Bishop Guertin Updates

On Saturday, September 14 and Saturday, September 28 from 9 AM to noon, the School Counseling Department will offer a two-part seminar for parents who would like to learn more about the college admission process and practices, testing, financial aid and more. All parents of all grade levels are invited and encouraged to attend. Watch for registration information in the coming weeks. 

To properly account for the number of attendees, please fill out this form to RSVP.

On September 19 at 6:30 p.m., the School Counseling Department will offer its annual College Financial Aid Night, open to parents of the Class of 2025 and 2026 (juniors and seniors).  With recent changes in the financial aid process, we encourage you to attend and receive up-to-date information.

Our guest speaker will share with parents how to fill out and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile application, while explaining how the process works. Very important meeting for any family applying for financial aid to help offset college costs. 

This February Vacation,  Bishop Guertin has partnered with WorldStrides Educational Travel and Experiences to provide our students with a world-class trip to Austria to be part of the "Sound of Music Tour." Students will have the opportunity to explore the historical sites associated with the legendary film as you will  arrive in Vienna before  heading on to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. Travel through Munich, Neuschwanstein, spend a day in the Swiss Alps with a full-day excursion of snow activities and fun at Mt. Titlis, before wrapping your tour in Lucerne and leaving out of Zurich. 

Students are encouraged to sign up for early enrollment by September 19 to enjoy the discounted price below. This trip has limited space and spots fill up quickly, so please sign up as soon as possible.

Information:

Dates:  Feb. 21 - March 2

Cost: Students (travelers under the age of 23): $4,998

We will provide everything your student needs for a remarkable trip. Students who are interested in the trip will should email or visit Nurse Turner (in the Nurse's Office) or Mrs. Crivac (Room #202).

Please click on the links below for trip information:

Trip Itinerary

Sign-Up Information

Students will be able to get re-takes of their school pictures on this day.  Please sign up in the main office or email Mrs. Caito for more information. 

Bishop Guertin is proud to be offering students the opportunity to apply for and to obtain the Seal of Biliteracy, which will be presented to students during the spring awards season.  To receive the Seal of Biliteracy in New Hampshire, the following criteria must be met: 

❏ Complete all of the English language requirements from a New Hampshire high school 

❏ Demonstrate English proficiency: 

❏ SAT with a score ≥ 480 on the evidence-based Reading/Writing (ERW) section of test; or 

❏ ACCESS for ELLs ® overall composite score of ≥ 4.5 

❏ Demonstrate proficiency in a world language other than English: 

❏ Attain proficiency rating on any of the language tests outlined in the student application. 

To assist students in meeting the criteria listed above, Bishop Guertin will be offering the AAPPL test between Monday, September 23, 2024 and Friday, October 11, 2024.  Students will schedule four testing sessions (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) during their study period or after school.  The AAPPL test is available in the following languages:  Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. We will also be offering the ALIRA for students wishing to demonstrate proficiency in Latin.  

To register for the AAPPL/ALIRA  exam:

1. Complete this Google Form indicating your name, testing language, and skill areas for testing.

2. Submit payment to Sra. Lackner or Sra. Guarrera and schedule testing sessions.  The AAPPL test sections are priced individually with the entire exam costing $20.  The ALIRA (Latin only) is $10.  Please make checks payable to Bishop Guertin High School.  

At this time, we are accepting AAPPL/ALIRA registration for members of the Class of 2025 only.  Additional testing dates will be offered in the spring for seniors who would like to retest before graduation as well as for members of the Class of 2026.  A formal application process through the state of New Hampshire will also take place once testing is complete and criteria have been met.  For more information, please see the NH Seal of Biliteracy website or reach out to either Sra. Lackner (lacknerl@bghs.org) or Sra. Guarrera (guarrerad@bghs.org).  

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Join us in celebrating the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation Day on September 30, 2024, by supporting the Bishop Guertin Day of Giving.

Your generosity will help continue the mission of the Brothers in providing an exceptional education rooted in faith, service, and community. 

To give, please visit https://www.bghs.org/giving/fund/. 

Theme days will be announced the week leading up to Spirit Week.

The Walk-A-Thon is a school-wide, student fundraising event. 

BG will head to Mine Falls in Nashua on Wednesday, Oct. 2 for the 32nd annual Walk-A-Thon. Students should show their school spirit and dress in their favorite green and gold! As a reminder, be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Sneakers are highly recommended. Flip flops, sandals, slippers, clogs, crocs, and high-heeled or open-toed shoes are NOT permitted.  

Students will begin with an assembly in the gym. Immediately following, students will be dismissed and bussed over to Mine Falls by class year. This is considered a regular school day and attendance will be taken. All athletes must be in school and walk to participate in after-school activities. 

Money raised for the Walk-A-Thon continues to go directly back into the school and its students. In the past, we used funds to add air conditioning for classrooms and common spaces, signage throughout the school, technology upgrades, classroom renovations, and so much more!

Walk-A-Thon early estimated dismissal times based on previous years and the flow of the day's events:

Seniors - 10:45 AM

Juniors - 11:05 AM

Sophomores - 11:25 AM

Freshmen - 11:45 AM

12:00, noon - Parent Pick Up

Join us for the annual Homecoming Dance!

When: Saturday, October 5 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. (students must arrive by 7 p.m. and stay until 9 p.m.)

Where: BG Courtyard

Who: BG students ONLY - All Grades 

Cost: $15 per ticket

Attire: Semi-formal

Tickets: https://givebutter.com/fxzxfb 

When: 6:30 PM  | Monday, Oct. 7
Where: KLC. Parents should enter through the junior-senior locker room.

Members and Parents of the Classes of 2025 and 2026, please join the Bishop Guertin Counseling Department on Monday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 PM for our annual ‘Meet the College Representatives Night’ in Keegan Leadership Center (KLC).

Representatives from colleges and universities throughout New England will be on-hand ready to talk with you and answer any questions you might have about the admission process and their respective schools. 

We have a robust panel of experts to share their insights on the application process, college lists, and most importantly how they make decisions.  Don't miss out on this great program hosted by the BG Counseling Department.

Tickets for the Junior Class Dinner Cruise are on sale starting Monday, October 7 through Friday, October 18. 

Price of the ticket is $115 and includes dinner, DJ entertainment, and transportation. More information regarding how to purchase tickets during that time period will be available soon. 

About Kailyn's Gift Scholarship:

• The Kailyn's Gift Scholarship, valued at $1,000, has been established by a compassionate Bishop Guertin family to honor the memory of their beloved late infant daughter, Kailyn. Their desire to give back and "pay it forward" led them to create this scholarship, which symbolizes their commitment to helping others. They have a deep belief in the comprehensive education offered by Bishop Guertin and wish to extend this opportunity to more families. The scholarship carries with it the expectation that recipients will, in turn, pay it forward when they are able.

Scholarship Amount: 

• $1,000 (Three recipients will be chosen)

Eligibility: 

• Current freshmen (Class of 2028)

Criteria: 

• Ideal candidates should demonstrate financial need and a commitment to contributing to the Bishop Guertin community.

How to Apply: 

• To apply for the Kailyn's Gift Scholarship, please visit our scholarship application page . The application is under the "Incoming Freshmen" tab.

Note: Students MUST be signed into BG email to apply. 

Deadline: 

• Friday, October 11.

All BG students grades 9-11 will participate in PSAT testing on Wednesday, October 23 from 7:40 a.m. until noon.  Students will be testing in their advisory rooms and must bring their device as the test is completely digital.  

To prepare for the digital test, we have been working in advisories to ensure all students can successfully log into the College Board website on their personal devices. Students need a College Board account to take the online PSAT. Advisors, counselors, and our IT department are assisting students with accessing their accounts and installing the required Bluebook testing app. Please have your student show you their College Board login and Bluebook app to double check they are set up. Contact Mrs. Barbaro (barbarob@bghs.org) or Mrs. Poznanski (poznanskib@bghs.org) with any questions.

All students must be able to login to www.collegeboard.org and have the Bluebook app ias soon as possible. Our IT department has created an FAQ page to help with any device issues:  https://sites.google.com/bghs.org/psatsetupissues/home. 

ON TEST DAY:

1. Students should arrive at the usual time for Advisory - prayer and pledge.

2. Testing time is 8 - 11:15 a.m. Students will be dismissed after completing the exam around 11:20 a.m.

3. Students MUST bring:

• A personal device accessing their College Board account and Bluebook app or a school managed Chromebook loaner approved by Mrs. Barbaro.

• A fully charged device (with a minimum of 3 hrs battery life).

• A power adapter, in case their battery runs low.

• Their own calculator.

• Students should be well-rested and have eaten breakfast. No food will be served, but students may bring water and a snack for the break.

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. 

This year, you can register for a Nashua bus pass by emailing Mrs. Caito (caitoa@bghs.org).  Please include student’s name, grade, home address, and email address.  

Bus passes will be emailed to you with route information.

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.

You will be able to select your print package and pay for your order online.  See information from Jostens here.

These photos are now available for purchase by following the link above.

Re-takes are scheduled for 9/20. Please sign up for re-takes in the main office.

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.

We wish to remind everyone  — faculty, staff, students and parents — that daily Mass at 7 a.m. begins on August 21 and every weekday after. Everyone is invited to join the Brothers for Mass each day. Welcome all! - Br. 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. 

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