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Goals for the Year
Last week, I shared with parents and guardians the first goal that I had set for the current school year. For the next few weeks, I plan to share one goal each Friday and reflect on it. As the year moves forward, I will let families know how we are doing with achieving each of the goals that have been set.
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Goal #2 is to complete the school’s next Strategic Plan. We have 85% of the work completed. We will finish the process in the next month. The goal is to make BC the school of choice in Berks County – we need to think about being Bold! The process is Board-driven. The Administrative Team is actively involved. Professionally, this is a valuable exercise as it is a process of looking at the future and what we need to do to be sustainable and healthy as a school. This is a living document! It doesn’t just go on the shelf to collect dust once it is completed.
PSAT Testing
On Wednesday, October 8th, all Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors will take the PSAT at school. Seniors do not report to school that day. The test will begin around 8:00 a.m. It is imperative that students report to school on time. If a student is late and the test has begun, the student will not be able to take this important test. The test is completely online so Saints MUST come to school that day with a fully charged iPad. All students have been instructed about the online process. Students are encouraged to get a good night’s sleep prior to the test and eat a healthy breakfast on the morning of the test. Dismissal for all Saints will be around 11:30 a.m. once the test has ended. Buses are aware of the early dismissal time. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Vilardo, Dean of Academics, at nvilardo@berkscatholic.org or 610-374-8361 ext. 234.
Kairos Retreat Sign-Ups
Attention Seniors: Kairos Retreat applications are now available! Our fall Kairos Retreat will be taking place beginning after school on Tuesday November 11th until Friday November 14th at the Malvern Retreat Center in Malvern, PA. The Kairos Retreat offers students an opportunity to step away from the busyness of daily life and reflect on their faith, friendships and their own personal journey. Through student and adult talks, small group discussions, moments of prayer, and free time, students discover a deeper sense of community and learn to see themselves, others and God with a new perspective. We hope that your Senior Saint will join us for this opportunity which many alumni have called their favorite memory from their time at Berks Catholic. Please see Mrs. Tona or Deacon Lanciano for a permission form. The cost of the retreat is $200. Financial aid is available. Please reach out to Mrs. Tona or Deacon Lanciano if you need financial aid. Applications are considered in the order that they are received with payment. The deadline to apply is Friday October 17th.
Homecoming and the Big Tailgate
We hope you will join us on Friday, October 24th for the 2025 Homecoming Football Game against Annville-Cleona High School. Prior to the game, enjoy the Big Tailgate from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Enjoy lots of delicious food and the opportunity to mingle with other Saint families and alumni. The Homecoming ceremony with the Senior Court will begin at 6:35 p.m. Any partner school student wearing a partner school or BC spirit wear t-shirt is admitted to the game for free.
Dress Code
On Thursday, September 25th, Mr. Jones and Mrs. Eckenrode met with the female students to review and reinforce the school’s dress code expectations, specifically skirt length. Mr. Jones emphasized the importance of making positive choices and encouraged students to be bold by confidently adhering to the dress code. Mrs. Eckenrode emphasized that, as young women representing both yourself and Berks Catholic, you make a statement whenever you enter a room. Skirt length is not just about following rules; it’s about being professional and showing respect for yourself and others. The way you carry yourself now will help you in your future! Beginning Monday, October 6, skirt length will be reviewed as part of our ongoing effort to support students in meeting dress code expectations. While demerits may be issued when necessary, our goal is to encourage students to make positive choices and demonstrate confidence by following the guidelines, if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jones at djones@berkscatholic.org.
News from the Tuition Office
Happy October from the Tuition Office! August and September invoices are now PAST DUE! Please make your payment now to avoid end of First Quarter report card holds. If you require a different payment schedule other than what you chose on STS, you must contact the Tuition Office to make the request.
Please access and refer to your STS account for detailed tuition, fee, and financial aid information at https://simpletuitionsolutions.org/parents/. If you have difficulty logging in, please contact STS Customer Support at support@simpletuitionsolutions.org. Please contact the Tuition Office if you have any questions at tuition@berkscatholic.org.
College Visits Next Week
- Monday: Delaware Valley University and Holy Cross
- Tuesday: Lynn University (FL)
- Wednesday: None
- Thursday: Marist College and Quinnipiac University
- Friday: RACC, Bryant University (RI), Stonehill College (MA) and Babson College (MA)
Screenagers Podcast
Join Delaney Ruston, MD, a leading authority on parenting in the screen age and the filmmaker behind the award-winning Screenagers movies, as she explores the challenges parents face raising kids in today's digital world: think smartphones, social media, video games, and more.
Through interviews with experts, thought leaders and young people themselves, Parenting in the Screen Age delivers the latest science, practical tips, and key insights that parents will want to implement and share with their kids and teens. Click here for more information: The Screenagers Podcast.
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