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St. Brendan Weekly Bulletin
Sept. 8, 2021
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Dear St. Brendan Families, |
We have been so grateful over the past week to be able to welcome 265 students from164 families to our 55th school year. There is great energy in the building and we are set up to have a fantastic year of learning and growth.
I want to commend our teachers and staff for their hard work and preparations to get our school up and running again this year. It has taken tremendous hope and courage on their part to face a third school year impacted by a pandemic. Thank you parents for the many ways you support our teachers and staff during this academic year.
Virtues in Practice
The Dominican Sisters of Nashville developed a wonderful program which helps Catholics to understand the reasons for their faith and actions. This program is the Virtues in Practice program (follow hyperlink for more information). Each year has a different overarching theme and this year’s theme is Hope. Within the yearly theme, there is also a monthly Virtue that students will be focusing on in their classrooms and which they can also practice at home. This month our virtue is: Hope - Trusting in God's Loving Plan. Teachers will be on the lookout for students displaying the virtue and those students will be recognized as “Virtue in Practice Silver Cross” winners at a Mass at the beginning of the following month.
Prayer on the Anniversary of September 11th
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Let us honor the memory of nearly 3,000 individuals who died on September 11, 2001
Let us pray the prayer of Pope Benedict XVI when he visited Ground Zero in New York in 2008:
O God of love, compassion, and healing,
look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions,
who gather today at this site,
the scene of incredible violence and pain....
God of understanding,
overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy,
we seek your light and guidance
as we confront such terrible events.
Grant that those whose lives were spared
may live so that the lives lost here
may not have been lost in vain.
Comfort and console us,
strengthen us in hope,
and give us the wisdom and courage
to work tirelessly for a world
where true peace and love reign
among nations and in the hearts of all.
Amen
This Sunday we will host our annual Parish/School Picnic. Please join us for great food and fun activities! We will begin with Mass at 10:00 AM followed by the picnic. This is a wonderful way to connect and celebrate community. I look forward to seeing many of you this weekend.
Blessings,
Catherine Shumate
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We are working on getting our MS electives program in full swing, but finding volunteers has been a bit of an extra challenge due to Covid. We are looking for some awesome parents/volunteers to teach electives this year (Fridays from 2:00-2:50; if we don’t have a Friday, or if there is an early release, there will not be an elective that day). We have had amazing electives in the past like Strategy Games, Chess, Cooking, Fine Arts, Spanish, Legos/Robotics, Web Design, General Tech, Guitar, Gardening, etc. We are always open to new and exciting offerings for our students, so we are absolutely willing to bounce around ideas if you are interested.
Currently only the 6th graders have an elective (Drama, taught by Ms. Sims, teacher extraordinaire!) so we need two course offerings for this trimester as well as two or three for the next two trimesters. If you are willing to teach a course to our amazing Middle School students or if you have a lead you can help contact, please let me know. This is a truly unique and fun way for us to reach out to our school community and beyond, so please help if you can. Our teachers and students appreciate your assistance with this. Thank you!
Mr. Langston
Vice Principal
MS Science
timl@school.saintbrendan.org
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First Day of School Pictures |
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Thank you for sharing your first day of school photos last week. It brought us so much joy as we rang in the new school year. More photos were posted to our St. Brendan Parent Facebook Page (private group) here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StBrendanParents. We encourage our current parents to join this page to connect as a community. |
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Student Health Screenings
We ask that parents continue to take personal responsibility for the health of their child. Parents will be responsible for screening their child for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending them to school. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
Returning to School
If your child is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, there are 3 options to return to school:
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Option 1: Get a note from your child's doctor that states the child is clear to return to school
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Option 2: Get a negative COVID-19 test
- If a person with COVID-19 symptoms tests negative for SARS-CoV-2 with a molecular test, they may return to school following existing school illness management policies so long as they are not a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and subject to quarantine. - K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year; Washington Dept. of Health
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Option 3: Wait 10 days since the onset of symptoms and only return when symptoms are resolved
Should a student be required to quarantine for reasons directly relating to a COVID-19 exposure or illness, every effort will be made to provide the student with continuity of instruction. The student will receive instructional materials and virtual assignments.
Seasonal Allergies - Documentation Required
If a family knows their child is exhibiting allergy symptoms, the parent should take the child to their healthcare provider to obtain documentation that the symptoms the student is having are due to allergies and that the student is under care, before the student returns to school. If your child has any COVID symptoms and you are confident they are not related to COVID, please be proactive and seek a doctor’s note in advance.
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If you have not done so already, please complete these forms and bring them to the school office. Click the links below to access the forms:
St. Brendan School is required to obtain from parents a printed medically authorized Certificate of Immunization Status document for every student. One way of obtaining this record is to go to MyIR.net , create an account and access your student’s immunization record. Print a copy of your child’s Certificate of Immunization Status, sign it and turn in to school. If MyIR.net does not work, please contact your child’s physician to obtain their immunization records. Forms can be turned in either by in person at the office, scan and email to secretary@school.saintbrendan.org, fax it in to 425-483-2839, or sent in child's folder.
As of July 28, 2019, a new state law removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR vaccine. Children without a medical or religious exemption will need two doses of MMR vaccine to be allowed into school or Navigator Camp.
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Carpool Reminders
Thank you for showing up early or on time for carpool. Each car is getting through carpool fairly quickly, but we think we can do even better! To help this process for everyone, please review the tips below:
- arrive at morning carpool with backpacks and water bottles readily available for the student(s) to grab and hop out
- When it is your turn, pull all the way forward until you reach the stairs or a car in front of you.
- Students need to exit the vehicle on the passenger side of the car, so please make sure that area is clear
- We also ask for a quick goodbye in the morning
- We ask for students to quickly sit down and buckle up in the afternoon
- Please have your children practice buckling and unbuckling themselves quickly. This will help to keep the carpool line moving.
Thank you!
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Thank you to our parent and community volunteers! Your support and dedication is greatly appreciated and is fundamental for the success of our school and our students. Thank you to these individuals for saying "yes"!
Parent Club BBQ
Thank You to:
- Camarin Wanamaker, Karah Burgess and Theresa Loughlin for spearheading the planning
- Sig and Elene Wåhlin, Karah Burgess, and Martin and Theresa Loughlin for grilling
- Alicia Reyes and Oscar Armando Molina for generously donating the great burgers, delicious dogs and all the buns
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Ruth Irish, Elizabeth Tveit Flajole, Suzanne Ames, Eileen Warner, Alyse Henderson, Shauna Castillo, Christen Lambert, Summer Legg, Carolina Munoz, Anna Shipley, Chrissy Schrader, and Ivy Weiss for helping with the booths in the gym and our numerous setup and cleanup helpers!
- We also have awesome alumni who came to help - thank you to all our high school volunteers
- Last but certainly not least, thank you to all our teachers, staff and administrators for opening their classrooms and visiting with us before school starts! We love our faculty!
St. Brendan Work Party Take 2
Thank You to:
Andrew Johnson, Tyler Simonson, Eric Weiss, Kevin and Jojo Cullen, Juan Olivo, Michelle and Kris Evans, and Brian Bartleson for helping move furniture and prepare the classrooms for the first day of school!
Electronics Recycling Volunteer
Thank you to Jay Yarbrough for taking 2 large trips to the electronics recycling location. Mr. Barnes is so grateful!
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Safe Environment Training
The Archdiocese of Seattle requires all parents and volunteers in our school (1) to complete a background check, (2) attend and complete the “Protecting God’s Children” class and (3) read, sign, and return the “Safe Environment Program Church Personnel Agreement.” If you plan to volunteer in the school, including driving on field trips, you will need to have completed these three requirements prior to any volunteering. The Protecting God’s Children classes for adults are available at a number of locations. The class is at no cost and lasts for approximately two hours. Visit https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_list2.cfm?theme=0&theOrgID=21516 to complete the three steps above and locate and sign up for classes.
COVID-19 Vaccine for Volunteers
All volunteers will need to provide the school office with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Please bring that to the office when you check in to volunteer.
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Join the FIRST Lego Robotics Club! |
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St. Brendan Lego Robotics is proudly registered under FIRST®, which is a mission-driven global robotics community that prepares young people for the future and inspires today’s kids to build tomorrow’s leaders.
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- Will your child or children be participating in this year's FLL season?
- In alignment with St. Brendan COVID policies, are you interested in coaching? If so, FLL (4th-8th grade) or JFLL (1st to 3rd grade)?
- Are you on the fence about coaching and would like more information?
If your time permits, please consider serving as a volunteer coach this year, and yes, this counts to your school volunteer hours! Your commitment, big or small, will go a long way in keeping this amazing STEM program going for our kids! Please keep in mind that from last I heard, in-person coaching is permitted. Nevertheless, we will remain flexible to pivot to a remote or hybrid option based on evolving health guidelines.
As you consider your children's participation, here are some videos and literature that may help your discernment.
Go Irish! Go Team #37772, a.k.a. "The Fierce Tordatos Phoenixes"! 😂
Peace,
Coach George (Aurelia, Luke, and Evan's dad)
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Spirit Wear - Orders Due Friday, Sept. 10 |
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St. Brendan Spirit Wear is a great way to show your school spirit! Items are available from youth XS - adult sizes. Spirit Wear is worn once a month on Spirit Days and is also used as the PE attire for 4th - 8th grades. You can also wear it to sporting events and around town to show your Irish pride.
Families have until Friday to place the first Spirit Wear order. Order forms went home today in the Wednesday envelope. Orders will arrive in 2-3 weeks. Please attach a check made payable to “St. Brendan School” and return to the school office. Orders will be taken throughout the 2021-2022 school year – see school bulletin for periodic deadlines. If you have any questions, please contact Christen Lambert, Development Director, at christenl@school.saintbrendan.org or 425-483-8300. Proceeds benefit our Tuition Assistance Program. Thank you for your support of St. Brendan School!
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Heathered Dry-Fit T-Shirt $15 |
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Black or Forest Green long-sleeve $15 |
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Forest-green dry-fit t-shirt $15 |
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¼ Zip Men’s or Women’s Forest Green $38 |
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¼ Zip Men’s or Women’s Black Pullover $38 |
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For families planning on using St. Brendan's Before of After School Extended Care, please click on the link below for information on the program and how to register.
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Hello from the St. Brendan School Lunch Program!
The lunch menu is located on the school website and will be updated monthly. You can reference it here: Lunch menu.
Tomorrow is Pizza Day!
Who do I contact for questions?
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Student Patrol (Grades 5-8) |
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The St. Brendan Patrol team is a vital part of St. Brendan School. The Patrol team is responsible for keeping over 250 students safe twice a day. Students in grades 5-8 are eligible to join the patrol team.
Reasons to join the 2021-2022 patrol team.
Students gain:
- Safety awareness
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Pride
- Citizenship
Schools benefit from opportunities to promote:
- Traffic safety awareness
- Peer-to-peer communication
- Character-building
- A constructive outlet for student energy
- A positive relationship with parents, law enforcement and the overall community
Duties and Rules for 2021-2022
Morning Patrol
- Be at School by 7:45 enter at the main entrance and sign in at the office.
- Put flag up with partner (very important to make sure flag is not upside down)
- Lock the gate by the church parking lot and put a cone in the middle
- Put carpool cones out
- Assist with getting students out of cars.
*Make sure students step on school side of cones before walking to assigned classroom spot.
*All Kindergarteners must be walked to assigned area.
Afternoon Patrol
- Leave class by 2:50
- Assist students into their cars. If a parent pulls up help find student that goes with that parent.
- Put cones away
- Take flag down with a partner and fold (if the flag is wet please drape it over the stairway.
Sign-up forms were e-mailed today. Contact Mrs. Ames for more information: suzannea@school.saintbrendan.org
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Soccer & Cross Country - CYO Sports |
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Fall Sports at St. Brendan
Catholic Youth Organization
CYO manages all sports activities in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Mr. Anthony Fletcher serves as St. Brendan’s Athletic Director.
Cross Country may practice once a week on the field - stay tuned for more information.
Financial aid is available for all sports. For more information and to register, visit our CYO page. These programs are a great value that allow children exposure to various life lessons, friendly competition, and a chance to play and learn in a nurturing community.
Adult Co-Ed Volleyball
St. Brendan has the opportunity to form an adult co-ed volleyball team. The team would play one game a week, Monday or Wednesday with a tournament on October 30th. All players must be 21+ and parishioners at a Catholic Parish. Visit the CYO page for more information: https://www.teamsideline.com/sites/seattlecyo/home
Hiring Referees
Middle/high schoolers schoolers and/or parents that might want to have a part-time job this fall. CYO Will be hiring their own certified referees to cover our 4th, 5th and 6th grade modified soccer games. They would get certified from the https://www.wareferees.org/MemberRegister.aspx website and then contacted the Assistant Athletic Director for Seattle Archdiocese Kara (kara.stranski@seattlearch.org) Referees will pay $26.50 per hour.
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Recess/Lunch Volunteers
Come earn volunteer hours and help the playground attendants keep our students safe. If you can volunteer between 11:20 - 1:10 (even if it is once a month) we can use your help! Please contact Eileen Warner at lunch@school.saintbrendan.org for more information. Volunteers must be up to date with Safe Environment requirements and will need to verify COVID-19 vaccination status.
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Teacher Wish Lists
If you are looking for additional ways to support our St. Brendan teaching staff, here are some of their wish lists for the classrooms. Be sure to use AmazonSmile for all your Amazon purchases: smile.amazon.com/ch/91-0805463. If your teachers are missing from this list, you can ask them if they have any classroom wishes. Thank you for your consideration!
2nd Grade, Mrs. Weatherbie
· 2 Q-Bitz SOLO (Mindware)
· Pattern Play 3-D (Mindware)
· Gift certificates for: teacher Pay teacher, Amazon
- Teachers Pay Teachers and gift cards
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Safe Environment Training |
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PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN CLASS
St. Brendan Parish invites you to attend Protecting God’s Children which teaches employees, volunteers, and parents how to help prevent child sexual abuse. All employee and those volunteers who have unsupervised, ongoing access to minors or vulnerable adults are required to attend . You’ll learn very specific actions you can take to protect our children, the children of our parish and the children in the community. We value your presence, and we know that you will conclude your time was well spent. Join us in the fight to end child abuse.
Both in-person and on-line classes have been scheduled. Please follow this link for some upcoming trainings:
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Non-Uniform Dress
Thursday, September 9th
Middle School Orientation (Virtual)
Thursday, September 9th, 6:00 PM
School Mass (Grades 1-8)
Friday, September 10th - 6th grade does Mass readings
Full-uniform for 1 - 8th grade (must have a logoed top)
Pre-K & Kindergarten will attend Mass on Wednesday mornings for the time being.
5th Grade Girls Soccer Game
4th Grade Girls Soccer Game
Sunday, September 12th, Parish & School Picnic
All are welcome! Enjoy food, games, and community! Hang out with old friends and make new friends.
Sunday, September 12th following an 10:00 AM Mass (Please note that 10:00 AM will be the only Mass offered. There will not be Mass at 8:00 AM or 12:00 PM).
Curriculum Night Grades 1-5
Thursday, Sept. 30
6:30 PM
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