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, February 22
A Day
8:15 AM Start
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Tuesday, February 23
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Thursday, February 18
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Friday, February 19
Straight 7
8:15 AM Start
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Upcoming
Friday, February 19th - Early Registration Deadline for next Fall
Wednesday, March 3rd - Junior SAT Testing (no school for other grade levels)
Wednesday, March 17 - One Day One Knight Annual Day of Giving
March 22 - 26 - Spring Break!
Register for next school year TODAY, Friday 2/19, in order to save $25.00 on your registration fee!
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A Message from Rich and Mike |
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Dear Bishop Kelly Parents,
In this BK Alive, we will discuss registration for new and returning students for the 2021-22 school year, share the process for new COVID-19 Vault Health testing capabilities here at BK for our students and staff, ask for your continued support for the Advanced Opportunities bill as it moves through the Idaho legislature, and give you the latest on the COVID-19 numbers here at Bishop Kelly.
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2021 - 2022 School Year Registration |
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Please make sure you register your current freshmen, sophomores and juniors for the 2021-22 school year as soon as possible. The early registration deadline (to save $25) is today, February 19th, with the final registration deadline being Friday, March 5th. We very much want everyone back for the upcoming school year and also are seeing significant demand for students to transfer in from other schools, especially for our sophomore class. For our existing families with no new students, you should have received an email from TADS, our tuition management website, to start your new tuition agreement. These emails should have arrived in your mailbox on Tuesday, January 19th. Please let Kelly Shockey (kshockey@bk.org), our Director of Admissions, know if you did not receive the email from TADS or need any assistance with registration for your returning student(s).
If you have a new student to register, please also register him or her as soon as possible. The same deadlines cited above apply (early registration today, final registration March 5th). Please understand we have record demand for our incoming freshman class and, as a current family, you will have priority. But if you do not apply in time, we may not have space for your son or daughter and they may have to be put on a wait list.
Finally, as a current family, you can save yourself a bunch of time this year! If you log into your Infinite Campus portal, your family's information will already be filled out. You just need to provide your new student's birth certificate, immunization records, report card/transcript and course request form. To access this, log into the Infinity Campus Portal here, then click on "More" in the left menu, then click on 'Online Registration". Then just follow the directions from there.
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Vault Health Testing at Bishop Kelly |
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We announced last week the availability of the Vault Health COVID-19 Testing Program here at Bishop Kelly. As you may recall, the benefits for staff, parents and students are that they will not have to search for a test appointment, they won’t have to drive and wait in line to be tested, and they can be tested very quickly with results back within 48 hours. Having these testing capabilities on campus will enable us to provide tests for any staff member who wants to be tested, for students and student-athletes on the 5th day of quarantine to be able to return to class and/their sport more quickly, and for students who exhibit symptoms at school.
As a reminder, here are the specifics of the Vault Health Testing program:
- It is a saliva PCR test and simple to do. 95%+ accuracy rates. Each test kit comes with an UPS overnight envelope to mail to a lab in New Jersey. You just have to drop it off at any UPS store. Turnaround time is less than 48 hours with the results going to the individual and/or parent.
- There is NO COST to the school, student or staff member. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is covering all costs for schools.
- The tests can only be used for students and school staff, not parents or other family members.
The testing process will be the following for students and staff members:
- If a student exhibits symptoms, parents will be asked if they would like a test kit sent home with their student. A trained BK staff member will call the parent to set up a time to walk the student through the testing process via Zoom. It is required for a trained staff member to observe the process to ensure an adequate saliva sample is obtained and that correct handling and packaging of the sample is done.
- If a student is in quarantine, and desires a test on the 5th day since the last close contact, a family member must come to the BK Nurse’s office to pick up a test kit. The same observation process will be required.
- Finally, any BK staff member can come by the HR Office or the Nurse’s office to take a test under observation. The test can also be sent home and done under visual observation from a trained BK employee via Zoom.
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Advanced Opportunities Legislation |
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The Advanced Opportunities Bill S1045 for private school students was passed by the full Senate by a vote of 28-6! Thanks again to BK parents Ylliana Villegas and Brand Novosel who gave compelling testimony on the impact this bill could have on their family and their children’s opportunities. Also, thanks to those of you who submitted letters of support and reached out to your senators.
It now moves to the House where it will first be discussed in the House Education Committee. We are hopeful they will pass it on to the full House for a vote and, if passed, it moves to Governor Little for his signature. We will keep you posted if we need your assistance in contacting House members or Governor Little.
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Here is our update for this week on the COVID-19 numbers for Bishop Kelly. We have had two additional students and zero faculty/staff members test positive since last Thursday’s BK Alive update. We currently have only 10 students and 3 faculty/staff members out in quarantine or isolation. Both the number of cases and people out on quarantine or isolation remain very low. Our numbers align with what both Ada County and Canyon County are seeing in reduced cases. The Ada County average daily cases per 100,000 population dropped into the yellow (moderate community spread) for the first time in months. Thank you all for doing your part in minimizing community spread and in keeping our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy.
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.
God bless,
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Reflection from Father Vance |
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“What are you giving up for Lent?” For my generation (and probably for most of yours as well), this was the most common question we would ask each other during the first week of Lent. Starting with Ash Wednesday, this question was circulated among Catholics as one of the most important decisions we could make during this season of repentance and reflection that precedes the celebration of Easter. The other important decision, of course, was what we would have for dinner on Fridays, fish sticks or clam chowder! I remember my childhood and young adulthood being very concerned with these issues, but listening to my students today, these questions don’t seem to be as pressing or important to them. Maybe it’s that they are taking the words of the Gospel from Ash Wednesday to heart, and making their Lenten sacrifices in secret, but maybe the whole spirit of sacrifice and its value has been compromised and lessened in our Church and our society.
After entering the Jesuits in 1986, the question “What are you giving up for Lent?” began to shift and change in my prayer, to what I have come to believe is a deeper and a richer question for my own Spiritual growth. I have had to recognize two different trajectories in my prayer life that are both equally possible for me. In the first trajectory, I attempt to give something up (like chocolate or soda or gossip or prejudices against others) and I fail at this fairly early in Lent. My internal reaction to the failure is to completely give up on the sacrifice itself, and to feel that I have, effectively, ruined my prayerful observation of this sacred season in the Church. In the second trajectory, I attempt to give something up and actually succeed in making it through all (or most) of Lent with that sacrifice intact. Here, my internal reaction to the success is to feel self-satisfaction and a bit of pride in my own strength and willpower. Over the years of my growth and my experience as a Jesuit and a Priest, I have come to the conclusion that NEITHER of these trajectories are beneficial for my relationship with and my devotion to Jesus Christ, and His saving action in my life. Both trajectories focus too much on me (and either my failure or my success), and not enough on God, whose salvation through Christ I am trying to plant more deeply in my life.
So, the question in my heart at the start of Lent has shifted from “What are you giving up for Lent?” to “What are you taking on for Lent this year?” Now, I am willing to admit that part of this shift is probably a massive rationalization for me (in good “Jesuitical” fashion) to excuse myself from giving anything up! But I also feel that a call to DO something is better and deeper for me than a call to give something up. In Lents past, here are some of the things I have felt called to take up for my Spiritual growth and centeredness during this holy time:
- 5-10 more minutes of prayer each day
- A focus on listening to God rather than talking at God in my prayer
- A commitment to try and recognize the needs of those around me, prior to attending to my own needs
- A concerted attempt to be more hopeful and joyful than despairing and melancholy
- A desire to have good thoughts toward fellow drivers in traffic (try this one for 40 days…)
- Weekly participation in and contribution to a local homeless shelter or food bank
- Setting aside some of my budget for a charitable contribution
The value of sacrifice and giving something up is unquestionable for our Spiritual life. But hopefully the difference between my immature Spirituality, and the prayer life I enjoy at this point in my life, is that I can be open to many different calls that God may offer me, rather than thinking that Grace can only come through one aspect. I often think that a mature prayer-life is a kind of “Spiritual Cross Training,” where we become discerning enough with God, and gentle enough with ourselves, to embrace His invitation to the myriad practices of prayer, and to realize that even in our failure, there is something valuable that He is trying to tell us. Whatever Spiritual question is deepest in your heart these days -- whether to give something up or to take something on -- may you and your family have the grace and the strength to address it with energy and passion, so you may help the Holy Spirit renew your lives in preparation for the greatest of blessings, the Resurrection of the Lord!
By the way, I still have to decide on whether I will have fish sticks or clam chowder tonight for dinner...
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Each week Bishop Kelly faculty and staff nominate students, and students nominate faculty and staff, who have demonstrated the BK Way attributes of Faith, Safe and Caring Place, Academic Excellence, Activities, Honor, Generosity, Community, and Partnership.
Congratulations to this week's Knights of the Week!
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Chris Martino
Community
Chris Martino, if you don't already know him, is a wonderful student, athlete, and person. He goes above-and-beyond in everything he does whether it be classwork, wrestling, or just being a good person.
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Meg McFarlane
Academic Excellence
Meg is an excellent student who works hard every day. She is a terrific model of what all BK members should strive to be!
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Peyton Jungert
Activities
Peyton has been an absolute rock of steadiness and dependability. His consistent excellence and effort in Speech and Debate this year has been critical to the team's success this year.
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BK Staff of the Week
Mr. Patrick Kelly
Community, Academic Excellence
- Mr. Kelly makes class very fun and I always look forward to his class because I know it will be a good time. It's also his birthday and that would be cool if he got teacher of the week on his birthday!!!!!
- Mr Kelly is super cool and swag and a good teacher. Happy Birthday to Mr. Kelly he should be teacher of the week.
- I enjoy Mr. Kelly's class very much. He is such a kind and caring person and always helps when I have a question. He is such a great person and deserves to be nominated!
- Mr. Kelly makes the BK community very fun and enjoyable. He makes sure to help everyone and be kind to everyone. Mr. Kelly is an active participant in the BK community and it wouldn't be the same without him.
- Mr. Kelly is such a great teacher. He provides a welcoming community in his class and is so kind to people around him.
- Mr. Kelly is always helping out in the community. He makes class very very enjoyable and he is very kind to everyone.
- He's nice and is a great teacher.
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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. His living situation was disrupted by COVID, and he is in a temporary home without any other BK Students in it. As a result, it is really hard for him to find transportation to and from BK. We need to find him a permanent spot, preferably in a home with other BK students.
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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SAT for Juniors - March 3rd |
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Juniors will be taking the SAT at Bishop Kelly on Wednesday, March 3rd. (No School for all other grade levels.)
Students should arrive at school by 8:00 AM and testing will begin at 8:15 AM. Late arrivals will not be allowed to take the test. Students just need to bring two #2 pencils and an approved calculator. They may also bring a snack and water bottle. Leave cell phones and smartwatches in the car or at home as they will not be allowed in testing rooms.
Student guides for the SAT are now available in room 710.
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Video Production Class is back for Fall 2021 |
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Parents BK is once again offering a Video Production class for next year. It is so easy to produce and publish video content these days, but will anyone want to watch? Making the next "viral" video that people want to watch and share is hard and rewarding work.
Student's in the BK Video production class will learn valuable skills that have real world applications. This is a project based course like Art, and is worth an art credit for graduation! You can watch some of the great content produced by Video Production students on our YouTube channel, BK Spotlight.
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International Travel Opportunities |
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Peru, Spring Break 2022
Our Peru trip is back!!!
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce that our international trip has been rescheduled to Spring Break 2022! We will be traveling to Lima, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, and Lake Titicaca. If visiting Machu Picchu is on your bucket list we are taking parents also.
This trip is available for all current freshmen and sophomores. If you are interested please stop by my room 113 or any Spanish teacher to get a recommendation form. You will need two recommendations from two different teachers.
Right now, we are offering a Risk-Free Guarantee for new travelers who enroll in 2022 tours. This means anyone who enrolls between now and the end of February 2021 will be able to cancel by May first and receive a full refund! There is a $100 discount for new travelers who enroll. The code is Peru2022 and it is valid through February 25th 2021. The price below is a student price, adult prices are different.
If you have any questions, please contact me at mperea@bk.org. I will be hosting a Zoom meeting soon.
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Japan, Spring Break 2022!
The Spring Break trip to Japan has been rescheduled for 2022! We will be traveling to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka. The tour includes a full-time tour guide, travel on the Shinkansen (bullet train), breakfast and dinner, and private transportation within the cities. All current Freshmen-Juniors that are interested are welcome to join [parents are also welcome but the price is different]. The trip price is $3700.00. For questions or more information, please see Mr. Harris in room 313 or email bharris@bk.org.
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College and Career Center |
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Virtual College Visits at BK
Coming Soon!
College and Career Fairs
NCACA Virtual College Fairs
Here's your chance to hear firsthand from those-in-the-know at hundreds of colleges and universities nearby, across the country, and around the world.
More than 500 colleges and universities will be online to talk with high school juniors and seniors on each of these days. Each virtual fair is a free, one-day event. Attend as many as you'd like. Families invited, too.
Sunday, Feb. 28: 1-7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Mar. 7: 1-5 p.m. ET - STEM
Tuesday, Mar. 16: 4-8 p.m. ET - Performing & Visual Arts
Sunday, Mar. 21: 1-7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Apr. 10: 3-7 p.m. ET - Western US
Tuesday, Apr. 20: 3-7 p.m. ET - Southeastern US
Sunday, May 2: 1-7 p.m. ET
BigFuture Days College Fairs
The College Board is hosting virtual events for high school sophomore and juniors to connect them directly with college admissions representatives from all over the country. See the link for more information and to register. Register for the region the schools you are interested in attend are in. You may register for multiple dates.
BigFuture Days Southeast Tuesday, February 23
BigFuture Days Northeast Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Days Midwest Thursday, March 11
Scholarships
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St Ignatius Catholic School in Meridian is substituting its annual Fire Gala auction with a “Fire Campaign Raffle” for its 2021 fundraiser. One lucky winner will go home with a brand new F-150 Ford Pick-up Truck! Each ticket costs $250 and gives you an 1/1,000 chance in winning. You can purchase your ticket online at https://sifireraffle.maxgiving.bid/about-us
Thank you for supporting Catholic schools!!
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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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Job Openings at Bishop Kelly |
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Girls Head Soccer Coach
Bus Route Driver
Activities Bus Driver
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Kitchen Assistant
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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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