Principal Iassogna News: Welcome Back To School
Let me begin our 2023-2024 school year with you – our St. Bernadette community, with a prayer.
God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our St. Bernadette family be willing to begin a new with a clean slate.
We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another.
As we begin a new year, it reminds us of our truest values and our deepest desires.
Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year. My first year at St. Bernadette. The days ahead will be exciting and anxious for us all as we begin the school year.
Over the last few weeks our staff have been preparing the classrooms for our students. The classrooms look fantastic and a big thank you goes out to all staff. I would like to personally thank our custodians, Mr. DiCesare, Mr. Filice and Ms. Thomas, who have spent a great deal of time cleaning, organizing, and getting our school ready for our first day. The school looks great!
Welcome to our new staff and students. We welcome them to the best school in Hamilton! Below is a list of staff at our school.
St. Bernadette 2023-24 Staff List
Educational Assistants: Ms. Bojin, Mrs. Bucci, Mrs. Filonova, Mr. Patterson, Ms. Riley
Kindergarten FDK A – Mrs. Clark & Mrs. Knox-Lee
Kindergarten FDK B – Ms. Caiella & Ms. Holmes
Grade 1/2 - Mrs. Moutinho
French Core – Mrs. Carey-Urban
Special Education Resource Teacher (S.E.R.T.): Ms. Spinosa
Teacher Librarian: Ms.Kiss
Reading Recovery: Mrs. Giacomelli
Custodial Staff: Mr. DiCesare, Mr. Filice and Ms. Thomas
My goal as your Principal is to continue to create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere where parents/guardians, staff and students can collaborate and develop an environment where each child can be successful and reach their potential. I would like to share a part of my philosophy of education that is near and dear to my heart. In the book, “The Leader in Me”, the late Stephen Covey wrote, “If you treat all students as if they are gifted and you always look at them through that lens of being gifted in at least some aspect they will rise to that level of expectation." These words are what we as Catholics need to live by if we plan to find the strengths in each child. We must find creative ways to empower children so they can unleash their talents within our Catholic school setting.
Communication is the key in supporting the teaching and learning process. Our staff is committed to developing and maintaining strong community relationships. If you have a concern about your child, please do not hesitate to call the school and let us know. Early and ongoing information sharing can help to clarify and often alleviate concerns quickly. Begin by contacting your child’s teacher. If your concerns are not resolved in a reasonable and timely manner, please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance.
Welcome News From Our S.E.R.T. Mrs. Spinosa
Welcome back to a new school year! I hope that everyone had a summer break filled with fun, laughter, and memories. My name is Mrs. Spinosa, and I am the new Special Education Resource Teacher. I am excited to join this wonderful school community. I am dedicated to supporting and empowering every student to reach their full potential. I look forward to collaborating with the students, parents, and staff of this community to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Feel free to reach out to me anytime. Let’s make this a fantastic and memorable year together!
9 AM – Supervision begins on the outside yard
11:05 AM - 1st Recess – Changed from 10:25 AM to 11:05AM to maximize literacy instruction.
12:00 PM - Lunch begins outside
12:25 PM - Students come inside to eat lunch
St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School is a place where all children need to feel safe and have a sense of belonging. To ensure the safety and well-being of all children, please note below important information fromFood Allergy Canada: (Click the link for detailed information.)
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death; Signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen (a substance capable of causing an allergic reaction) Very small amounts of certain foods can cause severe reactions when eaten. This may happen if a person at risk touches an allergenic substance and then subsequently touches the mouth. Even a very small amount “hidden‟ in a food or transferred to a serving utensil has the potential to cause a severe allergic reaction. Direct ingestion of an allergy-causing food poses the greatest risk for people with food allergies.
Cooperation from parents and guardians in adhering to the guidelines below is most appreciated and expected. There are students at this school who are allergic to the following foods and items: nuts, eggs, shellfish, pine nuts, sesame seeds. Parents will or have already been advised through an email of allergens specific to a classroom; please avoid bringing these allergens into the designated classroom. Food must only be eaten in classrooms. Reinforce hand washing practices: wash hands/sanitize before and after eating. Remind children not to share or trade food, food utensils, or food containers.
Celebrations: please do NOT provide food items. Non-food items (i.e., pencils, erasers etc.) are permitted for various celebrations and special events and activities. Thank you for your help in keeping all our children safe.
Thank you for your support and I look forward in working with all partners in my new St. Bernadette community.