Over the past six months, I have been exploring the potential and feasibility of offering a summer program for our youngest students, as this has been an ask from the community for many years. Through surveying family interest and staffing availability, I am excited to announce that this summer, we will be offering two summer programs. These programs will be open to students who are registered for the 2023-24 school year in preschool through rising 2nd graders. We will have two offerings--one for preschool students and one for rising Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students.

The program will run from 9-3, Monday-Friday, for 8 weeks, and will offer both half and full-day options. Families will be able to register in 1-week increments or for the entire summer. We are still fine-tuning the design, but we do know that it will be theme-based, and the days will have a mix of camp-style activities, some academic-based activities, and free play. We are currently building the registration in our School Admin platform, and will be sharing that as soon as it is ready. We anticipate being able to admit all students who are interested in this option, thanks to our excited staff members who will be taking on this summer program.

We hope those of you with young children are as excited as we are to spend our summertime together at St. C!

This weekend, parishes around western Washington shared some news regarding a rebuilding in the Catholic church structure in this region. On Wednesday, I was able to join over 1,000 Catholic school and parish leaders gathered at a convocation with the Archbishop to learn about these exciting next steps.

From the Chancery:

Partners in the Gospel, officially launching this weekend, is a strategic pastoral planning effort taking place across the Archdiocese of Seattle to re-invigorate and renew our local Catholic Church.

As many of you are aware, this week we hosted a Partners in the Gospel Convocation at the Tacoma Convention Center for priests, parish staff and key leaders, women religious, school leaders and other ministry leaders. Almost 1,000 attendees prayed together, celebrated Mass and shared the archdiocesan-wide vision for Partners in the Gospel. To learn more, read the Northwest Catholic convocation story.

Learn more:

• Northwest Catholic "Partners in the Gospel" story in English and Spanish

While St. Catherine students are guided by our mission, philosophy, and vision, they also strive to demonstrate our School-wide Learning Expectations (SLEs). These are embedded in our lessons, just as standards are, so that we are continually helping our students grow in these areas.

The School-wide Learning Expectations at St. Catherine School are:

A. We are active faith-filled persons who:

1. Understand & model the teachings of the Catholic Church

2. Pray daily with reverence

3. Participate in Mass regularly

4. Practice social justice & service to others

B. We are curious, engaged learners who:

1. Ask questions & explore new learning opportunities

2. Develop effective & responsible study habits

3. Strive to do our best

4. Practice problem solving & critical thinking

5. Listen attentively and communicate ideas clearly

6. Collaborate and engage with others respectfully

C. We are conscientious & responsible citizens who:

1. Use technology effectively and responsibly

2. Resolve conflict thoughtfully

3. Show compassion & kindness to others

4. Care for the environment & God’s creation

5. Welcome others & include everyone

6. Engage in respectful dialogue to understand other viewpoints

7. Recognize, refuse, and report bullying

Day to day, students are recognized for demonstrating these expectations through earning Tiger Paws. In addition, at the end of each trimester, students in grades K-8 nominate two students in their classes who have most demonstrated the SLEs that trimester. During an all-school assembly, these students are recognized, and our Leadership Team honors them with crowns and by reading some of the reasons their classmates nominated them. This is a truly honorable recognition, as it is chosen by peers.

It is often said that each Catholic School seems like it runs its own ship. While that is true to a large degree and individual schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle are given a significant amount of autonomy to serve students, families, and staff in a manner that best meets their community, we receive significant guidance from the Office for Catholic Schools, and specifically, we work closely with our regional schools.

St. Catherine is part of the North Seattle Deanery, which is comprised of St. Catherine, Assumption-St. Bridget, Christ the King, Our Lady of the Lake, St. Matthew, St. John, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Alphonsus, St. Luke, Villa Academy, Seattle Prep, Blanchet High School, and Holy Names Academy. We are one of the largest regions in the Archdiocese, and we are blessed to work closely together.

Once each month, each school in our region takes a turn hosting the regional principal meeting. We gather for lunch, and have an opportunity to discuss and collaborate on current happenings in our schools, such as enrollment and registration. We often share resources and guidance, such as the various ways in which we each build our programs for diversified learners. We are continually looking for new ways to collaborate and help strengthen our schools collectively.

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.

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.