Community, Faith, Service Highlight Student Orientation

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Two half day orientation sessions on Thursday, Sept. 6 and Friday, Sept. 7 kicked off the 2018-19 school year at CBA.

On Thursday, students showed their Brothers pride, wearing purple or gold, as CBA welcomed more than 780 students back to school.

Seniors lined along the fence of Alibrandi Stadium as each class made their way onto the bleachers. The seniors met their seventh-grade buddies for the new school year, and handed them a bracelet.

Principal Matt Keough greeted the students, talked about the special CBA community and encouraged them to support one another at games, musicals and other activities, as previous classes have done before them. The cheerleaders then taught and led the entire student body in a number of cheers. Everyone then participated in singing the Alma Mater, led by the senior high chorus.

The senior high chorus led the students in singing the Alma Mater.

Each class participated in their own community building games, with the seniors leading the new seventh graders.

Students worked on various service projects, including making laminate placemats for Clear Path for Veterans; sandwiches for the Samaritan Center, goody bags for Emmaus, door tags for Bishop Rehabilitation Center, and medical bags for In My Father’s Kitchen. In addition, they wrote messages on the sidewalk in front of the school for the Child Discovery Center in Kenya. The messages were videotaped and will be sent to the CDC.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNQdoEBEyOc

Seventh graders make placemats for veterans.

Alumni Stephanie Vavonese ’02; Mike Kerwin ’69, and Rick Ranucci ’75 spoke to all of the classes, reflecting on their CBA experience and how it formed who they are personally and professionally.

On Friday, students filled out paperwork, received their locker combinations and planners, took their pictures for the yearbook, had class meetings, listened to speakers and participated in a prayer service.

Students were all decked out in winter dress code for their school pictures for the yearbook.

President Brother Joseph Jozwiak and ninth and tenth grade counselor Val Stedman discussed the “Re-imaging Prayer” with each class. The goal of the talk was to help students de-mystify prayer and see prayer as a conversation with God. Through this re-imaging, students will be better equipped to use prayer to help them deal with life’s challenges.

CBA parent Dr. Nanavati, who spoke last year during orientation, provided a 30-minute talk on mental health and anxiety.

Fortunately, the weather held out so that students could participate in a prayer service at the Grotto. The purpose of the prayer service was for students to reflect on their goals for the upcoming year.