Weekly Update
November 24, 2020
From the Office of Campus Ministry
ADVENT RETREAT
The Office of Campus Ministry is offering an online Advent retreat for students, parents, and guardians. The retreat will focus on the challenge of Advent to “wait in joyful hope.” Through guided reflections and small group discussions, participants will consider ways they can be present and patient during times of waiting. The parent/guardian retreat will be on Wednesday, December 9 from 5-7 p.m. on Zoom. The student retreat will be on Thursday, December 10 from 5-7 p.m. on Zoom. Please email Ms. Longest for more information or to sign up.

BBHS AND ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS FAMILY PARTNERSHIPS
As in years past, BBHS will partner with St. Vincent de Paul to sponsor local families in need of extra help this Christmas. With support from students, families, faculty, and staff, BBHS will make Christmas possible for 121 neighbors. Please look for an email this week from your student’s CP teacher with more details for how to get involved. Please email Ms. Cypher with any questions, and thank you to those who have already reached out to help.

Rachel Longest
Director of Campus Ministry
rlongest@bishopblanchet.org
From the Performing and Fine Arts Department
VIRTUAL BOX OFFICE IS OPEN!
The cast and crew are giving 100% effort to It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and it will be ready soon! On the BBHS Drama webpage, visit our Virtual Box Office to purchase a link that will go live for the entire run of our streamed production, December 4-6.

While you are there, please check out two other worthy opportunities:  
  • As part of our commitment to give back to the community, we have partnered with Operation Nightwatch, a local non-profit that strives to reduce the impact of poverty and homelessness in our city. Please consider supporting this worthy organization. 
  • Mindful that you will be watching the show from the comfort of their own home and in the spirit of both the movie and the season, we've created a virtual store offering It’s A Wonderful Life pajama pants and t-shirts, The branded merch will be delivered right to you door in time for Christmas and make great stocking stuffers!

Tickets, Service, and Stocking Stuffers -- you will find links to all on our BBHS Drama webpage!  
SPRING MUSICAL INFORMATION SESSION
This year’s spring musical, Some Enchanted Evening, is a celebration of songs that have become a part of our lives. This beloved revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most iconic songs will be presented as a musical film this spring, set against the backdrop of Bishop Blanchet and telling the story of a day in the life of the high school student. If you’re interested in performing or being a part of the crews for this one-of-a-kind musical, please attend an informational session via Zoom on Tuesday, December 1 at 3 p.m. See you there, and break a leg!

STUDENT ART
The AP Studio Art and Design portfolio (below) by Caitlin Hinshaw '21 features the tough subject of how climate change is affecting the oceans, wildlife, the world, and humanity.
Students in Basic Art created 3D cup art responding to a social problem, using techniques inspired by Sharpie artist Cheeming Boey. Artwork below (left to right) by Emma Northey `21, Lauren Dome `23, and Naomi Pham `22.
Corey Eriksen
Performing and Fine Arts Department Chair
ceriksen@bishopblanchet.org
From the Athletic Department
TRAVEL ADVISORY RETURN TO PLAY PLAN
Student athletes who have traveled or are planning to travel out of the state or country after November 13 must complete this form to establish a quarantine/return to play plan. 

INDOOR ATHLETICS CANCELED
A number of activities currently being offered at Bishop Blanchet are impacted by the recent statewide COVID-related restrictions. As a result, all indoor athletics are canceled through December 14. Coaches will communicate to students currently participating in Open Period about implications for each sport or program. Outdoor sports will be allowed to continue with current protocols in place. Masks must be worn at all times while participating in outdoor activities, including during aerobic activity.

WIAA SPORTS SEASON UPDATE
The WIAA Executive Board voted last week to amend the current season schedule for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year, opting to delay the start of WIAA Season 2 to February 1 and shorten each WIAA Season to seven weeks in length. The full WIAA Season schedule can be found here.
 
Due to the delay of WIAA Season 2, the Board voted to approve an extension of the Open Coaching Window to January 23. The window allows for coaches in all sports to work with student-athletes in the same fashion as the summer coaching window.

The WIAA Board will continue to follow its recently approved process for commencing sports seasons. Please click here to learn more about the process. 
SIDELINE STORE SALE
Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping and check out the Brave Sideline Store apparel. Use Promo Code HOLIDAY20 on purchases by Wednesday, November 25 to receive 20% off!
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT JOB OPENINGS
Bishop Blanchet is currently seeking a Head Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach and a Head Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach. The jobs are posted on AppliTrack and WIAA.
Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
sgaskill@bishopblanchet.org
From the Activities Office
SENIOR PARENTS - PURCHASE YEARBOOK TRIBUTES
We have only six pages left in the yearbook for Senior Tributes! To order a tribute, complete the order form and return it with payment by mail or email to Mr. Grasseschi. Be sure to designate whether you want to create the tribute yourself or have Mr. Grasseschi create it for you. The deadline for orders is January 12; all materials must be in by January 18. Act soon! Space is first come, first served.

PINEWOOD DERBY
The BraveBots (FIRST Robotics Team 4682) are hosting a Pinewood Derby to provide an opportunity for students to compete in an Engineering-related challenge over the 2020 holidays. Students will be tasked with building a pinewood car to the required specifications from their own homes, with kits provided free of charge. Click here for more information and to participate.

MATH TEAM
Congratulations to the BBHS Math Team for their 5th place finish at last week’s NW Math League competition. 20 teams from 8 schools participated. Congratulations to Mason McVey '21 for his 12th place individual finish, out of 48 competitors. Well done to Dr. Alkire and the entire team!

FRESHMAN CLASS VIRTUAL ESCAPE ROOM
Freshman have been asked to save the date for a Virtual Class Escape Room on Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m. Class Advisor Mr. Freyman will post information in the Class of 2024 Google Classroom. Please encourage your student to look there and to sign up!

Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Activities
cbocian@bishopblanchet.org
Social/Emotional Health
PANDEMIC PRESSURE: CALM PARENTING IN TIMES OF CRISIS RECORDING
If you missed Dr. Laura Kastner’s presentation last week you can watch the recording of it here. Thank you to the BBHS Parent Association for hosting such an important and informative evening! 

SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
The BBHS Forefront Suicide Prevention Team invites you to join us for an important evening of learning, discussion, and reflection on Thursday, December 3 from 7-8:30pm. 

Developed by Forefront Suicide Prevention at the University of Washington, the LEARN Saves Lives training will outline simple and effective steps to help others move in the direction of hope, recovery, and survival. These steps play an important role in helping us recognize when peers, friends, and family might be having thoughts of suicide, and to know how and where to refer those individuals to keep them safe.  

To register, please fill out this form. We will follow up a few days before the event with the Zoom information.

Kaitlyn Overman
Social Emotional Counselor
koverman@bishopblanchet.org
From the Business Office
NAMED ENDOWMENTS
Bishop Blanchet offers Named Endowment Scholarships made possible by the generosity of BBHS donors, alumni and friends. In order to apply for a Named Endowment Scholarship, an applicant must have a current completed FACTS Tuition Assistant Form for your household on file with the BBHS Business Office. Scholarships awarded from the previous school year are not automatically renewed, and if a scholarship is renewed, the amount awarded may vary from year to year. 

Please complete the Named Endowment Scholarship application by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2020. If you have questions, please email Mr. Lukevich or call 206.527.3981.

TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR 2021-22
Applications for BBHS and Archdiocese of Seattle Fulcrum Foundation tuition assistance for 2021-2022 are due December 31, 2020, through the FACTS application portal. 

Click here for important information and instructions on how to apply for aid and details on how to submit the required supporting documentation (listed below) using the FACTS application.
  • 2019 IRS Federal Tax form 1040 including all applicable Schedules and Attachments
  • 2019 W2 or applicable 1099's for both applicants
  • 2019 year-end pay stub showing year-to-date wages and deductions for both applicants
  • 2020 most recent pay stub for both applicants
  • 2020 Income and Expense Statement for self-employed parents
  • Benefit Statements from Social Security, SSI, TANF, Unemployment funds as applicable 
FACTS Customer Service is available at 866-441-4637 to assist with log-in password or application questions. Please email Colleen Reinhardt for additional assistance.

Tom Ramsey
Director of Finance
tramsey@bishopblanchet.org
From the Admissions Department
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 visits for students and parents/guardians are now available! See details below.
NEW TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Beep Beep! Attention north end families - we hear you!

We are excited to announce a new BBHS bus route to serve the north end communities with stops in Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.
NEW STUDENT-LED TOUR VIDEO
Check out our new student-led tour video, featuring seven students who somehow managed to get their hands on they keys to the school for an after-hours tour of BBHS.

Be True! Be Kind! Be Brave!
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.

8TH GRADE HOTSPOT 
Bookmark the 8th grade HOTSPOT as your hub for prospective student information! To receive free BBHS swag and other mailings, watch Brave Ambassador videos, read student testimonials, gain free admission to on campus events when they resume and get the latest BBHS admissions information, register for our Brave Access Program.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2021-22 ARE OPEN
Apply to Bishop Blanchet today - click here to apply to BBHS for 2021-22, get information on the application process and 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.

Michael Pierce
Director of Admissions
mpierce@bishopblanchet.org
From the Counseling Office
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Parents, please take a look at the Counseling page of the BBHS website. There you will find a number of resources such as webinar recordings, self-care guide, college funding resource, etc.

Stephen Russell
Counseling Department Chair
srussell@bishopblanchet.org