Weekly Update
March 10, 2021
From the Development Office
THE BRAVE VENTURE AUCTION IS OPEN - START BIDDING!
Register To Bid & Watch the Live - Registration is FREE! Registering allows you to watch the virtual live auction and bid on both the online and live auction items. From the BBHS bidding page, create your account using the "Get Started" button (on the right side of the bidding page).The link to access the Live Auction on March 13 will be embedded on the right side of the bidding page.

Online Silent Auction
Wednesday, March 10 at 8 a.m.-Saturday, March 13 at 9 p.m.

Virtual Live Auction
Saturday, March 13 (6:30 p.m. Pre-Show and 7 p.m. Live Auction)

FUND A NEED
For those who are not able to participate in the online or live auctions, we invite you to support our Fund A Need: Creating New Experiences While Ensuring a Safe and Special High School Experience for All!

AUCTION ITEM PICK UP
All gift cards will be mailed to the address the bidder used to register for the auction. All other items can be picked up at BBHS, on the north side of the school behind the Ernie Rose Activities Center Main Gym/Student Commons, on the following days:
  • Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Monday, March 22 from 8-9 a.m. and 2:20-3:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 23 from 8-9 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, March 25 from 8-9 a.m. and 2:20-3:30 p.m.
  • Friday, March 26 from 8-9 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Thank you to our Brave Venture Auction sponsors for their generous support. Please support their businesses!

Mary Beard
Development Director
mbeard@bishopblanchet.org
From the Dean's Office
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Bishop Blanchet has adopted CDC guidelines for all out of state travel. Those returning from out of state have two quarantine options:
  1. Forgo a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 10 days upon returning from out of state travel. After day 10, eligible to return to in-person learning and in-person activities.
  2. Get tested 5 days after out of state travel and stay home/self quarantine for the full 7 days, even with a negative test. 
  • Those who decide to return after 7 days are required to submit their negative COVID-19 test result to the Dean’s Office prior to returning to in-person learning and in-person activities. 
 
Families traveling out of state are required to complete this form. School personnel will communicate a return date for in-person learning and in-person activities. We feel it is important to reiterate that public health guidance is to avoid non-essential travel. This protocol has been developed to address the occurrence of essential travel. If you have any questions, please contact the Dean’s Office
 
REQUIRED REPORTING OF POSITIVE CASE OF COVID-19
If a student or member of their household tests positive for COVID-19, families must notify the Dean’s Office by contacting Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students, and follow the BBHS COVID-19 Community Protocols prior to returning to campus or participating in any school sponsored activity. This information will remain confidential and allow the school to initiate its communication protocols. Any student who does not follow BBHS COVID-19 Community Protocols will face disciplinary consequences and may be prohibited from participating in on-campus learning and extracurricular activities. In the event of a positive case in our student body, faculty or staff, Bishop Blanchet will communicate to the entire community and work directly with families if their student is impacted.  

Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
From the Activities Office
SENIOR CLASS CAP/GOWN PICK UP
If your senior has not brought home their graduation cap, gown and tassel, please have them email Mr. Bocian to make arrangements to pick up their items.

VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW
The BBHS Virtual Talent Show is coming up on Wednesday, March 24. Please encourage your student to share their talents with the BBHS community! Registration information was emailed to all students last week.

TRADITION WEEK 2021
Next week is Tradition Week, a celebration of school spirit at Bishop Blanchet. On Tuesday, March 16 and Friday, March 19 from 12:30-2:30 p.m., students are invited to campus to compete in a variety of fun class and individual competitions to earn points for their class. All health and safety protocols for in-person activities will be followed. In addition, BBHS is providing branded face masks to each class during lunches this week. If your student will not be in school this week, have them check their email for instructions on how to receive theirs. Encourage your student to get involved and show their school spirit! 
SENIOR CLASS CABINET: RUBY ROOM DRESS DRIVE
Are you cleaning out your closets this Spring? Do you have a formal dress you've worn once that needs a good home? Look no further! The BBHS Senior Cabinet is collecting gently-worn dresses and men's formal wear to donate to The Ruby Room, a local nonprofit organization providing formal attire at no charge to teens in financial need, enabling them to participate in future milestone events such as dances, Quinceañeras, and proms. The drive kicks off Monday, March 15. Look for the bin in the Common for your donations. Thank you for your support!

Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Student Activities
cbocian@bishopblanchet.org
From the Campus Ministry Office
SOCKS AND SANITIZER DRIVE: MARCH 1-12 
There are a few days left to participate in the Socks and Sanitizer drive for Aurora Commons. Thanks to those who have already donated! We are still collecting items - please send new socks and travel sized bottles of hand sanitizer to school by this Friday, March 12Collection bins are in the main entrance near the office. You may also order online and ship directly to BBHS (c/o Manon Cypher). Aurora Commons is not far from BBHS, and directly serves vulnerable members of our local community. Thank you for your generosity! Questions? Email Ms. Cypher.

DESIGN CONTEST: BBHS "LITTLE FREE PANTRY"
In an effort to support our neighborhood and school families impacted by food insecurity, BBHS will be adding a Little Free Pantry to the school campus. Little Free Pantries function similarly to Little Free Libraries - anyone is welcome to contribute what they can and take what they need. BBHS students are invited to participate in the design of our Little Free Pantry by submitting ideas in a design contest. More information about the project and design contest is available here (including a link to the design submission form). Student design submissions are due by Wednesday, March 24!

Rachel Longest
Director of Campus Ministry
rlongest@bishopblanchet.org
From the Diversity and International Programs Office
MAC VIRTUAL PARENT NIGHT: MARCH 16
The MAC (Multicultural Affairs Council) invites all BBHS parents to the next Virtual Parent Night on Tuesday, March 16. The first virtual parent night last fall had a great turnout and attendees expressed an interest in more events. This casual Zoom hour will include community building, updates on Bishop Blanchet’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, and an opportunity for parents to engage in our Brave Conversations program. Please click here to RSVP by Monday, March 15. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants ahead of the event. Again, this event is open to all BBHS parents. Please join us!
“THE MAC” NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2
The MAC has published its second community newsletter. Check out the latest and greatest news and information from the MAC here!

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY WEEK
This week is Celebrating Diversity Week! Students from our various clubs and affinity groups will be sharing their reflections each morning, and many of our students will end the week by attending our annual Diversity Leadership Summit. Thank you to the Diversity Club for the beautiful banner in our main hallway, inspired by inaugural poet Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb” and for organizing this week’s trivia fun!

Janah Valenzuela
Director of Diversity and International Student Services
jvalenzuela@bishopblanchet.org
From the Athletic Department
FOLLOW BISHOP BLANCHET ATHLETICS ON TWITTER 
Follow Blanchet Athletics on Twitter as your #1 source for game times, highlights, and scores throughout the year (@BlanchetBraves).
 
LIVESTREAM ACCESS FOR BISHOP BLANCHET ATHLETICS
The Bishop Blanchet Booster Club has partnered with the National Federation of High Schools to provide livestreaming access for our entire community. All competitions on Mickey Naish Field and on Gilligan-Wilkinson Court Main Gym will be available to watch online.

The Athletic Department is working with NFHS to diligently test and calibrate all the livestream equipment to provide the best quality viewing. Your patience is appreciated as we navigate this new medium, allowing our community to access to the action! 

How to sign up for NFHS Livestreaming Access:
  • Click here
  • Create an account
  • Search “Bishop Blanchet” and “Follow”

Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
sgaskill@bishopblanchet.org 
From the Board of Directors
SEEKING NEW DIRECTORS FOR 2021-22
Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of individuals committed to supporting the mission and values of Bishop Blanchet High School. The Membership Committee is currently seeking Board and committee member candidates for the 2021-22 school year. We have a wide range of committees, including Finance, Facilities, Marketing and Development, and invite anyone interested in being considered to complete the Candidate Interest Form. For more information, please email our Membership Chair Karen Schuler at k.schuler@comcast.net.
Summer Camp Registration
SUMMER CAMPS FOR RISING K-9TH GRADERS
Soak in the summer fun at Bishop Blanchet! Registration is now open for in-person camps in athletics, academics, and the arts at BBHS. Tell a friend!
 
Athletics Camps run June 21-24 and include cross country, cheer (K-8), basketball, flag football, freshman football, soccer, volleyball, and even choir.

The Discovery Learning Camp (gr 5-8) runs July 12-16. This is a full-day immersive experience where students choose to attend three class sessions in STEM, art, music, drama, social justice, outdoor activities, and more. Lunch supervision is provided.
 
Space is limited, and multi-camp and sibling discounts are available. We are fully committed to student and employee safety and following public health guidelines. Cancellations due to COVID-19 will be fully refunded. Click here for more information and to register.

Nick Padrnos
Brave Summer Coordinator
npadrnos@bishopblanchet.org
Lunch Service Pre-Order Form
PRE-ORDER LUNCH SERVICE FOR GREEN DAYS
The BBHS Cafeteria Team is providing box lunches for purchase on Green Days. The box lunch includes a sandwich or entree salad, chips, and dessert for $6.00. Students must bring their own water bottle or beverage each day.

Please click here to pre-order lunch for Monday, March 15 and/or Thursday, March 18. The deadline to pre-lunch for next week is tomorrow, Thursday, March 11 at 12 p.m.
 
Lunches will be charged to the student's RevTrak Food Service account. If you anticipate purchasing lunches, please ensure funds are available on the account. Families can access their Food Service account (or create a new one) by clicking the RevTrak icon on the BBHS website Parents tab.

Katy Mathews
Director of Food Service
kmathews@bishopblanchet.org
From the Counseling Department
2021-22 CLASS FORECASTING
The deadline for Freshmen to enter their 2021-22 course requests is today, March 10. Students need to be sure to use their own Skyward login to enter your course requests. Students can refer to the February 10 email from Ms. McCoy for details and more information. 
 
If Sophomores and Juniors haven’t yet entered course requests into Skyward please remind them to do so right away.
 
Students received their forecasting materials and instructions during CP and via email; please remind your student to check their inbox. Parents/guardians of Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are invited to review the course selection procedures including graduation and college entrance requirements, and instructions for completing the steps in the forecasting process. Please visit the BBHS Counseling Page to view a presentation by the Counseling Team. 

JUNIORS - COLLEGE CONFERENCES
This week, juniors will be receiving an email inviting them to sign up for their college conference with their counselor. Parents/guardians are also invited to these meetings; please speak with your junior about signing up for a time that works for your family. Meetings will take place through May 2021 via Zoom. The goal of the meeting is to discuss the student's plan for their college search and application process, regardless of where they may be along this journey. Please be ready to discuss some of these topics:
  • possible majors or career interest areas
  • priorities for your college search (locations, majors, cost, size, etc.)
  • standardized testing plans and results
  • potential list of colleges
  • using Naviance in the college search process
  • one or two possibilities for teacher recommendations

Stephen Russell
Head School Counselor
srussell@bishopblanchet.org
Social and Emotional Health
ANGST: VIRTUAL FILM SCREENING & PANEL
Join Forefront Suicide Prevention and a panel of experts in adolescent mental health for a screening of the documentary movie, Angst, which was designed to raise awareness around anxiety with an emphasis on youth and families. The screening is scheduled for Thursday, March 18 from 7-8:45 p.m. This free event is by invitation only, so please do not distribute outside the BBHS community. Sign up here!

PARENTING THROUGH COVID-10 Q&A RECORDING
If you missed Dr. Jim and Lizz Mazza’s live event “Parenting Through COVID-19”, watch the recording here.

Kaitlyn Overman
Social Emotional Counselor
koverman@bishopblanchet.org
From the Performing and Fine Arts Department
STUDENT ART: POTTERY AND SCULPTURE
Pottery students created detailed animals out of Sculpey Clay. Artwork (left to right) by: Bryce Munson '23, Claire Souder '24, Anneliese Incardona '21, Claire Ziemer '24, Jayne Johnson '22, Barrett Efta '23, Truman Baker '22, and Lulu Zinsmeyer '24.

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
Filming for Some Enchanted Evening continues in full force! Check out a behind-the-scenes photo from our shoot last Saturday (below). We are planning an in-person screening of Some Enchanted Evening with Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein on Tuesday, May 25 with the on-demand broadcast to soon after. Stay tuned for more details!
STUDENT ART: PHOTOGRAPHY
Students in Photography finished the first semester by researching a photographer and creating a piece of work to emulate the style of their chosen artist. Photographs (below, top to bottom and left to right) by: Isaac Yeager '22, inspired by Franz Lanting; Cole Mason '22, inspired by Andy Goldsworthy; Catherine Herber '23, inspired by Barbara Kruger and Valerie Heckel '22, inspired by Alexy Titarenko.
Corey Eriksen
Performing & Fine Arts Department Chair
cerikesen@bishopblanchet.org
From the Parent Association
PARENT GATHERING AT GREEN LAKE
Come as you are for an informal BBHS Parent Association gathering at Green Lake. Meet and connect with other Brave parents/guardians in a socially-distanced way on Tuesday, March 23 from 6:15-8:15 p.m. (during football practice for those who are already dropping off). Meet at the wading pool across the street from Zeek's Pizza. Feel free to bring a lawn chair to sit and relax, or bring your walking shoes for a stroll along the trail. Masks required! Questions? Email BBHSParentAssociation@gmail.com. Let us know if you’re interested (no commitment) by clicking here.