Bishop Guertin Updates | 2026-27

Update 10.19.26

Dear Parent,

I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. This letter continues our ongoing dialogue about artificial intelligence and its impact on our students and their education. My intent is to promote conversations between you and your son/daughter about the relationship between AI and schoolwork.

Assuming that the doomsday scenarios of AI do not come to pass and we are able to successfully integrate it into our lives and work, there is no question that AI will have a vast impact. In the present, AI is already a source of temptation for our students when it comes to completing their homework, but is also seen as a valuable tool that can support their learning.

Over the years, I taught a variety of chemistry and math courses. I recall a comment by a veteran teacher early in my career: “we don’t teach ‘pencil,’ we don’t teach ‘paper,’ we don’t teach ‘calculator.’” All of these are tools that improve effectiveness, but students still need to master the underlying concepts and principles of a subject in order to use the tools effectively. At the time, the AP Calculus curriculum was being reformulated to include a greater emphasis on graphing calculators. Counter-intuitively, the best preparation for the “new” exam was to master the underlying concepts and skills more deeply. This understanding, in turn, helps students to use the tools more effectively. The tool was the easy part; the math was the hard part. Without learning the math, the tool meant nothing.

A pencil or calculator still requires the user to know what they are doing. The risk of AI is that we can skip the mastery completely, type a question into a box, and get a coherent and complete answer. Why learn the concept at all? The success can appear without the knowledge being built. AI makes it effortless to produce a strong performance, while the learning never occurs. The effort has become detached from the outcome.

There are two issues with this thought process.

First, someone has to ask the question of the AI. Does the user have enough knowledge and experience to ask the AI something useful? Professionally, I have found uses for AI that build upon my own knowledge and experience and allow me to ask questions that I could never answer with the time and resources available to me. These experiences that gave me the questions occurred over the course of 20+ years, and continue today; without these, I would not know what to ask. Our students will confront the loss of many “entry-level” jobs - analysts, researchers, assistants - that in many professions have allowed professionals to learn their field from the ground up. This means that our students must complete their education with the ability to learn quickly on their own, without the benefit of as many experiences. We must ensure that our students possess this capability - to learn and to think on their own - before they lean too heavily on AI.

Second, and equally important: can AI make good decisions about human problems? Using AI might be helpful for diagnosis in a doctor’s office. Do we want AI to make end-of-life decisions for a loved one? Using AI might help an insurance company project risk. Do we want statistics to be the only factor? Using AI might produce a medicine or treatment that seems like a “miracle drug” but has side effects. Do we want a human to evaluate the trade-offs? Whenever we present AI with a hard problem that includes both data and human factors, there is the risk that it neglects the human factors in certain critical ways.

Our students need to be able to ask questions, think, and consider the human element of a problem. What does this mean today? When the use of AI on an assignment or other task arises in the classroom or around the dinner table, there are three questions we can ask.

1. Is this a skill that I already know how to do, or am I skipping the hard work of developing myself?

Using AI to summarize a document when you already know how to summarize and you already know something about the subject might be prudent. Using AI to summarize The Iliad instead of reading it deprives the student of the reading skills, interpretive ability, imagination, and exploration of language. The summary might pass muster in class, but the learning has been shortchanged. Only by pushing through a task that is uncomfortable and difficult do we grow in our capacities.

This use of AI is beginning to appear in research as highly detrimental to problem-solving, writing, and critical thinking. The analogy is an athlete who hasn’t developed themselves fully; here, it is a student whose mental capacity atrophies from reliance on AI to do the hard work of learning. A recent international assessment, PISA, shows an increase in “hasty readers” who rush through text and give quick answers that are often incorrect. Students who reported using AI to summarize, draft, or research scored a year of school behind those who did not. Additionally, there is a deterioration of the ability of readers to tackle a long text or to decide whether a given opinion is based on evidence or not.

These findings, and others, are early indications that an overreliance on AI usage is hampering the development of cognitive skills. The full body of research will take years to come together. In the same way that adults quickly and intuitively saw social media as posing certain challenges to young people, even before the research came in, we can take steps to help our students consider the effects of AI on learning.

2. Am I asking AI to give me the answer, or to help me build my capacity?

Considering both the PISA results and also a recent Harvard study of physics students, one use of artificial intelligence appears to be effective: the use of a well-designed AI tutor. By this, I don’t mean the chatbot that we communicate with routinely. An AI tutor is designed to behave like a good tutor or teacher - develop concepts and ask questions that lead to understanding rather than blurting out the answer. For instance, Khan Academy, which developed video tutorials for many high school and college courses, has developed Khanmigo, an AI tutor that is carefully programmed to be factually accurate while also using effective teaching strategies and not simply giving the answer. The Harvard study used a tutor designed carefully for its own physics courses to lead students in their own thinking. Where a homework question pasted into ChatGPT generates an easy answer, a question pasted into a tutor of this sort receives a reply of questions, explanations, and guidance to help the learner master the material.

Since schools are a long way away from being able to offer a true 1:1 human tutor for every student 24/7, AI tutors may help to supplement classroom instruction and assist students in filling in gaps in their understanding. Our students can benefit from this experience, even if the AI tutors that exist today are limited in some respects. As a teacher, if my student is stuck on a chemistry problem at 10 p.m., would I rather that they have an AI assistant to consult, or would I prefer that they remain stuck? But I’d most prefer that they ask the question in a way that the AI assistant teaches and walks them through the process rather than simply giving the answer. The prompt matters.

The unfortunate news about AI tutors is that students aren’t adopting them on their own. ChatGPT is easier, and it provides an easy answer. Khanmigo still involves work and students want the quick solution.

3. What are the human factors?

AI is great at giving us the average of what all human beings think about an issue. At its root, it is a tool for predicting the most likely next word in a sequence of text. Out of that comes some incredible “thinking,” and recent headlines have celebrated AI for solving problems previously considered unsolvable. But when it comes to the human problems that confront us, it is unlikely that AI will bring the true creativity to move outside the existing knowledge that has been developed over time. Careful readers will quickly spot the distinctive pattern in AI writing, where a great author brings a way of speaking and thinking about ideas that merges the human with the text on the page.

This is a place our students can find an advantage in the future - being the one who can not only generate the answer, but do so in a new, creative way that required a great deal of effort on their part and reflected their own developed humanity. As a school grounded in the idea of whole-person formation, we recognize that a fully formed person is not only a mind with knowledge and reasoning skills, but a physical, emotional, spiritual individual who is informed by all of these, with the mindsets to apply effort and persist in the face of challenges.

What Does this Mean for BG?

In fulfilling our mission as a school, we hope to grant our students a set of gifts and talents that will differentiate them in the future — the ability to harness their whole selves in solving a problem or meeting a challenge.

We do not know the path that AI will take in the future. We know that college and the workplace will change; what the student takes from their high school experience may become all the more important, particularly if they have had the opportunity to wrestle with concepts and ideas and come to see AI as a tool and not as the “answer” to questions that have never been asked before. The key, then, isn’t that we “teach AI” like we would “teach pencil” or “teach calculator” — the tools are easy enough to learn on our own — but that we provide the foundation that sits underneath that use — the wisdom and the insight to use any tool effectively. Amidst uncertainty, the individuals with this sort of depth will be the best positioned to make the most of their talents.

This defines what we ask of our students. Our Code of Honorable Conduct requires that work submitted reflects a student’s own effort. We will continue to ask Cardinals to read and write extensively, and to formulate and present their own ideas. The role of AI here is as a resource, but not as a replacement for the hard work of learning and growth. The default expectation is that the student will do the work themselves.

Our graduates often tell us that they are proudest of having accomplished difficult things at BG. Our theme this year, BE MORE, comes from Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, which cautions that technological progress can bring “an increase in means without a growth in humanity” - “having more” without “being more.” No matter what the future holds, a well-formed person remains the best available answer to it. Forming such people is our commitment as a school, even though it is the harder path.

Thank you for taking the time to consider how we can help our students to engage appropriately with this world-changing technology.

Sincerely,

Jason Strniste

Principal

Upcoming Events and Activities

10.19 | Breast Cancer Awareness Sporting Events

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, support those affected by breast cancer, and help advance life-saving research. All week long, our Cardinals will take the field and the court for our annual Pink Games, raising money and awareness in support of this important cause. All proceeds will benefit The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, supporting the fight against cancer. Come cheer on our Cardinals, wear your pink, and bring a little extra to support breast cancer research!

- Girls Volleyball “Dig Pink Games” | Monday, October 19 - BG Gym
- Girls Varsity Soccer | Tuesday, October 20 - 6 p.m. | Stellos
- Boys Varsity Soccer | Thursday, October 22 - 4 p.m. | Stellos
- Varsity Football | Saturday, October 24 - 3 p.m. | Stellos

10.21 | National Testing Day (PSAT)

Posted on 9.14.26:
Beginning this week, we will be preparing our students for the PSAT Digital Readiness Check. This process will take place in stages over the next two weeks.

First Steps Week: Device Survey

All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have been sent a survey asking what type of device they use. This information will help us determine device compatibility and ensure students are prepared for the PSAT.

Next Steps: College Board Accounts & Bluebook Setup

Freshmen: Create their College Board accounts.
Sophomores and Juniors: Log in to their existing College Board accounts.
All Students: Set up Bluebook, the testing platform used for the PSAT, by Friday, September 25.

Important Reminder

Please be sure your student brings their fully charged device to school every day, especially over the next two weeks. Having their device available will be essential as we complete these preparations.

Thank you for your support as we work to ensure our students are ready for the PSAT.

10.22 and 25 | BG Open Houses Presented by the Admission Office

Our student ambassadors will welcome prospective members of the Class of 2031 and transfer students for guided tours of Bishop Guertin. These tours give families the opportunity to experience the BG community through the eyes of the students who bring it to life every day.

We are incredibly grateful to our students, teachers, coaches and club moderators who help make both events special by sharing their experiences and answering questions about the classes, teams and clubs that make BG such a unique community.

10.26 to 11.4 | Thanksgiving Food Drive

Looking ahead, our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Corpus Christi Food Pantry in Nashua begins Monday, October 26 and will run through Wednesday, November 4. This year we have a community challenge to collect 2,000lbs of food and supplies. The senior class will be bringing all items collected to Corpus Christi Food Pantry on November 5 as part of their Formation Day service. Here is a list of suggested donations:

Ramen Noodles
Laundry Detergent
Juice
Chicken/Beef Soup
Canned Cream Soups
Canned Corn
Coffee
Tuna
Instant Potatoes
Stuffing
Cookie Mix
Brownie Mix

10.29 | College Representative Panel (Zoom)

Thursday, October 29 | 6:30 PM | via Zoom

Please join the Bishop Guertin Counseling Department on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 PM for our annual ‘Meet the College Representatives Night’
This event will be hosted via Zoom. A link will be sent out to community members as the event nears.
A panel of representatives from colleges and universities throughout New England are schedule to be on the call, ready to talk with you and answer any questions you might have about the admission process and their respective schools.
Parents and students from the Classes of 2027 and 2028 are strongly encouraged to log in.

11.1 | Boo Bash

11.5 | Formation Day

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.

More information regading grade-specific activities will be announced soon.

11.10 | Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal)

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held in the Roedel Field House on Tuesday, November 10. 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.

11.11 | Veterans Day (No Classes)

No classes.

BG Service Immersion Experiences

Volunteer and Community Service Opportunities for BG Students

To see a complete list of all volunteer activities offered to students, please see this document.
These activities are organized by Campus Ministry and offer our students wonderful opportunities to give back to our community and neighbors.

Other Information

Host Families Needed for 2026-27 International Students

Dear BG Families,

BG is excited to welcome international students into our school community for either a single semester or a full academic year. As we prepare our students for their futures, we are proud to foster a culturally diverse environment that reflects the richness of campuses across the country.

We are still seeking host families for the 2026-27 school year and beyond. Hosting an international student is a meaningful way to support BG while making a lasting impact on a young person’s life. Host families provide a safe, welcoming home, meals, and a supportive environment as students adjust to life in the U.S. In appreciation, hosts receive a $1,250 monthly stipend.

If you are interested in hosting, please click here to learn more or apply. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please don’t hesitate to contact program coordinator Casey Henry at henryc@bghs.org.

We are grateful for the generosity of our community and hope you will consider opening your home to an international student.

Thank you for your support!

Cardinal Corner Store Re-Opening

Students and Parents,

Please be on the lookout for more information about the grand re-opening of our Cardinal Corner store, located in the main lobby. The store will feature new clothing and merchandise for the 2026-27 school year, with more exciting offerings to come!

We are also proud to collaborate with our Partners in Mission to offer handmade soaps from the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. These soaps are produced by the Brothers in Rhode Island and sold throughout the world. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with our Brothers and other schools to make these special products available to our community.

More information about the handmade soaps and the store's new offerings will be shared soon.

Volunteer at BG!

Volunteers are an invaluable resource to our school community. Volunteering is a great way to connect with other families and our school community.

Your time, energy, and talent are needed in a variety of areas. Please take a moment to look over the array of opportunities and see if there is an area that might interest you. Any amount of time you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Attendance Procedures

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.

Morning Traffic Routine

As we begin the school year, we want to remind our community about important traffic safety guidelines during our busiest morning drop-off period. Between 7:20 and 7:35 a.m., we experience the highest volume of traffic along Lund Road and through our drop-off loop, which poses safety risks to both student and parent drivers.

Key Traffic Guidelines

Drop-Off Best Practices:

Arrive early when possible: Consider arriving before 7:20 a.m. to avoid peak traffic
Pull all the way forward: When using the Loop, please pull forward to the gym entrance for drop-off
Quick exits: Encourage your students to exit vehicles promptly regardless of drop-off location
5 MPH speed limit: Please observe our campus speed limit at all times

Loop Usage:

Most vehicles should continue to use the front Loop for student drop-off
Vehicles turning left off Lund Road should utilize the Loop
Parents should pull all the way forward and drop off in front of the gym
One of the leading causes of traffic backup on Lund Road is vehicles stopping well before the gym entrance

Lower Lot Guidelines:

The lower lot is available for morning drop-off
- If you notice the line on Lund Road forming, pull into the driveway leading to the lower lot to ease congestion
When dropping off students in the lower lot, please drop off as close to the tent as possible
Afternoon pick-up from the lower lot is only permitted after 3:00 p.m.
Please see maps below for traffic pattern

Additional Reminders

For Everyone's Safety:

Please be mindful of students and staff walking through parking areas
Follow all traffic directions and posted signage
Do not attempt to bypass the drop-off line
Remember that student safety is our top priority

Afternoon Pick-Up:

If possible, arrive after 2:50 p.m. to help ease afternoon traffic congestion
The front loop remains the only pick-up location until 3 p.m.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to maintain a safe environment for all students, staff, and families. Your adherence to these guidelines helps ensure smooth traffic flow and, most importantly, keeps everyone safe.

Thank you for your continued support.

Bus Transportation (non-Nashua Residents)

During the 2026-27 school year, Bishop Guertin will continue to offer morning transportation using the school’s minibuses.

The cost for the entire year is $925.

Those interested in signing up for a morning bus route should reach out to Mrs. Caito.

PLEASE NOTE:

The East Route has been filled at this time. If you were considering this route, please reach out to Mrs. Caito in the Main Office regarding alternative transportation options.

We are currently working to adjust other routes to accommodate students who were hoping to utilize the East Route. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to find a solution.

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, instead of filling out the form below.

East Route (Currently Full)

Market Basket, 90 Old Ferry Rd, Lowell, MA | 6:10 AM
Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Bridge Street, Dracut, MA | 6:25 AM
Hannaford, Bridge Street, Pelham, NH | 6:35 AM
Icenter Salem, Lowell Road, Salem, NH | 6:45 AM
Shaw's, Indian Rock Road, Windham, NH | 6:55 AM
The White Birch Catering & Banquet Hall, Central Street, Hudson, NH | 7:10 AM
Bishop Guertin High School | 7:20 AM

North Route

Saint Peter Catholic Church, 567 Manchester Rd, Auburn, NH | 6:10 AM
Market Basket, 30 Market Drive, Hooksett, NH | 6:20 AM
Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, NH | 6:35 AM
LaBelle Winery Amherst Event Center, 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

Walmart Supercenter 85 NH-101A, Amherst, NH | 6:05 AM
NH Liquor & Wine Outlet, Route 13, Brookline, NH | 6:15 AM
Hannaford, Main Street, Townsend, MA | 6:30 AM
Pepperell Community Center | 6:45 AM
Dunstable Free Public Library, Main Street, Dunstable, MA | 7:00 AM
Bishop Guertin High School | 7:20 AM

Bus Transportation (Nashua Residents)

To Purchase Your Pass

The Nashua School District will continue to provide bus transportation for Bishop Guertin students residing in Nashua in 2026-27.

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.

To Register Your Student

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.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to welcoming your students this fall! For questions or additional information about bus or shuttle transportation, please contact Mrs. Amy Caito in the front office.

Drivers Education | Pedal Pushers

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

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

Cardinal Steps for Success

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.

Expansion of School Vouchers in New Hampshire - June 2025

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.

Around BG

Daily Morning Mass

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

Brother Roger

The Redbird Report - Student Podcast

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.

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