July 16, 2019

Dear Parents and Ritamen,

I welcome you to the St. Rita Family! I hope this letter finds you excited to embark upon the great opportunity that is a St. Rita education. As the newest members of our St. Rita Family, all freshmen will take part in Freshman Orientation - The Augustinian Experience. The Augustinian Experience, which will be held on Friday, August 16, will not only familiarize freshmen to the campus, St. Rita traditions and school procedures; but this full day experience will be an immersion into school culture, and what it means to be Augustinian and a Ritaman. The day will include an orientation to classes, team building activities, prayer and reflection, as well as food, fun and socializing.

The Augustinian Experience will begin on Friday, August 16 promptly at 8:30 a.m . Therefore, we ask all freshmen to be dropped off by 8:20 a.m. at the Shrine Chapel Entrance located along our 77th Street Circle Drive. Students should wear khaki shorts or pants, gym shoes and a St. Rita polo shirt . This will be an overnight experience, so students should also bring with them a sleeping bag and pillow, a comfortable change of clothes (athletic shorts or sweats) and a swimsuit and towel, if they should choose to swim. Each student will also need his i-Pad, lock and locker items as those will be used during a portion of the day. The Augustinian Experience will conclude on Saturday morning with breakfast for the students at 8:00 a.m., so we ask parents to be prepared to pick up students at 8:30 a.m.

While The Augustinian Experience is focused on our newest students, our parents play a huge role in the education of our Ritamen. Therefore, we ask at least one parent of every freshman to attend a prayer service with the students that evening, Friday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m. in our Shrine Chapel. Following the prayer service, all parents are invited to an adult only gathering hosted by the Fathers’ and Mothers’ Clubs with pizza and refreshments in our Dining Hall.

Please click here some additional specifics regarding The Augustinian Experience.

We look forward to meeting you and doing our best to make the transition into high school as enjoyable and successful as possible. To aid us in this process, we are asking that all freshmen take a few minutes to complete a Student Life & Ministry Survey found by clicking on the following link: Class of 2023 - Student Life & Ministry Survey . Students should complete this survey by Monday, July 29. This survey will help us to provide each new Ritaman with further information about getting involved and making the most out of his four years at St. Rita.

Should you have any questions regarding Freshman Orientation - The Augustinian Experience or anything regarding Student Life & Ministry at St. Rita, please contact me at jblaszak@stritahs.com or (773) 925-6600 ext.6626.

ID PICTURES & UNIFORMS: On August 6 & 7 all freshmen and new students are required to come with a parent anytime  between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to take their student ID picture in the McCarthy Center. To assist with flow we ask those with last names A-K to come on Tuesday, August 6 and those with last name L-Z to come on Wednesday, August 7. Mr. Wes Benak '81 (Interim CEO & Vice President of Academics), Mr. Josh Blaszak '02 (Vice President of Student Life) and Mr. Paul Harrington (Director of Technology) will also be available during those times to answer questions. If you are unable to attend either nights please email or call me.

The Mustang Store will be open on August 6 & 7 from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in order for you to purchase school polos, chapel shirts and locks. Please feel free to stop by the Mustang Store before or after the ID picture.

FRESHMAN TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: All freshman will need to set up their iPads to access the St. Rita High School Student Network. Complete details on how each freshman can access St. Rita Wi-Fi as well as activate his personal St. Rita email and PlusPortals accounts can be found on the Freshman Technology Guide by clicking here . Any questions concerning technology should be directed toward our Director of Technology Mr. Paul Harrington at pharrington@stritahs.com .

FALL ATHLETIC TRYOUTS: Information regarding Fall athletic tryouts can be found by clicking here . If you have any questions regarding participation in any Fall sport please contact the coaches listed or Athletic Director Mr. Roshawn Russell '08 at rrussell@stritahs.com .

FATHERS' CLUB RAFFLE: The Fathers' Club is holding its Annual Tuition Assistance Raffle. Tickets are $50 each or two for $75. The drawing will take place at the Freshman Parent Reception on Friday, August 16. The Grand Prize winner will receive a $4,000 cash prize with a 2nd place winner of $2,000 and 3rd place winner of $1,000. The raffle is open to all St. Rita families. Please click the following link for tickets & information: Fathers' Club Raffle .

The Fathers' Club also invites all freshman students to come with their dads to its next meeting on Wednesday, August 14 at the concession stand of the stadium for a special welcome event. Dinner will be offered beginning at 6:30 p.m. and we will have activities for the freshman students during the meeting. Following a brief meeting at 7:30 p.m. a Freshman Father/Son Bags Tournament will take place.

To help the Fathers' Club with planning, if you will be attending this special Fathers' Club event on August 7 please RSVP here .


Welcome Home to St. Rita!!
Mr. Josh Blaszak '02
Vice President of Student Life
(773) 925-6600 ext.6626