October 20, 2023 Volume 1 - Issue 8 |
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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, October 23
- Senior Cap & Gown Assembly
Tuesday, October 24
Wednesday, October 25
- PSAT Testing
- Seniors do not report to school
- 11:00 a.m. Dismissal
- Faculty Meeting (Noon)
Thursday, October 26
- Freshman Retreat
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8th Grade Admissions Zoom (7:30 pm)
Friday, October 27
- First Quarter Ends
- DECA Patio Party (2:30pm)
- Veterans' Appreciation Night at Football Game
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Dear Saints Families and Friends,
“Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion, you’re wasting your life.”
Baseball Legend Jackie Robinson
Greetings from Berks Catholic! One of the things I love about our school is that there is something for everyone. Our students get involved in so many different things. As I have met with students over the last few months, I have been impressed with all the ways they are involved at BC.
If you joined us at “Meet the Teacher” night, you heard me speak about how our students need to be “crafting their profile.” While academics is certainly a top priority in the Berks Catholic experience, we have so much more to offer. I was blown away on our 5th and 6th grade bonding days to see the number of Junior and Senior Saint Ambassadors who were working the events. That is just one example of how students get involved at BC.
Please encourage your student to get involved – join a club, play a sport, sign up for the Kairos Retreat, try out for the spring musical, go beyond the service requirement, become a team manager, look for summer programs to attend. It will make all the difference in the world. It will certainly be more entertaining than just “watching from the grandstand.” 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 an end to the violence in Israel and a concerted effort by all parties to seek peace in the Middle East.
- For first responders that their efforts aid those most in need of their help.
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SAINT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to sophomore
Kingston McKoy
who was named this week's
Saint of the Week!
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Homecoming Queen & King
Congratulations to the
2023 Homecoming Queen and King
Seniors
Rachel Franey and Owen Reber.
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PA March for Life
Congratulations to the following students who attended the PA March for Life in Harrisburg on Monday: Jaslene Afre, Miarelys Albino, Zoe Alonzo, Riley Bray, Madison Carrillo, Jaylynne Cepeda, Ilaria Cirandine, Zaiden Collins, Delayla Colon, Alison Diaz, Isamar Diaz, Domani Ennet-Daglis, Genera Fermin-Nunez, Patrick Floreal, Farran Gibney, Jonalyse Gil, Janiel Gutierrez, Sophia Harrison, Cole Harter, Alex Hernandez, Maxine Mayo, Arianna Mejia, Ennybel Mejia, Dylan Merchancano, Ianthe Morales, Jaslene Morales, Otto Rynez, Matthew Sauselen, Margarita Turga-Romero, Jocelyn Valliejo, Lynnstacy Vergeon and Emely Zamora The students attended Mass celebrated by Bishop Schlert prior to the March.
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Berks Latino Forum
Congratulations to the following students that represented the school at the Penn State Berks Latino Forum: Lucas Bauer ’25, Aloyska Gonzalez ‘25, Heidy Mancebo-Padron ‘25, Amada Morales ‘25, Jasmin Solano ‘25, Jasmine Soto ‘24 and Leonardo Varela ‘25.
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Girls Tennis
Congratulations to the Girls Tennis team who made it to the District Championship and finished second and, in so doing, qualified for the State Tennis Tournament!
Cross Country
Congratulations to Senior MacKenzie Langdon who medaled at the 2023 BCIAA Cross Country Championship at Kutztown University. MacKenzie finished 17thoverall! Also, the Girls Cross Country Team placed second in the division qualifying them for the District Championship.
Congratulations to the following Boys Cross Country members who qualified for the District Championship: Quinn O’Donnell ‘25, Lucien Kraycik ’24 and Nathan Orient ’24.
Golf
Congratulations to Sophomore Braedan Stringer who participated in the State Golf Tournament this past week. Braedan finished 35th out of 72 golfers! Great season, Braedan!
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College & Career Counseling
We continue to receive exceptional feedback from the college admissions reps who visit us. This past week, the admissions rep from Albright College wrote, “They were so engaged and made the visit so easy. Normally I just talk and talk and students don’t say anything. You kids asked great questions.” Great work, Saints!
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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 #4 is to Focus on the Fine Arts Program. This is an area I believe we can grow and develop. I have already spoken with the moderators about this and believe enhancing this area could pay dividends for us from an enrollment standpoint. But even more importantly, it allows us to highlight our students in yet other ways in music, theater, band and art. As parents and guardians, if you have an interest in helping in this area, stay tuned as we develop some plans for it.
School Mass
Our next school Mass will be on Tuesday, October 24th at 9:00 a.m. in the auditorium. Any parent or guardian who would like to come is most welcome to do so. Please sign in the Main Office before coming to the auditorium.
Class of 2028 Registration
Open Registration for the 2024-25 school year has begun for the Class of 2028. When you register early, you save money! Register on our Feast Day, All Saints Day – November 1st for only $150! Register by the end of November for only $175. Register by the end of December for only $200. Register by the end of January for only $250. If you have a child in 8th grade don’t miss this opportunity. If you know someone who has an 8th grader, please share this information with them.
End of the First Academic Quarter
Where has the time gone? Our first academic quarter ends on Friday, October 27th. Please encourage your student to finish strong academically, complete assignments and turn in any missing work.
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Give Like a Saint
The BC “Give Like a Saint” day of giving will be held on our feast day, Wednesday, November 1st (Feast of All Saints). This is a day when alumni, parents and friends of Reading Central Catholic, Holy Name and Berks Catholic, can make an online donation to support the BC annual fund. No gift is too big or too small. Make a donation and change the life of a current BC Saint. You can make a donation online at GIVE LIKE A SAINT Our goal is $100,000!
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Freshman Retreat
The Freshman Retreat will take place next Thursday, October 26th on school campus. Students should wear Saints Casual. The retreat will be led by Fr. Kuna and Deacon Lanciano. The theme of the retreat is “Encountering God in this New Chapter”. Students must pack lunch that day.
Seminary Dress Down
Bishop Schlert has asked all of the schools to host a dress down day in October to support the building of the new St. Charles Seminary, where diocesan seminarians attend and study. By holding the dress down day, the students of the Diocese of Allentown will have a direct impact on the future priests of the diocese. We will hold the dress down day on Monday, October 30th. The cost is at least $2.00. Families are welcome to give more than this if they are so inclined.
Trunk or Treat
The Student Government’s 4th annual Trunk or Treat will take place on Saturday, October 28th from 3:30-5:30 p.m.in the BC back parking lot. If you have little ones, come out and enjoy some great family time hosted by our student clubs and sports teams. Enjoy face painting, mini-petting zoo, snacks and, of course, lots of candy! Families should please park in the front lot. Please click Trunk or Treat Flyer for more information.
Halloween Dress
Students and staff are permitted to dress in costume on Halloween day, October 31st. Costumes should be appropriate for a Catholic school and should be legitimate costumes and not just a casual sweats day. Prizes will be awarded for the best and most creative costumes.
Science Fair
All students are invited to participle in Science Fair under the guidance of science teacher, Mrs. Berry. Hands-on scientific investigation and invention are the focus. Over a 2–3-month period, your child will be able to design, test, analyze and present a project that uses scientific methods to solve a problem. Science fairs involve students in the practices of science and engineering, requiring them to apply those skills to a topic of interest to them.
Please note that all of the work will be done at home. Students will be given project guidelines and timelines at school via a special Canvas account. This year we will participate in PJAS (Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science) https://www.pjas.net/ . Feel free to go to this link to view all the requirements/guidelines. The fair will be held at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem on February 24, 2024. Students will conduct a 10 minute or less presentation on their project and may use their lab notebook (binder) as a guide. No trifold is needed. If a student receives a 1st place award, they move on to Penn State University in May!
If your child is interested in participating, have them email Mrs. Berry at kberry@berkscatholic.org with a project title of interest by October 31st.. Students will then meet during Activity Period to go over all the requirements and guidelines.
Cap and Gown Assembly
On Monday, October 23rd, Student Services will be on campus to meet with Seniors and review the process for measuring for caps and gowns for graduation. They will also share information about other graduation items available for families to purchase. Students and parents will have access to an online catalog to review and make purchases.
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
College Visits Next Week
The following colleges will be visiting BC next week: James Madison University (by Zoom) and Cedar Crest College on Monday; Lycoming College, Xavier University and the University of Rochester on Thursday; and Delaware Valley University on Friday. For the most updated list of college visits, be sure to check out Mr. Ditsky weekly Sundy College Counseling email.
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News from the Dean of Students
Here are a few reminders from Mr. Ricco, Dean of Students:
As we approach the start on winter uniform on November 1st, please read through the descriptions below and help ensure our students are looking their best every day!
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Boy’s Winter Uniform: White button down dress shirt with a Berks Catholic tie and uniform dress pants. The school sweater must also be worn. All other items of the dress code should be followed as described in the student handbook. All boys must be clean shaven, any student sent to the office will be given a razor and shaving cream to correct this.
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Girl’s Winter Uniform: White button down dress blouse with the Berks Catholic skirt and opaque black tights. The school sweater must also be worn. All other items of the dress code should be followed as described in the student handbook. One additional reminder that girls should not be wearing nose rings to school. Your help at home in reminder girls about this is much appreciated.
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The Bible by the Numbers
- When God seems far away, check out Psalm 139.
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Social Media
Did you see our posts this week about our hands-on science labs? 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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