September 15, 2023 Volume 1 |
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John P. Petruzzelli
Principal
610-374-8361 ext. 253
Email: John P. Petruzzelli
Twitter: @jpetrosaints
Instagram: john.petruzzelli.9
The Week Ahead
Monday, September 18
- Saints Golf Tournament
- Class of 2027 College Counseling Assembly 8:00am
Tuesday, September 19
- Student Government Induction Prayer Service 8:30am
Wednesday, September 20
Thursday, September 21
Friday, September 22
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Dear Saints Families and Friends,
“Being positive does not mean ignoring the negative. Being positive means overcoming the negative.”
-Ralph Marston
Greetings from Berks Catholic! One of the things I have been impressed with in my short time at BC has been how happy-go-lucky our students are. In today’s time, it’s easy to get down on yourself or focus on negative things. As we continue to build a mission-driven, student-centered, life-giving culture at Berks Catholic, we will encourage our students not to ignore the negative things but to stand up and take on those challenges. We have incredible supports in our school community. When we tackle those challenges, so often, we have people standing by our side to help us. Students helping students; staff helping students; parents helping students. That’s quite a community! Have a great weekend!
It’s a great day to be a Saint!
John P. Petruzzelli
Principal
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Let Us Pray…
- For those considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, that God will give them direction and clarity in their discernment journey.
- For safety for all those who travel daily to work and school.
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Congratulations to Senior Nicola Polinsky who was named the first Saint of the Week this past Monday for the school year!
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Congratulations to Spanish Teacher, Mrs. Catalina Johnsen, who became a US citizen last week! | | |
Congratulations to our fall sports teams for their first wins of the season: Boys’ Water Polo defeated Governor Miflin 10-9 on August 31st; Field Hockey defeated Kutztown 1-0 on Thursday, September 7th; Girls’ Volleyball defeated Schuylkill Valley 3-2 last Thursday; and Boys’ Cross Country defeated Daniel Boone and Hamburg on Wednesday this week. | |
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Welcome to our Seminarians
This past week, we welcomed Anh Mai (L) and Dominic Civitella (R) to our school. Anh and Dominic are seminarians for the Diocese of Allentown who will be spending Thursdays at Berks Catholic for their Apostolate (or pastoral internship). Our students will see them in Theology classes, at retreats, at liturgical celebrations, and at school functions throughout the year. We are excited to have Anh and Dominic in the Saints Family!
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Kairos Retreat Signups
It is time to start signups for our fall Kairos Retreat! Kairos will be held at the Malvern Retreat Center from November 7th - 10th. Signups will be a one day only event on Monday, September 25th. More information will be sent out via Canvas to Senior theology classes so students should be on the lookout. There are only 35 spots available this fall so please prayerfully encourage your child to embark on this powerful retreat experience.
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Faculty Breakfast
The first PTO Faculty Breakfast will take place on Wednesday, September 27th at 7:00 a.m. Senior parents are invited to sign up to assist with the breakfast items. Items need to be delivered to school by Tuesday, September 26th by 3:00 p.m. or Wednesday, September 27th at 6:00 am if not heated or by 7:00 am if heated at home. For questions, contact Nicole Smith at PTO@berkscatholic.org. To sign up, click on the link:
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Classroom Observations
One of my favorite Principal duties is to visit classrooms and see the exciting things happening in class. Over the last two weeks, I visited every classroom teacher at least once. I was so impressed with what I witnessed I thought I would share just some of what I saw:
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A discussion of the book 1984 and how it related to freedoms we have today (English 10)
- Formal and informal greetings (French 1)
- The singing of the alphabet (Spanish 1)
- A discussion on man and woman in the Book of Genesis (Religion 10)
- A comparison between science and technology (Honors Chemistry)
- A science lab on dominant and recessive genes (Genes & Disease)
- A discussion on urbanization and the effects it had on society in the late 1890s (Modern American History)
- Practice with variables and solving equations (Algebra 1)
- A comparison of Relativism vs. Absolutism (Religion 9)
- Graffiti Art (Freshman Art)
- A comparison and contrast of subjective vs. objective opinions (World Cultures)
- Question and Answer/Roleplaying on the existence of God (Religion 11)
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
MEA CULPA! My apologies to the Girls’ Volleyball Team who I invertedly left out in last week’s newsletter. Our fall athletic teams are all underway! Be sure to check our online calendar and come support our dedicated student-athlete. Access the calendar here: Berks Catholic Calendar of Events (saintsathletics.org).
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: University of Notre Dame on Monday, Dickinson College, Drexel University, Moravian University and Catholic University on Tuesday; High Point University (NC) and Commonweatlth University (Bloomsburg) on Wednesday.
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News from the Dean of Students
Here are a few reminders from Mr. Ricco, Dean of Students:
- On Wednesday, we had our first Lock Down Drill of the school year. We were very pleased with the great work done by our students and teachers. We will continue to practice drills based on the Standard Response Protocol throughout the year.
- I would also ask for your assistance to ensure that students arrive to school daily and on time by 7:50 a.m. We will always be flexible when we are aware of traffic backups on the highways leading to school but leaving a few extra minutes early is a great start to the day to ensure that students are on time.
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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 4th.
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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
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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
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The Bible by the Numbers
When you have sinned, check out Psalm 51.
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Social Media
Did you see our posts this week about our Spirit Week activities? 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!
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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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