Weekly Update
January 13, 2021
|
|
Dear BBHS Families,
I hope you have had the opportunity to read my announcement on Monday, sharing our plans for transitioning to in-person learning at the start of the second semester. I encourage you to continue to familiarize yourselves with our Reopening Plan that we keep updated on our website.
All parents and guardians are highly encouraged to attend a webinar on Wednesday, January 27 at 7 p.m. We will outline our Hybrid learning plan and the specific health and safety expectations required for on-campus learning. Click here to register for the webinar.
We are continuing to seek additional staff and individuals to serve as Instructional Assistants, as well as substitute teachers. Please email our Principal, Sam Procopio, if you or someone you know would be interested in learning about ways we can use additional support as we make this transition to in-person learning.
Blessings,
Tony DeSapio
President
|
|
REQUIRED COVID-19 REPORTING
Our Reopening Plan and COVID-19 safety protocols require us to have a clear understanding of any impact COVID-19 may be having in our Bishop Blanchet community. Therefore, we are reiterating our protocol for families to notify the Dean's Office of any student or household member who tests positive for COVID-19. This is a requirement even in our current remote learning environment. Families should report this information via email to Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students. All student or family member names will remain confidential as the school begins its communication protocols.
CLOSE CONTACT WITH CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19
Students and families identified by local health officials as a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case should also notify the Dean's Office by emailing Chris Bilanko, Dean of Students. Bishop Blanchet will communicate with impacted students and families regarding protocols for returning to school and school sponsored activities.
COVID-19 PREVENTION
Parents and guardians should limit the social interactions of their student(s) outside of school. Families should spend time with their student(s) discussing the importance of refraining from attending large social gatherings, the need to practice physical distancing and mask wearing when in public and acknowledging the shared responsibility we all have to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing any potential COVID-19 symptoms, and continue to practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly.
Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
|
|
From the Office of Campus Ministry |
|
A WALK IN THE PARK
Students of all grades are welcome to participate in Campus Ministry’s newest offering: A Walk in the Park. These meet-ups to walk, talk, reflect, and share will be held on Saturdays at various parks in King and Snohomish Counties. Please click here to register your student, which is required for participation. The meetup this Saturday, January 16, will be at Shoreview Park at 10:30 a.m. Further details will be sent via email to registered students.
Rachel Longest
Director of Campus Ministry
|
|
From the Counseling Department |
|
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.
MID-YEAR REPORTS
Senior parents, per our policy, BBHS will submit Common Application Mid-Year Reports and 7th Semester Transcripts to all schools that received an initial transcript, unless the student expressly declines this service prior to the end of the first semester. 7th Semester transcripts will also be added to the NCAA portal for those students who have registered. These will be submitted in early February, once the first semester grades are finalized.
COLLEGE KICKOFF NIGHT FOR JUNIORS AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Juniors and their parents/guardians are invited to join the BBHS counselors and a variety of college presenters on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Students will also receive an email with details and registration information a few weeks prior to the event.
PSAT UPDATE: JANUARY 26
It is our intent to proceed with the PSAT on Tuesday, January 26, for Juniors who signed up for the test prior to Christmas break. Registration for this event is now closed. BBHS administrators will continue to monitor health and safety guidelines, and will communicate any changes or updates to this plan.
Juniors who signed up to take the PSAT on campus will receive additional instructions via their BBHS email. Please remind your student to check their email and follow all instructions. If students have questions about the administration, please have them email Mr. Russell.
Accommodated testing will be offered when possible. Juniors who are approved for College Board/PSAT testing accommodations can confirm with Mrs. Bradish.
The January PSAT/NMSQT will offer the same benefits as the traditional October test date, including eligibility for National Merit programs. Please keep in mind that the PSAT is a practice test and scores are only sent to the student and the high school. Colleges will not use PSAT scores in the admissions process.
There will be no classes on Tuesday, January 26 for Freshman, Sophomores, Seniors, and Juniors who did not opt in for the test.
In the event that we are unable to safely administer the PSAT on this date, we will communicate an updated schedule for that day.
Stephen Russell
Counseling Department Chair
|
|
From the Athletic Department |
|
METRO SEASON SCHEDULE UPDATE
Based on the information in Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington plan, the Metro League adopted a two-season sports model for this year only. This format protects participants’ safety while providing student athletes the best possible quality athletic experience. Please click the button below to view the updated Metro League Season Schedule.
|
|
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.
FAMILY-ID REGISTRATION UPDATE
Bishop Blanchet strongly encourages all athletes to get annual physicals. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the challenge of scheduling physician appointments, Bishop Blanchet will accept physicals dated within the last two years for the 2020-21 school year. Note: physicals cannot expire mid-season. If a physical is set to expire before or during a season, the athlete must have a new one before they can try-out or participate in the remainder of that season. All athletes will need to submit an updated Medical History Form for the 2020-21 school year.
SPIRIT BAG ORDER
The next spirit bag order will be due on Friday, January 22. Please click here for the order form. Please email questions to the Athletic Department Assistant, Ms. Fieser.
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT JOB OPENINGS
Bishop Blanchet is currently looking for a Head Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach, a Head Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach, an Assistant Freshman Football Coach, and a JV Baseball Assistant Coach. The jobs are posted on AppliTrack and WIAA. If you know someone that would be a great fit, please encourage them to apply.
Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
|
|
From the Development Office |
|
2021 BRAVE VENTURE VIRTUAL AUCTION
The procurement deadline for the 2021 Brave Venture Virtual Auction is this Friday, January 15, 2021. All donated items must be turned into BBHS main office by Tuesday, February 9, 2021.
Because campus activity is currently limited, we prefer you use one of the following contactless ways to procure or donate $350 toward the auction:
-
Make a cash donation (all cash donations are tax-deductible)
-
Become a sponsor
-
Amazon gift registry; your purchase will be shipped directly to BBHS in your name.
-
Donate Gift Cards - Mail cards to BBHS.
-
Donate a Party or Service - Be creative and create a unique party or service.
- Donate Tickets to sporting events and performing arts.
Most importantly, please plan to join us, from the comfort of your own home, for the 2021 Brave Venture Virtual Auction on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 7 p.m.
Mary Beard
Development Director
|
|
With the transition to in-person learning, BBHS will resume offering private bus service before and after school starting on Monday, February 1. Buses will run every school day to and from Magnolia/Queen Anne, West Seattle, South Seattle, and the Eastside.
Before boarding the school bus, students will be required to present a HealthShield green check mark attestation before entry. The driver will maintain a seating chart. Passengers will be as physically distanced as possible, and students will be required to wear masks at all times.
The morning school buses arrive on campus at approximately 8 a.m., even on late start days. The afternoon school buses depart campus 30 minutes after school ends, even on early dismissal days. Please click here for registration, schedules and route information.
Tom Ramsey
Director of Finance
|
|
Social and Emotional Health |
|
PARENTING THROUGH COVID Q&A
Join in on Wednesday, February 24 at 7 p.m., for an online discussions with UW professors Jim and Lizz Mazza, in partnership with Forefront Suicide Prevention, on their top social and emotional education strategies for parenting during a pandemic and Q&A. Click here to register.
Kaitlyn Overman
Social Emotional Counselor
|
|
From the Performing and Fine Arts Department |
|
2021 ONE-ACTS FESTIVAL
All semester, students in Advanced Acting and Advanced Theatre Production classes have been working to create three student-produced, one-act plays, and this week is your chance to see them! Our senior directors Emma Craig, Clare Fesalbon, and Morgan Honner, have been working with student designers and actors to create recorded performances that will be available on demand from Friday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. through Sunday, January 17 at 11:59 p.m. The links for each show will be posted to the Blanchet Drama page. This year’s festival includes three plays:
- An Altered Memory, Written and Directed by Emma Craig '21
- Search Your Heart, Written by BBHS alumna Indira Rampersad `18 and Directed by Clare Fesalbon '21
- Tuesdays and Sundays, Written by Daniel Arnold and Medina Hahn and Directed by Morgan Honner '21
|
|
STUDENT ART
Pottery and Sculpture sculpted and painted giant paper mache food in the style of Pop Artist Claes Oldenburg. Sculptures by (top to bottom, left to right): Addy Van Den Ameele '24, Manuela Stewart '24, Barrett Efta '23, Lila Kopp '24, Grace McMahan '24, Olivia Freeman '21, Allie Henricksen '22, Samantha Williams '24, Zayad Hyder '22, Dylan Brown '22, Jack Ford '22, and Emerson Ludwick '24.
|
|
Students in Basic Art and Drawing are encouraged to express and reflect, as they visually explore concept and technique in their sketchbooks. Drawings by (from left to right, top to bottom): Ylleana Gardon '23, Naomi Pham '22, Naomi Pham, '22, Noah Stelzer '24, Sophia Bell '23, Neylyn Duque '23, Niko Nicoloudakis '21, Maggie Bratrud '24, Owen Bennett ‘21, Naomi Pham '22, and Sophie Yuen '22. |
|
Corey Eriksen
Performing and Fine Arts Department Chair
|
|
From the Parent Association |
|
Ready to celebrate the New Year and have some fun with our BBHS community?
The Parent Association invites you to join us along with Chef James of CozyMeal for a fun, interactive online cooking class just for BBHS parents and guardians. We’ll learn to make pillowy authentic Italian gnocchi and a San Marzano comfort sauce. Delizioso!
Thursday, January 28 at 6 p.m.
BBHS Community Cooking Class, with optional Zoom Happy (half) Hour
The cost is $29 (per device) and the class starts promptly at 6 p.m. Once you are signed up, get the list of ingredients to pickup beforehand from CozyMeal.com, or click the “order ingredients online” link to have them delivered by your favorite online grocer.
And that’s not all…
Prior to getting our hands dirty, we will gather virtually in hosted small groups for a Zoom Happy (half) Hour! Grab a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail/mocktail and join in for a pre-lesson toast from 5:30-6 p.m. This is separate from the cooking class so if you want to join, sign up via the google form below, and we will send you a Zoom link.
Jen Bergman and Sherri Johnson
Co-Chairs, BBHS Parent Association
|
|
Superintendent of Catholic Schools |
|
The Special Taskforce for Catholic Schools, focused on the Ministerial Covenant (employment agreement), is launching a survey to help inform their work and to assist them in providing recommendations to Archbishop Etienne.
All parents from Catholic schools are invited to participate in the survey.
|
|
Bishop Blanchet High School is hiring a PE Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. For more information, please visit the BBHS website. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
