Big, Exciting News!!
Feedback Requested
Name Change for Holy Rosary???
Over the past few years, we have worked hard on developing a fantastic dual immersion school. When people find out about it, they are so excited by the concept. People LOVE the 100% Spanish Immersion in Pre-K, 90/10 (Spanish/English) in Kindergarten , and 50/50 (Spanish/English) in 1st - 5th (soon to be rolled out to the entire school!). We are seeing excellent results and we have families driving from all around the South Sound for this program. The problem for us, from a marketing and enrollment standpoint, is actually getting the word out! Having a name like "Holy Rosary Regional School/Juan Diego Academy" may have made sense several years ago when the plan was to have the dual-language program only in certain grades (a smaller program within the greater school). This is not the plan anymore, though. We have seen the importance (and success) of the immersion and dual-language program and are committed to rolling it out all the way up through grade 8. There is a great demand for what we have here. I am sure most of you have run into the issue of our rather lengthy name, as you try to explain who we are to friends and families, as well. This is to say nothing of our website name: "HRRSJDA", which can be difficult to explain, as well.
With all that being said, I have been discussing this with Father Wagner, our Governing Council, Parent Service Committee, and a number of other stakeholders. We are very interested in renaming the school "Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy". The name reflects the long history and tradition of Holy Rosary in the Tacoma area (since 1891!) and also shows who we are now (and in the future)! We would like some feedback on your thoughts about this possible change. Please take this one question survery: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5R75FC2
If you have any additional feedback, please feel free to email me at kdempsey@hrrsjda.org
Here is the process for a name change:
1) Discuss with Priest
2) Discuss with School Board/Governing Council and other Parent Organizations
3) Send issue out to the greater school community for feedback
4) Send a letter to the Seattle Archdiocese with the request
5) The request is put before the School Board for the Seattle Archdiocese
6) The request is identified as approved or denied and then sent on to the Archbishop for final approval.
Please know that this is not something undertaken lightly. It just feels like the right time to make this change. Also, we are BLESSED to have the free marketing services of The Gerling Family and their marketing company. They are ready to help us do some rebranding. What a wonderful gift and perfect timing!! A lot of thought goes into how we can make this school the best it can be. The teachers and staff do extraordinary work in partnership with our parents, but we need to make sure the word is getting out to the greater community. Thank you for your time and your participation in the survey.
Katie Dempsey
Principal
Crab Feed Update...Volunteers Needed for Saturday
Thank you to all who have already signed up on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. This is a great way to knock out those volunteer hours for the year!!