As we enter the season of gratitude, we’re excited to announce our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to support Corpus Christi Food Pantry and at risk Veterans. Below is a list of items that are especially needed, but all nonperishable food items are welcome and greatly appreciated.

This year, we’re adding a fun twist — a friendly competition between:

Seniors & Sophomores vs. Juniors & Freshmen! The winning classes will receive a free dress down day once the drive has ended. 

Starting today, students will be in the wells each morning to collect and count donated items. Each side of the wells will be designated for one team (right side for seniors & sophomores and left side for juniors & freshmen). So bring your items and help your group take the lead!

Requested Items:

• 1 lb coffee

• Tea

• Hot chocolate packages

• Condiments

• Cooking oil

• Laundry detergent

• Dish detergent

• Juice

• Cream soups

• Spam

• Ramen noodles

• Cookie mix

• Shampoo

• Men's socks

• Men's underwear 

On Wednesday, November 5, we will hold our annual Formation Day, one of the most influential and impactful days of the year for our school community.

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 or tardy will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities that day. There are no early dismissals on the day of Formation Day. 

Given that students will be participating in acts of service that may require physical labor outdoors, the dress code for the day is a relaxed dress down. Students should dress comfortably and appropriately for weather and work.

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

Freshmen: This day builds on the theme of community that we began during Freshman Kickoff and offers students the chance to deepen their connections through team-building activities and shared experiences. The program will take place here on campus and will include a mix of activities led by Grit and Wit, along with leadership programming designed and led by members of our BG faculty and staff.

Sophomores: Building on their team and individual skills from their time spent with the Browne Center and Mark Leinweaver 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. Sophomores will need to bring a rake, water, and a snack.

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 fifth 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. Additionally, Juniors will engage in a friendly class wide competition that requires students to shop for supplies to donate in order to provide a meaningful, service-based experience that supports children in need, educates students about the mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and fosters teamwork, creativity, and budget management skills through a hands-on project.

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 9th 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 Wednesday and are grateful to all that make this day a possibility. 

Mr. Robert Forrester 

Dean of Student Formation

Students will be writing holiday cards for service members currently deployed overseas. This annual initiative helps our students express gratitude for the sacrifices made by members of the military and their families, while also fostering a deeper appreciation for those who serve and for the community around us.

Please note that, over the summer, we decided to offer an extra day off from school on November 10, providing a four-day holiday weekend.  There is no school on November 10 and November 11 as we honor the veterans in our school community, as well as those who continue to serve.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in the Roedel Field House on Thursday, November 13. There will be two sessions available to parents:

3-5 PM and 6-7:30 PM 

School will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. that day. All parents are invited to attend either session, depending on convenience. It is important to note that the first session will end promptly at 5 p.m. Parents who anticipate arriving closer to the end of the first session should be aware that they will have to wait until 6 p.m. to resume any conferences they did not finish in the first session. The hour-long break is to allow our faculty time for dinner. 

For convenience, parents will receive a copy of their child's schedule as they enter. As in the past, Parent-Teacher Conferences are arena style where parents simply wait in line to speak to each teacher. Generally, teachers will be seated in alphabetical order around the Field House. Since we expect a large parent turnout, please try to limit conversations to 3-4 minutes. If there is a need to continue with a longer discussion, parents can make an appointment with the teacher for a later date.

More information regarding the presenter to follow.

We invite you to join us on Tuesday, November 18 in the Collignon Gymnasium for our annual Spring Sports Awards.
 

You've cheered on Cardinals all fall and this is your chance to celebrate their accomplishments one more time. The awards ceremony celebrating the seasons of our spring varsity teams will begin at 6 p.m. in the gymnasium. We look forward to seeing you there. 
 

Prior to the ceremony, the BG Athletics Department will host a collegiate signing event for all students who have committed to play at the next level. The signings will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the gym, with students and family members invited to take photos in front of the BG backdrop while wearing their collegiate apparel.

To select a time to take your photos, please visit and submit this Google Form. 

We kindly ask that all participants be prepared when it is their turn to ensure that all students and families have the opportunity to participate and we stay on schedule.

2025 Bishop Guertin Fall Sports Awards
Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 6 PM
Collignon Gymnasium 

The St. Paul’s Advanced Studies Program (ASP) is a renowned five-week summer experience that has transformed the lives of New Hampshire students for decades. Designed to challenge and inspire, ASP offers a true college-level academic environment complemented by a dynamic writing program that helps students craft their college application essays.

Beyond the classroom, ASP features a wide range of activities and athletics that foster exploration, leadership, and lifelong friendships. Colleges and universities recognize ASP as one of the premier summer programs available to high school students.

Information sessions will be held in the coming weeks and spots limited, so be sure to sign up early!

ASP is open to all current sophomore and junior students, and financial aid is available.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity!

To learn about the program, please visit their website:

The deadline to apply and submit the first deposit is October 10, 2025. 

Priority will be given to students who both host and plan to travel. Applications are available from any Spanish teacher or through this Google Drive. For questions, please contact lacknerl@bghs.org.

The deadline to apply and submit the first deposit is October 10, 2025. 

Priority will be given to students who both host and plan to travel. Applications are available from Madame Conrad. For questions, please contact conrade@bghs.org.

REPORTING AN ABSENCE: On the day of a student’s absence, parents/guardians must provide the student’s name and reason for absence to the Attendance Office no later than 8:00 AM.  The attendance line number is 603-889-4107 Ext. 4314.  Voicemails can be left at any time at that extension.

 Parents will be contacted if a student is not in school and no notification has been received.
 

EXCUSED ABSENCES: Extraordinary circumstances may be considered in excusing absences for eligibility and academic purposes. The pardoning of absences is left to the sole discretion of school administration and may require supporting documentation. Reasons why an absence may be excused for eligibility purposes may include: family emergencies, documented illness, professional/medical appointment, funeral. A student’s history of attendance and tardiness is considered in determining whether an excused absence will be granted.

TARDY TO SCHOOL: The school day begins at 7:40 AM. Students arriving to Advisory after the “late” bell (7:40 AM) are considered tardy and are required to report to the Attendance Office. Late arrivals due to doctor/dental appointments are only excused when supported by official documentation. Notes or calls from parents do not excuse late arrivals. In extenuating circumstances, the Dean of Student Formation shall make the final determination as to whether a tardy is excused or unexcused.

On the day a student will be coming in late to school, parents/guardians must provide the student’s name and reason for the late arrival to the Attendance Office no later than 8:00 AM.

DISMISSALS: Students should bring notes from parents to the Attendance Office before or during Advisory if they will be dismissed early. All absence and tardy guidelines apply to dismissals. Passes are issued from the Attendance Office before the start of the first period only. As medically necessary, the Nurse may also dismiss students early, after receiving permission from the students’ parents.

The following was sent as an email to all parents and students on June 10:

We’re writing to inform you of important updates to the Bishop Guertin dress code for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. After careful consideration, we are implementing several changes to ensure our dress code standards are clear, consistent, and aligned with our educational mission.

While final versions of next year’s dress code will be available by the end of the month, outlined below are new additions/adaptations as well as some points of emphasis for next year: 

New Additions/Adaptations for the 2025-26 school year:

• Skirts must now be worn with black, opaque tights/nylons (no exceptions)

• The crewneck sweatshirt will begin to be phased out for incoming freshmen, and a new pullover ¼ zip is available through BSN (link forthcoming)

Points of Emphasis for the 2025-26 school year:

• Hair length for young men should remain off the collar and not cover the face or eyes

• Proper dress shoes must be worn by all students

• A comprehensive list of approved and unapproved footwear will be provided soon

• Piercings will be limited to traditional earlobe piercings and for female students only

We recognize that the enforcement of our skirt length policy has presented ongoing challenges. The current requirement for skirts to rest “no higher than a student ID card above the knee” has been difficult to maintain consistently. The new requirement for black, opaque tights provides a solution that maintains professionalism which is the school’s expectation.

Likewise, our standards for male students emphasize neatness and professionalism — including particular emphasis on requirements for clean-cut hair that does not extend beyond the top of the shirt collar or over the face, tucked-in shirts, and properly fitting attire (to include things like trouser length).

At Bishop Guertin High School, our dress code policy is thoughtfully designed to support our mission of educating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. We believe that our expectations for personal appearance prepare our students for lives of purpose and leadership while honoring their inherent dignity.

In preparing our students for future success, we recognize that professional settings maintain standards of appearance. Our dress code introduces students to these expectations in a supportive environment. 

These standards reflect the realities students will encounter in many careers and formal settings, providing valuable experience in adapting to professional environments. Learning to navigate these expectations now builds confidence and competence for the future. Following our dress code helps students develop self-discipline and understand that different environments call for different forms of self-expression. This preparation serves students well beyond their time at Bishop Guertin, instilling habits of mindfulness and intentionality.

We are grateful for your partnership in upholding these standards as we work together to form young people of faith, intellect, and character who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.

Respectfully,

Robert Forrester

Dean of Student Formation

Parents,

In addition to our French and Spanish exchange programs, Bishop Guertin proudly welcomes international students into our school community for the full academic year. As we prepare students for college life, we embrace opportunities to create a culturally rich environment that mirrors what they will experience on campuses across the country.

BG partners with the international program provider StudySix, and we are currently seeking host families for the 25/26 school year. Host families play a vital role in providing a safe and supportive home, meals, internet access, a study area, extracurricular opportunities, and a welcoming environment—treating students as part of the family. As a thank-you for your generosity, StudySix offers a $1,200 monthly stipend for hosting a student.

Additionally, as a special April incentive, we are offering a $100 Visa gift card to anyone who completes Steps 1-3 of the host application process this month. You can begin by visiting www.studysix.com/host.

New for this year, we are launching an International Student Portal, where registered hosts will be able to view student profiles for the upcoming academic year, ensuring the best possible match between students and families.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Casey Henry at henryc@bghs.org or (603) 966-4351.

We are thrilled to offer this unique opportunity to our community and hope you’ll consider opening your home to an international student. 

Thank you for your support!

Casey Henry

International Student Services

Bishop Guertin is pleased to announce and offer transportation to students/families outside the Greater Nashua area for the 2025-26 academic year.

Interest in bus service has been quite high in recent years and we will run THREE separate morning buses. If you are interested in securing a spot, please take the following steps:

• Click on the link to pay for the service ($900, non-refundable for the entire school year)
  
  

  • Please click on the "STUDENT TRANSPORTATION BUS ROUTES" drop-down menu to complete the form registration and payment.

• This year, we are also allowing payments to be added to your tuition management account. To use this method of payment, please contact Mrs. Caito in the main office to set up your account. 

• Select from the following three routes which stop is convenient for you (Please note these stops are tentative at this point and pick up times may be slightly adjusted).

The following bus routes will be available this year:

East Route

•  Bowlero Lowell, Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell, MA | 6 AM

•  Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Bridge Street, Dracut, MA | 6:15 AM

•  Hannaford, Bridge Street, Pelham, NH | 6:25 AM

•  Icenter Salem, Lowell Road, Salem, NH | 6:35 AM

•  Shaw’s, Indian Rock Road, Windham, NH | 6:45 AM

•  The White Birch Catering & Banquet Hall, Central Street, Hudson, NH | 7 AM

•  Bishop Guertin High School | 7: 20 AM

North Route

•  Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, NH | 6:40 AM

• LaBelle Winery, State Route 101, Amherst, NH | 6:50 AM

•  Los Primos Mexican Restaurant, Amherst Road, Merrimack, NH | 7:05 AM

•  Bishop Guertin High School | 7:20 AM

West Route

•   Market Basket, Jones Road, Milford, NH | 6 AM

•   NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, Route 13, Brookline, NH | 6:15 AM

•   Hannaford's, Main Street, Townsend, MA | 6:25 AM

•   Pepperell Community Center | 6:40 AM

•   Dunstable Free Public Library, Main Street, Dunstable, MA | 6:55 AM

•   Bishop Guertin High School | 7:20 AM

The Nashua School District will continue to provide bus transportation for Bishop Guertin students residing in Nashua in 2025-26. 

In the mornings, students 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.

To purchase an annual bus pass for $65, please visit the City of Nashua website.

For questions or additional information about bus or shuttle transportation, please contact Mrs. Amy Caito in the front office.

UPDATE (8/15/25):

The City of Nashua’s transportation office has requested that both families who have already purchased an annual bus pass and those planning to enroll in the morning bus system complete the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/tp5zPx25B6XD4Fvh9

This form will help the city plan morning pick-up routes to ensure students arrive at the Nashua high schools on time before boarding the shuttle to Bishop Guertin.

Bishop Guertin partners with Pedal Pushers to offer driver's education classes to our students.

Key Information:

• Open to New Hampshire residents only

• Students must be at least 15 years and 9 months old at the time of enrollment

• Classes follow the Bishop Guertin academic calendar — if BG is not in session, there is no class

• Attendance is mandatory. This program requires a significant time commitment over the two-month course. Please coordinate with coaches and other extracurriculars to ensure you can fully participate. Success in the program also requires time for driving practice both during class and at home, in addition to staying on top of your schoolwork

• All classes and driving sessions begin and end at BG

2025-26 Schedule

• Sept. 10 - Oct. 29 

• Nov. 5 - Jan. 23 (1 snow day)

• Jan. 30 - April 10 (2 snow days)

• April 15 - June 10

All classes are on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3-5 p.m.

To see all of their policies and information, or to enroll, please visit the Pedal Pushers website.

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, Bishop Guertin will send an email to parents and members of the Class of 2029 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. 

With the signing of New Hampshire’s new universal school choice bill, all New Hampshire families are eligible for the state’s voucher program.  Through the state's Educational Freedom Account (EFA) program, families may receive funding that equates to the state's "adequate education" rate, approximately $4,200 per student, with some students eligible for more based on individual circumstances.  These funds may be applied to tuition at a private school such as Bishop Guertin, as well as textbooks, online instructional materials, computer hardware, summer programs, AP exams, and other educational costs.

The program is administered through the Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF), and interested families should visit the CSF website for details.  While the website has not been updated to reflect the removal of income limits, CSF messaging indicates that all New Hampshire families may now apply regardless of income, there is a cap on the number of grants awarded, and families need verification by mid-July for full 2025-26 funding.  Bishop Guertin families residing in New Hampshire received information about this opportunity via email on 6/11.  

Families residing outside of New Hampshire should note that this program does not extend to non-residents.

The school maintains its commitment to affordability as an institutional responsibility independent of this program.  We are committed to keeping tuition increases to a minimum while offering an excellent and cost-effective program at less than the statewide cost-per-student.  Our need-based financial assistance and scholarship programs will continue.  The Bishop Guertin High School will maintain all of its strategic commitments to efficiency, affordability, and independence.

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 2025-26 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.