Weekly Family Communication

Dear Holy Rosary Families,

As we continue our Advent journey, we wait in peace and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas. This week, we light the second candle on the Advent wreath—the candle of peace—and we hold fast to the deep and lasting peace that can only be found in Christ.

I also want to share a brief update on our ongoing safety and security work. Toward the end of October, a security consultant conducted a weeklong assessment of our campus. Last week, the head of the firm presented their findings and recommendations to our School Commission. We were very encouraged to hear that our campus received strong ratings for our current security protocols and the work we have done so far to maintain a safe, secure environment. In fact, he told the School Commission, “We would give your school an A for the work you’ve done to date.” He also encouraged us to work toward an A+ as we consider additional steps—both now and in the future—to ensure we continue to adapt to the changing environment around us.

During our School Commission meeting, we had a robust discussion about a range of topics, including traffic patterns and congestion, as well as recommended and necessary facility improvements. As a next step, the School Commission has formed an ad hoc Safety and Security Committee, which will meet in January to review all recommendations with me. Together, we will evaluate each item in terms of necessity, impact, and cost. There is much more work ahead, but I want you to know that safety and security remain a top priority.

Thank you, as well, for your continued support of our schoolwide Advent diaper drive in partnership with Prepares, a ministry of our parish family. Prepares, a program of Catholic Community Services, walks closely with young families in our local community during the early years of their children’s lives. Diapers are among the most needed—and least available—items at food banks and community agencies. Prepares is especially in need of sizes 4, 5, and 6 diapers, as well as size 5 and 6 pull-ups, though diapers of all sizes and wipes are gratefully accepted. Donations may be brought to school and placed in the front hallway.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. Let’s see if we can fill the hallway with hope—and with tangible support for those in need in our West Seattle community!

Happy Advent.

In Christ,

Anna

December 14 – Gaudete Sunday (third week of advent)

December 14 is the third Sunday of Advent and known as Gaudete Sunday because of the first word of the entrance song for mass: Gaudete! (Rejoice!) It’s celebrating that we are more than halfway to Christmas! The candle is pink to represent Joy and the happiness found in the anticipation of Christ's birth. It is an internal spiritual joy that doesn't depend on external circumstances.

Ideas on ways to celebrate Gaudete

*Light the pink candle on your advent wreath.

*Wear pink like the rose-colored vestments the priest will be wearing.

*Any pink dessert for dinner is fun, like sugar cookies with pink frosting.

• Dec 12th - 1st Trimester Report Cards, Pizza Lunch
  
• Dec 16th - Preschool Christmas Program (6:30pm)
• 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

Yum! Yum! 8th grade pizza lunch is this Friday!

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.

If you have an extra Christmas card, bring it to the school office. We would love to add it to our staffroom door to share with everyone.

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.

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.

Our Advent Giving Tree will be up in the Church from November 29th - December 15th! We will be collecting $25 Safeway and Target gift cards for St. Vincent de Paul and PREPARES Ministry! Your gifts directly support children and families that these ministries serve. Gift cards can be placed in collection baskets or dropped off at the Parish Office. Please do not leave gifts under the trees. Thank you for your generosity!

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!

For families in need of tuition assistance, financial aid application through FACTS are open for 2026/27. Information about tuition assistance can be found here. Applications are due by Dec. 15th.

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.

Trees sales are going strong. Thanks to all those that were able to volunteer.

Extra volunteer shift added for Saturday, December 13 to set up trees in the church. This shift requires lifting and setting up trees from 12-3pm.

Donate new or gently used clothing items to those in need!

Drop off your gently used coats, hats, gloves from your homes for donation at the Christmas Tree Lot that runs from Nov 28- Dec 16 or school main office. ✨

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 Scholarship
• 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.

We are looking for a lunch volunteer starting immediately for Thursdays. Shift is 10:35 - 12:05 for the next trimester. (opportunity to go into the third trimester if wanted).

We are also looking for more milk and lunch subs. Milk duty is from 10:50-12:20 and Lunch is 10:35-12:05. The sub position is for when our permanent volunteers can not do their shift.

If interested please contact Karla in the office at klawson@holyrosaryws.org.

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

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.

Come celebrate the season with us!

Join us on Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00 PM at the Highline Performing Arts Center for the Kennedy Catholic Christmas Concert. Enjoy beautiful performances from our choir, band, orchestra, jazz band, and percussion ensemble as we share the joy and spirit of Christmas through music.

Admission is FREE – all are welcome!

Come enjoy the spirit of the season with family and friends.

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.