Bernal Intermediate School
Mrs. Maria Smith, Assistant Principal
Unck Updates
Dear Bernal Community,
I thought I would start this month’s newsletter with a new year’s quote:
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous New Year by believing. Believe in yourself. And believe that there is a loving Source - a Sower of Dreams - just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true. Sarah Ban Breathnach That quote keeps with the positive growth mindset we have at Bernal.
I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season filled with reflection, family, friends and lots of laughter. The new year is upon us and our teachers and staff have returned to work fully refreshed, vibrant and renewed in their commitment and dedication to create an enriching and fulfilling learning environment for our students every single day. Our second round of benchmark testing was completed before the holiday and our teachers and instructional support staff will be spending more time analyzing the results and recalibrating their instructional goals with your students, based on the results.
A final reminder, the end of the semester is January 14th. Be sure your students are checking their grades on the Infinite Campus parent portal so there will be no surprises at the end of the term. Encourage your student to inquire directly with their teacher either in person or through email if they have a question about one of their grades. Having your student develop this skill of working directly with their teachers on grade-related questions will prepare them for high school and beyond.
Have a great month of January!
Ms. Unck, Principal
Ms. Brown's Counseling Corner
It's 2022! One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to bake. I try to bake something new I have never tried before. But the thing I look forward to the most each holiday is receiving a big tin circular container from my mom filled with sugar cookies shaped in trees and stars, snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies. But my favorite item in the box is my mom's Nanaimo Bars. She learned of these delicious no bake bars on a trip to Canada and I would love to share this yummy goodness with you!
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE BASE:
- ½ cup/115 grams unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into pieces
- ¼ cup/50 grams granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups/235 grams graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup/85 grams unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup/50 grams finely chopped walnuts, almonds or pecans (or a mixture)
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM:
- ¼ cup/60 grams unsalted butter (1/2 stick), at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons custard powder, such as Bird’s
- 2 cups/245 grams confectioners’ (icing) sugar
FOR THE CHOCOLATE TOPPING:
- 4 ounces/115 grams semisweet chocolate, broken into 1/2-inch (1 1/4-centimeter) pieces
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Add to Your Grocery List
Nutritional Information
PREPARATION
- Line an 8-by-8-inch (20-by-20-centimeter) metal baking pan with parchment, allowing parchment to overhang by about 2 inches (5 centimeters) on two sides.
- Prepare the base: In a double boiler, or a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of boiling water, whisk butter with granulated sugar, egg, cocoa powder and vanilla until melted. Continue whisking until mixture thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts until the mixture is well combined and resembles wet sand.
- Transfer mixture to the parchment-lined pan and use your fingers to press it into an even layer. Transfer pan to the refrigerator to chill until firm, at least 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the buttercream: In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter on medium speed for about 1 minute. Add heavy cream and custard powder and mix until combined, scraping sides and bottom of the work bowl as needed. Add 1 cup confectioners’ sugar and mix on low until incorporated. Add remaining confectioners’ sugar and mix on low until combined, scraping the bottom of the bowl as needed, then mix on medium-high speed until smooth, light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove pan from refrigerator. Dollop the buttercream on top of the base layer then gently spread it evenly on top using an offset spatula. Transfer pan to the refrigerator to chill until buttercream is set, about 30 minutes.
- Prepare the topping: In a small, heavy saucepan or a double boiler, heat the chocolate and butter over low, stirring often, until melted and evenly combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Take pan from refrigerator and pour chocolate on top of buttercream layer. Working quickly and carefully, spread the chocolate evenly over the buttercream using an offset spatula. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if using.
- Return pan to refrigerator and chill until chocolate hardens, about 25 minutes.
- To serve the bars: Lift excess parchment to remove Nanaimo square from the pan. Cut into 16 2-inch (5-centimeter) squares. Store bars in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Bring to room temperature before serving. Store remaining bars in the refrigerator for a few days, or wrap well and freeze.
ENJOY!!!
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Check out Bernal's Counseling Team Website for:
- Distance Learning Schedule
- Grading Info
- Office Staff
- Classes (Teams, PE, Electives, CORE)
- Counselor's Bio's
- Reflections with Ms. Reed
- Resources (Counseling, Emergency, Homework/Tutoring, Tech Support, etc)
- Newsletters
Mr. Reza's Counselor Corner
Hello Bernal Community!
Happy New Year!
With every passing year, it is always a great opportunity to reflect upon what once was, but also look ahead to all the wonderful moments yet to come. And in this year 2022, we all have the chance to move forward with renewed spirits and aspirations. Though the past two years have been difficult and demanding on all of us, let's remind ourselves of all the blessings we have in our lives. Whether that be the family or guardians that support us, a pet that comforts us, a teacher or coach that's always there for us, or a friend that is there to cheer us up, etc., let's use the practice of reflection and appreciation of life to ground us to maintain our humility.
I also want to express my deepest appreciation and love to the entire Bernal community that has guided and supported me through my time here. I look forward to continue supporting all of the children of Bernal and working in tandem with all the staff and families.
And always remember:
You can
You will
It’s possible
You’ll be great today
You’ll be great tomorrow
We are Bernal!
Take care, & Go Broncos!!!
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