St. Bernadette 8th Graders in Women In Distress Walkathon

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS

We congratulate our Student Council Officers for the year 2008-2009

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

We wish to congratulate the following students for being eligible for the Duke Talent Identification Program 7th Grade Talent Search

St. Bernadette Peer Mentor Program

• Monday, March 17, 2008 (3:00PM to 5:00PM)
• Friday, April 4, 2008 (12:00PM to 3:00PM)
• Friday, May 9, 2008 (12:00PM to 3:30PM)

St. Bernadette Peer Mediation Team Graduation

The St. Bernadette Peer Mediation Team had a small graduation ceremony on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.  The students successfully completed twenty-five hours of Peer Mediation Training through the Nova Southeastern University Community Resolution Services.  The eight students involved dedicated a lot of their vacation time and after school hours to the program.  The students will soon be able to use their training to help with conflict resolutions in the school.

Bobcat Service Club Easter Basket Project

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
The Bobcat Service Club would like to thank all of you who helped with our Easter Basket Project.  We were able to make 45 Easter Baskets for the homeless shelter.  Look for information regarding our next meeting.

St. Bernadette New Programs

St. Bernadette Catholic School, in Hollywood, FL, has started four new programs: the Bobcats Community Service Club, a Peer Mentoring Program, a Peer Mediation Program and the St. Bernadette Lunch Bunch.

The parent volunteers at St. Bernadette, under the approval and support of Mrs. Michele Sanders, School Principal and Fr. Brendan Dalton, Pastor of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, have formed a service club for the School’s Middle School students.  It is called the Bobcats Community Service Club.  The goal of the club is to give back to the community and those less fortunate, as well as, sensitize the students to social issues and teach and encourage them to actually make a difference.  “That’s what it’s all about,” said volunteer coordinators Mrs. Sally McKenney, Director of Religious Ed. for St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Mrs. Kathleen Costello, School Librarian and Mrs. Linda Croce, Vice President of Home and School.

Also, St. Bernadette’s Guidance Department, with the help of volunteer parents, has started a Peer Mentoring Program.  Middle School students are paired with elementary students to promote relationship building, school cohesiveness, student social and academic skills and self-esteem building, to name a few.  The program is also focused on discouraging student isolation, bullying and attrition.  Students will meet together on school grounds, at least twice a month for lunches, parties, and other events and activities.

In addition, St. Bernadette is partnering with Nova Southeastern University, Department of Conflict Analysis and Resolution’s Community Resolution Services, to begin a Peer Mediation Program at St. Bernadette School.  Middle School Students will undergo extensive training and will, through appointments, have students referred to them for mediation.  The program was initiated by the school’s Guidance Department as a means of teaching effective communication and conflict resolution skills to the students.  Ms. Erika Freeman, a second year doctoral student in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, as well as, Coordinator of Community Resolution Services at Nova, along with her staff, will be providing the training.  She has been working with St. Bernadette’s Principal and Guidance Department to tailor and implement the program specifically for the school.

Finally, St. Bernadette’s Guidance Department has created a student support program called the St. Bernadette Lunch Bunch.  The purpose of the program is to provide students added support and assistance with social and coping skills and to help prevent bullying.  Each group meets once a week during lunch with a School Counselor and has up to four students per group.  The majority of time is spent in organized activities where students play games, have fun and receive guidance, feedback and validation from the Counselor and from each other.

Mrs. Sanders, a second year principal at St. Bernadette, has been a mover and shaker in improving the school and helping it to become more current and student focused.  We are very grateful to have her here and also, for all the people at Nova, especially Erika Freeman and staff.  We are also extremely grateful for the volunteers and workers at St. Bernadette who are generously giving their time and effort for the children and the community at large.  Finally, we are very grateful to Fr. Dalton for his support and encouragement.

St. Bernadette Service Club

Students in the new St. Bernadette Service Club hosted a Christmas party at the homeless shelter on Saturday, December 15, 2007.  They had all the fixings including games and lunch as well as Christmas gifts given out to the children by none other than Santa Claus himself.  Fun was had by all.  Come join us at our next meeting on Thursday, February 21, 2008 after school in the library to discuss other fun service projects for the year.