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Goals for the School Year
At “Meet the Teacher” Night, I shared with parents several goals that I had set for the school for the current academic year. For the next few weeks, I plan to share one goal and reflect on it. As the year moves forward, I will let families know how we are doing with achieving each of the goals that have been set.
Goal #2 is to complete the school’s next Strategic Plan. Needless to say, this is a big effort, a big project. The process is Board of Directors driven. The Administrative Team is actively involved. There may come a time when we ask for some type of participation from the staff and families. As a school, this is a valuable experience – similar to a Middle States Evaluation that took place at school last April. The process is worthy because it makes the school look towards the future and decide what we need to do to be sustainable and healthy as a school in areas such as Catholic identity, finance, enrollment and marketing.
School Mass
Our next school Mass will be on Tuesday, October 10th at 9:00 a.m. Any parent or guardian who would like to attend is welcome to do so. If you plan to come, please sign in at the Main Office prior to coming to the auditorium.
PSAT Testing
On Wednesday, October 11th, all Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors will take the PSAT at school. Seniors do not need to report to school that day. The test will begin around 8:00 a.m. It is imperative that students report on time to school. If a student is late and the test has begun, the student will not be able to take this important test. This year’s test is completely online so students need to come to school that day with a fully charged iPad. All students have been instructed about the online process. Students are encouraged to get a good night’s sleep prior to the test and eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of the test. Dismissal for all students will be around 11:00 a.m. once the test has ended. If you have any questions, please contact, Mrs. Vilardo, Dean of Academics, at nvilardo@berkscatholic.org or 610-374-8361 ext. 234.
Social Worker Service
As part of our continued commitment to our students’ well-being and academic success, Berks Catholic will have the services of Mrs. Christina DeJesus, a social worker this year. Mrs. DeJesus works with the Berks County Intermediate Unit and will be conducting regular check-ins with our Freshmen throughout the school year. She will be at Berks Catholic on Friday mornings, starting on October 20th from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Our goal with these check-ins is to provide additional support and guidance to help our students transition smoothly into high school life and ensure that they have the tools and resources they need to thrive both academically and socially. We believe that a strong start in high school can set the stage for a successful educational journey. In addition, the social worker will be monitoring and conducting check-ins with students who have frequent unexcused absences. Frequent absences can have a significant impact on a student’s educational progress and overall well-being and our goal is to ensure a student does not fall behind.
Pennsylvania March for Life
Our Saints are invited to attend the Pennsylvania March for Life on Monday, October 16th in Harrisburg. The bus will depart from BC at 8:00 a.m. The day will include Mass with Bishop Schlert at Saint Mary Church, Hamburg, speeches at the state Capitol, and the March itself in Harrisburg. We intend to return by the end of the school day. All students are welcome to attend and can obtain a permission slip from their Theology teachers or from Deacon Lanciano. Signups are due October 12th. If you have any questions, please email Father Kuna t mkuna@berkscatholic.org or Deacon Lanciano at rlanciano@berkscatholic.org.
College Financial Aid Night
Families are invited to join the College Counseling Department for a College Financial Aid Night on Monday, October 16th at 6:30 p.m. in the McGlinn Learning Commons. Mr. Timothy Haight of Swarthmore College will be leading the discussion and presenting on financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students applying to college. All are welcome.
PHEAA Virtual Financial Aid Awareness Seminar
State Senator Judith Schwank, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), will be hosting a free virtual “Financial Aid Awareness” seminar on Thursday, October 19th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. A representative from PHEAA will explain what financial aid opportunities for college are available and how to go about applying for them. Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom credentials by calling 610-929-2151 or online at www.senatorschwank.com/college.
College Visits Next Week
The following colleges will be visiting BC next week: John Carroll University and George Mason University on Tuesday; Reading Area Community College and Millersville University on Thursday; and Ohio University on Friday.
Athletic Report
The 2023 athletic season began on August 4th when over 400 student-athletes converged on Berks Catholic High School and Vince Shemanski Stadium for the first day of fall practice. After a summer filled with team and individual workouts, our teams were ready to go from the start.
Shemanski Stadium and the Forino Sports Complex are in great shape heading into October. The grounds crew and Athletic Department have worked well together ensuring we keep our facilities in the best condition possible. As we prepare for the end of the fall season, athletics will be meeting with youth football, youth lacrosse and our maintenance team to make a plan for winter and spring. We plan to do some clean-up work and much needed TLC work after the season in mid-November to early December.
For a report on the individual sports teams, click on the link:
ATHLETIC REPORT
Winter Sports Physicals
The dates, times and locations of our winter sports physicals have been determined:
October 25, 2023 Physicals
Location: Reading High School from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Registration: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/StLukesSportsMedicine@sluhn.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/s/GzEL7JxKCEGT07kZ_q9ZsA2
Primary Schools Invited: Reading, Berks Catholic, Antietam
November 8, 2023 Physicals
Location: Kutztown High School from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Registration: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/StLukesSportsMedicine@sluhn.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/s/AK0HCYNdyEmOJDhZI7nckQ2
Primary Schools Invited: Kutztown, Fleetwood, Oley, Brandywine
Homecoming 2023 and the Big Tailgate
Join us for the 2023 Homecoming Football Game on Friday, October 13th against Octorara Area High School. Prior to the game enjoy the Big Tailgate from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Enjoy lots of delicious food and the opportunity to mingle with our Saints community. The Homecoming ceremony will begin at 6:35 pm. Any partner or PREP student wearing partner school or BC spirit wear is admitted to the game for free.
Girls’ Lacrosse Clinic
Berks Catholic Girls Lacrosse is hosting a free lacrosse clinic for girls in grades Kindergarten-Grade 8. BC Girls’ Lax coaches and players will coach and will instruct basics of the game, skill development for field positions and goalies. The clinic will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, and Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Berks Catholic High School Stadium. For information, click the link for:
BC Girls Lacrosse Clinic.
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