PARENT BULLETIN
December 1, 2016
DAN'S BLOG
The Admissions Season is beginning next week and runs through February. This is the time when prospective new school families for the 2017-18 school year begin touring the school, sitting in on classes, and meeting with Mr. Fuerte and me so they can learn all there is to learn about St. Louise Parish School.

Starting this coming Tuesday the 6th and occurring every Tuesday morning through February, we will hold "Tuesday Tour" days. We need your help! YOU are St. Louise's BEST ambassadors and can help make a difference in our overall enrollment by telling prospective school parents about our amazing school! I am asking you current school families to please spread the word to your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members who will have 4-14 year-olds next fall. A simple, "Check out St. Louise !" in your next chat, text, or social media post may be all that is needed to direct these people to our direction in their search for their first or a new school for their kids.
 

(Keep reading to find out your possible "reward" for spreading the word!)


You can let these prospective new school parents know that their first step in the admissions process is to contact Lola or Mindy in the school office at 425-746-4220 to set up their "Tuesday Tour." You can also invite them to our February 2nd Open House and, even better, offer to be their personal host/tour guide for this family event.

We know that, as current school parents, you like to spread the good news about St. Louise School to friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members simply because you love our school and want these people you care about to consider such a strong Catholic school for their children too. But even though we know you spread the word about us without any expectation of a "reward" or "incentive," we'd like to give you one.   

One of the forms a newly enrolling family will fill out when applying to school will ask them, "Is there a current school family who encouraged you to consider enrolling in St. Louise School ?" If they list your name as the encourager/promoter that got them to consider St. Louise, and if they are indeed enrolled when we start school next fall, WE WILL REWARD YOU BY GIVING YOU ONE MONTH'S FREE TUITION*  NEXT YEAR! This reward is our way of saying, "Thank you for helping us recruit new families to help us grow our enrollment !"

(*The 1-child rate for 2017-18 tuition will be removed from one of your monthly payments next year.)
 
If you have any questions about our new "reward program for admissions," please talk to Cindy or Laura in the development office.

Thanks for reading,
Mr. Fitz

p.s.
As your children are handing you their Christmas Wish Lists, may I please hand you mine? I want one, two, or three parents to step forward and announce they'd love to co-chair the 2017 St. Louise Auction! I say one, two, or three because some years we have had a duo or trio of parents who know each other come together to chair, and other years individual parents express interest and we help them "find each other" to create a team. Outgoing chairs Julianne and Esther will be around to help train the new Auction Chairs, and many committee heads have already committed to return to their Auction jobs. If you will have the time to put into co-chairing the Auction (most time is needed this spring and next fall) and would like to make your positive, historical mark on your child's school, please talk to Julianne or Esther to get your questions answered. Then "slip this Christmas present under my Christmas tree" by way of an email or phone call to me in the coming weeks. No need to wrap it.

School Calendar
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TOMORROW and THIS WEEKEND
  
Friday, December 2
  • Volunteers needed TODAY & TOMORROW for the St. Nick Breakfast! Please sign up here.
Saturday, December 3
  • ST. NICHOLAS BREAKFAST & BAZAAR; 9AM-12PM in parish hall

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK...  
 
Tuesday, December 6
  • The Admissions Season begins! Prospective new school families for the 2017-18 school year begin touring the school, sitting in on classes, and meeting with Mr. Fitz & Mr. Fuerte starting today and occurring every Tuesday morning through February. We call these "Tuesday Tour" days, and we ask current school families to please spread the word to your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members who will have 4-14 year-olds next fall: "Check out St. Louise!" They should contact Lola or Mindy in the school office at 425-746-4220 to set up their "Tuesday Tour."
     
Wednesday, December 7
  • Parent Meeting for school musical, Suessical Jr., at 5:00PM in the parish hall

Thursday, December 8

  • Feast of the Immaculate Conception SCHOOL MASS at 9:00AM; parents invited to join their children outside the classrooms at 8:45 and walk over to church with them

Friday, December 9

  • Collection drive day for "Christmas Stockings for Homeless Children" (see article below)
  • Flavorful Friday Treats for sale (to raise funds for the 5th graders' overnight field trip to Pioneer Farm this May)
  • Used Uniform Sale in the central wing hallway from 2-4PM

Saturday, December 10

  • Speech Team participates in the Blanchet HS Tournament

Sunday, December 11

  • St. Louise community invited to run/walk in today's Jingle Bell Run; ask Mary Herridge for more details 

SAVE THE DATE...

Monday, December 12 
  • Auction Free Dress Week - only for those who purchased this privilege at the Auction
Wednesday, December 13
  • Christmas Concert performed by grades 1-2; 6:30PM in the church; all invited!

Friday, December 16

  • NOON DISMISSAL DAY
  • AFTER-SCHOOL KIDS' CLUB IS CLOSED

Time for St. Louise Parishioners to Renew Their Stewardship Commitment

The vast majority of our school parents are also St. Louise Parish parishioners, and as parishioners you have a major benefit and a major expectation. The benefit is you have reduced tuition costs compared to non-Catholic families ($3,744 less for our one-child tuition rate). The expectation is you help financially support the parish as one requirement for being granted this reduced tuition.

Our parish office needs to verify annually that a school family paying the reduced, in-parish tuition rate is indeed a "contributing" parishioner, and the annual Stewardship of Treasure Commitment Renewal - which is currently ongoing during this November/December timeframe - is one part of this verification. (Of course, the other part is to make sure you are following through with your commitment by indeed donating to the parish.)
  
You will find our parish's 2015-16 Annual Stewardship Report online here: www.stlouise.org/stewardshipreport. Additionally, a letter from Father Gary was mailed out last week to all St. Louise parishioners, reminding all to take part in the Stewardship of Treasure Commitment Renewal. Here is a portion of Father's letter:
 
 
November 17, 2016                       
   
Autumn blessings as we come to the close of the Year of Mercy! Thank you for your participation in the Stewardship Life of St. Louise Parish. The sacrifices you are making to support our parish help all of us together to be instruments of Christ's mercy.
 
I have a big idea and I need your help to make it happen. Actually, the idea came from you.
  
In the parish survey that many of you completed two years ago we heard that we need to add more people to our parish staff. We listened and defined one of the eight pillars of our strategic plan to ensure that we have the right number of staff resources in place to address all the needs of our parish community and its vision for the future. With this in mind, we hope to add a Junior High Youth Minister and a new position for Parishioner Engagement (Volunteer Coordination, Welcoming & Hospitality and Outreach). We hope to add the new position for Parishioner Engagement in early 2017 and the Junior High Youth Minister position by July 2017.
 
In order to add and sustain these new positions for the coming years, we would need to increase the total amount pledged to the parish by $140,000 starting in 2017. This year the total amount pledged to our Parish is $1,573,711. Our total pledge goal for 2017, January - December, is $1,715,000.
 
The idea is a bold one and I think that we can do it. The final answer will come from you. I ask that you take the time to prayerfully review your annual financial support to St. Louise and Take a Step in your pledging to help reach our goal.  Kindly complete and return to the parish - in the Mass collection basket or drop off at the parish office - the Stewardship of Treasure commitment card. You can also complete a commitment card online at www.stlouise.org/stewardshipoftreasure.
 
Together with the parish staff, I thank you for completing and returning your commitment card. In thanksgiving for all God's blessings to us, and for your generosity in response,
 
Father Gary Zender
Pastor
 
 


 

 

Thank you for fulfilling your annual commitment to renewing your Parish Stewardship by completing your commitment card by no later than the end of December. Starting in January, the parish office will be contacting any school families who are paying in-parish tuition but aren't fulfilling these parishioner requirements of renewing the card and continuing with stewardship contributions. If you have any questions, please contact our parish business administrator, Jonathan Taasan.

Check out Charger Gear Online  
           Starting today, our online store for Charger Gear will be open - but only for a couple of days. The ability to order gear online will end at 11:59PM this Sunday the 4th.
          You can get your child, spouse, grandparents, or kid's coaches a St. Louise hoodie, track jacket, socks, shorts, or a backpack. These make perfect Christmas gifts for all. Or order our new item - a long sleeve basketball shirt (at right). With CYO basketball in season, your son or daughter would love to have one of those shirts!
           There are limited supplies of these Charger Gear items at this time, and they're only online! So please hurry up and get your order in before the site closes. Items can either be sent home with your child or you can pick it up at the school office before Christmas.
          To get started with ordering, go to HTTPS://kimmel.itemorder.com and enter the St. Louise code: FH8ME

GO, CHARGERS!!

Words of Wisdom from Sister Polly Policy...
 
I write each week to shine the spotlight on a specific school policy and its guidelines, as found in the school's Policy Handbook . You  should want to read this section each week simply for the good of your soul. However, if you need more incentive than that to read it, the 10th school family who emails Mr. Fitz with the correct answer to my question below will win a $10 Charger Card. (Last week's winner was Sheldon Sequeira with the correct answer, "Denim and Stretch Material.") So sit up straight, pay attention, and listen to Sister talk about one of the St. Louise School policies...


UNIFORM POLICY - Sections F & I 
(pages 15-16 of the Policy Handbook)
 

Hosiery/Socks - Students' feet must be covered by some type of hosiery. If socks are worn, they must be crew, anklets, or knee socks in one solid color - either white, navy blue, red, gray, or black. Socks must not have logos or designs on them, with the only exception being the St. Louise-logo socks, sold by Charger Gear, which are allowed in place of solid color socks.   If girl's tights are worn, they must be full-length that cover the feet and must be in one solid color of either white, navy blue, red, gray, or black. Bicycle shorts or other shorts may we worn under the uniform skirt or jumper if they are not visible below the hem length. Only seventh and eighth grade girls may wear nylons under their skirts.

 

Jewelry and Accessories - Jewelry must be in good taste and worn in moderation. Only girls may wear earrings, consisting of only one, stud earring in each ear. ______ and ______ earrings are not allowed to be worn, except by grade 7-8 girls on non-uniform days. Body piercings are not allowed by either sex. Only girls may wear hair accessories, and these are to remain simple and discrete. Hats or other headdresses are not to be worn inside rooms or buildings. If belts are worn, they must be solid dark colors with no decorations.

 

Please realize that the above is only two sections of the "Uniform Policy." To see all the sections (A through K), please go to pages 15-16 of the Policy Handbook. And once there, you'll be able to answer the following for a chance to win a Charger Card:

The Jewelry section above leaves out two words which help explain the "earrings" section of our policy. What are the two types of  earrings which are not allowed to be worn?

Email Mr. Fitz, and if you're the 5th family with the correct answer, you win a $10 Charger Card.

Talk to you next week about another school policy
....and until then...say three Our Father's, two Hail Mary's, and a Glory Be!

 

Congratulations to our Honor Roll Students
        Grade 7-8 students are eligible to be on the "Honor Roll" at the completion of each trimester. The criteria to be listed on the Honor Roll is for a seventh or eighth grader who has an end-of-trimester grade of 90% or above in each of the five subjects of religion, language arts, math, science, social studies. In addition, the student must earn no mark lower than a "3" in the elective class, must earn no mark lower than a "3" in all subcategories of each of the specialist subjects, and must earn no mark lower than a "3" in any subject's report card subcategory of "Demonstrates responsible behavior, positive participation, and completion of assignments."
          Congratulate to these junior high students who earned placement on the Honor  Roll for the just-completed first Trimester:
Max Bange, Katrina Baradi, Anne Marie Blank, Katie Bruce, Lily Buysse, Pia Canimo, Julio Canimo, Lauren Carels, Grace Courter, Macee Cruz, Rachel Cunneely, Christopher Golden, Ella Gratzer, William Grisaffi, Dylan Hoffman, Elsa Kammereck, Hayden Kosiara, Peter Lisk, Olivia Manning, Katie Miller, Natalie Nowak, Bennett O'Connor, Heide Orleth, Lexi Phan, Ellie Pierce, Grace Rausch, Ellie Read, Lexi Rorie, Alexander Rotar, Sarah Sandino, Andrew Scukas, Paul Snyder, Sara Storniolo, Elizabeth Sullivan, Mary Ta, Erin Tylutki, Alice Vimal, Savannah Wallis, Owen Weber, Kate Wilken.
 
Thank You for Your Thanksgiving Donations
       
We extend gratitude to our school community for your generosity and gifts of food for our baskets two weeks ago. You brightened the Thanksgiving holiday for those who especially need hope and encouragement.
Thanks to Megan Kirk, Maggie, Samson, Linda Hardman, Alice Shaw, Amy Wilken, Tiziana Bergamaschi, Susie, Goett, and Veronique Tano for helping organize our baskets on donation day.
At left, 1st graders Tommy, Samantha, Vasonia, and Ava deliver donations to the parish hall.

You Can Still Buy Some Great Items 
Sign up for parties that didn't fill up on Auction night!
  • You can get your child(ren) registered for Kidd Valley Lunch to be delivered in February.
  • You can purchase a week of Free Dress for your child(ren) for the coming week of December 12-16.
  • There is also still one more chance to purchase Black & White photos and Passport Day Memento photos.
Go HERE to purchase any or all of these!


 

We hope to see you this Saturday at our annual Saint Nicholas Breakfast and Bazaar! The fun, family event takes place in the parish hall from 8AM-12PM. Besides the food and the chance to visit with Saint Nick himself (when he appears between 9-11), there are some wonderful crafts for sale from our 8th grade students. These kids are running charity projects where all proceeds from their crafts sales go to nonprofit causes. Please stop by their craft tables to shop - or at least to applaud their efforts. Thanks in advance to chairs Ryan and Karen Reed and all their hard-working crew for putting on this event!


 

              

 

 

 



 
We Could Use Your Help Tomorrow and Saturday
          If you want to get into the Christmas spirit and log some volunteer hours at the same time, the St. Nicholas Breakfast and Bazaar committee is in need of help in the parish hall tomorrow and Saturday. You can sign up to help for a as many hours as you can fit in your schedule, and for one or both days, by going to SignUpGenius here to view the various volunteer needs. Thanks for your help!

 

Thank You, Sue Richards and Parents' Club!
          Thanks to the funding of Parents' Club and the organization of Sue Richards, the teachers were treated to a delicious feast last week on Parent-Teacher Conference Day! Sue originated the "Feed the Faculty" program a few years ago, making sure that the teachers and staff were treated to special breakfasts or lunches on a monthly basis. Last week's was extra special, as teachers put in long hours on conference days, and having 45 minutes to sit back and eat a filling meal in something rare in a teacher's day (the 45 minutes is especially rare!).
 
Time to Purchase Gift Cards for Christmas
Can you make this a Charger Card Christmas? How much of your Christmas shopping can you run through Charger Cards and support St. Louise?  For example, Snowflake Lane and Bellevue Botanical Garden d'lights has begun, and if you are planning a family evening this month  to include dinner downtown and the holiday festivities, you could purchase these cards first:
  • Maggiano's (11%)
  • Red Robin (20%)
  • PF Chang (8%)
  • Cheesecake Factory (5%)
  • California Pizza Kitchen (4%)
  • Ruth Chris (10%)
  • McCormick & Schmick's (9%)
  • Daniel's Broiler (35%)
 
St. Louise Family Charger Card tips
Did you know Disney cards are usable for more than the Disney store? They are also good for:
  • Disneyland or Disney World Theme park tickets (4-days of Disney World park hopper tickets for Family of 4 cost $1,500!)
  • Theme park restaurants - counter service or sit down!
  • Theme park retail shops - buy your souvenirs in the parks with charger cards!
  • Disney hotels
  • Even frozen Mickey bars from ice cream stands in the parks!
One St. Louise family purchased $3,000 (3 cards x $1,000) for their Disney trip. They used $1,500 for tickets, and used the rest inside the parks! They even paid for dinner at T-Rex restaurant in Disney Springs with Charger Cards! Do you have a Disney vacation planned? If so, order your Disney cards.
 
 
Office Hours
+ Charger Card office hours are from 8:15-8:45 on every Friday school morning.
          + Available for online purchases 24/7 at www.shopwithscrip.com.
                    +For questions or more information on Charger Cards, please email      
                      chargercards@stlouiseschool.org or visit the school website.

Teacher Wish List
Many school families choose to purchase Charger Cards to give as Christmas gifts to their children's teachers and some school staff members. Below you'll find the "WISH LIST" of the school faculty. Thanks in advance to families who generously gift the faculty and purchase Charger Cards to do so!

 
 
Why is Father Gary running? Because when you have two full-time jobs, you can't take the time to walk between appointments.

Father Gary is not only the Pastor of St. Louise, but he is also the Vicar for Clergy for the Seattle Archdiocese. This office assists the Archbishop in providing services and programs that promote and support the development of priests, seminarians, deacons, and vocations. As the head of this office, Father Gary's position is equivalent to being a "personnel director" for a major corporation, overseeing the performance evaluations, professional development, and assignment of all priests in Western Washington! Wow! What a weekly schedule he must have!

Run, Father, Run!


 
 
 
 
If you have a photo of your kids in a school, parish, or community event, send it to Dan Fitzpatrick for possible publishing in an upcoming Parent Bulletin and/or to Catherine Saffel for possible inclusion in the end-of-year School Yearbook.
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