Weekly Family Communication

Dear Holy Rosary Families,

The Office for Catholic Schools has asked for our school families to take a few minutes to support a matter that could benefit students across Washington State, whether they attend public, Catholic, independent, or home schools.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) is a new opportunity that allows individual taxpayers to direct up to $1,700 of their federal tax liability to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization, rather than to the IRS. It comes at no added cost to the taxpayer. Those funds can then support students through tutoring, tuition assistance, textbooks and classroom supplies, specialized services, transportation, and other educational needs.

For the program to be available in Washington, our Governor must choose to opt in. Governor Ferguson is listening, and this week is an important moment for him to hear from the families and communities this credit would serve.

At Holy Rosary School, nearly 15% of our families receive tuition assistance, and many more are one unexpected expense away from needing it. Scholarships through this credit could help eligible families with tuition, so that a Catholic education stays within reach for the next family that comes to us.

Because we believe every child is made in the image of God, we care about more than our own school. Families in public, independent, and home school settings are looking for ways to give their children what they need, too. The Church teaches that parents are the first educators of their children and should be free to choose the school that serves them best. This credit is one way for our whole community to help more Washington families to give their children the education they need.

Here is how you can help. It takes about three minutes.

1. Write a letter of support. Use the online tool at optinwa.org to personalize your message to the Governor. Share your story: a few sentences about who you are and why education matters to you is enough.
2. Send it to the Governor. When you finish, copy or download your letter, then use the link provided to submit it on the Governor’s online message page.
3. Invite others. Forward this message to relatives, friends, parishioners, and neighbors, and ask them to write as well.

Every letter counts, and no letter is too short.

Thank you for your generosity, your trust, and your care for all of our children

In Christ,

Anna

• Nov 6th - Glow Bowl
• Nov 11th - No School, No BASE
• Nov 20th - Noon Dismissal
• Nov 23rd-25th - Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
• Nov 26th-27th - No School, Thanksgiving Break
• Nov 27th - Tree Lot Opens

2026/27 School Calendars

Holy Rosary School will have its annual Christmas Program the evening of December 17th at 6pm. You won't want to miss this special evening filled with student performances, readings, and prayer as we prepare for Christmas! Students spend months preparing for this special evening and all students and families are asked to be present for this event.

Wednesday November 11th, we honor our veterans. There will not be school or BASE that day.

Friday, November 6, 2026 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm at West Seattle Bowl

Glow Bowl is our annual night of fun for kids, parents, and teachers, and this year we are turning the lights down and the neon way up! Under the shimmer of black lights, we trade homework for high-fives, gutters for giggles, and competition for connection. Wear your brightest neon, your whitest sneakers, and your best glow gear as we laugh, play, and make glowing memories together. Glow Bowl isn’t just bowling, it’s tradition, togetherness, and a whole lot of glow.

Cost is $40 per person. Includes bowling, food, and glow gear for the kids. Not a fundraising event!

RSVP by Friday, Nov 6 at 12pm!

Our teachers are looking forward to meeting with all of our school families. Conferences will take place Monday through Wednesday, November 23rd-25th. Please sign up for a conference time with your child's homeroom teacher. 1st through 8th grade students are required to attend the conference with their parents.

Preschool and Kindergarten

Grades 1 & 2

Grades 3 & 4

Grades 5 & 6

Grades 7 & 8

Our school is collecting extra Halloween candy to donate to the Seafarers ministry. This important ministry serves those who come into the Port of Seattle working on ships. You may bring extra candy to the school office anytime this week.

During this month of giving thanks, let us remember those most in need in the community around us. Catholic Social Teachings remind us that we have an obligation to care for those most in need and Jesus tells us "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). This November our school will host a food drive to support the Holy Rosary Parish St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Your support of this important ministry is vital, as they support families directly here in West Seattle facing food instability. Food can be dropped off inside the school in the boxes in the front entry. Thank you for your generous support!

Items most in need include (check expiration dates, please):

Peanut butter (16oz.)

Canned Chicken/Canned Tuna

Canned Fruit

Canned Vegetables

Boxed Cereal including Boxed Instant Oatmeal (Packets)

Macaroni and Cheese

Pasta

Canned Pasta with Meat

Tomato Sauce/ Spaghetti Sauce

Hearty Soups

Chili

Rice a Roni /Knorr Rice Sides and Knorr Pasta Sides

Instant Mashed Potatoes

Crackers (saltines, Ritz, etc.)

Get ready to hit the slopes! We are officially confirmed for Friday nights for the 2027 Holy Rosary Ski Bus program, running through Webbski. Offered to Middle School students grades 6, 7, & 8.

Key Details:

• Dates: 5 consecutive Friday nights, starting January 8, 2027.

• Location: Summit Central at Snoqualmie Pass

• Departure: Fridays around 3:15 PM – 3:30 PM in front of the school. (returning to

school around 9/9:30 pm)

• Lessons: Optional lessons available from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.

• Capacity: Limited to the first 50 kids to sign up.

Click here for all the information. Then see the information about the West Seattle Ski & Snowboard Swap in our Community Section.

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 20th - March 28th. 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. NOTE- this is the week before spring break and our guests will depart on Easter Sunday. Guests will attend school at Holy Rosary during Holy Week.

WE DID IT! We met our Fall Drive goal of $225,000 and had 95% participation! HRS has an amazing community, this significant fundraising effort wouldn't have been successful without you. Thank you for supporting the Fall Fund Drive!

We’re thrilled to share all the exciting prizes and incentives made possible by your generosity and participation during the Annual Fund Fall Drive:

1. Dress Passes:
   All K–8 students will receive a free dress pass for each donation up to 12. Free dress passes will be sent home NEXT WEEK.

2. Preschool Gator Shirt:
   Our Preschool families showed incredible support—over 70% families participated! Each participating child will receive a gator t-shirt, going home in November.

3. 100% Participation Classes:
   Congratulations to the following classes for reaching 100% participation—you’ll enjoy a Gator Cookie celebration on Friday, November 13. Congrats: KA, KB, 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5B, 6A and 7B!

4. Schoolwide Celebration:
   Since we surpassed our $225,000 goal, the whole school will celebrate with a FREE DRESS and NO HOMEWORK day on November 19th.

Thank you to those that have already applied for Matching Funds. According to our records, nearly $25,000 is eligible to be matched. Also, check with your company to see if they will match hours volunteered at HRS. If you have questions, contact annualfund@holyrosaryws.org or look up your company below.

NEW DATE: Saturday, March 13th

NEW LOCATION: Bell Harbor International Conference Center

Our largest fundraiser of the year is the annual Auction. Last year we raised over $400,000. Each family is committed to procuring/donating a minimum of $225 in auction items or cash so the committee may build fantastic packages to be bid upon. If you'd like to discuss your auction donation, contact Beth Martin (bmartin@holyrosaryws.org).

Looking for getaways, sports tickets, one-of-kindexperiences!

The donation portal is NOW LIVE, so get a head start and enter your donation. You will not drop off your donation until January, watch the efc for additional details. Family donations must be entered into the portal by December 4.

The priority application period for parish members & current school families is September 15th and runs until November 15th for the 2027/2028 school year. If you have a new student who would like to apply to Holy Rosary School, please complete our online application at: https://holyrosaryws.org/applynow/.

Re-enrollment for current HRS students in Preschool-8th grade occurs in January. Current HRS Pre-K students - please see your Pre-K newsletter for Kindergarten information. Any questions, please contact: admissions@holyrosaryws.org

Financial aid applications for the 2027/28 school year are now open. Deadline is Dec. 15th. More information can be found here.

Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need; all applications and supporting documentation are independently reviewed and verified by a third-party administrator, who then provides the school with an award recommendation.

Are you looking for volunteer hours that allow you to work around your busy schedule? If so, we are looking for volunteers to help with business procurement for our upcoming school auction. This role includes outreaching to local businesses and securing donations. Volunteer hours can. range and are based on your availability. Please reach out to Jenna Cohen or Bente Madtsen if you are interested or would like to learn more.

Jenna Cohen: jenna.cohen.jn@gmail.com

Bente Madtsen: bente.madtsen@outlook.com

The day after Thanksgiving the TREE LOT opens to sell trees, wreaths and garland to the West Seattle community. In addition to raising over $180,000 for HRS, this fundraiser donates a portion of all sales to two local charities: Salvation Army Hickman House, and West Seattle Food Bank/Clothesline.

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that is flexible and works with your schedule? The raised bed areas to the right and left of the preschool door on Genessee are in need of a little love from time to time. This includes the area that progresses up the walkway to Hope School and the raised square area to the left of the preschool door. If you'd be interested in taking on this task, please contact the School Office at office@holyrosaryws.org. You're free to do this work on an ongoing basis as your schedule permits.

Help keep our kids safe and earn volunteer hours! We need volunteers (18+) to help manage traffic and cross pedestrians. The intersection at 42nd and Genesee and at 42nd and Dakota are used by most of our school families and can get congested. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, morning and afternoon. Sign up for what works for you.

• Morning Shift: 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
  
• Afternoon Shift: 2:50 PM – 3:20 PM

Sign-up here for November

How it works: Check in at the Main Office to grab a vest and flag, head to the corner, and return the gear when you’re done. Simple as that!

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 visit the classroom or volunteer.

Thank you to all who attended our parish family Partners in the Gospel listening session. There is still time to offer input, and your voice matters as a school family. This online survey will be open until Sunday at 5:00pm and we encourage all school families to participate, particularly if you are also a parishioner.

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)– For more information, call 206-935-8353

https://holyrosaryseattle.org/confirmation

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.