary and compensation will be commensurate with experience and credentials.

Application Requirements:

Interested candidates should email the following to info@sfxacushnet.com to the attention of Fr. Ryan Healy, Pastor, for consideration:

  • a current resume
  • a letter describing your interest in Catholic education and specifically in working at St. Francis Xavier School

Upon initial review, viable candidates will be contacted to schedule a first round interview (either in person, or remotely) and will be asked to submit:

Events to look forward to in the 50 Days of Easter!

Events to look forward to in the 50 Days of Easter!

Lots going on to make note of and enjoy!

  • BACK to the 80’s FAMILY FUN NIGHT–April 28th

In the spirit of being completely “rad” the SEC will be hosting an 80s Family Fun Night on Friday, April 28th! Click here for the Back to 80’s Party Flyer and submit to be a part of the fun!  It’s going to be TOTALLY TUBULAR!

  • EASTER CELEBRATION @ the school along with the 8th Grade EASTER EGG HUNT EGGSTRAVAGANZA!–May 4th

Classes are each preparing for our Annual Easter Celebration, and ready to bring out the joy of the ALLELUIA in song for us to enjoy together!  Festivities begin at 1pm and culminate with the Golden Ticket winners of the 8th Grade Easter Egg Hunt Fundraiser taking to the grounds to find some special treats!

  • K-5 FINE ARTS NIGHT with DISNEY SHOWCASE–May 11th

Looking forward to displaying our students’ artistic talents the evening of May 11th.  Chosen Artwork will be displayed, K-5 musical numbers will be shared, and our Drama Club will be presenting their Disney Showcase numbers that evening as well.

    • Doors open at 6pm on Thursday, May 11th for art viewing
    • Performances begin at 6:30pm
    • Please note that to help alleviate the crowds on that night, there will also be a 10am Matinee during school on Friday May 12th!
  • ASCENSION THURSDAY and MAY CROWNING–May 18th

Our 50 days of Easter wrap up beautifully with the celebration of Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven and Holy Mass as a school community at 10am, followed by our May Crowning of Mary by our 2nd graders!  We hope you can join us for these wonderful traditions!

 

Support the SEC March Madness Raffle Calendar!

Support the SEC March Madness Raffle Calendar!

Did you know that our SEC will not be planning and hosting an annual gala this school year?

Due to this reality, and the continued need for the committee to raise necessary funds for the general operation of our school, the SEC has been forced to think creatively!

Click here to complete a March Madness Calendar Raffle Request Google Form by February 17th, and let us know how many calendars you will commit to.  We will send them home with your child before break.

  • Cut off and return each completed March Madness Calendar Raffle Slip via your child(ren) to SFX school by February 28, 2023 to be entered into the drawings.
  • Payment: Either send in Cash or Check (@ $10 each calendar) with the completed Raffle Slip to the school, or choose to be billed electronically via FACTS billing in the Family Portal when your completed Raffle Slip is received in the school office.
  • Additional raffle calendars can be requested. Please contact Mrs. Reis (info@sfxacushnet.com) to request any more raffle calendars.
  • Winners will be drawn daily during SFX afternoon announcements. Saturday and Sunday winners will be drawn each preceding Friday. Winners do not need to be present. Winners will be contacted by a member of SFX.
  • All winning tickets will be returned to the drum for another chance at winning. There are 31 chances to win!
LENT 2023-Let’s Journey Together

LENT 2023-Let’s Journey Together

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

The NJHS has put together the following calendar to help guide our school community as we journey together through LENT.

We encourage our school families to take an opportunity to read and reflect on the various ways we can enrich our lives through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving each week, and participate as much as possible.