Welcome Back to the 2025/26 School Year

Principal Iassogna’s Welcome Message

Let me begin our 2025–2026 school year with a prayer for our entire St. Bernadette community:

Prayer:
God, thank you for bringing our St. Bernadette community together for another school year. We ask your blessings on every student, parent, guardian, teacher, and staff member. Help us to care for one another, to be patient, kind, and understanding, and to celebrate the unique gifts that each person brings. Guide us through challenges, inspire us to learn and grow, and keep our hearts open to compassion and love. May our school be a place of joy, safety, and belonging, where we support one another and walk together in your light. Amen.

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! This is my 3rd year at St. Bernadette, and I look forward to strengthening the relationships with all those who touch the lives of our children and motivate them to do their best. The days ahead will be exciting and a little 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. David Tait and Mr. Joshua Goodwin, who have spent a great deal of time cleaning, organizing, and getting our school ready for the first day. The school looks wonderful!

Welcome & Congratulations to Our New Staff and Students

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new staff, returning staff, and students to the best school in Hamilton!

We are blessed to have a staff here at St. Bernadette that is truly exceptional. They are not only highly skilled and dedicated but also incredibly caring and loving. They are committed to nurturing and motivating our students to achieve their best. They continue to lead like Jesus and are excellent Catholic role models.

St. Bernadette 2025–26 Staff List

Administration

Mr. Lucio Iassogna – Principal
Mrs. Sarah Tardif – Secretary

Custodial Staff

Mr. Ovidio DiCesare – Day Custodian
Mrs. Helena Starcevic –Assistant Custodian
Mr. Dalibor Ergovic - Assistant Custodian

Specialty Staff

Ms. Katie Marino – S.E.R.T.
Mr. Michael DePaulo – PPT
Ms. Kelly Stevens – AIT Music
Ms. Carla Giacomelli – Language Resource, Reading Recovery & PPT
Ms. Kelly Byrne (New to Our School) – Teacher Librarian
Mrs. Shelli Eterno (New to Our School) – Library Clerical
Ms. Jeanine Lindley – Social Worker

Educational Assistants

Mrs. Heather Bucci
Mr. Brendon Patterson
Mrs. Elizaveta “Liza” Filonova
Mr. Elliott Carty (New to Our School)
Mr. Pat Consoli (New to Our School)

Lunchroom Supervisors

Mrs. Darlene Wayda – Spec. Ed. Lunchroom Supervisor
Mrs. Adair Sutton-Lewandowski – Lunchroom Supervisor
Ms. Nilufer Kuduraci– Lunchroom Supervisor

Classroom Teachers

Mrs. Aurea Clark (T) / Ms. Victoria Schreuer (ECE) (New to Our School) – ELKP (KA)
Mrs. Jestina Caiella (T) / Ms. Jackie Holmes (ECE) – ELKP (KB)
Mrs. Michelle Moutinho – 1A
Mrs. Taylor Morden – 1/2A
Mrs. Jackie Roe – 2/3A
Mrs. Nicole Ezekiel – 2A
Mrs. Laura Gambacourt (Mrs. Sarah Santosousso – LTO) – 4A
Mrs. Nicole Lomax (Ms. Mary Matjasevich – LTO) – 4/5A
Mr. Chris Piano (New to Our School) – 5/6A
Mrs. Leah Williams (Ms. Serena DeSantis – LTO) – 6A
Mr. Michael van der Zalm (Ms. L. Hermiz-LTO) – 7A
Mr. Matthew Smith – 8A
Mme Lisa Carey-Urban – French Core

School Bell Times

9:00 AM – Supervision begins on the outside yard
9:15 AM – School begins
11:05 AM – 1st Recess
12:00 PM – Lunch begins outside
12:25 PM – Students come inside to eat lunch
12:50 PM – Lunch ends
2:00 PM – 2nd Recess
3:35 PM – Dismissal

Important Information Regarding FDK Classes for the Upcoming Week

Year 2 Students (Week of September 2nd to 5th):
All Year 2 students are expected to attend school during the week of September 2nd to 5th, 2025. Regular classes will be in session.

Year 1 FDK Students (Staggered Start Dates):

Students whose last names begin with A to L will begin on Wednesday, September 3rd at 9:15 AM
Students whose last names begin with M to Z will begin on Thursday, September 4th at 9:15 AM
All Year 1 FDK students will attend school on Friday, September 5th

Supervision begins daily at 9:00 AM.

Anaphylaxis

At St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School, the safety and well-being of all students is our top priority. Some students have severe allergies, and even tiny amounts of certain foods can cause a serious, potentially life-threatening reaction.

To help keep everyone safe, we ask that parents and guardians:

Avoid sending foods containing nuts, eggs, shellfish, pine nuts, or sesame seeds into the classroom.
Ensure food is only eaten in designated areas, typically the classroom during lunch.
Reinforce hand washing and sanitizing before and after eating.
Remind children not to share or trade food, utensils, or containers.

Parents will be informed by email of any allergens specific to their child’s classroom. Cooperation with these guidelines is greatly appreciated to help us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

Final Note

We are still adding children to classrooms as I write this web update.. On Friday, August 29th, 2025, you will receive an email with your child’s class placement. A great deal of thought and care has gone into organizing the classrooms, and we look forward to welcoming you and your child on the first day of school!

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 reach their fullest potential.

Let’s make the 2025–2026 school year one of growth, joy, and success for all our students. .

Blessings,
Mr. Lucio Iassogna
Principal