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, October 26th - A Day
8:15 AM start
ALL Grade Levels on Campus
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Tuesday, October 20th - B Day
9:15 AM start
ALL Grade Levels on Campus
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Wednesday, October 21st - A Day
8:15 AM start
ALL Grade Levels on Campus
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Thursday, October 22nd - B Day - ALL SCHOOL MASS DAY
9:15 AM start,
3:21 PM release
ALL Grade Levels on Campus
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Friday, October 23rd - A Day
8:15 AM start
ALL Grade Levels on Campus
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Just a reminder that all students will be back on campus next week. Attendance will be taken in person only.
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.
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A Message from Rich and Mike |
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BK Junior Jack Staufer exemplifies the BK Way by consoling the goalie from Emmett after BK won in a penalty shootout at the conference tournament. |
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Dear BK Parents,
As we complete our 10th week of the 2020-21 school year, we want to communicate a couple things to you in this email around the past two weeks instructional model and our “return to ‘normal’” plan for next week and beyond. We also want to reiterate our new protocols for remote learning, lunch and homeroom and return to school.
Before we do that, it is important to always start by updating you on the COVID-19 numbers for Bishop Kelly. We have had no new students test positive this week and many students and all staff members have returned from quarantine or other illnesses this week. Also, our absences were down significantly this week overall. As we complete ten weeks of school, in total we have had 10 cases with no known transmission within our school. While we are proud of these numbers, we must stay vigilant in our 3 W’s and avoid social gatherings because, as you have undoubtedly read in the media, the coronavirus is very active and case counts are growing once again in Idaho and Ada County.
Instructional Model
Thank you for your support and understanding of the two different instructional models we have been operating under these past two weeks. We know the changes and late decisions have been stressful and produced challenges for our families and for our faculty. We believe this brief pause from our instructional model of full in-person learning has given us the time we needed to build additional strength as a school and community to move forward throughout the remainder of this challenging school year. This week we needed the phased approach to implement the changes in our remote learning model, lunch protocols, and return to school protocols, and we are now prepared to return to full in-person learning next week. We are already seeing the benefits with fewer students absent, improved remote learning/in person learning classrooms, less chaos, better adherence to 3 W’s at lunch, and return to school processes that are working.
We want to eliminate any uncertainty regarding next week and beyond. We will return on Monday, October 26th, to our “all students on campus, in person” learning model. We strongly believe that is the best learning model for our school and we have demonstrated during the five weeks we had everyone on campus that we can execute it successfully during this pandemic and provide an exceptional learning experience in a safe environment for students and faculty and staff. We have every intention to remain in this model through the rest of the school year.
Remote Learning and Absences
As a reminder, we've given autonomy and direction to our teachers to determine the best way to reach distance learners for the content they are teaching. For some teachers, this will be to continue the live classroom connections via zoom as it has been. For some teachers, it may be more of an asynchronous approach, and others may have some mix of live, synchronous interaction, and asynchronous instruction.
Our primary focus is to get students to the same finish line in terms of course outcomes whether they are at a distance or not. While we firmly believe the best experience and best education will take place in the classroom, we realize that many students will need to be at a distance from time to time. If a student is absent, they will get direction and information for each class by going to the "UPDATES" section on Schoology for each of their classes. (This has not changed.)
As for absences, students that are on our internal Covid list for testing positive, awaiting testing, or in quarantine will be marked "CO' for Covid absence. All other absences will be treated like a regular absence. We will be reviewing and modifying our attendance policy as it relates to attendance, appeals, etc. Our current attendance policy states a 7 absence maximum; however, we fully realize that this is not realistic in our current environment. We are working on putting an addendum to our attendance policy to better account for the current environment.
For those students that choose to stay home during CDH Red designation, you are free to do so without requesting additional permission or authorization, other than our normal attendance procedures. It is up to the student to check in daily to Schoology and look in the class updates for each of their classes to stay current. We encourage all students to return to campus as soon as possible.
In summary, if your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, be sure to communicate directly with the attendance office (attendance@bk.org) like you normally would and have your child check the updates on each of their schoology courses to stay up with their schoolwork while they are absent.
Lunch and Homeroom
This week we successfully implemented the 25 minute homeroom period and 25 minute lunch period for freshman, sophomores and juniors, with these students choosing which lunch and homeroom teacher worked best for them and their small cohort of friends. As we bring everyone back on campus next week, we expect for each 50 minute period, approximately half the students will be in homeroom to work on schoolwork, socialize, etc., while the other half will spread out in small groups to eat lunch around campus - cafeteria, commons, halls, gymnasiums, outdoors (weather permitting), etc. We have already seen this week how this plan will help us reduce the total time of the lunch period, where we are seeing students gather and intermix in groups that are too large. It will also reduce the total number of students that we must supervise and manage at once, and will make the lines and wait time for lunch service shorter and therefore quicker. The homerooms will provide a place for friend groups to socialize, develop friendships, and/or to work on academics, while under adult supervision and with masks and distancing protocols in place.
Return to School Protocols
As a reminder, we began implementing this week new return to school protocols. The protocol is that a parent that calls or emails to verify a student’s absence, will receive an automatic response that includes the following process for gathering more information about the absent student:
Thank you for informing us of your child’s absence. Due to the current pandemic and concerns for the health of our school community, we need all parents to inform us if their son or daughter’s absence is due to any COVID-19 related issues. Please reply back to this email if your son or daughter is currently displaying any of the following symptoms, awaiting test results, or if they have been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 person.
COVID Symptoms:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
**Please have your child check in at the Attendance Office upon arriving back to school after being absent longer than 3 days.**
This process, in addition to information that is initiated by parents or through an observation of symptoms for students by school personnel, will help screen students for potential COVID-19 symptoms and exposure.
Thank you once again for all you have done in partnership with us to make the first ten weeks of school so successful in most every way. Thank you also for your support and understanding of the plans we have been executing the past two weeks. We are fully prepared and excited to return to our “all students on campus, in person” learning model starting this Monday, October 26th.
God bless,
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Father Vance's Reflection |
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Next Thursday, October 29, BK will celebrate its second all-school Mass of the year. As you may remember, last month we celebrated the traditional Mass that begins the academic year in many Catholic institutions of learning: the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Next week, we will celebrate another traditional Mass, specifically for Catholic Secondary Schools: the Grandparents’ Mass. We honor these “prayer warriors” in our lives, both those still with us as well as those who have passed on to heaven, and as I usually do, I will ask those attending the Mass virtually to be open to “standing in” for those of us who no longer have living grandparents in our families. It truly is a wonderful Mass, and every year I have worked in a Catholic High School, I look forward to celebrating these wonderful women and men who serve as the steadfast bedrock of their families and their faith. They are such a precious part of our BK community!
I have no statistical backing for what I am about to say, but it seems to me that the “grandparent generation” has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis. From the heartbreaking images of loved ones separated by windows in nursing facilities, to the anguish I hear regularly about good people not being able to go to Mass and receive Communion, my heart has really ached for folks who desperately miss a hug from a grandchild and receiving the Sacrament. But I also feel that we could all learn from this generation about perseverance and fidelity. It is ironic to me that the very group that we are trying most to protect by closing public Masses is the same group that closing the Masses seems to hurt the most! But I can learn from them how to long, how to yearn even more deeply than I do for the Sacrament in my life. I am humbled and inspired by the faith of these elders, and I deeply hope that I can be worthy of them as I Preside at the upcoming Grandparents’ Mass.
Are there grandparents still living in your family? If so, how are you including them in both the joys and the challenges of family life? Are you asking them for extra prayers and wisdom, even if visits can only be through phone calls or FaceTimes? If grandparents in your family have gone to God, are you still including them through your own prayers with your children, and telling them stories of their wise contributions to the life-story of your family? I’m sure we would all agree that a bottom line for our faith is that we need all the help we can get, and grandparents stand in a very unique position to advocate with God for their children and grandchildren.
Our beloved Catholic Schools are always communities that transcend those who are physically present on campus each day. Even though we begin and end our work days with students, faculty, staff and administration, and coaches and moderators, we are also called to remember the contributions of other groups to the mission of Catholic education here at BK. As we gather virtually next Thursday for our all-school Grandparents’ Mass, may we all remember to lift up in prayer and gratitude these special people in our families, and may they know and feel our loving support.
Father Vance
Please invite the grandparents in your family to join us online for our All School Mass Honoring our Grandparents on Thursday, October 29th. We will be live streaming Mass from the BK Chapel on our Bishop Kelly High School You Tube Channel beginning at 10:40 AM.
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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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Joelle Alex
Academic Excellence
Joelle always gives the most complete answers to any question, written or spoken. She is a bright young lady who works hard and does it all with grace.
Devyn Kenworthy
Academic Excellence
Devyn has committed to being better than he was last year in school. He has spent extra time trying to learn our material, and committed to doing everything he can to be better.
Quinn Istok
Generosity
Quinn is always so helpful and generous in my class. She is always the 1st to volunteer to help set or break down equipment. She never hesitates to jump right in and assist in any situation that requires a bit of assistance. Her generosity is so very much appreciated and I am so happy to have her in my class!
Joe Binfet
Academic Excellence
Joe is a consistent contributor to our progress as a class. He models respect and responsibility and participates willingly.
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BK Staff of the Week
Mr. Nate Sturlin
Safe and Caring Place, Activities
- Mr. Sturlin teaches us very well and makes us feel needed
- He is very generous and very nice, heart him
- Mr. Sturlin creates a comfortable environment in the classroom. He incorporates his comedy into learning, making class more exciting to attend.
- He’s cool.
- He helps students, in the classroom, enjoy learning.
- He is awesome, and his class is always fun. I look forward to it everyday.
- Mr. Sturlin makes his class super fun, and I like it a lot.
- He makes sports med really fun, even though the class is kind of hard. I look forward to seeing Mr. Sturlin every other day.
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Student Progress Conferences
Wednesday 10/28, and Thursday 10/29
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Student Progress Conferences (formerly known as Parent Teacher Conferences) will be held via Zoom this year.
The primary purpose of the conferences is to set up some time for parents/students to meet with teachers. Unfortunately, our meeting time slots this fall are going to be limited with the Zoom format and we will not have enough time blocks for 100% participation. Therefore, please keep in mind that our primary target audience for conferences are those parents of students that are currently off track, are academically struggling, or for those parents that have specific needs that need to be addressed through a conference with a teacher. We encourage, but do not require, that the student is present in the conference.
Fall 2020 Student Progress Conference Schedule
- Wednesday October 28th- 4:00-5:30 and 6:00-7:30
- Thursday October 29th- 3:30- 5:00 and 5:30- 7:00
Alternate Blocks of time for some faculty are Tuesday afternoon/ evening.
Click the link below to register for a timeslot for one or more teachers,
- Once you register for conference time slots you will receive an email with a unique Zoom Meeting ID and password for each conference time slot.
- Using the unique Zoom Meeting ID and password that you receive in your confirmation email, log into your zoom conference 2-3 minutes ahead of your scheduled start time. You will go to https://zoom.us/join to enter the Zoom Meeting ID and then will be prompted for the password.
- Keep in mind that all passwords are case sensitive.
- You will wait in the waiting room until the teacher is ready for your time slot.
- Counselors and Admin will also be available during conferences.
- If you are unable to find a time to schedule a conference with a teacher, we encourage you to send them a separate email requesting time to meet.
Thank you for partnering with us to make your student's experience at Bishop Kelly as successful as possible. We look forward to connecting with many of you next week.
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Varsity Boys and Girls Cross Country |
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Huge Congratulations to our District Champions for this week!
- Varsity girls cross country
- Varsity boys cross country
- JV Girls cross country
- JV Boys cross country
- JV Volleyball
- League/District champions in freshman football
- League/District champions in JV football
This weekend both Boys and Girls Soccer are playing for the consolation championships at their State Tournament in Idaho Falls. The Girls play at 10:00 AM Saturday vs. Skyline, and the Boys play at 10:00 AM Saturday vs. Sandpoint.
GOOD LUCK KNIGHTS!
Sports next week:
- Districts swim on Oct 27th @ West YMCA @ 11am
- State cross country Oct 30th @ Pocatello - Girls @ 11.30am and Boys 12.15pm
- Playoff varsity football Oct 30th @ BK 7pm
We will communicate with parents and fans about who can attend athletic events in person. This information is changing weekly.
For those who cannot attend in person, all of our Home competitions that take place in the Carley Athletic Center and on Nick Ysursa Field, can be viewed LIVE on the NFHS Network. The cost to subscribe is $10.99 per month, or $69.99 for the entire year.
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JV Volleyball (and Varsity Cheering them on!) |
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Varsity Football games are also being broadcast on Salt and LIght Catholic Radio, (1140 AM or 102.3 FM) and we are working on an option for streaming our other fall sports. (If you are interested in helping out, please let us know!)
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Strong Families, Strong Students |
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Idaho families are facing many challenges as they are forced to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances in their children’s education because of COVID-19. Through the Strong Families, Strong Students program Idaho families are provided access to grant funds to help with their students learning.
Strong Families, Strong Students Is a grant program funded by Idaho’s Coronavirus Relief Funds, which provides Idaho students access to grant dollars that can be used to purchase educational goods and services that their families decide their students need.
Who can apply? If you are a parent or guardian of an Idaho public, private, parochial, student(s) in grades K12— impacted by a COVID-19-related full or partial Idaho school closure or the parent or guardian of a home schooled student who experienced a COVID-19-related employment disruption— you can apply for these funds.
Eligible Families can:
- Receive a credit for $1,500 per child or up to $3,500 per family.
- Purchase computers and technology, pay for internet access, instructional materials, fees for courses, tutoring services and educational services and therapies through approved vendors available through the on-line marketplace.
- Seek reimbursement for eligible education expenses paid for between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
- Once the account is created, monies are deposited into a digital wallet and available to be spent through the current school year.
- When you apply please have evidence of your child’s, or children’s, public or private school enrollment and a copy of your 2019 tax return.
- If you home school, please have a proof of residence available when you apply.
ACT FAST!
Enrollment will be open from October 21, 2020 to December 8, 2020. Awards will be issued first on economic need and then on a first come first serve basis. All dollars must be allocated to families no later than December 31, 2020. However, families have until June 30 to spend their money once it is in their digital wallet.
If you are having trouble with the application process, call 1-844-649-2921
BK Parents can print off their own unofficial transcript (that meets the requirements for the Strong Families, Strong Students application) on Infinite Campus.
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2020 Winner's Choice Update |
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Greetings from the Bishop Kelly Foundation! We are1 week and counting to the opening of our Online Auction. Ticket sales are underway and we are busy putting the final touches on our auction baskets and snapping photos to showcase the wonderful donations we have received from both our community, school and longtime donors. The only thing we need now is your participation and support! Click on the following link to reserve your tickets for a chance to win a car and reserve your party box which includes dinner and wine for 2 or 10:
Couples Ticket Meal Pick Up Instructions:
Your meals, wine and virtual party box to enjoy during the event will be available for pick up at the BK cafeteria Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Virtual Table and Knights Table Meal Delivery:
If you purchased a Table of 10 or Knight’s Table your dinner and wine will be delivered Saturday, November 7 between 3:45-5 p.m.
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Yearbooks and Student Photos |
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Parker Portraits is rescheduled and will be on campus to take student photos on Tuesday, November 3rd and Wednesday, November 4th. Pictures for sophomores, juniors, and seniors (just for ID card purposes--this is NOT the tux/drape photo) will be taken in your student's theology and government class. If you would like to order photos, the process is entirely online this year.
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Go to www.parkerportraitsonline.com
- Leave STUDENT KEY blank
- Click on Job/Event for the drop down menu
- Select Bishop Kelly Fall 2020 & Click Open
- Enter Subject Details (Student)
- Enter Contact Details & Click Submit
- Choose your package
PICTURE RETAKES
If your student took pictures on Registration Day (freshmen and new students) and you would like a retake, please make sure to fill out THIS FORM and bring your previous picture packet in on that day. This form is only for retakes!
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Update on Senior Tux and Drape Photos
We've had to make some changes to the on-campus option for senior tux and drape photos. Because of a few issues with the photographer and sharing the tuxes and drapes, we've had to change this to an off-campus activity. However, we have a few photographers who have been contacted and are willing to work with BK families to offer this photo on the same scheduled day (October 14th) at their studio and for a very discounted price. Please see THIS BLOG POST for specific information and who you should contact.
The most important thing is to know that you or your Senior will need to contact the photographer to schedule the time slot--this is not a walk-in appointment.
Please contact them as soon as possible so you can get scheduled. Photos are due by November 30th, whether you are using your own photographer or one of the ones listed on the flyer.
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College and Career Center |
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NCACA Virtual College Fair:
This fall you will have the opportunity to connect with more than 600 colleges and universities at the NACAC virtual college fair.
Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2 - 10 p.m. ET
Each virtual fair is a free, one-day event. Attend as often as you like. Parents invited, too. Sign up at virtualcollegefairs.org
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.
Monday Oct. 26th 11:15-11:50 University of Puget Sound
Tuesday Oct. 27th 12:15-12:50 Carnegie Mellon University
Tuesday Oct. 27th 2:30-3:05 University of Glasgow
Wednesday Oct. 28th 11:15-11:50 University of Massachusetts
Thursday Oct. 29th 11:30-12:15 Willamette University
Friday Oct. 30th 11:15-11:50 Reed College
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The yearbook staff is working on pages for the yearbook, and we need your photos!
Please send in any photos that you have of your student participating or completing his/her Senior Service Project, Senior Float, Quarantine Pets, Purchases and/or Activities, and any pictures from summer trips and/or activities. Be sure to label them or put in the email body some sort of explanation. Photos can be shared with us on our Instagram page at @bkyrbook or via email to knightpix@bk.org
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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)
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#256
BK Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt Drk. Gray
$36.00
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#255
BK Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt Lt. Gray
$45.00
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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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How to Order
*Order deadline: EVERY MONDAY
*Order Pickup: EVERY FOLLOWING THURSDAY ONLY,
1/2 Hour Before School 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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All are invited to participate in the UNITE IDAHO: Eucharistic Procession and Rosary this Saturday, October 24th at 2pm.
This procession will start at St. John's Cathedral, will go throughout downtown Boise and will return to the Cathedral Steps for closing prayer and Benediction.
The procession is open to the public, and is for people of all ages.
This event has been created to help bring peace, healing and prayer to our community. Clergy will lead the procession and everyone is invited to pray.
When we bring Our Lord and the Blessed Mother out of our churches and into the streets of our community we create a powerful witness. Come be a part of this important event!
This is NOT a political event. Please refrain from wearing any political attire.
Date: This Saturday, October 24th
Time: 2pm - 3:30pm
Location: St. John's Cathedral, 807 N. 8th St., Boise 83702
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Job Openings at Bishop Kelly |
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Bus Route Driver
Activities Bus Driver
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Kitchen Assistant
New this week:
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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