Mrs. Montie's Weekly current weekly letter sent via the Option C email communication system will also be posted here each week throughout the school year. If you are not receiving emails from Option C please contact Mrs. Booth in the school office immediatley at Mbooth@stbl.org to check the email on file.

Dear SBS Parents,

"A slice of nice makes a mile of smile!" This is our new mantra as we continue practicing and integrating the virtue of courtesy into all aspects of our day.  The children are working diligently on eye contact, greetings, and performing additional acts of kindness. I read the book Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler to the students this past week. I challenged the students in Kindergarten through 8th grade to perform 100 acts of kindness as a class, as we work to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our families, our school, and our community.


Parent Education Night
I am excited to share that Sister Patricia McCormack  IHM, Ed.D will be speaking at St. Bernadette School on Tuesday, October 19th at 7:00 PM in O’Brien Hall. Sister Patricia is the Program Director of the IHM Office of Formative Support for Parents and Teachers, a ministry of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Assisting parents and teachers in fostering the formation-education of children is the primary focus of her ministry. Her style of public speaking blends Catholic spirituality, psychology, and wisdom gathered from parents, teachers, and students. She addresses raising self-reliant, resilient children. I believe we all need to hear the wisdom of Sister Pat and hope that every family will be represented at this meeting. The class with the highest parental attendance will have a special lunch with Fr. Masson and Mrs. Montie. Additionally, all students whose parents attend will be entered into a drawing to win the title of Principal for the Day, and I am so excited to have the day off! This is an adult-only presentation.

Family Bingo Update
It was wonderful seeing new faces as well as so many familiar faces at our Welcome Mass followed by the CYO/Home and School  Family Bingo. Special thanks to our homeroom moms for organizing the baskets and to all who donated items for the baskets and tasty treats to sell. We are so grateful to Mr. Mike Thornton, CYO President, for donating over 30 pizzas for the event and to our Home and School–under the leadership of Mrs. Jaclyn McDevitt–for setting up and organizing the evening with her amazing helpers: Laura Elly, Jen and Jerry Scamuffa, Holly Kane, Christine Lancianese, Gretchen Amen, Amira Rodgers, Denise McDonald, Danielle Kelly, Stacey Donohue and Matt Thornton. Shout out to Mr. John Amen for being a wonderful Bingo caller. Finally, we thank Father John Masson for supporting our efforts to continue Bernie's tradition of community building and strong family values.

Science Explorers Club
Science Explorers begins this Thursday, September 29th for those students who have registered. The session runs from 3pm to 4pm. Please be prompt in picking up your child.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures
I want to thank all of our parents for following directions for drop off and pick up. Although we have had a few complaints from neighbors, the process seems to be running much smoother than last year.  Thank you for cooperating. I am grateful.


A Message from the Archdiocese–Can You Help?
Nutritional Development Services (NDS), an agency of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is hosting its annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive to enable broad and meaningful participation in Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is observed nationally each September.

Throughout the five-county metropolitan area, approximately 437,000 individuals face food insecurity or lack consistent access to foods that support an active and healthy lifestyle. Peanut butter is a staple food item for NDS due to its long shelf life and nutritional value.

All goods donated to this annual drive will help stock the shelves of NDS’s network of food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region for the fall and winter months, including five food cupboards operated by Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS); five soup kitchens; and numerous community outreach programs.

Those interested in helping our neighbors in need can support NDS’s Community Food Program by purchasing items online through You Give Goods at clicking here. For more information on the PB&J food drive, please contact Denise Hopkins, Administrator, NDS Community Food Program at 215-895-3470 ext. 77823 or dhopkins@ndsarch.org. Kindly consider sharing this opportunity with others. Thank you.
 

Autumn Prayer
O God of creation, You have blessed us
With the changing of the seasons.
As we welcome the autumn months,
May the earlier setting of the sun
Remind us to take time to rest.
May the brilliant colors of the leaves
Remind us of the wonder of Your creation.
May the steam of our breath in the cool air
Remind us that it is You who gives us the breath of life.
May the harvest of the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given
And that we are to share it with others.
May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise
That death is temporary and life is eternal.
We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.
Amen.

Have a lovely week. 

Peace, 

Joanne Montie
Principal