BK Alive
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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Important Upcoming Dates
July 18 -19 - Red Cross Blood Drive at Bishop Kelly
August 5 - 7 - Alumni Reunion Weekend for the Classes of 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012.
Monday, August 8 - First day of fall sports.
August 8 and 9 - Freshman Academy (See below for details.)
Wednesday, August 10 - New Student Academy for New Students enrolled in Grades 10-12
Monday, August 15 - Registration Day for ALL BK Students
Tuesday, August 16 - Classes resume for the 2022 - 2023 School Year
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Dear BK Community,
This is my final opportunity to speak directly to the BK Community through this BK Alive letter. Next Friday, July 1st, our new BK president, Bill Avey, will take over this communication, working with our Principal, Mike Caldwell, and our Director of Communications and Marketing, Katie Hays.
It has been a wonderful journey these past 12 years. There are no words that can express how sincerely grateful I am for the privilege of working with you, this BK community of parents, students, faculty and staff.
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Inspired by the BK Community |
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I could not be more grateful, proud and inspired than I have been these past 11 days since the passing of Braden Caldwell and Henry Warner. This community has demonstrated in both words and actions our BK Way culture. We have led with our faith, love, and our belief that Jesus Christ is our ultimate teacher and role model (read Fr. Vance’s homily from Wednesday’s Prayer Service below); we have shown that the BK community is an incredibly caring and compassionate place; we demonstrated time and time again that our generosity knows no bounds; and, in so many ways, we have exhibited that we are a community that comes together in times of need to support each other. Thank you.
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It has been an honor, privilege and blessing to be part of this beautiful community of students, teachers, staff, parents, and alumni.
I said earlier that it is hard to express in words just how sincerely grateful I am. But allow me to try. Thank you to our outstanding faculty, staff, and administrative team, especially our principal, Mike Caldwell. Working together as a BK team with our community, we have accomplished so much in the past 12 years.
I am grateful for the incredible students we are honored to serve and the parents who chose to send them to Bishop Kelly. They have made me smile and laugh, they have inspired me, they have given me great hope for the future, and they have kept me young at heart.
Thank you to our parents, alumni, benefactors, the BK Foundation, and our community for your generosity and the gifts of your time, talent and treasure. You enabled us to transform our campus, to keep BK affordable, and to navigate our way successfully through the pandemic with in person learning.
Finally, I am grateful to my wife, Georgiann, for being by my side in this role for the past 12 years after “retiring” from HP. It has been a true partnership and without her wisdom, counsel, and support, I could not have done this job.
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The past months I have often been asked what’s next for me, for us, and for BK. First, for me, I need to learn to say “no” to new commitments, especially during the first year of retirement. I really want to get this retirement thing right this time around.
For Georgiann and me, we will focus on spending more time together and with our 3 children, 2 grandchildren, extended family and friends. No big trips planned as of yet for us. We plan to spend more time in McCall, I will play more golf, we will take more hikes together, and we will travel some in the fall and spring. We are not moving from this wonderful place we have called home for 43 years and will stay involved in our community through service on the St. Luke’s Health System Board, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, LED and other community organizations. And we look forward to seeing you at a BK game, music concert or play in the coming year.
And, for BK, I am very excited about our new President, Bill Avey. I have every confidence that he will be a fantastic president of BK. He will bring his many talents, gifts, and passion for Catholic education and BK to this role. Please give Bill and the BK team your unwavering support as you have me. And BK will get even better and stronger into the future.
Final Thoughts
Please stay in touch. My personal email is richraimondi@gmail.com. I treasure the relationships we have built and nurtured over the past 12 years. Keep me posted on your lives, whether you are a student, parent, or faculty/staff member. Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way to you. And, finally, please keep Georgiann and me in your prayers as we will keep you in ours.
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Rich Raimondi
President
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A Note of Gratitude from the Caldwell and Warner Families |
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To our amazing community of friends and family,
To say the last ten or so days has been incredibly difficult would be a massive understatement. Our families have experienced every parent’s worst nightmare and are still reeling and trying to make sense of this new reality. The sudden loss of our boys is not something we are “trying to get through”, yet is something we are slowly learning to recalibrate and adjust to a new reality that we’d never imagined or ever wanted to imagine.
With all that being said, there have been so many moments and inspiration in the last week and a half that have helped give us the strength to take the next breath and to get to the next moment. Our own nuclear families and extended families have instantly become closer in new ways which has given us tremendous strength as we’ve leaned on each other through the swells of grief that come and go. Our own rich memories of Braden and Henry help us feel a great sense of pride and love for the beautiful young men that they are and in the fullness that they lived in each day. Our individual faith in God continues to give us hope and peace that the current pain is temporary and that our boys are surrounded by His love and mercy. Finally, the incredible love, support and thousands of prayers and acts of compassion we’ve felt and experienced from our amazing Bishop Kelly, St. Ignatius and the broader community has truly been overwhelming.
It would be nearly impossible to individually thank each of you that have reached out to offer condolences and prayers, or that have shared wonderful stories of our boys, provided food for our families, provided homes for traveling family members, have given to our respective charities in their honor or have participated in one way or another in the various services that have honored their lives. Words fail to express the fullness of our gratitude and the immense pride we feel in being part of such a tremendous community. From the deepest parts of our hearts, thank you for your continued love and support for our families in this difficult time in our lives. We are humbled, honored and eternally grateful to have you in our lives.
With Love and Gratitude,
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Mike, Amy, Ashton and Saige Caldwell |
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Kevin, Robin and Ellen Warner |
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Reflection from Father Vance |
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We have had several requests for a written transcript of Father Vance's Homily from the Prayer Service we held in Our Lady's Garden for Braden and Henry. The transcript is below, we hope it offers some peace and healing for our school community.
PRAYER SERVICE FOR BRADEN CALDWELL AND HENRY WARNER
JUNE 15, 2022
I love this ministry of Chaplain to our school, but today I know that I can’t answer the question that each of us is asking. We want to know: why? Why were such young and promising lives taken so suddenly? This is a question that cannot be answered with human logic or words. The Football team has an acronym that applies well to us today, and can help us even when our words fail. It is W.I.N., which stands for What’s Important Now. I just have three things to remind us about what is important right now for us to focus on, share with one another, and experience in this terrible and tragic moment for all of us.
Grief and mourning tend to make us feel alone and isolated, so this impulse we have today to come together is a holy and sacred thing. We are not individuals; we are rather a community of family, church and school. The desire to come together as a community mirrors the God we all worship in both good times and hard times, who we believe is also a community of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That Divine Community of Persons mourned the death of the Son on the Cross, and God mourns with us today as well. The Trinity knows loss and tragedy, and so when we gather, we mirror on earth the reality of our God in heaven. Within this community of BK, there are many who can help us and challenge us to keep our faith even in the midst of our sorrow. Your experience is valid and holy, whether it is grief, anger, sorrow or any combination of these. Please find someone else in this community to share with, to walk with and to support you in your grief. We gather today, and we will continue to gather, because sharing our grief as a community is easier than bearing it alone. Don’t be alone!
The truth of this moment is that we are hurting right now for one reason and one reason only. That is because we loved Braden and Henry. We don’t grieve people we didn’t love, and there is a deeply profound message in that. As difficult as it is to admit today, the truth of our faith is that love is primary and love is ultimate. We come into the world from love, and we leave the world to love. Allow me what seems like an awkward shift, but I want to talk about meatloaf for a minute. Do you know how, once a meatloaf is mixed together, there is no way to separate it again? You can no longer tell where the meat ends and breadcrumbs begin, or where the ketchup ends and the egg begins? This has been a central image of my spirit since my Father died in 2010, and it is something I try to explain to my Mother to help her with her grief at his loss. My internal meatloaf has the ingredients of gratitude and grief, and they are forever mixed together. It is impossible to separate these two things, and if I tried, I would end up losing both. So I am left with the knowledge that if I somehow was able to get rid of the grief, then I would lose the gratitude as well, and I am not willing to do that. I will live with my grief and my sorrow, because my gratitude and my love are so strong. That seems to be “the deal” in human life, and it might be your experience today as we grieve Braden and Henry.
Finally, I hope we can all remember that the very essence of Christian faith is the belief that God can turn every death into life. All we have to do is look at a crucifix to fix our hearts on this truth. This present moment is a “Good Friday” moment for us. It is a moment where we participate, in an intense and painful way, in the reality of the Cross. But we are an Easter people, and we cling to the truth that God brought Jesus forth from the tomb, and He wishes that same movement for us as well. There is no way to get to Easter Sunday without going through Good Friday first. And we remember that God is not constrained by time or space either. It may take us years, or for some even the rest of their lives, to make this movement from death to life, and that’s okay. Perhaps one of the central lessons of this life is that we will never reach our destination in this life. We are built for eternity, and that truth cannot be experienced in this life of mortality. But our faith in Jesus Christ keeps us striving, yearning, and strengthening one another in this truth. Remember the lessons of this faith in these difficult days, and hear the Easter promise of God in the Scriptures, in prayer and ritual, and especially in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.
What’s Important Now? To not be alone but to be a community, to recognize that love is risky but it is always worth it, and to deepen the lessons of our Christian faith in this moment of sorrow and pain. As hard as it is, we must give Braden and Henry back to God who gave them to us. We love each other and this community of BK, and we will do whatever we can to help and support each other. As the whole school says each morning during the class year: “Help me to see Jesus in others, and help others to see Jesus in me.”
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Red Cross Blood Drive at BK, July 18 & 19 |
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This is Grace Shirley and Gussie Tappen. We are rising seniors this year at BK. For our senior service project, we are partnering with the Red Cross to host a blood drive at Bishop Kelly on July 18th and 19th.
You can save up to 3 lives with one simple blood donation! There will be free snacks and T-shirts available for donors and this is a great way for students to get a head start on their volunteer hours! You must be 16 or older to donate. We are looking for regular blood donations as well as power red donations.
If you are interested in donating please click this link or visit RedCrossBlood.org, enter BKHS in the sponsor code, and choose either the July 18th or July 19th blood drive. If you have any questions please contact Grace Shirley at 208-991-8069, or gshirley@my.bk.org; or Gussie Tappen at 208-451-4777 or atappen@my.bk.org.
A few minutes out of your day could change someone's life!
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Important Information For Fall 2022 |
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New and Returning BK Families,
August may feel a long way off, but it will be here before we know it. There are several things you can do now in order to be prepared for Fall. We have created a dashboard of Important Information for Fall 2022 that tells you everything you need to know about Dress Code, Yearbook Orders, Fall Sports Information, BYOD Requirements, Bell Schedules, Freshman and New Student Academies, Bus Schedules, and so much more.
While we have highlighted some of those items below, the bulk of the information is on the Dashboard at BK.org. Please take some time over the next couple of weeks to visit the Dashboard and be prepared to start school in August.
Thank you!
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Freshman Academy is an opportunity for BK Freshmen to spend the day learning about what their next year will be like. Freshmen will get their schedules at New Student Academy, have their school yearbook photo taken for the year, make sure their laptops are on the BK Network, and much more.
Monday, August 8th – Freshman Academy for Incoming Freshmen with last names beginning with A-I, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Parents are invited to attend from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Tuesday, August 9th – Freshman Academy for Incoming Freshmen with last names beginning with J-Z, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Parents are invited to attend from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- School/Yearbook Photos will be taken at Freshman Academy
- All incoming Freshmen bring your fully charged laptop to Freshman Academy.
- Students must be in BK Dress Code for Freshman Academy
- Freshman Parents, please plan to attend Mass and Parent Orientation from 8:00-10:00 AM on the same day that your student attends Freshman Academy.
- Please arrive no later than 8:00 AM on your scheduled day. Students will report to the cafeteria, Parents will report to the Carley Athletic Center (Behind the main school building.) We will begin promptly at 8:15 AM.
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New Student Academy is an opportunity for new BK Students in Grades 10-12 to spend the day learning about what their next year will be like. Students will get their schedules at New Student Academy, make sure their laptops are on the BK Network, and much more.
Wednesday, August 10th – New Student Academy for ALL NEW BK Students in the 10th – 12th grades, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- All new students, bring your fully charged laptop to New Student Academy.
- Students must be in BK Dress Code for New Student Academy
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Dear parents,
Over the summer our school nurse will be contacting many of you to request either new, or updated information regarding health care concerns and individual plans for students with medical conditions which may affect them at school. This includes food or insect allergies, diabetes, etc. It is important that I have this information, as we strive to provide the safest environment possible for your student.
Thank you!
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Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Requirements |
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Bishop Kelly High School is a 1:1 technology school, meaning each student at Bishop Kelly has their own personal electronic device. There are many options to choose from, however, there are certain minimum requirements that will allow enrollment in all classes and the best possible education experience. Please read this list of technology requirements before your purchase a device for your student.
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Diploma Pick Up and Summer Office Hours |
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Bishop Kelly High School
Summer Office Hours
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday - Friday
GRADUATES - You have the following items available for pickup in the front office:
- A Class of 2022 Graduation Program
- Your Official High School Diploma
- A Professional Photo from Graduation, with the option to purchase additional prints.
- A Class of 2022 Composite Photo with pictures of all the graduates
These items can only be picked up by the graduate, or the parents of the graduate. You must come into the office and sign for the diploma.
PARENTS, if your student will be getting their driver's permit or turning 18 over the summer, please note you will need a Verification of Compliance (VOC) Letter from the Front Office before you go to the DMV.
Please plan ahead, so we have time to print the VOC. The DMV does not accept email or faxed copies.
This VOC Request Form is always on the BK website in the Forms Manager section under Forms and Documents for Current Students.
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Host Family Needed for BK Student |
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Looking for a host family for a new student from China. She will move from Washington in June and stay in Boise this summer. She will be a junior at BK this fall. Host fee is $800 or more upon discussion.
For questions or more information, please contact Ying Donegan @(208) 853-8542 or ying@7eie.com.
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Galapagos Islands Trip, Spring Break 2024 |
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It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce our new international trip to the Galapagos Islands during spring break in 2024. This trip is available for all current freshmen and sophomores as well as incoming freshmen. This is a Biology and a Spanish trip.
Interested students should come by Mr. Perea's room, #113. or ask any Spanish teacher or Biology teacher for a brochure and a recommendation form. You will need two recommendations from two different teachers. The investment for this once-in-a-lifetime trip is $4500. Please visit our website to learn more about this amazing trip. explorica.com/Perea‐80 Please email me if you have further questions. We will have an information meeting soon. mperea@bk.org
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College Application Accelerator for Seniors
Wednesday, August 3rd from 9:00 AM – Noon for ALL Seniors
This is a three hour course to help incoming seniors get a fast track on college applications, scholarships and college essays. All seniors are strongly encouraged to attend.
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Bishop Kelly is currently taking applications for the following positions for the 2022-2023 academic school year.
Part Time Biology Teacher
Kitchen Assistant
Activities Bus Driver
Substitute Teachers
For more information and to apply, please visit the Employment Page on BK.org. |
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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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