St. Bernard Prep incoming senior, Morgan Matz, volunteered her time to assist in placing books in the newly-renovated library before the opening of school.

School bells are ringing and another banner year has begun at St. Bernard Prep School. A newly renovated library and classroom building as well an updated science and math building greeted 216 students as they arrived on campus on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2016.

Students were excited to reunite with their classmates and welcome students enrolling at the school for the first time. Part of their excitement was seeing the improvements over the summer which included not only new classrooms but also new landscaping, walkways and exterior lighting for the campus.

Students who arrived early were able to take advantage of the opportunity to be fitted for school uniforms as well as to purchase necessary school supplies.

New organizational changes have been implemented by the St. Bernard Board of Directors. Dan Baillargeon has been named headmaster of St. Bernard Prep. Baillargeon, who is starting his third year at St. Bernard, is now responsible for the day to-day-operations of both the middle and high schools.

After his many successes in the Athletic arena, William Calvert, who has been with St. Bernard Prep for the past six years serving as middle school principal and athletic director, will now be a full-time athletic director. Calvert, along and his son, Stephen Calvert, have led three St. Bernard teams to state championship titles in the past three years.

St. Bernard welcomed four new instructors: Elizabeth Barajas Barrera, Spanish; Tyler Ayers, Middle School Mathematics; Linda Howse, Honors Algebra I, Algebra II, and Honors Pre-Cal; and Catie Gilliland, ninth English, World Literature, Psychology and the Foundations of English.

Two new dorm directors round out the list of new staff members. Diann Brewer will take care of the girls’ dorm, and Rock Turner will be in charge of the boys’ dorm. Mrs. Brewer has been in the St. Bernard family for quite a number of years as an administrator in the St. Bernard Abbey Retreat Center. She is the mother of three sons, all grown, and she looks forward to having a house full of “daughters.”

An Alabama native, Mr. Turner comes to St. Bernard from another Benedictine school, Maur Hill – Mount Academy in Atchison, Kan., where he held a similar position in their residential life program for the past five years. He also has experience as a classroom teacher and in youth ministry.

Part of the first day of school included a commitment from both students and faculty to do their very best not only in academics but in citizenship.

St. Bernard Prep is operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Bernard Abbey. Enrollment for new students will continue until Labor Day. Anyone interested in attending should contact the admissions office at 256-739-6682.