Weekly Newsletter
10.25.2023
Preschool & Kindergarten Applications
The priority application period for current families and parishioners to apply for Preschool and/or Kindergarten for 2024-25 school year is from October 19th-November 3rd. If applying to Preschool, as a current family you must submit an application for next school year in order to reserve your child's preferred attendance schedule. On November 6th, applications are processed and any openings become available to all other applicants. Be sure to get those applications in!
Upcoming Events
NPH Fall Fundraiser: Boo Bags for sale!
NPH will be selling Boo Bags filled with some candy for $.50 a bag on Thursday, 10/26 and Friday, 10/27. All money raised will support the educational and daily living expenses for our godchild Yhon in Bolivia. Thank you for your support!
Fall Conferences | Wednesday, November 1st - Friday, November 3rd
Please read the Fall 2023 Conference Newsletter here and reserve your conference spot.
School counselor Mr. Tom has available appointments during conferences! Please schedule a time when you're already in the building if you'd like to consult with him.
Book Fair
St. Catherine School's annual Scholastic Book Fair is happening soon! The Book Fair will be open in the music room during conferences Wednesday, 11/1-Friday, 11/3. The Fair will also be open after the 9:30 AM Mass on Sunday, 11/5. This is the fundraiser for the school library; come pick up some books & gifts for the young readers in your life while supporting St. Catherine School. The Book Fair is a cash-free event. More information can be found at the school's Book Fair website. Please contact Jodie Anderson with any questions.
Spruce Up St. Catherine Campus
November 4, 10:00 am. Rain or Shine!
Call for volunteers to add plantings around the trees in the planting strip along the parking lot fence. We will weed, prep the soil and plant annual shrubs and bulbs around the 6 existing trees. Let's create an inviting entrance to the church and school parking lot!
Reach out to Josie Briggs with questions and to volunteer - vivian.willa.murray@gmail.com.
Celebrating Veteran's in our Community
Calling all veterans in the St. C community!
You are cordially invited to join us on Thursday, November 9th @ 8:45am in the GYM as we honor your service in our annual Veteran's Day Assembly.
Any St. C students, parents, or staff who'd like to recognize & celebrate family members that have served, please send all photos/info for slideshow to hkelly@stcatherineschool.net before November 9th. Thank you!
safeTALK: A Suicide Prevention Workshop
Please join us for safeTALK, a suicide intervention workshop facilitated by high school students from the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Catholic Lifesaver Corps.
When: Saturday, November 18th 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: St. James Cathedral – Pastoral Outreach Center – Holy Names Room
907 Columbia Street, Seattle, WA 98104
More information and registration can be found here.
Annual Tiger Fund Campaign
YOU ARE THE WHY! Join the St. Catherine School 2023-2024 Annual Tiger Fund Campaign
St. Catherine School is a community defined by giving - a community that grows stronger through the participation of every member. Fundraising and volunteer activities celebrate, honor, and preserve this spirit of giving. Your gift to the Tiger Fund supports the talented teachers and enriching programs that make St. Catherine School special.
The Talge family, Jordan and Karen (Lillan 5th, Hattie 4th, Alice 4th), are privileged to be this year’s annual Tiger Fund Campaign Leaders. Please read a message from the Talge family here.
Our Tiger Fund goal for the 2023-24 school year is $75,000 and 100% participation by all school families. No gift is too small. Remember, participation in the Annual Tiger Fund is part of the school contract signed by all school families. Please remember to look into a matching gift from your company and watch your dollars double, even triple! View our Matching Funds Guide here.
Make your donation through SchoolAdmin by filling out the pledge form here or by credit card here. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
From the School Office
Family Handbook Update
The Family Handbook has been updated - changes are underlined:
Spirit Days and Field Trip Attire
Spirit Day is a day in which students may wear any St. Catherine spirit gear. This can include CYO sport jerseys, as well. Students may wear uniform bottoms, jeans, or other pants/sweats/leggings on the bottom (must align with non-uniform policy). Students may not wear any pajama pants.
Uniforms will be worn on field trips: exceptions will be made only for weather restrictions or if an activity requires other forms of dress.
Non-Uniform Days
Occasionally the school will announce non-uniform days. It is the parents’ responsibility to send their children in appropriate attire for school. Dress on these days must be neat, modest, and appropriate for school. Students may not wear cut-offs, tank tops/spaghetti straps, mini-skirts, spandex-type fashions, pajama pants, or T-shirts with sayings or designs which advertise drugs, alcohol, or any other inappropriate subject matter or sexual innuendos. Shirts, sweatshirts, and dresses must cover the shoulders. No exposure of the mid-drift is allowed. Shorts must always be of walking length, not oversized, and the length must be at least to a child’s fingertips when arms are rested at their sides. Jeans must be in good repair and may not be ripped, have holes, or any adornments on them. UGGS and low-heeled boots are only allowed on non-uniform days.
The school identifies a free dress day each month for students celebrating a birthday during that month. Students with summer birthdays will have their free dress day at an appointed day in June. Special free dress passes given out must be used within the school calendar year in which they were given. Free Dress is not allowed on school Mass days; students must wear full uniform on these days.
Yearbook Photos Needed
Attention Parents! The Yearbook staff needs your help. Please send any pictures you take throughout the school year to yearbook@stcatherineschool.net to be included in the yearbook. This year, we are excited to include a Summer Adventures page! Please send us pictures of your student or family during the summer of 2023. As always, we need your help documenting out of school events like CYO Sports, Harvest Festival, and eventually things like Ski Bus and the Christmas Program. Thank you for your help!
Tuition Assistance Program 2024-2025
The tuition assistance process for the 2024-2025 school year has begun - the application officially opened on October 1st. If you think that your family may be in need of financial aid for next school year, please complete an application. Tuition assistance is available for Kindergarten-8th Grade students only.
The entire process is completed online through FACTS. All applications are first reviewed by the Fulcrum Foundation, a fundraising arm of the Archdiocese. Once Fulcrum determines their assistance awards, then the St. Catherine Tuition Assistance Committee will review the applications and distribute financial aid for the 2024-2025 school year. Some families may qualify for assistance from both the Fulcrum Foundation and the St. Catherine program, but only one application is submitted.
The application deadline is December 31st, 2023. This is a firm deadline - all completed applications AND required tax documentation must be submitted by this date for consideration.
You can access the application here. And FACTS charges a $35 application fee.
If you have any questions about the process or application, feel free to email Kathy Cox or you can access the FAQ page on the Fulcrum Foundation website here.
Parent Club News
Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who made Saturday's Harvest Festival a success. From chairing the event and parts of the event, to setting up tables, baking/buying cakes, and making chili to manning booths/tables, cranking out delicious apple cider (in the rain!) and cleaning up the event, each and every one of you contributed to making this event a blast!
From the Gym
Rock Wall Permission Slip
Attention new families & any returning families that did not complete this last school year: As part of the Kindergarten- 8th Grade PE program, your child will have the opportunity to climb the rock wall in the gym. Please complete this form and return it to Amanda in the office. This form must be received before your child/ren is able to climb the wall. Thank you!
CYO Sports
CYO Basketball Registration Open
Registration is now open for 4th-8th graders wanting to play Basketball. The season starts at the beginning of November and rans through early February. Teams practice twice a week at Victoria Hall and play games over the weekend. Use the following link to register your player:
Seattle CYO Athletics (teamsideline.com)
More information on our Intramural program for grades 1st-3rd will follow soon.
If you have any questions, please email Carol Ramirez (karolra24@yahoo.com).
Middle School Ski Bus
Hello Boarders and Skiers! We are excited to kick off the 4th Annual St. Catherine Ski Bus.
Key Details:
- Who: St. Catherine Students Middle School Grades 6-8 (Please note, there are a limited number of spots. We will prioritize by grade, starting with 8th grade, and fill accordingly.)
- Experience Level: All (beginners to experts)
- Type: Ski or Board
- Dates: Jan 12, 19, 26 & February 2, 9, 23.
- Time: Bus departs right after school and returns around 10:00-10:30 pm
- Where: Alpental Ski Area up at the Summit
- Transportation: A charter bus through Puget Sound Coach Lines.
- Lessons: Lessons are required and go from 5:15 to 7:15 for 5 weeks with free ski after. The last night is free ski/board.
To learn more details and confirm your interest here please use this link: https://forms.gle/SsRHmiA4xoSD2LMi9
Sign ups are by 5pm on Wednesday, October 25th.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to Jen Muzia at jmuzia@gmail.com.
Volunteering at St. Catherine School
Safe Environment Program
The Archdiocese of Seattle requires all school volunteers to take part in the Safe Environment Program, through VIRTUS, in three ways. In order to be a Safe Environment approved volunteer you need to:
- Register at http://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/
- Read and approve policies
- Complete a background check
- Take the Introductory class, Protecting God's Children
All components of the Safe Environment Progam MUST BE COMPLETED before volunteering in any capacity at St. Catherine School.
If you have any questions about the Safe Environment Program or the requirements, please contact Charlotte Van Hollebeke at cvanhollebeke@stcatherineschool.net
Parish News
Holiday Bazaar
The St C Holiday Bazaar is Nov 18 and 19 in Victoria Hall!
Back by popular demand...Trinkets and Treasures!
We need your new or gently used items. Anything that makes a good gift is appreciated.
Items that sell well are jewelry, scarves, books, small decorative items and Christmas decor.
All money raised is donated to the St C chapter of St. Vincent de Paul.
Leave donations in the back of the church marked "bazaar" on mass days (Wed/Fri AM and weekends) or call/text Melanie Ruhl 206-795-6085.
If you have questions or want to volunteer to help in any capacity, please contact Katie Fleming 206-354-5161 or kjfleming1239@gmail.com
ACC Wreath & Garland Sale
For the 19th consecutive year, the women of the ACC Marjorie Ryan Circle will be delivering locally grown mixed noble fir wreaths and garland from Hood Canal Evergreens to St. Catherine School and Parish. All profits directly benefit the charitable organizations that Advocacy and Caring for Children supports. Remember to order for your friends and family this holiday season.
We truly appreciate your annual orders and we are happy to bring a little tradition and joy to the Christmas season. Thank you for sharing our vision, and helping us carry out Advocacy and Caring for Children’s 105-year tradition of service and compassion in the greater Seattle area.
You’ll find our order form below. Please return order forms and/or checks to the school office, by US Mail, or email by November 13th. Payments can be made by check or Venmo (@accwreathsale). Orders will be delivered to the St. Catherine parking lot and be ready for pick-up before Thanksgiving on Tuesday, November 21st between 12:30-3:30.
Questions? Gayle Kaplan gayle@kaplan1.com or (206) 714-9258.
Mission & Philosophy
St. Catherine of Siena Parish School is a welcoming, Christ-centered community, rooted in the Catholic faith and inspired by Gospel values. As an extension of the parish and with Jesus as our model, we are dedicated to lifelong growth in faith, love, and learning.
We recognize that the care and education of the child begins with the family and that parents are the primary educators of their children. In partnership with parents, we work to promote our students’ achievement and spiritual growth. Together we are committed to developing responsible, ethical leaders who think critically, act justly, communicate effectively, and serve willingly.
Vision
We are committed to providing a faith-filled, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment for all our students. Through our rigorous academic programs, our students will gain the cognitive, technological, and social skills necessary to become ethical, innovative leaders who successfully navigate the complex challenges of today’s world.