IN THIS ISSUE - McQuaid Jesuit High School

September 2012 marks a new tradition at
McQuaid Jesuit as (45) sixth graders walk the
halls for the first time. The advantages of welcoming
the youngest boys ever to enroll at McQuaid
Jesuit are the extending of every
dimension of Jesuit education. That is, the
student gets an early start:
• in the nurturing of his God-given academic
potential, including crucial study habits,
self-discipline, and a love of learning.
• in the continued development of English
language skills, especially grammar and
writing, a key preparation for the rigors of language
study in the years that follow.
• in the formation of the Ignatian tradition of
becoming “Men for Others.” That is, a bedrock belief
in the imperative that we exist to share our talents,
time, and treasure with all of humanity….in service to
God. In fact, all that we do and say is in some sense
God-centered.
• in the nurturing of personal growth, including
respect for self and for others, self-confidence, and
friendship.
While the sixth grade is, indeed, part of our Middle
School, it is also set apart by the unique needs of sixth
grade boys. The four sixth grade classrooms have
deliberately been located nearest to the Middle School
office. The sixth grade schedule is separate from that
of the 7th and 8th grades and has been specifically
designed for maximum flexibility. In fact, every part
of the sixth grader’s day has been implemented to
be age and gender appropriate. In a sense, the sixth
grade will truly be a “school within a school.”
Our three-member sixth grade faculty will teach only
the sixth grade, again allowing a maximum use of
time and resources. Scheduling is such that each
Michael Vongphachanh and Nick Serinis participate in
a prayer service on the first day of school
Tradition Grows
John Finn
Dean of the Middle School
student will
have at least
two of the
three
teachers
each day. In
addition, our
two male
teachers will be teaching Physical Education, so there
is a high probability that every student will meet with
each of the three teachers in the course of a week.
Art will be taught by Ms. Heather Brosman and
Music Theory by a member of our Fine Arts
Department.
Carey Ruddock, Justin Rosedale, Charlie Merkley,
Ryan McEvily, and Jack Lindenmuth pose in the library
Our new sixth grade faculty will include:
Mrs. Jean Hendricks, who comes to McQuaid from
Seton Catholic elementary school in Brighton. Mrs.
Hendricks brings with her a wealth of teaching
experience, especially at the sixth-grade level. She is
our special connection to Rochester Catholic
education.
Mr. David Demers is our special link to Jesuit
education, having taught at Loyola, Montreal for
several years.
Mr. Will Chesebro has taught as a substitute teacher
throughout the Rochester area, including at McQuaid.
He has coached our track teams at both the middle
school and high school levels.
We are proud and excited to welcome these
professionals as our founding sixth grade faculty.
Each one is skilled, imaginative, and dedicated to
the Jesuit conviction that God works through us and
dwells uniquely in each one of our students.
John Finn, Dean of the Middle School and
Jonathan Abbott
Quinn Tata, Chase Cederquist, and Daniel Cook
on the first day of school
Sixth Grade 5