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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A Message from Rich and Mike |
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Dear BK Parents,
It has been a challenging week and we appreciate your patience, flexibility and trust in us as leaders as we’ve discerned the best response and plan of action for our school. In just one short week, we’ve gone from no positive COVID-19 cases since August 25th and only a few students in quarantine to six positive students and nearly 60 students out for quarantine or awaiting testing. We’ve also seen a significant spike in absenteeism (>15%) this week and have heard from our faculty on their sense of safety and well being. With all these concerns, as well as the increase in community spread in Ada County that could likely put us in Category 3 (RED) next week, it seems more than appropriate that we take a careful examination of our current status and our goals.
Before we go further, allow us to share some good news and express our gratitude. We have had eight successful weeks of in person instruction and no COVID-19 cases since August 25th here at Bishop Kelly. The instructional model and the 3 W’s have been working well overall. The vast majority of students and families are doing what we have asked - most kids are staying home if they are not feeling well and you are following the protocols. Thank you for that - you have done what we asked and it has made a difference. Staying home if symptomatic is critical to keeping other students, our BK teachers and staff and our community healthy and in minimizing the spread of the flu, colds, other viruses, and especially the coronavirus.
However, given what we have seen this week, we needed to assess and decide how best to approach the coming week and ensuing months. In doing that, we went back to our goals from the beginning of this school year:
- Make the learning experience exceptional for all BK students and faculty & staff
- Have a plan that provides flexibility, adaptability and options for our students, faculty/staff and our school.
- Keep our students, faculty/staff and community safe and healthy.
- Engage our parents and community as partners to the overall learning experience of our students.
As part of our plan, dating back to June, we committed to having a plan that was flexible and adaptable to our current situation. After 8 weeks of successfully executing our instructional plan, we feel it is time to take a short pause in on campus learning this coming week to regroup, re-evaluate our current plan and make the necessary adjustments to ensure we can continue to execute and achieve our goals for the remainder of the school year. Make no mistake, we are still committed to an in person instructional model as we’ve said from the beginning and believe that this pause will only strengthen our plan moving forward.
Our primary objectives for pausing on-campus instruction for one week are:
- Provide adequate time for the improved physical health of our student body while mitigating further spread of all illnesses (flu, colds, COVID, etc.)
- Building in 10 days of recovery for the dozens of symptomatic students before returning to campus.
- Allow time for additional testing/ results for those that are awaiting or in need of testing.
- Allow time for other symptoms to be revealed and get treated prior to return.
- Provide adequate time and focus on adapting and improving current instructional and operational plans.
- Return to school procedures when students are ill.
- Evaluate/ Improve Hybrid Learning Model as this week may be more the norm for the rest of the fall and winter months with absences
- Redesign Lunch Practices (especially important prior to colder weather)
- Assess and Improve other daily practices such as disinfecting classrooms, transition between classes, beginning/ end of day procedures.
- Strengthen current instructional model and health practices in anticipation of colder weather, flu season, etc.
- Build in time to fix the water main issue that needs to be addressed and will necessitate closure of our school buildings
We believe in the importance of sports and activities as part of our overall mission at Bishop Kelly. While sports add additional risk in possible spread of illness, there is also considerable risk to the social, emotional well being of adolescents in not having this opportunity. As we take this brief pause in face to face learning, we will continue to allow activity participation for our students as we close out the fall sports season with some caveats. We will utilize this opportunity to reeducate and reemphasize some protocols that have become lax while instituting some new procedures. While all athletes, parents and coaches understand that participation in activities adds additional health risk to further mitigate spread and keep our teams healthy, we’ve identified several areas in our activities programs that we can improve to further reduce spread. Other than a delay in the start of Monday practices for some reeducation and implementation of some new protocols, activities will continue with limited spectators at competitions.
We will move to a fully online learning model next week with the following schedule:
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Monday, October 12th
B Day, 9:15 Start - Online Learning Day for ALL Students
- School Deep Clean
- Evaluate all schoolwide current practices/ procedures
- Prior to all Athletic Practices, Coaches and players in football & cross country will be retrained and expectations reinforced.
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Tuesday, October 13th
A Day, 8:15 Start - Online Learning Day for ALL Students
- School Deep Clean
- Redesign school practices where needed
- Prior to all Athletic Practices, coaches and players in volleyball, soccer & cheer will be retrained and expectations reinforced
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Thursday, October 15th
B Day, 9:15 Start - Online Learning Day for ALL Students
- Mandatory Student Online Assembly during office hours to review student expectations of return to school.
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Friday, October 16th
A Day, 8:15 Start - Online Learning Day for ALL Students
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Our plan is to resume in person learning on Monday, October 19th. This will be based on our ability to accomplish our goals for next week - improved physical health of our student body, successful adaptation and improvement of our instructional and operational plans, and completion of main water line work. It is not dependent on whether Ada County is in category yellow or red. We will communicate more next week about hybrid learning exceptions for the following week.
Thank you for all you have done in partnership with us to make the first eight weeks of school so successful in most every way. Thank you also for your support and understanding of this plan for next week. We believe this brief pause from our instructional model of in-person learning will give us additional strength as a school and community moving forward throughout the remainder of this challenging school year so we can fully accomplish the four goals we set for the year.
God bless,
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Father Vance's Reflection |
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Today, we end the 8th week of classes here at BK. With everything that has been different, unique and unprecedented during the last 8 weeks, I wanted to reflect today on something that is, blessedly, the same essential experience that I have had every fall since I first walked into a classroom to teach in 1991.
I think I can speak for every educator worth his or her salt when I say that one of the biggest joys of our vocation is the opportunity to build relationships with young people. And I have found that this process is essentially the same, whether we are virtual, hybrid or in-person. When I look out at a class of students -- whether they are masked or not, whether they are little boxes on my Zoom screen or sitting there in person -- I love the challenge of getting to know what makes each one of them tick! I think that true teachers develop a kind of 6th sense, some internal voice they trust that tells them when to press the building of that relationship, and when to let things stand as they are for a while. For me, student “A” might get my jokes on day one, whereas student “B” might need some more time before I can banter with him or her in the good natured and relaxed way that I love. But the common denominator is that I know that, given a long academic year together, my goal is to “get” each one of my students. Sooner or later, I will discover in each one of them the particular passions, questions and issues that motivate their lives. At the same time, each of my students will come to know me better as well, and over the course of a long year together, I will find opportunities to share my particular passions, questions and issues with them too. To me, this is the overall goal of teaching, no matter what subject the curriculum. What’s more, this goal is achieved in many places other than the classroom. Here at BK, I see coaches and moderators, volunteers and office and custodial staff all working for this goal of building relationships with young people. It is what makes our school such a special place to be.
The good news of our Faith is that God is working on building a deep relationship with each one of us. In Jesus Christ, we encounter the deepest relationship that divinity can have with humanity. And, like the best teachers and mentors, God uses every event and turn of life to enhance that relationship. Some of us may have been swept up in our intimacy with God early in our lives. Others of us need more time to build the trust and the dependence that He asks of us. But God plays the long game, and His goal is to “get” each one of us!
I don’t know about you, but in this time when there are so many things competing for my attention, so many voices seemingly all screaming at me to attend, it is comforting for me to remember that my essential work has not changed. I am about the beauty of the relationship we have with God in Jesus, and sharing that with my students and the rest of the BK community. What matters, at the end of the day, is not how I shared this good news, but that I shared it! My prayer for us all is that we remember that, whether virtual or in-person, we are about the very same thing: the growth and development of our community on its pathway toward God. May that same loving God bless each of our efforts toward knowing, loving and serving Him, today and every day.
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If you would like to sign up for weekly Adoration in the BK Chapel, please CLICK HERE for the sign up form. |
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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!
Jack Horton and Sam Pape
Community
Jack Horton and Sam Pape received their Eagle Scout ranks on Thursday. In order to receive their Eagle Scout rank they must:
- Be active in their troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.
- Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your daily life. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.
- Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:
a. First Aid
b. Citizenship in the Community
c. Citizenship in the Nation
d. Citizenship in the World
e. Communication
f. Cooking
g. Personal Fitness
h. Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
i. Environmental Science OR Sustainability
j. Personal Management
k. Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling
l. Camping
m. Family Life
Congratulations to both of these young men for their commitment to our community!
Nathaniel Brown
Community
Nathaniel Brown is a freshman student that came from St. Marks. Nathaniel has really stepped up in the last few weeks by picking up trash left behind by his classmates at lunch . Nathaniel can often be found at the end of lunch picking up after others. It is evident that he truly cares about our community and being a role model for others to follow. Thank you Nathaniel!!
BK Staff of the Week
Mrs. Mary Bieter
Academic Excellence, Generosity
Mrs. Bieter is an incredible person and an awesome teacher. She works so hard to try to get students to understand, speak, and love Spanish. She is also an excellent leader in her department and in our school. Many people don't realize that Mrs. Bieter has been teaching without a prep period since August and is teaching a double load of students during 6th period. She is doing this while Mrs. Shanahan is on maternity leave and is just another great example of the hard working, selfless and caring person that Mrs. Bieter is.
Thank you Mrs. Bieter!
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Saturday, October 10th
- Varsity Girls District Soccer, 1st Round vs. Emmett (Home) 10:00 AM
- Varsity Boys District Soccer, 1st Round vs. Nampa (Home) 12:00 PM
Monday, October 12th
- Volleyball vs. Emmett (Home) 4:30 Freshmen, 5:30 JV, 6:30 Varsity
- Varsity Girls District Soccer, 2nd Round (Home) 7:00 PM
- Varsity Boys District Soccer, 2nd Round (Home) 5:00 PM
Tuesday, October 13th
- Swim Team vs. Boise High at the West YMCA
Wednesday, October 14th
- Cross Country vs. Mountain View (Away at Ridgeview) 4:00 PM
Thursday, October 15th
- Volleyball vs. Caldwell (Home) 4:30 Freshmen, 5:30 JV, 6:30 Varsity
- Freshmen Football vs. Vallivue (Home) 6:45 pm Kickoff
- JV Football vs. Vallivue (Away) 6:00 pm Kickoff
Friday, October 16th
- Varsity Football vs. Vallivue (Home) 7:00 pm Kickoff
Saturday, October 17th
- Freshman Volleyball Districts (Home) 9:00 AM
- JV Volleyball Districts (Away at Ridgeview) 9:00 AM
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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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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Bishop Kelly Hockey
Any Knights interested in playing Hockey this season should email coach Lee Svangstu at Svangstu@cableone.net to begin receiving communications. Interested players can also see Mr. Klein.
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2020 Winner's Choice Update |
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Today marks the 3 week countdown (gulp!) to the opening of the Online Auction. Ticket sales are underway for the virtual party packages to enjoy while watching the virtual event and for your chance to win a car. Just as a reminder, our event has two components this year- an online auction and a virtual event.
- Our Online Auction begins Friday, October 30 at 8 a.m. and runs until Saturday, November 7 at 10 p.m.
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Registering to bid is free and can be done through this link: https://bkwc2020.ggo.bid
- Click on the “Start Bidding” button in the upper right-hand corner to set up your account.
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Our Virtual Event is Saturday, November 7. We have a “cocktail hour” from 6-7 p.m. allowing time for people to log on to the Virtual Event on the BK youtube channel found here- https://tinyurl.com/WinnersChoice2020
- At 7 p.m. we will go live and begin our program, ending with the car drawing at approximately 7:45 p.m.
- Please use the menu insert in the invitation to circle your meal choices if you are paying by check and sending it in with the reply card.
- If you purchased a Couple’s Ticket your meals and wine will be available for pick up at BK in the cafeteria Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 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.
- Please consider supporting our school’s largest fundraiser hosted by the Foundation!
- Questions? Call the Foundation office at 208-323-4789
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Yearbooks and Student Photos |
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Parker Portraits will be on campus to take student photos on Thursday, October 15th and Friday, October 16th. 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
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Place your order BY OCTOBER 16th
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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Earlybird Pricing for Yearbooks Ends Soon!
Order your yearbook before October 11th for the lowest price of the year. Visit Jostens to order.
Earlybird Pricing for Senior Ads in the Yearbook Also Ends Soon!
The early bird pricing deadline for a senior ad in the yearbook is quickly approaching. October 15th is the deadline for a discounted price, and the regular deadline is November 12th. Don't miss this opportunity to send off your senior with a few special words and photos. The ads are built primarily online, and it's a simple process. For more information, see THIS FLYER and/or visit The Yearbook Company website.
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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.
Monday, Oct. 12 from 1 - 9 p.m. ET
Sunday, Oct. 18 from 12 - 8 p.m. ET
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.
Mon Oct 12th, 12:15PM - 12:50PM University of Arizona
Mon Oct 12th, 2:30PM - 03:05PM Oregon State University
Tue Oct 13th, 11:15AM - 11:50AM Chapman University
Thu Oct 15th, 12:15PM - 12:50PM Seattle University
Fri Oct 16th, 11:15AM - 11:50AM Washington University in St Louis
FAFSA opened October 1st!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on October 1st. This is the form the government as well as colleges and universities use to determine how much financial aid a student should receive We encourage all Seniors to apply.
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Volunteer Opportunities for Students |
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ONE STONE
Love of Learning Project
Love of Learning (LOL) is a program in part with One Stone's Project Good that will work to keep the joy of learning alive, especially while many students navigate unique challenges that can come with virtual learning. High schoolers who join this project will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a younger buddy in person, where they will act as their mentor and helper with anything the buddy might need help within school. This mentorship will help create and strengthen relationships, build confidence in school, and help students transition to a new kind of learning environment.
Meetings: Love of Learning will meet in person with their buddies once a week for two hours, as well as have planning meetings once a week for an hour. Students who choose to be involved in this project can choose which session they would like depending on the day of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Feel free to email projectgood@onestone.org with any questions.
Meridian Library District
The Meridian Library District has numerous volunteer opportunities available. Some in-person and some virtual. Go to: https://www.mld.org/connect/help-home to see what’s available and to sign up.
Math Tutor Needed
A student at St. Mark’s needs a volunteer math tutor. If you are in the NHS this could be a good way to get your tutoring hours! For more information, contact Mrs. Colleran at jcolleran@bk.org or stop by room 710.
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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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#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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#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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#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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TWO Days! Wednesday October 21st and Wednesday October 28th with one 2-hour session on each day
- We welcome and encourage this to be integrated into classroom learning
- ALL students are welcome to participate and are eligible for prizes and scholarships if they attend both sessions
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Job Openings at Bishop Kelly |
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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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