WARWICK, RI (May 11, 2022) – Today, Bishop Hendricken High School is proud to announce the launch of Hendricken Cares, a new initiative aimed at helping students navigate wellness, and the challenges that come with it, in their high school years.
Inspired by Bishop Hendricken’s mission and rooted in faith, the mission of Hendricken Cares is to enhance a school culture of psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being through awareness, education, and action.
“The driving force behind Hendricken Cares is to be proactive in addressing matters of well-being with our school community,” said Mark DeCiccio ’03, Principal. “My hope is that Hendricken Cares helps enhance our school culture to be one that doesn’t shy away from openly talking about issues and experiences. Our goal is to ensure our community knows of the resources available to them, and more importantly, create supplemental resources where necessary to better support our students, faculty, and staff.”
Joining Hendricken Cares as an expert resource, consultant, and clinician is Dr. Fran Pingitore-Hutchison P’20, Clinical Director for the Division of Pediatric Integrated Health at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Dr. Pingitore has served in child and adolescent psychiatry for over 30 years in a variety of settings including Boston Children’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Medical Center – San Francisco, and most recently, at Hasbro Children’s Hospital providing individual, family, and group psychotherapy and consultation. Additionally, she serves as an Associate Professor in both Pediatrics and Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University. She received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, her master’s degree from the University of San Francisco, and her Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island.
The Hendricken Cares initiative is spearheaded by DeCiccio and Natalie Kessimian, Assistant Principal. The following individuals also serve on the committee:
Laura Zaniol, LICSW, School Social Worker
Richard Sylvia, Dean of Campus Life
Sarah Murray, Dean of Teaching and Learning
James Pierce, Dean of Students, Grades 11-12
Michael Monahan ’98, Dean of Students, Grades 9-10
Christopher Sheehan ’09, Dean of Students, Grade 8
Jennifer Monti, RN, School Nurse
Fr. Brian Morris ’03, Chaplain
Jamal Gomes ’91, Athletic Director
Christian Kabbas ’14, Director of Communications & Marketing
As a starting point for the initiative, committee members are hosting open feedback forums with students to better understand the topics they would like prioritized to be addressed with the Hendricken community. These sessions are open to all students with confidentiality and are entirely non-punitive. Hendricken Cares committee members will be available for student drop-in visits according to the schedule and location outlined below. No appointment is necessary.
Ahead of the feedback forums, all committee members have been versed on listening and communication best practices by Dr. Pingitore-Hutchison. If students would prefer to give written feedback, they can provide it via a form which will be sent to their Hendricken email addresses on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to meet with Hendricken Cares committee members for a debrief of the week after school on Friday, May 20, 2022. More information will be sent to their Hendricken email addresses.
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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022
Student feedback form opens
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022 @ AFTER SCHOOL
Mark DeCiccio (Principal’s Office)
Christian Kabbas (Office 301)
Natalie Kessimian (Assistant Principal’s Office)
Jennifer Monti, RN (Office)
Fr. Brian Morris (Campus Ministry)
Sarah Murray (Pierce’s Office)
Richard Sylvia (Office)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022 @ ALL LUNCHES
Jamal Gomes (Office)
Natalie Kessimian (Assistant Principal’s Office)
Michael Monahan (Office)
Fr. Brian Morris (Campus Ministry)
James Pierce (Office)
Laura Zaniol, LICSW (Office in Brothers’ Residence)
THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 @ AFTER SCHOOL
Mark DeCiccio (Principal’s Office)
Christian Kabbas (Office 301)
Natalie Kessimian (Assistant Principal’s Office)
Sarah Murray (Pierce’s Office)
Christopher Sheehan (Office)
Richard Sylvia (Office)
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 @ ALL LUNCHES
Jamal Gomes (Office)
Natalie Kessimian (Assistant Principal’s Office)
Michael Monahan (Office)
James Pierce (Office)
Richard Sylvia (Office)
Laura Zaniol, LICSW (Office in Brothers’ Residence)
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022 @ AFTER SCHOOL
Faculty & staff debrief