Weekly Family Communication

The mission of Holy Rosary School is to help each child discover and fully develop their God-given talents. As a Catholic School community, we strive for excellence in our students’ spiritual, academic, physical, mental, aesthetic, and social-emotional growth. It is our intention that those who attend this institution mature into active citizens leading a committed faith life and reaching out to help others locally, nationally, and internationally with their wisdom, time, talent, and financial resources.

Dear Holy Rosary Families,

As I write this message, I hear the bells ringing as a call to Mass which reminds me that today is Father Charles' last day with us. It has been a joy having him with us during Father Oakland's absence. His faith-filled presence and spirit will remain with us for a long time! We will welcome Father Oakland back in a few weeks!

I want to share with you updates on staffing as we plan for next year. We currently have four open positions posted. If you know of anyone interested, or you may be interested yourself, please reach out to me. David Schreck, longtime 5th grade homeroom teacher, will retire at the end of this year. Julia Beck, our PACE music teacher, will move out of state as she completes the end of her two year training program. We're also filling two positions in our preschool as we add a school day PreK classroom next year. We'll be hiring for an additional lead teacher and filling an aid position in preschool that opens up as Ashlee Dollar leaves the position in our preschool. We are grateful for the contributions of all of these staff members and will have time to fittingly celebrate them later this year. In the meantime, if you know of anyone who may be interested, send them my way!

In Christ,

Anna

Lenten Activities to Help you and your Family Grow in Faith

Visual reminders can help to encourage good deeds!
*Use salt dough and roll it into a circle. Before it dries, stick in toothpicks to represent the crown of thorns. Then anytime you catch your kid(s) being extra good, helping someone else, or otherwise making a sacrifice, have them pull out a ‘thorn’. The idea is to teach that our sins/thorns hurt Jesus, but good deeds and sacrifices remove those thorns.
*Fill a small bowl with dry beans. Set an empty jar beside it. Then as you see your children being good, helping others, etc., they can move a bean from the bowl to the jar. Then on Easter Sunday, you can replace the dry beans with jelly beans as a reward for their good deeds!

Family Prayer Time
* Try adding daily prayer time in your home or add the Rosary one day each week.

This week Kindergarten through 4th grade are discussing love and empathy. Some of the key factors we discuss are the importance of loving yourself, being proud of yourself, and caring for others. Some of the students did an activity where they wrote down love as experienced through their 5 senses. Love sometimes shows up in the small things. I love their creativity.

In 5th-8th grade this month, we are continuing to partner with #WinatSocial and delving into Finding Your Influencers. Please continue to reach out with any questions, mchoitz@holyrosaryws.org.

• Feb 23rd - 8th Grade Pizza Lunch
  
• Feb 24th - Crab Feed
• Mar 8th - Noon Dismissal, Teacher-In-Service
• Mar 20th - Parens Club Meeting
• Mar 29th - Noon Dismissal
• Apr 1st-5th - Spring Break

Friday is an 8th Grade Pizza Lunch Day!

Throughout the school year, sometimes kids grow and uniforms get a bit too small/short. If your child is in need of new sizes, you can reach out to the office (NannetteBuroker@gmail.com) and we'll see what we have in stock in the uniform closet. Please help us to make sure that skirts, skorts, jumpers and shorts. are not too short (at a minimum must be longer than fingertips when extended, but preferably no less than 3" above the kneecap). Detailed information about the uniform and dress code can also be found in the family handbook.

With parties coming up for Valentine's Day, it's a good time to review the policy about taking pictures at school. During parties, events, and field trips, and while volunteering, parents and guardians are welcome to take pictures of their child(ren). Volunteers who are not parents/guardians should not take pictures of students while volunteering at school. Due to the sensitive nature of social media, if other students appear in any group shots, parents are strongly encouraged to seek permission from other parents/guardians before posting these pictures online or sharing them publicly.

We have many skirts, skorts and jumpers up for grabs. If you need any item from the Uniform Closet please contact Nannette at: NannetteBuroker@gmail.com

Currently we are getting requests for red cardigans, cadet jackets and sweatshirts. Please continue to turn in uniform items so the uniform closet can fulfill student requests. Thank you for those families who have turned in outgrown and unused uniforms.

We will take up a special collection on five Fridays during Lent to support Father Dunstan and his school in Kenya. You may remember Father Dunstan who was with us for a school Mass in January and who celebrated Christmas Masses with us. Father Dunstan has a school in Kenya and they are trying to build a kitchen in order to keep their food safe from animals to feed their students. Our students will get to learn more about this in class. On these Fridays in Lent (2/23, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, and 3/22) students may come to school in free dress if they bring in a donation (minimum $1) to support this important need in Kenya. We strongly encourage students to earn the $1 each week doing some act of service around their home. This way they will connect their own service to their almsgiving. Students may come in uniform on these days if they choose not to participate, and please no free dress passes these Fridays.

We will continue our tradition of supporting a local men's shelter in Seattle, St. Martin de Porres. We will take up collections as follows (optional as well, but encourage participation if possible). We will deliver the donations from our school to St. Martins each of these Fridays.

Fri. February 23rd:

Last Names A-L: Brown Bag Lunches (perishable OK)

Last Names M-Z: Large and small bath towels (gently used, if clean and unstained are OK)

Fri. March 1st:

Last Names A-L: Disposable razors and shaving cream (travel size)

Last Names M-Z: Brown Bag Lunches (perishable OK)

Friday, March 8th:

Last Names A-L: Brown Bag Lunches (perishable OK)

Last Names M-Z: Travel toothbrushes/toothpaste

Fri. March 15th:

Last Names A-L: Men's socks

Last Names M-Z: Brown Bag Lunches (perishable OK)

Fri. March 22nd:

Last Names A-L: Men's deodorant (regular or travel sized) or Brown Bag Lunches (perishable OK)

Last Names M-Z: Men's deodorant (regular or travel sized) or Brown Bag Lunches (perishable OK)

Bring your Thriftway receipts to the school office. For every purchase, Thiftway will donate to Holy Rosary.

Registration has closed for the dinner.

Volunteer opportunities still available for the 6-8pm serving shift. You will receive DOUBLE HOURS. Sign up here. Thank you to those in our community that have already signed up!

All King crab donated by the Tucci-Ringstad Family and American Sea Ranchers, LLC

Thank you to those that completed the fundraising survey in December. After reviewing the results, a few questions arose. Over the next month, answers to these questions will be in the efc.

Matching Funds

Q: Is HRS eligible for matching gifts?

A: Some companies match cash donations that are donated to registered 501 (c) 3 organizations. HRS is a subordinate organization of Holy Rosary Church and tax exempt under the tax identification number 91-0567736.

Q: How do I know if my company matches funds?

A: You may check with your HR Department or go to this web site.

Q: What are volunteer matching funds?

A: Some companies match hours you volunteer at a registered 501 (c) 3 organization. You may check with your HR Department or go to this web site.

Q: Why take the time to complete the paperwork? Can’t HRS do it for me?

A: Matching funds take a minimal amount of time to complete and HRS receives “free” money. Unfortunately, most companies require the employee to login to a secure portal on the employer web site and therefore HRS does not have access.

Q: What does HRS do with matching funds?

A: Matching funds are deposited in the account the original donation was made to. For example: a cash donation made to the auction, then the matching funds goes towards auction income.

Q: When is the best time to submit matching funds?

A: Donations may be made at any time to HRS. Some companies require matching funds to be submitted within a certain timeframe. Please check with your company’s timeline.

Q: If I made a cash donation as my auction procurement commitment is that eligible to be matched?

A: Yes, all cash donations are eligible. You may submit the receipt received at time of donation or contact Beth Martin (bmartin@holyrosaryws.org) to have your receipt resent.

Dine out at West Wings to support HRS. West Wings will donate back 25% of your purchase for eat-in or take-out from 5-9pm on the following Thursdays:

February 29th

First Tuesday of the month (see dates below) is HRS night at The Good Society! Grab a pint and a bite at The Good Society and 25% of your sale goes to HRS. Social time, great beer and fundraising for HRS…it’s a WIN-WIN! Be sure to mention you are there to support Holy Rosary!

***March 5th***April 2nd***May 7th***June 4th***

Please spread the word that we have a few spaces open in our Preschool 2s class (age 2.5 by Aug. 31st)! holyrosaryws.org

Thank you to all the families who completed re-enrollment for 24/25! We will be starting student visits this month for prospective students applying to enroll next year.

The Parent’s Club is seeking volunteers for the Crab Dinner on Saturday, February 24th. There are three shifts available, sign up for one shift or all three! All volunteers MUST be SAFE ENVIRONMENT cleared.

Set-Up: 3pm - 6pm

Event Assistance: 6pm - 8pm

Clean-Up: 8pm - 10pm

Sign up here!

There is an opening on the Parent's Club Exec Board for a Treasurer for the rest of the 2024 - 2023 school year as well as the 2024 - 2025 school year.

Responsibilities: Managing the Parent's Club funds (can be done from home on your own schedule); Attend monthly (Zoom) Meetings with the rest of the Parent's Club Exec Board; Assist at Parent's Club sponsored events; and for the 2024-2025 school year, lead at least one Parent's Club sponsored event.

More Details: The outgoing Treasurer will be available to train you on how to manage the funds, so you will work under her for this year, and take the lead next year.

Volunteer Hours: Automatic 15 hours for this year, and an automatic 25 hours for next year.

If interested, please contact: Nicole Chastain at nicole.chastain@gmail.com

Glow Bowl is back this year on Friday, May 17th!! We're looking for volunteers to help with planning and/or day of event logistics/set-up. No prior Glow Bowl experience necessary. Please contact parentsclub@holyrosaryws.org if interested.

Holy Rosary is partnering with OLG and other Seattle-area parishes to participate in the South Deanery Day of Service on Saturday April 27th, 2024. This is one amazing day where volunteers perform service for over 20 charities with projects designed for all ages, abilities, and schedules, including drop-in campus projects and at-home projects.

Holy Rosary Parents Club is looking for a volunteer (or group of volunteers!) to help lead HRS’s participation in this amazing event. Commitment would include 1 planning meeting per month with the multi-parish team and coordination of HRS-specific communications and campus service project. Earn school volunteer hours and serve the community! Win-Win! Interested? Contact Lee Quirk (leeaquirk@gmail.com) for more info.

To volunteer at any school or parish events, individuals need to be Safe Environment cleared (includes a background check). Please login below and select the Protecting God’s Children class.

Steps:
1. Log in to the Virtus web site
2. Create an account
3. Select Archdiocese of Seattle from the dropdown
4. Then select Holy Rosary Seattle

If you are interested in having your child baptized, please email Deyette at Deyette Swegle. You may also complete our Baptism Registration form by using this link, https://holyrosaryseattle.org/infant-baptism-registration.

Please contact Deyette Swegle at Dswegle@holyrosaryseattle.org or 206-937-1488, ext. 251.

Please contact Sr. Stella at srstella@holyrosaryseattle.org or call 206-937-1488 ext. 252.

Please contact Sr. Stella for more information at srstella@holyrosaryseattle.orgor call 206-937-1488 ext. 252.

Please contact us at evangelization@holyrosaryseattle.org

We offer Children’s Liturgy of the Word year round at Sunday 10:30am Mass.

• Parish Children’s Choir YouthChoir! (Grades 3-6) | Holy Rosary Catholic Church | Seattle, WA (holyrosaryseattle.org)
• Altar Serving (5th -High school)–email Paul Dolejsi at Pdolejsi@holyrosaryseattle.org for more information.

Please contact us at evangelization@holyrosaryseattle.org.

Want to play the fastest game on two feet? Southwest Lacrosse Club's Spring 2024 Registration is open for Kindergarten through 8th grade. Players of all skill levels and experience are welcome to play. Practice starts for 3rd graders and older in February, with games beginning in March. As part of our ongoing mission to make lacrosse accessible to all who want to play, the club offers financial aid and scholarships based on family need. Loaner equipment is also available. Let's Go Titans!

Links: https://swlacrosseclub.org/

West Seattle Little League will offer Baseball, Softball, and Challenger programs; registration is now open!

West Seattle Little League Spring 2024 registration is now open for all youth ages 4-14.

The WSLL baseball and softball spring season will run from March to June, featuring fun activities like the jamboree, sandlot days, and end-of-the-season bash. Interested to know more details? Check out westseattlelittleleague.com to find information about boundaries and divisions of play.

Each year, we want to make sure all kids have the opportunity to write the next chapter in the Little League story, regardless of their situation. No child will be denied a chance to play due to financial reasons. If you need a full or partial scholarship, please visit our Scholarship page for more info. We are dedicated to finding a confidential financial solution for families.

We look forward to seeing you on the field!

We are pleased to let you know that registration is now open for HNA Summer Camps 2024. These camps are open to young women entering Grades 4 through 8, and to any student starting Grade 9 at HNA in the Fall. We offer Athletic Camps (all skill levels welcome) and a wide variety of Special Interest Camps. More details are available on our website

Dates: June 24 through July 26 with the exception of July 4th and 5th

We offer a 5 week academic summer school program with certificated teachers and Instructional Assistants. It is not a summer camp. It’s an all or none program in order for students to make the most gains academically.

Summer School registration is open to all students currently attending a Catholic school. Your own school uniform is the required dress code. All students who apply must come with a positive, cooperative attitude ready to learn. Your child’s teacher/principal will supply us with Spring MAP Student Progress Reports along with recommendations for areas of focus during summer school.

· St. George Parents will be charged through Finalsite on June 17th.

· Non St. George parents who wish to enroll his/her children are required to attend a Parent Education Night on Tuesday, June 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the school hall. ALL FEES are due in full that night. Payable by cash, money order or cashier’s check. No personal checks will be accepted. Summer School requirements and expectations will be clarified. See our Flyer for more information.

Our Blanchet Buddies program offers an opportunity for local grade school students to be paired with a Blanchet junior or senior, in specific areas of interest. For this spring, we are offering Buddies in Boys Soccer, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball and Drama . As part of the program, buddies receive a monthly letter during the season, a Bears jersey/sweatshirt, and the opportunity to attend a practice and game night or event to get to know their buddy. Spring Blanchet Buddies registration opened January 26. Please visit bishopblanchet.org/buddies for more information. Go Bears and Go Buddies!

BBHS families - please share this with your friends and family! Soak in the summer fun at Bishop Blanchet! Registration is now open for in-person camps in athletics, academics, and the arts at BBHS.

• Multiple Athletics Camps run throughout the summer

• The Discovery Learning Camp (gr 5-8) runs August 12-16.

• The BBHS Study Skills Camp (gr 5-8) runs August 12-15.

• The Musical Theatre Camp (gr 5-8) runs August 19-22.

Seattle Preparatory School: Summer Prep

www.seaprep.org/summer-learning

Summer Prep is for rising 5th-8th grade students

Summer Prep Week 1: June 17, June 18, June 20, June 21

Summer Prep Week 2: June 24 – June 27

Registration Link: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/SeattlePreparatorySchool?season=3441639

2024 Summer Art Camps are being offered next door at Hope North. All rising first through sixth graders at HRS are welcome to attend. Dates: July 8-11 and July 15-18. We may also offer a third week of art camp in August - stay tuned! Each camp offers a totally new and unique set of projects. These camps are taught by former HRS art teacher, Lacey Reuter. More info and registration here: www.rainbowparrotart.com (This is not a Holy Rosary School program).