News and Events

Letter from the Principal

Dear Parents,
 
First, let me thank you for choosing St. Bernadette School. Your decision to send your children here shows that you value the ideals that are taught through Catholic education. In selecting St. Bernadette School, your family has become part of a community which strives to develop each child to his or her full potential spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, physically and culturally.
 
We believe that the program of study at St. Bernadette School is of the highest caliber, evidenced by the full accreditation granted in November 2007 by the National Catholic Education Association. Moreover, the ever-expanding list of extracurricular activities available to the students—including our award-winning Band, Drama Club, CYO teams, to name a few—seeks to develop the whole student, beyond what is learned in the classroom. And the many opportunities for service, including altar servers, safety patrols, student council and National Junior Honor Society, provide our children the means to give back to this community.
 
Since the heart of our faith is the Eucharist, St. Bernadette School provides constant opportunities for the children to grow closer to Our Lord. Each homeroom attends Mass every week, and the entire school comes together once each month for a very special School Mass. Classes spend time in the Chapel every First Friday for Adoration. And during Lent, the children participate in Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Stations of the Cross every Friday afternoon. We invite you, the parents, to join us for these and the many other liturgical celebrations that make the St. Bernadette community unique.
 
As you read through the school handbook, you will see that our aim is to guide the children as they grow, through a challenging curriculum and encouragement. We ask you, the parents, to partner with us in this Christ-centered learning environment, where every student is valued as a unique child of God.
 
I look forward to the many exciting events of this coming school year and invite you to always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. 
 
God be with you,
Mrs. Trish Beeks
Principal

SAINT BERNADETTE SCHOOL REGISTRATION

What a difference Saint Bernadette School can make for your child –
surrounded by the signs and symbols of the Catholic faith,
nurtured by daily prayer and Mass once a week,
bolstered by opportunities for regular confession,
taught by caring, dedicated, talented teachers and priests
who stress excellence and integrate Catholic principles and
values across the curriculum.
 
Come for a visit and experience the difference at St. Bernadette School.
                                
Tours are also available upon request. Please contact the school office at (703) 451-8696.

A Message From The Superintendent Of Schools

Dear Catholic School Supporters,

The Diocese of Arlington continues to offer students many opportunities for learning and spiritual growth.  This year we were able to open one new high school in Prince William County in addition to maintaining and strengthening our current programs.  This could not have been accomplished without a great deal of support from those who believe in the mission of Catholic education.  

At our Catholic schools, students will receive the proper foundation to become faithful and devoted leaders.  I believe the Diocese of Arlington offers the resources for our young people to evolve adapt and prepare for new and exciting challenges.

As our students, faculty and staff continue this year of growth and education please pray for them to develop into enthusiastic, courageous leaders of the Church.

And, as always, I thank you for your support of the mission of Catholic education.

Sincerely,

Sister Bernadette McManigal, BVM
Superintendent of Schools

Parent Teacher Organization

The St Bernadette Parent-Teacher Organization has a strong legacy of support and contributions, a legacy that grows stronger with each passing year. Established in 1991 as the Home and School Guild, and re-named to the now more widely recognized Parent-Teacher Organization in 2006, the PTO operates under the direction of the Pastor and the Principal. It has always run on an "engine" of exceptional volunteerism, fueled by proactive parents who have worked hard and contributed generously to help the school. Generations of parents have sent their children to St Bernadette's, and have been very proud to participate in the volunteer opportunities that abound.

We parents are very conscious of our roles as the primary educators of our children. For that reason, the relationship of the PTO to the school faculty and staff is not simply one of support, nor even one of reciprocal help. It is a relationship of healthy interdependence, as the parents work with the school at all levels to enable it to provide an excellent education to our children in a truly Christian environment.

Over the years, the educational demands have increased in complexity in all dimensions. And the threats to safety have also increased. The PTO assists the teachers directly and indirectly in keeping up with these demands through efforts such as fulfilling teacher wish lists, funding transportation for some of the class field trips, and paying for classroom enhancements, to name but a few. We have also made remarkable strides in obtaining Child Protection and Safety Program compliance by the majority of our parents, thereby enabling them to do volunteer work that involves contact with the children. Through this program and other efforts of the school, we can all rightly feel a good level of comfort in the safety measures in place to help protect the most precious thing we have entrusted to the school, our children.

The following pages list many (but certainly not all) of the activities and events that the PTO undertakes each school year. Also described are the Standing Committees who help channel this volunteer power to the needed activities. If you are a member of the School parent community, you are automatically a member of the PTO. And your donation of time and energy is not only expected, but is also sorely needed. St. Bernadette School does rely on the contributions of and engagement by the parents. If you are a current or perspective member of the school community, and want to see the many supporting efforts undertaken by the parents continue to succeed, we have terrific opportunities from which you can choose to play a role. We look forward to hearing from you.