The Black & Gold Report

September 8, 2023 Volume 1

John P. Petruzzelli

Principal

610-374-8361 ext. 253

Email: John P. Petruzzelli

Twitter: @jpetrosaints

The Week Ahead

Monday, September 11

Spirit Week Begins
Dress in USA Theme
Door Decorating Begins
Dig Pink T-shirts sold during lunch periods
Faculty Meeting

Tuesday, September 12

Mass Schedule
School Mass - 9:00am
Dig Pink T-Shirts sold during lunch periods

Wednesday, September 13

Rhyme with a Reason Dress Down Day
Lockdown Drill
Dig Pink T-shirts sold during lunch periods
Donor Reception 4:00 pm

Thursday, September 14

Pajama Day
6th Grade Bonding Day

Friday, September 15

Backyard Brawl T-Shirt Dress Down Day
Fall Pep Rally
BC "Biggest Fan"

Dear Saints Families and Friends,

“A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person. And a Catholic school, over and above this, should help all its students become saints.”

-Pope Benedict XVI

Greetings from Berks Catholic! Two weeks into the new school year and I am so proud of our students. They have been cooperative, respectful and resilient! Starting a new school year and getting back into a school routine is always tough. Add to that, a new Principal with a new philosophy and different ways of doing things and that adds to the challenge. Yet, our Saints are responding.

I was so proud at our first Mass to see the reverence and respect that the students displayed. The demeanor throughout the building, in the hallways and cafeteria is impressive. The behavior at the first football game was outstanding. Watching our football team take a knee and pray for an injured teammate left me choked up. The students coming together and singing the BC alma mater with pride gave me chills. These are all examples we can be proud of. They are also examples of what a Catholic school should represent and exhibit. At Berks Catholic, it is important for us to create “scholars,” for sure, but even more important to create “Saints”! Have a great weekend!

It’s a great day to be a Saint!

John P. Petruzzelli

Principal

Let Us Pray…

For all grandparents whom we remember on Grandparents Day on Sunday. May God bless them abundantly for the many gifts that they share with us.

In remembrance of the 22^nd anniversary of 9-11. We remember those who lost their lives on that day and those family members whose lives changed forever.

Kudos

Congratulations to our fall sports teams for their first wins of the season: Golf defeated Tulpehocken 324-337 on August 15^th; Girls’ Tennis defeated Twin Valley 7-0 on August 25^th; Boys’ Soccer defeated Hamburg 2-0 on August 28^th; Girls’ Cross Country placed first at the Diocesan Cross County Championship 5K in York on August 31^st; Football won 19-14 against Executive Education Charter School on September 1^st; and Girls’ Soccer defeated Conrad Weiser 2-1 on September 2^nd.

What's Happening

School Mass

Our next school Mass will take place on Tuesday, September 12th at 9:00 a.m. Any parent or guardian who would like to attend is most welcome. Please sign in at the Main Office before coming to the auditorium,

Attendance Notifications

If your child will be late to school in the morning or is absent for the day, please contact the Main Office as soon as possible by calling at 610-374-8361 and then press #2. If your child needs an early dismissal, please send a note to the Main Office for the early dismissal with the time and reason. Thank you for helping us with this important daily task.

Athletic Competitions

Our fall athletic teams are all underway! Be sure to check our online calendar and come support our dedicated student-athletes on the Cheerleading, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Boys’ & Girls’ Soccer, Girls Tennis and Boys’ & Girls’ Water Polo teams. Access the calendar here: Berks Catholic Calendar of Events (saintsathletics.org).

Student Sports Writers Wanted

Sports writers wanted! Does your child like sports? Do your child like writing? Spotlight on Berks Sports is looking for students across Berks County high schools who want to attend their school’s sporting events and write articles about the games. Interested students must attend one home game each week; take notes and stats; conduct a player interview; take a picture of the player interviewed; write an article with quotes; and then submit the article and picture within 24 hours. If interested, students can send a letter of interest to: spotlightonberkssports@gmail.com.

Dig Pink T-Shirt Sale

The Lady Saints Volleyball Team will be selling “Dig Pink” T-shirts next week during each lunch period on Monday September 11^th, Tuesday September 12^th and Wednesday September 13^th. Let’s join our BC Volleyball team and “FIGHT TOGETHER” against breast cancer. T-shirts are $15.00 for sizes youth small to adult X-large, and $18.00 for sizes XX-large to XXX-large. T-shirts are pre-order only and will only be available to order until Wednesday September 13^th. If paying by check, please make payable to BCVB. Please be on the lookout for more information about the Dig Pink Night volleyball game being held on Tuesday, October 10^th.

Student of the Week Program

We are happy to announce a brand-new Student of the Week Program sponsored by the Principal’s Office! Starting on September 11^th, we will recognize one student each week. Students may be nominated by staff, fellow students or parents. A student may be nominated for some outstanding achievement, participation with a club or activity, wholesome or Christian attitude, or service to others, among other things. See the attachments that explain the program and share a Nomination Form.

Scrip Gift Cards

Please click on the link for more information.

RaiseRight Flyer

College Visits Next Week

The following colleges will be visiting BC next week:

Wednesday, September 13th - Misericordia University (1:00 p.m.).

News from the Dean of Students

Here are a few reminders from Mr. Ricco, Dean of Students:

On Wednesday, September 6th, we had our first fire drill of the school year. Our great Saints led by our amazing teachers had the building emptied and attendance confirmed in 3 minutes. This was exceptional for the first drill of the year! I look forward to updating you throughout the year as we continue to practice emergency drills following the Standard Response Protocol.

Regarding dress code, thank you for your support at home to make sure our students are looking their best every day. We will continue to work hard to ensure our Saints represent themselves, our school, and most importantly your family with pride daily.

An important save the date reminder that auditions for The Wizard of Oz will be held on Saturday, November 4th in the Franco-Post Auditorium at 8:30 a.m. We encourage all of our Saints to participate in our spring musical in some way either on or off stage. The Wizard of Oz performances will be March 1 and 2, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. and we hope to see you all there.

EXTRAVAGANZA 2023

IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW OUR NEWEST RANCHER!!!

PLEASE JOIN US AT THIS YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA FAMILY & DONOR NIGHT OR EXTRAVAGANZA 2023 TO MEET AND GREET OUR NEW PRINCIPAL MR. JOHN P. PETRUZZELLI!!!

FAMILY & DONOR NIGHT WILL BE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023 6-8PM

(This is a complimentary evening – (anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.)

Stop by to check out what Extravaganza is all about!!!

EXTRAVAGANZA 2023

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Beginning @6PM

$150 Per Person

(Must be 21 to attend)

**Watch your mail for your invite to this special event sometime the week of September 4^th.

PLEASE ALSO JOIN US AS WE HONOR

LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF CATHOLIC

EDUCATION IN BERKS COUNTY AND BERKS CATHOLIC

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI RECIPIENT

STEPHANIE RADO TAORMINA HN’83

Berks Catholic High School

Lloyd M. Wolf Gymnasium

955 E. Wyomissing Blvd

Reading, PA 19611

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO EXTRAVAGANZA OR PURCHASE A CASH RAFFLE TICKET, YOU MAY DO SO BY CLICKING THE BELOW PAYPAL LINK

PayPal Link

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

FOR EXTRAVAGANZA 2023

THURSDAY 10/5, SATURDAY 10/7 AND SUNDAY 10/8.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR SOME COMMITTEE CHAIRPEOPLE TO RUN OUR STORAGE COMMITTEE AND OUR SILENT AUCTION WORKER TEAM- BOTH OF THESE WOULD REQUIRE YOU TO BE HERE BOTH 10/5 & 10/7- IF INTERESTED OR JUST CURIOUS- CALL 610-374-1695.

Please click on link below to view Extravaganza 2023 volunteer opportunities and to sign up!!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0945ACA628AAFA7-extravaganza6

The Bible by the Numbers

When men and women have failed, call Psalm 27.

Social Media

Did you see our posts this week about Miss Giblin’s interactive Intro to Literature class? Keep up with all the happenings at the school on our social media channels. Check out what our students are doing day-to-day in class; important news articles; sports and activities; and more! Be sure to follow the school on social media for all the latest updates, pictures and school information. Facebook: Berks Catholic; Twitter: @BerksCatholic; and Instagram: berkscatholic.

It's a great day to be a Saint!

Our Mission

Berks Catholic High School is centered on the four pillars of God, Family, Academics and Fun. As a vibrant Christ-centered community, the Administration, Faculty and Staff are dedicated to providing a challenging academic environment for a diverse population of young men and women. Through Christian principles rooted in the Catholic tradition, we strive to positively impact our students spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally, so they can live productive lives of service in this world and attain eternal life.

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