Weekly Update
March 31, 2021
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Dear BBHS Families:
As we complete our 9th week of in-person learning and head into a well-deserved Easter Break, I want to acknowledge the amazing efforts of our entire community - students and families, faculty and staff - to allow for such a safe and effective return to campus. Our collective commitment to following our protocols has enabled us to stay in-person and avoid any COVID transmission at school. I am so very grateful and ask that we double down our commitment as we look to finish the year and celebrate how the BBHS community has persevered through this time.
As you may be aware, last week Governor Inslee held a press conference on school reopening plans. He shared updated guidance from the Washington State Department of Health that aligns “with CDC recommendation to require at least three feet of physical distancing between students in certain situations.” This updated guidance enables us to reconfigure our classrooms to space each desk at least three feet apart rather than the six feet distance previously required. The six foot distancing remains in place between students and teachers/staff and in common areas and during lunch.
This change in guidance is good news on several levels. First, it demonstrates that studies are showing limited transmission at schools where key mitigation measures are in place. Second, this reduction in the six foot requirement can allow us to potentially move from our 50% hybrid model to offering in-person learning to 100% of our students who want that consistent experience on campus.
With this new guidance, we will be using the week of Easter break and the all-remote week of April 12 to reconfigure our classrooms to allow for the potential to host 100% of our students who want in-person learning. While we are making these preparations now and targeting a potential transition to offering 100% in late April, we are not identifying a specific date for a transition at this time.
The new guidance continues to require us to track COVID-19 case counts and positivity rates. The guidance calls out that, in areas of high community transmission, middle and high schools maintain six feet between students. High transmission is defined as “COVID-19 case rate of greater than 200 cases per 100,000 population over 14 days or test positivity is greater than 10%.”
After weeks of decline, we are seeing an increasing case count in King County. When we return from Easter break, we will assess our classroom and facility preparedness and review the COVID activity data to determine the possibility of identifying a specific date to offer 100% in person to all students who want it. Expect a follow up communication after Easter break.
The updated guidance brings hopeful news and the coming of Easter is a welcome sign of spring and new life. In the midst of this hope, I ask everyone to remain vigilant and fully committed to the BBHS COVID-19 Community Pledge - particularly during the Easter Break. I know we are all excited about the chance to take a break, but let’s all be sure to do our part to keep this virus in check as we look to finish this remarkable school year.
Sincerely,
Tony DeSapio
President
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In this remarkable year, one of the positive developments has been the increased awareness of and willingness to address historic and persistent injustices in our society. This is good news because it aligns so strongly with Catholic Social Teaching and Bishop Blanchet High School’s Mission.
In that vein, as we announced earlier this year, the BBHS Board has impaneled a committee to review our use of the “Braves” moniker and how it impacts the identity of Native populations and our own identity as a school.
Please take a moment to give us your input, as a key member of the BBHS community, by clicking to the 9-question survey. It should take only 5 to 10 minutes to complete but will give us your insights on this issue. The survey, which is anonymous to encourage as much candor as possible. The survey is due before Good Friday, April 2.
An FAQ addressing questions about the Moniker Committee and its work, which would be helpful for you to read before taking the survey, can be found at this link.
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OUT OF STATE TRAVEL
Bishop Blanchet has adopted CDC guidelines for all out of state travel. Those returning from out of state have two quarantine options:
- Forgo a COVID-19 test and quarantine for 10 days upon returning from out of state travel. After day 10, eligible to return to in-person learning and in-person activities.
- Get tested 5 days after out of state travel and stay home/self quarantine for the full 7 days, even with a negative test.
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Those who decide to return after 7 days are required to submit their negative COVID-19 test result to the Dean’s Office prior to returning to in-person learning and in-person activities.
Families traveling out of state are required to complete this form. School personnel will communicate a return date for in-person learning and in-person activities. We feel it is important to reiterate that public health guidance is to avoid non-essential travel. This protocol has been developed to address the occurrence of essential travel. If you have any questions, please contact the Dean’s Office.
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.
Chris Bilanko
Dean of Students
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From the Activities Office |
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SENIOR CLASS CABINET: RUBY ROOM DRESS DRIVE
Are you cleaning out your closets this Spring? Do you have a formal dress that’s been worn once and needs a good home? Look no further! The BBHS Senior Cabinet is collecting gently-worn dresses and men's formal wear to donate to The Ruby Room, a local nonprofit organization providing formal attire at no charge to teens in financial need, enabling them to participate in future milestone events such as Quinceañeras, dances, and prom. Donations will be accepted in the Norcliffe Student Commons through Friday, April 30. Thank you for your support!
STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS
Parents, please remind your students to check Skyward, their email, and their grade-level Google classroom regularly. Students, parents, and guardians can also follow BBHS (@bishopblanchet) on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and @blanchetbraves on Twitter. Additionally, the BBHS calendar is the best resource to learn about current and upcoming events at BBHS.
TRADITION WEEK
Tradition Week 2021 is a wrap - thank you to our ASB for an awesome celebration of school spirit! And thank you to all of the students who participated in the many fun competitions. Congratulations to the Class of 2021 for their victory! Enjoy this Tradition Week highlight video.
Chuck Bocian
Vice Principal of Student Activities
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From the Athletic Department |
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METRO LEAGUE PHASE 3 SPECTATOR POLICY
There has been no update or change to the Metro League Spectator Policy announced last week. Currently, Metro will allow senior athletes who are participating in an outdoor sport to have two spectators attend their home and away games.
For each outdoor game on or after Thursday, March 25, all senior families will be required to complete a survey to indicate the names of the spectators who will be attending the event. Links to surveys will be emailed to senior parents for each game. All spectators will be required to complete a HealthShield attestation (click here for directions), show the green checkmark/pass screen at the gate, and wear a mask at all times. If spectators are from the same household, they may sit together. If spectators are from different households, they will be required to sit 6 feet apart. The Metro League will evaluate the spectator process each week and determine if any modifications will be made.
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BBHS NFHS LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
Each week the Bishop Blanchet Athletic Department will post our streaming schedule on the Athletic page of the BBHS website. Our goal is to stream as many events as possible, to allow for our community to see our incredible student athletes in action. To access the NFHS Livestreaming Network, please click here, create an account, and search Bishop Blanchet.
Livestream Schedule for the Week of March 29, 2021
Wednesday, March 31
- JVC Volleyball @ Seattle Prep at 4 p.m.
- JV Volleyball @ Seattle Prep at 5:30 p.m.
- Varsity Volleyball @ Seattle Prep at 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 1
- Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Seattle Prep at 3:30 p.m.
- Varsity Football vs. Seattle Prep at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 3
- Frosh Football vs. O'Dea at 10 a.m.
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SEASON 2 ATHLETIC REGISTRATIONS
All athletes participating in a Season 2 sport must register through FamilyID - please click on the registration links below. Season 2 sports begin Monday, April 19.
PHYSICALS AND MEDICAL HISTORY FORMS
Bishop Blanchet will accept physicals dated within the last two years for the 2020-2021 school year. Note: physicals cannot expire during a season an athlete is participating in. 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 2020-2021 school year. Click here for physical and medical history forms.
LAST CHANCE TO ORDER A SPIRIT BAG
Don't miss the last opportunity to order a spirit bag for this school year! The deadline for orders is Wednesday, April 14. Please download the Spirit Bag Order Form and submit it with payment by mail to the Athletic Department.
FOLLOW BBHS ATHLETICS ON TWITTER
Follow Bishop Blanchet Athletics on Twitter as your #1 source for game times, highlights, and scores throughout the year (@BlanchetBraves).
Sean Gaskill
Athletic Director
sgaskill@bishopblanchet.org
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From the Campus Ministry Office |
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SOPHOMORE AND JUNIOR RETREATS
On Wednesday, April 28, on-campus retreats will be offered for the sophomore and junior classes. Students will get to spend time with their classmates having discussions, doing fun activities, and reflecting on what it means to be kind and brave. These optional retreats will run from 8:35 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A registration form will be available after Easter Break.
Rachel Longest
Director of Campus Ministry
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Social and Emotional Health |
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SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES
BBHS has a new list of resources to help families navigate social and emotional health concerns. Click here to find links to community resources, information on common mental health challenges, and referrals for parent/guardian support services in the area.
SPRING INTO SELF CARE
Kaitlyn Overman
Social Emotional Counselor
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From the Counseling Office |
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JUNIORS: COLLEGE CONFERENCES
Please encourage your junior to check their email and sign up for their college conference. Counselors continue to add dates to their signups. Parents and guardians are also invited to these meetings; please speak with your junior about signing up for a time that works for your family. We recommend signing up for a day/time when your junior is remote-learning from home. Meetings will take place March-May 2021 via Zoom.
The goal of the meeting is to discuss the student's plan for their college search and application process, regardless of where they may be along this journey. Please be ready to discuss some of these topics:
- possible majors or career interest areas
- priorities for your college search (locations, majors, cost, size, etc.)
- standardized testing plans and results
- potential list of colleges
- using Naviance in the college search process
- one or two possibilities for teacher recommendations
SENIORS: SCHOLARSHIP OFFER LETTERS
As your senior receives scholarship offers for college, please email a copy of every scholarship offer letter 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
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From the Development Office |
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FUND A NEED
For those who were not able to participate in the online or live auctions, you can still donate to our Fund A Need: Creating New Experiences While Ensuring a Safe and Special High School Experience for All! Learn more by watching our Fund A Need video.
MATCHING GIFTS
If you work for a company that matches nonprofit contributions, Fund a Need donations (and all amounts above item value) are 100% tax deductible and qualify for a corporate matching gift. If you have questions please email Stephanie Gravenkemper. Thank you in advance for requesting a matching gift from your employer!
LAST WEEK TO PURCHASE: YOUR GRAD ON THE JUMBOTRON
It's time to pull out all the stops for your senior! For $100, your graduate’s photo and a custom message (written by you) will be featured on the jumbotron at T-Mobile Park during the pre-graduation video. Click here to purchase, by Friday, April 2. We will follow up with you to get your photo and custom message.
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DRIVE THROUGH EASTER EVENT: APRIL 3
Please join us at Bishop Blanchet in our parking lot for a drive through Easter event on Saturday, April 3 at 9 a.m. Alumni and children ages 8 and under are invited to come visit us and receive an Easter gift bag and snacks. Also, take a socially distanced picture with the Easter Bunny!
Mary Beard
Director of Development
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STUDY SKILLS CAMP SESSIONS
Registration is now open for our in-person Study Skills Camp for rising 9th graders and middle school students. The camp sessions run August 16-20, and space is limited. Students will develop skills in time management, organization, goal setting, self-advocacy, stress control, problem solving, social belonging, and more. There are 2-day and 3-day camp options, and a middle school camp for grades 5-8.
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
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From the Performing and Fine Arts Department |
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STUDENT ART: AP ART AND DESIGN
AP Art and Design students created free-choice artwork in their sketchbooks featuring a variety of materials and styles.
Artwork by (left to right, top to bottom): Caitlin Hinshaw '21, Rowan Rathbun '21, Marne Orsen '21, Maddie Christenson '21, Mae Skokan '21, Gabi Wick '22, Ava Hall '21, and Jaden Mansfield '21.
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STUDENT ART: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Students in Digital Photography from first semester researched a photographer and creatively responded to their work by creating their own picece in the style of the artist.
Artwork by (right): Olivia Defeo '23 (artist: Marc Adamus. Below, left to right: Teddy Metcalf '21 (artist: Lurie Belegurschi), Noelle Brems '21 (artist: Marc Adamus) and Ryan Parsons '21 (artist: Ansel Adams).
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SOME ENCHANTED EVENING
Bishop Blanchet High School can’t wait to draw you in, or back to the excitement, energy, and highs and lows of that sometimes excruciating and ultimately life-giving experience called high school! Come enjoy the magic as we present Some Enchanted Evening, a musical movie with songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein. Our Movie Trailer will give you a taste of the fun and excitement we are creating!
Box Office reminder: An in-person premiere of our movie is scheduled for Tuesday, May 25 at 9 p.m. under the big top tent in the Quad at Bishop Blanchet. Seating will be limited, and all health and safety protocols will be followed. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 26. On-demand viewing will available Friday, May 28.
In keeping our school's mission which is rooted in Gospel values, Bishop Blanchet Performing Arts is partnering for this show with one of our closest neighbors - Northwest Child/Aaron's place. With one of their locations bordering the north edge of our campus, Northwest Child/Aaron's Place seeks to educate children and young adults with special needs. Watch this this video to get a sense of how they encourage their students to thrive! Please partner with us by making a donation to Northwest Child.
Corey Eriksen
Performing & Fine Arts Department Chair
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Bishop Blanchet High School is currently seeking qualified candidates for several positions, including Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Admissions Associate. For more information and details about how to apply, please visit our Careers page.
Bishop Blanchet committed to attracting and retaining outstanding individuals to reflect the racial, cultural and gender diversity of our student population. We actively seek candidates of different backgrounds who are devoted to engaging and inspiring a high-achieving and well-rounded student population to be leaders, in and out of the classroom.
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