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.
St. Bernadette School News
Why do we send our children to St. Bernadette School? The new registration sign in front of the church says it all: Community. Education. Faith. The principal, faculty and staff are dedicated, loving professionals who integrate Catholic values into all aspects of school life. They realize that education is about more than teaching children to score well on a test at the end of the year. It’s about respecting the dignity and promoting the development of each child, spiritually, mentally and physically. The school welcomes parental involvement, and St. Bernadette parents respond with unfailing generosity. Parents volunteer in the school on a daily basis and are quick to offer prayers and assistance whenever a need arises. Our family is enriched by being part of this special community. --Don and Kathy Mueller
With each passing year, the world seems to become a more challenging place to focus on our faith. So, from the beginning, it has always been one of our highest priorities to provide a Catholic school education for both of our children. They each spent nine very formative years at St. Bernadette and are now well-immersed at Paul VI Catholic High School. As we had hoped, they have continued to grow spiritually, academically and socially in these enriching environments. Their experiences are preparing each of them well to live a life of faith. God bless St. Bernadette School! --Matt and Brenda Reynolds
School Events
Back-to-School Nights
Each September, St. Bernadette hosts two evenings for parents to meet the teachers, learn about class procedures and curriculum, and sign up for parent-teacher conferences. Kindergarten through 6th grade parents attend on the first night, and 7th through 8th grade parents attend on the second.
Fall Festival
Sponsored by the PTO and held on a Saturday afternoon in October or early November, the Fall Festival features such activities as games, pumpkin painting, cake walk and caricature drawing.
Christmas Pageant
The Christmas Pageant features all students in grades K- 8 and is presented in the Church on an evening just before the Christmas holidays. The children sing Christmas carols and re-enact the Christmas story for families and parishioners.
Christmas Play
An extracurricular presentation of the Drama Club, the Christmas Play is open to any student from any grade and is presented in the gym in December. Rehearsals begin in October and are held after school once or twice each week until the date of the performance.
Catholic Schools Week
This annual celebration of Catholic schools is sponsored by the Diocese of Arlington and is held during the last week of January. St. Bernadette School opens the week with a Mass for Catholic Schools Week during a regular Sunday liturgy and continues with registration of prospective new students. During the week, parents are invited to lunch with their children, and classes participate in such events as the 7th vs. 8th grade volleyball game and teacher "switch" day.
Auction
The Auction is sponsored by the PTO and raises funds for school programs and activities. All parents, teachers and staff and invited to the Auction, which features a full dinner and is held on a Saturday evening in the spring. Those parents unable to attend the Auction may still participate in a silent auction for which they may submit bids in advance.
Acre testing
Students in grades 2 and 8 sit for Acre testing each spring. The results of the tests provide the school with valuable feedback on the effectiveness of the school's religion program.
Terra Nova testing
This diocesan-wide achievement test is administered in the spring to all students in second through seventh grade. Students in grades three, five and seven also complete a cognitive abilities test. The test results are used by teachers as a diagnostic tool in planning instruction for the upcoming year.
Science Fair
A large part of the 7th and 8th grade science curriculum is the research for and presentation of a science fair project. Each student selects a topic to research, conducts experiments, writes a final report, and presents his/her findings to a team of school judges. A number of students are then selected to present their projects at the Diocesan Science Fair, held annually at Bishop O'Connell High School.
Band Festival
Members of the St. Bernadette Band participate in the annual Diocesan Band Festival held every spring at Bishop Ireton High School. The Band performs three pieces for adjudication by a panel of three judges.
Band Trip
Each May, members of the St. Bernadette Band participate in an all-day trip to HersheyPark or Busch Gardens. The day begins with the Band performing several pieces for adjudication and continues with the children enjoying a day at the park.
Shakespeare Festival
All members of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades are invited to try out for roles or serve on stage crew for the annual Diocesan Shakespeare Festival, which is held each May at Paul VI High School. The St. Bernadette cast performs a play under the direction of the Drama Club director, with a separate performance in the St. Bernadette Gym for parents and students.
May Crowning
To honor Our Lady, the entire student body joins to recite the Rosary in the Church on a Friday in May. The 2nd grade attends dressed in their First Communion attire, and a court of 8th grade girls crowns a statue of Our Lady. All parishioners are invited to attend.