February 13, 2026 Volume 3 - Issue 25 |
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Dear Saint Families and Friends:
“The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake – you can’t learn anything from being perfect.”
-Adam Osborne
Greetings from Berks Catholic! Have you ever completed a project that you worked hard on? Proofread it, made slight changes and then thought it was perfect? That happens to me each week when I complete the Black and Gold Report. The process starts the weekend before it is due and continues throughout the week as I add items ending with the final proofreading on Thursday afternoon. There is definitely a feeling of accomplishment when it goes out. Until…you find out there was mistake. Ugh. This is so frustrating. Several years ago, I received a rather interesting parent response about a newsletter when I made a mistake about volleyball. The parent sent a screen shot of the error with a gigantic red circle of my mistake. No written message, just the big red marker. As a teacher that red marker hits you like a ton of bricks. I won’t tell you what my first reaction was. But with the second reaction I was upset with myself once I calmed down. Last week, the same process took place. Then I was alerted that I had a mistake about a student’s grade. Darn! I had to come to grips once again, that I am not perfect. I can imagine each one of us, including your Saint, goes through similar situations. It’s OK if your Saint makes a mistake as long as they learn from it. Let’s work together to help all our Saints strive to be their absolute best. We can leave perfect for God. Have a great weekend!
It’s a great day to be a Saint!
A Time to be BOLD!
John Petruzzelli
Principal
610-374-8361 ext. 253
Email: jpetruzzelli@berkscatholic.org
Instagram: john.petruzzelli.9
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Monday, 2/16
Presidents’ Day – No School
Tuesday, 2/17
Junior Class Trivia Winners Dress Down
Mardi Gras
Academic Bowl Competition
Wednesday, 2/18
Lent begins
Ash Wednesday Mass (9:00 a.m.)
DECA State Conference
Kutztown University President Visit
Thursday, 2/19
DECA State Conference
Friday, 2/20
DECA State Conference
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For God’s Kingdom and that his will be done on earth.
For those who trust in the Lord God that they will be blessed with confidence and conviction.
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Congratulations
to
Senior
Nicholas
DeFazio
who was named
Saint of the Week.
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Second Quarter Honor Roll Announcement
We are proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our students for the Second Quarter Honor Roll. Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are reflected in this accomplishment. We congratulate each student who earned this distinction and thank our teachers and families for their continued support. Please click on the link for the list of names:
Achieving honor roll status requires consistent effort, responsibility, and perseverance. We encourage all students to continue striving for their personal best as we move into the next quarter.
Congratulations again to all of our Honor Roll students — we are proud of you!
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Congratulations to Freshman Class President Keira Mills who was inducted into Student Government last Friday at Mass.
Congratulations to the following swimmers who won medals last weekend at the BCIAA League Swimming Championship Meet:
- Maddie Klinger ’26 - 8th Place in 50 free and 8th Place in 100 free
- Helen Ott ’26 - 4th Place in 100 Breaststroke
- Leo Thompson ’27 - 7th Place in 200 free
- Liam Trupp ’26 - 4th Place in 100 Breaststroke
- 7th Place in Girls 200 Medley Relay (Maddie Klinger ‘26, Helen Ott ‘26, Ms. Carvajal, and Giavanna Thompson ‘29)
- 7th Place in Girls 200 Free Relay (Maddie Klinger ‘26, Helen Ott ‘26, Ms. Carvajal and Giavanna Thompson ‘29)
- 5th Place in Boys Medley Relay (Mr. Rubio, Mr. Zielinski, Liam Trupp ’26 and Leo Thompson ‘27)
- 7th Place in Boys 200 Free Relay (Leo Thompson ‘27, Mr. Rubio, Liam Trupp ’26 and Mr. Zielinski)
| | | | Thank you to the Saints who assisted with handing our soft pretzels to parents and guardians during Wednesday’s morning drop off. We are sorry the CSW treat was late. Students included: Julian Berger ’27, Neil Bitting ’27, Damoni Ennett-Daglis ’27, Alex Hernandez ’27, Priella Lenzi ’27, Peyton Newswanger ’27, David Schnatz ’27, Abby Tomsho ’27 and Raz Viteazu ’27. | | | We received a nice note thanking three of our Senior Saints for helping at Kitchen Kapers. The note read: “I want to reach out and share how grateful we were to have Cailin Dempster, Sadie Lawlor and Hannah Miller help out at the CYO County Kitchen Kaper’s Competition this past Saturday. These fabulous BC seniors spent their Saturday tabulating all the results for our event which had 73 students’ dishes from the eight partner schools (including St. Francis Classical Catholic Academy). Each dish was judged by four judges… so it was a lot and they were fantastic! Kept us right on schedule! We were extremely grateful for their hard work and help!” Terrific job, ladies! | | | |
School Mass
Our next school Mass will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 18th at 9:00 a.m. Parents, guardians and families are always welcome to join us for Mass. Ashes will be distributed during Mass. If you plan to attend, please sign in at the Main Office before coming to the Franco-Post Auditorium.
Presidents’ Day
This is a reminder that school is closed for the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, February 16th.
Medication Reminder
Families are reminded that no student should be carrying medication on their person while at school. If a student needs medication during the day, please contact the nurse to discuss the situation. If a student does not feel well during the day, a student can see the nurse for medication (ex. Tylenol or Advil). To speak to the nurse, please call 610-374-8361 ext. 237.
Course Selection
Course selection is underway. Students have received course selection materials and discussed appropriate placements, qualifications for classes, Career and Technology, Virtual High School and Dual Credit opportunities with Mrs. Vilardo, Director of Academics. Teachers will work directly with students to help guide them through class selections. Students are encouraged to schedule meetings with the College Counseling Department through their calendly links to assist with appropriate class selection. Course selection papers will be collected March 6th and require both a student and parent signature.
*Please be aware that payment for course selection is now invoiced through Simple Tuition Solutions (STS). Payment must be made by March 31st. If payment is not received, this may delay scheduling of classes for your Saint.
News from the Tuition Office
Advanced Placement (AP) Test Fee invoices were due January 30, 2026! If your student is taking an AP Class, please pay your invoice for your test fee:
- 1 AP Exam = $99.00
- 2 AP Exams = $198.00
- 3 AP Exams = $297.00
- 4 AP Exams = $396.00
- 5 AP Exams = $495.00
2nd QUARTER Report Card Hold: Once your overdue balance is paid, please have your student visit the Tuition Office to receive his/her report card.
Financial Aid
The 2026–2027 Financial Aid Application is OPEN and accepting most recently completed tax documentation from the 2025 or 2024 tax years.
Please complete your application as soon as possible and by April 15, 2026 for maximum financial aid consideration. Please click on the links for instructions:
STS Financial Aid Instructions - English
STS Financial Aid Instructions - Spanish
Please use the links below if assistance is needed. Please access and refer to your STS account for detailed tuition, fee and financial aid information. If you have difficulty logging in, please email STS Customer Support. The Tuition Office is happy to assist with any questions at 610-374-8361 ext. 223.
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Blood Drive
Berks Catholic will hold their annual Blood Drive on Monday, February 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students may sign up for the Blood Drive if they are 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 100 lbs., are not currently participating in a winter sport and have a signed permission slip turned in.
Spring Sport Athletes
This is a reminder if your child is planning to play a SPRING sport during the 2025-2026, you will need to update or create an account (parent & student) on Student Central (Planet HS) before he/she can practice on the first day of winter sports, Monday, March 2nd. The website is: https://studentcentral.bigteams.com/. See below for directions to create new parent and student accounts as well as the Section 6 form to take to your physician. If your Saint played a fall or winter sport you will need to complete Section 7 (recertification) online. Everything must be completed by Friday, February 20, 2026. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Miss Marmarou at smarmarou@berkscatholic.org.
PHS Parent & Student Getting Started Instructions
CIPPE: Section 6
Screwtape Letters Live Performance
Bishop Schlert, in conjunction with St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Holy Cross Parish and the Diocesan Office of Evangelization & Formation, invite you to attend a special production of The Screwtape Letters. Adapted from the acclaimed novel by C.S. Lewis and performed by celebrated actor, Anthony Lawton, this rollicking production turns the revered classic into a sumptuous multimedia event with music, dance and infernal unpredictability. Register for free at www.allentowndiocese.org/screwtape. Details: Sunday, March 8 at 4:00 PM at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School,1541 Laurel Blvd., Pottsville, PA. View the flyer here.
Women's Diocesan Lenten Conference
Join the Bishop's Commission for Women on Saturday, March 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for keynote talks, lunch, Confessions, Adoration and Mass with Bishop Schlert. Hear from Noelle Mering, an author and cultural commentator known for her writing on faith, culture and public life, as well as Dr. Ray Guarendi, a Catholic clinical psychologist, author and national radio and television host known for practical, faith-based advice on parenting, family life and relationships. Register at: https://www.allentowndiocese.org/catholic-life/resources-women/love-hope-holiness-womens-lenten-conference-2026. View the flyer here.
Men's Lenten Morning of Reflection: Authentic Masculinity
Men of the Diocese of Allentown are invited to a Men’s Morning of Reflection on Saturday, March 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua. Centered on Theology of the Body, this free event will explore authentic masculinity through the teachings of St. John Paul II. The morning includes Mass, coffee and donuts, along with presentations by Hannah Shafer, Assistant Director of Programs at the Theology of the Body Institute, and Fr. Nikolai Brelinsky, Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Orefield. All men are encouraged to attend for a morning of prayer, fellowship, and reflection. Registration is free and required. Register at https://allentowndiocese.flocknote.com/signup/241012. Please see flyer here.
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Diocesan Family Event
Join Bishop Schlert and families from across the diocese for “Shaping Saints,” a diocesan family event focused on helping to unlock your child’s God-given gifts. The event takes place on Saturday, February 28th from 1:30-5:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Catholic High School. Enjoy live music, talks for parents and children (Grades 5 and up) and Vigil Mass at 4:30 p.m. See the flyer for registration details.
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Spring Musical
The star-studded spring musical, High School Musical, will take place on Saturday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 p.m. Come out and see our Saints singing and dancing their way through high school. Tickets are $15. See the flyer for information on purchasing your tickets.
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Make a Joyful Noise Competition
HELP US WIN THE MAJN COMPETITION! Please watch and vote for our school spirit video in the diocesan “Make a Joyful Noise” (MAJN) competition. MAJN challenges each school to get the entire student body involved in the video. We have dropped out of the Top Ten and are in 11th Place. Our goal is $5000. You can find the video and vote for BC here: https://p2p.onecause.com/.../berks-catholic-high-school-bchs
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BERKS CATHOLIC SAINTS ATHLETIC BOOSTERS
ARE HOSTING
A NIGHT AT THE RACES
DATE: FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
TIME: 6:30—POST TIME 7:00
BERKS CATHOLIC--LLOYD M. WOLF GYMNASIUM
FOOD, DRINK AND FUN INCLUDED
** BYOB IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SPECIAL
(MUST BE 21 TO ATTEND)
*PLEASE SEE FLYER FOR QR CODE TO PURCHASE TICKETS
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BC By the Numbers
1: Playoff seed for the Boys Basketball Team for County Playoffs
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The Bible by the Numbers
When you wonder about Heaven, check out 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
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Social Media
Did you see our post about Saint for a Day shadow visits? Keep up with all the happenings at the school on our social media channels. Check out what our students are doing day-to-day in class; important news articles; sports and activities; and more! Be sure to follow the school on social media for all the latest updates, pictures and school information. Facebook: Berks Catholic; Twitter: @BerksCatholic; and Instagram: berkscatholic.
It's an enjoyable day to be a Saint!
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It's a great day to be a Saint! | | | | |
Our Mission
Berks Catholic High School is centered on the four pillars of God, Family, Academics and Fun. As a vibrant Christ-centered community, the Administration, Faculty and Staff are dedicated to providing a challenging academic environment for a diverse population of young men and women. Through Christian principles rooted in the Catholic tradition, we strive to positively impact our students spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically and emotionally, so they can live productive lives of service in this world and attain eternal life.
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