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Dear Parents,
With Thanksgiving a traditional time when we gather the entire family together in an act of gratitude to God, the challenge for us all this year is to perhaps dig a little deeper to find a sense of gratitude for what we can do instead of what we cannot. I am grateful that Bishop Watterson students have been able to attend school this fall, thanks to the creative work of our faculty and staff and the support of our community. Our students expressed their own thanks for what is important to them on paper leaves that we have hung around the school. Here are a few I hope you will enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Deacon Chris Campbell
Principal
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Key Dates
Friday, December 11: Flex Day
Friday, January 15: Flex Day
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Food Drive Helps St. Stephen's Community House |
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Our food drive for St. Stephen’s Community House (SSCH) was an enormous success thanks to our Bishop Watterson families. We sent five vehicles with food stuffed in every corner to SSCH. Thank you to Mothers’ Club for transporting the donations!
“Our hearts are so full of thanks!" SSCH commented on our food drive photos on Instagram. "This will certainly help us feed the 3,000 families we are expecting for our Christmas Cares, Unions Share Program. Thank you!”
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Campus Ministry Cues
This week when we give thanks, we may also find ourselves challenged by what has been lost during the pandemic. This article offers some inspiration on cultivating gratitude in your family.
Whether you are gathering in person or virtually, Story Corps offers a series of questions designed to get your family talking. They have different sets of questions designed for a variety of relationships. They also offer real-life Thanksgiving stories for your inspiration.
As we prepare for Advent, which begins this Sunday, we offer links to a variety of resources.
This Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., you are invited to attend a virtual Advent Retreat with Sr. Miriam James Heidland and Leah Darrow. They will offer a deeply Marian approach to bringing forth Christ into our lives, no matter the season. Sign up here.
An Advent retreat featuring seven speakers, 15 videos and 15 reflective study guides from Pray More Novenas. Click here.
Franciscan University offers a variety of Advent Resources. Click here.
Hallow Prayer App is offering a 30 day free trial. Click here.
An Advent Pilgrimage is being offered by Jason Evert. Sign up here.
Chris Stefanick and Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa are offering daily Advent videos and reflections. Click here.
See more Advent opportunities in the Worth Repeating section of Wednesday News, below.
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Enjoy this video of O Come, O Come Emmanuel by For King and Country.
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Bishop Watterson participates in Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving. All money donated on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 will be matched by generous donors up to $20,000. All proceeds will go towards the Annual Eagle Fund to benefit tuition assistance, technology advancement, and facilities maintenance. We know times are tough, but any size gift can make a difference to many of our families who are struggling to make their tuition payments.
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Yearbook Photo Request
ATTENTION PARENTS: Yearbook is in need of your help with pictures. We would appreciate any pictures you could provide since we have had limited opportunities due to COVID-19. We are working hard to provide a quality yearbook and we know you can help us. Please submit images to Mrs. Rush at mrs.rush@bwhs.org. Also if you could provide a little information about the picture that would be great! Thanks in advance.
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Safely Celebrating Thanksgiving
According to the Ohio Department of Health, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic is to celebrate the holidays at home with members of your household. If you decide to get together with others, please keep the gathering small (10 people or fewer) and stick to the basics:
- Everyone should wear a mask who can safely do so.
- Make sure everyone washes their hands frequently and uses hand sanitizer.
- Whenever feasible, stay 6 feet away from one another.
- Regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- If you are sick, remain home and stay away from others as much as possible.
- Have a small dinner for those who reside in your home, and organize a virtual call with extended family to discuss everyone's feasts and what they are thankful for.
- Have your own parade. Drive by homes of neighbors or family members to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.
- Dig out those old photos and videos of Thanksgivings past, share your favorites with relatives, and ask them to do the same. Have the most tech-savvy family member create a shareable video combining all the contributions.
Holiday Travel
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If you are traveling over the holidays, please keep in mind the CDC safety recommendations which can be found here.
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We refer you to the CDC Data Tracker, which can be found here, that shows areas of special concern.
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At this point, the United States is showing Level 3(Red) areas on this CDC map, which means that all areas are advised to ‘avoid all non-essential travel” to red destinations.
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When making your travel plans, please keep in mind that you will be required to quarantine for 14 days if you travel to a hot spot or high-risk state as defined by the CDC and/or the State of Ohio. Please consult the State of Ohio website here.
- Students will not need to quarantine after travel and may return to school immediately if they did not travel to a hot spot or a high-risk state, if they were not exposed to COVID-19, and if they are not showing symptoms of COVID-19.
- International travel will require you to quarantine for 14 days; this includes Canada and Mexico.
- Please be sure to plan ahead and check the CDC and State of Ohio travel advisories before making your plans.
- Please be mindful of the safety recommendations and be vigilant if people you come in contact with have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive.
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Winter Weather Closure Notifications
Winter is on the way and so we thought this would be a good time to remind our community what happens if school is cancelled.
Bishop Watterson follows the Diocese of Columbus in determining weather-related closures. The Diocese continues to communicate through local media outlets.
In the event of a closure, we use the School Messenger system (the same system utilized when we had the water main break on November 5) to send a phone message to parent cell phones on file with the school office. We will also get the word out through our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
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ACT-SAT-PSAT
Juniors or seniors who are testing on any of the ACT or SAT test dates, please contact Karen Gallo for any test prep needs. Individual Zoom tutoring with Mrs. Karen Gallo is offered at times that will accommodate your schedule.
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Virtual Open House Available 24/7 |
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Do you know families considering high school options for their children? Your testimony to family and friends about your personal experience or your children's experience at Bishop Watterson can make a difference! You know firsthand how Bishop Watterson prepares our students to live the Gospel message of Jesus Christ beyond high school, through our focus on faith, academics, service, athletics and co-curricular activities. Our current parents, past parents and alums are uniquely qualified to speak to why we encourage families to Choose Faith, Choose Community, Choose Excellence and Choose Bishop Watterson.
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Campus Ministry Advent Opportunities
For Students
Students are invited to participate in Advent small groups via Zoom or the GroupMe app. Groups will meet weekly throughout Advent and have the possibility of meeting once after Christmas. Students who sign up next week will receive a free devotional written for teens "Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens" by Katie Prjean McGrady and Tommy McGrady. The book has short daily reflections from Advent through the 12 days of Christmas. They can sign up through Theology classes or by emailing Campus Minister Beth Simmonds at mrs.simmonds@bwhs.org.
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For Parents
An Advent faith sharing group for our community of parents is being offered this year. Join in by watching 10-minute video reflections each Sunday in Advent on Youtube and participating in a Zoom small group session each week. The series "Advent Meditations with the Holy Family" features Fr. Mark Toups, Sr. Miriam James Heidland and Fr. Josh Johnson. This series, produced through Ascension Press, also offers for purchase a set of meditation cards or a journal which can be used to enhance your reflection but are not required to participate in our weekly sharing. Sign up by emailing Campus Minister Mrs. Beth Simmonds at mrs.simmonds@bwhs.org. Reflection sessions will be offered on Zoom on Tuesdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 8 am and 7:30 pm. Gathering information will be sent to those who sign up.
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Senior Yearbook Portraits
Prestige will be offering yearbook portrait appointments in their office December 1, 2, 3, and 5. To schedule, call Prestige at (614) 626-8708 and choose senior option to get scheduled.
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Eagle Store Hours
The BWHS Eagle Store is now open after school each day for 30 minutes to both students and parents.
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Support Bishop Watterson When You Shop |
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Support Bishop Watterson when you order from Amazon!
We are participating in the Amazon Smiles program and will
receive a percentage back when you shop at the link below.
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Bishop Watterson participates in the Kroger Community Rewards program.
To sign up, go to kroger.com, log into your account and under Savings & Rewards click Kroger Community Rewards. Search for Bishop Watterson. Our number is VG154.
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