Dear Friend of Loughlin:
How blessed are we to
start another school year!
As an urban inner-city school, things begin amidst a fair
amount of confusion; none of which is a function of the school’s preparedness
for a new year. Rather the situation reflects the reality for our families and
of the times. The dust will soon settle, the confusion will abate, and a
certain normalcy returns. Despite this pattern, Loughlin is roaring to begin an
exciting year of learning and discovery.
One reason the year begins well is because it ended
well. Of course graduation was a
testimony to the fine work our faculty and students accomplish together. It
marked a 100% graduation rate with 97% of our graduates matriculating at a
college of their choice; with 52% of the class earning scholarships. These are
statistics that make us all very proud, indeed.
Over the summer months a group of students traveled to
Puerto Rico to assist the Island in its efforts to return to normalcy. These
students and faculty chaperones worked incredibly hard at preparing meals for
distribution to the hungry and to those who did not have power restored to
their homes. Cutting up hundreds of frozen chickens for meal preparation is a
heck of a way to develop muscle mass!
Another group from our Language
Other Than English (LOTE) Department traveled to Italy as the culmination
of a multi- year program of study in Italian culture. We are grateful to the
Giambelli Foundation for a wonderful 2-year opportunity. Students from our Lasallian Youth group spent a week at
Manhattan College with other Lasallian Youth groups from the 21 secondary
schools that are in the District of Eastern North America. They lived on-campus
while forming a community, performing service in the Metro Area, growing in
their own spirituality, and having a plain old good time forming friendships.
Before school began, our 2018-2019 House leadership participated in a training day, and assisted the
Administration in the orientation of 23 transfer students. In July, three
students participated in the Scales of
Justice Program (a Fordham and Pace University sponsored program) for the 4th
year. The program introduces young women to careers in law by meeting with
successful lawyers and judges active in the profession, and culminates with a
trip to Washington DC and the Supreme Court. One of Loughlin’s own, and program
alum from 2013, has been selected to sit on the Law Review at Pace University.
There is no doubt that we are positioned to look forward to
an exciting new year. In one new undertaking Loughlin is engaged in a
consortium of Catholic and Jewish schools developing programs in civics
education for their students. Two Social
Studies faculty members participated in training over the summer to receive
input and to share ideas in order to develop our own program. Three faculty
members from our Science Department
participated in additional training for our expanding PLTW program, which
enabled us to add an advanced course this year – Medical Interventions. The
continued student interest in “all things science and medical” continues to
advance at a rapid pace.
The Theology
Department added an Honors Philosophy
course to their offerings. Upon review, this old philosophy major thinks the
syllabus is quite challenging, but what a wonderful way for students to engage
in some serious thought and reflection. The Library Media Center began a Seminar Series last year and will be
expanding offerings in the coming year. It is part of a Capstone Project for
our two creative Lasallian Volunteers who remain with us this year. We have a
new, but familiar, Campus Minister who oversees much of the service, spiritual,
and community activity in the school. He brings a dynamism and energy to the
position which will fill our community with enthusiasm.
Traditionally, our athletic
programs are competitive, and this remains the case in 2018. The JV
Basketball team won the City Championship for the second year in a row, and we
have several strong returning seniors on the varsity team. The Baseball program
has been growing. Finishing first place
in their Division in the spring, and taking three games in the playoffs,
positions us well for this coming season. The track team had some outstanding
runners graduate. However, we have a returning young man who is a strong
distance runner; but look to the Lady Lions this year, three of whom are
nationally ranked runners.
We are spoiled by the fact that the Performing Arts program always does outstanding work. One of our
sophomores was selected to participate in the NYSSMA All-State Conference this
November. His instrument is the trumpet,
and he is one of eight students selected throughout the state of New York. In
most instances preference is given to seniors. This is an outstanding
accomplishment. The theater group is undertaking two projects, one of
Shakespeare’s tragedies and later in the spring “Hairspray” the musical.
T.S. Eliot wrote in “East Coker” (The Four Quartets): “In my
beginning is my end, and “In my end is my beginning.” I am confident that as we
ended last year well, which prepared us for a strong start of this academic
year; that this year’s end will be as strong as or stronger than last.
Whatever challenges we face; Loughlin Lions are as tenacious
as they are fierce!
Sincerely,
Bro. Dennis Cronin, FSC
President
Read more
about From Brooklyn To Italy
Read more
about Prom 2018
Read more
about Arthur Ashe Health Science Academy
Read more
about Jim Lawlor'65, Tom Reilly'65, John Klemm'65, Larry Lembo'61, Ed Bolan'78,Charlie O'Donnell'59.
Read more
about Bishop McDonnell Reunion 2018
Read more
about Loughlin's Tour To Manhattan College and College of Mount Saint Vincent
Read more
about Congratulations to our own Robert J. Gore, MD '94
Read more
about Class of 2018 Scholarship Awards
Read more
about Biomedical Scientist Dr. Michael Belotto '72 Speaks to Students
Read more
about College T-Shirt Day
