December 8, 2023 Volume 1 - Issue 14 |
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Dear Saint Families and Friends:
“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our world.”
-C.S. Lewis
Greetings from Berks Catholic! Happy Advent! I have always had a fondness for the above quote. I find it so thought provoking. The fact that a simple thing like a dirty, smelly stable has had such a far reaching and impactful effect on our world amazes me. Sometimes I think we lose sight of the simple things in life and realize the importance they hold. I know I am guilty of this. This week, I invite you to try and focus on the simple things around us and the joy that they can bring into our lives – a joy that will be manifested even greater on Christmas day! Have a great weekend.
It’s a great day to be a Saint!
John Petruzzelli
Principal
610-374-8361 ext. 253
Email: jpetruzzelli@berkscatholic.org
Twitter: jpetrobcsaints
Instagram: john.petruzzelli.9
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The Week Ahead
Monday, 12/11
Faculty Meeting
Tuesday, 12/12
Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe (9:00 a.m.)
Wednesday, 12/13
Blood Drive
Thursday, 12/14
Partner School Movie Night (6:00 p.m.)
Friday, 12/15
Half Day – 11:00 a.m. Dismissal
Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
Winter Pep Rally
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Let Us Pray…
For St. Margaret School, one of our amazing partner schools, that God blesses the students and staff abundantly with a faith and zeal for Catholic education.
For doctors and nurses who care for the sick that God fills them with love and compassion as they treat the infirmed in their care.
For bus drivers who daily care for and drive our students safely to and from school.
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Freshman
Angie Morales
who was named this week's
Saint of the Week!
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NHS Toy Drive
Thank you to the students, families and staff who have supported the NHS Toy collection. The NHS raised $1875 to purchase toys for Community Prevention Partnership and Catholic Charities. Of that total, the lunch periods raised $1113 by dropping in loose change and bills. The 6th Period Lunch was the winner of cookies for their top collection. What an amazing effort by our Saints family!
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1st Annual Senior Christmas Activity Day | |
Designing Ugly Christmas Sweaters | |  |
Building Gingerbread Houses | | |
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Thank you to the Senior Class who participated freely in our 1st Annual Senior Christmas Activities during the day last Thursday; and the 30 Seniors who joined us for the First Annual Senior Christmas Cookies and Movie Night on Thursday evening.
All-State Volleyball Team
Congratulations to Senior Olivia Jones who was named to the All-State Volleyball Team.
Thank You
We received the following thank you note from the food pantry at St. Joseph Church in Reading:
“I am writing to thank the students and faculty of Berks Catholic for the generous food drive donations they made to the St. Joseph Food Pantry. Over 150 families visit the pantry each month for supplemental groceries, and your donations will go directly to them. Thank you for putting your faith into action by sharing your blessings with our less fortunate neighbors.” Great job, Saints!
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What’s Happening
Pope Francis: Advent Advice
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has offered some concrete advice for how to prepare our hearts for Jesus, listing five steps to take: “approaching His forgiveness, His Word, His Table, finding space for prayer, welcoming those in need.” He advised, “Let us cultivate His expectation without letting ourselves be distracted by so many pointless things, and without complaining all the time, but keeping our hearts alert, which is eager for Him, awake and ready, impatient to meet Him.” Pope Francis concluded by saying, “May the Virgin Mary, woman of expectation, help us to receive her coming Son.”
School Mass
Our next school mass will be on Tuesday, December 12th for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Franco-Post Auditorium. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend. Please sign in at the Main Office upon arrival for Mass.
Calendar Updates
Families are reminded that Friday, December 15th is an 11:00 a.m. dismissal and Friday, December 22nd is an 11:30 a.m. dismissal.
Mid-Quarter Point
Parents and guardians are reminded that we have reached the halfway point of the Second Academic Quarter. Please take the time, if you have not recently, to review your student’s grades. Failure notices are being sent by teachers at this time.
Mid-Term Exams
Believe it or not, Mid-Term Exams are only a month away. The Mid-Term Exam schedule is listed below. Dismissal on exam days is 11am. Buses have been made aware of the early dismissal. Vacations and trips are not valid excuses to miss an exam. If a student has a planned absence, they must speak with their teacher prior to exam week to schedule a time to take their exam. Any student who is sick and misses an exam should try and make up that exam during an exam slot when they would normally have lunch or a study hall/gym. If this is not possible, students will need to make up their exams on Friday, January 19th.
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| Friday, January 12 | Period 1 | Period 6 | | Tuesday, January 16 | Period 8 | Period 3 | | Wednesday, January 17
Thursday, January 18 | Period 2
Period 7 | Period 5
Period 4 | | |
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Student Referrals
Do you know anyone who would be a great Saint? Complete the attached form with the name of a prospective student who does not attend one of our traditional partner schools. If that student enrolls, you will receive a tuition credit. Please read the required criteria on the attached form.
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Strategic Planning – Parent/Guardian Surveys
We need your help. We are currently conducting a survey for our Strategic Planning. Earlier this week you received an email asking you to complete the survey. Parents/Guardians are asked, if you have not done so already, to complete the brief survey to help us with our information gathering. The survey will take less than 5 minutes. The survey will be available until Wednesday, December 13th. You can access the survey here:
https://forms.gle/3zhuX59PApWZXi3T9
Berks Catholic Student Store
Need that perfect Christmas gift? Come and shop at the Saints Locker student store. Holiday shopping hours will take place on Thursday, December 14th and Monday, December 18th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
December Blood Drive
Did you know that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs donated blood? Did you also know that one pint of blood can save up to three lives? Help save lives! Donate blood!
When? Wednesday, December 13th
Where? Lloyd Wolf Gym 8am-1pm
Who? Any student 16 years or older
Helpful Donation Tips:
*Eat breakfast.
*Drink lots of water.
*Eat a salty snack.
*Get a good night’s sleep.
Registration and permission slips are required for all students interested in donating blood. Please contact Mrs. Staub at kstaub@berkscatholic.org with any questions or students may stop by room 206 to sign up.
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Join in on the Ho-Ho-Holiday fun and come visit Santa Claus on Saturday, December 16th from 9:00-10:30 a.m. in the McGlinn Commons. The event is open to all future Saints. Enjoy snacks, play some games, read some stories, and, of course, meet the big guy, Santa himself! It’s a great way to get into the Christmas spirit! | | |
We invite you to attend our celebration of the Birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ at our Christmas Vesper Prayer Service. Vespers will take place on Sunday, December 17th at 3:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church located at 740 Cherry Street in West Reading. Christmas Vespers tells the story of Advent through music, prayers and readings from Sacred Scripture in the tradition of lessons and carols. The music portion of the Christmas Vespers features the Berks Catholic Saints Honor Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Kate Bobb, with accompaniment by Ms. Beverly McDevitt. Admission is free and open to the public. | | |
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Our Music program will be holding an Instrumental Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m. in the Franco-Post Auditorium. Admission is free and the concert will feature the instrumental music students. Please take some time out of your busy Christmas schedule to come relax for some Christmas cheer.
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Dean of Students Report
Here are a few reminders from Mr. Ricco, Dean of Students:
On Wednesday, December 6th, we ran a Shelter Drill as part of our continued practice of the Standard Response Protocol. A Shelter would be called in the event of severe weather conditions. Our staff and students did an exceptional job with the Shelter Drill and I am very proud of how successful all of our drills have been this year. We will continue to practice drills based on the Standard Response Protocol to ensure that our students are in a safe and secure learning environment.
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The Bible by the Numbers
For ideas on religion, check out James 1:31-39.
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Social Media
Did you see our posts this week about our Senior Christmas Activity Day? 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.
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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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