Weekly News

“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created Spring.” Bernard Williams


The bright orb in the sky that has been hidden behind the clouds and rain for far too long is peeking through the clouds and raindrops.  The students and teachers are excited that outdoor recess may happen on a consistent basis.  God is good!

This week students in grades 5-8 have participated in the Spring NWEA Map Assessments.  Each class has completed tests in Reading, Language Arts, Math and Science.  Next week we will continue the process in grades 4 and 5 and grade 3 students will finish the following week.  The students had completed the first round of testing last fall.  Parents will receive a report outlining the academic growth that has taken place since the fall assessments.  The reports will also be a valuable resource in determining curriculum updates for the coming school year.  Test results should be available within the next couple of weeks. 

St. Bernadette School has been selected as one of 325 schools nationwide to participate in the Trends in International Math and Science Study 2019.  The eighth grade students will complete the test on Thursday.  Every year since 1995, TIMSS documents worldwide trends in the knowledge of eighth graders.  The nation as a whole benefits from the TIMSS by developing a greater understanding of how the knowledge and skills of U.S. eighth graders compare with those of eighth graders in other countries.  St. Bernadette School is the only school in the Worcester Diocese selected to participate in this study and one of only a few non-public schools participating nationwide.

Field Studies continue to provide opportunities for students to make connections between their classroom experiences and places and resources outside of the school building.  This week the kindergarten students went to Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston where they saw a four-season display of the finest plants for cultivation in New England.  The students, dressed in slickers and rain boots thoroughly enjoyed their tour of the gardens where they made many connections between their science studies and the beautiful plants that they could identify.  On Friday, students in grades 6 and 7 will travel to St. John’s Seminary to learn more about Holy Orders and the religious life, topics studied in their Religion classes.   Deacon Barry, Religious Studies teacher and an ordained deacon in the Archdiocese of Boston, organized the trip.

Friday night is the annual St. Bernadette School Talent Show.  This event is a highlight for our multi-talented students and teachers and proud parents, family members and friends.  We hope you will join us for this special occasion as we are entertained by “St. Bernadette School Has Talent!”  Doors open at 6pm and the show begins at 6:45pm.