Principal Iassogna’s Welcome Message
Let me begin our 2026-27 school year with a prayer for our entire St. Bernadette community:
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we thank You for the gift of our St. Bernadette school community. Bless our students, families, teachers, and staff as we embark on a new year of learning and growth together. Help us to show kindness, respect, and understanding in all that we do. Give us the courage to face challenges, the wisdom to make good choices, and the compassion to support one another. May our school continue to be a place where faith, friendship, and learning flourish, and where everyone feels valued, safe, and welcomed. Guide us each day as we walk in Your light. Amen.
Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! This is my 4th year at St. Bernadette, and I am excited to continue building strong relationships with the students, families, and staff who make our school community so special. As we begin a new school year, there is always a sense of excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.
Throughout the summer, our staff worked diligently to prepare the school and classrooms for the return of our students. The learning spaces look outstanding, and I would like to thank all of our staff members for their hard work and dedication. A special thank you goes to Mr. DiCesare, whose efforts in cleaning, organizing, and preparing the building have helped ensure that our school is welcoming and ready for a successful start to the year. The school looks fantastic, and we are grateful for all he has done.
We look forward to a wonderful year of faith, learning, and growth together. God bless you and your families as we begin this new journey.
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
Custodial Staff
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. Mary Grunda (New to Our School) – Teacher Librarian
-
Mrs. Shelli Eterno Library Clerical
Educational Assistants
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. Kelly-Ann Gera (ECE) - ELKP (KA)
-
Mrs. Jestina Caiella (T) / Ms. Jackie Holmes (ECE) – ELKP (KB)
-
Mrs. Michelle Moutinho – 1/2A
-
Mrs. Jackie Roe – 2/3A
-
Mrs. Jaclyn Turner– 2A (New to Our School)
-
Mrs. Taylor Morden – 3A
-
Mrs. Laura Gambacourt – 4A
-
Mrs. Nicole Lomax 5A
-
Mr. Chris Piano 5/6A
-
Mrs. Leah Williams – 6A
-
Mr. Michael van der Zalm – 7A
-
Mr. Matthew Smith – 8A
-
Mme Lisa Carey-Urban – French Core
New Balanced Day School Bell Times
This year, after thoughtful discussion and planning, our staff has decided to implement a Balanced School Day schedule. This is the first year that St. Bernadette will be using this format. A Balanced School Day organizes learning into three longer instructional blocks, separated by two nutrition and activity breaks. Many schools across Ontario have successfully adopted this model because it provides students with longer periods of uninterrupted learning, increased opportunities for physical activity, and more time to eat nutritious meals. Schools that use a Balanced Day report improved student focus, concentration, and time on task, while teachers benefit from greater flexibility when planning lessons and learning activities. Students are often more energized throughout the day and experience fewer interruptions to their learning. We look forward to working together as we introduce this new schedule and monitor its positive impact on student well-being and achievement
-
9:00 AM – Supervision begins on the outside yard
-
9:15 AM – School begins
-
10:45 AM - First 40 minute Nutrition Break Begins (1st 20 minutes outside)
-
11:05 AM - Last 20 minutes of Nutrition Break inside for lunch/snacks
-
11:25 Am- First Nutrition Break Ends
-
1:25 PM – Second 40 minute Nutrition Break Begins (1st 20 minutes outside)
-
1:45 PM- Last 20 minutes of 2nd Nutrtion Break inside for lunch/snacks
-
2:05 PM- Second Nutrition Break Ends
-
3:35 PM – Dismissal
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.
Plans of Care for Students with Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes and/or Epilepsy
In alignment with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum No. 161 – Supporting Children and Students with Prevalent Medical Conditions (PPM 161), Ontario schools are required to have individual Plans of Care in place for students with each of the following prevalent medical conditions:
- Anaphylaxis;
- Asthma;
- Diabetes; and,
- Epilepsy.
Each Plan of Care contains individualized information on the student’s prevalent medical condition. This includes preventative strategies to reduce the risk of medical emergencies, daily routine management procedures, emergency response procedures, and emergency contact information. The Plan of Care assists staff in supporting the student’s health, safety, and well‑being while at school.
PPM 161 directs that Plans of Care are to be created, reviewed, and/or updated by parents/guardians in consultation with the principal or vice-principal during the first thirty school days of each school year and, as appropriate, throughout the school year when a student is newly diagnosed with a prevalent medical condition.
If your child has been diagnosed with anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and/or epilepsy, please complete the following steps by October 1st to ensure the required Plan(s) of Care are established for your child.
STEPS FOR PLAN OF CARE DEVELOPMENT
STEP 1: Inform the school.
Inform the school if your child has been diagnosed with a prevalent medical condition.
STEP 2: Initiate, complete and submit the required Plan(s) of Care for your child using the Board’s Aspen Parent/Family Portal.
Once your child’s medical condition(s) are on file at the school, initiate the required condition-specific Plan(s) of Care and complete and submit the following online forms for each Plan of Care:
- the Annual Request and Consent for Administration of Interventions & Emergency Medication Digital Form; and,
- the Plan of Care Digital Form.
Need Help?
The following resources provide information and guidance for completing and submitting a Plan of Care through the Board’s Aspen Parent/Family Portal:
STEP 3: Submit required Physician/Nurse Practitioner Authorization for the Administration of Emergency Medication Form(s) to the school’s main office.
Arrange to have your child’s physician or nurse practitioner complete the appropriate Physician/Nurse Practitioner Authorization for the Administration of Emergency Medication Form(s) for your child’s prevalent medical condition(s) and submit the completed form(s) to the school’s main office when:
- the school is first informed of your child’s prevalent medical condition; and,
- there are changes to your child’s condition and/or medication.
Links to the authorization forms are provided below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Entry Procedures
The safety of our students and staff continues to be a top priority at St. Bernadette. To help us maintain a safe and secure learning environment, we ask all visitors to follow our school entry procedures.
All visitors must enter through the front doors only. As part of our safety protocol, a buzzer system is in place. Please press the buzzer and clearly state the purpose of your visit before entering the school.
Once inside, please proceed directly to the main office, where you will be welcomed by our school secretary, Mrs. Tardif.
If your child arrives late, please bring them to the office. A staff member will ensure they are safely escorted to their classroom. For safety and security reasons, parents are asked not to enter classrooms, wander the hallways during school hours, or use the Daycare doors for school entry.
If you are dropping off a lunch, homework, or another item your child has forgotten at home, please leave it at the main office. We will make sure it gets to your child promptly.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation and support in following these procedures. By working together, we can help ensure that St. Bernadette remains a safe, welcoming, and secure place for all of our students.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Note
On Friday, September 4th, 2026, 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 2026–2027 school year one of growth, joy, and success for all our students. .
Blessings,
Mr. Lucio Iassogna
Principal