Parent Bulletin
February 6, 2020
O ne week remains for our Early Admissions Period, running until February 13. Our revised re-enrollment process was explained to you via Mr. Fitzpatrick's letter in last Thursday's red family envelope, and via an email he sent you last Thursday. If you did not get the January 30th email - which contained the 2020-21 Parent Contract for you to electronically sign and submit - please check your "junk folder." If you still can't find that email, please email or call Mindy or Lola in the school office.

By acting by no later than next Thursday, you will save $125! The usual, annual application fee is $220, but currently enrolled school families who pay their fees online by February 13, only have to pay $95.

This year, everything with the process will be done virtually , so you'll be enrolling and signing your 2020-21 tuition contract electronically!

Please note the new section on the contract called "Fill the Gap." This is a special and easy way families can consider going above and beyond to help St. Louise.


 MR. FITZ'S BLOG
St. Louise Parish School’s longtime secretary, Lola Bazan, is retiring this spring after 25 years running our school office! Known for her welcoming smile and gentle manner, Mrs. Bazan is highly regarded by the school faculty, students, and parents and will be greatly missed by all!

On her upcoming retirement and departure from St. Louise School, Lola said:
"Working at St. Louise has been an honor and a privilege. Twenty five years ago, Mrs. Arleen Neighbors, previous St. Louise school secretary of twenty nine years, told me some wise words as she was passing on the school keys to me, “Lola, with time, you too will develop your own memories”.  

And for the past twenty five years, I have developed my own memories.  I have had the privilege and the most rewarding feeling of seeing so many students come and go, first as shy little Kindergarteners and then as the most confident and bright 8th grade graduates, including my own two daughters and now my own granddaughter who is in third grade. 

I have also had the privilege to have worked with the most dedicated and caring boss, Dan “my Jefe”, together with the most incredible and wonderful faculty and staff, past and current.  With a humble and grateful heart, I say thank you to you all for allowing me the opportunity to have worked with you and to have been able to represent you all. 

To all the school families, past and current, please know that I am so immensely thankful and grateful for making me feel so appreciated throughout all these years and for all of your caring love, support and understanding.  With a very humble heart I thank you all and I thank God for each and everyone of you!! 

To work at St. Louise school was the best decision I have ever made, but my new calling to help my family is the most amazing and rewarding decision I will ever make. 

These past twenty five years have been the happiest time of my life and will remain with me and in my heart for always. Gracias to my St. Louise Family!"


In the past few years, Mrs. Bazan has job-shared with Mrs. Mindy Morgan in running the school office. Mrs. Morgan is remaining on as one of our half-time school secretaries. St. Louise is now looking for another half-time secretary, to job-share with Mindy and to replace Lola.
If you know of someone with the qualifications for this position, looking for a 2½ days-a-week job, please share the following information with them...

 
Job Opening for a Half-Time School Secretary
A half-time school secretary position is available starting this March at St. Louise School in Bellevue, a school providing academic excellence in an atmosphere fostering Catholic faith and values. This position is for a 20.5 hours per week school secretary, who job-shares with another half-time secretary. This position will begin March 30, with training to begin in mid-March. The secretary works approximately 120 days annually, following the school calendar and including most of June and August. This is a recurring position, with the opportunity for continual, annual rehire.
 
Secretary’s Responsibilities
The St. Louise Parish School secretary is often the unrecognized heartbeat of our school. The school secretary is typically the first person a student, teacher, parent, or visitor will see when entering the building and will also be the last seen as people depart. Since the secretary is the person behind schedules, records, meetings, and files contained in the school building, this type of person is one who has the ability to multi-task, is highly organized, and is people-oriented.

As the first point of contact with visitors, the school secretary assures that the school is provided with receptionist services over the phone and in-person that convey the friendly, community-spirit attitude for which St. Louise School has always been known. The school secretary compiles and files student grade and attendance reports, family information, and other school records, using school-management software. The secretary also manages school admissions throughout the year, including transferring student records to and from other schools. The secretary schedules observations from prospective parents as well as teacher conferences for current school parents.
 
Providing assistance to the students is of utmost concern, and this includes providing initial health care in the absence of the part-time school nurse and helping students who come to the office for a variety of needs.
 
Qualifications for the Position
A candidate is desired who is a practicing Catholic, and the ability to speak Spanish is a plus. Some qualifications include:
  • knowledge and experience of relevant software applications including spreadsheets and database management;
  • knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures;
  • proficient in spelling, punctuation, grammar and other English language skills;
  • proven experience in positive communication skills and the ability to convey the upbeat spirit of St. Louise to those who call or visit the school.

How to Apply
Please send letter of interest and resume to principal Dan Fitzpatrick at danf@stlouiseschool.org . Interested candidates must also apply through the Seattle Archdiocese's Office for Catholic Schools website at http://www.ocsww.org/employment.php . The position closes on February 20.


The school will honor and officially say farewell to Mrs. Bazan from March 23-25 - her final three days working at St. Louise.

Enjoy God's blessings today,

MR. FITZ

p.s.
Last week, I inserted a contest in the Bulletin , with the first person who correctly answered this question to win a Charger Card:
"How many current school employees were students themselves at St. Louise when they were in elementary school?" The correct answer is 4. Unfortunately, one came up with the correct number. These long-time St. Louisers are Mike Fuerte, Chris Evans, Angie Ogilvy, Jane Reynolds.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, February 7
  • Parents are invited to stop in to the parish chapel for any amount of time today for our parish's all-day Eucharistic Adoration; some of our grade 2-8 homerooms are scheduled to attend

Tuesday, February 11
  • Final "Tuesday Tours" morning for prospective school parents to visit; please encourage your neighbors, friends, and co-workers with upcoming 4-14 year-olds to come check-out St. Louise; remember, if a newly enrolling family mentions you referred them, you receive one month's free tuition!

Wednesday, February 12
  • Winter Concert featuring our school band and the 5th & 6th graders; 6:30PM in the parish hall; performers are to check-in by 6:15
  • Deadline to RSVP for the February 22nd Father/Daughter Dance; see RSVP form at the end of this bulletin

Thursday, February 13
  • Deadline to Re-Enroll for 2020-21 Admissions and Save $125!
  • Bake Sale to support junior high events
  • Parents' Club meeting at 6:30PM in the faculty room; come learn about the Parents' Club if you're considering joining the PC Board

Friday, February 14
  • Used Uniform & Charger Gear Sale from 2:00-4:30PM in the St. Louise Room in the original school building; all used uniform pieces are $10 or less
  • CROWD Social for grade 6-8 students from 7-9PM in the parish hall; parents must come inside to sign-out their children when picking them up

Monday & Tuesday, February 17 & 18
  • NO SCHOOL - George Washington's Birthday and extended holiday


CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE SCHOOL CALENDAR HERE
St. Louise Students Are Community Members
Student Learning Expectations - SLEs - are expectations that our students should know, understand, value, and be able to do by the time they graduate from St. Louise School. These 12 SLEs comprise four categories important to the development of a well-rounded student: an active Christian; a life-long learner; a well-balanced individual; and a community member. Each month, one or two different SLEs are focused on school-wide until the 12 expectations are covered by the end of the school year.

For the month of January, we have had two Student Learning Expectations focused on throughout the school:
  • “A St. Louise student is a community member who honors the gifts of others and values the dignity of each person” (SLE #1.2);
  •  “A St. Louise student is a community member who accepts leadership roles and collaborates with others” (SLE #1.3).

Below are highlights from some of the classrooms on how they have been working during January – or perhaps longer than that throughout this school year - on achieving these SLEs.
 
Regarding the SLE that students honor the gifts of others and value the dignity of each person, in Mrs. McIntosh’s 6 th grade library class, she read them the book Remember , by Toni Morrison. It is a moving story about what children and adults endured because of the color of their skin. The 6 th graders then watched short videos on how we should treat others and value their qualities, not worry about their skin color. The class discussed the traits that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King had that made him a good leader during the time of segregation. They come up with words such as honesty, leadership, compassion, and trustworthiness. Finally, Mrs. McIntosh had her students answer if they believed the world has become a better place like Rev. Dr. King imagined in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Mrs. Lux’s 7 th grade Spanish class made cards of appreciation for our parish’s custodial staff with all the words written in Spanish.

Valuing the dignity of each person is a lesson being learned in Mrs. Patterson’s 6 th grade language arts class, where the students are reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, a novel with a very powerful message about racism in the early 20 th century. In order to help the 6 th graders better understand some of the major themes of the novel, Mrs. Patterson brought in a guest speaker this week, Mrs. Trina Legnon, to help conduct a “Prejudice Experience” in 6 th grade. (Thanks to an enrichment grant from the Parents’ Club for paying for Mrs. Legnon’s travel expenses.) The experience included splitting the 6 th graders into two groups: a “Superior” Group and an “Inferior” Group.   The Inferior Group of students were given a green-colored bandanna to place around their neck to signify their group. The Inferior group students wore the bandannas while at school throughout the day so it was obvious to classmates and all the school faculty. These “inferiors” were treated differently, such as only being able to use certain, less convenient water fountains, not getting to enjoy a full recess, and having to wait until the “superiors” got their turn at all the fun things during the day. Each group switched, so one day some of the 6 th graders wore a green bandanna, and the other day they got to be “superior.” experience one day of being in the Superior Group and one day of being in the Inferior Group. The experience definitely made the students uncomfortable, but the end result was positive. The 6 th grade students came away with greater empathy and understanding for those who have been and continue to be mistreated in our world today. 
 
SLE 1.2 was evident recently in Mr. Gallant’s 8 th grade language arts/literature class who just completed a unit on the novel Journey to Topaz , based on a true story of one girl's struggle to remain brave during the Japanese internment of World War II. The students reflected upon the discrimination and prejudice many Japanese-Americans faced in the 1940’s. The 8 th graders realized that these American’s dignity and worth as individuals were certainly not upheld during the time of internment camps across the West Coast.

Moving to the SLE that students accept leadership roles and collaborate with others, Mr. Gallant’s 8 th graders will now be starting a unit on Shakespeare. Students will be selecting a Shakespearean monologue or soliloquy to recite from memory in front of the entire class. During their practice sessions, students will collaborate with one another to give and acquire feedback about best practices and techniques when reciting Shakespeare.

Also regarding SLE 4.3 of accepting leadership roles and collaborating with others, two students in our Chorale school choir collaborated when they cantored the Psalms at our last two Masses – the Mass for Grandparents and the Sunday Catholic Schools’ Week Mass. Fourth graders Mika and Breanna learned Psalm 40 and worked together to take turns singing the verses, as shown in the photo above.

Mrs. Blank reports that her Pre-K students demonstrate the SLE of accepting leadership roles and collaborating with others every week in their classroom jobs. When students are absent, other students will fill in for the missing person. Furthermore, the preschoolers were given roles for their music concert, some of them being talking roles, and accepted the challenge. The students were given “MagnaTiles” to play with during free-choice time, and the students collaborate with others in the structures that they build. They also practice their collaboration skills when they put together the mitten alphabet puzzles during free-choice time.

As we’ve now entered February, school-wide we’ve started focusing on a new Student Learning Expectations:
  • “A St. Louise student is a life-long learner who demonstrates a solid academic foundation while using problem solving techniques, technology, critical thinking and study skills.” (SLE #2.1)

Parents can assist their children in understanding and achieving this expectation by talking about when during the school day and at home doing homework that their children having to problem solve, have to apply critical thinking, utilize technology, and implement study skills.
A St. Louise Student is a community member who honors the gifts of others and values the dignity of each person. For Catholic School’s Week, the fifth grade classes created cards for Father Carlos and Father Gary to show their appreciation for their “superhero” gifts.
We Appreciate Your ASGC Donations
Our 2020 Annual School Gift Campaign (ASGC) has begun! The ASGC is a required fund raiser, expecting every school family to participate. Thank you for either sending in your one-time donation now, or at least sending in a pledge to pay monthly or periodically through 2020. If you have questions about how the ASGC works or the various ways you can pledge and/or give, please go here or talk to Cindy Wagner .

Thank You for Re-Enrolling for the 2020-21 School Year Before Next Week's Deadline
Last week began the Early Admissions application period for the 2020-21 school year. For current school parents, this means you will please need to start now with the re-enrollment process for your child for next fall (or newly register your incoming PreK or Kdg. child). If you complete this process by next Thursday, February 13, you receive a $125 discount in the annual admissions fee.

Please read through the information that came home in last week's red family envelope and the email you were sent on January 30. (Note: if you don't recall that email, please check your "junk folder." If you can't locate that email - which contained the electronic Parent Contract fro 2020-21, please contact the school office immediately.)

Besides a new, electronic format, the Parent Contract also contains a new section - called "Fill the Gap." It's a special and easy way to go above and beyond in supporting St. Louise. We hope you'll consider filling the gap!

If you have any questions about re-enrolling, you may talk to Lola or Mindy in the school office (425-746-4220) or email Dan Fitzpatrick .

Thank you in advance for re-upping for what will be another outstanding year of your child receiving an excellent education with a Catholic foundation!

BREAKING NEWS!
Our Pre-K program for 2020-21 will now be FIVE DAYS A WEEK !
Our preschool class has always met from Mondays through Thursdays. But this coming fall, your 4-year-olds will now be able to come to school on Fridays!

Used Uniforms & Charger Gear on Sale Next Friday
Both our Charger Gear program and Used Uniform program are holding a sales event next Friday, February 14. From 2:00-4:30 p.m. in the St. Louise Room of the original school building, you'll be able to purchase new fleece sweaters or Friday-wear hoodies and track jackets, along with used pants, skirts, jumpers, and sweaters. Please plan on stopping by to shop either before you pick up your kids at dismissal or immediately after dismissal if you need your child there for correct sizing.
We love our Pre-K team of Mrs. Kujath and Mrs. Blank, and so do the parents of their preschoolers, who gifted them last week in appreciation for all the duo do for their kiddos.
Book Fair Is Just Around the Corner
The Scholastic Book Fair is quickly approaching; it's February 19-21 this year! This year’s theme is Jungle Book Fair! The student’s will get book flyers and be introduced to the Fair in library class next week. During the week of the Book Fair, grades K-6, will visit the Fair in the school library to preview and have an opportunity to purchase books.

Proceeds from the Book Fair are used to buy more books for the school library. St. Louise School Library will receive 50% of the net profit. We encourage you to come in and experience the excitement of the Book Fair with your family. You will also have the opportunity to purchase books for your child’s teacher (from their wish list) to expand their own classroom library.

This year we are adding a safe and convenient digital payment option for your child to shop the Fair cash-free! It is called eWallet . Simply set up an account online, add funds, and let your child know they can shop at the Book Fair (any remaining funds get returned to your card). It’s super easy and eliminates the hassle of bringing cash to school. Be on the lookout for the link that Mrs. McIntosh will email to all families to set up an account for your child(ren). The link will also be available on the library website.

Hours to browse and buy in the school library on Feb. 19, 20, 21 are:
  • Before school from 8:00-8:30 a.m. all 3 mornings;
  • After school from 3:00-4:00 p.m. for 2 afternoons - Wednesday and Thursday (the library will NOT be open Friday after school)
  • Regular library class schedule

  We gladly accept cash, debit/credit cards, checks, and eWallet!
Contact CherieM@stlouiseschool.org if you have any questions.
Charger Cards for Valentine's Day

Let Charger Cards make your Valentine's Day shopping super easy this year! Whether you are getting presents for your kids, shopping for your significant other or going out to celebrate, get Charger Cards for all your Valentine’s day spending to share the love with St Louise Charger Cards fundraiser.
 
The Perfect Match =
Valentine’s day gifts
+
shopping with Charger Cards
 
 
Great Gift card suggestions for Mom include:
  • Amazon.com - $25 or $100
  • Crate and Barrel - $25 or $100
  • Gene Juarez - $25, $50 or $100
  • Jo Ann Fabrics or Michaels - $25
  • Macy’s - $25 or $100
  • Nordstrom - $25 or $100
  • Pottery Barn - $25 or $100
  • See’s Candies - $25
  • Ulta - $25
  • Starbucks-$10 or $25

Create a Valentine package:
  • From Dad and the Kids to Mom ($50): $25 Gene Juarez & $25 See's Candies
  • The Mom's Day Out package ($60): $25 Gene Juarez, $25 Macy's, $10 Starbucks.
  • The Spoil Mom ($100): $100 Gene Juarez.
  • The Couples package ($200): $100 Gene Juarez, $100 Daniel’s Broiler.
  • Dinner and a movie at Crossroads or Factoria ($45): $25 Regal or AMC, $20 Chipotle
  • Dinner and a movie in Downtown Bellevue ($220): $25 Lincoln Cinema, $200 John Howie Steak
  • Evening of Coffee and Books ($35): $10 Starbucks, $25 Barnes and Noble

Or get creative and make your own package. We'd be happy to customize any package! Nothing says, “I love you,” more than buying a gift that also helps your kids’ school! Take that extra step to show them you care! Charger Cards also offers gift wrap to make your life even easier!

Charger Cards has lots of cards in stock! Special order cards ordered by Monday, February 10, at 9AM will be sent home the afternoon of February Thursday, February 13. 


The Charger Cards sale office in the central wing of the original school is open on school-Fridays from 8:15-9:00AM. You may always purchase 24/7 at
www.shopwithscrip.com  or myscripwallet.com .               

Charger Cards...It's simple, it's thoughtful and it's truly the gift that  keeps on giving! For more information on Charger Cards and online ordering, please visit  www.stlouiseschool.org/chargercards  or email chairpersons Marsha and Katherine at
Thanks to Our Fantastic Volunteers
The school faculty appreciated the parents (and grandparent) who helped prepare and/or serve lunch at last week's Teacher Appreciation Lunch, and we thank those who baked items for last week's Open House:

Megan Kirk; Ann Connolly; Danielle Condit; Kathleen Lund; Jackie Munson; Meghan Green; Liz DeBord; Reine Kehdy; Kathy Brennan; Carolyn McHugh; Leslie Tankersley; Laura Bonner; Molly Akers; Angeleigh Gregorios; Tiffany Neuman; Kristine Bautista; Tina Tsao; Elisa Engel; Natalie Remedios; Sharon Victor.


If you have volunteers that deserve "thanks" in the Bulletin, please email Mr. Fitz .
Take Advantage of Parenting-Class Opportunity
The life of a parent can be exhausting and life-giving, messy and wonderful. In the midst of parenting, it can be challenging to discern where God is in it all. This mini-retreat offered in Seattle in a few weeks will give you the time and space to pause, be nourished, and reflect on God's desires for you as a parent, and your desires for your children. Through Ignatian-inspired prayer, presentations, and personal and communal reflection with other parents, facilitators Jennifer Kelly and Jen Tilghman-Havens will help you deepen your sense of yourself as a parent, reflect on the spiritual foundations of parenting, and develop prayer practices that can be integrated into your daily parenting and family life. The cost is $35 per parent or $55 per couple. Free childcare will be provided. Go here to register.
Saint of the Week
please read this with your kids
Adoration Is Tomorrow

Every first-Friday, the parish has a daylong Eucharistic Adoration, and for four of those Fridays this school year, our grade 2-8 classes will be participating. Tomorrow, February 7, will be their next opportunity.

Eucharistic Adoration, also called Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, is a form of worship that is offered to the Lord through His most Blessed Sacrament – the Body of Christ as we see in the Eucharist/bread. People have their own way of praying before the Blessed Sacrament. Often, silent prayers during Eucharistic Adoration will last an hour, in connection with when Jesus told the Apostles in the garden of Gethsemane during His Passion, “Could you not spend one hour with me?” However, one can visit the Lord in the presence of His most Blessed Sacrament for as short as a few minutes, and for our students, the average class will be praying silently in Eucharistic Adoration for 20 minutes.

Apply Soon for a Tuition Assistance Scholarship

Don't forget that thanks to generous donors throughout the years, including through our recent Auction's fund-a-need, our Endowment Fund for Tuition Assistance is healthy and available to parents who need support in order to pay tuition. If you foresee a need for some assistance in paying your tuition in 2020-21, please go here to learn how to apply for a scholarship. The deadline to apply is April 15.

View this video for a quick look at how a Catholic school such as St. Louise is funded and how tuition assistance scholarships work.

If you have questions about financial aid, please contact our bookkeeper, Angie Ogilvy .
Please Consider Throwing Your Hat in the Ring

Catholic schools have a School Commission - whose job is to advise and support Fr. Gary and Mr. Fitzpatrick in the areas of school finance, policies, and marketing - and a Parents’ Club Board - who focuses on how to support the school in the areas of volunteering, fund raising, parent education, and community building. Both groups are made up of school parents who serve three-year terms, and each year at this time we advertise that the School Commission and Parents’ Club Board will have openings to begin a new term, starting in the upcoming new school year. Joining one of these groups is a productive way to volunteer for the school and a fun way to meet other parents. In addition, you get the important role of providing input toward school decisions. 

Each group meets about five evenings a year, from September through May. Additionally, members will help with other functions, such as greeting at Open House or serving on committees. If you want to know more about what the various jobs entail, you should first go to the groups’ respective pages on our website to learn more. Then contact School Commission chair Sean Manne or Parents' Club president Karen Reed to express your interest. They will invite you to attend their next meeting to learn more. The Parents’ Club Board next meets on February 13, and the School Commission next meets on March 5.

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