Throughout 2022, Wawa has used the grand openings of new stores as opportunities to celebrate the customers, associates, community members, organizations and local heroes who are committed to “brightening the days” of others across the popular convenience store’s operating area. They call it their “Day Brighteners Tour.” As part of the Tour, Wawa asks community members to nominate an individual or organization making a positive impact on the local area to be recognized during the opening day ceremony.
 
When Wawa held the grand opening of their new location at Easton and Waverly Roads in Glenside last Thursday morning (December 15), Glenside resident and Good Shepherd Catholic School Third-Grade Teacher Rachel Dillinger was honored as the Community Day Brightener!
 
During her introduction, a Wawa representative noted that they had received “an overwhelming number of nominations, but this person has truly gone above and beyond.” Now in her fourth year at GSC, Miss Dillinger was acknowledged for her love of teaching and dedication to her students, especially since her first two years were impacted greatly by COVID and its effect on schools.
 
In addition to teaching third grade, Miss Dillinger is the director of Good Shepherd Catholic’s Spring musical – a responsibility she took on last school year – and she has worked the past two years at Camp GSC, the school’s Summer program.
 
Congratulations, Rachel, and thank you for all you do at and for GSC!
 
#GSCCommunity  #GSCService 
#GSCTeacherTuesday  #GSCProud

The Connelly Foundation today announced in a virtual ceremony its 2023 Neumann Scholars, awarding 50 academically talented eighth-grade students from 33 regional and parochial schools in the five counties (Philadelphia, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Bucks) with four-year, full scholarships to attend any Philadelphia Archdiocesan high school of their choosing. The scholarships are named for Saint John Neumann, the fourth bishop of Philadelphia, who is credited with founding over 200 schools in the Archdiocese.

​For the first time in the school’s 13-year history, Good Shepherd Catholic has a Neumann Scholar, and he is Nicholas Carlson! Nicholas is pictured with his mom, Susan, along with GSC Principal Sister Helen Thomas, IHM, and Eighth-Grade Teacher Patricia Blackwell, following this morning’s announcement.

Launched in 1995, the Neumann Scholars Program identifies scholastically gifted eighth-grade students through an independently administered competitive examination. The criteria to sit for this year’s exam was a seventh-grade Terra Nova standardized total test score of 90 or a cognitive skills index (CSI) score of 120, plus a seventh-grade grade point average (GPA) of 92.0 or above. Students also needed to complete an application and an essay.

Nicholas took the scholarship exam at the Montgomery County testing site – Lansdale Catholic High School – on Sunday, September 25, along with classmate James Gramlich. They were two of the 473 students from 116 parochial schools in all the counties who competed to be a Neumann Scholar.

GSC’s sixth-grade students joined the eighth graders in their classroom on Tuesday morning to watch the online awards presentation.

#GSCScholarship
#GSCCommunity
​#GSCistheplacetobe
​#GSCProud

In partnership with The Giving Tree – a non-profit organization based in Gwynedd Valley, PA, which is "dedicated to teaching children the merits of helping worthwhile causes and the positive results of their hard work" – The GIANT Company is graciously sponsoring several service learning grants for area middle schools as a part of their Eliminating Hunger Campaign.

​The Good Shepherd Catholic School community is taking part in this program, and on Friday, October 21, GSC students put together about 150 snack bags with encouraging handwritten notes for those experiencing hunger and food insecurity. 

Now YOU can help! Scan the QR code on the flyer below to watch a short video (less than two-minutes) which explains how you and your family can make "Full Belly Bags," which you then can drop off at the school before the end of October.

In addition to helping the hungry, your efforts could bring the Phillie Phanatic to GSC!

This schoolwide community service project was organized by GSC's Student Council and their moderator, Mrs. Alexis Wilson. 

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office of Catholic Education has recognized GSC as a School of Distinguished Instruction 2022! This honor is based on our students' performance on the Terra Nova achievement tests they took in early March. At least 90 percent of GSC students in grades 3-7 last school year "exceeded their potential" in all content areas at every level tested, based on prior abilities testing.

In advance of the achievement tests, the students take the InView test, which is a cognitive aptitude assessment that measures skills and abilities needed to learn and succeed in school. The InView is evaluated and analyzed with the Terra Nova tests to determine whether a student is achieving up to their full potential.

GSC Principal Sister Helen Thomas, IHM, accepted the school's plaque at an awards ceremony on Thursday afternoon, September 8, at St. Pius X Church in Broomall. Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education in the Archdiocese, and Dr. Andrew McLaughlin, Secretary for Elementary Education, were on hand to present the award to Sister Helen.

Congratulations to our students, faculty and staff for all of their hard work that led to this recognition!

#GSCScholarship
#GSCCommunity
​#GSCistheplacetobe
#GSCisIHMstrong

In addition to the above dates, there is a Preschool Orientation for students and parents on Friday morning, September 9, at 9:00.

Seven Good Shepherd Catholic School students have had the honor and pleasure to perform with their elementary school peers across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in a series of concerts sponsored by the Office of Catholic Education. 

Here is a list of the performances and the GSC musicians and vocalists:

Honor and Jazz Bands Concert — Thursday, February 17, 2022 — Archbishop Wood High School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lklc7Ljm284
Alex Boukamp, Grade 8, Honor Band, Alto Sax
Nathan Hess, Grade 8, Honor and Jazz Bands, Trombone
Bradyn O'Donnell, Grade 7, Honor Band, Flute, and Jazz Band, Drums

Festival Concert* — Sunday, March 6, 2022 — Archbishop Carroll High School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-0iSUgMFz8
Saesar Rozier, Grade 5, Alto Sax (Second Chair)
Auria Brady, Grade 4, Clarinet (First Chair)
* The Jazz Band also played at this concert.

Choral Concert — Tuesday, March 15, 2022 — Archbishop Wood High School
Alex Boukamp, Grade 8, Honor Choir, Alto
Nathan Hess, Grade 8, Honor Choir, Baritone
Presley Lamb, Grade 7, Honor Choir, Soprano
Bradyn O'Donnell, Grade 7, Honor Choir, Alto
​Sarah Hess, Grade 6, Festival Choir

The Jazz Band also will perform at the Cardinal O'Hara High School Jazz Band Competition on Friday, April 1. 

For more information about the Archdiocesan Elementary Music Festivals, go here.

#GSCScholarship
#GSCProud
#GSCCelebratestheArts