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Weekly Update
October 21, 2020
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Dear BBHS Families,
Admissions season for the Class of 2025 is in full swing. Tonight at 6:30 p.m., we are hosting our virtual Open House Webinar. Thank you for helping us spread the word to more great students and families! In the Admissions section below, you will find the webinar registration link and the many other ways students and families can learn more about BBHS.
Thank you for your response to our recent survey. We had over 720 total responses from our faculty, staff, students, parents and guardians. We have been deeply engaged in processing the comments and identifying ways we can continue to refine our remote learning program. Along with helping us assess overall satisfaction levels with remote learning, we have been able to identify some common themes emerging from the data.
The survey comments reflected consistent support for extending our daily lunch break and scheduling asynchronous days in a prudently timed way to mitigate increasing Zoom fatigue and overall concerns with screen time. Another important theme within the student data highlighted the challenges with the amount of homework in the remote learning model, specifically after spending the school day learning through their device.
Students and parents/guardians reported very positive experiences when attending extracurricular activities, particularly when they are offered on campus and in small cohorts interacting with other students. Ninety percent of students reported being involved in an extracurricular activity either at BBHS or outside our school community. We will continue to process this feedback and we expect to pilot some adjustments to our remote learning model as soon as next week.
Overall, in terms of our Reopening Plan, we remain in the remote model and continue to monitor trends in local public health data. The King County Public Health data tracking website is now updated on a daily basis, rather than once a week. While the key COVID-19 activity metric (positive cases per 100,000 residents) is not increasing at the rate it has been over the last month, we remain in the high activity level of the reopening framework. At this point, our focus is on refining the remote learning model based on the survey feedback and continuing to find healthy and safe ways to engage our students in extracurricular offerings.
Blessings,
Tony DeSapio President adesapio@bishopblanchet.org
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REQUIRED COVID-19 REPORTING
Our Reopening Plan and COVID-19 safety protocols require us to have a clear understanding of any impact COVID-19 may be having in our Bishop Blanchet community. Therefore, we felt it important to reiterate our protocol for families to notify the Dean's Office of any student or household member who tests positive for COVID-19. This is a requirement even in our current remote learning environment. Families should report this information via email to Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students. All student or family member names will remain confidential as the school begins its communication protocols.
CLOSE CONTACT WITH CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 Students and families identified by local health officials as a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case should also notify the Dean's Office by emailing Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students. Bishop Blanchet will communicate with impacted students and families regarding protocols for returning to school and school sponsored activities.
COVID-19 PREVENTION Parents and guardians should limit the social interactions of their student(s) outside of school. Families should spend time with their student(s) discussing the importance of refraining from attending large social gatherings, the need to practice physical distancing and mask wearing when in public and acknowledging the shared responsibility we all have to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing any potential COVID-19 symptoms, and continue to practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly.
Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
cbilanko@bishopblanchet.org
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From the Activities Office
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SPIRIT WEEK
Our first Spirit Week of the year is October 26-30! We are hoping to get as much participation as possible - please encourage your student(s) to participate.
Dress Up Days
Monday, October 26: Pajama Day
Tuesday, October 27: "Twister" Day: Crazy hat, hair, accessories day
Wednesday, October 28: "Guess Who?" Dress up as a favorite teacher, coach, famous person or friend
Thursday, October 29: Creative (and school appropriate) Zoom background
Friday, October 30: Halloween Costume or Halloween Colors
To be eligible for a drawing for cool prizes, take and submit a photo each day via direct message to @bishopblanchet.asb on Instagram, or send it in by email.
PHOTO RETAKES AND ASB/ID CARDS
Photo Retakes are scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 from 3-5:30 p.m. Photos can be taken for those students who did not have their photo taken during Orientation in August, and for those who wish to have their photo retaken. Please review these instructions prior to retake day. Please note: - HealthShield verification is required for all prior to entering BBHS
- Parents will text a screenshot of the verification screen to their student
- Student will present the screenshot to enter BBHS
- Suggested arrival times are:
- 3 p.m. - Last Name A-E
- 3:40 p.m. - Last Name F-La
- 4:20 p.m. - Last Name Le-Ri
- 5 p.m. - Last Name Ro-Z
- Ordering photos: Families may pre-order photos using this link any time up to 24 hours after the photography date. Alternatively, families may order photos once the photo proofs are received.
- Retakes: Students who choose to have their photos re-taken should bring their original photo packet with them. Lifetouch will create a new photo packet with the new photos.
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Photo packets and ASB/ID cards will be mailed to students 4-5 weeks later.
VETERAN'S DAY VIDEO
For Veteran's Day this year, we are creating a video paying tribute to the veterans in our BBHS community. We need your help! Please submit a photo or brief video offering a thank you, a shout out or general recognition of a special veteran in your life. Your submission should include their name and any other information you would like shared. Please email photos and/or videos by Wednesday, November 4.
DRIVER'S ED - SECOND VIRTUAL SESSION Shield Driving Academy offers a series of classes each year for BBHS students only. The second session will be held virtually, October 27- December 8, with classes on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 4-6 p.m. (except holidays). Click here to register your student for this session. Note: A minimum of 10 students is required to hold each session.
STUDENTS OF THE MONTH FOR OCTOBER
Congratulations to the Students of the Month for October: Joshua Davis, Bernadette Del Rosario, Paris Dela Paz, Jack DeMeulemeester, Clare Gaskill, Jack Gravenkemper, Bella Gustavel, Isaac Hartin Pasco, Blake Hodneland, Patrick Horner, Maddie Manley, Sam Merriman, Lily Novak, Matthew Sanders, Manuela Stewart, Carter Vary and Eyose Yonas. They were recognized in CP this morning and will receive their commendations and certificates in the mail.
The Student of the Month program at Bishop Blanchet is designed to recognize those students who work hard in their classes and would benefit from this recognition. Not the students who are already being recognized and honored - the 4.0 student, or the highly recognized athlete - but the student who is trying hard and making progress. Examples for award recipients are academic excellence, service/volunteering, academic improvement, attitude (focus, helping others, tutoring, demeanor) or effort.
SENIOR PARENTS - PURCHASE YEARBOOK TRIBUTES
Senior parents, it's time to purchase a yearbook tribute for your member of the Class of 2021! Revenues help offset the cost of prom, so please purchase your tribute today.
SENIOR PARENTS - GRADUATION ORDER INFORMATION
Senior Parents, now is the time to purchase graduation items such as announcements, senior gear and letter jackets from our official supplier, National Achiever Services. Seniors submitted reservations for their cap and gown last week during CP; please confirm with your senior that the reservation was in fact submitted.
Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Activities
cbocian@bishopblanchet.org
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From the Admissions Department
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CALLING ALL FUTURE BRAVES!
If you have friends, family or neighbors with middle schoolers - we invite you to share with them some of the upcoming opportunities for them to get to know more about BBHS. Virtual tours are now available! See information below.
OPEN HOUSE WEBINAR WITH LIVE Q&A - TONIGHT AT 6:30
Please register here to tune in to our virtual Open House webinar tonight, October 21 at 6:30 p.m., featuring a panel that includes BBHS administrators, students and parents, as well as opportunities for live Q&A.
B.R.A.V.E. (BLANCHET REMOTE ACCESS VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE) DAY
8th graders are invited in small groups to join us for a B.R.A.V.E. Day - a half day, virtual, live, personalized tour with our Director of Admissions. B.R.A.V.E Day experiences include classroom visits, a view of our spaces, engagement with teachers and school leaders, and messages from our students. Spaces are limited. All sessions run from 8:15-11:45 a.m. Reserve your spot today!
PARENT VIRTUAL COFFEE WITH PRESIDENT TONY DESAPIO
Parents and guardians are invited in small groups to have a virtual cup of coffee with President DeSapio to learn more about our school and ask questions. Space is limited. Please register today . All sessions will be from 9-9:50 a.m. on the dates noted in the registration link.
BRAVE ACCESS PROGRAM FOR 6-7-8TH GRADERS
Be in the know! Future Braves, click here to become part of the Brave Access Program and receive free swag, information on BBHS news and to join our mailing list.
8TH GRADE HOTSPOT Bookmark this page as your hub for prospective student information! Watch Brave Ambassador videos, read student testimonials and get the latest BBHS admissions information.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2021-22 ARE OPEN
Apply to Bishop Blanchet today - click here for information on applying to BBHS for 2021-22, and to view deadlines. Please note, BBHS will not offer, nor require, the High School Placement Test (HSPT) for this admissions season, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
We will continue to identify opportunities to engage with middle school families, including virtual tours and other avenues, as COVID-19 continues to impact in-person events. Please encourage any prospective families who have questions to connect with our Admissions Team.
Michael Pierce
Director of Admissions
mpierce@bishopblanchet.org
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From the Office of Diversity and International Student Services
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MAC VIRTUAL PARENT NIGHT - OCTOBER 29
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BBHS' Multicultural Affairs Council (MAC) is hosting a Virtual Parent Night via Zoom on Thursday, October 29 from 7-8 p.m.
This program is centered around parents of BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). We hope to provide a space to build parent connections, offer resources and host a parent panel on how to support your student as they navigate high school. Opportunities for community and Q&A will be included - we hope you will join us! Please RSVP here by October 28.
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Janah Valenzuela
Director of Diversity and International Student Services
jvalenzuela@bishopblanchet.org
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TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR 2021-22
Applications for BBHS and Fulcrum Foundation Tuition Assistance for the 2021-2022 school year are now being accepted via FACTS. Information and links to the application can be found here. Here's how to get started:
- Log onto your BBHS FACTS account as a returning family or as a new family, and follow the links to the "2021-2022 Tuition Assistance Application"
- Apply to both Fulcrum and Bishop Blanchet for tuition assistance consideration
- Review the list of required supporting documents necessary to complete the FACTS application
- Important: Only complete applications (including submission of the required documents) will be considered for Tuition Assistance
- The application deadline for both BBHS and Fulcrum Tuition Assistance is December 31, 2020
Tom Ramsey Director of Finance tramsey@bishopblanchet.org
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TURNING TO TECH FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Common Sense Media recently pulled together a list of apps, websites and text hotlines aimed at supporting child and adolescent mental health. These resources
can be a great addition to existing self care practices or in conjunction with other mental health supports. If you need help identifying the right tools for you and your situation, check out One Mind Psyber Guide, an organization dedicated to vetting and reviewing these digital offerings.
SOCIAL SUPPORT: FRESHMAN LUNCH GROUPS
We are creating Freshman Lunch Groups to give students the chance to connect with one another, ask questions and have a little fun. The exact format will depend on the level of interest, so please let us know if your student would like to participate by filling out this form. We will follow up with more details soon!
Kaitlyn Overman
BBHS Social Emotional Counselor
koverman@bishopblanchet.org
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From the Counseling Center
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COUNSELING WEBINARS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Please note the dates for the upcoming Parent/Guardian webinars with the BBHS Counseling Team, focused on important information and events for students in each grade level. Parents/guardians of each specific grade will receive an email with additional information as each event nears.
Stephen Russell
Counseling Department Chair
srussell@bishopblanchet.org
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From the Performing Arts Department
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IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - A LIVE RADIO PLAY
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Progress! Progress! Progress! Check out here how our Crews are bringing this show to life! As they prepare, we are offering an opportunity for our beloved BBHS audiences to get involved, by advertising in our program or offering a shout in support of our Cast and Crew. Please consider purchasing an affirmation or a business ad here, to help defray production costs.
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In our latest Minute Video of the Week, Publicity Crew Member Chloe Schuler chats with Crew Head Clare Fesalbon and Cast member Josephine Partridge about their experiences receiving affirmation from parents, friends, and YOU!
We are building something special for you. The curtain rises on December 4, 5 and 6. Stay tuned!
If you want to find out more information about this show and all things DRAMA, join the BBHS Drama Google Classroom with code 4nkp4c2.
JOIN PALS
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Are you a parent interested in getting involved in the performing arts? The Performing Arts League Supporters (PALS) would love to meet you! PALS is a parent group that provides support for drama, band and choir. View the PALS welcome letter here!
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THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
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Mark your calendars for our annual celebration of the performing arts, The Spotlight Cabaret! Please save November 14 at 7 p.m. for this year's livestreamed event.
Though we cannot gather this year in person, our fabulous students will dazzle you with high-energy, high-caliber performances that you and your entire household will enjoy. In addition to the amazing student performances, we will also announce our spring musical! |
This year more than ever, our students need your support. The arts provide an essential platform for students to find mutual support and a safe place to express themselves. Your generosity ensures we can continue to serve our student performers in these challenging times.
Show your support for our Performing Arts by becoming a Patron here. We will email you the livestream link to Spotlight Cabaret, as well as post it to our website.
Corey Eriksen
Performing and Fine Arts Department Chair
ceriksen@bishopblanchet.org
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