Traditions

St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School has a variety of established traditions. Such traditions that are a part of the rich fabric woven into the cloth of Catholic education throughout the United States exist here as part of the lifeblood of our school. These are:

Awards Assembly: The highlight of the end to the academic year is a special prayer service and presentation of academic awards. These awards include subject awards presented in every academic discipline. During the eighth grade year, the awards ceremony will be incorporated into the Class Night activities. For grades five, six, and seven, this ceremony will be held on the last day of school.

Catholic Schools Week: Held during the final week of January, Catholic Schools Week is a national celebration of the excellence provided in Catholic school education. Special events are held each day of the week. Activities include a Mass of celebration, student and teacher appreciation days, a spirit day, and a guest speaker.

Class Night: Traditionally held the night before graduation, the eighth grade Class Night is a celebration of the graduating class. Events include academic award presentations, speeches by the Class Officers, individual reminiscences, and a retrospective slide show.

Eighth Grade Officers: In September, members of the eighth grade class elect a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer to lead the eighth grade in its activities and spirit. On Class night, each officer delivers a speech to the class.

Light of Excellence Awards: These most highly prized awards are presented to the male and female student in each grade who, in the opinion of the headmaster and faculty, best represent the combined commitment and achievement to the ideal of academic excellence through the light of one's Christian faith. In grade eight, this award is presented at the graduation ceremony to a male and female graduate in the name of Reverend Edward J. Byington, the founding pastor of St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School.

Monday Assembly: At the start of each week the entire school gathers at 8:20 a.m. in the church or gym for our Monday Assembly program. This assembly is an essential part of our community building. The program begins with the morning prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. During the assembly period, students and teachers share activities and items of interest. The headmaster delivers morning announcements and makes note of special items of school community concern. It is during the Monday Assembly that the Student of the Week Award is presented. Parents always are invited to attend the weekly assembly or any other school gathering.

National Junior Honor Society: St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Students earn nomination at the beginning of their seventh grade year and are required to complete a package including personal narrative and letters of recommendation which endorse their candidacy. An induction ceremony is held to commemorate their inclusion into this prestigious national organization.

Orientation Program: In the summer prior to the start of a new academic year, fifth graders are invited to a morning orientation session conducted by the headmaster. Get-to-know-you games, activities, and exercises are held to ease and orient a student to the St. Francis Xavier Prep family. A parent session is held in the evening for all parents-in-coming and returning. In addition, each new student receives a telephone call from a staff member some time late in the summer, again to welcome the individual into the school community and to answer any last-minute questions or concerns by the individual in-coming student. A final component of the orientation program is a games night, held for fifth graders on the first Friday of the new school year. This event is complemented by a Welcome Back Dance, held for students in grades six through eight, so they may renew acquaintance in a social setting.

Parents Open House: Parents are provided with an opportunity to return to school at the annual Open House, usually held during the first week in October. This event gives parents a chance to run through their child's schedule, meet the teachers, and become better acquainted with the other members of the Home and School Association.

Religious Observances: In addition to celebrating Mass with parishioners of the St. Francis Xavier Church on all the holy days of the Catholic Church's calendar, students will develop and participate in other liturgical and prayer services. In addition, penance services are scheduled to be held during Advent and Lent. Also, a retreat program for students is an integral part of the religious formation during the sixth through eighth grade years. Other religious events consistent with the Church and the Diocese of Fall River also are observed.

Reunions: A tradition has been established to provide for a four-year anniversary reunion for each eighth grade class before its members scatter literally around the globe. As the school grows, other hallmark reunions also will be held.

Service: Because service to God is the most important task of our time on earth, St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School acknowledges those students who have been elected to serve their school as eighth grade class officers and student council representatives with the presentation of service awards. In addition, all students are expected to live out their Christian faith through documented service to others. End-of-the-year awards are presented to students with fifty or more accumulated community service hours. The community service is a requirement for promotion from one grade to the next and for graduation.