My name is Sister Jeanette and I am the Director of Marketing here at St.Bartholomew Academy. I would like to share some of my observations with you on a periodic basis.
5/3/12: Did you realize we had 116 First communicants this past week? Among these students were all our elegible second graders. What a tremendous blessing this brings to our parish and to our school to have all these youngsters receive Jesus into their lives for the first time. He must be so pleased with His new friends. Let us pray that they always remain close to Jesus and Mary. Let us also pray that God will bless them,their families, our parish and especially our school. During this month of May, please say a special Hail Mary for them and for St.Bartholomew Academy.
3/2/12: Good Morning, We just returned from our First Friday mass with our students.The third graders were responsible for the readings and singing. They were absolutely wonderful! Attending a Catholic school affords our students the opportunity to learn how good God is to us and how grateful we should be. One of the best traditions of St.Bartholomew Academy is to pray with a "prayer buddy." This means that the upper class students sit alongside the younger students to teach them how to pray during the holy Mass.This is a golden opportunity for the older grade students to act as role models for the younger children.It is most impressive to watch these two groups interact with each other. Keep up the good work students - you were inspirational! And, thank you to the many parents who came to support and pray with us. May God bless you abundantly.
2/7/12: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
St.Bartholomew Academy spent a very productive week highlighting the theme of Catholic Schools this year- FAITH-ACADEMICS-SERVICE.
FAITH- Students and faculty opened and closed the week with Liturgy.
ACADEMICS-All classes participated in various academic competitions including special scientific experiments and forensic preparations.
SERVICE- students were made aware of and helped needy,hungry, sick children
and foster children.Yes,they even helped our local animal shelters!
Students learned:
a)How to form a relationship with God
b)How to strive for academic excellence
c)How to be aware and help those in need
Aren't we lucky to be in a Catholic school? With this type of education we will be beacons for the world.
CONGRATULATIONS TEACHERS AND STUDENTS!!
1/30/12: One of the most important assets of Catholic Schools is that we teach our faith and profess our love for Jesus publicly. Well, one morning as I was walking through the school hallway, I met two little girls - first graders - coming back from the school secretary's office. They were classroom messengers, sent by the teacher to bring information to Mrs.Lynch, the secretary. As they passed the church doors, which were closed, one little girl came running back to genuflect because, as she had learned in school, this was God's house and Jesus lived there.
Isn't this wonderful and inspirational? How pleased Jesus must have been! No wonder our Lord said we should be like little children. That first grader's faith and love for God are real and alive. I learned a powerful lesson from her that day. What a privilege to teach God's little ones. Believe as they do and God will bless us with His love.
HAPPY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK!
1/20/12: While it is still January, we all know that February is designated as Black
History Month. Well, Mrs. MaryClare Levins and her 8th grade students have
done extensive research of famous ICONS who have made an impact on society
and on our country. What is an icon? According to the 8th grade - An icon is a sacred image that offers us a window into heaven. Beautiful!
Students identified poets, artists, doctors, scientists, political leaders, TV personalities and strong believers in justice, freedom, equality, and respect for all God`s people. Mrs.Levins and her students are spreading the good news that we are all God`s children and God is our Father who loves us and gifts us all with blessings.
Let us cotinue to spread the good news of Jesus and be WINDOWS OF HEAVEN for all.
1/3/12: The students in grades 3 and 6 thought of beautiful gifts for Christmas. They labeled them "Gifts that cannot be wrapped." Do you know what they are? I do, because I saw them on the wall on the second floor.They are as follows:
LOVE-COMPASSION-UDERSTANDING-KNOWLEDGE-JOY-FRIENDSHIP-HAPPINESS
WOW! These children certainly know the true meaning of Christmas and why Jesus came into the world. Christmas is Christ Himself who gave us all these gifts and more. Let us share these gifts with everyone we meet. We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year filled with all God's gifts.
12/8/11: Our middle school Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Schoendorf, involved our students in the local Patriot's Pen essay contest. All the elementary/middle schools in Scotch Plains were encouraged to participate. Well, St. Bartholomew's did so well that one of our 6th graders took first place on the local level and is now invited to the competition at the County level.
Hanna, our winner, told us in her essay that in 1776 our founding fathers declared: "All men are created equal." Because of the ideas and beliefs these individuals fought for, today we live in a safe, free and fair country. It is because of these beliefs that she enjoys and is proud living in this country and proud to be an American.
Did I mention that the title of the essay was "How Proud I Am of My Country?" Congratulations, Hanna, we are so proud of you!!
May our Blessed Mother, patroness of the United States, pray for us.
12/6/11: Today is December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a Bishop in Turkey who loved helping the poor and needy. He always gave money and food to those who were in need when no one was around to see him.
Today our Kindergarten students placed their shoes outside their classroom and waited for St.Nick. Well,our seventh graders "sneaked" passed their door and placed a bag of "goodies" in each shoe. What a pleasant surprise for the little ones and what a beautiful lesson our seventh graders learned - how to give without being known and making other children happy.
And you do know that is how we got the name SANTA CLAUS!!!
SANTA meaning SAINT; CLAUS short for NICHOLAS
Happy St.Nicolas and God Bless
12/5/ 11: The folowing information was quite impressive to me:
Our present First Grade class wrote a letter to President Obama when they were in the Kindergarten last year. They told him to have hope and determination.
He responded by thanking them and sending a photo of his family. He also encouraged them to aim high and help to improve the lives of others.
This is something these little ones will always remember. Let us pray for him and for our country.