BK Alive
Weekly News and Information for BK Families
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THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS A LOT OF INFORMATION, AND THE LENGTH OF THE NEWSLETTER CAUSES IT TO BE TRUNCATED.
LOOK FOR THE BLUE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL THAT SAYS "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" TO EXPAND THE EMAIL, OR CLICK HERE TO SEE ARCHIVED COMMUNICATIONS FROM BK.
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Monday, January 11th
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Tuesday, January 12th
A Day
8:15 AM Start
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Wednesday, January 13th
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Thursday, January 14th
A Day
8:15 AM Start
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Friday, January 15th
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Upcoming:
Monday, January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Monday, January 25th - New Student Information Knight (Virtual at 6:30 PM on the BK YouTube Channel.)
Tuesday, January 26th - PSAT Testing for Sophomores and Juniors, NO SCHOOL for Seniors and Freshmen
Friday, January 29th - All School Mass (Virtual)
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A Message from Rich and Mike |
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Dear Bishop Kelly Parents,
We hope the first week of the new year has gone well for you and your family. It has certainly been a challenging week for our country. We share the sentiments expressed by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), who issued the following statement in response to Wednesday’s violence in the United States Capitol:
“I join people of good will in condemning the violence Wednesday at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety. The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace, and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.”
In this BK Alive, we will discuss the instructional plan and expectations for next week and, hopefully, the remainder of the spring semester; provide an update and some context for the COVID-19 numbers here at Bishop Kelly; and, offer some thoughts on Coach Tim Brennan and the award he is receiving next week.
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Instructional Plan and Expectations |
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We have had a successful FLEX week as we have all returned from our Christmas and New Year’s break. Starting this coming Monday, January 11, we will move back to all students on campus and an in-person instructional model for the remainder of the semester (hopefully).
While numbers of positive cases and hospitalizations have improved in the past month, we expect to be in the red category throughout much of the spring semester. Given the few number of cases we have had while in red, the lack of in-school transmission, and the value of in person instruction for students, it is our expectation that all students be at school in person, except for those who are sick, in quarantine, or in isolation, starting this Monday, January 11th. Please review our Board Approved Amendment to our Attendance Policy for Spring 2021 semester .
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Here is the first Friday update of the spring semester on the COVID-19 numbers for Bishop Kelly. We have had six students and two faculty/staff members test positive this week. We currently have 21 students and one faculty/staff in quarantine. Our data continues to show that we as a community have done an incredible job adhering to the 3 W’s, making good decisions throughout the semester and that quarantining of students and faculty/staff works and helps eliminate spread.
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Congratulations to BK Head Football Coach,
Tim Brennan
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As you read last month in BK Alive, Tim Brennan (BK Class of 1977), Knights Head Football Coach and Assistant Activities Director, has been named an American Football Coaches Association Regional Power of Influence Award Winner for 2020. Tim will receive his award this coming week during a virtual AFCA Convention, January 12-14, 2021. Coach Brennan is one of five regional winners, one of whom will be selected as the National Power of Influence Award Winner at the virtual conference next week.
Tim is an incredible example of the commitment and dedication of our teachers and coaches to the young men and women here at BK. In his 26 years at BK, Tim has built a winning football program at BK. But, more importantly, Tim has mentored a generation of young men about the importance of integrity, respect, compassion, love, and kindness. Coach Brennan embodies the BK Way for his football players and the entire student body. We are excited to have him honored on this national stage and are blessed to have him here at BK!
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Final Thoughts
We are grateful to each of you as you are a vital part of our school community. Thank you for all you have done in partnership with us to make this school year so successful. And, once again, here’s to a safe, healthy and thriving 2021!
God bless,
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A Reflection from Father Vance |
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Welcome, BK family, to the new year and the new semester! I wanted to take the opportunity of my first reflection for the new year to tell you about a school-wide prayer tradition that we began this week. It is a traditional ritual and prayer done on the Feast of the Epiphany, which although we celebrated on Sunday, January 3, is actually scheduled for January 6. Thanks to the energy and generosity of Laura Reeping and Lorissa Horn, this is how the ritual went this week. At the Faculty/Staff Mass on Monday, I blessed 75 cellophane bags of pieces of broken-up chalk, and all Faculty and Staff were invited to take one of the bags with them after Mass. Then, on Wednesday morning, the whole school was invited to take one of the pieces of blessed chalk and draw the following symbol on the doorway coming into each classroom and office: 20+C+M+B+21. This symbol has two primary meanings. First, the numbers which “bookend” the symbol represent the year we are beginning. Next, the “plus signs” are actually representative of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Finally, the letters can represent two things: the traditional names of the three “Magi,” whose journey and wisdom we remember at the Feast of the Epiphany (Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar), or the Latin phrase Christus Mansionem Benedicat, which translates “Christ bless this home, classroom, office,” etc. Student Campus Ministers spread out through the school to draw this symbol on all of the outside entrances to our campus, and when we were all finished “chalking the doorways,” we prayed the following prayer throughout the school:
Visit, Blessed Lord Jesus, this classroom (office) with Your Divine presence.
Bless all who work and learn here with the gift of Your love,
And the appreciation of Your Truth, Goodness and Beauty.
Grant that we may show Your love to one another,
And to all we encounter.
May we grow this Semester in grace and blessing,
In wisdom and understanding,
In virtue and goodness,
And through our work together,
May we bring Your kingdom more to life
In the world around us.
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit,
AMEN.
+
I share this beautiful new tradition with you for two reasons. First, even though our school is about striving for excellence and working hard in mind, body and spirit, we still need to cast ourselves upon the Mercy of God for healing, reconciliation and success in our work. This continues to be a divisive, dangerous and fearful time in our nation and in our world, and only God alone can bring about the deepest blessings we desire. But, we need to recognize God, and cooperate with His Divine Grace, and so I am deeply consoled that we dedicated our whole campus to that goal by marking our doorways with this symbol of blessing. Additionally, we did offer to any student who wished the opportunity to bring a piece of blessed chalk (and the printed instructions for the ritual) home with him or her, so that this symbol might be placed on the doorways of the homes of our BK families. If your student did bring some chalk home, I want you to know why. If your student did not bring chalk home, please know that you are still welcome to participate in this ritual. There are extra pieces of the blessed chalk, as well as instruction sheets for the ritual, at the front desk in the main office. If you would like, please pick them up there, and chalk the doorway of your home as we begin this new year!
When I pray, I often have the sense that God is trying to tell me that the MOST important battle we have to engage in is the battle with unbelief, despair and faithlessness. There is certainly an overwhelming array of medical, political, social, financial and moral problems for us to attend to and address in our world. But maybe we would be more successful in addressing them if we took note of the SPIRITUAL problems first and foremost! Our school-wide Epiphany ritual and blessing is one attempt to begin this new year with the proper priorities, and with the dedication of all we have and all we do to the Mercy of Jesus Christ, who came to us as an infant to save us from our sins. May God abundantly bless us, heal us, and strengthen us for the work of the new semester, and may our BK family be united in our devotion to and faith in our loving Savior Jesus Christ -- Emmanuel!
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Confirmation Classes at BK for St. Mary's Parishioners |
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Father Worster, will be offering Confirmation classes to all students (9th thru 12th) here at Bishop Kelly during either "zero" hour on "B" day, or online. Students must be from St. Mary's parish or unaffiliated with a parish.
If you are interested in having your child attend. Please complete the PRE-registration google form. Once completed, the secretary from St. Mary's will contact you.
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2021 Virtual New Student Information Knight |
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This year our Information Knight is going virtual! If you have an 8th grader, or if you have friends whom you think might benefit from a BK educational experience, please invite them to join us LIVE on the BK YouTube Channel to learn all about what it means to be a Bishop Kelly Knight! You’ll hear from students, parents, teachers, and administrators. The first 150 local families to register for the virtual event will receive an Information Knight Watch Party Kit delivered to their doorstep. Those register to attend, and watch the event LIVE will have a chance to win the drawing for a registration fee waiver.
And here's a flier about New Student Information Knight that you can share with interested families (click to download and print):
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Parent Volunteers are Needed for Virtual New Student Information Knight |
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New Student Information Knight is going virtual this year! Part of what makes this event so great for our prospective new students is that feeling that they are already an important member of our BK Family. To help build that excitement, we will be sending the first 150 families who register to attend the virtual event a Watch Party Kit, and we need volunteer parents to help us deliver them. (And also to be the first to welcome and encourage these prospective families to become Knights!)
If you would be interested in welcoming prospective families, and could deliver 3-4 Watch Party Kits during the week of January 18th, please fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM. You will be contacted after the break with more instructions. |
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Parents are the Solution
Tips for Helping your High School Student Make the
Transition from Childhood to Adulthood
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Click infographic to download and print. |
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We Need Winter Photos for the Yearbook! |
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The yearbook staff is collecting pictures of students enjoying winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, etc. Anything "wintery" works!
Please email pictures to bishopkellyyearbook@gmail.com or through Instagram @bkyrbook. Photos need to be submitted by January 25th. Thanks for you help!
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Senior Ads in the Yearbook
DEADLINE QUCKLY APPROACHING
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This is a special reminder for senior parents. The final deadline for submitting your child's senior yearbook dedication ad is coming up very soon, Friday, January 15th. This school year and the yearbook look different this year, but there WILL definitely be a yearbook, so make sure your child is featured in it by placing a senior send-off ad. Don't miss out on this opportunity! For more information and to design your ad, please visit www.TheYearbookCompany.com
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Students Needed for AP Research Project |
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Attention Parent's of BK Students,
Your BK Student has the opportunity to participate in a groundbreaking student-led study here at BK. The study will ask questions related to class choices and sleep habits.
To participate, students need to print out the consent form below, or pick one up in the front office. Once completed, the form should be returned to rmitra@my.bk.org.
All students that complete the online survey by the middle of January will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card for their choice of location. Please contact Joshua Mitra at rmitra@my.bk.org if there are any questions.
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PSAT Testing for Sophomores and Juniors -
Study Guides Available!
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On January 26th, all Sophomores and Juniors will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT here at Bishop Kelly. There are study guides with a practice test available for any student who would like one. Students can pick up the study guide in room 710.
Freshman and Seniors do not have cl
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College and Career Center |
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Virtual College Visits at BK:
The College and Career center will be hosting virtual college visits during lunches on A and B days as well as during office hours on B days. Have your Junior or Senior log into SCOIR to RSVP and to see all upcoming events.
College Application and Scholarship Workshop
Need help with your college application or scholarship search? Bring your questions and computer to see Ms. Klover in the College and Career Center, room 406 during office hours.
Scholarships
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Host Family Needed for BK International Student |
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We have a BK Junior who is an International Student and needs a host family. This student is in his second year at BK. Host families receive a $700 per month stipend (possibly more upon discussion.)
Alternately, this student needs to find a carpool to BK from the area near Cynthia Mann Elementary School.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Ying Donegan at (208) 853-8542 or ying@27eie.com. |
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Online Ordering from the BK Spirit Store! |
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In order to maintain safe distancing AND be available for all your Spirit Wear needs, the Bishop Kelly Spirit Store will be offering online ordering for Fall Semester. A selection of items will be available each month, and you can order via email!
Please note, the actual BK Spirit Store will NOT be open during the lunch hour for additional items, and the Front Office staff will not have access to the store.
We're all getting really good at shopping online, right?
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#146
Ladies Short Sleeved BK Strong T-Shirt
$15.00
#147
Mens Short Sleeved BK Strong T-Shirt
$15.00
(Not pictured, Same Design)
(Size Small SOLD OUT)
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#256
BK Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt Drk. Gray
$36.00
(XL and 2 XL SOLD OUT)
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#255
BK Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt Lt. Gray
$45.00
(2XL SOLD OUT)
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#141
Unisex Long Sleeved T-Shirt
$20
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#822
BK Cap, Velcro Back
One Size Fits All
$22.00
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#253
Black Crewneck Sweatshirt (No hoodie)
S, M, L, XL
$30.00
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How to Order
*Order deadline: EVERY MONDAY
*Order Pickup: EVERY FOLLOWING THURSDAY for PREPAID Orders only.
You will be emailed a confirmation.
- Your Name
- Contact Phone Number
- Item # listed above
- Size of Item (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
- Price
Method of Payment Before Pickup: Venmo @BK-ParentsAssociation, or Credit Card. These are the only payment options at this time.
NOTE: If you are paying by Credit Card, you will be contacted via the "Contact Phone Number" listed in your email at confirmation between 1:00 - 3:00 PM on Tuesday.
ONLY PREPAID ORDERS via the email process listed above will be accepted at this time. The Front Office Staff does NOT have order information.
THANK YOU for your cooperation as BK Spirit Store volunteers try to keep BK Spirit Store items available for our community.
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The Idaho Catholic Men’s Conference will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Paul's in Nampa and online. The conference theme is "Jesus, I Trust in You!" and will feature dynamic national speakers including Fr. Larry Richards and Dr. Ray Guarendi. Bishop Peter Christensen will also be celebrating the opening Mass. The early bird registration fee is just $48 before January 15 and online is $40. For all the details and to get registered go to www.IdahoCatholicMen.org or call 208-484-0898.
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In order for us to gather accurate attendance, please make sure you are providing documentation if your student is out for a COVID-19 related reason.
COVID-19 Absences (marked CO) are for students who test positive, and/or are quarantined for COVID-19 as a close contact.
If your students has tested for COVID-19:
If the test is positive - please provide documentation so that we can mark the absences as a COVID-19 (CO) Absence/Exempt Absence.
If the test is negative - please provide documentation so that we can mark the absences as a Doctor DR) Excused/Exempt Absence.
If your student will be absent for any reason, please notify the Attendance office via email by 9:30 AM. attendance@bk.org
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Job Openings at Bishop Kelly |
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Bus Route Driver
Activities Bus Driver
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Kitchen Assistant
Full-time Janitorial/Maintenance Worker
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Our website at www.bk.org is a wealth of information for parents and students alike!
Check out some of the cool tools that are just a few clicks away:
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- Front Office: 375-6010
- Fax: 375-3626
- Business Office Manager: 947-1209
- BK Development Office: 947-1325
- BK Foundation Office: 323-4789
To add, remove, or change your email address, or to remove your name from our regular mailing lists, please contact Chrissy at cbeckner@bk.org.
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Bishop Kelly High School | (208) 375-6010 | www.bk.org |
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