Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Breakfasts with the President Welcome Parents of Newest Jays

Posted August 25, 2016 / Last updated August 29, 2016

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Fr. McGinn, S.J., welcomes new parents to campus to hear about ways to get involved in their sons' new school.

Fr. McGinn, S.J., welcomes new parents to campus to hear about ways to get involved in their sons’ new school.

New parents got a taste of life at Jesuit at a series of Breakfasts with the President. The receptions took place in St. Ignatius Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 23 – Thursday, Aug. 25.

The program included a delicious breakfast spread and presentations from Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., Parents’ Annual Giving drive chairman Rocky Daigle ’85, information technology director Mrs. Sharon Hewlett, pre-freshmen counselor Mr. Andrew Schiro, and guidance director Mrs. Mary Favalora. The morning event was facilitated by Mr. Tom Bagwill, Jesuit’s director of institutional advancement.

The theme of the event was involvement and engagement. “Thank you for entrusting Jesuit with your sons,” said an appreciative Fr. McGinn, who invited parents to get involved and to encourage their sons to do the same. Fr. McGinn said Jesuit’s Celebration Gala & Auction and the Blue Jay Bazaar are great ways to connect with the larger school community.

Daigle, Jesuit’s PAG leader, told parents how Jesuit changed his life and how the school’s commitment to affordability and socio-economic diversity will change the lives of their sons. Today’s students come from more than 50 different zip codes.

Mrs. Hewlett provided parents with a tutorial of Canvas, the school’s new online platform that is accessed through Jesuit’s website and allows students and parents to track homework assignments, quiz and test dates, and academic progress. Mrs. Hewlett, who also teaches computer at Jesuit, is in her 17th year at Carrollton & Banks.

Mr. Schiro told parents that he will be meeting with their sons at least once a quarter and more often for those who need it or request extra attention. He relayed important tips for navigating high school, and informed parents that they should expect their sons to spend about two hours doing homework on a nightly basis and encouraged them to have their sons turn off cell phones when they’re studying. Mr. Schiro, who joined Jesuit in 1981, also told parents about 8th grade gym night, the pre-freshmen retreat, and the summer trip that many 8th graders will take to San Antonio.

On the final morning, Mrs. Favalora reiterated Mr. Schiro’s secrets to success, driving home the importance of balancing academics with opportunities outside of the classroom, including athletics, clubs, and volunteer activities.

 

Galleries

Breakfast with the President, Aug. 23-25, 2016

  • Presidents-Office_20160824_Breakfast-with-President-008
    The Breakfast with the President event gives new parents the opportunity to spend meaningful time with the school's administration in the moments before their work day begins.
  • Presidents-Office_20160824_Breakfast-with-President-009
    New parents have the opportunity to speak casually with Fr. McGinn before the program starts.
  • Presidents-Office_20160825_Breakfast-with-President-017
    Parents also have the opportunity to meet and connect with each other throughout the morning.
  • Presidents-Office_20160825_Breakfast-with-President-015
    Manuel Torres enjoys a conversation with Ralph and Jina Corsetti.
  • Presidents-Office_20160824_Breakfast-with-President-011
    Jesuit's Director of Institutional Advancement Tom Bagwill thanks parents for being present and introduces the speakers for the morning's program.
  • Presidents-Office_20160823_Breakfast-with-President-001
    Fr. McGinn thanks Jesuit's newest parents for entrusting Jesuit with the task of forming their sons.
  • Presidents-Office_20160823_Breakfast-with-President-002
    Rocky Daigle '85, chairman of the Parents Annual Giving drive, explains to new parents that their pledges contribute to making up the gap between Jesuit's operating cost and the cost of tuition.
  • Presidents-Office_20160823_Breakfast-with-President-007
    Andrew Schiro, who serves as Jesuit's guidance counselor to pre-freshmen, reviews some tips for success for new parents to help their sons navigate their new school.
  • Presidents-Office_20160825_Breakfast-with-President-019
    Sharon Hewlett, long-time computer teacher and director of the information-technology department, teaches parents ways to interact with the school's website and to keep up with their sons' academic progress through the new Canvas system.
  • Presidents-Office_20160825_Breakfast-with-President-016
    After the program, Fr. McGinn visits with Lew Derbes '89, a captain of the PAG drive for the Class of 2021.
  • Presidents-Office_20160824_Breakfast-with-President-010
    Fr. McGinn offers welcoming words to Colleen Peterman and Gretchen Morris.
  • Presidents-Office_20160825_Breakfast-with-President-018
    Fr. McGinn talks with Damon Gibson, whose son is a new freshman at Jesuit.
  • Presidents-Office_20160825_Breakfast-with-President-020
    Before leaving, Ralph and Jina Corsetti greet Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58, who is Jesuit's director of special projects, and has served Jesuit for more than half a century.