First of all, thank you to those who have called to wish me well, dropped by to say hello, offer assistance or advice, or just to talk about your excitement for the future of Kennedy – you are such an inspiration to me and my work!

These have been busy days.  In just my second day in the principal’s office I learned that Mr. Joe Krumpak would be leaving the Kennedy community to pursue opportunities with another school district.  While I congratulated Mr. Krumpak on his new job, I was already mentally adding an important job search to the top of my ever-expanding to do list.

The late advertising guru David Ogilvy once commented that he only hired people who he knew would aim for the remarkable and who would not settle for the routine.  I agree. However, in my job search for an assistant, not only have I found a person who will aim for the remarkable, but I have found a person who is the remarkable!   I am honored to announce Ms. Staci Raab as my assistant in the newly defined position of Dean of Students.  Allow me to share with you a little about the newest member of our Kennedy family:

Ms. Staci Raab graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 1992 before attending Youngstown State University for her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences with minors in both chemistry and philosophy. While working on her undergraduate degree she worked as a peer assistant to freshmen students, a reading and study skills tutor, served a term as First Vice President of the Centurians honorary society, and was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society.  Ms. Raab continued her studies at Youngstown State for her Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences by completing her research thesis: Characterization of Antibodies to Subcellular Fractions of Skeletal Muscles in Patients with Autoimmune Rippling Muscle Disease while working as a graduate teaching assistant and maintaining a 4.0 GPA.  Upon graduation Ms. Raab relocated to Cleveland to take a Research Technologist position in the Department of Molecular Cardiology at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation where she performed a wide variety of technical laboratory experiments on projects studying integrin receptors and blood clotting within the human body. While working at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Ms. Raab also began instructing human biology, anatomy and physiology, and fundamentals of biology for the health technologies classes at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio.   Ms. Raab decided to focus on education and attended Notre Dame College of Ohio to complete education coursework and earn her professional teaching license. After completion of her teaching license Ms. Raab worked for the Cleveland Catholic Diocese for the past 6 years teaching at both the junior and senior high levels instructing a variety of classes ranging from health to honors biology and moderating extracurricular activities including working as a grade level student council moderator, creating  junior and senior high school yearbooks, directing the stage crew for a high school theatre company, and advising a senior high school chapter of the National Honor Society.  Ms. Raab has also earned graduate credit in educational administration from Ursuline College in Pepperpike, Ohio.

Beyond her impressive educational resume, Ms. Raab brings to her administrative position a firm and fair philosophy of discipline, a strong Christian faith, an incredible work ethic, a wonderful sense of humor, and above all a respect and love for the young men and women she serves.

Please join me in welcoming this remarkable educational leader to our school community!

 
Ms. Staci Raab, Dean of Students

While the biggest educational celebrations are still yet to come, I want to take a moment and reflect on two wonderful Kennedy celebrations: The annual Speech and Debate Banquet and the Junior & Senior Prom.

As a former speech team competitor and coach, it was a special honor and privilege to join Kennedy forensics students, their coaches and parents for a night of recognition for the accomplishments acheived during this past competitive season.  I was moved as students and coaches shared stories of success, tears of farewell, and words of thanksgiving.  Bravo to the coaching and support staff that led the team this year: Teri Dutton, Noah Bixler, Emma Elliott; Mary Pipino and Beverly Kook!  Best wishes to the team’s graduating seniors: Brad Baker, Cassandra Dando, Adam Drawl, Jeremy Giardina, Catherine Latell, Matthew Litke, Matthew Klaben, Ashley Mann, David Orlosky and Elena Pipino.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article not all extracurricular activities are created equal.  The article stated that according to college admissions officers participation in high school Speech and Debate is one of the best indicators for collegiate success (therefore increasing the likelihood of application acceptance).  I am proud that Kennedy has an active program and I pledge both my administrative support as well as my coaching assistance to help this program grow to be even stronger! 

Members of the 2007-2008 Kennedy Speech & Debate Team

Debate then Dancing . . . The Junior & Senior Prom

Nothing says celebration quite like a prom!  As a guest of the junior class, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s prom and witness my very first promenade (or prom march). 

The young men looked like they stepped off the cover of GQ and the young ladies looked elegant wearing dresses that easily could be seen on any Hollywood red carpet!  Hats-off to Mrs. Binko and her team of students for creating an atmosphere of fun at the Avalon Inn with their beach party theme complete with the finest tiki-bar I’ve ever seen!

And then there was the dancing.  While I enjoyed sharing dinner, conversations, and punch with students as well as the other adult chaperones, nothing was quite as much fun as watching (and at times laughing) at the energetic dancing!  At one point there was even a dance-off between five young men.  And while he came in a close second, I have to give a shout-out to senior Jim Bluedorn (pictured below) for his skills on the dance floor - I am still laughing at his rockin’ air guitar moves during Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Senior Jim Bluedorn after a long night of dancing at Prom

As the newest member of the Kennedy family, it is clear to me that we have much to celebrate and many reasons to look forward to the celebrations yet to come!

Peace,
Brian Sinchak

Notre Dame Home & School Association, under the theatrical direction of Anita Philibin, produced a fantastic version of the blockbuster musical Annie Jr.  As a former theatre director, I’m a tough critic; however from the moment I entered the Kennedy cafeteria, which had been miraculously transformed into the Warbucks’ mansion, to the moment when the the cast earned a well deserved standing ovation, I couldn’t help but smile!  These young students (and Mr. Hoover) brought a taste of Broadway to Trumbull County and have set the stage for even better shows in the future.  Having witnessed the passion of these young performers and their dedicated fans, I can not help but to imagine the possibilities for a renewal and expansion of the performing arts at Kennedy.  I look forward to working with those interested in this project in the coming year.

With each passing day, I feel ever more grateful that God has led me to Kennedy.  On the way to my car after the show I found myself singing one of the songs, “I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here.”  How true!

May the show always go on,
Brian Sinchak 

My wife and I (pictured below with one of our student hosts) enjoyed “kicking it” with the Kennedy community at the 18th annual Just For Kicks auction!  We have attended our fair share of fundraising events at the high school and collegiate levels and we can say with certainty that Kennedy’s auction is the finest - not only because of the incredible generosity demonstrated during the live auction, but because of the vibrant community gathered in the transformed Eagle gymnasium.  The success of this event is remarkable and serves as a testimony to the strength of the Kennedy community. 

The evening was a celebration of community!  A community of inspiring educators, influential businessmen, devoted volunteers, self-sacrificing parents and grandparents, powerful political leaders, remarkable students, and active alumni. If we were to catalog this type of community in the auction booklet we would have no choice but to value it as priceless!     

Several impressive Kennedy students were our hosts during the evening’s auction.  Over dinner they shared their reflections on Kennedy’s excellence and offered their thoughtful suggestions on strategies for improvement.  Our special thanks to Jenna Alloush, Elena Pipino, Michael Fronk, and Michael Perisa!  They are the reason evenings like this exist . . . to ensure that a Kennedy education is available for the best and brightest!  

(Left to Right – Brian Sinchak, Michael Fronk ‘09, Mandy Sinchak)

We consider ourselves blessed and lucky to be part of this family, this extraordinary Kennedy community!
Brian & Mandy Sinchak

Wow, these have been whirlwind days!  My excitement about joining the Kennedy community has literally driven me to put lots of miles on my car in commuting from Cleveland to Warren. I can’t seem to help myself from spending as much time as I can at the school.

During my visits I have had the chance to spend some time with the dedicated auction team - these ladies are amazing! I’ve been told that I haven’t seen an auction until I’ve been at Just For Kicks.  My wife, Mandy and I are greatly looking forward to the event - not only to bid on some incredible items but also to meet you.  There may even be an interesting live auction item that I will help sell – I suppose you will have to make plans to be there to find out what it is! 

In the course of the last two weeks I have been impressed and inspired by:
The hospitality of the Kennedy faculty and staff, the kindness of June Drennen, the vision of Jill Phillips, the focus of a junior track star on his way to practice, the generosity of a dedicated yearbook advisor, the vibrancy of the NDS Home and School Association, the coffee or dinner shared with passionate board members, the spirit of Coach Napolet, the professionalism of our basketball coaches, and of course the support of our Bishop and Office of Catholic Schools. 

This is only the beginning . . . the beginning of counting our blessings and the beginning of our work together! 

Hello Eagles,

I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as principal of the John F. Kennedy educational community beginning this summer.

Theologian Frederick Buechner once commented that a vocation is that sacred place that God calls you to where your deep gladness and the world’s needs meet.  I believe Kennedy is that sacred space. I believe that I have the gifts and talents to share in committed service to the needs of this community. Most importantly, I have the enthusiasm and joy that inspire excellence and invite others into a common mission.

Visionary, creative leadership is a hallmark of my professional career.  In the classroom, I pioneered new technologies and pedagogies. On the stage, I established unprecedented levels of professionalism. In competition, I created national award winning forensics teams. In the chapel, I structured dynamic retreats.  In the Vice Principal’s office, I managed a disciplinary system and designed a new school-wide curriculum including the expansion of an Advanced Placement program.  In the boardroom, I wisely guided financial, strategic planning, and accreditation meetings.  I am a goal driven leader. 

My experience within Jesuit higher education is an invaluable resource that I will bring to this vocation.  While a theology student at John Carroll University, I was active in both the academic study of Catholic theology as well as the praxis of that spirituality in social justice initiatives and retreat experiences through campus ministry. During my work at The Cardinal Suenens Center I had the opportunity to work with theologians from around the world on research topics related to the Second Vatican Council.  Additionally, I had the good fortune to be invited to serve as an adjunct instructor in the Department of Religious Studies. These were formative experiences in the refinement of my identity both as a life-long learner and an educational leader who can embody the mission of Catholic education.   

The recruitment, admissions, and retention process is critical to a school’s success.  My record in these areas will testify to the fact that I understand and am skilled in this process. Successful enrollment management requires strong brand imaging and marketing, personalized and contemporary recruitment techniques, careful admissions screenings and significant academic and social support structures that enable retention.  I hope to instill a renewed energy in this enrollment process at Kennedy.   

In the coming weeks and months I look forward to meeting with all educational stakeholders to introduce myself and solicit perspectives and ideas that will begin to give shape to an educational vision for Kennedy.  I promise you my dedicated service to the Kennedy educational community as it continues its tradition of academic excellence in preparing young men and women to live the words of its namesake in their attempt to do God’s work here on earth!