OCTOBER IS THE MONTH OF THE ROSARY

October honors the Holy Rosary, a form of meditative prayer. Catholics are encouraged to pray frequently, meditating on Jesus Christ's life through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries.

THANK YOU

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Ken O'Connor, current and alumni parents, for completing our paved memorial dedicated to the track team by the scoreboard.

FACULTY/STAFF BREAKFAST

Thank you to senior parents for sponsoring the breakfast on Tuesday, October 27th.

CRUSADER PARENTS ASSOCIATION ONLINE MERCHANDISE

Visit the online store for Christmas shopping at: https://crusaderparentsmerchandise.square.site/

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

1. ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PIZZA FESTA

We need 10 student volunteers for the Pizza Festa in West Harrison, NY.

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: St. Anthony of Padua Church, West Harrison, NY

Volunteers will move tables and chairs, manage trash, and clean the event area. Wearing Stepinac apparel is encouraged.

To sign up, contact Jeff Mutis: Phone/Text: 914-841-8219 Email: jeffreymutis@gmail.com

2. MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION - SWISHES FOR WISHES

Holy Rosary Church is organizing a Swishes for Wishes event on Sunday, November 8th. Volunteers will rebound free throws, encourage children, count shots, and keep the gym clean. Arrive at 12:30 pm for four to five hours.

Contact: Mickey Moriarty '92 Phone: 914-645-0240 Email: Mickey2233@aol.com, Location: Holy Rosary, 170 Bradhurst Ave, Hawthorne, NY 10532

BOX CITY

On Tuesday, November 10th, students will participate in Box City, raising funds for families experiencing homelessness in Westchester County and New York City. Students build temporary shelters from cardboard boxes and spend the evening on campus.

Guest speakers from the White Plains Police Department and Lifting Up Westchester will discuss homelessness. Stepinac will donate to Lifting Up Westchester. Students have raised over $125,000 through Box City efforts over the years.

Students who raise $100 earn 10 community service hours.

Submit funds at: https://bngn.blackbaud.school/?id=3cdyynvyamy

Timeline: 4:00 PM - Students set up encampments on the side field or front lawn 4:30 PM - Assembly in auditorium with speakers Freshmen and sophomores go outside; juniors and seniors watch The Pursuit of Happyness Groups switch 10:00 PM - Event ends; boxes collected for pickup

SOCIAL MEDIA

Help grow Stepinac's social media presence by liking, commenting, and sharing posts.

Follow us: Instagram: @stepinachs Facebook: Archbishop Stepinac High School X (formerly Twitter): @StepinacHS

COMMUNITY SERVICE PLATFORM

Stepinac now uses Volntr as its community service platform. Religion teachers will guide students through tracking service hours. Students should keep accurate records including service dates, organization contact information, and hours completed.

ANNUAL SCHOOL RAFFLE

All students received raffle tickets. The drawing takes place December 22nd. Each student is asked to sell 100 tickets. Raffle prizes are $1,000 (1st place), $750 (2nd place), and $500 (3rd place). Keep money from ticket sales and return only the portion with the buyer's name and contact information. The $100 raffle fee will be billed in your February tuition bill.

OCTOBER 26TH: OPEN HOUSE HOLIDAY

All school offices are closed. No classes are in session.

OCTOBER 27TH: OPEN HOUSE

We welcome visitors considering Stepinac. Encourage family and friends with 7th and 8th grade sons to attend.

OCTOBER 28TH: EARLY DISMISSAL

All students will be dismissed at 1:34 pm for a faculty meeting.

OCTOBER 28TH AND 29TH: STUDENT ASSEMBLIES

The JCK Foundation focuses on students' mental health and well-being. Students will attend assemblies and follow-up small group discussions.

OCTOBER 28TH: JCK PARENT PRESENTATION, 7PM

A parent presentation in the auditorium will help parents identify signs of mental illness, discuss mental health with teens, and locate local mental health resources.

OCTOBER 30TH: COLLEGE APPLICATIONS DUE

College applications with a November 15th deadline are due to counselors by 10/30.

OCTOBER 30TH: HALLOWEEN COSTUME DRESS DOWN

Students may dress in costume or regular dress down. Participating students bring a $3 donation to their 1st period teacher. Cash prizes awarded for best costumes.

OCTOBER 30TH: LADY CRUSADERS HANDBAG BINGO

The event is sold out. Thank you for your support.

NY SPECIAL OLYMPICS POLAR PLUNGE

Kieran Ward, William O'Brien, and Sean Fisca are organizing the Stepinac group participation in the NY Special Olympics Polar Plunge at Playland Beach on Saturday, November 14th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Students who raise $175 and plunge receive 15 community service hours. Students who raise the fee but do not plunge receive 10 hours.

REMEMBRANCE PRAYER LIST

During November, we pray for deceased family members, friends, alumni, and staff. Add names at: https://forms.gle/nk3R9gbEqYxVX1dc6

WINTER SPORTS: NOVEMBER 1ST

Email coaches for information about tryouts, practices, and schedules. All winter sport athletes must be registered and cleared on Arbiter Sports.

REGULAR DRESS CODE: NOVEMBER 2ND

The regular dress code begins: beige or tan pants, white or light blue dress shirt and tie, and the school V-neck Under Armor sweater. Seniors may wear the school golf shirt year-round and the Stepinac sweatshirt in place of the school sweater.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

On Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 AM, the Stepinac family will gather for our Annual Memorial Mass in the Chapel. The names of alumni and friends who passed away this year will be read aloud and entered into the Book of Remembrance.

SENIOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

We offer an internship program to seniors. Now in its 5th year, the program runs from April 5th to April 23rd. If you can mentor a senior, contact Mrs. Donahoe at adonahoe@stepinac.org