Lighting the Way

The Beacon

SAINT BERNADETTE OF LOURDES

Spring 2015

A Message from Our Principal

The 2014-2015 school year has been a year of great growth for our school. Our school enrollment once again continued to climb. In this day and age when so many Catholic Schools are declining, we are indeed very fortunate.

Our focus this year has been on imple-menting our Middle States Action Plan. This Action Plan consists of four goal

statements in vital areas of our school: Catholic Identity, Academics, Facilities, and Leadership. In the area of Catholic Identity we have set forth to increase the student’s active engagement in his/her faith formation through immersion in service, exposure to different prayer experiences, and a discovery of his/her unique holiness.

This year our teachers focused on en-hancing the implementation of the Com-mon Core Standards by focusing on pro-ject and problem based learning. Our faculty has shared ideas and collaborat-ed in the on-line forum Edmodo. The teachers have worked on understanding and integrating the TPaCK model in their classrooms. We are constantly striving for academic excellence at St. Berna-dette School.

With regards to our facilities, we have implemented a two-fold plan to address more efficient use of space and improv-

ing our daily maintenance procedures. We invite you to make a difference in the lives of our students. The day to day needs of St. Bernadette of Lourdes School are always before us. Tuition income only covers approximately 80% of our operating expenses. We are de-pendent upon your generosity. Please know that not one dollar is taken lightly. Please consider making your gift today.

On a personal note, my husband’s career change will require us to move out of state. Effective June 30th, I will resign from my position as principal here at St. Bernadette School. I have put into place strategic plans and documents that will ensure the long term sustainability and viability of the school. It has been a sa-cred privilege to minister to the students here. My life has been deeply blessed and enriched by my time at St. Bernadette’s.

May God Bless You, Mrs. Glennon

www.st-bernadette.org 610-789-7676

Bernie’s Business

Breakfast

This year’s Artist in Residence Program, Musicopia, provides workshops and assemblies to build musical skills while explor-ing cross-curricular themes.

The St. Bernadette Alumni Association hosted a Business Networking Breakfast at Llan-erch Country Club. Keynote speakers were John Nash ‘60 (former general manager of four NBA teams) and Con-gressman Patrick Meehan. Two break-out workshops fol-lowed the inspirational speeches.

Our Community of Service

Spring 2014

Page 2

2014-15 Student Council Members: (L to R): Samantha Vassallo, Brennan Harris, Andrew Flanagan,

Jason Nihill (Vice President), Sean Kearney (Secretary), Danielle Williams, Kyle Beaver (Treasure),

Our Community of Young Leaders

Student Council, first chartered in 1999, was designed to give students a voice via a

student government. There are 12 members, 4 of which are officers. Its main mis-

sion is to serve others. This is done through worthwhile programs such as "Troop

Tango" our dance/fundraiser which collects needed toiletries, food pantry items

and essentials for local veterans. Recently, more than 1,000 donated items were

sent to the VA Hospital and Snyder House in Philadelphia. This year, Student

Council members sponsored a "Go Red Day" in collaboration

with the American Heart Association. They collected $193 in donations to benefit

the AHA. The "Souper Bowl" in which students donated a can to guess the Super

Bowl winner, helped fill the food pantry. In the hot days of June, Fresh Lemonade is sold to help "Alex's Lemon-

ade." Student Council, moderated by teachers Rose Wallace, Terri MacIntosh, and Kate Tsakiris, also runs

events like the "Student/ Faculty Basketball Game", "Jingle Ball" and "St Patrick's Day Ice Cream Sales” just for

Cathy with Jack, her last child

to graduate from Bernie’s.

www.st-bernadette.org 610-789-7676

Collecting cans for the “Souper

Bowl”. Students could vote for which

Thank You, Cathy McGeever, for 18 Years of Dedication to Service Club

Once a month, students at Bernie’s meet for

“Service Club” to make cards, write letters, and as-

semble seasonal baskets for our homebound pa-

rishioners and the less fortunate of our community.

Each meeting begins with a prayer for those being

helped - many times, a letter of thanks is read from

one or more of them. Since the time the Saint Le-

onie Service Club was started 18 years ago, pro-

jects have included trick-or-treating at St. Francis

Country Home, writing letters to veterans, collecting

personal care items for Little Sisters of the Poor

Nursing Home and Christmas visits to the residents

of the home, and supporting Mother’s Home by col-

lecting baby items. Over the years, many parents

have come out to help - but few as faithful and gen-

erous as one of its founders, Cathy McGeever. The

April meeting marked Cathy’s last one as a parent of

Spring 2014

St. Bernadette Grotto Guild

(Gifts $2,500-$5,000)

Family Gift from James & Linda DeFran-

cesco Eastwood ’61, Erica ‘86, Jimmy ‘90,

& Brooke ’93

Bill & Marie Pat Githens

Ed & Karen Stefanski & Family

St. Bernadette’s Circle

(Gifts $1,000-$2,499)

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Bennicoff

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cleary ’71

in memory of Thomas R. Cleary

Andrew Comly ‘70, in memory of Daniel

Comly

Ms. Rosa Gatti ‘64

William Mattiace ‘86

Kathleen Costello Murphy ’66

in memory of Richard V. &

Mary M. Costello

Donna Walker ‘57

Friends of SBS

(Gifts $500-$999)

The Class of 1959

Mr. & Mrs. Morgan Churchman ‘82

Gary & Patricia Holloway ‘69

Harry & Helen Perretta (Stephen ’13)

Edward & Karen Salvitti ‘72

Cecelia Smith ‘63

The Toscani Family

John Town ‘67

Thank you to the following Alumni, Parishioners, Current Parents, Parents of Students & Alumni, Grandparents & Friends who have

so generously given to St. Bernadette School. We have raised almost $30,000 in donations. Help us reach our $40,000 goal! You can

send a gift using the enclosed envelope or go to www.st-bernadette.org, “Supporting SBS”, then “Donate.”

Our Community of Supporters

Page 3

Blue & White Club

(Gifts $100-$499)

Mark A. Amoroso ‘78

Anonymous gift in memory of

Marie & Edward M. Baker

John Arcana ‘71 in memory of

Rita & Vince Arcana

Steve Arcana ’78

Joe Baumgardner ‘76

Debbie McNulty Benson ‘83

Walter Bieter

Joseph P. Boyle ’83

Joe Brennan ‘62 in memory of

the Sisters of Notre Dame

Jay Burke ’71

Patricia Comly Pascucci ‘66

A.T. Coyne in memory of

Ellyn & Francis R. Coyne

Dante D’Egidio ‘86

Mr. & Mrs. Paul DiBona

Thomas Donaher

Mary Dougherty in memory of

James Dougherty

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin

Dougherty ’75

Mary Jayne Mulholland

Dwyer ’66

Helen McDowell Forgione ’59

in memory of Adolph & Rose

Forgione

Friends of Bea Kearney

Dougherty in memory of Cor-

nelius Kearney

Friends of Catherine Small

Mary Ann Gasparro ‘59

Catherine Glatts ’69

William Glynn ’68

Mr. Bob Goldberg in memory of

Thomas & Mary Contino

Mr. & Mrs. Francis Gormley

‘65 in memory of Frank &

Josephine Gormley

Joann Hartsough

Noreen Huder ‘79

Danny & Linda Kelly

Joe & Carolyn Graham Kilroy

’82 in memory of Joseph A.

Graham, III

Jean & Bob Koroly ’60

Norman A. Kropp ’60 in

memory of Maria Marshall

Walter Kropp ‘54

Joe Lang ’60

John Lotka ’84 in memory of

James Lotka

Paul Martinson ‘60

Martyn Family

Joanne McBride in memory of

Richard McBride

Patricia McCoy ‘59

Stefanie Leone McFadden ’70

in memory of Peter & Marie

Leone

John & Catharine McGeever

Mr. & Mrs. Frank McGovern

William McIntyre ’71

Ms. Mary Frances

McKenzie ‘65

Janine Moser ‘79 in memory of

Holly Codario

Mr. & Mrs. Mulholland ’60

John Nash ’60 in memory of the

deceased members of the

Nash Family

Francis & Angela Naughton in

memory of Fileno & Bianca

Angelocci & Peter & Julia

Naughton

Joseph A. O’Hare Jr.

Organ Family

Pappas Family John ‘74, Olivia

‘07 Anna ‘09, Roseann Pauline

Patricia Comly Pascucci ‘66 in

memory of Daniel & Patricia

Comly

Owen J. Patterson ‘72

John R. Patterson, MD in

memory of Margaret M.

Patterson

Janice Toscani Peterson ’66 in

memory of Frances Toscani

Mr. & Mrs. Edmond Phillips

‘63 in memory of Edmond &

Catherine Phillips

Ed & Lisa Saulino Quintus ’81,

Sarah ’11, Emily ‘13

Judith Amoroso Rabik ’74

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Richetti

Mr. & Mrs. John Savarese ‘73

Robert ‘61 & Nora Cellini

Serpente ’62 in honor of

Cellini & Serpente Families

Joseph Sheeran

Shovlin Family in memory of

Susan Shovlin Glennon ‘84

Chris Skahan ’80

Maryfrances Stulginsky ’65

Amy Sullivan

Bill & Margaret Sullivan

Joe & Tara Sullivan

Sweeney ’82

Lawrence Talbot ‘60 in memory

of Sister Catherine Regina

Kenneth Vassallo ‘75

Leslie Vassallo ‘64

Lawrence Talbot ‘60

Ann Wood

St. Bernadette Patrons

(Gifts up to $99)

Anonymous gift in memory of

Jim Doyle

Margaret M. Kerrigan

Anderson ‘72 in memory of Mr.

& Mrs. William Kerrigan

Justine C. Baker, Ph.D.

Patricia Baekstrom ‘72

Bridget Denney Bonner ‘87

H. William Bonekat

Robert J. Bozzelli ’56

Richard W. Cahill ‘61

Francis R. Coyne, Jr. in memory

of Frank & Ellyn Coyne

Helen Katubi Cubbage ‘57

DeBarberie Family

Diane Denney ‘62

Frank & Anne Doherty

Mr. & Mrs. Owen

Douglas, Jr ‘64

Frank J. Durant

Dutkiewicz Family

Stephanie Fortunato ‘00

Richard Gallagher in honor of the

Gallagher Family

Anne Gengenbach

Francis Guinan ‘83

Richard Halliwell ’59

Dorothy Hamilton

Mildred M. Hart in memory of

Robert F. Hart

Virginia Hart ‘57

Maureen Hennessey ’69 in

memory of Cornelius Kearney

Charles Lallo ‘67

Isabelle Leombrone

John Logan

Mr. & Mrs. Mike Malloy

Barbara Buonanno

Marchese ‘68

Tom & Maureen Masi

Joe Maurer ’60

Marguerite McCutcheon in

memory of Catherine Small

McDevitt Family

Ellen McDonald ‘68 in memory

of James P. McDonald ‘67

Thomas Murray ‘65

Paula Martuano Nenna ‘63

Honora Nicholson, RSM

Niznan Family, Teresa ‘12

Ralph Nocito in memory of Jane

M. Nocito

Patricia Comly Pascucci ‘66

Mark D. Porreca ‘66

Mr. & Mrs. John Quinn ‘72

Thomas F. Rooney, Jr. in

memory of Susan S. Rooney

Mr. & Mrs. R.A. Sabatino, Sr in

memory of Robert C.

Sabatino ‘76

Robert J. Salvitti ‘69

Felix & Sarah Saulino

Alicia Savarese ‘98 in memory of

Delia D. Savarese

Joseph & Peggy Schreiber

John & Katharine Orr

Silvasi ’62

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Stewar

Gerald Trendler ‘59 in memory of

the Deceased Members of Class

of ‘59

William J. Toner ‘93 in memory

of Mrs. James Lotka

Jerry Trendler ‘59

Cindy Marturano

Wickersham ‘68

Dorothy J. Vondran ‘62

Bernie’s Snapshots

www.st-bernadette.org 610-789-7676 Page 4

Building the Future

Fourth and fifth graders are participating in project-based learning activities with their new K'nex kits. They are applying science,

math, engineering, and technology skills (STEM) to solve problems and become critical thinkers. One specific project challenged

teams to create a motorized contraption that would move a small ball four feet, staying within set boundaries. Each group succeeded!

The rest of the school was invited to view the demonstrations. Students had to record their progress each week. Next step: each will

make a video from their footage.

8TH GRADE/FACULTY BASKETBALL TROOP TANGO

JINGLEBALL CONFIRMATION BAND CONCERT

GRANDPARENT’S DAY LUNCHES FOR SPECIAL FRIENDS THON SUPPORT

Spring 2014

Christmas Around the World

www.st-bernadette.org 610-789-7676 Page 5

“Kala Christougenna!” “Buon Natale!” “Feliz Navidad!” These are just a few new ways our students learned how to wish each

other “Merry Christmas!” this year at St. Bernadette’s “Christmas Around the World” Event. Each grade picked a country,

learned all about its Christmas culture and traditions, and then shared their new-found knowledge with other grades who jour-

neyed around the school. Classes were decorated; crafts were made; songs were learned; treats were shared, and traditional

Greek dancing was performed, all to bring the true spirit of Christmas to life.

Our Community of Alumni

www.st-bernadette.org 610-789-7676 Page 6

After 5 years of research, Matthew A Caporizzo, SBS 2000, successfully defended his Ph. D. and

was awarded a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in Materials Science Engineering.

Matt attended St. Bernadette’s during the days when Principal Sister Anne Elizabeth would greet

the students at eight each morning at the Bond Avenue doors. Sister Susan, Sr. Mary Bertha,

and Sr. Anne Elizabeth were the resident Oblates of St. Francis de Sales residing in the convent

at that time. In the science department, Mr. Hight was a vibrant instructor with a passion for lead-

ing students to make discoveries through hands-on classroom activities. Each year he would

lead a science fair and hands-on projects that had students launching rockets at the park and

dropping egg-crates from the 3rd

floor windows. Life was interesting with Mr. Hight around and

students got to see firsthand how science was about discovery.

At St. Joseph’s Prep, Matt was blessed with yet another all-star cast of science teachers, includ-

ing Physicist and Parish Deacon Tom Fitzpatrick. After two years with Matt, Tom commented on

Matt’s ability to come up with the right answer in the most unconventional fashion. During Matt’s four years at St. Joseph’s

Prep, the curiosity in the sciences instilled in him with Mr. Hight, grew into a foundation that would lead Matt to pursue Engi-

neering Physics in college.

In 2008, Matt received his B.S. in Engineering Physics from the University of Pittsburgh, and was honored with the Outstand-

ing Senior Award as valedictorian of the major. That year, Matt accepted an Ashton Fellowship to attend the University of

Pennsylvania to pursue his Ph.D. in biopolymer physics. In graduate school, Matt authored several publications and devel-

oped a new method for interrogating the viscoelasticity of single cells.

He has engaged in various outreach programs to educate underprivileged Philadelphia high school students about science.

Matt teaches about nucleation and polymer properties through the chemistry of cooking. Students get first hand experience

by making liquid nitrogen ice cream and by making candy caramels.

Matthew A Caporizzo ’00 receives his Ph. D. for work in Nanobiomedicine

Class of 1959: Still Rockin’ and Rollin’ 55 Years after Bernie’s

This past fall, about 30

members of the Class

of 1959 gathered to

celebrate their 55th

Class Reunion. From

all accounts, a good

time was had by all—

and everyone enjoyed

reconnecting with

classmates. The at-

tendees made a size-

able donation to St.

Bernadette’s, as we

Spring 2014

www.st-bernadette.org 610-789-7676 Page 7

Bernie’s Pride Is Still Alive!

On a recent Sunday,

some of our alumni who

have children or grand-

children who attend St.

Bernadette’s gathered for

a photo shoot.

We’ve put together a fun

collage of those photos.

Please be sure to share

any recent news with

us—we love to recognize

the achievements of our

alums.

You are welcome to sub-

mit stories for the next

Beacon. Send an email to

Ciaran Bellwoar,

Director of Advancement:

cbellwoar@stbl.org

If your corporation pays any of the fol-

lowing state taxes, you can make a gift

to St. Bernadette instead:

Corporate Net Income Tax, Capital

Stock, Franchise Tax, Bank and Trust

Company Shares Tax, Title Insurance

Companies Shares Tax, Insurance Premi-

ums Tax, Mutual Thrift Institution Tax,

and Personal Income Tax of S-Corporate

Shareholders, or Partners in a General

or Limited Partnership.

Ready to help families who desire a

Catholic Education for their children?

Contact Ciaran Bellwoar, Director of

Advancement: 610-789-7676, 211.

You can visit www.newpa.com for more

Educational Improvement Tax Credit

Program Opportunity Scholarship Tax

Credit: Makes Smart Business Sense

Proud Supporter of St. Bernadette School 1025

DATE June 1, 2015____

St. Bernadette of Lourdes School

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania___________

Five Thousand and- ——–————————-————-0/100____DOLLARS

Tuition Assistance FOR

$5,000.00

4545666724450000110000015 45456667244500001100 1025

PAY TO THE

ORDER OF

Organizations Contributing to

St. Bernadette’s Include:

Aetna, BLOCS, Colonial Electric,

Spring 2014

St. Bernadette School

of Lourdes Parish

1035 Turner Avenue

Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Like us on Facebook to see current

happenings and fun photos.

Our page is

“St. Bernadette of Lourdes School”

www.st-bernadette.org

Our Dedicated Home &

School Board for 2014-15:

Marykate Murphy

(Co-President)

Bernadette Yuknek

(Co-President)

Meg Begany (Treasurer)

Katelynn Walls

(Secretary)

Theresa MacIntosh

(Teacher Rep)

Kathleen Cappiello

Susan Coyne

Jennifer D'Alessandro

Rebecca Fiore

Cara Gavin

Lidia Hall

Shelia Jacobs

Cheryl McDonald

Maureen Russell

Dina Williams

Members of the

Development Committee:

Kathleen Cappiello

Susan Coyne

Michele Githens

Claire Forester

Kaky Mullen

Liz Richetti

Ken Russell

Romina Santoro

We are ever so grateful for the local businesses that

generously support our school:

Lambert & Associates, Robert J. Radano, Ed Quintus

(State Farm), Baratta & Russell & Baratta, PECO,

DeLuca’s Custom Draperies, JM Welding,

Paul J. Cannataro, Civera’s, Anthony L. Cook, D.M.D.,

V.J. Marchese, McNichol, Byrne, & Matlawski, North-

eastern Music Programs, Archbishop Carroll,

Ruffenach Family Funeral Homes, Marinelli & Sons,

Carpinello Orthodontics, Towne Cleaners and Tailors,

ShopRite, The Donohue Funeral Homes, Fran Truax

(Century 21 Alliance), Bruno’s Service Center, Mike

Boyle, Pretzel Boys of Havertown, Boyle Energy,

Giant, Llanerch Baseball & Softball Association, Flynn

& O'Hara Uniforms, Huntington Learning Center,

Nolan Painting, Paul J. Wechsler, HGS ProSeal, Inc.,

Heritage Business Systems, Penn Valley Chemical

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU

Our students have the best

role models of stewardship

and service: their parents

and families. So many par-

ents volunteer their time to

help at lunch and school

events. We offer a special

prayer of thanks for them.