I wish you all a blessed Holy Week. Tomorrow on Holy Thursday, Father Wichert and the 8th grade students will lead the school in a prayer service at 8:45 a.m. in the church. On Good Friday, the 7^th grade students will lead us in a living station of the cross at 9 a.m. in the church. Families are welcome to join us!

We have a  NOON dismissal on Good Friday and there will be NO extended care in the afternoon. Noon is a significant time as it begins the three hours of Christ’s suffering on the cross. It is appropriate to observe the time from noon until Christ’s death at 3 p.m. All students and staff will exit the building to carpool in SILENCE at noon to observe this time.

COVID-19 tests are coming home with students today. We encourage you to take advantage of this testing opportunity prior to returning to school from Easter break. This could help us keep our COVID cases low at school. Thank you for your partnership!

We are seeking a parent volunteers to help us run a garden program with our students. Our plan is to use this program to instill a heart of service in our students as they learn to grow vegetables for the St. Brendan SOS program. The SOS program is a ministry that feeds those in need a meal once a week. What a wonderful way for students to learn about gardening while also serving others! I am seeking a parent volunteer from each class to lead students in growing vegetables in the planters outside the school. Each class will have their own planter. If you are interested in helping with this project, please email me at catherines@school.saintbrendan.org.  

Teachers will be teaching the Virtus safety lessons to students April 26th-29th. These lessons support student safety. If you wish to opt your student out please fill out this form and email to secretary@school.saintbrendan.org or return to the school office by Monday, April 25th . If you would like more information about this program please read the program overview.

I am so proud of the ways our students have prayed, fasted, and given generously this Lent. We hope the sacrificial activities at school and home have helped them strengthen their faith and prepare their hearts for Easter. I wish you all a blessed Easter break!

Easter is (almost) here! Easter egg hunts loom near and chocolate overload is upon us. However, before that, we have Holy Week. Tonight you can experience Tenabrae, a fantastic way to prepare for the Triduum, in the Church beginning at 8:30 PM (also live streamed on Facebook). Tenabrae is the name given to the service of Matins and Lauds originally said/sung during the Triduum but now commonly performed on the Wednesday before the Triduum. During Tenabrae, psalms and readings are said or sung while candles are extinguished one by one, until the Church is in darkness. At the end, the priest (or leader), beats on the altar steps or in some way makes a loud noise, signifying nature’s convulsion at the death of Christ. For more information on the history of Tenabrae, check out this article from Catholic.com.

On Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Last Supper Jesus shared with his apostles before his death. When you attend mass, you will observe feet being washed, just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. It is a good reminder to all of us to be humble, and to yearn to serve others, never putting ourselves first.

On Good Friday we remember Jesus’ Passion; knowing what was about to happen, pleading for it not to happen, and finally saying, “not my will but yours be done”. Jesus freely chose to follow God’s plan (his own Divine plan), and sacrifice himself for all who believe in him. That is why this day is Good Friday, and why seeing Jesus on the cross should awe and inspire us, because his sacrifice led to the ultimate good; the saving of our souls. We also begin the Divine Mercy Novena on this day. Traditionally said (or sung) at 3 PM each day (but it can be said at any time during the day) it is prayed every day from Good Friday until the Sunday after Easter. You can follow along with Fr. Jim’s sung version of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at this link: http://www.jnorthrop.com/audiofiles/chaplet.mp3.

Finally, don’t miss the St. Brendan student’s living stations this Friday at 9 AM; what a powerful way to send us into Easter weekend!

On Holy Saturday, you can come to mass and witness renewal within the church, as we welcome new members with baptism and first communion! We recognize Jesus has left the tomb, he is no longer dead.

And finally we reach Easter, celebrating the victory over death which Jesus both achieved and promises to us all, if only we believe.

8:45 AM - School Prayer Service

7:00 PM - Mass of the Lord's Supper (Bilingual)

8:15 PM - Midnight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

9:00 AM Living Stations of the Cross presented by 7th grade

11:00 AM - Stations of the Cross

12:00 - 3:00 PM - Seven Last Words

7:00 PM - Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Passion (Bilingual)

9:00 AM - RCIA Retreat

8:30 PM - Easter Vigil Mass (Bilingual)

Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation

Mass at 7:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:15 AM (Spanish)

We encourage students and families to check out the lost and found. Any items not claimed by the end of this week will be donated.

Monday, May 2nd is Graduation picture day. Group and individual photos will be taken outside of the church 8:30 AM. Students will report to class at the normal start time and then will go to the church for pictures. Students are to be dressed for photos in their graduation clothes. Suit or dress shirt & tie for boys, and dress or skirt (of appropriate length) or nice slacks with shirt or blouse for girls, light accessories and makeup. Students will be changing into their uniforms after photos. The green graduation gowns went home this week. They have all been laundered but do need to be steamed and or carefully ironed. Please make sure they are wrinkle-free for photos on Monday May 2nd.

Again, on the day of photos, students will need to come to school already dressed in graduation clothes with their gown hanging on a hanger. They also need to bring their uniform to change into.

A link to preorder photos will be sent out soon.

A draft of our calendar for the 2022-2023 school year is in the works. We will publish a draft of this calendar shortly. There are still several dates we are waiting to confirm (first communion, San Juan field trip, etc.) and we will be publishing a calendar with additional details in the coming months. Please see below for important dates in the 2022-2023 calendar.

Meet the Teacher/Supply Drop Off: Thursday, September 1, 2022

First Day of School: September 7, 2022

September 7th-9th will be 12:45 dismissals with no extended care for full-day preschool and pre-K.

School Conferences: November 21-22

Thanksgiving Holiday: November 23-25

Christmas Vacation: December 19 – January 1

Mid-Winter Break: February 20 - 21 (Friday, Feb. 17 is a 12:45 dismissal)

Easter Vacation: April 10 - 14

Last Day of School: June 16, 2023

September 6- Labor Day

October 14 - Staff Professional Development

November 4 - Teacher In-Service

November 11 - Veteran's Day

November 21st and 22nd - Conferences

November 23rd-25th - Thanksgiving Holiday

January 16 - MLK Jr. Day

February 10 - Staff Professional Development

February 20 - President's Day

February 21 - Mid-Winter Break

March 10 - Regional Curriculum Day

May 29 - Memorial Day

Wednesdays - Recurring 2 PM Dismissals

We have been seeing an uptick in uniform violations and wanted to take the time to remind families of our uniform policy. Our uniform policy can be found in the school handbook on pages 56-60. Thank you for ensuring that your child is not violating our school uniform policy.

The 8th Grade Play is a longstanding St. Brendan tradition.

Ms. Sims and the 8th grade class are in need of props (Victorian Era feel) for the 8th grade rehearsals and play. If anyone has items around their house that might make a good prop, please contact Ms. Sims: marys@saintbrendan.org

The 8^th grade play is only 4 weeks away! 

The two showings are the evenings of Wednesday May 11th and Thursday May 12^th. We need your help to make it a success! If you have a love of theater or would simply like to help, we have quite a few volunteer opportunities.

* Carpenters * Set Decorators *  Costume Coordinator

Lights, Camera, Auction is coming up in just over a month! The school’s largest fundraiser, the St. Brendan School Auction will be in-person on Saturday, April 30 at McMenamins Anderson School (18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011). Tickets are on sale now.

Purchase your tickets here. Standard price is $90 and the Benefactor ticket price is $135. The Benefactor ticket gets you a bracelet for St. B unlimited beer and wine and helps pay for our wonderful teachers to join us free of charge.

Thank you to all who have signed up to volunteer on auction day, April 30. There are still spots we would like to fill in order to keep our costs down! If you would like to volunteer on April 30, please check out the SignUp Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4aadae2ba6fb6-stbrendan1

10:00 - 11:00 AM - Program

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Visit classrooms, book fair, pictures

12:00 PM - Dismissal (no lunch at school)

It’s time to turn in your Rice Bowl Lenten Alms to the school office tomorrow or Friday.

If donating by check, please make your check out to CRS (Catholic Relief Services) with “CRS Rice Bowl” written on the memo line and return them to us here at the school office this week. We will send them to CRS as one bundle. If you would prefer to donate online, go to crsricebowl.org/give and click on DONATE.

4/15    Soreya Stark    6^th Grade

4/16    Tristan Rayen    7^th Grade

4/17    Jordana Golla    5^th Grade

4/18    Nathan Parcon    5^th Grade

4/19    Gabby Rodriguez    4^th Grade

4/19    Brendan Van Hollebeke    6^th Grade

4/20    Nicholas Taylor    2^nd Grade

4/23    Parker Burgess    6^th Grade

4/25    Braelyn Bogle    2^nd Grade

4/26    Blake Siegmeth    3^rd Grade

4/26    Olivia Siegmeth    3^rd Grade

4/27    Easton Burdeen    6^th Grade

The lunch menu is located on the school website and will be updated monthly. You can reference it here: Lunch menu.

Breakfast for Lunch is the day we return from Easter Break. Several volunteers are needed to help with the extra serving needed for Breakfast for Lunch. Please consider volunteering 11:20-1:10 on Tuesday, April 26.

Friday 4/15: Good Friday, 12:00 Dismissal, No Lunch Service

To add money to your child's account, https://www.schoolpaymentportal.com/

Who do I contact for questions?  

Please contact Eileen Warner at: lunch@school.saintbrendan.org .

The 8^th grade students and parents are excited to host the Carnival on May 27th. Back by popular demand will be the kid “Garage Sale”, but we need your help! Starting in April, we’ll be collecting the following items: gently used books, new or gently used toys, games, art supplies, stickers, and small clean stuffed animals (Beanie Babies are a favorite). We will also collect items to use as prizes at booths (think party favors). We appreciate any donations for this fun school event. Donations can be dropped off in the carnival box just outside the main office. 

Track and Field Registration is open for students in K - 8th grades.

Click here to register for this season of Track and Field:https://www.teamsideline.com/sites/seattlecyo/current-programs

Track & Field Practices will be held at Skyview Middle School track from 5-6:30 on the following dates:

K-3rd graders are welcome to attend practices. 4th-8th graders have the following meets: 

We are still in need of coaches. Please reach out to Track and Field Coordinator, Nathan Phillips, for more information. No track and field experience needed - just time and enthusiasm.

Early registration 04/04/22 until 05/04/22 $65.00

Regular Registration 05/05/22 until 06/17/22 $95.00

Season Starts June 7th and teams will play once per week (either Tuesday of Thursday)

This a Coed adult only (21+) so we encourage both men and women to registered

Season runs until tournament weekend Saturday August 13th.

Register on Team Sideline Site https://www.teamsideline.com/sites/seattlecyo/home

Wildcat football and cheer is now open for registration. This is a junior program consisting of players from private schools that feed into Archbishop Murphy High School. Please click here for registration information for the Fall of 2022.

Thank you to all our parent volunteers! Please remember to log your hours following service.

Each two-parent household is required to do 45 hours and each single-parent household is required to do 30 hours. If you need help finding volunteer opportunities, please contact the Parent Club. If you do not fulfill the volunteer hours, you will be assessed $20 per hour.

St. Brendan Craft Fair [https://school.saintbrendan.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1586230&type=d&pREC_ID=1712500]

Please contact Kim Frye at saintbrendancraftfair@gmail.com with any questions. 

Free upright piano. Good condition, but could use a tune up. Contact secretary@school.saintbrendan.org if you are interested.

Thursday or Friday

April 14; Service 8:45 AM

Good Friday - Full Uniform - Noon Dismissal

April 15, 9:00 AM

April 17th

April 18 - 25

April 26-29

8th Grade Graduation Photos (during school hours)

Monday, May 2nd