Bishop Guertin Updates

At 6:30 p.m. in the gym, the newest members of the Br. Euclid J. Beaumont Chapter of the National Honor Society will be inducted in front of family, friends, faculty and staff. 

The annual game of flag football held between the junior and senior girls on the backfield. 

Our Thanksgiving prayer service will be the kick off to our Christmas Giving Drive. This year we are partnering with Nashua Children's Home to give Christmas gifts to local children who would otherwise not be receiving gifts. A few things to note:

1. A student representative from each advisory will come forward during the prayer service on Monday to select a name from our "Giving Tree."

2. Encourage students to shop for the large items on the wish list. NCH has other volunteers who provide stocking stuffers so use your money for the wishlist items that are name brand and what the child is looking for. I am always happy to help if you need a shopper or someone to come in and talk to your advisory about the "why."

3. Gifts will need to be in by Wednesday, December 11. This will be our extended advisory with wrapping of the gifts and our amazing Christmas concert. 

Step aboard, mingle with friends, and enjoy breathtaking views of the skyline as you cruise through Boston Harbor!

Buses will depart Bishop Guertin at 4 p.m. and will leave Boston around 10 p.m. Your evening includes transportation, dinner, dancing, and DJ entertainment.

Appropriate attire is required. 

Gentlemen: pants and a polo or button-down shirt, ties are encouraged.
Ladies: dresses, skirts, or dress pants. For all: T-shirts, casual jeans, shorts, and sneakers are not allowed.

Please be reminded there is an area on the boat that is outside, please dress appropriately.

No classes. Enjoying the Holiday with your friends and families. 

Christmas performances from our talented student musicians in the KLC from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

Please join us for the 50th Annual Holly Day Fair on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair takes place at Bishop Guertin High School in the Br. John Collignon Gymnasium. This is one event you won’t want to miss!

At the fair enjoy the following:

• • Over 70 craft vendors

  • Homemade baked goods

  • Basket raffles

  • A penny table

  • and so much more!

  • To volunteer, please follow the link.  

Also, please consider donating a pre-made gift basket. Click here for a list of possible ideas

To purchase your BG cookbook or special holiday ornament, please visit: https://www.bghs.org/holly-day-fair/ 

Description: On Saturday, December 9 from 7-9 p.m., Bishop Guertin will hold the 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Competition. Teams of four, provided all with the same materials, will compete to construct the best gingerbreadcreation! Teams will have two hours to construct their gingerbread creation. Completed creations will be put on display for a period of time and will be “voted on” by the school community. 

When: Saturday, December 9 from 7-9 p.m.

Where: BG Cafe

Who: There is a limit of 50 teams who can sign up (No exceptions). 

Prizes: Cash prizes! The winning team will be awarded $400, the second place team will be awarded $200, and the third place team will be awarded $100.

• Information regarding how to order caps and gowns for the 2025 Commencement: https://jostens.co/bggrad25

Dear Parents of the Class of 2025,

With fingers crossed and hopeful anticipation the FAFSA is slated to open on December 1. As you may know, last year this Free Application for Federal Student Aid – the most important form to fill out if families of college bound students are hoping for financial assistance was delayed last year by many months. This was after a long and arduous overhaul of the form that was designed to support families more effectively through this process and provide a more open algorithm for financial aid. All of this ultimately happened, but not as timely as both the colleges and the applicants were comfortable with. This year there has been a BETA roll-out and from all indications it went well and is ready to go. The hope being the opening of the FAFSA will be both timely and effective and available soon. So, fingers crossed.

Financial Aid officers from across the country are doing their best to help prepare families for this process. Beth Maglione, interim president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators advises families to prepare by setting up a studentaid.gov account, gathering personal and tax information, documenting financial records, and listing schools. This is good advice and will assist in helping complete the FAFSA seamlessly.

Many parents ask the BG Counselors, "should we even apply? I don’t think we will get any aid. My other student in college didn’t get any so why should we?"  

The answer to these questions is a resounding YES! Many colleges will not award merit aid, work study money, or other opportunities if they do not see a FAFSA on file. There is never any harm in filling it out.

FAFSA is crucial for accessing federal aid, including grants that do not require repayment. It also is the application for a low interest government loan that can increase as students move through their college years. It is well worth the time filling out the form.

We are fortunate to have partners to help our BG families complete the FAFSA. Below you will find helpful websites to assist you. As always feel free to reach out to me or your student’s counselor with any questions you may have. 

Granite Edvance  

https://graniteedvance.org/

FAFSA

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)

https://www.mefa.org/

Sallie Mae

https://www.salliemae.com/

Remember to contact the Financial Aid offices at the colleges your student has applied to – they can be extremely helpful.

Wishing you the best of luck through this process,

Brenda Poznanski

Sr. Director of School Counseling and Admission

The Bishop Guertin Medical Professionals Club is seeking volunteer speakers to come in and address club members about their chosen profession.

Interested guest speakers can reach out Mrs. Crivac to discuss.

The following dates are open for speakers:

• January 17 and 24 

• February 14 and 21

• March 14 and 28

• April 11

• May 8

During the 2024-2025 school year, Bishop Guertin will continue to offer morning transportation using the school's minibuses.  The cost for the entire year is $850.

The following bus routes will be available this year:

(Times listed after each stop are approximate for bus arrival.)

East Route

• • Bishop Guertin High School

  • Market Basket Old Ferry Rd, Lowell, MA, USA 6:10am

  • Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Bridge Street, Dracut, MA, USA 6:25am

  • Hannaford, Bridge Street, Pelham, NH, USA  6:35am

  • Icenter Salem, Lowell Road, Salem, NH, USA 6:45am

  • Shaw's, Indian Rock Road, Windham, NH, USA 6:55am

  • The White Birch Catering and Banquet Hall, Hudson NH  7:10am

  • Bishop Guertin High School 7:20am

North Route

• • Bishop Guertin High School

  •  Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, NH, USA    6:50am

  •  Los Primos Mexican Restaurant, Amherst Road, Merrimack, NH, USA    7:05am

  •  Bishop Guertin High School    7:15-7:20am

West Route

• Bishop Guertin High School

•  Market Basket, Jones Road, Milford, NH, USA 6:10am

•  NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, Route 13, Brookline, NH, USA  6:20am

•  Hannaford, Main Street, Townsend, MA, USA   6:35am

•  Pepperell Community Center       6:50am

•  Bishop Guertin High School   7:15-7:20am

To register for the 2024-25 BG Morning Bus Routes, please click this link and select the "STUDENT TRANSPORTATION BUS ROUTES" drop-down menu to complete the form.

The Nashua School District offers transportation to students residing in Nashua. 

If interested in this option, you can reach the office of transportation at 603-966-1055. To register your student in person, you can visit their offices located at 144 Ledge Street in Nashua.

Based on numbers, students in the mornings will ride their neighborhood high school bus to either Nashua North or South, and will then take a shuttle bus from there to Bishop Guertin. In the afternoon, buses will leave Bishop Guertin at 3:30 PM to drop students off near their home.

Our daily schedule is unchanged from last year.  Please refer to the printable daily schedule.  The letter designation and schedule of each day is published on the MyBG calendar. 

We will continue allowing students to be dismissed by parents when they have an academic period (study hall) during the last period of the day.  Near the start of school, you will see a survey in MyBG to give your permission for your son/daughter to check out of end-of-day academic period.  Students who have received parental permission may report to academic period and check out with the teacher.  It is expected that students who are dismissed early will leave campus directly and are not to congregate around the school (in locker rooms, the gymnasium, cafeteria, etc.).  If a student stays in school, the student must remain in study hall.

Please note that early dismissals due to a final-period study will not begin until a formal announcement is made.

Please refer to our 2024-2025 Calendar-at-a-Glance for details regarding key dates during the year. 

Our dress code for the school year will remain largely the same with a refocus and emphasis on some of the already existing guidelines. 

Mainly, gentlemen will continue to tuck-in their polo shirts and ladies will be expected to wear knee-high green, black, or navy blue socks when choosing to wear a skirt. Students will not be allowed to wear white athletic socks with their uniforms. The appropriate socks are made available at Red Brick Clothing both online and in store. 

As always, please review the official dress code copied below from the 2024-25 Student-Parent Handbook.

FEMALE DRESS CODE

Female students wear: a Bishop Guertin oxford blouse, a Bishop Guertin skirt or business professional pants, closed toe shoes of leather or suede upper and hard sole. Female students who choose to wear a skirt must abide by the following: (1) skirts should be worn with either knee-high green, black, or navy blue socks, or tights/nylons and (2) skirts should not be rolled or hemmed and should rest no higher than a student ID card above the knee.

Hair must be neatly kept and a naturally occurring hair color. Piercings are limited to traditional earlobe piercings. Traditional headbands and hair ties are allowed. An official Bishop Guertin sweater or solid-color blazer may be worn. Polo shirts are allowed between April 1 and October 31, unless a formal event is scheduled during the school day.

MALE DRESS CODE

Male students wear: a tucked-in Bishop Guertin oxford shirt, a tie, Dockers-style pants, a belt, dress shoes of leather or suede upper and hard sole, and dress socks. Hair must be a naturally occurring color, neatly kept, and off the collar. 

Ponytails, buns, and piercings are not permitted. Neatly trimmed facial hair is acceptable. No earrings or visible jewelry may be worn. An official Bishop Guertin sweater or a solid-color blazer may be worn. Polo shirts are allowed between April 1 and October 31, unless a formal event is scheduled during the school day. When worn, polo shirts must be tucked in.

Bishop Guertin High School partners with StudySix to bring international students to study here at school and to experience life in the United States.  The program depends on good host families, but StudySix is finding that host families are in short supply.  If you or someone you know would like to welcome international students into your home, please consider supporting the experience of these students.

Host families are given a monthly stipend of $1,100 per student. Students will arrive around August 16th or 17th.  

Please contact Mr. Casey Henry if you are interested in learning more about hosting.

We are seeking families to host visiting students from Les Chartreux School in Lyon, France from  March 25 to April 8, 2025. The annual exchange between the two schools will begin in March and continue in June with the departure of BG students for France. (Dates are still in development but tentatively June 10-24). We are in need of host families in mid-spring for the first half of this exchange.

While the Les Chartreux students here, they will attend classes at BG, visit local sites, and, most importantly, stay with BG families to practice their English and see what life is like in an American family. 

·      Students are occupied during the day, with host families spending time with them in the evening and on weekends. 

·      The students speak English well, and no French is needed in the home.

·      Hosting a student would allow your student further exposure to French language and culture as well as help the French student adjust. 

HERE you will find a link to the application to host. It also contains information about the France part of the exchange.

Students who host will also have priority to apply for the France trip. If you have or know students who would be interested in hosting and/or traveling to France, please pass this information along. There is no requirement to study or speak French to participate as a host or traveler. 

If you have questions or would like more information, please contact French Teacher Elsa Conrad (conrade@bghs.org). If you would like to host, complete a copy of the form and return it (paper or electronic version). 

Final Information and prices for the France visit will be available shortly.

Textbook information is available at the bookstore page. This page also includes information about summer reading.  Students should be sure to order all textbooks in advance and be attentive to their summer reading.  They will be assessed and graded at the start of school.

Throughout the school year, Mrs. Prunier and Mrs. Daly will send an email to parents and members of the Class of 2028 as part of the Cardinal Steps for Success program. This endeavor is aimed at helping first-year Cardinals better acclimate themselves to BG and the high school curriculum. Although there is a regular email with this information, you can also check THIS SITE to stay up-to-date on all Cardinal Steps for Success correspondences. 

COVID is a respiratory illness with symptoms that may include runny nose, sore throat, headache, and in some cases fever, diarrhea and vomiting.  Symptoms may be mild or severe.

If your child has a fever, vomiting and/or diarrhea, please keep them home until asymptomatic for twenty-four hours without fever reducing medication.  

Masking is optional and they may return when they are feeling well enough to be in school for the day.

You do not need a negative test to return to school.

Daily mass will resume it's usual 7 a.m. start time in the BG Chapel again. Students, faculy, staff and parents are all invited to attend this service befor the start of the school day.

Brother Roger

Returning for the 2024-25 school year is our student-run podcast. Re-branded as "The Redbird Report," this weekly podcast offers listeners information on all the happenings around Bishop Guertin, including upcoming athletics events as well as a look at the academic calendar for the week ahead.

You can find "The Redbird Report" on both Apple and Spotify. 

The Bishop Guertin Counseling Department hosts an online webinar aimed at better understanding adolescent behavior.

Dear Parent,

I hope that you have enjoyed your summer!

With the school year approaching quickly, this site provides a variety of Back-to-School information.  One of our goals for the year is to streamline and improve communication about upcoming events and opportunities.  This page will replace and summarize many of the individual emails and reminders that have been sent in the past.  When an email is sent, its information will be added to this site.  Please be sure to bookmark it!

There is a great deal of information to share as school begins.  Thank you for taking some time to review the details below.  I will highlight some critical topics, and then you will find additional information below about specific events and back-to-school information.

Welcomes and Farewells

We are excited to welcome several new partners in the mission.  Joining our faculty are Dr. Dylan Guerin (Science), Mrs. Jeannette Riendeau (English), Mrs. Lauren Romanauskas (Science), and Ms. Katina Smith (Social Studies).

We wish all the best to Mrs. Melanie Cole (Math), Dr. Alexandra Courchesne (Science), Mr. Mark Phillips (Social Studies), and Mrs. Dana Stangel-Plowe (English) as they pursue their next professional and personal chapters.

Traffic Flow - Pickup and Drop-off

Students being dropped off in the morning will enter by the Gym and/or Field House entrances at the end of the loop in the front of the school.  

• Please do not stop at the start of the loop to drop off.  

• Please do not pick up or drop off the back parking lot between 7:15-7:40 or between 2:30-3:00. 

During afternoon pick-up, we must keep Lund Road and Almont Street clear of queued traffic waiting to enter the loop.  Parents should not line up at the side of Lund Road by the tennis courts or along Almont Street, as these areas block the visibility of students exiting the parking lot. 

From both a traffic and educational standpoint, there are benefits to a later pick-up time, allowing students to become involved in clubs and activities, socialize with peers, or seek assistance from teachers.  Students may also work quietly on homework in the library or cafeteria.  Picking your student up later, rather than at the bell, will save you time spent waiting, reduce congestion on campus, and help your son/daughter to connect with the school community.  Similarly, the school is open early in the morning and many students value the opportunities afforded by arriving early.

Student Drivers and Safety

Students driving to school will park in designated spots and enter through the cafeteria or locker rooms.  

There is significant concern by neighbors, the city, and the police about student (and adult) drivers in the vicinity of the school.  As discussed below, students who drive to school are committing to safe driving in and around campus.  All student drivers are expected to drive courteously and safely in the vicinity of the school.  Students are expected to avoid aggressive or obnoxious driving behaviors in the neighborhood - speeding, loud music, etc. - as these disrupt our neighbors.  Student drivers may drive on Lund Road and Almont Street but may not use the side streets (Forest Park, Fairlane, Knollwood, Alder, etc.) unless their car is parked there.

Parking on campus is limited and is a privilege.  A single incident of irresponsible driving reported to the school is likely to result in the revocation of parking privileges.   Parking fees will not be refunded and our limited parking spaces will be reassigned to drivers who can meet the agreed-upon expectations.  Students who park in the neighborhood are held to the same expectations.

See additional details below about parking registration.

Substance-Free Pledge

We remind you about (1) the Substance Free Pledge and (2) the Drug and Alcohol Policy (p. 20 of the student handbook) to which you and your student have agreed.  These rules apply 24/7/365, in school and out of school.  The use of drug, tobacco, or alcohol products is always a violation of our policy, even if they are used in a locality that has legalized them. It is also important to note that "vaping," the use of electronic vaporizing devices, is a violation of the Substance Free Pledge and school policies.  These devices deliver THC and nicotine and expose students to a much higher concentration of these drugs than traditional cigarettes.  The higher concentrations are now being found to have significant developmental impacts on young people.  

We encourage your family to review the policies to which you have agreed and to discuss your family's expectations around the use of substances.  Clear research demonstrates the susceptibility of young people to addiction.  We now know that teenage "experimentation" is not as harmless as was thought in the past; many lifelong addictions start during the teenage years.  In short, significant hazards exist, and these can cause lifelong and life-altering impacts.  We ask for your support and partnership in setting clear boundaries per your agreement with the school.  The school will provide resources and information whenever possible.

Social Media and Phones

Another issue that requires your support is social media and phone use.  Often, social media is behind issues of mental health, anxiety, sleep deficits, bullying, and academic difficulty.  Last year, a majority of the school's incidents involving bullying and unkind behavior involved social media in some way.  Our Digital Citizenship Policy (p. 21 of the student handbook) outlines expectations and also limitations on the school's ability to be the arbiter of social media activity.  As a parent, you ultimately own the digital device and can monitor or set parameters on the use of social media outside of school.

All parents should be aware of the work of Jonathan Haidt (see his recent book, The Anxious Generation, his blog, or his recent interview on the Huberman Podcast, among others) on the impact of phones and social media.  Dr. Haidt advocates convincingly for schools that are phone free.  Bishop Guertin has maintained a no-phones-in-class position for well over a decade.  Phones will be confiscated by teachers or staff members if seen in the academic wings of the building.  We do allow students to check phones during lunch.  We ask for your support of this rule by not contacting your student during their classes and by supporting our enforcement of this rule as we strive to offer "the gift of focus" to our students.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The past two years have brought substantial developments in artificial intelligence.  Our mission as a school is to educate and form competent individuals who will change the world in a compassionate and ethical manner.  We believe that doing so will continue to require well-developed reasoning, critical thinking, reading, writing, and mathematical skills.  Individuals with these skills will be able to intelligently utilize AI as a generative tool to maximize their impact rather than simply being consumers of AI content.  Your son/daughter's teachers will be communicating expectations and boundaries around the use of AI in their classes.  The administration will support teachers in holding students accountable for meeting expectations, and for any academic dishonesty that occurs.  We ask for the help of parents in reminding students of the benefits of going through the learning process and building the necessary skills, rather than seeking shortcuts.

School Safety and Mental Health

School safety remains a nationwide concern.  On an ongoing basis, we review our safety procedures in light of "lessons learned" from recent tragedies, receive training and guidance from supportive local law enforcement representatives, and implement safety upgrades here at school.  Safety is an extremely high priority for us as the physical safety and sanctuary of our school is essential to everything we do.

While we are always looking to protect the school facility, the best defense against violent incidents is an awareness of those who may be struggling in our community.  Our mission of ensuring that every student is known, valued, and treasured is the most essential protection that we offer.  Every community member - including parents and students - plays a significant role.  If you see or hear something that doesn't seem right to you, do not hesitate to reach out confidentially to a school counselor, administrator, or any adult at school.  Please reinforce the importance of this attentiveness to your son or daughter.  With your help, we hope to intervene in a supportive way prior to an incident where a student might harm self or others.

We know that mental health is closely linked to incidents of school violence.  Our school counselors are trained to assist with mental health concerns and may be used as a source of recommendations and referrals if your student needs mental health support or assistance.

Goal Setting 

The beginning of the school year is an excellent opportunity for students to reflect upon their goals for the year.  It is often helpful for students to consider questions such as these:

• What are my academic goals for the coming year? 

• What are my longer-term goals (college, career, etc.), and how can I advance towards these goals?

• What are the important priorities for my time?  What should I spend more time doing?  What are time-wasting activities that I should avoid?

• What qualities do I seek in my friends, and which of my friends help me to be a better person?  Which of my friends detract from my goals?

• What are some new activities that I can pursue, or some existing talents that I can develop?

• What are the boundaries that I can decide now so that I don't slip into bad decisions later (eg. work habits, sleep, social media, gaming, harmful substances, relationships, etc.)?

We hope that you will encourage this discussion at home as we start the school year.  In particular, creating and posting written goals makes it more likely that the goals will be achieved.  August always represents a blank slate, and is a good opportunity to set broad goals for the upcoming year.  Consider setting a weekly time to review progress towards these goals.  

Partnership and Communication

As is my habit, I close with some thoughts about partnership and communication.

Our partnership starts with respectful and constructive communication to the appropriate individuals.  For your convenience, please reference our "key contact" list (p. 36 of our student handbook) to guide you if you need to reach out.  Generally, the individual listed with each topic will be the best person to resolve the matter and is empowered to make any decisions that are necessary, or can connect you with the best resource(s) as needed.

Often, the best way to communicate about routine issues is via email.  All Bishop Guertin faculty and staff members have email addresses corresponding to last name + first initial @bghs.org (eg. "strnistej@bghs.org").  Teachers and staff members check their email daily when school is in session.  In general, you can expect a response time of 24 business hours.  In case of an urgent issue or emergency, please call the school.  Just as we educate our students, we ask that any email to the school identify the student and any context so that we can respond fully and correctly.  Teachers and staff members will send information to students via their student email accounts, and students are responsible for this information, so please encourage and remind your son/daughter to establish a routine of checking email daily.

When problems arise, we recommend that the student be guided to resolve most situations on their own.  Self-advocacy skills are critical in preparation for college and life.  However, if you sense that a matter may be beyond your son or daughter's ability to resolve on his/her own, do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher, coach, or school counselor before a concern grows into a larger issue.  When significant challenges arise, we all share the same high hopes for your child, and "we must work together." (- Br. John Louis Collignon, early BG Principal)

Welcome!  Thank you for your attention to all of the above information, and most importantly, for the trust that you have placed in us.  We are honored to collaborate with you in the formation of your daughters and sons and look forward to an outstanding 2024-25 school year!  Please be sure to review the information below about upcoming events.

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste
Principal
strnistej@bghs.org

Dear Parent,

The school year is off to a great start.  Teachers and staff members have been pleased with the level of engagement of the Cardinals, both in the classroom and in activities.  There is a positive energy in the building.  Our athletic teams and activities are already off and running, and we celebrate our Back-to-School Liturgy on Wednesday.

On Friday of last week, we held our opening assembly and spoke with students about expectations and about our school theme for the year.  This year’s theme is The Road Less Traveled - The Cardinal Way.  The theme is inspired by Robert Frost’s poem about choosing paths in life.  It reminds students that, by choosing to be Cardinals, they have committed to a path that is unique, challenging, and rewarding but also difficult and counter-cultural at times.

Our students, like their generation as a whole, face many challenges.  For instance:

• A recent Gallup survey of Gen Z found that 79% of surveyed students felt optimistic about the future and 68% plan to attend college.  This is good news.  However, only 51% nationwide felt prepared for the future, only 22% felt very prepared to succeed in college, and only 46% felt challenged positively by their current schoolwork.  Data on national college outcomes verify this lack of preparation.  Upon arrival in college, around 2-in-10 students do not return for a second year.  Only 4-in-10 will complete college in four years and only 6-in-10 will complete a degree in six years.  

• Author Jonathan Haidt, in The Anxious Generation, has outlined alarming statistics about teen mental health, presenting increases in mental illness, anxiety, self-harm, sadness, and socialization since the start of the 2010s, when the “phone-based” childhood became prevalent.  About 1-in-3 girls and 1-in-10 boys has experienced a major depressive episode in the last year.  Loneliness is up and socialization is down; fewer students are taking on “adult” responsibilities such as working or driving.  These trends go beyond COVID - they were already in progress long before 2020.

• Less talked about, the educational and workplace environment is changing.  Nationwide grade inflation in high schools and a move away from standardized testing, along with legal developments, soaring costs, and ideological confusion at colleges have left many colleges and universities unable to articulate what “preparation” means and unable to identify top applicants.  Many colleges have lowered their standards in the classroom.  This summer, the Advanced Placement Program announced that it was boosting scores in some of the more difficult AP courses because the corresponding college courses were now easier.  It may be easier to get a “5” in AP Chemistry, but just as a dollar loses value during economic inflation, the value of effort and achievement is diminished when academic inflation makes it harder for the hardest working and most capable students to stand out.

• The stakes for the future seem higher.  Our students are surrounded by divisive and dysfunctional politics, along with institutions and media that don’t live up to responsibilities, social media that manipulates them, national and international conflict, and uncertainty about the future.  Our students know that the future will demand a great deal from them, at the same time that they see the society’s expectations are being lowered and the path is more confusing.  

The list above can seem overwhelming.  I don’t point it out to reinforce the message, but to contradict it.  In fact, the above challenges are often shared as some reasons why families choose Bishop Guertin.  If the above represents our culture, we strive (however imperfectly) to be counter-cultural here at school.  We believe that these trends are not destiny for our students but challenges to be overcome.  Those who learn how to do so will be the transformational leaders of the future and that is what we prepare our students to become.

In our theme, we remind our students that the road is challenging, and that by attending BG, they are opting out of an often-easier path.  However, they are gaining skills and habits that will allow them to contribute their talents in the future.  In introducing our theme, we identified three specific ways in which students can embrace the Cardinal Way:

1. EMBRACE CHALLENGES - Seek out and embrace greater challenges.  Recognize the value in the paths that are hard.  Develop skills to build capacity.  Don’t avoid situations that pose a challenge, but embrace the concept of “YET” - “I haven’t learned this skill YET; I haven’t made the team YET; I haven’t accomplished this goal YET.”  Research has shown that this simple change in phrasing can yield measurable differences in achievement.  Too many students underestimate their capabilities.

2. TAKE OWNERSHIP - As a school, we push students toward challenges but do so in a supportive environment where every student is “known, valued, and treasured.”  This creates a sanctuary from the stresses of the society and a safe place to succeed, fail, and grow.  Every student carries part of the responsibility for this environment, whether through their own respectful and compassionate actions as well as not being a bystander to behaviors that undermine it.  We can be different here, but it takes the effort of every student and teacher.

3. BE GRATEFUL - Today, despite all the challenges that exist, we enjoy the greatest prosperity, opportunity, and freedom of anyone who has ever lived, but that comes due to the investment and sacrifice of generations that preceded us.  Every student at BG has been supported by his/her family in being here.  To those who are given much, much is expected.  A sense of gratitude creates a sense of commitment to building upon the prior contributions of others.

If our students choose to embrace these ideas, they are ultimately demonstrating their FAITH that there is purpose and meaning to their lives.  This is not an easy path - thus, the “road less traveled.”  By traveling along the Cardinal Way, we encourage our students to maintain these positive mindsets and habits as an alternative to the long list of challenges that exist.  

Every day, the Cardinals impress us with their intelligence, resourcefulness, and compassion.  We recognize that we will need much from them in the future, but we also trust that they are capable of becoming individuals who can meet these challenges.  This year’s theme reminds them of their potential to do so.

Thank you for your support and trust!

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste
Principal
strnistej@bghs.org

Dear Parent,

I hope that the month of September has started smoothly and that your son or daughter has settled into a routine for the year.  

Today, I am providing some information about safety and emergency planning - both our plans as a school and also ways that you can help to support the safety of the school community.  In the wake of tragedies that have made the news over the years, school safety has emerged as a prominent concern for educators, parents, and students.  It is a top priority at Bishop Guertin High School.

There are several layers of protection that we rely upon as a school - (1) proactive prevention, (2) campus safety, and (3) response to an incident.

1.  PROACTIVE PREVENTION

The first, and best, way to protect the school community is to prevent an incident from occurring in the first place.  A high percentage of incidents of violence in schools involve present or past members of that school community.  With each school tragedy comes the realization that signs were missed or ignored along the way.  Every member of the Bishop Guertin community has responsibility for prevention.  

If you notice a sign that makes you uncomfortable – something in your own son or daughter, something said by a friend, something you read on social media or hear in the community – we implore you to share it with a counselor or administrator so that they can provide assistance to the individual while ensuring that the school community remains safe.  This might apply to threats or to concerns about mental well-being.  Remember that taking this courageous step may save lives.  The school takes reports of threats or other concerns seriously and follows up with the student or family, as well as appropriate public safety and community partners.

In the bigger picture, an attentive and loving community with a sense of mission, where every student feels known, valued, and treasured, is not only our mission as a school, but also a critical strategy in preventing the worst-case scenarios from occurring.

2.  CAMPUS SECURITY

Next, we have worked to maximize the security of the campus.  The Brothers of the Sacred Heart have always valued openness and hospitality, but the modern reality has forced us to transition over time to a locked building.  As you visit the school this year, you will note signage emphasizing the fact that all entrances, except the main entrance, are closed during school hours.  Students have been asked not to “prop” doors open and reminded not to let individuals into the school.  When entrances are open due to school programming, they are monitored.  We ask parents and other guests to sign in at the main entrance and receive a visitor badge if you come into the school.  Thank you for your patience with these requirements - they help us to ensure that all individuals within the building have a reason to be there.

We are always seeking ways to upgrade our security.  The New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security, Nashua Police Department, Nashua Fire Department, and U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) audit our facility to help us identify areas to improve.  In the last year, we have upgraded our door locking and access control systems to enhance our ability to keep the building secure.  Recent years have brought upgrades to our radios, door locks, security cameras, phone systems, cybersecurity, and platforms for communicating with parents.  We have a strong suite of safety cameras in place to ensure that entrances, outdoor spaces, and common areas of the school can be monitored for any incident.  The quality of this coverage is an important deterrent to routine incidents - trespassing, vandalism, theft - and can also alert us to a hazard that occurs in or around the school.  We continue making investments in our campus-wide security.

Much as with our prevention strategies, we rely upon our community members to notice and advise us of issues involving our security.  If you see an individual on campus who does not appear to belong there, or if you notice that a door is propped open, we urge you to reach out.

3.  RESPONSE TO AN INCIDENT

Finally, we are prepared to respond to an incident if it occurs.  Our emergency plans include acts or threats of violence, weather or environmental hazards, medical emergencies, and a variety of other situations.  Our faculty and staff receive training in responding to emergencies, with additional workshops scheduled for the early months of this school year.  

Over the years, in collaboration with the Nashua Police Department, Nashua Fire Department, and Nashua Office of Emergency Management, as well as state and federal agencies and their guidance, we have aligned our emergency responses and terminology to those used throughout the City of Nashua.  We are confident in the response time and readiness of our local police and fire departments, who can generally arrive at campus within just a few minutes.  Just this summer, a false lockdown alert in the evening triggered a significant police response, leaving us impressed by the urgency with which our local responders treated an off-hours summertime incident.

In the event of a “worst case” active threat on campus, Bishop Guertin utilizes an “avoid, deny, defend” philosophy (sometimes called "run/hide/fight").  This means that students and staff are first encouraged to avoid the threat by getting out of sight, moving out of hallways and other open areas, and even leaving the building if they believe that they can get away from the threat.  The easiest way to deal with the threat is to get away from it.  Their next priority is to deny access to their location by locking doors or barricading spaces.  Finally, individuals must strategize how their space could be defended if necessary if escape is not possible.

You can expect that Bishop Guertin will conduct drills and practice of emergency responses so that students and staff are familiar with what they might hear or need to do in an emergency.  We know that school safety topics can cause anxiety for many students and adults.  Any active threat drills will include a clear statement that it is a drill situation.  The intent of the drills will be for the teacher and class to rehearse how they would secure their space, and also to discuss how and when they would leave the space to avoid a threat. 

Please note that there are a variety of response actions.  For instance, a “clear hallways” alert is called in case of a maintenance or medical situation, and does not constitute a risk to the school as a whole.  

In emergencies, we use the same system used to announce weather-related cancellations to send text messages, emails, or voice messages to parents with updates about a situation.  When a drill occurs, you will receive a notification through this system.  Please be sure that your emergency contact information in MyBG is updated so that you receive these messages.

As a parent, how can you help in an emergency?

In an emergency, all of the focus of school staff and responders will first be on keeping the students safe and addressing the emergency.  This is the first priority.  

Communication will be our next priority.  The school will communicate with you as soon as the immediate situation is controlled and will coordinate dismissal and/or reunification at a safe time and place.

Several years ago, Bishop Guertin entered a "shelter-in-place" due to a police pursuit that extended onto the campus.  The switchboards at school and at the police department were inundated with calls, creating a significant challenge to communication.  While your parental instinct upon hearing of an emergency will be to call or come to the school, this is counterproductive to the safety of students.

In an emergency situation:

• Please do not call the school or emergency agencies unless you have firsthand information to share.  In an emergency, the office staff will be focused on communicating with emergency responders and cannot respond to non-essential calls.  The same is true of the police and fire dispatchers – lines must be kept open for responders to the emergency itself.  Obviously, if you have firsthand information pertaining to the emergency and the safety of students, you should not hesitate to reach out.  

• Please do not use social media and rumors as official information sources.  Speculation and rumors tend to spin out of control and escalate any situation.  The school and relevant agencies will communicate accurate information as soon as it is available.

• Please do not come to campus unless instructed.  In a serious situation, it is likely that vehicle access will be limited.  Responders will need to get to the school while avoiding congestion. 

• Finally, do not call your student, as this could compromise their safety if their phone rings while they are in an avoid/deny mode.  Additionally, limited cellular coverage can be overwhelmed by many calls in the same area - use text messages instead. 

Again, the goal is to avoid needing to implement these procedures.  I will close by reminding you of the important role that you can play in avoiding any sort of tragedy.  Our first goal must be to prevent a harmful situation from occurring in the first place.  Prevention is our best protection and we rely on you.

Thank you for taking the time for these considerations.  While we wish that we did not need to think about safety in this way, these concerns do exist as realities.  We have an obligation to our students to ensure that we are prepared. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste

Principal

strnistej@bghs.org

Dear Parent,

I hope that you and your student(s) have enjoyed a terrific start to the school year.  Here at school, there has been a great deal of positivity and enthusiasm as students are getting up to speed in classes, engaging in extracurricular activities, and participating in school and class events.

The activity level of our school community is impressive as so many come together during their free time to participate actively.  Consider the past two Saturdays alone.  On September 7, the vast majority of our freshmen traveled to Franconia Notch, hiking the Flume Gorge and spending time at Echo Lake.  It was a beautiful day that brought bonding and fellowship.  That evening, the student body turned out in huge numbers to support the football team and contributed to pediatric cancer research by buying and wearing Project Blackout t-shirts and honoring friends and family who have battled cancer.  

On September 14, we had our best-ever sophomore participation in the annual class trip to Boston, which included a ride through Boston Harbor on 'Codzilla,' a high-speed passenger boat.  That same morning, Mrs. Poznanski presented the first session of our new College Admissions 101 program, sharing her deep expertise in the college admissions process with parents.

This activity level is not just limited to the weekends. Last week, we had excellent turnout at our Back-to-School Night, where parents met their son/daughter’s teachers.  Teachers commented on the great spirit of partnership and support as they connected names and faces.  We also held a club fair, which showcased the many extracurricular offerings available to students.  The week before, parents of seniors heard details about navigating the college process at our College Info Night for the Class of 2025.  We constantly see parents working behind the scenes in our athletic or music programs to help create a positive experience for the students.

Also last week, we were proud to send Mr. Fitzgibbons and Ms. Gillis to Manchester to receive our two “Best of the 603” awards (4th consecutive as Best High School and 3rd consecutive as Best Private School).  These honors are a testament to the strong engagement and participation of our school community.  Many Cardinals and friends of the school turn out to vote for us.  As I told the students in announcing the award, this sort of recognition is something we must strive to earn and live out every day in working towards excellence in all areas.

What drives this sense of excellence?  I believe it gets back to the “tale of two Saturdays” above.  Our mission gives us the foundation.  Without outstanding academics - great educators and high expectations - we couldn’t prepare students for their next steps.  But the next layer - voluntary involvement - creates shared purpose and a sense of community.  This community is critical to an environment where students are pushed and challenged, while also supported and cared about, and it is essential to our partnership in educating them.  If you or your student has been a part of these events, thank you for contributing to that sense of community. If you haven’t yet participated, I encourage you to explore the many opportunities to get involved.

As always, thank you for your partnership, support, and trust in the educators, mission, and community here at Bishop Guertin!

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste
Principal
strnistej@bghs.org

Cardinals,

As we prepare for the upcoming week’s spirit activities, Walk-A-Thon, and next weekend’s Homecoming games and dance, I wanted to send out a brief reminder about our standing policies regarding substance use. 

Healthy, legal, and safe decisions are expected of all Cardinals at all times, including around the use of alcohol and other substances to include nicotine. At enrollment, all students and their parents agreed to the "Substance Free Pledge," which includes a commitment not to engage in substance use (i.e. alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine [including vapes and Zyns]) at any time. The pledge includes an acknowledgement of the significant school consequences of substance use, including suspension from school and a mandatory 10 weeks of extracurricular ineligibility on the first offense. Our policy applies on- and off-campus, 24/7/365. While temptations do arise in high school, we expect that Bishop Guertin students will make appropriate decisions. 

During school hours and at all events sponsored by the school, Bishop Guertin reserves the right to administer a breathalyzer test either at random or based upon observations or reports made by teachers, administrators, peers, or families.

Parents have also agreed to support this expectation. As a school, Bishop Guertin fully supports the "party host" laws in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and will make a report to law enforcement regarding any adult who facilitates underage drinking. We expect that the adults in our students' lives will act as good mentors and role models in support and partnership with the school's expectations.

We urge any student or parent who has concerns about behavior at school or at school events to report these concerns to an administrator or faculty member at any time.

As a school, we are committed to the healthy whole-person formation of our students. It is important for all members of our community to understand that our policies and expectations surrounding substance use are by no means arbitrary. In our region, we have experienced the tragic long-term effects of substance abuse. A number of our alumni have tragically fallen victim to lifelong addiction in recent years. The adolescent brain is vulnerable to dependence on substances. Many addictions start with bad decisions in high school involving alcohol or other substances. We do not want any current Cardinal to confront these life-altering challenges, and so this boundary is critical.

If a student is experiencing an issue with drug or alcohol addiction, we urge the student (or concerned peers) to speak with a school counselor, teacher, coach, or other individual. We will help you to get in contact with resources who can assist. Reports made by an individual in need prior to an incident occurring will generally not be treated as disciplinary incidents nor become part of the student's records. It is important that we encourage our whole community to support and assist any individual experiencing challenges. By taking this step of coming forward, you may save a life.

I want to close by commending and thanking the majority of students and families who are making appropriate decisions, supporting the expectations of the school, and enjoying school events and social gatherings without needing to use substances. You are doing the right thing. Students who may feel pressure to use substances or are concerned about the use by others should know that many Cardinals make the choice to remain substance-free. They have the full support of the school in doing so. We will respond strongly to those who do not support a substance-free environment.

Mr. Robert Forrester 

Dean of Student Formation

Dear Parent,

Effective immediately, Stellos Stadium, the shared venue for many of our athletic programs, is no longer available due to safety concerns on the field surface. Our Athletic Department is working to find alternative facilities for our upcoming events.

We value our partnership with the City of Nashua in the use of Stellos Stadium, an important community resource. This situation will also affect the other schools and organizations which use the field, and we are sympathetic to the community-wide impacts beyond Bishop Guertin.  Bishop Guertin has committed significant funds over time to assist in the maintenance of the field.  The majority of these funds are earmarked to support the replacement cost for the turf based on our percentage of use. Our current agreement extends past 2030.

We had anticipated that the field would be maintained over that time. It is well known in the industry that a turf field has a predictable lifecycle. Replacement at certain intervals must be planned. Unfortunately, it is unclear the extent to which this high-level planning has occurred. Over time, we have noted the wear on the field, but are now aware of the underlying structural concerns.  We now understand that these field concerns have existed for some time, including poor testing results over recent years. Field resurfacing is costly, and these costs have increased.  We would have partnered with the City of Nashua to support necessary safety projects had we been invited into a proactive conversation.  Now, we look forward to the City of Nashua’s response, and are prepared to partner with the City to appropriately support their plans as needed.

I want to personally and sincerely apologize for this situation. I understand the value that our students and parents place on the integrity of our programs and on safety. In the meantime, Bishop Guertin will continue our programs at alternate safe venues.

I understand this information is of great concern, especially given the safety issues and timing. Please know we will keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste

Principal

As Bishop Guertin’s Athletic Director, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support of our student-athletes and the exciting events that showcase their hard work and dedication in the arena of competition. Our community plays a vital role in creating an encouraging and spirited atmosphere during games and competitions.

With our fall seasons in full swing, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of exhibiting appropriate behavior in the stands and on the sidelines. Our students thrive in an environment that is respectful and supportive, and we all have the ability to contribute to that positive atmosphere.

Here are a few reminders for our fans:

• Show Respect: Cheer for our teams and student-athletes, but also show respect for opponents, officials, and coaches. Sportsmanship is a key component of our athletic programs.

• Encourage Positivity: Let’s promote positive cheering and encouragement. Remember, our student-athletes are giving their best effort, and your support can make a difference.

• Be Mindful of Language: We all want to create a family-friendly environment that is welcoming of fans of all ages. Please be mindful of your language and behavior, keeping in mind the impression we leave on our students, visitors, and opposing school communities.

• Lead by Example: Parents and guardians are role models for our students. Let’s work together to demonstrate the values of respect, integrity, and sportsmanship.

• Address Concerns Constructively: If you have concerns about officiating or coaching, please address them in a respectful manner and not during the event. We encourage open communication through appropriate channels.

For several teams this fall, we understand that recent events regarding the sites of competition can be frustrating. However, please understand that we are doing everything possible to create a safe opportunity to play in a timely manner. We share your frustration but ask that you help make these alternate venues a great second home for our Cardinal teams while we address these matters.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of our school community. Let’s work together to ensure our athletic events are enjoyable and uplifting for everyone involved.

Go Cardinals!

Ryan Brown
Athletic Director

Cardinals,

As we near the end of October, we approach one of the most influential and impactful days of the year for our school community. On Friday, November 1, we will hold our annual Formation Day. 

As a school, we are guided by the principle of each student’s formative experience. This means that our mission as a school transcends the academic rigor and preparation our families have come to value so much. In the four years that a student spends at BG, they are encouraged to envision the type of person they could be – that their families, friends, and teachers know they can become – and are challenged to make the vision a reality. As the “Hopes for Our Graduates” states, we hope our graduates enter the world with the inner strength to believe in themselves, to accept and love who they are and who God calls them to be. Throughout the majority of the year, these challenges arise in everyday situations: abiding by the dress code; engaging in school activities; being truthful and forthright; being kind and just. But on this day, students are provided the opportunity to reflect and act on the gifts they have received and the gifts they have to offer the world. It is our hope that through this formative process, our students will be the type of people that lead their lives in a way that benefits themselves, their families, their communities, and their world. 

This day is a vital part of that formative effort and therefore attendance is mandatory, as it is considered a school day. Students that are absent, tardy, or dismissed early without administrative approval will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities that day or the first event over the weekend.

Below are descriptions of each grade level’s experience. More specific details and logistics will be communicated through your Advisory teachers.  

Freshmen: As this is the first major formative experience for the Freshmen, the focus of this day will be to build individual leadership skills and community. They will participate in activities geared toward those ideals led by members of The Browne Center from the University of New Hampshire. Along with the Junior Class, Freshmen will also attend a workshop presented by Mark Leinweaver entitled, “Why Character Matters.”  

Sophomores: Building on their team and individual skills from their Take Flight Aerial Adventure Course last year, the Sophomore Class will turn their attention to our immediate community: our neighbors. The Sophomores will graciously reach out to some of our truly needy neighbors to rake their lawns. 

Juniors: As the Juniors begin to think about their futures beyond BG, their experience is aimed at providing students an opportunity to reflect on and show gratitude for all they have been provided, and all they continue to benefit from. For the fourth year in a row, the Juniors will partner with Sleep in Heavenly Peace at BG building beds and bunks for children in the Hillsborough County area that are without one. Along with the Freshman Class, Juniors will also attend a workshop presented by Mark Leinweaver entitled, “Why Character Matters.”

Seniors: As they prepare to face their futures, the Seniors will venture out into the world and utilize the talents and gifts they have developed over their time at BG to model the servant-leadership we hope they will demonstrate beyond their time spent here. The Senior class will participate in our 8th Annual Senior Day of Service, traveling to various nonprofits in the Nashua area to provide much-needed assistance and support. All students must wear closed-toed shoes, athletic attire appropriate for outdoor activities, and bring a water bottle.

We look forward to seeing everyone involved on November 1 and are grateful to all that make this day a possibility. 

Mr. Robert Forrester

Dean of Student Formation

Dear Parent,

I hope that you have enjoyed the changing of the seasons and the wonderful weather of recent weeks.  I have a few updates to share.

Admissions Events

Our Open House events have seen an increased turnout this year, with the highest attendance since before the pandemic.  Beyond our formal programs, many families find their way to Bishop Guertin through “word of mouth” from friends, neighbors, and colleagues.  If you know of a family that could benefit from joining our community, we urge you to connect them with us.  In particular, we encourage inquiries from families who may be concerned about the costs. Between our own need-based financial assistance, scholarships, and outside programs, there are numerous ways to make a Bishop Guertin education more affordable and accessible.  We appreciate your help in spreading the word!

Schoolwide Formation Day

Every fall, we dedicate a day to mission-based activities, community building, and service, all of which are a part of our program of whole-person formation.  Depending on the grade level, the day may include retreats, raking leaves in the neighborhood, service throughout the community, guest speakers, and the construction of beds for the homeless.  This year’s Formation Day is on Friday, November 1.  The timing - between Halloween and the weekend - may lend itself to alternative plans by students.  Please remind your son or daughter that this is a school day and that all attendance policies and expectations apply.  Most importantly, it is an opportunity for our entire school community to come together and live out our shared purpose and mission.

Stellos Stadium Update

Thank you to our student-athletes, musicians, coaches, parents, fans, and athletic staff for all of the flexibility as we have adjusted to the closure of Stellos Stadium this fall.  We are appreciative of Presentation of Mary Academy, Rivier University, Merrimack College, and Hollis-Brookline High School, all of which have provided field space to host events.  The Athletic Department has worked hard to move games to alternate sites through all our partnerships and relationships.

We appreciate the efforts by the Nashua Athletic Department and the Parks and Recreation Department to attend to student safety in recent weeks.  However, Bishop Guertin remains deeply concerned by the lack of planning and transparency by the city over time.  Various public statements have downplayed safety concerns and implied that this situation emerged suddenly and unexpectedly.  This is not the case.  Over a period of multiple years, safety issues involving the field were documented clearly and were discussed at various levels of government, all the while affecting our students, all without our knowledge.  Bishop Guertin’s concerns about this situation have been conveyed in detail to the city’s elected leadership with few meaningful responses.  Oversights and mistakes do occur, but there is every reason to expect transparency and ownership when they happen.

As for the path forward, we understand that the appropriation of funding for repairs to Stellos Stadium will be on the agenda of various city meetings in the coming week.  Bishop Guertin has indicated its willingness to offer additional financial support beyond our existing commitments, but we have not received a response.  We hope that repairs will occur promptly.

Speaking for Bishop Guertin, I sincerely apologize for this situation.  We pride ourselves on our independence as a school.  Many families choose us for this reason.  After this situation, we will ask more questions about our external venues.  We will develop better contingency plans in case sites become unavailable.  When we invest funds in a “partnership” over time, we will seek greater transparency about whether long-term planning is occurring and how safety is being addressed.  This situation has also highlighted the need and urgency for us to upgrade and expand our own athletic facilities.  Efforts are underway to do so, but will require the support of the extended Bishop Guertin community.  In short, we will make adjustments moving forward to avoid a situation like this one in the future.

Weather-Related Schedule Changes

We enjoyed this week’s warm temperatures, but cold, ice, and snow are around the corner.  With the possibility of weather delays or cancellations, here is some information regarding our communication of weather-related changes.

Any weather- or emergency-related announcements will be made through several channels.  Blackboard Connect will be our primary communication source, allowing us to send announcements via phone, text message, and email.  (See information below about setup.)  Additionally, announcements will be posted on Channel 9 (WMUR) in Manchester and Channel 4, 5, 7, and 25 in Boston.  Please note that community Facebook pages are NOT an official source of emergency information beyond rumors, speculation, and wishful thinking.

Now is a good time to check that you are set up correctly in our notification system.  Parents whose contact information has not changed since last year will continue to receive notifications as before.  New parents (and those who have not set up emergency contacts in MyBG) will receive calls and texts at the PRIMARY and CELL numbers that are listed in your child's emergency information on MyBG.  If you wish to modify contact information, you can do so under EMERGENCY CONTACTS on your child's contact card (PROFILE in the upper right) on MyBG.

In case of a cancellation, students may be required to go online to attend classes virtually or complete assignments.  These “MyBG” days are school days, and are not made up at the end of the school year.   Information about whether the day is a MyBG day will be included in the cancellation announcement.  When we approach our first potential MyBG day of the school year, details will be sent regarding protocols.

In case of a delay, Bishop Guertin will typically push the opening of school by two hours.  Only four classes will meet, with the schedule rotation pushed back on subsequent days.  If there is a delay, Bishop Guertin's morning bus routes will be delayed two hours from their usual time.  Nashua bus routes will run according to Nashua’s delay/cancellation status.

In case of morning snow/ice, it is our goal to publish a decision by 6:00 AM.  Bishop Guertin makes an independent decision.  A Nashua cancellation will not necessarily mean that we will cancel, and a Bishop Guertin cancellation may occur before Nashua cancels.  Always look for a specific announcement about Bishop Guertin.

In our decisions, we place the top priority on student safety and operate with an abundance of caution.  Given the unpredictability of the weather, we support your parental discretion as to whether conditions are safe for travel.  As parent, you make the final decision whether it is safe for driving.  Please be sure to contact the school if you are keeping your son or daughter home due to the weather.

With luck, our winter weather impacts will be minimal so that Bishop Guertin will not need to utilize many delays and cancellations this year.

To conclude, thank you for your support and trust.  As we approach the end of October and turn the page to the holidays, we couldn’t be prouder of the efforts of the Cardinals to push themselves as students and people and to represent the school with pride and excellence in all that they do!

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste

Principal

Good morning,

Now that the election has concluded, I hope you are enjoying a respite from the constant stream of text messages, campaign flyers, poll calls, and commercials.  As Veterans Day approaches, we take this opportunity to honor and thank the parents, grandparents, and teachers who have served, protecting those freedoms that we exercised on Tuesday.

With parent-teacher conferences scheduled for this week, it is an appropriate moment to reflect on the academic progression of the school year.  By November, academic routines have solidified, and the challenges have become clearer.  For freshmen, coursework is intensifying, demanding time management and attention to workload.  Challenges are now obvious and some students doubt themselves as they encounter setbacks and difficulty.  Sophomores and juniors are adapting to greater independence and the increased expectations of their studies while taking on leadership responsibilities outside the classroom.  Seniors are focused on college preparations, feeling the pressure of being in the spotlight both academically and in extracurricular activities.  Many students are balancing employment, volunteer work, and other productive engagements.

At this point in the year, students may find themselves fixated on the obstacles ahead - their workload, various commitments, and existing challenges.  It is, therefore, an ideal time to revisit our school-wide theme: "The Road Less Traveled." The situations I have described are consistent with this theme.  Nationally, many young people do not opt for a challenging path or fail to recognize the destination it leads to.  We often hear concerns about social media distractions, a decline in reading habits, and a lack of habits or resilience among today’s youth to face the demands of adult life.  Furthermore, questions about the “best” post-high school pathway —  whether college or an alternative — continue to arise.

However, as I have emphasized in the past, these challenges are not destiny.  One significant question that received little attention by any candidate during the election cycle was: “How do we inspire and guide young people to become informed, morally centered, and responsible leaders for our future?” The answer lies in placing them on a challenging road and supporting them as they navigate "The Road Less Traveled."

Our students continually challenge prevailing narratives:

• It is often said that young people are not engaged.  However, our students eagerly participated in our recent Formation Day, dedicating themselves to serving those in need.  They contribute thousands of hours of service per year on their own.  Our graduates have emerged as leaders in their communities and beyond, and we could easily name dozens of former Cardinals who have made meaningful contributions.

• There are claims that college is not a worthwhile investment.  Yet, our graduates' experiences suggest otherwise.  Research indicates a significant return on investment for students who complete rigorous academic programs.  At college, our students see a twofold return on their parents' investment at BG, aided by merit scholarships and accelerated college completion.  Increasingly, we hear of BG graduates earning their bachelor’s degrees in 2.5 to 3 years, subsequently pursuing challenging and rewarding careers.  All told, Bishop Guertin students save approximately $150,000 in college expenses.

• Some argue that today’s students are underprepared for college.  Nationally, only around 60% of college students complete their degrees within six years, and one-in-four freshmen do not return for their sophomore year.  In contrast, nearly 96% of our graduates persist from freshman to sophomore year, and they complete their degrees over a year faster than the national average.

Even those who do not follow a college pathway benefit from the literacy and habits developed during their time in high school.  As fields like trades and technical programs expand, our students will be even better equipped to excel.

While "The Road Less Traveled" may feel arduous and students compare themselves to those on easier paths, it ultimately leads to greater opportunities, supported by the preparation and skills we provide.

Reflecting on the election prompts us to consider the future.  Even if some generational concerns prove valid, our successful partnership today will help shape our students into the transformational leaders of tomorrow.  Thus, when we meet on Thursday evening to discuss student progress, we should focus on this ultimate question: How do we guide them to become those individuals who can meet the challenges of the future? 

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste
Principal