phone 978.342.1948
  fax 978.342.1153

About Our School
Admission Policy
How to Contact Us
8th Grade Parents
New Parents
Our Philosophy
PTO/Fundraising
Parent/Student Handbook
Summer Carnival
Trash into Treasure Programs
Tuition Information
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We welcome you to our family and look forward to a long and happy association. You may have few questions or many, We want to assure you that we want to answer all your questions thoroughly. Here is a short list of contact that you may find helpful.

The Office:

Phone: 978-342-1948
Fax: 978-342-1153
Hours: 8:30-3:30
Non-emergency calls 9:15-2:15
Messages may be left for faculty and staff.

Security: Saint Bernard's is a locked campus. We began this practice long before national attention to security warranted it. Children thrive in a culture of contentedness and structure. Having to open the door for all who need entrance alerts Administration that someone new is in the building. It also assures you of a personal greeting!

Contacting Administration: Due to the excitement in the early morning, and in the afternoon at dismissal time, please do not make your calls to Administration during those times.

If a parent/guardian needs to have a discussion with the principal or a faculty member, please call ahead and set an appointment.

The best time to call is between 9:30 AM and 2:15 PM. At those times you can be assured of receiving our full attention.

Notices: One of the most important ways St. Bernard's has to communicate with families is through notices sent home. These notices can include:

• Notice of No School
  
• Schedule of Homework Projects
  
• Class Trips/ Celebrations
  
• Upcoming Performances/Games
  
• Fundraising Events
  
• Other Teacher Notices

PLEASE BE SURE TO ASK YOUR CHILD FOR THEIR NOTICES EVERYDAY. We have learned through experience that the students in the younger grades are eager to bring notices home. Students in the fourth grade and up may not be as diligent. We would never want your child to miss a classroom event because you didn't receive your notice. So please check their bags.

PTO:

Dear New Parents and Guardians: Welcome to our school, of which we are very proud. We look forward to working with you in many different ways over the future years of your child's development. We extend to you a personal invitation to our PTO meetings, where we plan our fundraising and FUN-raising activities. One way our events stay entertaining and fresh is from new ideas and participation from new parents such as you. So please come to our first meeting in September and introduce yourself. Over the next few months and years we can become more acquainted. Written messages containing PTO ideas may be left in the office. We look forward to meeting you, Members of the PTO

See the PTO/Fundraising page for more details about the PTO and our Tuition Incentive Program, or talk to our Incentive Coordinator.

PTO Class Representatives: "Class Reps" as they are called, are PTO volunteers who contact parents/guardians in their class for assorted reasons. Some reasons may be as follows:

• HOLIDAY FAIR: Each student contributes $5.00 toward a class basket that is raffled at the Fair. This a highly popular and profitable booth. Each class is asked to bake or purchase baked goods and/or make candy for the Sweet Tooth Booth.

• BAKE SALE: If your class is having a Bake Sale to earn money for a specific reason, your rep will call to remind you.

• CARNIVAL: Each student contributes $5.00 toward a class basket that is raffled at the end of the five day carnival. Your rep may choose to collect $10.00 in the Fall for both baskets. Each class is also asked to bake or purchase baked goods for the Carnival.

We send notices home at the beginning of the school year listing the representative for each class. If you don't have this information or have misplaced it, just call the office and we'll be glad to send another copy to you. For all the little questions you may not want to call the office for, feel free to call your PTO Parent Class Rep.

Grade 7 and Grade 8 Class Reps: Class reps for the 7th and 8th grades have additional duties, yet the experience can be a lot of fun. In fact, if two friends took on the positions the job would be even more fun!

• GRADE 7 REPRESENTATIVE: Coordinates the poinsettia sale in December (this fundraiser funds the 8th grade dinner given by the 7th grade). Supervises and organizes the dinner that parents prepare for the outgoing 8th grade class. This is a meal served with flair in the cafeteria. The 7th graders act as waitresses and waiters.

• GRADE 8 REPRESENTATIVE: Supervises and organizes the Holiday Fair Game Room. 8th graders work the games offered for younger children. Parents may donate $5 to defray the cost of prizes.

Both reps would do well to consult the previous year's reps for tips. There may also be physical items that need to be transferred from the previous year's rep.

Trash into Treasure Programs: One thing you will learn about Saint Bernard's Elementary School -- we do not waste anything! Click here for details.

Parent Volunteers: What Catholic Schools do best is to "stay the course." You won't find us jumping on every new academic bandwagon. Catholic school principals and teachers find that the tried and true ways work best: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

And we know that children thrive in a structured environment. Therefore, parents are only called in for specific and special projects. For those special occasions, your child's teacher will call you.

There are other places within the school (besides fundraising) that volunteers are needed on a more regular basis. Grandparents are welcome!

• CAFETERIA: help serve lunch one day according to your schedule

• LIBRARY: Periodic help especially during Book Fair and special projects

• SPRING CLEAN-UP: Outside grounds

• DEVELOPMENT: Administrative help, Alumni search, corporate involvement, grant writing

• "TRASH INTO TREASURE" COORDINATORS: Counting coupons and keeping track of our credits (done at home)

• COMPUTER SUPPORT: Available by phone for various operational issues as they become available.

Please contact us if you have a special gift. We may not know we need you, until we know what you do!

Usual Event Dates to Plan On:

• MASS -- Parents, Guardians, Grandparents and Godparents are invited to attend School Mass held for all Holy Days and school special occasions.

• CLASS TRIPS during the good weather as announced.

• CLASS HOLIDAY PARTIES as announced by teacher.

• SEPTEMBER: Open House, PTO meeting, Candy Bar Sale⁺, Parent Social (evening)

• OCTOBER: Candle Sale

• NOVEMBER: Holiday Fair (Sat. before Thanksgiving)^+*, Laptop Raffle (Development Dept.), Thanksgiving Baskets collected for Catholic Charities

• DECEMBER: Kindergarten Christmas Play, Grades 1-3 sing in the chorus, New mitten/hat tree for Catholic Charities, Laptop Raffle drawing Dec. 20

• JANUARY: Jan. 23-Feb. 3 Catholic School Week

• FEBRUARY: Loose coin drive (can net $2,700)

• MARCH: Spaghetti Supper (funds Athletic Department)^*, Book Fair (funds the Library), Spelling Bee

• APRIL: Adopt-a-Book month, Walk-a-Jog-athon ⁺, Worcester Ice Cats game for fun

• MAY: 6th Grade Puppet Show, Talent Show open to whole school, 8th graders go to Washington DC

• JUNE: 8th grade retreat, 8th grade graduation dinner (given by the 7th grade), 8th grade graduation (our choir sings), Kindergarten graduation (cap and gown), Carnival (4 days -- begins Wednesday after Father's Day) ^+*

  + Proceeds go to Operating Expenses
  * Incentive Event

  Check our Calendar page for current month's events.

Share and Share Alike: Saint Bernard's has a rack of previously worn school uniforms used as a uniform swap. "Take what you need and leave what you don't." Is it near the end of the season and you need one more pair of pants? Come and take them, there is plenty.

You may send in your worn uniforms, but they must be in very good condition, with all the buttons etc. In other words, only bring items you would want your own child to wear. It is helpful to send everyday uniforms in on hangers, (not gym uniforms) since there is no one slated to organize the rack daily.

On the subject of uniforms: Please make sure your child's first initial and last name are on all their uniform pieces. If they change into other clothes for Halloween or for a class project, it will be easy to identify the clothing's owner.

Lost and Found: Please, any time you are in the building examine the Lost and Found container in the Lobby for items that might be yours. At the end of a semester, if items are not claimed they are sent to Catholic Charities and can not be retrieved.

What is Development? Why does an Elementary School need a Development Director? Catholic Schools today need an infusion of funds. In our "generic" society, programs that an Elementary School may turn to for funding are not available to a school with a religious affiliation.

A Development Director is dedicated to raising funds -- not necessarily from traditional fundraising. Growing an annual fund, developing an alumni base, grant writing, promoting matching gifts and handling public relations within the community are a few of a Development Director's jobs. If you ever have an idea you'd like to share or feel you can help, please call or write a note in care of the school office. Ask about the many ways you and your loved ones can help.

Teamwork: The faculty, student and parent form an invaluable team in your child's education. This booklet is designed to guide families through the social aspects of Saint Bernard's Elementary School. The social aspects add and enhance a child's education. If you see something you don't understand or think of something you wish was included, please contact the Development Office.

REMEMBER...