Weekly Family Communication

Dear Holy Rosary Families,

As we welcome November, we also enter a special time in the Church as we celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. We give thanks for the saints who inspire us through their examples of faith, and we remember in prayer all those who have passed from this life into God's loving care. Through Jesus, we remain connected to the saints in heaven and can ask for their prayers as we strive to follow Christ more closely in our own lives. All holy men and women of God, pray for us!

On Wednesday, November 4, our school community will gather for a special All Saints’ Day School Mass. Families are always invited to join us. If you plan to attend, please arrive before 8:45 a.m., as the doors will be locked at that time.

Conference sign-ups will open on November 4th. Look for an email with sign up information. Conferences will be held during Thanksgiving week, which has been dedicated specifically for these meetings. We appreciate your flexibility and cooperation in scheduling conferences during this week.

Thank you for your ongoing generosity during our Annual Fund campaign. Your support strengthens our school community and enriches the educational experience of every child. We are grateful for each contribution as we work toward achieving our goal. Let's finish strong!

These beautiful fall days and the changing of the seasons are a vivid reminder of the magnificence of God’s creation. It's a wonderful time!

In Christ,

Anna

Starting in 2027, a new federal scholarship tax credit could bring an estimated $1.5 billion a year to Washington students, without drawing on the state budget. The Office for Catholic Schools has asked our Catholic school families to consider advocating for this.

https://mycatholicschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Opt-In-Washington.html

• Oct 30th - Halloween Free Dress
  
• Oct 30th 8th Grade Pizza Lunch
• Nov 6th - Glow Bowl
• Nov 11th - No School, No BASE
• Nov 20th - Noon Dismissal
• Nov 23rd-25th - Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

2026/27 School Calendars

Friday is Halloween free dress! Wear Halloween themed clothes or fall colors. No costumes, wigs or face paint.

Yum Yum!

The 8th graders are helping us celebrate Halloween by serving up pizza lunch on Friday, October 30.

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 Thursday, Nov 5 at 8pm!

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 next 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.

New this year we are highlighting our specialists as a prize for our TOP 3 families that received the highest number of donations. So each student in the TOP 3 winning families will CHOOSE 1 experience from the list below.

CONGRATS

Lawler Family on winning last week’s incentive.

THANK YOU

Saturday is the last day of the Annual Fund Fall Drive. We are so close to our $225,000 goal and nearly 90% participation, this significant fundraising effort couldn't have been done without you. Thank you for supporting the Fall Fund Drive!

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.

Youth Confirmation Registration Now Open! The 2026-2027 Youth Confirmation Program is open to students entering 7th grade as well as to any youth in grades 8th-12th who have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation and have already received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion.

This seven-month journey of faith begins in November and helps young people grow as disciples of Jesus Christ through prayer, service, community, Scripture, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Confirmation sessions meet twice a month on Sundays from 5:00-6:30 PM, alternating between Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy Rosary.

The first session will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gym. A required parent/student orientation will take place on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Gym. To register or learn more, visit https://westseattlecatholic.org/youth-confirmation or contact Neil Albaña at neila@westseattlecatholic.org.

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

Middle School Night on Tuesday, November 3, at Kennedy Catholic High School

This is a great chance for middle school students to experience Lancer athletics, cheer loud, and get a feel for the excitement and community of high school life.

Game Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Location: Kennedy Catholic High School Goodwin Gymnasium
Pre-game Check In: Cafeteria at 6:15pm (food, games, and giveaways!)
Varsity Volleyball Begins: 7:15pm in the Goodwin Gym
Registration Details: www.kennedyhs.org/middleschoolnight or see attached flyer.

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.