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St. Bernard School
I
An Immersive Educational Experience
n 1926, two things were introduced to the world
that to this day continue to change the lives
of children—Winnie the Pooh and St. Bernard
School. And while A.A. Milne’s classic bear stories
may seem to have a broader reach around the
globe, the impact that graduates of St. Bernard
School have had in our world reach just as far.
That’s because St. Bernard School approaches
education differently. With a competitive academic
curriculum that puts it on the same footing as public
schools, and a devotion to the Catholic faith that
permeates every action, St. Bernard School has been
preparing kindergarten through eighth-grade students
for life by bringing life into the classrooms.
Junior High School teacher and Student Council co-
moderator Erin Stretavski, for example, said events like
the Science Olympiad and Living Wax Museum really go
above and beyond for students by making education a
school-wide event.
“The Science Olympiad explores topics related to
the curriculum that are emphasized in the classroom.
The fourth- through sixth-graders participate and the
seventh- and eighth-graders act as teaching assistants,”
she said. “There’s a little competition and a couple of
awards for teams that worked well together or did
exceptionally well on activities throughout the day,
but it’s more about involving a lot of different students,
using the same materials in different ways to challenge
themselves and each other.”
The Living Wax Museum is another event
where the entire seventh and eighth grades
choose an historical figure in American history
to profile.
“The students do research, develop their
subject’s timeline and explore different
aspects of their lives in relation to the times
they lived in,” Stretavski said. “Students dress
up in costumes, create posters, and give speeches
and the parents, other students and staff all come in
to hear about these figures from American history.”
She noted that the most unique historical figure
she’s seen during her tenure at the school was a
student who chose Kid Blink, a.k.a. Louis Ballatt, who
started the Newsboys Strike of 1899. She’s also seen
a lot of gangsters like Al Capone and Clyde Barrow of
Bonnie & Clyde notoriety.
Danielle Lockwood, first grade teacher and
student council co-moderator, said Family Reading
Night is another event that brings the entire school
together in education.
“We do it as a kickoff for Catholic Schools
Week. There are different themes and activities
based around those themes each year, including
guest authors, guest readers, games and snacks,
culminating in a Scholastic Book Fair,” Lockwood
said, adding that the book fair is a fundraiser for the
school besides to exposing students to great books.
“Parents love it. It’s a great event for the community.”
“All of these events are great activities for students,
to help them explore what they don’t get in depth
in the classroom,” Stretavski said. “They really give
students perspectives and practical applications.”
These programs at St. Bernard School are just a
few ways that the faculty helps prepare students for
today’s modern world within a traditional Catholic
education, ensuring that they are every bit as
prepared for college as their public school peers.
The Living Wax
Museum is another
event where the
seventh and eighth
grade students each
choose a historical
figure in American
history to profile.
For more information on St. Bernard School
and everything it has to offer, go to the website at
stbschool.net online, or call them at 412.341.5444.
The school is located in the heart of the South Hills
at 401 Washington Road, 15216.
KEYSTONE OAKS
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WINTER 2018
9