September 24, 2021
BK Alive
News and Information for BK Families
THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS A LOT OF INFORMATION, AND THE LENGTH OF THE NEWSLETTER CAUSES IT TO BE TRUNCATED.

LOOK FOR THE BLUE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EMAIL THAT SAYS "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" TO EXPAND THE EMAIL, OR CLICK HERE TO SEE ARCHIVED COMMUNICATIONS FROM BK.
Monday 9/27 - Periods 1-4
8:30 AM Start, 3:00 PM Release
Dress up: Decades Day!
Freshmen - Babies
Sophomores - Teens
Juniors - Working Adults
Seniors - Senior Citizens

Tuesday 9/28 - Periods 5-7
9:00 AM Start, 2:45 - 3:15 PM Office Hours
Dress up: Spirit Day!
Freshmen,
Sophomores,
Juniors,
Seniors

Wednesday 9/29 - Straight 7 Schedule
8:30 AM Start, 3:05 PM Release
Dress up: Western Gear

Thursday 9/30 - Late Start Straight 7
9:00 AM Start, 3:00 PM Release
Dress up: Tie Dye

Friday 10/1 - Faculty In-Service
NO SCHOOL


Important Upcoming Dates

September 27th - October 2nd - Homecoming Week

Tuesday, September 9/28 - Blood Drive in the Carley Center

Wednesday, September 29th - Guest Passes for non BK students attending the Homecoming Dance due - students, if you want to bring a guest from another school, don't wait until the last minute!

Friday, October 1st - Faculty/Staff In Service, NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 1st - Alumknight and Friends "Homecoming" Golf Scramble at Quail Hollow Golf Course

Saturday, October 2nd - Homecoming Dance

Wednesday, October 13th - PSAT for all Sophomores and Juniors at BK (See below for more info.)


A Note from Rich and Mike
Dear BK Families,

As we complete our fifth week of the 2021-22 school year, we are grateful for our community and the efforts we have all put in together - students, teachers, staff and parents - to make this such a successful start to the school year.

In prior communications, we have discussed three of our four objectives and the things we have done to make good progress on them. As a reminder, these objectives and some of the things we have done this year so far are:
  • Strengthen a sense of belonging for each student - community time, faith formation, Belonging Survey
  • Each student achieves personal academic excellence - strengthened counseling services, new bell schedule, onboarding of new students
  • Strengthen a sense of community, pride and school spirit - Welcome Back BBQ, Ysursa Field/Lachiondo Plaza dedication, BK Parent Ambassadors, Homecoming Week

In this BK Alive letter, in addition to providing a COVID-19 update, we will discuss our efforts around our fourth objective of Strengthening the BK Way

Strengthening the BK Way
Every organization has a culture, whether it was intentionally developed or just evolved over time. People in an organization, team or community figure out how things get done, what is valued, what behavior is rewarded (and punished), and adapt their behaviors to be part of the organization. Don’t ever underestimate the power of culture. As the late Dr. WIlliam Deming said, “culture trumps strategy every time.” Organizations, in particular schools, with intentional, strong, and positive cultures and engaged students, employees, and parents have been shown to achieve great results and attract and retain outstanding people. 

Ten years ago we embarked on a process to intentionally develop the BK culture we wanted, what we now call The BK Way. In a series of focus groups, we asked our key stakeholders (students, staff, and parents) what in our culture they wished to leave behind, what they wanted to bring forward to our new culture, and what new values or elements they wished to add. The result of that work were the eight values or elements of the BK Way you see below: 
The BK Way
What we believe and how we act.
Faith
Jesus Christ is our ultimate teacher and role model, and we are actively dedicated to our spiritual formation.

Safe and Caring Place
BK is a safe, caring, and compassionate place where all students, staff, and parents feel welcomed and valued.

Academic Excellence
All students in every classroom are supported and challenged to do their very best and achieve personal excellence.

Activities
Participation in activities provides a valuable experience in the students' growth and development as we support and challenge them to achieve personal and team excellence.

Honor
Each member of the BK community is accountable to high standards of moral and ethical behavior in the classroom, hallways, at BK events, on the playing field, and in the stands.

Generosity
Students, staff, and parents give back to the world generously of their time, talent, and treasure in ways that are productive to their fellow man.

Partnership
We need and value our students, staff, and parents as customers, and thus we work together in partnership to meet and exceed their expectations.
It is particularly important we discuss and effectively reintroduce the BK Way to our community because we have so many new families to our school, we had limited opportunities to reinforce the BK Way over the past 20 months, and due to the overall growth in enrollment we have experienced. The more students and families we serve and the more employees we have make it even more important that we proactively do things to reinforce and strengthen our BK Way.

That is because we believe the BK Way drives the behavior of students, faculty/staff, and parents. The BK Way represents our values AND our mission in action. That is why each week, starting today, we will lift up and celebrate students, staff members, and parents as “Knights of the Week.” Knights of the Week are nominated by teachers, students, or staff for exemplifying elements(s) of the BK Way in action. 

We also do an annual survey, now in its 9th year, of our parents, staff and students asking them to rate how we are doing as a community living each element of The BK Way and to also provide examples of The BK Way in action. We then use that survey data to see what areas we need to focus on in the coming year to improve and which and whom to celebrate. 

Let us all join together in making the BK Way come alive every day in our school and in our community. It is especially important during these challenging and divisive times. Let us keep our faith at the center of our lives and our decisions; let us be that safe, caring and compassionate place where all people feel welcomed and valued; let us focus on academic excellence and activities in developing the whole student to their potential; let us demonstrate honor at all times with our moral and ethical behavior; let us exhibit generosity in giving back our time, talent and treasure; let us further develop a sense of community here at BK; and, let us all work together in partnership to be the best possible school we can be for every student, family, staff member, and our community!


COVID-19 at BK
We are continuing to track and publish our school data on BK.org daily. As of today, 9/24/21, we have had 40 positive student and 7 staff cases since the start of school five weeks ago, with 5 student and 3 staff member cases added this week. We currently have 3 students and no staff member out in quarantine.

In our COVID assessment meeting this week, we reviewed our three key internal metrics - number of cases and spread within our school, attendance rates, and percentage of staff out - plus the community metrics on cases and hospital capacity. Here is the update on each metric:
  • 1) Number of cases and spread within our school - our positive cases have remained about the same for the past two weeks - around 7 positive student cases per week and one to two staff cases. We are still not aware of any spread that has occurred within the school.
  • 2) Attendance rates - our weekly attendance has actually improved this past week from a low of 92.7% to 94.8% this past week. This is still well below our goal and what we experienced at the start of school of 98%. 
  • 3) Faculty/Staff absenteeism - this has become a bit more challenging, with 10 out last Friday and 6 out this week, with 4 for Covid reasons (3 in isolation, 1 in quarantine).
  •  4) Community factors - Incidence rates for Ada County have risen from 295.90 cases/100,000 the week of September 3 to 457.03 cases/100,000 this past week. This is in the Red/High transmission category. As you have read, the ICUs are full in Boise, Meridian, Nampa and Twin Falls for both St. Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus, and the state is operating with “crisis standards of care” in place. Staffing shortages and very tired and stressed healthcare workers exist at all hospitals and clinics in our valley. Finally, positivity rates continue to be in the 16%+ range in Ada County clinics and hospitals. 

We believe mandatory masking here at BK while indoors, combined with your efforts at home, have helped our attendance rates improve these past two weeks. But we still have not seen positive cases drop here at BK and have some rising concerns about staff shortages. And clearly things have only gotten worse in our community. We thus have made the decision that we will continue with mandatory masking while indoors in BK buildings for the next two weeks. 

We will do our part in enforcing this and other protocols here at BK but we need your partnership. Please continue your efforts on proper indoor mask wearing outside of school, staying home when sick, considering being vaccinated if you/your child are not already, discouraging sleepovers, movie nights, car pools, and being kind, civil, understanding and respectful to our BK team and to each other. We all want the same thing - our kids in school every day for face-to-face learning. Every day. Safely. And we must work together to make this happen all school year.


In conclusion, let’s work together to make the BK Way culture thrive through our daily words and actions while we safely navigate our way through this period of very high transmission in our region. As promised, we will continue to review our metrics and our mask policy every two weeks and determine if we should make any changes to our mitigation policies for the coming two weeks to keep kids in school for face-to-face learning and playing sports. Safely. 

Thank you for your support, understanding, feedback, and trust.


God bless,
Rich Raimondi
President
Mike Caldwell
Principal

Reflections from Father Vance
Early this week, I heard a comment from a student athlete that broke my heart. You should know that we schedule team Masses for each season, so that athletes can come to Mass as a team once per week. But, the custom has been, on the weeks like this one when we have an all-school Mass, that the teams don’t come on their scheduled day. Well, one of the teams was told that they needed to come this week, even though we had an all-school Mass scheduled for yesterday. As the athletes were gathering for their team Mass in the hallway outside the BK Chapel, one of them said (having no idea that I was listening) “I’m so angry! We have to go to Mass TWICE this week!” As I said at the beginning, hearing this comment broke my heart.

Friends, we all have a great deal of work to do! If this is the attitude of even some of the young people in our school, then we are called to work together, in our homes, our parishes and our school, to address this creeping apathy for faith in Jesus Christ. I certainly understand the adolescent perspective, where getting up early might be the worst thing that could happen all day, but how is each one of us taking personal responsibility for not just suggesting or requiring a devoted relationship with Jesus Christ, but MODELING that very relationship from the depths of our own hearts? Are we giving our children and our students reasons to WANT to go to Mass, rather than merely requiring their attendance? Do we (do I) represent the truth of Catholic faith that each Mass is ever new AND ever constant? Do we (do I) represent the truth of Catholic faith that missing Sunday Mass is deeply sinful? Is Catholic Christian faith alive and well -- and joyfully lived -- in our families and classes? On the athletic fields and courts? On the weekends? During vacations and breaks? Even in the midst of family struggles, disagreements, grief and loss?
Challenging questions, aren’t they? And yet they are the most necessary questions for us to answer if we are to help make the next generation of Catholic Christian apostles. Yesterday, we celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, where we dedicate each program, class, activity, meeting and interaction to the providential care of the Holy Spirit. It can be difficult to relate to the Spirit. A dove? But the traditional Jewish image of the Spirit of God is ruach, or breath. God’s breath spread over the primordial waters to bring forth creation. God’s breath inhabited the dry bones in Ezekiel, and brought them back to life. It is amazing to me how we are distrustful and suspicious of our breath these days. We wear masks so we don’t share our breath with one another. But just because we try not to share our physical breath right now, that means that we should be even MORE intentional and committed to sharing the Holy Spirit, or God’s breath of life and faith and hope and joy and beauty and morality with one another!
God’s breath, the Holy Spirit, is the only thing that can save us from the darkness that surrounds us. The Holy Spirit can save our bodies as well as our souls. It can strengthen our faith today and create the next generation of saints for our world tomorrow. We are called to pray the traditional Veni, Sancte Spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle within them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

Knights of the Week
Each week Bishop Kelly faculty and staff nominate students, and students nominate faculty and staff, who have demonstrated the BK Way attributes of Faith, Safe and Caring Place, Academic Excellence, Activities, Honor, Generosity, Community, and Partnership.

Congratulations to this week's Knights of the Week!
Peyton Jungert
Generosity
Keeping with the Catholic tradition in giving of time and talent and stepping up in his role as a debate team captain, Peyton moderated our online team parent meeting. With his help and technical expertise, it assured the evening was a success for the parents, participants, and coach.
Lucas Sasso
Community/Generosity
Lucas made beautiful key chains for all of the staff members at BK through his Business Manufacturing and Design class. He is so thoughtful and generous to the BK Community.
Carley Calovich
Faith
This past week Carley was responsible for leading prayer in her 9th grade theology class. First, her three prayers were well put together. One was a scripture prayer, one a Saint's prayer and the last a quiet meditative journal exercise. Each prayer was respectful and sure signs of a sense of faith. She was the first of my students to lead prayer for the class and did an outstanding job.

Faculty/Staff Knight of the Week

Mr. Larry Crump
Safe and Caring Place
  • He is a very great teacher and I feel safe to share my thoughts with him. He makes history fun and engaging.
  • Mr. Crump creates a very safe and caring environment, and is attentive to his students' needs.
  • He is an all around great guy who cares for his students above all. He creates an inviting atmosphere that makes learning fun. 
  • Mr. Crump has created a very safe environment where I feel I can learn while openly expressing my ideals and opinions.
  • Mr. Crump is just an amazing teacher who always makes a caring environment for all of his students!
  • He creates a safe and caring place in the classroom.
  • I nominated this staff member because every time I come to class he makes it fun and enjoyable for everyone.
  • He created a safe and caring place in the community
  • Mr. Crump creates a safe and caring environment that is productive and full of learning.
  • Every time I enter the classroom, I am amazed by the aura that Mr. Crump has generated. 
  • Mr. Crump is a good teacher and he is pretty chill.
  • Mr.Crump is a very kind and generous teacher. He is very helpful and understanding. 
  • He is funny and nice
  • Mr.Crump is very welcoming and always greets his students. He also tries his best to teach while out of class.
PSAT for all Sophomores and Juniors
Wednesday, October 13th
On Wednesday, October 13th, all Sophomores and Juniors will be taking the PSAT here at Bishop Kelly. More information about the testing day will be in next week's BK Alive.

  • Sophomores must be at school at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, September 28th to complete the pre-administration portion for the PSAT.

  • Juniors must be at school at 8:00 AM on Thursday, September 30th to complete the pre-administration portion for the PSAT.

The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test for Juniors.

There are study guides for the test available in the counseling center - room 412.
A Note from the Nurse
Dear parents,

I have received a portion of my requested allotment of seasonal flu vaccine. I have both the Flumist nasal spray (live) and the injectable (non-live) variety of vaccines. If you would like your student to receive the seasonal flu vaccine at school, please check BK Alive or the school website for the consent form. There will also be copies available in the front office. You can return THIS SIGNED FORM to the main office. Information sheets on each vaccine are available in the Forms Manager section of BK.org, and in the front office. There is no cost to the student. Please contact me at school if you have questions.

Thank you,

Mrs. Cunningham, School Nurse
Library Newsletter
It's a new school year filled with heaps of new (and old) reasons to love the library. Read through the Fraser Library's Newsletter for updates and reminders for the upcoming year.
2021 Winner's Choice Dinner & Auction
Golden Tickets & Auction Item Donations
We Need Your Donations for the Silent and Live Auctions!
The countdown is on to the 2021 Winner's Choice Dinner & Auction! Please consider donating an item to help make our event a success. As we shared last week, we have seen a decrease in item donations from outside businesses this year. In order to ensure we have enough items for our silent auction, we are asking if all BK families would consider donating an item. Nothing is too big or too small! Gift cards (uber, restaurants, clothing stores, etc), concert or game tickets, sports memorabilia, vacation homes or rentals, themed baskets, are all examples of things that are needed. If you are looking for a super simple way to donate, check out our Amazon Wish List and have the items sent directly to us! Want to double your support? Designate the Bishop Kelly Foundation as your charity of choice and purchase your auction donation through Amazon Smile and the Foundation will receive a kickback for the sale. Finally, buying an item from your favorite local business is another great way to support both them and the Foundation at the same time. Thank you in advance for your consideration! Please reach out to Kim Malvick (kmalvick@bk.org/208-323-4789) with any item donation questions you may have.

Invitations are on their way but ticket pre-sales are happening now through our auction website on our Tickets Page! Remember, everyone who buys their tickets by October 8th will be entered into a drawing for a golden ticket.  Knight's Table Sponsorships are selling out fast (only 3 of 18 remain) so do not delay in reserving your Knight's table by emailing Kim Malvick at kmalvick@bk.org. Golden Tickets for the 2021 Winner's Choice- Knight's on the Range are almost gone!  Only 40 golden tickets remain.  Submit your order form mailed with your Save the Date to reserve yours now.
BK Activities
Excellence with Class
In case you missed the JIT about Excellence with Class that was sent on Wednesday, click here to read about our 2021 - 2022 Initiative.

Speech and Debate Team - We need volunteers!
Success often brings growth and that is true with your BK Speech and Debate Team. Following last seasons, IHSAA State Championships, the team has grown from 27 to 42 and has greatly increased our need for tournament judges. So, who can judge? Virtually any adult, experienced or not. Any college student 6 months following their high school graduation. Tournaments will be a mix of online (judging in your pajamas from the comforts of your own home) or at school sites. Judge training is simple, free, and will be Zoomed! If you could help out, there are papal indulgences attached (don't quote me on that) and your place in heaven and in our hearts is secured for eternity! Please contact Bob Goycoolea, Head Coach if interested at bgoycoolea@bk.org
Yearbook Needs Your Photos!
The yearbook staff is looking for summer photos to use in the yearbook. The page title is "Beat the Heat," so any photos of your student that could fit that theme would be great!

Additionally, we need any photos from senior service projects.
College and Career
Bosie PNACAC College Fair
Date: Saturday, October 9th, 2021
Location: Boise State University,
Student Union Building, 2nd Floor, Simplot Ballroom,
1700 W University Dr, Boise, ID 83725
Time: 1:00 pm -3:00 pm
Students: Register in advance by clicking here. After you register, StriveScan will send a barcode via text message and email. At the college fair, present your barcode to college representatives to receive more information about that college. The next day, receive an email with a report of all of the colleges and representatives you met, along with contact information and social media profiles.

College Visits with BK 
9/24 @ 11:10-11:45 Oregon State University 
9/27 @ 11:25-12:00 Occidental College 
9/28 @ 11:10-11:45 University of Chicago 
9/29 @12:12-35 Lewis - Clark State College 
9/30 @ 11:10-11:45 Washington State University 

To attend, sign up using SCOIR or come to the Counseling Center

College & Career Fairs
Registration for the NACAC Virtual College Fairs are now open! 

Virtual College Tours 

Student-driven virtual college tours 
Upcoming Catholic Community Events
Important Links
Contact BK
  • Front Office: 375-6010
  • Fax: 375-3626
  • Business Office Manager: 947-1209
  • BK Development Office: 947-1325
  • BK Foundation Office: 323-4789

To add, remove, or change your email address, or to remove your name from our regular mailing lists, please contact Chrissy at cbeckner@bk.org.
Bishop Kelly High School | (208) 375-6010 | www.bk.org