St. Catherine of Siena Parish School

Principal’s Letter

 

May 16, 2013

 

Dear Families,

Congratulations St. Catherine School! It is official: the WCEA (Washington Catholic Education Association) has granted St. Catherine School a full 6-year accreditation status. Our future commitments will be our annual WCEA progress report on our goals and a 3-year midterm sharing. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard on the accreditation process over the past several years to make this happen.

Tomorrow is the much-anticipated St. Catherine Talent Show. Come and join the fun in the morning from 9:15 a.m. until 10:30 and then again at 1:35 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. It is sure to be a sweet treat.

On Monday, May 20^th at 1:30 p.m., Seattle Sounder Marc Burch will be visiting St. Catherine School. This visit is one of the prizes I won for competing in the “Principals on the Pitch” at a Sounder’s game in October. You are welcome to join us at an assembly on Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. In honor of the visit we are encouraging all students to wear either Sounders’ gear or Sounders’ color. Go Sounders!

Next Tuesday and Wednesday our 8^th graders will be making R.O.P.E. (Rite of Passage Experience) presentations during which time the 8^th graders will share their academic and spiritual growth during their time at St. Catherine, as well as sharing their goals for the future.

Congratulations Mathletes! Last Saturday as most people in Seattle were enjoying a rare sunny day, three St. Catherine students were busy doing math problems. Miranda Anderson, Ryan Claggett, and Ryan Jennings competed as our St. Catherine eighth grade team at the Washington State Middle School Math Olympiad in Tacoma. Our St. Catherine team won the top score for the eighth grade teams on the long problem and won superior rating in algebraic-sense (getting all the problems correct) and an excellent rating in numerical sense (missing just one problem) in the short problem session. Congratulations team! I would also like to say thank you to Teresa Claggatt and Diane Anderson for working tirelessly with our mathletes during the past two years. Thank you for sharing your love of math with our students.

We are sending home next year’s calendar. It is no small feat coordinating dates with all the events and activities happening at St. Catherine School and Parish. Be sure to mark your calendar now so you don’t miss anything. It is going to be a great year.

Staffing news: It is with great sadness that I have to announce that Senora Hevia has accepted a teaching position at St. Joseph School. Senora Hevia has brought a love of both Spanish and Geography to countless St. Catherine students over the years. Although we will miss you, Senora Hevia, we wish you much luck and happiness at your new school. This means that I will be looking for a new Spanish teacher in the weeks ahead.

Anyone interested in joining the School Commission please contact the principal. We will have Commission Discernment on Monday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m.

Have a wonderful end of the week. Enjoy the sunshine!

Blessings,

Mary Helen

School News

May 16, 2013

St. Catherine Youth Choir Members and Parents

Due to a death in Ms. Sunde’s family, there will NOT be choir this coming Saturday, May 18th.  Although this is the last scheduled Mass for the year, Ms. Sunde will be looking into having the choir sing at one of the remaining school Masses.  We got the choir off to a good start, and I look forward to next year. We will likely restructure our rehearsal times so we can meet more often, and draw even more singers in.  Thank you all for a great year!

School Supplies for 2013-2014 Available Now!

Would you like to cross school supplies off your summer to-do list?  Order your school supplies by June 7th and you will not have to drag your children through the stores with the crowds in August.   We have switched companies to SchoolKidz, a Staples company.  The prices are reasonable and the quality and supply lists have been teacher approved.

You can also order ONLINE!  Go to www.shopttkits.com and enter account number 67636.  You will also have to pick your bulk items online if your child is entering the 3rd through the 8th grade.

If you have any questions, call Cindy Kimmel at 206-554-1346 or email atckimmel@gmail.com.

CYO

Soccer 2013

Soccer registration forms for the next school year are enclosed or can be found online at http://cyo.stcatherineschool.net/forms.

Please fill out a form for your child if he/she would like to participate in CYO soccer.  We would like all forms turned in by June 7, 2013.

Please turn in your forms by the deadline so we can determine how many students will be participating, how many teams must be registered for and if we need to combine with another school to form a team.

If you have any questions please contact our soccer coordinator, Sean O’Connor, atirish007_us@yahoo.com

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Weeders needed!

We have at least two garden plots that need stewards, someone to take responsibility for weeding a section of the campus gardens through the summer. You can pledge responsibility alone or multiple people can share duties for a plot.  This is a great way to complete your volunteer hours if you still need to!   This can be done on your own time for however long you like; 15 minutes before pickup, an hour or two on a lovely, spring evening. Contact Rochelle Lucero at rochelle.lucero@gmail.com or 206-383-4445. I can sign you up as a steward, direct you to the weedy areas, answer questions and possibly provide weeding assistance.

Auction Needs Vounteers

The auction office has some final office duties that need to be completed within the next week or two.

If you have not yet fulfilled your 5 auction hours, this is the way to get them in before being billed.

Please contact Amy Jeffries agjeffries@me.com to inquire.

Volunteers Needed for Used Book Sale

We need volunteers to help set-up the Used Book Sale after school on Wednesday, May 29^th and to help clean-up after the sale on the afternoon of Friday, May 31^st. If you can help, please contact Leslie Bartlett at lbartlett@stcatherineschool.net

EVENTS

Golf Tournament June 1^st! 

It looks like we have some real excitement brewing!  Please remember to send in your registration form and money this week.

Sponsor of the Week!  Kirtley–Cole Associates  Hank Jacky 

ODDS AND ENDS

Easy Fundraising Opportunity – ZAW PIZZA – week 3

Order dinner from zaw pizza on Tuesdays or Wednesdays in the month of May; mention St. Catherine and zaw will donate $5.00 to our school for every purchase of $20 or more.  Also when you mention St. Catherine you’ll receive a scrumptious, big bake at home cookie.

Rhubarb! 

If you have extra rhubarb at your house the pie ladies are collecting.  Please contact Rita Pruin 206-949-2905 to donate.

Bishop Blanchet Camps

Blanchet High School is offering some wonderful athletic, academic and performing arts camps over the summer for grades 1-12 .  See the attached flyer for details.

Grand Slam Camp

Fastpitch softball for ages 7-14 and Baseball for ages 7-14, if interested there are forms in the office.  See Chris Burr.

May 9, 2013

Saint Catherine Artists Win Awards!!

Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the AMHS Juried Art Show! Saint Catherine School was represented by over fifty students.  Thank you to all the families who journeyed north to Everett to view the exhibit and support our school.  The following students won awards and will have their work displayed in the Seattle Art Museum from May 22nd through July 31st with an opening reception on June 1st from 1-2 PM.

Naomi Mulate – 3^rd place in Sacred Art Painting K-3 grade

Dan Pruin – 1^st place in Printmaking 4-8 grade

Lily Zyskowski – 1^st place in Painting K-3 grade

Sarah Eckhart – Honorable Mention in Painting K-3 grade

Katie Figueroa – Honorable Mention in Painting K-3 grade

Owen Jennings – Honorable Mention in Cultural Arts K-3 grade

We are so proud of all of our art students here at St. Catherine and the wonderful work they produce!

Volunteer Hours are due next Wednesday, May 15^th!

Thank you to every family who volunteers and helps around the school, we could not operate without you!  With that said…..please be sure to return your bright yellow volunteer reporting sheet into the office by next Wednesday.  Families who have not turned in their hours will be billed $25/hour for any hours not served.  If you do not have your yellow sheet, white copies are in the packets today. THANK YOU!

Safe Environment Reminder

Those of you who have received notification to renew your safe environment certification, you must complete the online class by Monday, May 20^th. Go to www.seattle.setanet.org to complete the online class and remain compliant.

Easy Fundraising Opportunity – ZAW PIZZA – week 2

Order dinner from zaw pizza on Tuesdays or Wednesdays in the month of May; mention St. Catherine and zaw will donate $5.00 to our school for every purchase of $20 or more.  Also when you mention St. Catherine you’ll receive a scrumptious, big bake at home cookie.

Spring Photos

The end of the year is near! A great way to remember this year is by having your photo taken. St. Catherine’s is offering free dress photos again (students having their photo taken may come to school in Free Dress) on Tuesday, May 14^th. Order forms were sent home in last week’s packet. If your child would like their photo taken (students may take photos with friends and/or siblings too) please fill out the order form, include payment in the envelope, and send it to school with your child on the day of photos. Teachers will collect the forms. Photos will only be taken for those students who have a form and payment. Please contact Leslie Bartlett at lbartlett@stcatherineschool.net if you have any questions.

School Supplies for 2013-2014 Available Now!

Would you like to cross school supplies off your summer to-do list? Order your school supplies by June 7th and you will not have to drag your children through the stores with the crowds in August. We have switched companies to SchoolKidz, a Staples company. The prices are reasonable and the quality and supply lists have been teacher approved.

Ordering is EASY!  Order forms will be in your Thursday envelope. There should be an order form for each child in your family. There is also a BULK list for grades 3rd through 8th, containing required items that you may or may not already have, such as flash drives and dictionaries.

You can also order ONLINE!  Go to www.shopttkits.com and enter account number 67636.  You will also have to pick your bulk items online if your child is entering the 3rd through the 8th grade.

If you have any questions, call Cindy Kimmel at 206-554-1346 or email at ckimmel@gmail.com.

AUCTION

The Fiesta was fabulous and we sold almost every item!
Here are a few “school-related” items that are still available:

• Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Party…11 spots left at $30 per guest (check payable to St. Catherine Auction)
• Free Dress for the remaining Fridays of this school year…$15 (check payable to St. Catherine Auction)
• BUNCO (September 27th, 2013)…unlimited spots at $40 per guest (check payable to St. Catherine Auction)

Please contact Amy Jeffries agjeffries@me.com or call at 206.459.5134, first come, first served.

CYO

Soccer 2013

Soccer registration forms for the next school year are enclosed or can be found online at  http://cyo.stcatherineschool.net/forms.

Please fill out a form for your child if he/she would like to participate in CYO soccer.  We would like all forms turned in by June 7, 2013.

Please turn in your forms by the deadline so we can determine how many students will be participating, how many teams must be registered for and if we need to combine with another school to form a team.

If you have any questions please contact our soccer coordinator, Sean O’Connor, at irish007_us@yahoo.com

SCRIP

Scrip One-Time Order:

Scrip one-time and online orders are being placed this week. Please submit your paper order forms to the school office, or your online order to www.shopwithscrip.com by FRIDAYat 3:00pm.  Your orders will be available next Thursday.

If you have not fulfilled your $1000 ($250 for preschool) scrip obligation you will be getting a letter in your Thursday envelope. There are 3 more one-time orders left in the school year so please don’t wait, get your orders in NOW! If your obligation is not fulfilled you will be billed.

We will also be having a SCRIPALOOZA on Thursday May 30^th from 2:45 – 3:30 in the school plaza. Credit cards will be accepted.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Chaperones needed for Middle School Dance Friday May 17th.

If you are available to help please contact Chris Burr or Katie Flemingkjfleming@comcast.net

Volunteers Needed for Used Book Sale

We need volunteers to help set-up the Used Book Sale after school on Wednesday, May 29^th and to help clean-up after the sale on the afternoon of Friday, May 31^st. If you can help, please contact Leslie Bartlett at lbartlett@stcatherineschool.net

EVENTS

St. Catherine Day at Safeco Field is this Saturday night, May 11^th!

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets online by Friday night to get the group rate of $11.00 per ticket.  To purchase tickets, go to www.mariners.com/schools and type in the promo code: stcatherine0511.

Plant Sale, Wednesday May 15^th 2:00 p.m. in the Plaza

Extra plants were ordered so there will be extras for sale.  Take a look at pickup!

Final week to register for the Golf Tournament!!

Sponsor OTW  – Gent Components –Amorette and Greg Gent

Registration form attached and enclosed in packet.

 

PARISH NEWS

SAVE THE DATE – SUNDAY JUNE 30^th

Going Away BBQ and Potluck Celebration for Father Tony!

Following 10:30 a.m. mass, parish will provide hamburgers and hot dogs.  Details to follow.

A Word from Victoria

For at least 5 years, (and probably longer), I have anticipated that my term at St. Catherine would end. In 2003, Archbishop Brunett wrote that he would be replacing me in July 2004 with a priest pastor. In 2009, the archdiocese conducted a pastoral review, which is usually the prelude to a change in leadership.

Now, in 2013, the change in beginning.

Fr. Tony and I announced last week the changes that we face as a community in the coming year. The Archbishop has assigned Fr. Tony as the Priest Minister at St. Anne Parish beginning July 1 of this year; this is the same position Fr. Tony has served here at St. Catherine for the past ten years. At St. Anne, he will work with Ron Ryan, who is the Pastoral Coordinator at St. Anne and has the same position that I have here.

I will remain at St. Catherine for one more year, continuing to serve as Pastoral Coordinator. A priest will be assigned for one year to provide liturgical and sacramental ministry.

The current plan is that on July 1, 2014, a priest pastor will be assigned to St. Catherine.

We are both sad at the thought of leaving you. Fr. Tony and I have been with you for ten years and fourteen years, respectively. You are our companions in faith; you are our home. At the same time as we grieve, we also know that there is gift in new leadership. A new priest pastor will bring new gifts and new strengths and new vision.

We have two months before Fr. Tony leaves for St. Anne Parish. On the last weekend of his time with us, June 29-30, we will have a celebration for him.  There will be a reception after the 5pm, coffee hour/reception after the 8:30am mass, and a barbeque/potluck after the 10:30 mass. Please mark your calendars now; more details will be forthcoming.

For my part, I look forward to this final year with you.  It will be a year to savor our time together and to prepare for the transition. I will admit now that I will live this year with a bit of denial. I don’t want to be grieving the whole year. Instead, I want to celebrate the gift that has been and to rejoice in this gift of a final year.

Change is never easy, but perhaps the Easter season helps us to navigate change in general and this change in particular. The season itself is about the fundamental change from death to life. In Jesus’ resurrection, death is overcome, not only for Jesus, but for all of us. In these Easter days, we celebrate that great gift, and we also accompany the disciples as they are prepared for Jesus’ departure. The promise that sustains them is that Jesus will be with them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today’s gospel promises that Jesus and the Father will come and make their home with those who believe and love. It is this gift of Jesus presence with us that will carry us through this year of change—with gratitude, hope, joy, and peace.

Quick Links

2013 Soccer Parental Consent Form

Bishop Blanchet Summer Camp Opportunities updated 5-13-13

SHANKAPATOMUS V

2013 Soccer Parental Consent Form

Scrip one time order

SHANKAPATOMUS V v1