Weekly Family Communication

Dear Holy Rosary Families,

As we near the break, I want to wish you all a blessed conclusion to Advent and a prayerful Christmas filled with love, hope, and joy. May the blessings of Christ fill your homes, and may we remember those most in need during these holy days. We pray that the God of hope fills the coming year with abundant blessings.

We will see you in January!

In Christ,

Anna

The Darkest day of the Year

It will be the darkest day of the year on Dec 21 (winter solstice) and also the 4th week of Advent. As we celebrate Jesus, our light, coming into the world, let’s think of ways we can be a light in the world during this dark time.

• Working or donating at a food bank
• Visiting an elderly neighbor
• Bringing Christmas cookies to a friend
• Spreading cheer with a positive attitude

• Dec 18th - K-8 Christmas Program (6pm)
  
• Dec 19th - Noon Dismissal
• Dec 22nd-Jan2 - Christmas Break
• Jan 5th - School Resumes
• Jan 19th - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2025/26 School Calendars

Students have been working hard to prepare for the whole school (K-8) Christmas Program the evening of December 18th. We ask all families to bring your children and stay the entire time. Families will drop off for the Christmas program between 5:30 and 5:45 on Thursday, December 18th in your child's classroom. The program starts at 6pm. It'll be livestreamed as well, if you want to send the link along to family and friends.

Thank you to all who helped with the Tree Lot! I am pleased to share that anything left behind that was not blown away, is in the office waiting to be claimed by it's rightful owner! Please reach out to

me if you are missing a jacket! klawson@holyrosaryws.org.

Thank you for your support of our diaper drive. We are blessed to have such a generous community.

Last call for Lost and Found. All items will be taken to a charity on Thursday Dec. 18. All unmarked uniforms will be donated to the used uniform closet. If you are missing an item please reach out to Karla at klawson@holyrosaryws.org or stop in to check the table.

This week's big storm is a reminder that we can sometimes have weather that will necessitate closing school or starting late. In case of a need to close school or have a late start due to the weather, we will notify families as early as possible. Keep an eye on the West Seattle Blog, Facebook, and on our website. We will also send an email to all families notifying you of any closures or late starts. If we start late, there will be no AM BASE, and if we close due to snow, there will be no BASE care on campus during the closure.

New Logo Gator Gear is now available for purchase. The order window closes January 16th. We hope to have the sweatshirts available for students to wear during Catholic Schools Week.

Children and Families to Hand Out Candy Canes at Christmas Masses

Children and families are invited to share the spirit of Christmas by distributing Candy Canes at the end of our Holy Rosary Christmas Masses on December 24 (5:00pm and 8:00pm) and at Christmas Day 10:00am Mass. For questions, please email Deyette at Dswegle@holyrosaryseattle.org

Please sign up to volunteer using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4AA5A82AA02-60168911-hand

Holy Rosary School has the opportunity to join other local Catholic schools to host a Japanese exchange student for one week in March between their academic years, from March 21st - March 29th. Last year we had two students who were hosted by Holy Rosary families spend a week in our school. It was a wonderful experience for everyone! The students joining us will likely be in sixth, seventh or eighth grade, and families receive a small stipend to offset the expenses of hosting a student for the week. The students would then attend classes here at Holy Rosary School during the week. If you might be interested in learning more about this opportunity, and possibly hosting a student for the week, please email principal Anna Horton at ahorton@holyrosaryws.org.

Do you know someone who is a true champion of Holy Rosary School? The due date for nominations is Monday, Jan. 12th. Send in your nominations to admissions@holyrosaryws.org. With your nomination, please send the individual’s name, their affiliation with our school, and why you believe they are a “Champion” of Holy Rosary School. Thank you!

Re-enrollment for the 2026/27 school year will open January 15th–31st. To qualify for in-parish tuition, families must meet parish requirements and also ensure their school payment account is current (no past due balances).

Thanks to the tree lot chairs: Spencer Anderson, Sean & Stephanie Doull and Jeff Meagher for running a successful tree lot, despite the weather! We sold nearly $185,000 worth of trees. Also, thanks to the new and veteran volunteers. YOU ALL MADE THIS SUCCESSFUL!

If you see any tree lot signs around West Seattle, please pick them up and drop off in the main office when school returns in January for one free dress pass. It's a tree lot scavenger hunt! Appreciate your assistance with this.

DENIM & DIAMONDS is the theme for the 2026 auction. Start planning your outfit now. Think sparkles and jeans or denim skirts/dresses.

If you are cleaning out your closet, the auction committee is looking for old denim. Adult sizes preferred, but kids will do. Preference for blue denim.

Need inspiration? Check out this Pinterest board: https://pin.it/6LCCK4Hgc

What's a better gift than a night out with friends? You could hang with buddies and raise money for the Fr. Mallahan Endowment. Please join us for the 4th annual Gator Bowl (21+)!!

• When: January 23, 2026
• Time: From 5-8pm
• Cost: $390 for a lane -- up to 6 bowlers ($65/bowler)
• What: 3 hours of bowling and shoe rental with the best community in Seattle
• Where: West Seattle Bowl
• Theme: Seattle Sports
• Why that theme: Because Seattle is kind of good at all sports right now!
• Proceeds: Go to Father Mallahan Endowment
• How to Register -- click this link: https://holyrosaryws.org/giving/gator-bowl/

HRS and Browne Family Vineyards have partnered together multiple times to deliver cases at a discounted rate. It has been a win-win for both organizations. Browne Family Vineyards is once again offering wine by the case or bottle, but with easier ordering and delivery options.

Here are 3 reasons to purchase wine:

1. 10% back to HRS

2. 20% off retail

3. It tastes GREAT!

Two Notes:

1. Use referral code: HOLYROSARY (all caps, no spaces)

2. Discount available through the month of December

Please pass this along to friends and family. The more that is purchased, the higher donation we receive.

Business Procurement Team Member

Goal: Connect with local businesses to help secure funding to support the Holy Rosary Auction!

How: Become a procurement team member and run your own Neighborhood Zone. Send procurement letter, email, walk-in, etc. to local businesses asking for their support to donate to the HRS auction. Follow up and provide tax documentation to each business. Track progress and confirm procurement. Auction items can come in various forms i.e. gift cards, wine/beer/liquor, art, cooking classes, merchandise, etc.

When: Procurement will take place now – January.

Hours Earned: 10-20+ hours (Fundraising)

Contact: Bente Madtsen: (bente.madtsen@outlook.com) or Jenna Cohen: (jenna.cohen.jn@gmail.com)

Take a few minutes to log into your Safe Env account and check your status. You may need a refresher course. Checking your status now will save staff time in contacting you before you can volunteer.

New families: Please complete your background checks and SE training before volunteering! If you haven't set up a volunteer log-in yet to record hours, here is the link! One parent must be the main account user, a 2nd parent can be added to the account as a sub-account. Instructions will be on the main account user’s page on how to add a sub-account.

Registration is now open for 4th-8th grade volleyball! Please register your athlete prior to January 23rd, 2026, in order that we may register for the appropriate number of teams.

Coaches must register and complete all requirements of the Archdiocese.

Practices will start in earnest the first week of February. Coaches may have the option to start practicing the week of January 19th; gym availability will depend on how many of our basketball teams are in the playoffs. Games start the weekend of February 21st.

In order to keep costs reasonable, we are using the same shirts we used last year. If your athlete still has one that fits, there is no need to order a new one. Families are encouraged to share shirts they no longer need with other families.

Families in need of financial assistance are encouraged to contact Athletic Director Brendan Kolding atcyo@holyrosaryseattle.org.

Women With Purpose Friday Mornings (9:15am-11:15am)--New session on the book, “My Grandfather’s Blessings” by Rachel Remen from January 9, 2026-February 13, 2026.

Click here to register and learn more: Women with Purpose (WWP) Registration Form | Holy Rosary Catholic Church | Seattle, WA

If you are interested in having your child baptized at Holy Rosary, contact Deyette Swegle.

Are you interested in assisting us in our Soup Kitchen? Please contact Chris Dormaier.

https://holyrosaryseattle.org/rcia-for-older-children

See our Flyer for more information.

https://holyrosaryseattle.org/1st-reconciliation-1st-communion

srstella@holyrosaryseattle.org

https://holyrosaryseattle.org/rcia-adults.

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.

https://holyrosaryseattle.org/confirmation

Order your Baked Alaska here www.shugssodafountain.com

Holy Names Academy has a fun, student athletics event planned in January, and we hope you can help us spread the word to your students. We are hosting Grade School Night at Cougar Basketball on Friday, January 23. Teachers, faculty, coaches, and families are also welcome to attend. See this flyer for more details.

Admission is free, and everyone is encouraged to RSVP using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DADA92EA6F9C61-60845206-grade#/.

Bishop Blanchet Drama proudly presents The Music Man, May 1-3. Auditions start on Tuesday, December 9th.If you are interested in auditioning, Please click here.

West Seattle Little League (WSLL) Spring 2026 registration is now open for softball (ages 7-15), baseball (ages 4-13), and our Challenger program (adaptive baseball for players with physical and intellectual disabilities).

The WSLL spring season will run from March to June, featuring fun activities like the jamboree, sandlot days, and end-of-the-season bash. Become part of our amazing community and make some memories on and off the field.

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.

Check out westseattlelittleleague.com for more information and to register.

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.