Fr. McGinn speaks at a past town hall meeting.

All parents of new students are required to attend a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. in the Jesuit auditorium. Important and helpful information will be provided on the physical and psychological maturing process of high school-aged youth. See the invitation letter to new parents from Jesuit president Anthony McGinn, S.J. below.

Although the meeting is mandatory for new parents, all Jesuit parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

The presentation will focus on the role of parents in helping their sons make healthy choices, especially with regard to avoiding alcohol and drugs. The September Town Hall Meeting will be presented by Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. and Deirdre Flynn, a regional officer at FCD, a global non-profit substance abuse prevention organization, who will discuss the results of a substance abuse survey recently taken by our students.

Held twice per year, Jesuit’s Town Hall meetings focus on topics affecting youth and their parents. These meetings are open to all parents and attendance is strongly encouraged. The meetings reflect timely topics affecting youth, and therefore change each year.

If you have any questions, please contact Jesuit’s coordinator of student assessment and development Donald Songy at songy@jesuitnola.org or (504) 483-3828.

INVITATION LETTER FROM FR. MCGINN

August 28, 2016

Dear Parents of New Blue Jays:

You and your son are now an important part of the Jesuit family. During the next four or five years, you will see your son learn, grow, and mature as he moves toward adulthood. Your teenager will be confronted with many serious decisions concerning drinking, smoking, drugs, and sex. He will be making these decisions within the laissez-faire culture of New Orleans. Some of his choices may be life-changing.

I am very concerned about the health of our students. Since it is imperative that we discuss certain issues as adults, I will host a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7:00 p.m. in our auditorium. This meeting is mandatory for at least one parent of new students and will last 90 minutes. I will take this opportunity to share some research on destructive adolescent behavior and proven methods to avoid or curtail it in your home.

Deirdre Flynn will speak at the meeting regarding the Student Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, a substance abuse survey recently taken by our students. She is currently a Regional Officer at FCD, a global non-profit substance abuse prevention organization; and she previously served as a prevention specialist. Parents will also be introduced to Jesuit’s coordinator of the student assessment and development program, Donald Songy, MA, NCC, PLPC, PLMFT, who will discuss the services offered through this program.

I cannot urge you strongly enough to attend this vitally important meeting. I consider your attendance a clear sign of your desire to help your son grow into a healthy, productive, and responsible man. Your son’s future could well be determined by what you learn on September 8. I look forward to seeing you then.

Yours sincerely,

Anthony McGinn, S.J.