It is hard to put into words what has happened over the last several weeks in New York City and around the world.  The new coronavirus, COVID-19, has wreaked such havoc on our lives, and we seem to be at the tip of the iceberg.  At times like these, it seems wise to focus on things we can control.  And although we are physically apart, the St. Bernard’s community has pulled together in amazing ways over the last several weeks to focus on teaching the boys.

This year marks the tenth consecutive year St. Bernard’s has worked with the American Ballet Theatre, the world-renowned dance company.  ABT held several workshops with the third grade which introduced the boys to the wonders of ballet.

The Community Gathering Committee is pleased to report the Jewish Museum visits were a success.  Located just down the street from St Bernard’s School, the Jewish Museum sits at the intersection of art and Jewish culture by educating through themes that are relevant to the shared human experience.  

On this blustery winter morning, the students of St. Bernard’s were only thinking about one thing: the Raffle.  For the month of February, boys have been buying raffle tickets for themselves, their family, and their teachers in the hopes to win one of over two hundred prizes.  The culmination was a rousing ticket drawing in Friday Assembly.

Roughly one-third of St. Bernard’s boys play a musical instrument outside of school, and during the winter term, several recitals are held to showcase their talent.  This morning the Upper School musicians performed in front of the entire school assembly.

Junior School Parents Visiting Day made for a sweet start to Valentine’s Day this year.  Parents of boys in kindergarten through Grade III spent the morning with their boys at school.

In 2016, a group of Old Boys established the Kronengold Fund in honor of their second grade teacher Susan Kronengold.  The Fund brings an author to the school each year to speak to the boys.  This year the Middle School had the pleasure of spending an hour with author Jack Gantos.

Third grade St. Bernard’s boys spend their winter term studying ancient Egypt.  On February 10, the three Grade III classes took a walk down Fifth Avenue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to take in its impressive collection of Egyptian art, artifacts, mummies, and of course the Temple of Dendur.

In December, family members of one of our school’s great masters, Donald Phelan, visited St. Bernard’s to reminisce about what the school meant to their father and grandfather, and also what he meant to St. Bernard’s.