Caldwells' Trinity Academy Mascot Travels Around the World on Student Summer Vacations

Trinity Academy students have had a very special companion during their summer vacations this year. Playing off the well-read children’s book “Flat Stanley,” Trinity Academy launched a fun summer program in which all students were given a “Flat Bernie” and encouraged to take him with them. The Academy’s very own mascot, Bernie, an adorable, travel size, paper St. Bernard has traveled far and wide on trips to the beach, family get-togethers, and international explorations.

Notably, Bernie has been spotted in an incredible photo (pictured in this article) with our troops after Trinity Academy fifth grader Al Pacicco, of North Caldwell, wrote to Colonel Fallin to learn about military life, sending Flat Bernie along with the letter.

Bernie has also visited Rome, Paris, Capri, London, Normandy and Hong Kong (twice!). He has attended a concert in Berlin, Yankees games, and gone backstage a Broadway show for a cameo with James Franco. He has been camping with Trinity families, and even surfing the waves at the Jersey shore. He has even taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and challenged other school mascots to do the same.

Trinity Academy families have been posting their photos and videos online throughout the summer using the hashtag #BernieSummer2014, enabling others to follow Bernie’s travels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Students have been keeping journals documenting their summer adventures with their lovable mascot.

Upon return to school in September, there will be prizes awarded for the most unique summer adventure, the longest distance Bernie trip, the most “liked” Bernie post, and the most creative summer journal using Bernie. Check out the Trinity Academy Facebook page or simply search hashtag #BernieSummer2014 to see where Bernie has been this summer.

Trinity Academy is a Pre-K through 8th grade school located on Bloomfield Ave. in Caldwell. To learn more about Trinity Academy, click here.

Information and photo courtesy of Jamie DiGiovanni, Trinity Academy