Weekly Update
February 10, 2021
From the President
Dear Bishop Blanchet families,

The Bishop Blanchet High School Board of Directors has formed a committee to review our school’s use of Braves as a moniker. While the school reviewed this issue in the early ‘90s, recent national and local events, along with the work of the school’s Legacy Council, led the BBHS Leadership Team and Board of Directors to make this update a priority commencing with the start of this current school year. We have created a dedicated Moniker Review webpage and the full announcement of committee members and next steps in the review process are listed there.  

I look forward to working with this committee, our students and local Tribal leadership as we thoughtfully discern our use of the Braves moniker. We will share updates and next steps through this webpage and in our ongoing communications. Thank you for your prayers and for your partnership in this discernment process.

Blessings,

Tony DeSapio
President
tdesapio@bishopblanchet.org
From the Principal
Dear BBHS families,

Over the last two weeks, the quiet, vacant hallways at Bishop Blanchet have been filled with a renewed energy as we welcomed back students for in person learning. It was surreal to see students in the building for the first time in eleven months, and feel the excitement. While we continue to learn and refine our hybrid teaching techniques, and keep health and safety protocols as our top priority, we are thrilled to have taken the first step.

I want to give a special shout out to both our newest and oldest Blanchet students. I’ve enjoyed seeing our 9th graders interact with their classmates at lunch and navigate the hallways during passing periods. It was gratifying to welcome our 12th graders back to campus for their final semester at Blanchet, and I was tremendously proud to announce last week that the Class of 2021 will celebrate their commencement ceremony at T-Mobile Park.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT AP EXAMS
Bishop Blanchet is planning to proctor in-person paper AP Exams on campus in May. Browse the online BBHS calendar for specific exam dates and times. Additionally, we are working to provide an at-home digital exam option for most exams. AP teachers will be communicating to their students about each option in the next few weeks, and gathering student preferences. Our plans will be contingent on the local health guidance in place in May.

Have a great rest of your week, and please be mindful of our COVID-19 Community Pledge during the upcoming holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Sam Procopio
Principal
sprocopio@bishopblanchet.org
From the Dean's Office
HEALTHSHIELD REGISTRATION
All students and families must participate in Bishop Blanchet’s health screening protocols, which include a parent or guardian attesting to their student’s health. Students will not be permitted on campus or allowed to participate in any school sponsored activity without a verified and current health screening. If you have not yet registered your student, click here to learn more about the registration process. If you have any questions, please email Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students. 

As a reminder, the Bishop Blanchet HealthShield number is (855) 952-3601. We encourage all parents and guardians to save this as a contact in their cell phone.

REQUIRED REPORTING OF POSITIVE CASE OF COVID-19
If a student or member of their household tests positive for COVID-19, families must notify the Dean’s Office by contacting Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students, and follow the BBHS COVID-19 Community Protocols prior to returning to campus or participating in any school sponsored activity. This information will remain confidential and allow the school to initiate its communication protocols. Any student who does not follow BBHS COVID-19 Community Protocols will face disciplinary consequences and may be prohibited from participating in on-campus learning and extracurricular activities. In the event of a positive case in our student body, faculty or staff, Bishop Blanchet will communicate to the entire community and work directly with families if their student is impacted.  

PARKING AND DROP OFF/PICK UP TIPS
Please read the parking tips for the week below. Remember: the map on the website page is your friend! If you have any questions, please contact BBHS Security Officer Marilu Byrne.

  • Do not use parking spaces for drop off. All parking spots have been assigned to faculty, staff and students.
  • Morning drop off and afternoon pick up takes place in the fire lane on the south end of the parking lot, nearest the library and social studies wing.
  • Please pull forward and as far to the right as possible, allowing room for cars to exit the parking lot.
  • Always pull as far forward as possible, and keep the line moving.
  • Make sure your student is ready to exit the vehicle when you enter the parking lot. We need the line to move as quickly as possible so everyone has a fighting chance to be on time for school!
  • Ms. Byrne-ism of the Week: “Be a thinker and use your blinker!”

Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
cbilanko@bishopblanchet.org
From the Academic Office
REPORT CARDS
Report cards have been posted for the first semester. To view your student's report card, please select the Portfolio Tab in Skyward

Honor Roll will be posted to our website in the next week or so, as some grades are still being finalized. 
Lunch Service Pre-Order Form
PRE-ORDER LUNCH SERVICE FOR GREEN DAYS
The BBHS Cafeteria Team is providing box lunches for purchase on Green Days. The box lunch includes a sandwich or entree salad, chips, and dessert for $6.00. Students must bring their own water bottle or beverage each day.
 
Because of the President's Day holiday, only one lunch will be offered next week on Thursday, February 18.

Please click here to pre-order lunch for Thursday, February 18. The deadline to pre-lunch for next week is tomorrow, Thursday, February 11 at 12 p.m.
 
Lunches will be charged to the student's RevTrak Food Service account. If you anticipate purchasing lunches, please ensure funds are available on the account. Families can access their Food Service account (or create a new one) by clicking the RevTrak icon on the BBHS website Parents tab.

Katy Mathews
Director of Food Service
kmathews@bishopblanchet.org
From the Office of Campus Ministry
CELEBRATE ASH WEDNESDAY WITH BISHOP BLANCHET
Next Wednesday, February 17 we begin the liturgical season of Lent. You are invited to come to the Jim Pinsoneault Quad on the BBHS campus between 6-7 p.m. to receive ashes, partake in a reflection activity, and take home ingredients for a simple supper and a CRS Rice Bowl, so you can continue your Lenten journey at home. For the distribution of ashes, we will follow the current instructions from the Catholic Bishops to sprinkle ashes on the top of the head rather than use them to make the sign of the cross on the forehead. If you plan to attend, please complete this form so we can have enough supplies.

SIGN UP FOR FRESHMAN RETREAT
The Freshman Retreat will be held on campus Wednesday, February 24 from 8:35 a.m.-12:30 p.m. It’s an opportunity for students to get to know their classmates, build community, and take time for reflection. The retreat is optional. If your freshman plans to participate, please complete this form no later than Monday, February 15 so we can plan appropriately and have enough supplies. All our usual COVID protocols will be in place for the retreat, including the 14 day quarantine for students who have traveled out of state.

Rachel Longest
Director of Campus Ministry
rlongest@bishopblanchet.org
From the Development Office
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Online Silent Auction
Wednesday, March 10 at 8:00 a.m.-Saturday, March 13 at 9:00 p.m.

Brave Venture Virtual Live Auction
Saturday March 13, 2021
6:30 p.m. Pre-Show
7:00 p.m. Live Auction

50/50 CASH RAFFLE
Win up to $5,000! Only 100 tickets will be sold at $100 each. The Washington State Gambling Commission does not allow us to sell raffle tickets over the phone or through the mail, so plan to purchase your raffle tickets in the BBHS parking lot on the following days:

BBHS parking lot during morning drop off between 8-9 a.m.
Thursday, February 11   
Thursday, February 18   
Tuesday, February 23   
Thursday, February 25   
Tuesday, March 2      
Thursday, March 4      
Tuesday, March 9      
Thursday, March 11     

BBHS parking lot on Saturdays between 10-11 a.m.
Saturday, February 13
Saturday, February 20
Saturday, February 27

Click here to reserve your raffle ticket(s). If these dates don’t work for you, we will come to you!

AUCTION PROCUREMENT
Thank you to all the families who donated items or cash for our auction procurement. At this time we are accepting cash donations only.

Please email Sheryl Welch with any questions.

Mary Beard
Development Director
mbeard@bishopblanchet.org
Social and Emotional Health
FRESHMAN LUNCH GROUPS
Is your student interested in joining a Freshman Lunch Group this semester? These groups are a great way for freshmen to get to know one another and connect. The exact format of these groups will depend on the level of interest, so please encourage your student to fill out this survey if they’d like to participate.  

Kaitlyn Overman
Social Emotional Counselor
koverman@bishopblanchet.org
From the Office of Diversity and International Programs
CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE OX
Happy Lunar New Year to all the BBHS families who celebrate this special holiday season, which begins Friday, February 12! In addition to some of our local families, many BBHS international families will be celebrating this year from China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The Lunar New Year is celebrated differently throughout Asia. Learn about what Lunar New Year looks like in Seattle and all around the world by clicking here. Sending best wishes of good health and prosperity to all for this new year!

DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT REGISTRATION: BE THE LIGHT
ALL students are invited to register for BBHS’ third annual Diversity Leadership Summit! DLS will be hosted via Zoom on Friday, March 12 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Please click here to register by Friday, February 12.
This year, the DLS is getting even bigger and better with the return of spoken word artist Christian Paige plus amazing new speakers, including national award winning educator Erin Jones, Vishavjit Singh (better known as Sikh Captain America) and more! We are also inviting students from other local Catholic high schools to join us for an even more epic DLS experience.
 
This summit is designed for ALL students from ALL grades and ALL backgrounds. Students who are interested in developing their leadership skills through understanding diversity, equity and identity are encouraged to register. Returning DLS participants are welcome to attend again.
 
Please complete the registration form by Friday, February 12. Registration is $15. Financial assistance is available. We hope to see you at DLS this year- don’t miss out! Please email questions to our DLS Co-Chairs, Laura Meaux or Janah Valenzuela.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The BBHS Diversity Equity and Inclusion team has compiled a variety of events and resources to help celebrate Black History Month. Check back often, as we will continue to update these resources through the month!

Janah Valenzuela
Director of Diversity and International Student Services
jvalenzuela@bishopblanchet.org
From the Counseling Department
FORECASTING FOR 2021-22
Parents/guardians of 9th, 10th, and 11th graders are invited to review the course selection procedures including graduation and college entrance requirements, and instructions for completing the steps in the forecasting process. Please visit the BBHS Counseling Page to view a presentation by the Counseling Team. Students received their forecasting materials and instructions today, and will be meeting individually with their counselors throughout February. 

SCHOLARSHIP OFFER LETTERS
Some of our seniors are receiving admission decision letters from colleges. Please email a copy of any scholarship letter received to Ms. Moehring in the Counseling Center, so we can recognize your senior's achievement in the end of the year programming. Please send copies of all award offers, whether or not your senior plans to attend the college.

Stephen Russell
Head School Counselor
srussell@bishopblanchet.org
From the Activities Office
SAVE THE DATE: SENIOR CLASS LUMINARY LIGHTING
Seniors, please mark your calendar and join us Sunday, February 28 for a Class of 2021 Luminary Lighting at BBHS. The exact time is TBD, but plan on late afternoon to early evening. Details will follow for an event which will include activities in the quad, a walk around Green Lake with four activity stations and culminate on Mickey Naish field with the lighting of luminary lights! We hope that all of our seniors students are able to participate.

SENIOR CLASS CAP AND GOWN PICK UP AND CLASS PHOTO
Seniors, please plan to come to campus on Wednesday, March 3, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., to pick up your graduation cap, gown and tassel. Stay tuned for details about the class photo, which will take place the same day.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT ORDERS
Parents, if you would like to order official BBHS graduation announcements, now is the time! Order online by clicking here.

BBHS YOUTUBE: PLEASE FOLLOW!
Have you subscribed yet? We need 1000 subscribers to our BBHS YouTube channel in order to use this platform to livestream events. Please click here and give us a follow. Please also share this link with your students, and ask them to subscribe as well. Follow @bishopblanchet on all our social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Student Activities
cbocian@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. 

Students who plan on participating in Season 1 or 2, please be aware of the dates of our Spring Break (April 2-11, 2021). If the travel advisory is still in effect at that time, student athletes will need to quarantine for 14 days before returning to participate in their sport, if traveling outside of Washington State

METRO LEAGUE SEASON 1 UPDATE: CULMINATING EVENTS AND FAN PARTICIPATION 
The Metro League confirmed this week its plan for season-ending culminating events and fan participation. With its decision to host two sports seasons and not follow the WIAA sport calendar, the Metro League will not participate in any District or State culminating event. Instead, each sport will compete in a Division Championship at the end of each season. In addition, spectators will not be permitted to attend any home Bishop Blanchet events or other Metro League events. Bishop Blanchet will be announcing how to access games through the NFHS Network live streaming network in the coming weeks
Season 1 begins on Monday, February 22. Please check the Bishop Blanchet calendar for practice times and locations. All student athletes must have a completed and approved FamilyID registration for their specific sport. The Athletic Office will confirm each registration to ensure all materials are completed for eligibility.  
Season 1 Sports
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Football
Girls Soccer
Golf
Girls Swim and Dive
Volleyball

SEEKING STUDENT ANNOUNCERS FOR LIVESTREAM PLAY-BY-PLAY
Do you dream about becoming a sideline reporter or sports announcer? The Athletic Department wants to hear from you! We are seeking students to do play-by-play for various athletic events on campus for our live stream audience. Interested students, please click here and fill out this survey. We will follow up with more information.

Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
sgaskill@bishopblanchet.org 
From the Admissions Department
CLASS OF 2025: THE GOLD WITHIN
We are thrilled to be sending acceptance packets and admissions emails out later this week to a terrific group of students who will comprise the BBHS Class of 2025. If you know an 8th grader who applied, tell them to check their mailbox and inbox this Friday at 3 p.m.

Mike Pierce
Admissions Director
mpierce@bishopblanchet.org
From the Business Office
REENROLLMENT FOR 2021-22
Reenrollment packets are being mailed this week to all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade families. The deadline to reenroll for the 2021-22 school year is Thursday, February 25. Please email if you have any questions.

Tom Ramsey
Director of Finance
tramsey@bishopblanchet.org
BBHS Summer Camp Update
SUMMER CAMPS FOR RISING K-9TH GRADERS
Soak in the summer fun at Bishop Blanchet! Registration is now open for in-person camps in athletics, academics, and the arts at BBHS. Tell a friend!

Athletics Camps run June 21-24 and include cross country, cheer (K-8), basketball, flag football, freshman football, soccer, volleyball, and even choir.

The Discovery Learning Camp (gr 5-8) runs July 12-16. This is a full-day immersive experience where students choose to attend three class sessions in STEM, art, music, drama, social justice, outdoor activities, and more. Lunch supervision is provided.

Space is limited, and early bird pricing ends Monday, March 1. Multi-camp and sibling discounts are also available. We are fully committed to student and employee safety and following public health guidelines. Cancellations due to COVID-19 will be fully refunded. Click here for more information and to register.

Nick Padrnos
Brave Summer Coordinator
npadrnos@bishopblanchet.org
From the Performing and Fine Arts Department
CLASS FORECASTING
Did you know? Students who take four years of performing or fine arts in high school have higher SAT scores! Check out Bishop Blanchet’s Performing and Fine Arts class offerings, and how to fit four-years of the Arts into your schedule.


SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
Lights, camera, ACTION! We are now four weeks into rehearsals and production for Some Enchanted Evening! From now through April, the cast and crews will be rehearsing, building, and filming on campus.  
Our Marketing Minute gives you a bird’s eye view of the locations on campus that provide the backdrop for our musical. If you are interested or know someone who would like to advertise in the program for this historic performance, please click here for ad information.

Some Enchanted Evening is indeed a cumulative work of the heart and brings together many elements:  
  • the joy of pushing back the layers of distance created by COVID
  • the excitement of being "together", whether it is in a remote or hybrid setting, or actually in person
  • the quiet confidence and camaraderie that permit us to bring together a unique and utterly reimagined high school musical movie

We are planning a public showing on campus and on the big screen, before school is out in June. Please stay tuned for more information!
STUDENT ART
Students in first semester Drawing created a culminating project to showcase a mastery of shading and realistic rendering. Students also practiced overlay and color mixing in color pencil. Artwork by (left to right, top to bottom): Liana Mueting '24, Nathan Holt '22, Ylleana Gardon '23 and Tyler Bailey '22.
Students in Painting created abstract patterns in the style of Japanese avant-garde artist, Yayoi Kusama, who is famous for her Infinity Nets and Infinity Mirrored Rooms. Works (left to right, top to bottom) by: Ava Abalos '24, Claire Schmidtke '21, Lauren Thomas '22, and Carter Curran '24.
Corey Eriksen
Performing and Fine Arts Department Chair
ceriksen@bishopblanchet.org