WARWICK — 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 Principal Mark DeCiccio ‘03.
“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, 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; Father Brian Morris ‘03, chaplain; Jamal Gomes ‘91, athletic director; and Christian Kabbas ‘14, director of Communications & Marketing.
As a starting point for the initiative, committee members are hosting open feedback forums with students over the next week to better understand the topics they would like prioritized to be addressed with the Hendricken community. Ahead of the feedback forums, all committee members have been versed on listening and communication best practices by Dr. Pingitore-Hutchison. Students will also have the opportunity to provide written feedback if they prefer.
