[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF ST. BERNADETTE SCHOOL

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the wonderful 
accomplishments of the St. Bernadette School.
  St. Bernadette School, located in Northborough, Massachusetts, was 
recently named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. 
Department of Education. Deeply rooted in Catholic ideals, St. 
Bernadette School strives to encourage intellectual curiosity, 
spiritual inspiration, and a high moral compass. Its rigorous academic 
program, commitment to Catholic values, and diverse student body has 
led the School to be called the `Flagship of the Diocese' by the Most 
Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester.
  Since its founding in 1997, St. Bernadette School's enrollment has 
grown exponentially. The School's current body of approximately 500 
students enables it to give students individual attention while holding 
them to high academic standards.
  Through new initiatives, St. Bernadette School has incorporated 
technology into the learning process. Recently, the School has built a 
computer lab, a mobile Macintosh lab, and installed interactive 
whiteboards in every class room. An iPad program was also started in 
the 2012-2013 academic year, providing every student with additional 
learning opportunities. Foreign language programs are required at every 
grade level, in addition to pre-algebra and project-based learning 
initiatives. This diverse curriculum has resulted in many middle school 
students at St. Bernadette being selected to the Junior Honor Society, 
an organization that recognizes achievement in Scholarship, Leadership, 
Service, Character and citizenship.
  St. Bernadette also fosters community through its extra-curricular 
programs, hosting a variety of family-oriented events and fundraisers 
throughout the year. The Parent Guild hosts events such as Spree Day, 
Family Picnic, Walkathon, and more. The parents of St. Bernadette 
students also coach the school's sports teams, which include 
basketball, cross country, golf, ski, and track. In addition, students 
from grades 6-8 are divided into Houses, where they practice leadership 
and responsibility while planning communal outreach programs.
  None of this would be possible without the work of the talented 
educators and staff members of St. Bernadette School. Principal Deborah 
C. O'Neil has demonstrated a passionate commitment to the success of 
her students. Time and time again, this has been exemplified through 
the School's consistent growth rate and track record of achievements.
  I'm so proud to represent the faculty, students, and staff of St. 
Bernadette School, and I cannot wait to hear about their future 
successes. I ask you to join me in congratulating St. Bernadette School 
for being selected as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School.

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