DOING THE DISCO!
Bruin Press October 8, 2019 Edition
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Principal
Email: LSenecal@sbdallas.org
Website: https://www.stbernardccs.org/
Location: 1420 Old Gate Lane, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 2143212897
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBSBruin
Twitter: @SBS_Official
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Happy Fall! It is nice to finally have some cool temperatures. This is a welcomed change, especially with our 8th grade students heading to The Pines for their Awakening Retreat on Wednesday (10/9). The retreat theme is “Seek". They will learn how God seeks them and the many ways they can seek a relationship with God. Please join me in praying for a meaningful experience of our 8th graders while they are at The Pines.
The month of October is off to a busy start. Teachers and families enjoyed a night of fellowship at Spring Creek BBQ for Tuesday Night Bites. Thank you to all those that attended this event and to the teachers who volunteered as servers. In remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi and his love for all creatures, families and their pets were invited to a blessing of the animals after Mass on Thursday (10/3). Dogs, cats, a rabbit, hermit crab and a host of stuffed animals were part of the special celebration. On Friday (10/11), teachers will attend the 13th Annual University of Dallas Ministry Conference. This is an opportunity for teachers to receive exceptional faith formation from nationally recognized speakers who will address relevant topics of faith, catechesis, education, theology, prayer and ministry. Students will take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) the week of 10/14-10/18. The ITBS achievement test measures a student’s knowledge in reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The last day of the first quarter is quickly approaching (10/15) and report cards will be issued soon (10/16). The Virtue of the Month is Reverence - showing your deepest respect for God and the things of God. Students continue to learn how they can imitate the Saints as they learn about the virtue of Reverence.
Thank you for your continued prayers for our school and parish community.
Blessings,
Laurie Senecal, M.Ed., LDT, CALT
Principal
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Oct. 9th - Friday, Oct. 11th - 8th Grade Pines Trip
Thursday, Oct. 10th - 8 AM - School Mass, led by 7th Grade - St. John XXIII
Friday, Oct. 11th - NO SCHOOL, End of 1st Quarter
Saturday, Oct. 12th - 7:00-11:00 PM, KC Club - H&S Parent Social
Sunday, Oct. 13th - 2:00 PM, Flag Pole Hill - Rosary Coast To Coast
Monday, Oct. 14th - 6:30 PM, The Lot - Dad's Club Golf Tournament Planning Meeting
Monday, Oct. 14th - Friday, Oct. 18th - ITBS Testing
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, Oct. 14th - Friday, Oct. 18th - ITBS Testing
Thursday, Oct. 17th - 9:00 AM, Church - 1st Quarter Awards
Friday, Oct. 18th - Deadline to Register for SBS Golf Tournament
Monday, Oct. 21st - 6:00 PM, St. Elizabeth of Hungary - Catholic High School Preview Night
Tuesday, Oct. 22nd - SBS PINK Day for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Tuesday, Oct. 22nd - Prepping for High School Night
Wednesday, Oct. 23rd - 8th Grade Visit to Cristo Rey
Friday, Oct. 25th - 8:00 AM, Tenison Park Golf Course - 5th Annual SBS Golf Tournament
Friday, Oct. 25th - 12:10 PM, EARLY DISMISSAL
Friday, Oct. 25th - Parent-Teacher Conferences
BRUIN BITS - DATES & DETAILS
Dallas Rosary Coast To Coast - Sunday, October 13th
Rosary and Consecration of Dallas to Immaculate Heart of Mary
SBS Golf Tournament - Friday, October 25th
Flyers about the golf tournament will be going home with students today and be on the lookout for a signup genius to volunteer the day of. Contact Chairs for the event are Peter Casiano (214)208-9143 & David Sutton (469)682-8495.
BRUIN BUSINESS
8th Grade Pines Trip
Please remember to send any items you signed up for, such as snacks, water, or drinks. Double-check the packing list below, paying special attention to ensuring no electronics (including phones) are brought! Chaperones will be taking pictures, so cameras are not needed, either.
The Indemnity (Hold Harmless/Parent Release) Form Link
ITBS Testing
Tuesday Night Bites Follow-up
Christmas Fundraiser
Home & School Updates
Interested in finding out what goes on in Home & School meetings? Do you know what events are being planned, or how money is budgeted for those events? Check out the links below to stay abreast of all that goes on with our Home & School Assoc. or Reach out to any of our H&S Board members if you would like to get involved.
Virtue of the Month - Reverence
BRUIN ATHLETICS
Sports Concession Booth Sign-Up
Cross Country
Saturday's Cross Country meet was a definite success for both our JV and Varsity runners. 105 total Varsity runners ran a 2.0 mile course, while 103 total JV runners ran a 1.5 mile course. Lino Gonzalez was our top Varsity runner, coming in 12th place, while Kevin Gleason was our top JV runner, finishing in 29th place. All of our runners did a great job!
Bye next week
Flag Football
NEXT GAME: MIS 6th Grade (Away) - Sunday10/13/19, 3:45 PM - Bishop Lynch HS
Boys Football
NEXT GAME: Prince of Peace Stars (Away) - Sunday 10/13/19, 2:00 PM - POP Baseball Field
Girls Volleyball - 7th Grade
NEXT GAME: St. Thomas D2 - Sat. 10/12/19, 1:00 PM - St. Joseph Gym
Girls Volleyball - 8th Grade
NEXT GAME: St. Elizabeth (Home) - Sat. 10/12/19, 9:00 AM - St. Bernard Gym
St. Monica (Home) - Sat. 10/12/19, 11:00 AM - St. Bernard Gym
WHAT'S BRUIN...
Middle School STEM Classes
Looking ahead, the 8th grade will be transitioning shortly to working on drones, ultimately building a fleet of quadcopters that can be programmed to function simultaneously. In addition, the middle school classes will be working on building robotic claws using 3D printers, then programming them to manipulate and move items using a Raspberry Pi.
Finally, STEM classes are working on building an Aquaponics system, in which they grow fish and plants together in a soil-less, closed-loop system. Mr. McCormick's vision for this science project was inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner, humanitarian, and scientist Norman Borlaug's work on the "Green Revolution," which is credited with saving over a billion people worldwide from starvation. Our middle school students are being exposed to humanitarian efforts and methods of increasing our food supply. Currently, students have been pouring the concrete, and hope to start the plumbing system soon. Ultimately, they plan to control the entire system using computers.
Stay tuned for updates on all these exciting ventures going on with our Middle School STEM students!
TEACHER FEATURE
Jeff McCormick - 8th Grade, Math, Science, STEM Lab
Mr. McCormick has studied or obtained various degrees in universities throughout Texas, including UT Austin, UT Dallas, and UT Arlington. As a 22 year old, he took a break from academics to become a ranch foreman at a ranch near Lake Lewisville that also served as a B Movie Studio, a time he remembers quite fondly. He ultimately returned to academia to become a lecturer in biology, a corporate trainer, a paramedic, and a middle school science teacher (fortunately for students here at St. Bernard's!).
In his spare time, Mr. McCormick enjoys his vehicles, his cats, and especially, his 10 month old granddaughter, affectionately known as "Spider Monkey," who just took her first steps this past weekend! Mr. McCormick's son and daughter both attended St. Bernard's as children, and we foresee a new Bruin in the family in just a few short years...
FUN FACTS:
What is the most interesting place to which you have travelled?
Fairhope, New Zealand, which has incredibly varied terrain, fascinating people, and a calmer, more peaceful atmosphere. Truly a glorious place.
What is your favorite book and movie?
My favorite book would be Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour, and my favorite movie would be The Quiet Man starring John Wayne. I almost met him once; he arrived at the ranch I worked at in my 20s, which also served as a B Movie Studio, a mere 2 hours after I had to leave.
What famous person would you like to meet some day?
Linus Pauling, a truly amazing scientist and engineer. I was going to meet him at a lecture, but unfortunately, he passed away the week prior to the engagement.
Do you have a special bucket list item you would like to share?
Actually, my wife asked me the same question, and no, I really don't. I have done everything I have wanted to do already.