BK Alive
Weekly News and Information for BK Families
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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.
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Monday, March 1
A Day
8:15 AM Start
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Tuesday, March 2
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Wednesday,March 3
SAT Testing for Juniors, no school for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Seniors
Juniors arrive by 8:00 AM for 8:15 test start. Late students cannot take the SAT. See below for more details.
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Thursday, March 4
A Day
8:15 AM Start
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Friday, March 5
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Upcoming
Wednesday, March 3rd - Junior SAT Testing (no school for other grade levels)
Wednesday, March 17 - One Day One Knight Annual Day of Giving
March 22 - 26 - Spring Break!
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A Message from Rich and Mike |
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Dear Bishop Kelly Parents,
In this BK Alive, we will share a concern we have regarding a rise in bullying we are seeing and ask for your support and action, discuss registration for new and returning students for the 2021-22 school year, ask for your continued support for the Advanced Opportunities bill as it moves through the Idaho Legislature, and give you the latest on the COVID-19 numbers here at Bishop Kelly.
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Bullying in our BK Community |
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A core BK Way value is that “BK is a safe and caring place where all students, staff and parents feel welcomed and valued.” Our goal is to develop a culture that promotes kindness, inclusion, and acceptance. Unfortunately, we are seeing recently a rise in bullying, especially cyber/social media bullying, among our student body.
Some of this may be due to the fact that many traditions and activities at school - and outside of school - are gone. No Silent Knight, no Homecoming, limited sports to participate in during the winter, no assemblies, etc. Kids are turning more to their phones to connect, have “fun”, and say things online or via text that they would never say to someone’s face - and it then spreads quickly. It is harder to get to know classmates when wearing masks and having no or limited gatherings with friends at school and outside of school. Kids may also be experiencing some of the “winter blues” that come with the greyer, shorter days and colder weather this time of year. And we have been in this pandemic crisis coming on one year next month. Whatever the causes, bullying is on the rise and we must work together in partnership to stop it!
We cannot be indifferent to bullying that we see, hear about, or experience ourselves. We must act immediately to stop it. Please check in with your kids. Have a discussion with them about how bullying is wrong and hurtful, and that is especially true for those who might be different or marginalized in some way. Watch this “Be an Upstander” video (produced by BK student, Mia Rauer) with your family. Please be on the watch for and ask them about social media accounts with names like “BK Gossip” or “BK Confessions”. Remind your kids that following those accounts, and participating in spreading rumors is hurtful and dangerous. Please contact us here at school if you see or suspect bullying is happening to your son or daughter or other students and we will deal with it immediately. We can significantly reduce bullying in our school if we work together in partnership.
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2021 - 2022 School Year Registration |
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As mentioned in our Just in Time Communication this past Wednesday, our applications/registrations for the 2021-22 school year at the early registration deadline last Friday are significantly higher than in prior years. We are pleased and grateful that so many families wish to send their children to Bishop Kelly.
However, some 15% of our existing freshmen, sophomores and juniors have not yet registered for the 2021-22 school year. Please make sure you register your current students as soon as possible. The final registration deadline is next Friday, March 5th. We very much want everyone back for the upcoming school year and are also seeing significant demand for students to transfer in from other schools, especially for our sophomore class. Please make sure your current student is registered by next Friday, March 5th, in order to ensure that they have a spot at BK next fall. Please contact Kelly Shockey (kshockey@bk.org), our Director of Admissions, if you need any assistance with registration for your returning student(s) or new students.
If you have a new student to register, please also register him or her as soon as possible. Again, our registration deadline for new students is March 5th. Please understand we have record demand (up +43% at the early registration deadline from last year) for our incoming freshman class (BK Class of 2025). Please know that as a current family, you have priority. But if you do not apply by the registration deadline (March 5th), we may not have space for your son or daughter and they may have to be put on a wait list.
Thank you for your cooperation with the registration process for the 2021-2022 school year. In past years, you could miss deadlines and we had more flexibility. That is not the case this year. We appreciate your understanding and answering our call to action.
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Advanced Opportunities Legislation |
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The Advanced Opportunities Bill S1045 for private school students was passed by the full Senate by a vote of 28-6! Thanks again to BK parents Ylliana Villegas and Brand Novosel who gave compelling testimony on the impact this bill could have on their family and their children’s opportunities. Also, thanks to those of you who submitted letters of support and reached out to your senators.
It now moves to the House where it will first be discussed in the House Education Committee. We are hopeful they will pass it on to the full House for a vote and, if passed, it moves to Governor Little for his signature. We will keep you posted if we need your assistance in contacting House members or Governor Little.
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Here is our update for this week on the COVID-19 numbers for Bishop Kelly. We have had three additional students and zero faculty/staff members test positive since last Friday’s BK Alive update. We currently have only 16 students and zero faculty/staff members out in quarantine or isolation. Both the number of cases and people out on quarantine or isolation remain very low. Our numbers align with what both Ada County and Canyon County are seeing in reduced cases. The Ada County two-week average of daily COVID-19 cases calculated per 100,000 people dropped again from 19.64 to 15.54 and we remain in the yellow category (moderate community spread).
Thank you all for doing your part in minimizing community spread and in keeping our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy. Let’s double down on the three Ws. Our health care leaders and experts and many others continue to advise patience and basic precautions: wear face coverings, wash hands and watch your distance. Spring is coming, vaccinations are beginning to have their desired effect and we must stay focused on the community goal of vanquishing this public health threat.
Final thoughts
This Monday we enter the month of March and the one year anniversary of Idaho’s first identified COVID-19-positive patient. While the pandemic is far from over, and there is much work left to be done before we can be anywhere near declaring victory, we want to ensure that as a community, we collectively take the time to reflect on how much we have done and how incredibly grateful we are to our students, faculty and staff, and you, our parents. Together we have enabled our school to be open safely for in person learning for all but one of the first 24 weeks of the school year. Let us also be thankful and offer prayers of thanksgiving for the health care workers who have been on the front line battling this awful virus.
Have a wonderful weekend! God bless,
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Reflection from Father Vance |
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Over the past week, I am convinced that I have been visited by angels. I have had two different, but undeniable experiences with God’s messengers that I would like to share with you. Last Friday, I was out at the new St. Alphonsus mass vaccination center in Meridian to get my second shot of the vaccine. Of course, in a situation like that, one rarely expects to have any meaningful human interactions. But just ahead of me in line were a Mother and her probably 4 or 5 year old Daughter. As I was standing in line looking at my phone, 6 feet behind them, gradually I became aware that the little girl was watching me. So, even though smiles have been hard to register behind masks, I looked up at her, smiled, and told her “hello, there!” That small gesture opened the floodgates in her, and she talked to me nonstop until we had to separate into different bays to get our shots. Then, after I had found a place to park myself for the 15-minute post vaccination observation, I once again looked up to see her sweet face looking at me from across the room, and when we made eye contact, she gestured to me to come closer to her and her Mother. When I did, she simply continued talking right where she had left off! I learned that her Mother was a third grade teacher in Meridian, and that her Grandfather’s best friend had recently died, and that this little girl had appointed herself to be the comfort and consolation in her Grandfather’s life during his grief. To top it all off, as we were walking out of the center, she handed me a slip of paper, on which she had drawn a picture of herself, and written her name, so that I would not forget her -- Emily. On a busy Friday afternoon, and anticipating possible reactions to the second shot (which literally bowled me over for the entire weekend), this was one of the sweetest interactions I have had for a long time with a child, possibly only rivaled by “First Confession” stories. I will not forget you, Emily. May God bless this little angel.
Then, this past Tuesday after the morning Mass at BK, and before the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration, two of the students from the Knights for Life, Nicole Graefe and Tyler Stoker, their moderator Mrs. Herrera, and those who stayed after Mass prayed over and blessed the new votive candle stand that the Knights for Life have donated to the Chapel, and which now sits under the statue of the Blessed Mother and Child. In seeing the faith of these young people, I am continually blown away by their passion for Christ and His Church. I don’t know about you, but when I was their age, I had plenty of passion, but it wasn’t necessarily for these things. It is part of the high school culture that students want to leave a “legacy” behind them when they graduate. For some, that legacy might be an athletic accomplishment like a record for a time or wins. For others, that legacy might be an academic achievement like being Valedictorian or Salutatorian. For still others, that legacy might be artistic and creative like never missing being in the cast or crew of any of the Drama productions, or winning a creative or artistic honor or award. But as a Catholic school, it is so heartening and inspiring to me that we also have students whose legacy will be spiritual, and this votive stand will encourage generations of students as well as other members of our BK family to leave a candle and a prayer in our Chapel. Nicole, Tyler, Mrs. Herrera and all of the Knights for Life, thank you for this spiritual legacy! May God bless you all in your work for respecting Life!
Angels are the traditional messengers of God. They might announce, like Gabriel, or they might defend, like Michael. According to our Catholic tradition, each one of us has a special Guardian Angel, whose mission is to assist us on our way to Heaven. In these two experiences, I have heard God announce that we are not alone, and that he is deeply at work, perhaps most intensely when we are challenged to see it. My heart has swelled with gratitude this week at having made a new friend in little Emily, and having seen the living faith and joy of Tyler and Nicole. And I am reminded of the wonderful fact that we can be God’s messengers to one another, if we are open to that. I’m sure, if you look deeply enough, that you will find that you were visited by angels this past week too. Who were they, and what message did they bear to you from the Heart of God?
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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!
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Rio Centers and McKenna Aldinger
Rio and McKenna are Incredibly kind students that work hard inside the classroom and out. Both are consistently engaged in all class activities, high-spirited, and enthusiastic. They are such a pleasure to have in class!
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Fynn Ziebarth
Activities
Fynn is a young man who makes the Theology classroom dynamic and interactive. He has great faith and demonstrates fortitude by participating in class discussions and always giving his best on assignments. Fynn is a diligent student and a valuable member of the BK Community!
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BK Staff of the Week
Mr. Don Petersik
Community, Faith, Safe and Caring Place, Generosity
- He is very understanding and generous. He tried his hardest in the past couple weeks to help us learn theology in an interactive way. He made theology understandable when I wasn't understanding.
- Don is there for us and the community. Don has been the best teacher and is always there for us.
- He has been subbing for Deacon Rick since the beginning of January and has been teaching us and is always nice.
- Don is the most kind and caring of individuals. He endured a class of rowdy freshman, and by the end he gave us all donuts to show us his love. His lessons in faith were deep and meaningful while also keeping us engaged. Love Don!
- Mr. Don has been great while filling in for Deacon Rick. I have learned a lot and had a blast while he has been subbing.
- He is very caring and is very understanding. He always makes class fun and is just fun to be around, in general. Don is a legend.
- I am nominating Don Petersik because he is a caring teacher who wants us to learn. He cares that we learn and feel comfortable around him with any of our problems. He makes learning fun.
- He always creates a safe environment where we aren't afraid to ask questions or be confused because we know that he will help us figure it all out.
- He is the most chill teacher I have ever met. Very respectful man. Has a passion for teaching kids.
- Don is a really fun and genuine person and teacher. He is always caring for all of his students and makes everyone feel welcome.
- Don has been the best homeroom teacher. He makes us feel loved and cared about. He also has brought in fun treats for us!
- He is always so nice and makes sure I am doing well in class.
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Signs of Suicide Program for Parents of BK Freshmen |
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Dear Parents of Bishop Kelly Freshmen:
Please join the Bishop Kelly counselors, school nurse, and campus minister on Monday, March 8 at 6:30 pm for a virtual presentation on the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. This nationally recognized program highlights important signs of suicide and mental wellness strategies for our students and teaches them to identify a trusted adult in the context of this program. Please register in advance for this informational zoom meeting by clicking here.
On March 10-11, the Signs of Suicide program will be presented to all freshmen students during their Theology classes. There will be an alternate activity available for students whose parents wish for them to opt out of this presentation. Parents will receive electronic opt-out instructions prior to this event.
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SAT for Juniors - March 3rd |
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Juniors will be taking the SAT at Bishop Kelly on Wednesday, March 3rd. (No School for all other grade levels.)
Students should arrive at school by 8:00 AM and testing will begin at 8:15 AM. Late arrivals will not be allowed to take the test. Students just need to bring two #2 pencils (no mechanical pencils) and an approved calculator. They may also bring a light snack and water bottle. Leave cell phones and smartwatches in the car or at home as they will not be allowed in testing rooms.
Please help make sure your student gets a good night sleep and eats a good breakfast.
Regular school dress code will be in effect.
Student guides for the SAT are now available in room 710.
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Have You Ordered a Yearbook? |
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The deadline is quickly approaching to order a yearbook! In order to guarantee a yearbook on distribution day in May, please order by March 1st.
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Bishop Kelly Foundation Scholarship for Rising Seniors |
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The Redinger Family Scholarship" is a financial award available through the Bishop Kelly Foundation to a rising senior for a $750 scholarship to be used toward BK tuition.
This scholarship was established by Jim and Vickie Redinger, long-time supporters of Bishop Kelly and parents of BK alums Mike, '03 and Tom, '05. Jim and Vickie wish to honor a student whose interests align with those areas that their sons found of particular value while they were at BK as well as later in their lives.
The recipient will be selected by the Redinger family after submitting an application that meets a specific list of criteria, including academics, athletics, with preference given to students who have exhibited leadership and STEM activities. (Please see the linked application form for full selection criteria.) To apply, complete THIS APPLICATION FORM by Friday, April 2nd and submit it in a sealed envelope to the front office. Please clearly label the envelope "Bishop Kelly Foundation, attention Kim Malvick". You may also save it as a pdf and email it to kmalvick@bk.org by the deadline.
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Read Across America Day 2021 |
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In honor of Read Across America Day, we're collecting book suggestions from across the BK community. We want to hear about a book you've recently read that you can't get out of your head. Add to our Read Across BK Flipgrid, sharing the story and what you loved about it. Then, watch the other videos and keep building your to-read list!
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Host Family Needed for BK International Student |
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We have a BK Junior who is an International Student and needs a host family. This student is in his second year at BK. His living situation was disrupted by COVID, and he is in a temporary home without any other BK Students in it. As a result, it is really hard for him to find transportation to and from BK. We need to find him a permanent spot, preferably in a home with other BK students.
Host families receive a $700 per month stipend (possibly more upon discussion.)
Alternately, this student needs to find a carpool to BK from the area near Cynthia Mann Elementary School.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Ying Donegan at (208) 853-8542 or ying@7eie.com. |
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International Travel Opportunities |
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Peru, Spring Break 2022
Our Peru trip is back!!!
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce that our international trip has been rescheduled to Spring Break 2022! We will be traveling to Lima, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, and Lake Titicaca. If visiting Machu Picchu is on your bucket list we are taking parents also.
This trip is available for all current freshmen and sophomores. If you are interested please stop by my room 113 or any Spanish teacher to get a recommendation form. You will need two recommendations from two different teachers.
Right now, we are offering a Risk-Free Guarantee for new travelers who enroll in 2022 tours. This means anyone who enrolls between now and the end of February 2021 will be able to cancel by May first and receive a full refund! There is a $100 discount for new travelers who enroll. The code is Peru2022 and it is valid through February 25th 2021. The price below is a student price, adult prices are different.
If you have any questions, please contact me at mperea@bk.org. I will be hosting a Zoom meeting soon.
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Japan, Spring Break 2022!
The Spring Break trip to Japan has been rescheduled for 2022! We will be traveling to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka. The tour includes a full-time tour guide, travel on the Shinkansen (bullet train), breakfast and dinner, and private transportation within the cities. All current Freshmen-Juniors that are interested are welcome to join [parents are also welcome but the price is different]. The trip price is $3700.00. For questions or more information, please see Mr. Harris in room 313 or email bharris@bk.org.
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College and Career Center |
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Virtual College Visits at BK
Coming Soon!
College and Career Fairs
NCACA Virtual College Fairs
Here's your chance to hear firsthand from those-in-the-know at hundreds of colleges and universities nearby, across the country, and around the world.
More than 500 colleges and universities will be online to talk with high school juniors and seniors on each of these days. Each virtual fair is a free, one-day event. Attend as many as you'd like. Families invited, too.
Sunday, Mar. 7: 1-5 p.m. ET - STEM
Tuesday, Mar. 16: 4-8 p.m. ET - Performing & Visual Arts
Sunday, Mar. 21: 1-7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Apr. 10: 3-7 p.m. ET - Western US
Tuesday, Apr. 20: 3-7 p.m. ET - Southeastern US
Sunday, May 2: 1-7 p.m. ET
BigFuture Days College Fairs
The College Board is hosting virtual events for high school sophomore and juniors to connect them directly with college admissions representatives from all over the country. See the link for more information and to register. Register for the region the schools you are interested in attend are in. You may register for multiple dates.
BigFuture Days Northeast Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Days Midwest Thursday, March 11
Scholarships
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Parents in Prayer Lenten Virtual Rosary Invitation
Have you made a Lenten promise to learn to pray the Rosary or pray it more often? Then please join us. Please register in advance so we can email a ZOOM link to you.
You are invited to join the Bishop Kelly Community (alumnae, parents, alum parents, grandparents and others) to the Virtual Rosary on March 5th and April 2nd (first Friday of each month) beginning at 9 am (MST). Special intentions can be shared. Rosary will last between 30-40 minutes.
Thank you for your interest in wanting to connect in prayer as a community during Lent. For more information please contact BK Parent Julia Grant or BK Campus Minister Lorissa Horn.
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St. Ignatius Fire Campaign Raffle
St Ignatius Catholic School in Meridian is substituting its annual Fire Gala auction with a “Fire Campaign Raffle” for its 2021 fundraiser. One lucky winner will go home with a brand new F-150 Ford Pick-up Truck! Each ticket costs $250 and gives you an 1/1,000 chance in winning. You can purchase your ticket online at https://sifireraffle.maxgiving.bid/about-us
Thank you for supporting Catholic schools!!
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St. Joseph Virtual Retreat
During this year of St. Joseph, souls are permitted a plenary indulgence for participating in a spiritual retreat that includes a meditation on St. Joseph. Salt & Light Radio has collected a series of meditations on St. Joseph from Diocesan priests and deacons to create a virtual retreat. This do-it-yourself retreat is available for FREE. Bless others by inviting your prayer groups or apostolates to come together to watch this special retreat. You can find the retreat guide and videos at saltandlightradio.com starting on March 19th. St. Joseph, pray for us!
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40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life is an internationally coordinated 40-day campaign that aims to end abortion locally through prayer, outreach and peaceful all-day prayer vigils in front of abortion businesses. This spring it is happening in 567 cities around the globe. Locally it takes place on the public sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood in Meridian between 7 am to 7 pm 7 days a week from February 17th to March 28th.
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Online Ordering from the BK Spirit Store! |
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In order to maintain safe distancing AND be available for all your Spirit Wear needs, the Bishop Kelly Spirit Store will be offering online ordering for Fall Semester. A selection of items will be available each month, and you can order via email!
Please note, the actual BK Spirit Store will NOT be open during the lunch hour for additional items, and the Front Office staff will not have access to the store.
We're all getting really good at shopping online, right?
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#146
Ladies Short Sleeved BK Strong T-Shirt
$15.00
#147
Mens Short Sleeved BK Strong T-Shirt
$15.00
(Not pictured, Same Design)
(Size Small SOLD OUT)
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#256
BK Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt Drk. Gray
$36.00
(XL and 2 XL SOLD OUT)
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#255
BK Unisex Hooded Sweatshirt Lt. Gray
$45.00
(2XL SOLD OUT)
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#141
Unisex Long Sleeved T-Shirt
$20
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#822
BK Cap, Velcro Back
One Size Fits All
$22.00
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#253
Black Crewneck Sweatshirt (No hoodie)
S, M, L, XL
$30.00
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How to Order
*Order deadline: EVERY MONDAY
*Order Pickup: EVERY FOLLOWING THURSDAY for PREPAID Orders only.
You will be emailed a confirmation.
- Your Name
- Contact Phone Number
- Item # listed above
- Size of Item (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)
- Price
Method of Payment Before Pickup: Venmo @BK-ParentsAssociation, or Credit Card. These are the only payment options at this time.
NOTE: If you are paying by Credit Card, you will be contacted via the "Contact Phone Number" listed in your email at confirmation between 1:00 - 3:00 PM on Tuesday.
ONLY PREPAID ORDERS via the email process listed above will be accepted at this time. The Front Office Staff does NOT have order information.
THANK YOU for your cooperation as BK Spirit Store volunteers try to keep BK Spirit Store items available for our community.
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Job Openings at Bishop Kelly |
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Girls Head Soccer Coach
Bus Route Driver
Activities Bus Driver
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Kitchen Assistant
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Our website at www.bk.org is a wealth of information for parents and students alike!
Check out some of the cool tools that are just a few clicks away:
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- 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.
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Bishop Kelly High School | (208) 375-6010 | www.bk.org |
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