Dear Families,
Pre-K Expansion for Fall of 2022
During the admissions season we have had overwhelming requests from families to enroll their child in Pre-K. After discussions with the Archdiocese of Seattle, Father Gary, JT, Mrs. Blank and I have determined that a 2nd Pre-K classroom is needed for the additional families and students that will be coming to St. Louise. In order to expand to two classrooms and meet licensing requirements, we will move the entire program into the St. Louise Room, transforming it into a new, improved space. We are planning to have the project completed and ready to kick off for the 2022-2023 School Year this Fall. We will be kicking off the expansion of the Pre-K program at the auction with a “Fund the Future” fundraiser during the Live bidding. More information will be sent out by Laura Bonner, our School Auction Chair. What an exciting time and opportunity for the St. Louise community to grow for years to come.
Register to Attend Now! – Saturday, April 9th, 2022 – St. Louise “Shine Bright” Auction
The school auction is less than 3 weeks away and we are so excited to have the auction live and in person at the Westin this year. Auction Chair, Laura Bonner and her auction committee have been working hard in preparing for our fun event to help raise money for our school. If you have not signed up for the auction, we would love to have you join us and sign up NOW at the following link:
Auction Sign Up . Thank you for your support of our school, faculty, staff, students, and families. We look forward to seeing you on April 9th. If you have any questions about the auction, please contact Laura Bonner at auction@stlouiseschool.org
Update on School Personnel
I would like to announce that we have hired a part-time Development Director. Her name is Amanda Adkins and she will be closely working with our Auction Chair, Laura Bonner and the school administration team. She will be working hard the next few weeks between the auction office and development office getting accustomed to her new role in our school. Please stop by either office to introduce yourself to her. Below is some background information about Amanda Adkins:
Amanda Adkins hails from New York City and has lived in Seattle for the last 8 years. Her experience is in marketing, advertising sales, and project management for both traditional and digital spaces. In recent years, she has worked as an event marketing consultant for Microsoft's exclusive executive summits. Amanda has worked for companies such as MTV, A&E Television Networks and the luxury resort Canyon Ranch. Over the years, Amanda has volunteered many hours to her children's Catholic school in Wallingford, Seattle and believes in the power of a Catholic school education. Amanda is excited to step into the role of Development Director and apply her experience to build and strengthen the community at St. Louise. In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and her three kiddos, Ainsley (12), Sienna (10) and James (4).
Realizing we still have over three months remaining in this current school year, it's time to make some plans for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. With that is the realization that as I start at this time to re-sign teachers and staff to return next year, I also start receiving disappointing news from a few employees who have to put in their notice that they won't be returning. Even though getting word from faculty members that they are moving on or moving elsewhere is a typical, annual occurrence, it is still always upsetting.
Two of our teachers have already notified me of plans for 2022-23 that unfortunately will not involve working at St. Louise School. Here is how Dr. Karen Cole, our Junior High Science Teacher and Mrs. Val Cervantes, our 5th grade teacher for the past 6 years, would like to inform you of their departures, effective this summer:
Karen Cole:
“I am writing to you with a grateful heart and to announce that I will be leaving St. Louise at the end of this school year to start a new chapter in my life—Retirement!
Little did I know when I started teaching at St. Louise in 2001 where that journey would lead and the many wonderful students, parents, and colleagues I would have the privilege of knowing.
There have been several turns along the path as my teaching duties shifted from the early years as the K-5 Computer Specialist to my current role as 7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher and 6th Grade Technology Specialist. The challenges of this road have taught me much about creativity, flexibility, and resiliency as well as strengthening my admiration and appreciation for the wonderful fellow educators and administrators who supported me along the way.
Another special memory that will always remain close to my heart was leading the St. Louise Chorale. Hearing the voices of our students raised in songs of prayer and praise touched many other hearts as well. Although Covid paused that activity, I am hopeful for the return of this ministry opportunity once it is deemed safe.
St. Louise has become my 2nd family and while it will be difficult to leave this job, I plan to remain part of the school community as a substitute teacher and volunteer. So, I won’t say good-bye, but “See you soon”. – Thank you and many blessings to all, Karen Cole"
Val Cervantes:
“As many of you know, my husband and I are expecting our first child this upcoming September. Words cannot describe the level of excitement and joy this news has filled us with. However, after a lot of prayer, we have decided that the best choice for our family is to move back to Iowa. This is where we are both from and our families still live. It is such a bittersweet decision to leave Seattle and this amazingly supportive and caring St. Louise community. After six years of teaching fifth-grade, St. Louise has truly become my second home and it will be difficult to leave this blessed place. I look forward to my next chapter, but St. Louise will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for all of your prayers, love, and support throughout the years.” - Love, Mrs. Val Cervantes
We will greatly miss these two wonderful teachers! We'll recognize them at our end-of-year liturgy in June. I will soon be publicly posting the openings for their positions, in the hopes of continuing our tradition of bringing quality instructors and caring Christians on our faculty. If you know of qualified teachers, please have them contact me.
Nominations Needed
We have wonderful volunteers at St. Louise School, and each June we honor 3 of them with the Volunteer Extraordinaire Awards. I am asking both you and the faculty to nominate volunteers to be considered for this award. Nominees should have a history of dedicated, positive volunteering for the St. Louise School community. Past recipients of the award include: Rebecca Nightingale, Joni Hoffman, and Ingrid Flaat. Do you have a fellow parent(s) to nominate? If so, please send your nomination to Mr. Fuerte, along with an explanation of why the person deserves to be considered. Thanks for your help!
Blessings for the Lenten Season!
Mike Fuerte