St. Bernadette of Lourdes School

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes School — also known as St. Bernadette School — is a Catholic elementary school that includes three-year-old preschool through eighth grade. It is part of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes Parish, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

History

See footnote

On September 28, 1947, the Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. O'Brien, the founding pastor, celebrated the first Mass in the newly established parish of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. The Mass was celebrated in a home at 901 Foss Avenue that Father O'Brien purchased shortly after he received word from the Archdiocese that he would lead a new parish in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby Township.

On July 2, 1947, ground was purchased for the future parish buildings. In September 1947, a contract was signed for construction of the Auditorium Chapel. Those plans were later supplemented to provide two additional floors for school classrooms. The parish site was located between Turner and Harper Avenues and between Bond and Marvine Avenues.

On April 6, 1948, the School Sisters of Notre Dame accepted the challenge of forming the parish school. School opened for the first time in September 1948. Three Sisters of Notre Dame welcomed the first 127 students. The Sisters traveled back and forth daily from Villanova. There were six grades in the beginning and each sister taught two grades at a time. What was to become a great grade school rivalry was temporarily set aside, as for one year the school children of St. Dorothy's Parish occupied the third floor of the new building.

In 1951 both the convent and rectory buildings were completed. Sister Jeanne Finnegan and six Sisters of Notre Dame moved into the convent.

In March 1953, it was announced that permission was granted to St. Bernadette of Lourdes Parish to begin construction of the church building. On October 17, 1954, the Most Reverend John F. O'Hara, the new Archbishop of Philadelphia, consecrated and dedicated the Church of St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

Over the next 25 years, the number of parish members increased, as did enrollment in the school. While winning many scholastic honors and scholarships, several athletic programs were offered to both the girls and boys. The trophy case in the school reflects the talents of the children who participated in the many athletic teams. The principal school rivalry was on the football field between "Bernies" and "Dot's." After more than 50 years, the annual "Turkey Bowl" continues to draw more spectators than many of the local high-school games on Thanksgiving Day. It was not unusual to see fans of both schools lined two and three deep completely surrounding the gridiron at Melson's Tract, known today as Dermond Field.

In 1972 the Sisters of Notre Dame, who opened the school and began teaching in 1948, announced a change in their mission, which meant they would be leaving the school. While feeling great sadness at this news, students, parents, and parishioners were also filled with gratitude over the work they performed in starting the school and the standard of excellence they began in St. Bernadette School.

The Sisters of St. Joseph began teaching at the school in September 1972.

After 51 years of serving the faithful in various parishes, but particularly in founding and serving St. Bernadette Parish for more than 26 years, Monsignor O'Brien retired in 1975. For several years following his retirement, Monsignor O'Brien continued to be active in the parish, offering daily and Sunday Masses and assisting with the distribution of Holy Communion.

Monsignor O'Brien was succeeded by the Reverend George J. Dougherty, who had recently served as pastor at St. Martha's parish in Philadelphia.

1983 marked another change in the staffing of the school as the Sisters of St. Joseph announced they were leaving the parish and school. Soon after, it was announced that the school would be administered and staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis DeSales.

On November 6, 1986, at a special evening Mass, the United States Department of Education presented St. Bernadette School its "Excellence in Education" award. Sixty-eight thousand elementary schools throughout the nation were eligible for this award. St. Bernadette was one of only 272 schools chosen, one of only 60 non-public schools chosen, and one of only 34 Catholic schools nationwide chosen. St. Bernadette School was the only parochial school chosen in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the only parochial school chosen throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

In 1988 another change in the administration of the parish became necessary when poor health prompted Father Dougherty to ask the Archdiocese for help. Father William A. Wright was appointed parish administrator. In 1989, realizing that his health would not permit him to return as pastor, Father Dougherty retired. Cardinal Bevilacqua then named Father Wright as the third pastor of St. Bernadette Parish.

On December 24, 2008, Father Wright died after a battle with cancer. The Archdiocese appointed Reverend John J. Kelly, who arrived in February 2009 as pastor of St. Bernadette Parish.

Mission

The mission of St. Bernadette of Lourdes School is to provide an educational journey to excellence. It is the school's commitment to provide students with a safe, positive, and challenging environment that cultivates Catholic faith and values.

Partnership with parents and parish guides the education of the whole person: mind, body, and spirit, to maintain an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

St. Bernadette is dedicated to empowering students to meet the challenges and demands of their future lives.

Campus

The school is located in the middle of a residential area of Drexel Hill. Children in the 4-Year-Old preschool program and students in kindergarten through eighth grade attend school in the main school building, located on the corner of Bond and Turner Avenues.

The facility includes a gymnasium, student dining room, 2 wireless computer labs for instruction and research, a computerized library, an art room, a science lab, a television studio, and an in-house resource area for the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Theatrical productions and school concerts are conducted in O'Brien Hall, located in the lower level of St. Bernadette Church.

As of September 2010, children enrolled in Mother's Morning Out and the 3-Year-Old Preschool Program, as well as those who attend Lunch Bunch and CARES will attend these programs in the brand new "St. Bernadette Early Childhood Center" (formerly the Convent), located next to the main school building on Turner Avenue.

Students

There are 260 students currently enrolled in the 3-Year-Old preschool program through eighth grade. The average class size is 24. The school admits children of all races and creeds. Many children in the early childhood program remain in the school for first grade. Volunteers are present in the school, giving support to the efforts of the teachers. Teachers confer with parents on all significant aspects of the development of their child. Through their combined efforts, teachers and parents build a social setting which fosters religious, academic and personal development.

Curriculum and Methods

The school offers the full range of required curricular offerings mandated both by the state Department of Education and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The faculty offers these courses within the framework of a variety of teaching methods designed to meet the needs of students, as they live in today's society and prepare for high school. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are integrated into the mastery of the material.

Early Childhood

The school offers a three-year old and a four-year old program both in the morning and in the afternoon. The children are exposed to social activities such as sharing, caring for their personal belongings, following directions and working both individually and in small groups. They are progressively exposed through songs, stories and activities to phonetic sounds and simple vocabulary; through the medium of bright colors and stimulating movement and hands-on activities, they learn about their world.

Kindergarten

The progression continues in the kindergarten where parents have a choice between half and full day sessions. The kindergarten children learn to print their names; they begin simple reading readiness activities and math; they master counting and adding small numbers and cause and effect as well as sequencing; all of the activities at this level are meant to be fun and stimulating, while preparing them for the exciting world of first grade.

Primary Grades

The primary grades begin a thorough exposure to Integrated Language Arts activities through listening, speaking, reading and writing activities; they move forward in the math skills according to the guidelines for each grade level; as they progress through the grades, they receive more formal instruction in science and social studies.

Upper Grades

The students in the middle and upper classes continue to follow the curriculum specific to each grade level. As they progress through the grades, they are exposed to higher level thinking skills and more independent learning. Accelerated Math is available to students in grades seven and eight.

Programs Offered

Pre-school
  • Mother's Morning Out for 2-3 year-olds. (Diaper changing is offered). 9am - 11:30am Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays
  • Preschool for 4-year-olds, 9am -11:30am, for either: 5 days (Monday - Friday) or 3 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
  • Preschool for 3-year-olds, 9am - 11:30am. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (3 days)
  • Half or Full-Day Kindergarten. 8am -11:30am (Half-day) or 8am - 2:55pm (Full-day).
  • Lunch Bunch is offered to all Preschool and Half-Day Kindergarten Children, 5 days a week from 11:30am to either 1:30pm or 2:45pm. (Children who attend CARES will remain at Lunch Bunch until 3:00pm, when CARES begins.)
Grades 1 - 8
  • CARES, our after-school service, (3pm - 6pm) is available to all Preschool and Kindergarten students (beginning Sept. 2010), in addition to our students in grades 1-8.
  • An Early Morning CARES is being considered at this time for those families who need an early drop-off option (before 8am)

Technology

Internet access is offered in every classroom, weekly skills lessons, Interactive Smart Boards in all classrooms K - 8, and a computerized grading system which is accessible at all times by parents.

Additionally, administrators, faculty, and staff use email as well as web pages to communicate with parents.

Student Services

The school has services offered through the Intermediate Unit, providing the students with counseling, and both psychological and academic testing. In addition, a Reading Specialist is on staff to offer remedial or advanced classes to smaller groups of students. The school uses the Instructional Support Team model to work with parents in addressing individual needs of students.

Activities

Students participate in various activities, including (but not limited to):

  • Altar Servers
  • Band
  • Chorus
  • CYO Sports
  • Drama Club
  • Prayer Partners
  • Reading Club (grades 1-4)
  • Student Council
  • Student Service Club

Accreditation

The school was granted accreditation for the period of April 27, 2007 to May 30, 2014, by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Elementary Schools (pre-kindergarten through grade 8).

The Middle States Evaluating Team commended "the Principal, faculty, and staff for providing an environment that nourishes strong Catholic values integrated into the curriculum and life of the school". The faculty was commended "for creating an atmosphere of genuine love, respect, and concern which helps each child attain a healthy positive self-image".

Student Achievement

The students consistently score above average on annual standardized TerraNova tests. The graduating eighth-grade students are accepted into parochial and private high schools, with many receiving scholarships annually. Following graduation, many students excel in high school, often holding rankings in the top 10% or top ten students of their class. In the year 2009, two alumni ranked among the top ten students in their class. St. Bernadette graduates attend public high schools and the following private high schools:

  • Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (girls), Villanova
  • Archbishop Carroll High School, Radnor
  • Archbishop Prendergast High School (girls), Drexel Hill
  • Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield
  • Devon Preparatory School (boys), Devon
  • Malvern Preparatory School (boys), Malvern
  • Merion Mercy Academy (girls), Merion
  • Monsignor Bonner High School (boys), Drexel Hill
  • St. Joseph's Preparatory School (boys), Philadelphia

See also

  • Catholic schools in the United States