In Recognition of St. Bernadette School

Floor Speech

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the wonderful accomplishments of the St. Bernadette School.

St. Bernadette School, located in Northborough, Massachusetts, was recently named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Deeply rooted in Catholic ideals, St. Bernadette School strives to encourage intellectual curiosity, spiritual inspiration, and a high moral compass. Its rigorous academic program, commitment to Catholic values, and diverse student body has led the School to be called the `Flagship of the Diocese' by the Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester.

Since its founding in 1997, St. Bernadette School's enrollment has grown exponentially. The School's current body of approximately 500 students enables it to give students individual attention while holding them to high academic standards.

Through new initiatives, St. Bernadette School has incorporated technology into the learning process. Recently, the School has built a computer lab, a mobile Macintosh lab, and installed interactive whiteboards in every class room. An iPad program was also started in the 2012-2013 academic year, providing every student with additional learning opportunities. Foreign language programs are required at every grade level, in addition to pre-algebra and project-based learning initiatives. This diverse curriculum has resulted in many middle school students at St. Bernadette being selected to the Junior Honor Society, an organization that recognizes achievement in Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character and citizenship.

St. Bernadette also fosters community through its extra-curricular programs, hosting a variety of family-oriented events and fundraisers throughout the year. The Parent Guild hosts events such as Spree Day, Family Picnic, Walkathon, and more. The parents of St. Bernadette students also coach the school's sports teams, which include basketball, cross country, golf, ski, and track. In addition, students from grades 6-8 are divided into Houses, where they practice leadership and responsibility while planning communal outreach programs.

None of this would be possible without the work of the talented educators and staff members of St. Bernadette School. Principal Deborah C. O'Neil has demonstrated a passionate commitment to the success of her students. Time and time again, this has been exemplified through the School's consistent growth rate and track record of achievements.

I'm so proud to represent the faculty, students, and staff of St. Bernadette School, and I cannot wait to hear about their future successes. I ask you to join me in congratulating St. Bernadette School for being selected as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School.

Source