East Catholic High School's Newsletter

A Message from the President

Dear East Catholic Family,

We have hit the midpoint of the 1^st quarter, and the time seems to fly by! Students, this is a good time to check your class gradebooks to see if any work is missing. Parents, remind them to do this! The end of the quarter will be here before you know it.

We should be able to be in the Gym as early as next week. They are finishing up the bleachers soon, and the Volleyball Team will be hosting practices and games next week! It is a beautiful renovation and improvement.

We were blessed to have four members of our East Catholic family recognized for outstanding volunteer work for East Catholic at the HOPES (Help Our Parish Educators & Students) Dinner, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Hartford (see below). Charlie Crocini, Joe Reilly, Keri Watkins, and Sarah Kimball were all awarded the St. John Neumann award. We cannot thank them all enough for their love of East Catholic and their dedication to the work they do for East.

On October 17^th we will have our fall Open House beginning at 6:30. Please spread the word to friends and families that might be interested. It is always a great night!

Good luck to all of our sports teams as they continue their seasons. Come out and support them when you can. In the next News From The Hill, we will feature our Stage East production of Alice in Wonderland.

Please be in touch with any thoughts, concerns, or positive celebrations!

Peace,

Sean P. Brennan ‘85

Chief Administrator

East Catholic is a busy place! There are new things happening daily with students, staff, and programs. Be sure to follow us on your favorite social media apps for the latest updates!

Facebook: East Catholic High School

Instagram: @eastcatholichighschool

Twitter: @EastCatholicHS

National Merit Scholars

During our first assembly of the year, Anna Tevelde, Brendan Raykoff, and Michael Machewirth received a designation as a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Their high Selection Index scores place them among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 National Merit Program by taking the 2023 PSAT. Congratulations!

St. John Neumann Award for Volunteer Service

Sponsored by the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Annual HOPES Dinner took place at The Aqua Turf Club on September. Representing East Catholic were Keri Watkins, Charlie Crocini, Joe Reilly, and Sarah Kimball. They were honored with the St. John Neumann Award for Volunteer Service, in recognition of outstanding service to Catholic education.

Keri Watkins and Sarah Kimball are dedicated members of the East Catholic Parents’ Association, actively involved in raising funds and organizing events to benefit our school. Their significant contributions have been particularly evident in their leadership of the Project Graduation committee. For the past two years, they have taken the lead in planning, executing, and overseeing a memorable graduation celebration for our seniors. Their tireless efforts have ensured that this annual event is a highlight of the school year for our graduates.

Charlie Crocini, a longtime member of our School Board, was commended for his significant contributions. His years of service, particularly in overseeing our school’s physical plant, have played a crucial role in maintaining and improving the overall quality of our educational facilities. Mr. Crocini’s dedication and expertise have helped to ensure that our students and staff have a safe, comfortable, and conducive learning environment.

Joe Reilly, a retired teacher from Simsbury Public Schools, has been a member of our staff for the last few years. He has continued to contribute to the educational success of our students by volunteering his tutoring services and academic assistance during the school day. His experience and dedication have made him a mentor and resource for both students and teachers alike, providing a valuable support system for those who need it.

East Catholic is so fortunate to have volunteers who generously share their time and talent to support our school community! We couldn’t do what we do without their help. Please join us in thanking our four honorees!

Office of Student Life

Parent/Student Handbook

The East Catholic handbook can be found on the FACTS Family Portal under "Announcements."

The handbook outlines the summary of our school’s philosophy, mission, traditions, procedures, and policies. It is important to understand the handbook is our contract between the school, the student, and his or her family; so please read through it carefully.

The “Parent/Student Handbook Acknowledgement Receipt Form” and the “Photographic/Video Release Form” (optional) was due to the student’s Advisor by September 13th. If you have not yet signed and submitted, please do so ASAP.

These two forms may be found on pages 45 and 46 of the Handbook. Your submission/signature is an indication that you understand and agree to abide by all the policies and procedures outlined. Your failure to return it in a timely fashion may cause us to suspend the student from class until the form(s) are completed.

Campus Ministry

Jubilee 2024

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur held their annual Jubilee celebration for the sisters celebrating their 50th, 60th, 70th, or 80th anniversary with the order. There were over 200 people in attendance. Fourteen of our student-athletes were able to earn service hours for volunteering during set-up and clean-up of the banquet hall, as well as by serving meals to the attendees. They did a fantastic job representing East and assisting Sister Peggy!

Advancement Office

Reunion!

The Class of 1979 celebrated their 45th Reunion at Elicit Brewing on Saturday night! It was a great evening to catch-up with friends and reconnect with classmates. The energy has us looking forward to future reunions!

Fine Arts

Calling All Musicians!

Couldn't fit ensembles into your schedule this fall but interested in being part of the band or choir? You can still join in!

Band meets Monday mornings at 6:50 AM

String Orchestra meets Fridays at 6:50 AM.

Liturgical Choir and Concert Choir will meet during flex periods. You will hear the dates and times over the announcements.

Please reach out to Mr. Brudz (brudzd@echs.com) or Mr. Link (linkr@echs.com) with any questions.

ALL STUDENTS are welcome!

Stage East

Get ready to tumble down the rabbit hole! East Catholic High School's Stage East is bringing Alice in Wonderland to life on stage! Join us for a magical adventure filled with whimsical characters and unforgettable moments.

When:

Friday, October 25 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 26 at 1:00 PM (matinee)

Saturday, October 26 at 7:00 PM

Where: East Catholic Auditorium

Tickets: $10 at the door

Don't miss this enchanting production!

Please reach out to Mrs. Quackenbush (quackenbushj@echs.com) with any questions.

Athletics

Fall Sports

Our Fall sports are underway! Goodluck to all our teams this season! The CIAC has changed their website. You can find the most up-to-date sports schedules here: FusionPoint Sports (fpsports.org)

Select your team using the drop-down in the banner at the top and subscribe!

Please contact Jon Dahlquist (dahlquistj@echs.com) with any questions.

Spirit Wear

Ready to cheer on your favorite teams?! Create your own spirit wear for games and pep rallies! Choose the product and design for the front and it will ship right to your home.

Order here: BSN Spirit Gear

Spend $75 and Save 15%: WIN15

Hydration Station

Staying hydrated can help boost performance and recovery for student-athletes. PTs Dennis Beaudry and Jessica Sullivan joined Athletic Trainer Stacy Garceau at East Catholic High School to highlight the importance of proper hydration!

Gym Update

The bleacher installation has been a multi-week undertaking, as the contractors build them piece by piece. We also had technicians installing a new sound system this week. We can't wait to use it during our first home volleyball game!

Please join us Monday, October 7th for the FIRST athletic match in our newly renovated gym! Our volleyball team has been so patient and accommodating with the first half of their season on the road that it's only right they play in this beautiful space for the second half!

Thank you to our volleyball players, coaches, and, of course, the parents for your flexibility this Fall!

Girls' volleyball takes on E.O. Smith at 4:30 for our Freshman and JV teams and 5:45 for Varsity. Let's have our fans fill those new bleacher seats!

1961 Bleachers to 2024 Adirondack Chairs

Alumnus Chris Malone '78 and his crew at Opportunity Works Connecticut, Inc. (www.owct.org) have designed and built a set of Adirondack chairs from the 1961 mahogany for you to enjoy on your porch or deck. While priceless in history, we are raffling off the chance to own this pair for $25 a ticket.

Home | Adirondack Chairs (square.site)

School Counseling

PSATs

Sophomore and Juniors are preparing for the PSATs. Counselors will be meeting with students in small groups to make sure they have both a College Board account and are familiar with the Blue Book App.

College Process

Thank you to all the parents who came to our parent meetings on the College Process. We appreciate all the questions and conversations we were able to have. We are offering senior help sessions through the month of October on Mondays and Wednesdays during Flex. Students are welcome to just drop into the ITC with questions on Common App, Naviance, or any part of their college process. They are welcome to come as many times as they need.

Admission Office

If you know of a student interested in attending East Catholic High School, please be sure to share their important dates with them:

Open House: Thursday, October 17th

*Entrance Exams:

Saturday, October 26th at 8:30 am

Saturday, November 9th at 8:30 am

Saturday, December 14th at 8:30 am

*These 3 exams are the only exams where prospective students are considered for merit scholarships. (Other financial aid options are available.)

Please contact Chad Malone '08 (malonc@echs.com) or Abby Diemar '00 (diemara@echs.com) with any questions.

Parents' Association

Welcome Back!

We will be having our first Parents' Association Meeting on Monday, October 7th at 6:00pm in the first-floor conference room. We can't wait to see some new faces, as well as our returners. Remember, ALL are invited! Come to hear updates on the school, learn about upcoming events, and meet some fellow parents and guardians!

Be a part of the success of the 2024-2025 school year!

For more information on upcoming events and volunteering opportunities, visit

East Catholic High School - Parents Association (echs.com)

Any questions? Email echsPA@echs.com.