The Health Office is continuously looking for donations of water, and underwear in all sizes, both female and male.
The December Lunch Menu is now available, and due back no later than Friday, November 22, 2019. Please click here for downloadable version.
Principal's Corner
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Parent-Teacher Conferences were held on Thursday and Friday afternoon this week. Parents and teachers and in the case of middle school students, came together to discuss student progress and set a course for the coming months of the school year.
Parents of students from pre-school to grade 5 had individual conferences, discussing student progress and goals. In grades six through eight students led conferences, sharing the contents of their on-line portfolios with their parents. The portfolios included class work and assessments indicative of student performance. Parents wishing to speak with a specific teacher used color-coded squares to request that an individual teacher join the parent and student conversation. In grades four and five, the team of teachers met with each parent while parents with students in PreK3 to grade three met with their child’s homeroom teacher.
Feedback from both teachers and parents indicated that these last two days have been very informative. Parents have had a chance to hear and see how their children are performing in school and provide insight from their perspective to assist teachers in providing for each students’ unique learning strengths and areas for growth. It is this collaboration between parents and teachers that supports our mission “to providing a high-quality education that develops the intellect, inspires the spirit, and guides students to do what is right and just. In partnership with the Church and family, we encourage our students to exemplify Christian values and to become life-long learners.” St. Bernadette School Mission Statement
Recently Mrs. Callie Foster, Grade 6-8 Religious Studies teacher, returned from a Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes led by former St. Bernadette parishioner, Father Jim Boland. The pilgrimage began in the beautiful Portuguese town of Fatima where our Lady appeared to three shepherd children in the early 20th century. Fr. Jim concelebrated Mass in the Chapel of Apparitions and the group participated in the International Rosary followed by a candlelight procession. The group departed Portugal and began their trek through Spain to Lourdes. The pilgrimage stopped in Salamanca to view the medieval University as well as the two connected cathedrals. From there, the group visited Alba de Tormes where St. Teresa of Avila is entombed. Fr. Boland celebrated Mass under St. Teresa’s remains in a lovely chapel and afterwards the group visited the walled city of Avila, the saint’s hometown. Thefinal stop in Spain was the small Basque town of Loyola where St. Ignatius spent his early years.
Finally, the group arrived in the idyllic town of Lourdes in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. The group had another opportunity to pray the International Rosary, this time in the driving rain, in the Grotto. Fr. Jim was blessed to be asked to lead part of the Rosary. The group met many other pilgrims from every corner of the world, truly mirroring the universality of the Church. In the followings days, Mrs. Foster shared the blessing of visiting the Shrine, being blessed by the healing waters, seeing the house where St. Bernadette grew up, and later visiting the jail where the Soubirous family had to move when they fell on hard times. Mrs. Foster was especially moved when, in her words, “ God saved the preeminent blessing for the final day when, in a full circle moment, Fr. Jim Boland was able to celebrate Mass in the Grotto where our Blessed Mother Mary appeared to St. Bernadette. “
The patron saint of St. Bernadette School, Bernadette was the eldest of nine children from a poverty-stricken family. She contracted cholera in the epidemic of 1854 and suffered from asthma and other ailments throughout her life. Between February 11 and July 16, 1858, at the age of 14, she had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary in a nearby grotto. Mary revealed her identity with the words “I am the Immaculate Conception” and, among other messages and affirmations, told Bernadette that a chapel should be built there. Bernadette steadfastly defended the genuineness of these visions despite strong opposition from her parents, the local clergy, and civil authorities, and she faithfully transmitted Mary’s messages. The pilgrimage was a powerful experience for Mrs. Foster and one which she will continue to share with her students and all of us at St. Bernadette School.
Connection Corner
Thank you to everyone who generously donated to the Parent/Teacher Conference Lunches, and to Liz Galvin and Amber Warner who did an amazing job coordinating the meals. The faculty and staff thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful spread.
Come Enjoy a Star Wars Themed Day!! Tomorrow, 11-16 1-3 p.m. Charbonneau Activity Center
Child Ticket - $15.00
Adult Ticket - $25.00
Ticket prices include Jedi Training with professional children's performer Jedi Jim, photo opportunities, magic show, light saber creation, Star Wars crafts, assorted desserts, Yoda Soda, R2D2 Punch, goody bags, and raffles!!!
This event is open to the public, so be sure to spread the word to your friends.
Please be sure to request to join the new Parent Connection Facebook page, which can be found at SBS Parent Connection. Parent Connection information will be posted on this page and will include upcoming events to like and share.
