Movies Reviews

All In: Miracle at St. Bernard’s film about Faith, Family and Football

All In: Miracle at St. Bernard's film about Faith, Family and Football

All In: Miracle at St. Bernard’s is a film by Gregg Backer & Evan Kanew, releasing on VOD December 13th! This was such a heartwarming film that speaks to the value of high school athletes, faith and community support. 2018 was a winning season at St Bernard’s in Fitchburg, Massachusetts despite rumors that their school is in dire financial crisis and in jeopardy of closing down for good after serving their community for multiple generations.

I went to Catholic school from grades 1-9. It was small and survived off dioceses support. If less families come to church and donate, the funds are hard to supplement. It is hard to support a financially failing school and St Bernard’s had to get very creative in only 1 year to try and save their school.

I couldn’t imagine my school closing back when I attended Catholic school myself. We were all close- we were small classes and we learned and prayed together as well as saw each other in mass on the weekends. Shutting down a Catholic school is like splitting families up. It is the saddest phenomenon that seems plaguing across the country. The neighboring school, who they played in the 2018 championship game, sent letters to families informing them of their closure. St Bernard’s would be the single Catholic school left in the area unless they also fail to raise funds. Then an idea hit….

The synopsis of All In: Miracle at St. Bernard’s is about faith, family and football. This documentary chronicles a tiny, 100-year-old Catholic school in Fitchburg, Massachusetts struggling with insolvency
yet defying the odds at a time when the Church was shuttering similar institutions nationwide.

It’s the underdog story of a working-class community and the state’s smallest football program rallying in pursuit of an impossible goal: to save their school from closure by the Church.

The Bernardians faithful needed a miracle. So they set about creating one. All In follows the
dramatic campaigns to raise money and enrollment as well as a magical football season
that together saved a beloved institution.

Watch All In: Miracle at St. Bernard’s on VOD (Video On Demand) channels. Amazon link to watch!

Education

Back to school planners for Teachers and Students

Back to school planners for Teachers and Students

We are entering another school year. Last year was the first full year post-COVID and it was a crazy, busy school year! I kept organized and then things would get disorganized so I had to stop and reorganize over and over again. That is the work life of a high school bookkeeper and ASB Secretary. I LIVE out of my planners! I keep an open calendar for district dates but my agenda is for the Athletics and ASB events scheduling. I am using The Happy Planner – 2022 Modern Wild Classic. I loved this quote and design.

The Happy Planner has so many designs and organizational products and planners for teachers, students, employees and parents. For 2022, The Happy Planner is featuring Monday-Friday design dated specifically for the school year, as well as horizontal box spaces and checklists. If your schedule is always different then they have undated planners to create your own day by day scheduling.

Look at these 2022 – 2023 designs below. What a great gift for students and teachers to start their year off right! I love the disc binding in my planner. When my desk gets out of control with forms and other papers and receipts, I can spot my planner easily. On every page, the spaces in the monthly calendar, checklists and notes are always the perfect size for notes and my handwriting.

Get organized in 22/23 with the planners, stickers, boards and more at The Happy Planner online shop and they are also available on Amazon.

Education

2022 Back To School Guide

2022 Back To School Guide

Another year older- another grade to master! Whether you have a child entering preschool or high school or perhaps you are going back to school, we have you covers. From preschool to college, these topics will guide you into a 22/23 school year!

All in 1 spot. The best posts all school-related are linked below. You will want to bookmark this page to come back as I add more posts almost daily!


These Megamats from TCG toys are a great floor mat for classrooms or at home to ignite imaginations and engaging play! Great for preschool to kindergarten.

Read more!


Studying at Home: 6 Tips To Study Without Distractions. Great for high school to College!

Read more!


Sending a College student off to extreme climates? If you are going from mild weather to extreme cold or hot, make sure you send them with the right skincare products for the elements such as these MongoKiss lip balms from Eco Lips.

Read more!


Turn off the TV and video games and grab a game the entire family can get into. From entertaining toddlers to bonding with the teens, the ToDo Game is an award-winning Australian activity cards that promote meaningful conversations. Great for all ages!

Read more!


Designed for women of all sizes and shapes, the apparel of Taylor Jay is comfortable and ever changing as we move through life. Oakland, Ca. designer Taylor Jay wanted to create styles for every women-every one of us! This makes a great gift for the College students heading off on their own!

Read more!


New at Patagonia stores and online is a children’s book about protecting sea life and recycling. The book is called, Better Than New: A Recycle Tale / Mejor Que Nuevo: Un Cuento de Reciclaje (by Robert Broder).

Read more!


For 2022, The Happy Planner is featuring Monday-Friday design dated specifically for the school year, as well as horizontal box spaces and checklists. 

Read more!


Education

Studying at Home: 6 Tips To Study Without Distractions

The opportunity to get an education online has helped thousands of people to accomplish their goal of receiving a certificate or degree. Online learning has multiple advantages and helps people who deal with other responsibilities in their lives, such as working or parenting, that may have formerly inhibited them from continuing their education. Some people simply prefer studying online.

Getting an education online, however, presents some potential disadvantages to students, but nothing that can’t be overcome. For some people, studying from the computer and without any classmates there can be distracting and can make it hard to stay motivated. Here are six tips that will help you reduce distractions and be more focused during your online study time.

1. Get Ready for School

Before studying, take a shower and get dressed. If you really want to, you can put your pajamas back on. However, you should make an effort to care for yourself before you begin. Online students often do not see the importance of looking neat, but how you look influences how you feel. When you strive to look presentable, you will feel more confident in yourself and your abilities while you study.

2. Organize Your Space

Keep your computer properly connected and your desk area organized and clean. If you eat or drink while studying (which is totally fine, by the way) be sure to clean it up immediately afterward. If you were attending a college or university in person, wouldn’t you do the same? Additionally, make sure you have enough light to read any materials you have, and that you have pens and paper on hand for notes within reach.

3. Use a Planner

Studying at home offers you flexibility, but you should still work to be organized. Take time to plan your week. Make time for each course and plan out the homework or projects you know will be due to ensure you finish them on time. Establish priorities with your school work every day and review them each morning. Write down due dates so you don’t miss any. Arrange your schedule around work and family responsibilities.

4. Set Alarms and Breaks

While studying, it can be helpful to set an alarm. You should give yourself enough time to get through all of your different courses and homework. You also need to schedule some breaks. Focus for an hour and then take a 5-10 minute break. It will help you to stay focused for the next hour.

5. Communicate With Your Family

If you do not live alone, communicate with your family about your schedule. For example, if you are a parent, prepare your kids ahead of time by letting them know you will study today. If they are more independent, ask for their help with home chores. Sit and talk about your goals with everyone at home and find ways to help each other.

6. Turn off Social Media

Social media is one of the biggest distractions to online learning. Turn off your phone or silence notifications during study times. 

Now that you have the tools, what are you waiting for? Now is a great time to get started on improving your education.