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, February 8
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Tuesday, February 9
A Day
8:15 AM Start
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Wednesday, February 10
B Day
9:15 AM Start
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Thursday, February 11
Straight 7
8:15 AM Start
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Friday, February 12
Teacher In-Service
NO SCHOOL
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Upcoming
Thursday, February 11th - Straight 7 Schedule, 8:15 Start
Friday, February 12th - Teacher InService, NO SCHOOL
Monday, February 15 - Presidents' Day - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, February 17th - Ash Wednesday, Virtual All School Mass
It is time to register your students for next fall. Please see below for instructions for new and returning students!
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A Message from Rich and Mike |
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Dear Bishop Kelly Parents,
In this BK Alive, we will provide an updated 2021-22 school calendar, make you aware of a call to action for the Advanced Opportunities bill in the Idaho legislature, and give you the latest on the COVID-19 numbers here at Bishop Kelly.
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Bishop Kelly 2021 - 2022 School Year Calendar |
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The Bishop Kelly Board of Governance approved the 2021- 2022 school year calendar at their January 19th meeting. The link to the calendar is below in a printable format. We did want to highlight a few things for you:
- Registration day - 8/16
- First day of school- 8/17
- BK Foundation Winner’s Choice - 11/6 (new since last week!)
- No school Thanksgiving week - 11/22-26
- End of fall semester - 12/22
- First day of spring semester - 1/10
- Spring break - 3/21-25
- Spring semester ends - 5/26
- Class of 2022 graduation - 5/27
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Advanced Opportunities Legislation |
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We discussed in last week’s BK Alive the Advanced Opportunities Legislation that was adopted several years ago by the Idaho Legislature. The Advanced Opportunity Bill provides special funds for “Public” school students to offset costs for Dual Credit, AP Testing, and other overload courses. This legislation creates inequitable and advantageous opportunities for public school students that homeschool and/or private school students cannot access. Over the years, we and many others have advocated that these funds should be available to ALL KIDS in Idaho.
The next step in the process after the new Bill S1045 was passed unanimously by the Senate Education Committee is a public hearing before the Senate Education Committee. The hearing is scheduled for this Tuesday, February 9th, between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. Testimony may be given in writing, in person or via Zoom. We would ask that our parent community write letters to the Senate Education Committee to pass this bill to the full Senate for a vote. Please send the letter to sedu@senate.Idaho.gov. In your letter, please do not make this about “fairness”. We encourage you more to tell personal stories of the impact these funds would have on your children and your family. Thank you for considering supporting this legislation.
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Here is our Friday update on the COVID-19 numbers for Bishop Kelly. We have had two additional students and three faculty/staff members test positive since last Friday’s BK Alive update. We currently have 32 students and five faculty/staff members out in quarantine or isolation.
On a personal note, thank you for your prayers for us and our families. We are on the road to recovery and look forward to being back on campus next week.
Final thoughts
We are grateful to each of you as you are a vital part of our school community. Thank you for all you have done in partnership with us to make this school year so successful. It is critical that we all continue to wear face coverings and practice physical distancing and hand hygiene. These are the things we can and must do to minimize COVID-19 cases and exposure
God bless,
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I tested positive for the Coronavirus last weekend. I am having trouble even writing those words. The very thing I have been trying to protect myself from for almost a year has happened, and now I join a too-long list of the lives affected by this terrible pandemic. Thankfully, my case has been very mild, and I haven’t felt anything worse than just a particularly bad head cold. And as I write this today, my period of isolation is at an end, and I look forward to returning to school next week.
For me, this past week has been incredibly complicated because of another health issue I have been dealing with for the past year and a half. I need a hip replacement, and I was originally scheduled for that surgery in mid-November. However, because of the surge in Coronavirus cases that happened at the same time, my surgery was cancelled. So, I was rescheduled for this past Tuesday, February 2. But when I tested positive last weekend, my surgery was cancelled yet again. As of today, we are going to try and get it done on March 2. The “gear up, prepare and then have it called off” energy in my life has been exhausting, especially as I try hard to maintain a quality of presence in my ministry at both BK and the Diocese in the midst of both physical pain and uncertain plans.
I share this with all of you primarily because I have felt such a sharp distinction between these physical challenges, and the spiritual blessings and graces that I feel have been gifted to me at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some dark and depressing days in the last few months, but overall I can say how happy, confirmed, contented and fulfilled I am here in Boise, and at BK. Much of this blessing has come directly from the wonderful people that God has placed in my life here in Boise. My brother Jesuits, Fr. Manh Tran and Kyle Baker, have been extraordinarily generous in offering to care for me post surgery, and we have worked out how we can live together as safely as possible with a COVID-positive person in the house. Two separate times, my colleagues at BK have signed up to bring dinners to us for the first two weeks after my surgery, only to be asked to reschedule that generosity. And my students have simply and gracefully just “rolled with the punches,” whether I am teaching from home via Zoom, or if there is a Substitute in my class. I miss them terribly when I am not able to be there physically, and I know that we are praying for one another through all of the uncertainty and madness of this time in all of our lives.
Jesus made an unbreakable connection between what it means to love God, and what it means to love one another. His preaching and His ministry showed that the two are really sides of the same coin -- with one, the other is stronger, and without one, the other is impossible. My experience this year in being loved and supported by students, colleagues, brother Jesuits and so many others has led me to a deepening of my love of God and devotion to His Kingdom. I am painfully aware that for so many, the tragedies of this time have led in the opposite direction -- to question God’s love and care for us. My prayer is that when we struggle, we might have generous and faithful people close, and whether they say God’s name or not, we might know of their support. Of course, the companion prayer is that we might look for the ample opportunities around us to give support, care, encouragement and faith to someone who is struggling right now, and that precisely through this mutual care, our love for God might grow stronger, and our belief in God’s love for us might grow deeper. This is our common Christian calling, in both good times and bad, in times of both tragedy as well as joy. May God shower this BK community with the grace of mutual support and encouragement, and may we each be very grateful when that grace is shared with us.
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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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Alex Bloom
Faith, Community
Alex filmed and edited a Catholic School Week video for the Diocese. His time and talents are truly a blessing to the community! Thank you, Alex, for your commitment to our Catholic Schools!
Chase Minert
Academic Excellence
Chase is a wonder kid in Spanish! He is incredibly intelligent and you only have to tell him once and he's got it! He is a hard worker and, to my knowledge, has never turned anything in late. Chase is a rock and I know I can always go to him for the correct answer. He isn't afraid to ask questions when he doesn't understand something and is always willing to raise his hand and contribute to the class. He is in a class by himself!
Ellen Strom
Community
Ellen is a force that pulls people together in class. She only speaks positively about those around her, and makes any group she's a part of shine. She's always lifting the spirits of others!
BK Staff of the Week
Mrs. Rosemarie Berhan
Community
Mrs. Berhan is amazing. She has had one of the most difficult jobs this year with managing substitute requests. Oftentimes, she will get last minute notifications that a teacher is sick and she is the one responsible for making sure someone is in the classroom to fill in. This is a huge responsibility and it hasn't been easy this year. Somehow through it all, Mrs. Berhan does her work with a genuine smile on her face every, single, day! She is always going the extra mile to help out and make sure everyone is taken care of. She is a true gift to BK and we are so lucky to have her as one of the first faces you see when you come to BK. Thanks for being such a rockstar Mrs. Berhan!
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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@27eie.com. |
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2021 - 2022 Registration for New and Existing Students |
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It is time to register for the 2021 - 2022 school year!
For our existing families with no new students, you should have received an email from TADS, our tuition management website, to start your new tuition agreement. These emails should have arrived in your mailbox on Tuesday the 19th.
If you have a new student to register, you can save yourself a bunch of time this year! If you log into your Infinite Campus portal, your family's information will already be filled out. You just need to provide your new student's birth certificate, immunization records, report card/transcript and course request form. To access this, log into the portal (at campus.bk.org) then click on "More" in the left menu, then click on 'Online Registration". Then just follow the directions from there.
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Parents are the Solution
Tips for Helping your High School Student Make the
Transition from Childhood to Adulthood
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Click infographic to download and print.
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Boise State University Scholarship Opportunity |
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Applicants must:
- have an entry-level GPA of at least 3.0
- declare a major in the College of Art and Sciences
- be enrolled as a full-time (12+ credits) BSU student.
If your son or daughter meets the criteria, their Boise State application must be submitted by February 15 AND they must complete the general scholarship application by that date in order to be automatically considered in the applicant pool.
This is a significant, renewable, award (if criteria continues to be met). Although it is titled as the "Mary Ellen Callanan Literature Scholarship", it is not necessary to be an English or Lit Major, but the major must definitely be part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Award recipient will be notified in May.
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Fall Semester report cards and unofficial transcripts are now available in Infinite Campus under "documents" |
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The Fraser Library Newsletter is back! Click here to read our latest endeavors into Winter Book Bingo, Sora ebooks, and much more!
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Senior Parents - Please Tell Us About Your Student's Scholarship Offers |
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Senior Parents:
As students receive notification of scholarships, please send a copy of the award letter to kshockey@bk.org. We will use this information to compile our program for graduation. We will never post individual amounts but it is needed information for class statistics. Please submit all awards, regardless of the student's final college selection. Thank you! |
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Softball
Girls interested in softball who haven’t already been in contact with Coach Nichols should stop by room 514 and announce their interest. Tryouts are coming up Feb. 26-27. We are warming up our throwing arms and our hitting legs in the Hitting Facility every Wednesday at 3:15. We would love to see you there!
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How to Get into National Honor Society at BK |
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NHS considers four areas in accepting members: character, leadership, scholarship, and service. Students have two chances for acceptance into NHS at BK: after the first semester of junior year and at the start of senior year.
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Spring Break 2022, Peru Trip |
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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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We Need Winter Photos for the Yearbook! |
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The yearbook staff is collecting pictures of students enjoying winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, etc. Anything "wintery" works!
Please email pictures to bishopkellyyearbook@gmail.com or through Instagram @bkyrbook. Photos need to be submitted by January 25th. Thanks for you help!
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College and Career Center |
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Virtual College Visits at BK
Coming Soon!
College and Career Fairs
THINK Careers Fair February 11, 2021
THINK Careers is an interactive virtual career exploration event sponsored by GEAR UP Idaho and Junior Achievement of Idaho. THINK Careers provides the opportunity for Idaho's students (ages 13 and older) to learn about career options available in Idaho and beyond. This event is FREE and packed full of exciting features!
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, Feb. 28: 1-7 p.m. ET
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 West + Southwest Saturday, February 6
BigFuture Days Southeast Tuesday, February 23
BigFuture Days Northeast Sunday, March 7
BigFuture Days Midwest Thursday, March 11
Scholarships
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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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In order for us to gather accurate attendance, please make sure you are providing documentation if your student is out for a COVID-19 related reason.
COVID-19 Absences (marked CO) are for students who test positive, and/or are quarantined for COVID-19 as a close contact.
If your students has tested for COVID-19:
If the test is positive - please provide documentation so that we can mark the absences as a COVID-19 (CO) Absence/Exempt Absence.
If the test is negative - please provide documentation so that we can mark the absences as a Doctor DR) Excused/Exempt Absence.
If your student will be absent for any reason, please notify the Attendance office via email by 9:30 AM. attendance@bk.org
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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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