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XBSS: New Life, New Possibilities |
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Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools (XBSS) is a complex of guiding principles, governance structures, formational programs and networking opportunities through which the Xaverian Brothers and our collaborators have come to ensure that the school that bear our name live up to who we say they should be and, indeed, who they claim to be. In early August at the Burkshire Conference Center in Towson, Maryland, fifty-two men and women attended a three-day workshop designed to welcome them into the sponsorship community. Brother Cornelius Hubbuch, Director of formation and Brother Lawrence Harvey, Director of Sponsorship, directed the workshop with the assistance of Brother Robert Arrowsmith and Mr. Barry Fitzpatrick, Brother James Kelly and Mx Judy Kraft. Participants gathered for prayersessions and engaged in faith sharing. Brother Cornelius presented a meditation on Theodore Ryken and his spirituality, and Brother Lawrence described XBSS and its evolution. Many practical suggestions and insights surfaced in talks by Brother James on the Xaverian charism in education and Mr. Fitzpatrick on hopes and expectations for new faculty carrying on the charism. A lively discussion facilitated by Ms Kraft followed a video presentation by Robert Coles on teaching and the difficulties inherent in sharing and communication. Perhaps the most valuable experience was in making new acquaintainces and networking for the challenging year ahead in high school ministry. At departure, several participants expressed thanks for an experience that far transcended their expectaztions and left them feeling more prepared, focused and energized for the school year. Construction is underway to provide major enhancements at St. John's High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut. In both instances the enlarged facilities will provide new possibilities for students and faculty when they open in 1999. In this, the 100th anniversary of St. John's High School, the long range master plan endorsed by the Board of Trustees a few years back comes to fruition in yet another significant way. The Media Technology Center will house the St. John's library as well as three science laboratories, a computer laboratory, four classrooms, music rooms, a 140 seat lecture hall, a seminar/conference room, a television studio and a black box theater. When this is completed, a significant part of the plan enabled by a five million-dollar capital campaign will be realized. Already accomplished in the past couple of years are the transformation of one floor of the Brothers' residence into administrative offices, the construction of a new maintenance facility and a two level addition attached to the rear of the school. This addition consists of three new classrooms and a fully equipped student training center. To complete the plan would require building a proposed Student Life Center and making renovations to Flavian Hall, currently a classroom building on campus. On the threshold of a new century, these developments should enable St. John's to meet current and future challenges in its effort to establish a second century of educational excellence. In Connecticut at Xavier High School, ground was broken in March, 1998, on the eve of St. Joseph's Day for new construction that will take place at the school. On the drawing board, in this expansion of the school, which the brothers opened in 1963, are four new science labs, a new library/media center, and a new cafeteria and kitchen. Space in the original building will be renovated to include new classrooms for art and music, a new and expanded weight training facility, additional locker room space and an auxiliary gym. It is expected that the new building will be dedicated in May, 1999. The school, which is jointly sponsored by the Brothers and the Diocese of Norwich, participated in a joint two million-dollar capital campaign with its sister school, Mercy High School.
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