St. Bernadette Catholic School Council

Meet Your 2019/2020

Kim Idoine

Welcome to what we hope will be another great year at St. Bernadette. I am this year’s Council Chair. I joined the Council in 2017 and was Vice Chair last year. I work as a Graphic Designer, but my most important role is as Mom to Joshua who is in Grade 8 and to Lucas who graduated from St. Bernadette in 2018. I was born and raised in Dundas and attended St. Augustine’s and St. Mary’s. I lived in Hamilton for a few years but couldn’t stay away and moved my husband and kids here 3 years ago. Some of you I know from growing up here in town, but those I don’t, I look forward to meeting at our community events throughout the year. The Catholic School Council provides the opportunity for us parents to have a greater influence in our children’s education. I invite you to join us at our meetings and to add your voice to the mix. If you want more information about the Catholic School Council, you can contact me at kimzess@gmail.com

Mr. Mike Golden

The St. Bernadette School community is a special place – it’s a great little school with a dynamic staff and a superb parent community that works hard to ensure the students and families have a great experience learning, growing and practicing their faith. My name is Mike Golden and I am the treasurer and teacher representative for the St. Bernadette Catholic School Council. I am also the Special Education Resource Teacher at the school. This is my third year at St. Bernadette, my third year volunteering on School Council, and my second year volunteering as the Council Treasurer. I am a parent to three boys. Helping to develop a welcoming school community where everyone is welcome to share their talents and ideas in the name of building a positive environment for all is what I seek for my own children and what I strive to achieve for your children by participating on your School Council. And it’s something that I hope you, too, will want to volunteer your time for!

CHAIRTREASURER

Julie Makarski

I am pleased to serve our school community this year as Secretary on Council for 2019-2020. I held the positions of Secretary & Parish Rep on Council last year and I have been a parent member of our school community since 2010. Although I was initially apprehensive in joining Council last year (life is busy!), I’m glad I did. I learned a lot, met some great people, and had the opportunity to collaboratively & positively contribute towards our school community (with not a huge time commitment!). I am Mom to Jonathan (Grade 7) and to Ben who graduated from St. B’s in 2018. I volunteer as the St. Augustine’s Parish Youth Group Leader and have been serving in that role since 2018. I look forward to a great school year, meeting you, and welcoming you to any (or all!) of our Council meetings & school community events. If you would like to learn more about Council and/or to contribute to our school community in any way, I invite you to join us at our meetings, and/or to reach out to me any time (allegra04@gmail.com).

Jennifer Rutkowski

Hello St. Bernadette Community. My name is Jennifer Rutkowski, I am a council member on our School Council for 2019-2020. I have volunteered as a St. Bernadette School Council member for 5 non-consecutive years. Previously, I was on the Canadian Martyrs Parent School Council for 10 years (2 years as chair and 8 years as a council member). Among my many other volunteer roles, I am also starting my 2nd year volunteering as Team Manager for the Flamborough Dundas Soccer Club, for the U10 Girls Team. I have been an employee of McMaster University for almost 27 years in various roles. My most precious and rewarding time is spent raising my three children Connor (21), Nicholas (17), and Sienna (8) who is in Grade 4 at St. B’s, along with taking care of our two dogs Cuddles and Toby. I have experienced so many personal rewards through volunteering in many different activities for my children and work. As other Council members have invited you to join our meetings and volunteer for events, I encourage you to as well! I can be reached at jenniferrutkowski@cogeco.ca

SECRETARY(PRIMARY)

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PARENT REPRESENTATIVE

Fr. Scott Whitfield

I am the recently appointed Pastor of St. Augustine’s Parish. A former Anglican minister, I was ordained under the Pastoral Provision that allows for married Protestant clergy to take Holy Orders after being received into the Church. I have served on Catholic School Councils as a parent, a lay parish representative, and as a priest. I, along with my wife Biserka and daughter Helena, are enjoying making our new home here in Dundas.

Parish Representative

The Catholic School Council...• Is an advisory body that provides recommendations and support to principals and the

Board on many matters• Consults with the Principal and the Board on matters that affect student learning and

ensuring that Catholic education is preserved and maintained• Offers parents the opportunity to stay connected with what is happening in the school• Provides a forum through which parents and community members

can contribute to improving student achievement, well-being and school performance Like good

stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with

whatever gift each of you has received. ~ 1 Peter 4:10

Studies show parental involvement boosts student achievement.By joining the Catholic School Council, you are providing a positive example, showing your child the importance you place on education.

Mrs. Catania

I am the Principal of St. Bernadette Catholic School and have been blessed to be the school’s Principal since February 2015. I have celebrated our School building’s 25th Anniversary and the 60th Anniversary of the School. I have promoted a Christ-centred environment at our School with a "Be Nice Faith Filled Philosophy”. Students recite our School Motto, Mission and Vision daily. Our monthly Catholic Social Teaching Assemblies, participation in St. B Spirit Group and creation of our own school song help us to identify what it is to be a St. Bernadette Catholic Student. I am so proud of the students and staff at our School and feel very fortunate to be a part of such a caring Parent Community. I have a daughter Mia who attends St. Joachim Catholic School and a husband who loves the Steelers and playing family tennis matches with us. Our family loves movie nights, watching Star Wars and Super-Hero movies. I am thankful for the care and support of both my family and my St. Bernadette Catholic School family as I continue to love and serve God.

Mr. Kerry McNamara

Mr. McNamara is pleased to be serving as our Community Representative on School Council this year.

PrincipalSt. Bernadette

have you considered joining OUr Catholic school council?

It’s Not A Big Commitment... one meeting a month

Join Us At Our Next Meeting! 7pm In The Library

Tuesday, October 22Tuesday, November 19

Tuesday, January 14Tuesday, February 4Tuesday, March 10Tuesday, April 21Tuesday, May 12

Amy Smith

Hello St. B’s parents and community. I am Amy Smith and I am happy to volunteer as Secondary Secretary for our 2019-2010 Catholic School Council. I have vast experience in Education, as an elementary school teacher for 20 years for Halton Catholic District School Board. I also proudly wear other hats, which include: mom to Abbey (grade 5) and Evan (grade 7), a wife, sister, and daughter. I volunteer at our Parish as a lector. Although my home and work life is quite busy with extra-curricular activities, I enjoy contributing back to our St. Bernadette community when I can. I look forward to hearing from you with any suggestions as we work together to support our children’s education. I also hope that our work can inspire others to join Council and be a voice for our children. If I can do it, so can you! I can be reached at: amychavez@hotmail.com

SECRETARY(SECONDARY)

PARENT REPRESENTATIVE