God be with you!

Whenever I hear that wonderful greeting, I have to remind myself that we say it not to invoke the Lord's presence, since He is always with us. Rather, we say it so that we may pay attention to His presence and take comfort in the fact that we are never alone. During this school year, I invite you to come see the many marvelous ways that God is with us at St. Bernadette. We live out our mission on a daily basis, by challenging our students intellectually, guiding them socially, and nurturing them spiritually. We work in unison with each other, across the curriculum and across grade levels, to provide the very best for the children. And we strive to work with parents in all areas, since parents are the children's first and foremost teachers. Jesus, indeed, is the Master Teacher, whose gentleness, wisdom and compassion we are called to emulate.

Welcome to the St. Bernadette family. And, as always, God be with you.

Mrs. Trish Beeks

Principal

Virtue of the Month and Community Outreach Programs

St. Bernadette Catholic School integrates Catholic principles and values across the curriculum. Every month, one grade is responsible for presenting a program on the Virtue of the month during Fellowship. The monthly Community Outreach is a way for our students to put these virtues into practice in their daily lives. Our students have contributed money to the Daughters of Wisdom Haiti Water Project,baby items to the Mariah Center, canned food to Christ House, anti-bacterial wipes to Ronald McDonald House, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, and food to ECHO, pet food and blankets to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, toiletries to Prison Ministries, and household items to the Little Sisters of the Poor. Through these acts of generosity, our students understand and live these virtues by serving and giving to others.

St. Bernadette School Band

The St. Bernadette's Band program has been in its present form since 1974, and Barry Ward, director, has been the band director since 1981.  The program is organized under the supervision of the  Garwood Whaley Music Program.  The band operates as a part of the school curriculum stemming from the goal of educating the complete child, with a unique foundation in musical understanding and performance.  All students are welcome to participate in the band program.

St. Bernadette's Band has numbered up to an outstanding 160 students in a given year, and 4th grades form the majority of the beginner program, however new students may come from any level.  The advanced band students generally have at least 1 year of experience and come from grades 5th - 8th.  Lessons for all grade levels are usually on Friday, during school, and full rehearsals are given on Mondays and Friday afternoons. All band students are expected to participate in the several school concerts given each year, and advanced student are asked to attend the band festivals and competitions held at the end of each school year.

The advanced band has all the usual instrument and tries to fill out the instrumentation with special instruments:  these instruments include tuba, baritone, tenor sax, french horn, and tenor sax.  Many of these instruments are available, via Mr. Ward, and purchased or rented through the band's fundraiser programs.  Beginner student may choose from 6 instruments for the first year:  flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone and drum/bell kit.  These instruments are usually rented from Music and Arts Stores.  A Parents' night has been scheduled in September to introduce the program and instrument rentals. Please contact Mr. Ward for further questions about instruments and rentals.  E mail is:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Contests and Competitions

1979 - 2010

Arlington Diocese Band Festival (All Superior Ratings) Voted Outstanding Band in Diocese 2 times.

1982,83

National Tape Festival at Notre Dame University

1984,85,86,87,88

Kings Dominion Band Festival (Excellent and Superior)

Music in the Parks Band Competitions

Hershey Park, Pa 1990,91,92,96,99,2001,03,05,06,08,10. Esprit de Corps Trophy 1990

Busch Gardens, Williamsburg 1989,93,97,98,2000,02,04,07,09. Grand Champion 07

Dorney Park, Pa 1994,96

Great Adventure,N.J 1995

Special Concerts and Performances

1979 - Concert at the Ellipse of the White House

1981 - Alexandria Luncheon Concerts

The St. Bernadette's Band program welcomes students at all ages from 4th grade on up.  A special registration night has been scheduled at your school in September.  Plan to attend this meeting held at school.  Instruments may be rented from Music and Arts and please contact Mr. Ward for an special instrument situation.  The 2010 band will be performing many of the types of activities seen in the above list of accomplishments.  Thanks you all the support for the St. Bernadette's Band program.

St. Bernadette Catholic School

From the moment students gather for prayer in the morning, to the end of the day when they assemble again for spiritual reflection, children experience the Christ-centered education integral to St. Bernadette Catholic School.