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Pre – K This month it’s all about the letters O, D, E, F and the color orange! Our newest Bernardians are learning about bats, spiders and all things Halloween!

Kindergarten In the short time that Kindergarteners have been in school they have completed 2 Letter Books, C and O, Chapter 1 in Math, learned the Sign of the Cross, Grace Before Meals, God Bless America and more. One child put it very nicely saying “We’ve learned so much in 12 days!” May this love of learning continue through the year.

Grade 1 It has been a wonderful start to the year in First Grade. We are especially excited about Wonders, our new Reading program, and have spent the first few weeks exploring all that it has to offer. We have also met our new Sixth Grade Book Buddies, and we’re looking forward to enjoying many amazing stories with them.

Grade 2 Learning is even more fun with our new Reading program which takes our students online and uses new technology in Grade 2. Mrs. Doiron and her students are piloting an interactive wireless system that allows them to make the most of the Wonders website. And yes,

the recommendation is already in…Grade 1 and

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Grade 3 will be getting the system this fall, too.

Grade 3 There is a new Reading program in Grade 3, too! Our third graders will focus on so many “Wonder”ful skills —Reading, writing and critical thinking. Great adventures await our students as they use multiple components of this program and make the most of the Wonders website.

Grade 4 Do you remember the four types of sentences? Our Fourth Grade grammarians are becoming experts on Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative and Exclamatory sentences. Their final project will be a sentence collage.

Grade 5 “Frindle” is the word! Grade 5 has just completed their study of this captivating novel — a funny, thought provoking read to begin the year!

Grade 6 Sixth Grade is off to a great start! In Religion, our Sixth Graders have begun their journey into the Old Testament by learning about Abraham and Sarah, our ancestors in faith. In Literature, our readers have just completed their second selection and will be looking at some great poetry soon.

Grade 7 Our Seventh Graders have begun their

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study of Geography by learning about the technology that has revolutionized our understanding of our world and our place in it. Do GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Global Information Systems) mean they will never get lost again or ever have to ask for directions?

Grade 8 The Eighth Graders are exploring different creative tools such as alliteration, hyperbole, personification, and more as they work hard to enhance their writing skills. Our oldest Bernardians will be writing all year long in many styles as they begin their transition to high school.

Art “Chicken Mania” has been the theme for our September Art classes. We have been “Chick tangled,” “Chick trotted” and “Chickgamied.” Our Bernardian artists have learned how to draw chickens from basic shapes as they have mastered basic sketching skills. They have been having a fabulous time exploring so many different styles using one theme… chickens!

Music The sound of music is drifting down our hallway on Tuesdays as Mr. Beck works with our K – 5 students. And yes, that is the sound of a piano,

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOMS

October 2016

Issue 19

Fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges

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WHAT’S NEW St. Bernard’s Elementary School News

Inspired by the motto, “Deeds not Words,” St. Bernard’s Elementary School is committed to providing a quality Catholic education by teaching the Gospel values of charity, responsibility, dignity and respect in a faith-centered community.

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COMING EVENTS!

STB School News October 2016

~ 130TH ANNIVERSARY MASS ~

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR CLASSROOMS CONTINUED

Blessing of Pets – Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, October 4 9:00 AM

St. Bernard’s Elementary Schoolyard

Progress Reports Tuesday, October 4

Out of Uniform Wednesday, October 5

$1.00

Teacher’s Professional Day Friday, October 7

- No School -

Columbus Day Monday, October 10

- No School -

PTO Meeting Wednesday, October 12

7:00 PM

Fire Prevention Assemblies

Tuesday, October 18 Grades K – 6

Face2Face Drug & Alcohol

Prevention Program Wednesday, October 19

With Sheriff Lou Evangelidis Grades 6 – 8

Marks Close – First Quarter Friday, October 28

STB Middle School Dance - Sponsored by Grade 8 -

North County Catholic Elementary Schools Friday, October 28 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

- STB Cafeteria -

Be sure to look for the next WHAT’S NEW monthly insert on the first Sunday of every month!

Bishop McManus and the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Mary Celebrated 130 Years of Educating Our Students

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

Ours is a remarkable story of faith, determination, sacrifice and generations of students who have been, and continue to be, educated in the Catholic faith, Gospel values and outstanding academics.

In 1886, the parish under the leadership of Fr. Philip Garrigan, was determined to meet the needs of educating their own children. Father wrote to the Presentation Sisters newly arrived in New York City from Cork, Ireland for their help. The community responded by sending 12 Sisters to Fitchburg — beginning our school and their own foundation in New England.

Quickly there were two schools beside the church on Water Street. In the early 1960s it became clear that these schools were no longer up to the task of modern education. By pledge and by promise, the parish built our school on Summer Street which opened in 1966. We are celebrating our 50th Anniversary in our school this year.

We have much to celebrate and much to be thankful for this year…Because of the generosity, sacrifice and talents of so many people across 130 years, Catholic education and the Bernardian spirit is alive and well in the 21st century.

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First Penance and First Communion The first meeting for parents of Grade 2 students, who will be making these sacraments this year, will take place at St. Camillus Church on Sunday, October 16 at 9:00 AM.

October is Fire Safety Month The Fitchburg Fire Department will be at STB for their annual Fire Safety assemblies with our students in Grades K – 6 on Monday, October 18. We thank our brave firefighters for all that they do for each of us every day.

Drama Club Grades 6, 7, & 8 have selected their

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plays and the rehearsals have begun. Let the competition begin! Mark your calendars for Friday, November 4 at 6:30 PM and join us for a night of theatre… with a dose of competitive fun!

2016-2017 Eighth Grade Leadership Congratulations to the newly elected 8th Grade Class Officers!

President – Wyatt Bingham

Vice–President – Tyler Thibodeau

Secretary – Daniel Hanlon

Treasurer – Hayden Gould

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or at least the sound of our new electronic keyboard!

Technology We continue to expand our technology into our classrooms this year. New LCD projectors and document cameras have

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been added in all our classrooms from Grades 1 – 8, Science, Art, and Music. We will be adding two additional wireless interactive systems in Grades 1 and 3 based on the very enthusiastic recommendation of Mrs. Doiron and her Second Graders.