I write to you to provide current information regarding the unification efforts now underway as our staffs and school communities work through our "planning" year.

I am pleased to report that, thanks to the efforts of the faculty and staff, our school community enjoyed an excellent start to the school year. Having accomplished this, we are now in a position to explore the exciting benefits which can result from the unification of St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School and Pope John Paul II High School. 

• Planning committees in seven academic and two related areas have been formed which will explore the numerous benefits and opportunities of unification. The guiding principles of the committees will be to maintain the excellence separately achieved while allowing for complementarity, coordination, and increased opportunities. The full roster of planning committees may be viewed here.
• The SFXP and JPII Advisory Boards have been unified into one combined Advisory Board and will begin meeting as such in October. Among the important tasks of this group will be Strategic Planning, Advancement Planning, Finances, and Advisory Board development.
• A simplified "Intent to Return" process has been established guaranteeing SFXP 8th grade students a place in the JPII Class of 2018 without additional application steps. Mrs. Canzano, SFXP Admissions Coordinator, or Mr. Catelli, JPII Admissions Director, can provide additional information.
• SFXP 8th grade student-athletes are permitted to participate in JPII athletics when no SFXP team exists in the desired sport and safety and eligibility requirements have been satisfied. For the winter and spring seasons, this will open up opportunities in boys ice hockey, boys and girls swimming, sailing, and boys and girls lacrosse for eligible SFXP student-athletes.
• There has been beneficial progress in bringing together some "behind the scenes" services such as building maintenance and financial accounting.

This is the first of four quarterly updates that you will receive as we continue to make progress. I am happy to meet with you to discuss progress and answer questions, comments, or concerns you may have.

Thank you for all you do for Pope John Paul II High School
& St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School.

Sincerely,

Christopher W. Keavy

Head of School