Weekly Update
June 10, 2020   
From the Office of the President

Dear Families, 

Last week, we celebrated our Class of 2020 with a graduation parade on campus, a virtual ceremony and Baccalaureate Mass. It was such a treat to see our seniors and their families cruise through our campus in a festive send-off!

As we say goodbye to our seniors, with this message, we now welcome our Class of 2024 and a number of transfer students who are set to join us at BBHS. We are so excited to fold you into the Brave community!

Typically, this is our last weekly message of the year before taking a break for the summer. As we've said before and as we all well know, these are not typical days.  Expect ongoing communication from us this month and throughout the summer as plans are defined for the next school year.

We received word that guidance for school reopening will be issued by the Office for Public Instruction and the Governor as soon as tomorrow. As I expressed last week, we have had a task force meeting regularly for the past several months to consider various scenarios and contingencies based on the potential guidance we receive on reopening.  

We are eager to finalize our plans in response to this guidance and we are confident in our capacity as a school to deliver an experience that upholds the health and safety of our community while continuing to foster the growth and learning of our students. Plan on receiving further information next week and throughout the remainder of this month.  

On Friday, we conclude our classes for the year and, from 2:00-3:30 p.m., are offering an opportunity for prayer and protest in solidarity with Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County. We encourage anyone in our community discerning how best to show solidarity to consider this opportunity or others that may be available to you.

God Bless and Go Braves,

Tony DeSapio
President
adesapio@bishopblanchet.org

From the Advisory Board

Please click here to review the minutes from the May 18 Advisory Board meeting.

Schedule Reminder

SCHEDULE CHANGE
In following up to our  Call to Solidarity ,  we are adjusting this Friday's class schedule to offer an opportunity for our Brave Community to join in support with the Black Lives Matter Seattle - King County and planned protests.  On Friday,  June 12,  we are moving zero period to 9:00 a.m. and will conclude the day at 12:45 p.m. 

Last Day of School
Friday, June 12 - Modified Gold Day Schedule
9:00-9:45 Period 0
10:00-10:45 Period 5
11:00-11:45 Period 7
12:00-12:45 Period 8

From the Activities Office

GRADUATION AWARDS AND PHOTOS
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We appreciated the opportunity to recognize our seniors during last week's virtual Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremonies, as well as during the celebratory Graduation Car Parade. To see photos of the parade and Senior Award Winners, please visit @bishopblanchet on social media.

FRESHMAN VIRTUAL ORIENTATION 
Calling all incoming freshman! Join us for a virtual new student event on Thursday, June 18. The Zoom session at 7:00 p.m. will provide our new Braves the opportunity to meet with their orientation group and connect with their student mentor. In addition to leading some fun activities, mentors will also set up students with their school email and introduce them to Google Classroom, which will enable us to stay connected and keep students informed about summer activities and the Freshman Welcome in August.

All sessions will take place via Zoom on Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. To find the link and password for this event, please look up your student's Community Period (CP) class here, then find the corresponding Zoom link for their CP here. 

FRESHMAN STUDENT AND PARENT SURVEYS
If your student has not yet completed the freshman survey sent last month, please click here to do so. Class of 2024 parents, please click here to complete the parent survey.

YEARBOOK, LOCKER AND SUPPLIES PICK-UP & DROP-OFF
Click here for details on the pick-up and drop-off plan; all students who did not come to campus yesterday should come today, June 10. All students have a yearbook to pick-up (no special order required), along with other items that might be at school. Members of the Class of 2020 should come to pick up their fathead from the graduation parade.   Students and families must remain in their cars at all times. Please email Mr. Bocian if you have questions. 

MAY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our May Students of the Month: Wyatt Adams, Panory Britz, Christine Cainglet, Abby Cowden, Enzo Dougherty, Luke Gardner, Ylleana Gardon, Gabriella Gleason, Emily Hanlin, Jackson Kelley, Riley Khanna, Theresa Krembs, Hi'Ilei Leong, Anais Martin, Saundra O'Connor, Mae Skokan and Taigen Soethe.

Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Student Activities
cbocian@bishopblanchet.org

From the Dean's Office

2020-21 ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION FORM
This  form gives permission to specific BBHS faculty and staff members to administer medication to students. BBHS cannot distribute medication, neither over-the-counter nor prescription, to students unless this form is on file. Please fill out, sign and return this form to the Dean's Office. If you have any questions, please email the Dean's Office.

STUDENT IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
In 2019, the state of Washington removed the personal/philosophical exemption for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Please contact your health care provider to ensure that your student is in compliance for all immunizations prior to the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.

Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
cbilanko@bishopblanchet.org

From the Business Office

BBHS BUS TRANSPORTATION
BBHS provides private before and after school bus transportation that includes routes to the Eastside, Magnolia/Queen Anne, South Seattle and West Seattle. To learn more about our transportation program, and to sign up for next fall, please click  here. 

Tom Ramsey
Director of Finance
tramsey@bishopblanchet.org

From the Academic Office

JUNE MAILING: REPORT CARDS AND 2020-21 STUDENT SCHEDULES
All current and incoming students will receive a comprehensive mailing at the end of June, which will include second semester 2019-20 report cards (current students), 2020-21 student schedules, and other important information.  Designated times will be available in August to request schedule changes. 

TEXTBOOK BUYBACK
The Bishop Blanchet online  bookstore is open for textbook buyback. Here's how it works:
    1. Log into your account and request a buyback quote.
    2. Return your books - shipping is FREE.
    3. Get paid by PayPal or check. 
Please email BNC Services Customer Contact Center, or call 800-325-3252  if you have any questions.

PURCHASING TEXTBOOKS/EBOOKS FOR 2020-21
BBHS students and families are responsible for purchasing required textbooks/ebooks. The 2020-21 booklist will be published  July 1  on  our online bookstore . Families can choose to purchase textbooks there or through other sources.

1:1 DEVICE REQUIREMENTS
Beginning in the 2020-21 school year, Bishop Blanchet will require all students in all grades to have a laptop; an iPad will no longer be an acceptable device. Due to the unprecedented shift in remote learning we experienced this spring, this requirement is necessary to most effectively support future student learning. Please click here for device specification guidelines. Email our Director of Technology, Laura Meaux, with questions. Please email our Director of Finance, Tom Ramsey, if you have any financial concerns about providing a laptop for your student. 

Nicole McCoy 
Vice Principal of Academics
nmccoy@bishopblanchet.org

From the English Department

SUMMER READING REQUIREMENTS
Books invite us to widen our perspectives, and l iterature often reflects our complex and challenging world. Reading about the struggles fellow humans endure helps cultivate and solidify values such as compassion. Perhaps that compassion then translates to action, and allows us to see each other with love, to acknowledge our shared humanity despite our differences and to serve those most in need. 

All BBHS students are required  to select one to two books (depending on their English course next year) from the 2020 Summer Reading List. In the fall, students  will  be asked to write about the book(s) they've selected. Happy reading!

Rachel McGovern
English Department Chair
rmcgovern@bishopblanchet.org

From the Athletic Department

SECOND SEMESTER GRADES AND ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY  
For the upcoming fall 2020 athletic season, the WIAA has agreed to provide a blanket waiver to rule 18.7.4, as a result of COVID-19.  Rule 18.7.4 states: "If the student/athlete fails to meet the Athletic Eligibility Standards (failing two classes and has a GPA below a 2.0) at the end of the second semester, the student-athlete will be ineligible to participate in any athletic contests until the Monday after the fourth Saturday in September."  In the fall of 2020, students will not be required to meet the previous  semester scholarship rule in 18.7.4, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. Email Mr. Gaskill if you have any questions.

SPORTS PHYSICALS FOR 2020-2021 ATHLETIC PARTICIPANTS
Bishop Blanchet requires sports physicals to be renewed every year, before students are eligible to participate in tryouts.   To avoid the rush, please schedule appointments with your student's physician before the end of summer. Once completed by your student's physician, physical forms must be uploaded to FamilyID. Detailed information about FamilyID will also be included in the June mailing. Email Mrs. Fieser or Mr. Gaskill if you have any questions. 

FALL SPORTS INFORMATION 
Please continue to check the Bishop Blanchet Athletic  page for information and updates regarding Fall sports, including times and locations for tryouts and practices. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is waiting on advice from the Department of Health and the Governor's Office to make summer and fall guidelines. We will communicate updates as soon they are available. Football is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 19 and the other Fall sports begin on Monday, August 24. 

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Bishop Blanchet High School is currently seeking applicants for the following positions: Head Girls Swim Coach, Head Boys Swim Coach, Head Boys Varsity Basketball Coach and Head Girls Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach. Please click  AppliTrack and WIAA for details.  If you know someone who would be a great fit, please encourage him or her to apply. Go Braves!

Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
sgaskill@bishopblanchet.org

From the Office of Campus Ministry

CHANGES TO SERVICE PROGRAM FOR 2020-21
Service to the community is a fundamental element of student formation at Bishop Blanchet High School. Given the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic, BBHS is making significant adjustments to the service program for the 2020-2021 school year. We hope that these adjustments will reflect the spirit of the service program, while prioritizing flexibility and safety for students. Please click here for detailed information about service expectations for the coming academic year. The key adjustments to the program are:
  • Students are expected to complete 12 hours of service by May 3, 2021.
  • Students may serve with an approved nonprofit organization, OR propose self-directed service projects. These may include service to family members (i.e., weeding or walking a dog for a grandparent, tutoring younger siblings) or service to the community (i.e., picking up trash in a park or making supportive signs and cards for first responders). Students must submit an approval request form prior to completing any self-directed service initiatives.
Manon Cypher 
Campus Ministry Service Coordinator
mcypher@bishopblanchet.org

From the Counseling Center

FINAL TRANSCRIPTS TO COLLEGES
Final transcripts will be sent to the "College Attending" listed in Naviance the week of June 15. Seniors must email Mrs. Moehring immediately if their school plans change.  Students may not submit enrollment deposits to more than one school. In compliance with NACAC best practices, BBHS will submit each student's final transcripts to only one college. Transcripts will also be sent to NCAA and NAIA the week of June 15.

NOTE FOR JUNIORS AND FAMILIES
Juniors and their parents/guardians will receive an email from their counselor in the coming week, with reminders about things to do this summer to be ready for senior year.

TESTING UPDATES
We understand the process of navigating changes to the SAT and ACT testing schedule has been extremely frustrating, particularly College Board's registration process recently. Juniors who have not been able to register for a test for any reason should reach out to their counselor. We will keep Juniors and their families updated as we learn more heading into the summer, but please keep current on the evolving information from  SAT and ACT.

SAT AND ACT TEST PREP
There are several different organizations that offer test prep for both the SAT and ACT. Here are a few:
  • Mazor Test Prep offers classes and tutoring for SAT and ACT. Use the code "BBHS" and receive a $100 discount.
  • Test prep sessions (tentative this summer) are also offered through the UW Women's Center.
  • ACT Academy provides students with personalized study plans to prepare for the ACT.
UW SUMMER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Please click here to review the online enrichment classes offered in July and August through the UW Summer Youth Program. 

HELPING YOUR GRAD TRANSITION TO COLLEGE
There are many important issues to consider during as your student transitions to college. Take a look at some ways to support your student  here. 

COUNSELING SUMMER HOURS
Please note that counselors are out of the office during summer break and may only respond to emails sporadically. Counseling office hours for the last week of August will be communicated in the first Weekly Update in August.

Stephen Russell
Head School Counselor
srussell@bishopblanchet.org

Job Opportunities

Please visit our  website   to view open positions and for details on how to apply.


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