ISSUE 4
FOCUS ON
FENWICK
9/25/26
THIS WEEK AT FENWICK
HOMECOMING
TABLE OF CONTENTS 01
HOMECOMING Today!
02
FROM THE PRESIDENT Homecoming
03
FROM THE PRINCIPAL VIRTUS Curriculum
04
NATIONAL MERIT HONORS Jessica Hynes ‘27
15
05
COUNSELING CORNER Information from School and College Counseling
22 YEARS OF ALL ABOARD 06
COLLEGE VISITS Colleges and universities visiting Fenwick next week
12
14
FLU CLUNIC
WEEKLY SCOREBOARD
Upcoming Flu Clinic Offered on Campus
Athletic results from September 18- 24
17
FRESHMAN LEADERSHIP CLASS
07
CATHOLIC COLLEGE PATHWAYS
08
COLLEGE AFFOARDABLE Helps families lower college costs, reduce debt, and expand higher-education options.
09 10
MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL
13
STUDENT LIFE NOTES
19
OPEN HOUSE FOR THE CLASS OF 2031
All Are Welcome!
School Calendar
A Celebration of Chinese Traditions
Bella McCormack, Globe Player of the Week and Homecoming Dance Postponed
16
PARENT BOOK CLUB
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP An Opportunity for Juniors and Seniors
Freshman Crusaders in Training Class and the Senior Crusader Peer Leader Class
18
Catholic College Scholarships
APRIL 2027 TRIP TO FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND ATHLETICS PHOTOS: LAUREN CINELLI ‘27
Lunchtime Payment Athletic Calendar SCHOOL CALENDAR
MyFenwick
Spiritwear Store
A MESSAGE FROM DR. VOLONNINO Homecoming is one of the grandest American high school traditions. Students look forward to celebrating school spirit, alumni dust off old varsity jackets, and traditions pass to a new generation. This is my first Homecoming at Fenwick-St. Mary's, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it Crusader-style: the buzz in the hallways, the extra spirit for “Fenwick-top Friday,” and the atmosphere at kickoff, gale-force winds or not. The dance will have to wait a bit, but it will be wonderful to see our students dressed to the nines in a few weeks. Every school does Homecoming a little differently. I was a school administrator in Texas (look up "Homecoming mums"—they're not the kind you plant). But more than any particular tradition, I look forward to celebrating that we are all part of the Fenwick-St. Mary's family. "Coming home" is the ultimate expression of reaching the place where you are known, seen, and loved for who you are as a child of the good God. I've only been here a short while, but there is no better word to describe us than family. We see it in how we pray together and work together with mutual respect and kindness. There is comfort in walking our hallways knowing that someone here cares for each and every one of our students. That means far more than the performance of any sports team. We've set aside today as Homecoming, but in reality, every day is homecoming. When a Crusader of any generation crosses our threshold, they should know the peace and comfort of home. This place will carry on that tradition until we are all called home by our heavenly Father. That is worth celebrating. Let's go Fenwick. Dr. V. Michael R. Volonnino, Ph.D. President
FROM THE PRINCIPAL Dear Families, The safe and healthy development of the young people in our community is always a top priority. It is in service of our Catholic mission that we work to ensure their personal formation in: recognizing healthy relationships being aware of safe and unsafe behaviors in-person and online learning about the dignity they inherently possess and the respect they therefore always deserve As such, our theology teachers are periodically tasked with engaging students in lessons on such topics as safe adults, safe friends, and personal boundaries. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Boston require that we teach our students about these matters using a program called VIRTUS: Empowering God’s Children. You may be familiar with the VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children program in which you yourselves may have taken part if your child attended a Catholic parochial school prior to their time at Fenwick. Next week, each theology teacher will present a lesson on “Safe Adults.” They will discuss physical and emotional boundaries within varying kinds of relationships, the role of peer pressure in relationships, and the positive connections that they should lean on with the trusted adults in their lives. If you have any questions about the content of the lesson, please reach out to me directly at cjc@fenwick.org. If you do not wish for your child to participate in this lesson, please email my administrative assistant, Mrs. Kheboian, at snk@fenwick.org by Tuesday morning, September 29. Relationship is one of our five core values of Fenwick F.I.R.S.T. We look forward to the ongoing opportunity to teach our students about the richly rewarding nature of good relationships in their lives. Take care,
Mr. Canniff
National Merit Commended Student Congratulations to Jessica Hynes, Class of 2027, has been named a Commended Student
in
this
year’s
National
Merit
Scholarship Program. This honor places her among the top 34,000 students – the top 3% - of the 1.3 million juniors nationwide who took the 2025
Preliminary
Scholarship
SAT/National
Merit
Qualifying
Test
(PSAT/NMSQT). In a letter recognizing the achievement, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation praised Jessica's exceptional academic promise and expressed hope that the honor would encourage her to continue developing her potential to the fullest.
Jessica Hynes Class of 2027
Jessica, of Beverly, currently serves as President of the Fenwick DECA Chapter, is a member of the National Honor Society, and plays on the Fenwick Varsity Softball Team. She is a graduate of Saints Academy.
FENWICK SCHOOL & COLLEGE COUNSELING
School & College Counseling by Class Year
Looking Ahead JUNIORS
Fall is a great time to learn more about colleges. Take advantage of meeting with the college admission representatives that are visiting Fenwick. Check out the list of who is coming and how to sign up by clicking on the School and College Counseling tile on the Resource Board.
SENIORS
Please schedule a meeting to meet with your school counselor to discuss your plans for next year. Seniors with a college application deadline in October or November must turn in a transcript Request asap. Here are a few important things to take care of: Standardized Testing Be sure to check the standardized testing requirements for each of your colleges.
Your College Application To-Do List use the handout distributed on 9/10/26 in the Fenwick Connect Meeting
College Visits Counselors reviewed the process for college visits with seniors on Thursday, September 10.
If you still need to take the SAT, either for the first time or again, you can register through Collegboard.org When registering, enter the Bishop Fenwick High School code: 221723 Fall SAT Dates: November 7 – Registration deadline: October 23 December 5 – Registration deadline: November 20
Update your résumé/activity list and provide a copy to your counselor.
Upcoming visits are listed in Scoir, included in the morning announcements, and posted outside the Counseling Office.
If you are planning to take the ACT, register through ACTstudent.org When registering, enter the Bishop Fenwick High School code: 221723 Fall ACT Dates: December 12 – Registration deadline: November 6
If you have not already done so, complete the Student Questionnaire Part 2 and return it to your counselor. Follow up with your teachers regarding your letters of recommendation and be sure to let them know your earliest college application deadline. Schedule an appointment to meet with your counselor.
If you would like to attend a college visit, please sign up in Scoir and obtain a pass signed by the teacher whose class you will miss. Passes can be picked up in the Counseling Office after you sign up for the visit. This must be done prior to the day of the visit. The full list of college visits for the coming week can be found on the next page.
Important Dates
Common App Create your Common App account at commonapp.org Please note that counselors will be helping students with this process. When creating your account, be sure to use a personal email address.
Senior Parent College Night October 8 at 6:30 p.m. Parents and seniors are encouraged to attend. Financial Aid Program: October 26 at 6:30 p.m. Parents and seniors are encouraged to attend.
We’re looking forward to working with you throughout your senior year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselor with questions or to schedule a meeting. Please check your email as this is how counselors reach out to you. We’re here to help!
COLLEGE VISITS THE WEEK OF 9/28/26 Date
Time
College
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
08:00AM - 08:30AM
Regent University
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
08:45AM - 09:15AM
Roger Williams University
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
10:00AM - 10:30AM
Colby-Sawyer College
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
01:00PM - 01:30PM
Christopher Newport University
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
01:45PM - 02:15PM
Champlain College
Tue Sep 29th, 2026
08:00AM - 08:30AM
Endicott College
Tue Sep 29th, 2026
08:45AM - 09:15AM
University of Rhode Island
Tue Sep 29th, 2026
01:00PM - 01:30PM
University of Massachusetts (Boston)
Tue Sep 29th, 2026
01:45PM - 02:15PM
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
Wed Sep 30th, 2026
10:00AM - 10:30AM
Curry College
Wed Sep 30th, 2026
01:00PM - 01:30PM
University of Massachusetts (Lowell)
Wed Sep 30th, 2026
01:45PM - 02:15PM
College of the Holy Cross
Thu Oct 1st, 2026
08:45AM - 09:15AM
Westfield State University
Thu Oct 1st, 2026
10:00AM - 10:30AM
University of Vermont
Thu Oct 1st, 2026
01:00PM - 01:30PM
University of Massachusetts (Amherst)
Thu Oct 1st, 2026
01:45PM - 02:15PM
Thomas College
Fri Oct 2nd, 2026
08:00AM - 08:30AM
Ithaca College
Fri Oct 2nd, 2026
08:45AM - 09:15AM
Franklin Pierce University
Fri Oct 2nd, 2026
01:00PM - 01:30PM
Merrimack College
Fri Oct 2nd, 2026
01:45PM - 02:15PM
Fisher College
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
08:00AM - 08:30AM
Regent University
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
08:45AM - 09:15AM
Roger Williams University
Mon Sep 28th, 2026
10:00AM - 10:30AM
Colby-Sawyer College
EDUCATION FOR LIFE: CATHOLIC COLLEGE PATHWAYS Your Fenwick Education Can Open Even More Doors
Fenwick’s Catholic College Pathways initiative connects students with special opportunities at Catholic colleges and universities that recognize the academic preparation, character, service, and valuescentered education that define the Fenwick experience. As this program grows, Fenwick will continue to develop partnerships that can provide our students with clearer admissions pathways, scholarship opportunities, and meaningful connections to colleges where faith, learning, leadership, and community remain central to the student experience. Our first Catholic College Pathways opportunities include the following:
Emmanuel College Saints Catholic Connection Guarantee
Saint Michael’s College Saints Catholic Connection Guarantee
Through the Saints Catholic Connection Guarantee, qualifying Fenwick students can receive guaranteed admission to Emmanuel College along with a merit scholarship of at least $100,000, distributed evenly over four years.
Saint Michael’s College in Vermont offers a scholarship specifically for students graduating from Catholic high schools.
The program reflects the shared commitment of Emmanuel College and its partner Catholic high schools to providing students with a strong Catholic education and a clear pathway to continue that experience in the heart of Boston. To qualify, students must: Attend a partner Catholic high school Earn a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher through junior year Apply to Emmanuel College through the Common Application Complete an official visit to the Emmanuel College campus Students must also reside on campus and meet the scholarship renewal requirements outlined in their scholarship notification. For questions about the Saints Catholic Connection Guarantee, students and families may contact the Emmanuel College Office of Admissions at 617735-9715 or admissions@emmanuel.edu.
Recipients of the Don Dion ’76 Catholic School Scholarship receive $10,000 annually toward tuition, in addition to other scholarships for which they may qualify. The scholarship is renewable for four years, providing a total award of $40,000. To be considered, students must: Attend and be on track to graduate from a Catholic high school Be an incoming first-year student Maintain a minimum high school GPA of 3.2 Apply for admission by the November 1 Early Action deadline Applicants must also submit a short essay of no more than one page addressing: How has your Catholic education and/or faith experience shaped you, and how do you connect that with the Edmundite mission of Saint Michael’s College? Students interested in this opportunity should speak with their Fenwick college counselor for additional information.
College Affordable is a nonprofit organization that helps families reduce the cost of college, minimize debt, and increase higher education choices.
TOGETHER WITH BISHOP FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL Starting in the fall of 2026, Bishop Fenwick High School families have free access to College Affordable resources to help reduce the costs of college. Partnering with the Guidance Counselors and the experts from College Affordable, this special program provides high impact tools and support to help families navigate the process and minimize the costs of college.
FREE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES College Affordable services are provided at no cost to Bishop Fenwick students and their families. Families complete a brief intake form to access webinars & recordings, resource guides, and one-onone support through virtual meetings, email, phone, and text.
TESTIMONIAL “The collegeprocess is very daunting. College Affordable took a lot of the stress and pressure of navigating that process away. They were incredibly supportive from beginning to end and I don’t know if we would’ve gotten through it as gracefully without their help and support.” - Parent ‘25
SPONSORED BY:
WE CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE Understandingyourbudget & aid eligibility attarget colleges and post-secondary technical schools Financial aid applications (FAFSA, MASFA, CSS Profile, & School Forms) Reviewing and comparing award/offer letters Appeals process for requesting additional aid Loan process and financing steps Renewing aid applications and more!
LEARN MORE & GET STARTED Scan the QR code to learn more about our services and complete a brief intake form.
https://collegeaffordable.org/bishopfenwickhs financialaid@collegeaffordable.org Call/Text: 781-343-1941
NEW N E W OPPORTUNITY: OPPORTUNITY: EXTERNAL E X T E R N A L AFFAIRS AFFAIRS INTERNSHIPS INTERNSHIPS Fenwick students interested in marketing, communications, admissions, fundraising, social media, event planning, and more will soon have a new way to gain real-world experience right here on campus. The new External Affairs Internship Program will give selected students the opportunity to work alongside Fenwick’s Admissions, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing & Communications teams while earning academic credit and developing practical professional skills. Take a look through Mr. Canniff’s slides at: https://issuu.com/bfhs/docs/external_affairs_internship, and any juniors or seniors who are interested should plan to attend the information session during Fenwick Connect on Thursday, October 1, to learn more about the program and application process.
Internships in External Affairs
The values this celebration embodies are universal: family, gratitude for life, the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next, and the importance of sharing.
A Taste of Tradition: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival Fenwick students had the opportunity to learn about – and taste – a centuries-old tradition today as they celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes during lunch. With Dr. Volonnino providing the traditional treats, students helped introduce their classmates to the festival and explain the meaning behind the tradition. Around the world, more than a billion people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, a tradition deeply rooted in many cultures of East and Southeast Asia. The Mid-Autumn Festival is centered on themes of family, gratitude, togetherness, and home. The festival brings families together to share food, spend time with one another, and appreciate the moon – a symbol of connection even when loved ones are far apart. Of course, learning is always a little more fun when there’s something to sample! Students shared mooncakes, the round pastries traditionally associated with the festival, and learned how their shape symbolizes completeness, unity, and reunion.
t was a simple celebration, but a meaningful one — giving students the chance to learn directly from one another, experience a tradition they may not have encountered before, and appreciate some of the many cultures represented within the broader Fenwick community. And for plenty of students, it was also their very first mooncake! So, if you saw a mooncake at lunch today, you can now appreciate the story and tradition behind it. And if you can see tonight’s almost full moon (technically at 99.5%!), take a moment to think of loved ones near and far. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! English: Mid-Autumn Day, Moon Festival, Mooncake Festival, Autumn Moon Festival Chinese:
中秋节 zhōng qiū jié Date: 15th day of 8th lunar month; Sep. 25, 2026; Sep. 15, 2027 Holiday: 3 days, or 8 days if close to China National Day on Oct 1 Observed by: All Chinese people; people in some other Asian countries like Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore.
Student Life Notes Homecoming Dance Gets a Rain Check! A nor’easter may be changing our plans, but it won’t cancel our spirit! With tomorrow’s forecast in mind, the Homecoming Dance has been postponed until October 17. Consider it a little extra time to perfect those dance moves. Stay safe, stay dry – Homecoming will be worth the wait!
Bella McCormack
Boston Globe Player of the Week!
Class of 2028
A big week gets some big recognition! Congratulations to Bella McCormack ’28, named one of The Boston Globe’s Eastern Massachusetts Field Hockey Players of the Week! Bella scored four goals in Fenwick’s 6–0 win over Burlington and followed it up with another goal in a 3–0 victory over Rockport – five goals in two Crusader wins. Way to represent, Bella!
Weekly Weekly Scoreboard September 18-24
Cross Country
Girls’ Soccer
Girls vs. St. Mary’s: W 26-31 Boys vs. St. Mary’s: L 45-17
vs. Malden Catholic: T 2-2 vs. Bishop Stang: W 5-0
Field Hockey
Boys’ Soccer
vs. Rockport: W 3-0 vs. Marblehead: W 4-2
Volleyball vs. Medford: L 2-3 vs. Beverly: L 0-3 vs. Bishop Stang: L 0-3
vs. Bishop Stang: T 2-2 vs. Malden Catholic: L 2-1
Football vs. Putnam Vocational Tech: W 42-6
Golf
vs. Beverly: L 165-205 vs. Arlington Catholic: L 160-183
22 YEARS OF HELPING FRESHMEN FIND THEIR WAY
Before the first bell of the 2026-2027 school year even rang, 96 members of the Class of 2030 were already getting a head start on life at Fenwick! This August marked the 22nd year of All Aboard, Fenwick’s freshman transition program. Led by 45 junior and senior student “Conductors”, the week gave incoming freshmen a chance to meet classmates, explore campus and get comfortable with their new school before September. From Project Adventure and science experiments to technology, the arts and study skills, each day brought something new. Students even mastered that essential freshman skill – opening a combination lock!
The week wrapped up with a campus-wide scavenger hunt that put their teamwork, problem-solving skills and newfound Fenwick knowledge to the test. All ten teams completed the challenge! Most importantly, the Class of 2030 finished the week with familiar faces, familiar places and a little more confidence heading into freshman year. A big thank-you goes to our faculty and especially our student Conductors, who spent the week living out their All Aboard motto: Leader. Mentor. Guide. Welcome aboard, Class of 2030. Your Fenwick journey is officially underway!
from sea to mountain
TRAVEL TO FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND april 2027
All Fenwick students are welcome to join us in April of 2027 on a sea-to-mountain adventure from the Mediterranean coast in France, through Provence and up to the Alps, ending in Switzerland! We're visiting famous cities like Monte Carlo in Monaco, Nice, Aix-en-Provence and Geneva with engaging activities organized by our highly rated student travel company ACIS. You can find all the information and register now at https://tinyurl.com/BFtrip2027. You can also see more details on our trip presentation linked here. For more info contact Mdme. Francois at mef@fenwick.org or stop by room 212 during Back to School night. Our current enrollment deadline is October 1st.
We are hosting registration events on Tuesday, Sept. 29th and Wednesday, Sept. 30th at 6:30pm in Room 212 at Fenwick. Pizza and snacks will be provided. Come ask questions and help get registered before our October 1st deadline!
FRESHMAN CRUSADERS CRUSADERS IN IN TRAINING TRAINING & & SENIOR CRUSADER PEER PEER LEADERS LEADERS Dear Crusader Families, We ran our second lesson with the Crusaders in Training (CIT) which was a Student Kickoff lesson through The Social Institute. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to begin thinking about who they are, the choices they make, and the kind of community they want to help create at Fenwick. Throughout the lesson, students were encouraged to think about how their everyday choices—both online and in person—can impact themselves and those around them. We talked about friendships, communication, technology, social media, and the importance of making choices that reflect the kind of person they want to be. One of the goals of the lesson was to remind students that they have the power to positively influence the people around them. As they begin this new chapter of high school, we want our freshmen to recognize the importance of being thoughtful, kind, and intentional in the way they interact with others. We finished our lesson with an Icebreaker Bingo Challenge, which was a fun way to get students up, moving, and talking with one another. Each student received a Bingo card filled with different experiences and interests, such as has a dog, loves to read, plays a sport, has a hidden talent, has visited another country, can speak more than one language, or enjoys playing video games.
Students had to find classmates who could match the different squares on their cards, giving them a reason to introduce themselves and start conversations with people they may not have known very well. As they moved around the room, students discovered fun and unexpected things they had in common with their new classmates. They had to ask a follow-up question to help enhance their conversation skills and get to know one another better. We loved ending the lesson this way because building a strong school community starts with connection. Sometimes something as simple as discovering that you and a new classmate both love sports, have a pet, or enjoy playing video games can be the beginning of a new friendship. As our freshmen begin their high school journey, we hope CIT will continue to be a place where they can have meaningful conversations, learn from one another, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to become the best Crusaders they can be. We are so excited about all that is ahead and feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to walk alongside your students during these important first steps of their high school experience! Below are some follow-up questions in the form of a Family Huddle, that you could discuss with your students to continue the conversation at home. Warmly, Jena Timson Assistant Dean of Students
Family Huddles: TOSS UP: If you could fast-forward to the end of this school year, what do you hope you'd see and how do you hope to feel? COACH UP: What's something going on with students your age right now that you don't think most adults actually understand? HUDDLE UP: What do we want this school year to look like as a family? Think about things like independence, communication, screen time, and how we show up for each other. What are 2-3 things we can all commit to together this year?
Calling all book lovers!
JOIN THE FENWICK PARENT COMMUNITY
BOOK CLUB
Meet and Connect with fellow Fenwick Parents Our first read will be the All School read: Player Piano, by Kurt Vonnegut
To join our group and learn more, complete the linked google form
SIGN UP HERE
YOUR NEXT FOUR YEARS BEGIN HERE. OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Tour our 59-acre campus. Meet our students, teachers and coaches. See what an Education for Life can mean for you.
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FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL
REGISTER AT FENWICK.ORG
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Education for Life