East Catholic High School's Newsletter |
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A Message from the President
To the East Catholic Family,
And just like that, September has slipped away! This month has been an incredible beginning to our school year, and we could not be more excited to start off on such a strong note. October is always a time for many East Catholic traditions, such as Homecoming and our Walkathon, and we can't wait to see our community continue to flourish.
On Saturday, September 25th we hosted our Annual Scholarship Reception. Each year, we are blessed by the generosity of many amazing donors who give out scholarship aid to our students. Each student awarded was acknowledged, and some were even able to connect with their donor.
This upcoming Thursday, October 6th, we will be hosting our Annual Open House for prospective students. This is always our biggest Admission event of the year - last year brought over 400 people into our school! We can't wait to meet all of the families that are interested in being part of the East Catholic experience. Please help us in spreading the word about our Open House to any prospective student you may know!
The asbestos removal is almost complete on our Annex building, and beginning next week the process will begin to bring the building down. The Annex building is a rich part of our history here at East Catholic, and efforts are being made to preserve its memory. Sr. Peggy Evans, who spent years living in the building when it was the original convent for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, will be salvaging bricks from the building to create a Grotto around the statue of Mary on the front of our school for our community to appreciate. More information on this project will be forthcoming, but please let us know if you would like to be involved.
Our Walkathon fundraiser is in full swing and we are so grateful for the support and participation from our entire school community! As of this morning, we have already raised over $22,000 as a school. This puts us on track towards our goal and we're almost double where we were last year at this time. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful our community is at rallying around this spirit fundraiser to increase the great things we are able to do for our students here at East. We have officially two more weeks until the walk here at school, and if we keep up this momentum I know we will crush our goal!
On Monday, we will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with an all-school assembly for our students. Thank you to our Hispanic Heritage Club and our Students of Color Union for their joint efforts in providing programming and resources to our students throughout this month!
On Monday, Jade Colon '23 will also be speaking with our students to introduce ALS Awareness Month and share the impact that ALS has had on her family. Jade was brave enough to share her story last year, and it was wonderful to see our community unite with her in her fundraising efforts. This Saturday, Jade will participate in "The Walk to Defeat ALS" in Hartford to kick off her fundraising efforts for this year. The Volleyball team, which Jade is an active member of, will be dedicating their home game on Monday to the ALS community. Come at 5:45PM wearing red to show your support for this important cause!
Congratulations to all of our fall sports teams as we approach the midway point of the season! Our Girls Soccer team is on an amazing run, winning their last 5 games. Come watch them play today on our lower fields as they take on Bristol Central High School at 3:45PM! Our Girls Field Hockey team showcased an outstanding display of sportsmanship in their game against Avon High School that represented our East Catholic mission in action. We could not be more proud of our students for exhibiting the selflessness and inclusion that we teach here at East.
Peace,
Sean P. Brennan ’85 - President
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We are officially two weeks away from our annual Walkathon! On the day of, students will walk 1.5 miles around our school and participate in a variety of class competitions on our fields. The day concludes with a Pep Rally, and we announce our prize winners. This year, we have so many great prizes for our participants - ranging from gift cards and speakers, to Apple Watches and TVs.
We are so grateful to all of the students and families for their participation and donations! All of the fundraising efforts go to benefitting our entire school community. Help us reach our goal by spreading the word and encouraging your friends & families to donate!
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Team Spotlight - Field Hockey |
On Tuesday, September 27th our Field Hockey team took the field against Avon High School. In the 3rd quarter, Avon put in a freshman member of their team who is autistic. From the minute she went on the field, our girls realized this moment was about more than the sport they play. All of the players, both from Avon and East, cheered her on as she took a shot on goal. Our goalie, Breanna Upton '24, stepped aside to the allow the ball to go in for her first ever goal. This act of sportsmanship truly embodies the Eagle spirit.
The Avon coach reached out with words of gratitude for our Field Hockey team: "The camaraderie between the 2 teams that game was something you rarely see in a high school game. The unselfish gesture by the East Catholic goalie was incredible, and then the cheers from the East Catholic girls was beyond anything I have seen in my 38 years of coaching high school field hockey. My team truly appreciates what they did and has left a lasting impression on all who were lucky enough to be at that game."
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News Channel 8 Visits East |
On Wednesday, September 21st, we had Laura Hutchinson from News Channel 8 visit us for an upcoming segment on "What's Right With Schools."
She spoke with members of Aetos Dios, our Robotics Team, about their impressive 2022 season and their process for creating such a successful robot for competition. She spent time getting to know the students and understanding the work that they do. They were able to demonstrate with their robot from competition last year, and talk about their excitement to begin the process again for the 2023 season.
It was great to have this opportunity to showcase the talent and hard work of our Robotics Team. Keep on eye out this upcoming Tuesday, October 4th at approximately 5:45PM on News 8 to see it!
The segment will also be shared with the school community on the website and social media after it airs for all to check it out.
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Check out the upcoming dates below and come support your fellow Eagles!
Friday, Sept. 30th:
V/JV Girls Soccer vs. Bristol Central (3:45PM)
Boys & Girls Cross Country @ Harry Geraghty Invitational (Nevers Road Park)
Friday, Oct. 1st:
V Football vs. Tolland (4:00PM)
Eagles Take Action (ETA) will be holding a canned food drive at the game that will benefit those in Puerto Rico who have been affected by Hurricane Fiona.
For $1 each, buy a ticket for a chance to compete in the halftime field goal competition for a Chipotle gift card!
$5 admission for adults, $3 admission for EC alumni, free for EC students with student ID, senior citizens, veterans, and children 12 & under
For information on times and more dates, please visit the CIAC schedule website here.
Our Family Sports passes are now available for purchase! The Family Sports pass allows free entry to all home sporting events that charge admission throughout the 2022-2023 school year. You can purchase the Sports Pass at the entry table for all home football games or by emailing dahlquistj@echs.com
$60 – Family Sports Pass
$70 – Family Pass w/ T Shirt
$80 – Family Pass w/ T Shirt & Rally Towel
$5 - Individual Rally Towel
FamilyID Reminder:
You all should have received an email to sign up for FamilyID. FamilyID is a secure registration platform that provides an easy, user-friendly way to collect forms for all of our students. Athletics will be requiring that all students upload their physical forms through Family ID. Please visit this link to register for an account if you have not already done so. If you have any questions, please email dahlquistj@echs.com.
Visit our online Spirit Shop here to purchase East Catholic Athletics merchandise!
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Upcoming Service Opportunities:
There is a service opportunity helping to clean the ground here at East this Saturday, October 1st, from 9:00AM-12:00PM and Monday, October 3rd from 2:00-4:00PM. Please see or email Mrs. Italia if you would like to attend; or sign up in the Campus Ministry office.
Shelter meal opportunities:
Wednesday, October 5th for ImmaCare Shelter in Hartford
Friday, October 7th for UNICO Pasta Dinner in Manchester
Wednesday, October 12th for South Park Inn in Hartford
We are also looking for volunteers to help with a Halloween Party with MARC Association, which will take place on Thursday, October 27th here in the East Catholic cafeteria.
Please stop by the Campus Ministry Room, or Classroom 202, to see Mrs. Seaver and get more details. Spaces are limited so don’t wait!
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There is a sign up sheet in Campus Ministry for service opportunities with IOH. High school students serve as swim instructors for individuals with disabilities. IOH runs on Sunday afternoons from 1-3PM at Manchester High School throughout the school year. You do not need to be a lifeguard or water safety instructor to participate in the service. For more information, please contact Lauren Toomey ‘23, whose information will be listed on the sign up sheet in Campus Ministry.
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Juniors are invited to attend the NEACAC Fair at University of New Haven on Oct 13th. Emails have gone out this week with additional details and registration information.
PSATs will be administered to sophomore and juniors on Oct 12th. Freshmen will be involved in class activities that day and seniors will be home working on college applications, essays or visits.
Ms. Boisselle will be visiting Freshmen religion classes next week to check in with the students and answer questions as we hit the halfway mark of first quarter. We have a wonderful class of 2026 who have been settling in nicely!
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Upcoming College Visits in October
Monday, October 3rd - Saint Anselm College & University of Connecticut
Tuesday, October 4th - College of the Holy Cross & Endicott College
Wednesday, October 5th - Champlain College & Stony Brook University (NY)
Friday, October 7th - Southern Connecticut State University & Stonehill College
Tuesday, October 11th - Seton Hall University
Thursday, October 13th - Emmanuel College
Friday, October 14th - Saint Michael's College & Springfield College
The full list of visits throughout October and November can be found on Naviance.
Seniors are allowed to attend if they have a free period or if the teacher gives prior approval. Juniors and sophomores may attend if they have a free last period or at 2:00PM.
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Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 school year! We are excited that prospective students have already begun the process.
We are looking forward to hosting an in-person Open House on Thursday, October 6th at 6:30PM. If you know of anyone interested, direct them to sign up here!
We will also be offering our entrance exam on Saturday, October 22nd and Saturday, November 5th. The entrance exam begins at 8:30AM. All students, both incoming freshmen and transfers, are required to take the entrance exam. Sign ups can be found here!
On Friday, September 23rd and Friday, September 30th, we enjoyed hosting the 8th graders from St. James School and St. Bridget School for an "Eagle for a Day" experience. We look forward to hosting St. Gabriel School next week!
Any prospective 8th grader or transfer student is welcome to join us for their own "Eagle for a Day" shadow visit this fall. Students are paired with a current student and see what a day in the life of an East Catholic Eagle is like. We have plenty of dates open for this opportunity, so please share the registration form here!
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Neighborhood Assistance Act |
If the Company you work for files taxes in the State of CT, you may be interested to learn that East Catholic High School has been approved for participation in the 2022 Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act (NAA) Tax Credit Program through the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. This program allows for certain CT businesses to receive a tax credit for funding approved municipal or non-profit projects. East Catholic’s project is the replacement of the Auditorium Roof, making it watertight and energy efficient.
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Support East Catholic While You Shop! |
Shop on Amazon and Support East Catholic!
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchase to East Catholic. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support East Catholic by shopping at smile.amazon.com and search for East Catholic.
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Support East Catholic at ShopRite
ShopRite stores that participate in the ShopRite for Education program are committed to making a difference for the communities that their customers call home. Through this program, participating store owners provide free educational equipment and supplies to local accredited non-profit public and private schools, kindergarten through high school.
Supporting East Catholic is simple! Just link your Price Plus® Card to East Catholic's code, 18411, and each time you shop, the school will earn points towards free educational equipment and supplies. You can enroll your card by visiting www.shopriteforeducation.com.
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Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember |
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Wednesday, October 5th:
Money Turn-In Date for Walkathon
Thursday, October 6th
11:30AM Dismissal
Club Fair - Last period
Open House - 6:30PM
Monday, October 10th
No School - Indigenous Peoples' Day
Wednesday, October 12th
11:30AM Dismissal - PSAT Day for Juniors & Sophomores, Freshmen Day of Activities
No School for Seniors
Friday, October 14th
Walkathon & Pep Rally
Homecoming Football Game - 6:30PM
Saturday, October 15th
Homecoming Dance - 7:00PM
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East Catholic High School | 115 New State Road, Manchester, CT 06042
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