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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

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Dear Holy Rosary Families.
WestFest is coming!  
I’d like to thank all of our hardworking volunteers for the tremendous efforts to bring this Carnival of Community back!  It’s been three years and WestFest is returning bigger and better than ever. None of this would be possible without the hard work of the Holy Rosary Community and our amazing parent volunteers.  Thank you for everything!
This week the staff embarked on the beginnings of our Self Study.  Every six years Catholic Schools are required to go through the Accreditation process to reflect on the work that is being done and to set goals for the next six years.  Four significant goals that we accomplished through the last Accreditation cycle are:
1)  Enhancing our STEM program and training our staff in project based learning through Project Lead the Way;
2)  Further developing our Social Emotional Support Programs through new curriculum and training for all staff and adding a counselor to our staff; 
3)  Catechetical training for all staff, especially those teaching religion; and
4)  Realigning our math program to add Geometry as a course available in 8th grade.  
We’re looking forward to studying our school again and setting new goals for the future!
This time we are using a new set of standards to assess our programs.  These standards (the National Standards and Benchmarks of Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools)  were a culmination of a study that took place at Loyola University of Chicago, drawing representative voices for all aspects of Catholic education from all parts of the country.  First published in 2012, they have been adapted and used in various types of assessments, accreditations, and strategic planning initiatives in a wide variety of Catholic schools and (arch)dioceses (WCEA, 2022).  
Our families will play an important role in this process and in the coming weeks I will break down the four standards we will use to judge ourselves and set goals for the next six years.  In winter 2024, a visiting team will come to our school to look at how well we’ve assessed ourselves and determine whether we’ve set appropriate goals for the next six years.  It will take us well over a year to complete our self study and there will be many times we’ll need the input from the larger community.  Much more to come on this important topic!
I’m looking forward to our first ever movie night tomorrow night!  The show will start around 7 and we’ll have popcorn!  We’ll set up on our lower playground. Feel free to bring a low back chair to sit and enjoy the show!
In Christ, 
Anna 

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UPCOMING DATES

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• September 16th – Movie Night
• September 23rd – Noon Dismissal
• September 23rd-24th – WestFest
• September 27th – School Pictures
• October 14th – No School (Teacher In-Service)

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NOTES & REMINDERS

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We Need Your Forms

The office needs your help. It’s a new year, so new forms are needed. Please submit the following forms to the office.
Volunteer Agreement form
Family Handbook Acknowledgement form
Rapid Covid Test Permission
Photo/Media Form (new families only)

Day of the Doughnuts!

Tomorrow, Sept. 16th, we will celebrate the students who completed and turned in the math and/or reading challenges.  
Here is the schedule:
SESSION 1: 8:45 – 9:30 – K-2 
SESSION 2:  9:35 – 10:20 – 3/4
SESSION 3:  12:05 – 12:50 – 5/6 
SESSION 4:  1:00 – 1:45 – 7/8 
There will be doughnuts and drinks for the kids.  For students with dietary restrictions on file, we will have specialty doughnuts.  In addition to delicious doughnuts, students can look forward to prizes for each challenge, raffles, music, trivia, good company, and lots of fun!  
We appreciate the hard work it takes to complete each of the challenges.  And, we hope you enjoyed improving your math skills and reading good literature!
Mrs. Heuer, Ms. Wallace, and the HRS teachers

Outdoor Movie Night This Friday

Join us for the first (and hopefully annual) outdoor movie night on the HRS lower playground on Friday, September 16th. This is a great way to reconnect with old friends and spend time with new ones while watching Ratatouille! Popcorn, popsicles and drinks to be provided. Arrive early to claim your spot – movie starts at 7:00 PM. Bring low-back chairs and a blanket.

Free Dress Next Friday

Wear your WestFest Gear next Friday to show your HRS spirit! If you still need to order a shirt, see the Events & Fundraisers section below.

Family Handbook

Our 2022-23 family handbook is available online here. Each school year we require parents to review the handbook and sign the online acknowledgement form. Please complete the handbook acknowledgement form by Sunday, September 19th.

Handbook Spotlight- Electronics Policy

Help us keep our school an environment free of the temptation that comes from the use of electronic devices during the day!  
From our Family Handbook:
Any cell phone use, including messaging on phones or via SMART watches, is prohibited during the school day due to the nature of the disruption caused.  This includes during Extended Day Care.  Parents/Guardians are encouraged to contact students outside of school hours or via the office if an emergency happens during the day.
Apple watches can be placed in “school mode” by following these steps.
Thank you for your support with this!

Who Do I Contact?

We have a number of support staff here to help at any time.  
To reach our office:  office@holyrosaryws.org
To reach our school counselor, Megan Choitz:  mchoitz@holyrosaryws.org 
To reach our Vice Principals:  
Lauren Tipton (grades K-6):  ltipton@holyrosaryws.org
Ted Mohrbacher (grades 6-8):  tmohrbacher@holyrosaryws.org 
** Our Vice Principals are here to help in a number of ways.  If you have a problem that has not been resolved after speaking with the homeroom teacher, for a sudden or immediate need, or a need of a serious nature that needs more support, please reach out to one of our Vice Principals at any time.  Note- there is some overlap with the VPs with grade 6.  You are welcome to contact either and they will work with each other. 
Principal Anna Horton can be reached at any time at ahorton@holyrosaryws.org 

Playground Use After School

The Holy Rosary School playground is a popular place after school.  Most days we have over 100 students a day in our BASE program and it is important that we are able to safely supervise BASE students while out on the playground.  Therefore, the playground is open for general use/play (supervised students only please) for half an hour after school each day.  At 3:30 each day (2:30 Wednesdays, 12:30 on noon dismissal days) the playground will close to general use and be available only for BASE student use.  Thank you for your understanding with this.  

COVID And Health Screening

Please find the latest COVID screening flowchart on our website and linked here.  This should be used to help families determine how to screen symptoms for school attendance.  
All students are asked to return a COVID testing permission slip this fall, which will allow us to test students at school if needed.  We have testing available on site and can test any student, parent or family member if needed.  NOTE- parent permission will always be obtained prior to testing at any time. This permission slip can be found here and should be returned to the school office. 
Please contact the office as soon as possible if anyone in your family tests positive at any time at office@holyrosaryws.org or COVID@holyrosaryws.org.  Kristin Bentler will work with you then on protocols and next steps.  
Students who have a family member test positive may remain in school, but should engage in a Test to Stay Protocol testing prior to attending school each day.   Per the Department of Health (DOH) guidance, students are asked to mask at school if a family member tests positive until that family member is no longer contagious.  If a student tests positive, he/she should wear a mask until day 10 even if returning to school on day 6, per DOH guidance as well.  
Due to the disruption it causes to the learning environment, Zoom instruction will not be offered building-wide this year.  Individual teachers will share protocols for addressing COVID-related absences.  

Puyallup Fair Tickets

We have 500 student tickets for the Puyallup Fair in the main office. First come, first served. Parents must come to the main office to request the tickets. One ticket per student.

Holy Rosary School and Parish Are Hiring!

Holy Rosary is currently looking for a Custodian- 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, shift hours are negotiable

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ACTION ITEMS

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Milk Order Form – LAST CHANCE

Order milk online here for your student for the entire school year. The milk cost is $25 per student, with the option of 1% white milk all week, or 1% white milk Monday-Wednesday with 2% chocolate milk available on Thursday and Friday. Your SchoolAdmin account will be billed for your selection.

Lunch Programs

Lunch Ladies
I am excited to introduce (to our new families) and re-introduce (to our current families), the Lunch Ladies program offered at Holy Rosary School! This fabulous optional lunch program provides healthy, daily offerings spanning across hot and cold lunches. Each meal consists of an entrée with 2 sides, typically fruit and veggie, paired with an optional dessert. Lunch Ladies is run by Wendy Szabo and her amazing employee Alex, who services the school. Wendy and her team have partnered with local restaurants and are excited to offer some new and exciting options this year to expand offerings and bring healthy and delicious lunches to our school.
This is a great program that offers an affordable and fantastic selection, paired with the convenience of removing that additional task of making lunches every morning 😊. Please visit the school website which will take you directly to the ordering site. The password for ordering is HR264.
Bon Appetit! Wendy and Alex

Academic Eats
We have paired with Academic Eats to provide lunch options to our junior high students.  Academic Eats pairs with local restaurants to offer a fun option for lunch.  Lunches are delivered to the school by the restaurant just in time for their lunch break.  Please follow the directions on the flier to sign up. Remember, we are listed as Holy Rosary Seattle.  (There are other Holy Rosary’s listed)

Ideas For Our Lunch Program

Do you have lunch items you would like to see Lunch Ladies provide? We are looking for input from you on what your child likes to eat. Contact Karla Lawson

Red Cadet Collar Sweatshirts

The Main Office currently has the red Cadet Collar sweatshirts in stock in ALL sizes.  An order form must be completed to pick up a sweatshirt. If you purchased one over the summer, they are ready for pick up in the office starting Monday, August 22 between 8am and 4pm.

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EVENTS & FUNDRAISING

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Magazine Drive

So far we have sold over $20,000 in magazines!!! Congrats to Estella in 3^rd grade on winning the $25 Husky Deli gift card for completing the 3 steps to register to sell for the Magazine Drive. Next incentive: 5 NEW SALES enters your family to win a dozen cupcakes from Angel Cakes.

Last year’s sales will be sent via email over the next week.  Please check your junk folder and search for confirmation@mail.funderworks.com.

Our theme this year is IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY!  Community makes HRS strong and by working together we will have a successful fundraiser. Fundraising continues to be key to our school’s financial success, please help us reach our goal. Renewal notices are arriving, so let your customers know that HRS will once again be selling magazines.  New subscriptions and renewals count towards our goal. Even renewals that weren’t initially purchased through HRS count towards our goal of $125,000.

You will be selling as a family unit, no need to create individual accounts for each of your HRS children.  Don’t worry, all HRS students will receive individual prizes at whatever level your family reaches, up through 50.

CASH DONATIONS                                                                                                                                                                 

Cash donations, in lieu of magazine orders, are welcome!
$25.00 donation = 1 magazine order.

DONATE TO THE MAGAZINE DRIVE

ONLINE FAMILY REGISTRATION WITH FUNDERWORKS

1. Go to www.funderworks.com
2. Click on REGISTER A PARTICIPANT
3. Enter ROSARY in the code field and submit
4. Follow the steps to create the account
5. Once account is created, familiarize yourself with the various selling tools available. These include avatars, e-mail blasts, printable flyers, social media, etc.

Our goal is 100% participation.  Additional questions, contact Beth Martin or view the Magazine Drive web site.

WESTFEST

WestFest is coming up and below are some links to help make the Carnival of Community unforgettable.
1. NEW this year…ticket punch cards, sold in increments of $20.  Purchase along with ride wristbands here.
2. Parent volunteers are needed, sign up here. Not only must all volunteers be Safe Environment/Virtus cleared, but you also must have this form on file with the main office. New year = new form for the Archdiocese.
3. 8th graders get your services hours by signing up here.
4. Desserts needed for the cake walk. Any kind of dessert is welcome: cakes, cookies, cupcakes, donuts, brownies, bars, and pies. We are unable to take items that need refrigeration. If something is gluten/nut/allergen free, please label it clearly. Desserts can be dropped off after school, next Friday the 23^rd.1 DESSERT = 1 VOLUNTEER HOUR.
**Remember AVOID THE LINES by purchasing a ride wristband and ticket punch card early. Two options to receive, delivered to your oldest child’s teacher or pick up Friday between 11:30-12:30.  All food, ride, game booths will use the ticket punch card.  NO CASH ACCEPTED AT ANY RIDE, GAME OR FOOD BOOTH! BINGO will still accept cash. The Beer Garden will be Credit payment only.

Westfest Entertainment

Do you have a special talent? Are you part of a band? We are looking to book acts for our Westfest stage. Contact Cassandra Webster for more information.

WestFest Raffle

Please join us in support of the WestFest raffle!   We will be raffling off 3 gift baskets – women’s, men’s, and children’s, and want to load them up with desirable items donated by businesses and HRS families.  Think gift certificates, bottles of wine, sports equipment, jewelry, games – anything in new or excellent shape would be wonderful.  To donate items please contact jennyhoughton02@yahoo.com.  Come find us at back to school night to purchase your raffle tickets – just $1 each!

Westfest Sponsors Needed

Westfest is back and just around the corner! Holy Rosary is looking for sponsors to help support this family friendly community event.  With all in person events on hiatus for the last two years, we expect a great crowd this year.   If you own a small business or your family is looking for a fun way to support our community, please consider a sponsorship.  I’ve included the information in the attached flyer and happy to discuss other ways to activate a sponsorship.  If you have a personal connection to additional business owners, please feel free to pass the information along or connect them with us.  I can be reached at bonnierice@gmail.com or feel free to give me a call (206) 226-4046.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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Volunteer Hours

The volunteer hours portal is ready for the 22/23 school year.

• Go to ‘Report Volunteer Hours‘ (also a red hyperlink on our home page.)
• New families:  If you haven’t set up a volunteer log-in yet, you will need to do that first, use the same link!  Remember, only one account per family, NOT per parent

Covid Volunteering Protocols

The COVID Protocols for volunteering in the school and around children have been updated for the new school year. COVID vaccinations are not required, but ALL volunteers working with or around children will need to complete the School Volunteer Agreement. Whether you are volunteering in the next few weeks or in the next few months, please fill out the School Volunteer Agreement now and return it to the school office.

Safe Environment Training

There are many opportunities to help out this year. All of our volunteers are required to take Safe Environment training prior to volunteering with the school or church. If you have not taken the class, please sign up as soon as possible. There are in-person as well as online classes. **It can take a couple of weeks after you’ve taken the class for you to be cleared to volunteer.**

Auction Project Volunteer

Need a creative and fun way to engage with your child and their classmates, documenting the memory of the 2022-3 school year as well as, fulfilling your fundraiser hours? 

As we plan for the 2023 Heart Auction, we are seeking out individuals interested in leading each grade’s auction project. These are important fundraising projects that, year over year, bring in a sizable amount of fundraising dollars while also delivering beautiful and memorable art and experiences created by your child and their classmates. If interested or have questions, email the Action Project Coordinator Brittiony Borges @ brittiony@gmail.com.

Painting Westfest Booths

We will be painting Westfest Booths next Tuesday, September 20th and Wednesday, September 21st from 4pm-7pm behind the kindergarten back entrance where the Westfest booths are stored. Both parents and 8th graders are welcome to join. They can sign up through this link: https://app.planhero.com/gatherings/15774-westfest-booth-painting

Traffic Patrol

We are looking for parent/guardians to do traffic patrol duty this year for volunteer hours. You would need to be fully vaccinated, and available to arrive on time and stay until your duty is complete. This would be a trimester obligation.
Start Date:
September 12^th – December 9^th
December 12^th – March 24^th
March 27^th – June 16^th
Times:
8:00-8:40am
2:45-3:15pm   1:45-2:15pm (Wednesdays) 11:55-12:20pm (1/2 days)
You could choose to do one day per week, AM or PM, or both AM & PM on the same day if you wish. Please contact Maggie Judd if you are interested.

Playground Volunteers

We are looking for playground volunteers to help us during lunch recess. Shifts are Monday through Friday from 10:55am to 1:05pm. If you have one or two days available each week, please contact Maggie Judd. Prompt arrival and a full shift are needed. Covid vaccination is not necessary.

REMEMBER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO LISTED HERE!

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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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Discovering Chess

Our Holy Rosary chess class will be offered again this year starting Thursday, October 6th and running every Thursday through May. We will meet from 3-3:45 in room 7A. The cost will be $20 a month and will be charged to your School Admin account. I have room for 20 students (3rd -8th grade). Please email mritscher@holyrosaryws.org to get on the class list. Thanks, Mr. Ritscher

CYO Referees

We are excited to kick-off our 2022 CYO soccer season. We are in search of enthusiastic and qualified referees for our 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade games. Starting pay is $35 an hour. An entree level referee license is required. Age level is 14 and above. This is a great opportunity for high schoolers to use their soccer experience and give back to the game. Please reach out to the Jihanna Ness at CYO Athletics if interested and to find out more information: Jihanna.ness@seattlearch.org. 

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PARISH NEWS

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NEW Fall Women With Purpose Study Session-The Friendship Project 

Looking to deepen your friendships? Want to explore your faith life with other women? Please join us for our Women with Purpose Fall 2022 session on a personal journey with authors, Michele Faehnle and Emily Jaminet, as we discover in their book, The Friendship Project, how to develop and deepen Christian friendships. Renew your faith life as we study scripture, discuss the book, learn about friendships among Saints, and pray.  The Friendship Project Study Session will meet on Thursday Evenings starting September 29 thru December 1 at 7:00-8:30pm.  More information at https://holyrosaryseattle.org/wwp  For questions email Deyette at DSwegle@holyrosaryseattle.org.

Friday Morning Women With Purpose

In addition to the Thursday evening Women with Purpose group, we are looking to begin again a Friday Morning Women with Purpose group. Friday meetings would take place from 9:15-11:00am in the Parish Center Reception room. At this time, this would not include childcare.  For interest or questions regarding a Friday Women with Purpose group, please email Deyette Swegle at DSwegle@holyrosaryseattle.org.

Sing With The Holy Rosary Children’s YouthChoir!

Come and be part of a Holy Rosary tradition: the children’s YouthChoir!

• Convenient Wednesday rehearsals from 2:30 to 3:15.
• BAND students go directly from band to choir!
• BASE kids are escorted back to HR BASE after choir!

YouthChoir! is open to all students in 3^rd – 8^th grades!
Practices started September 14 on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:15 in chapel; older students are eligible for cantor practice from 3:15-3:40.
Register online: http://holyrosaryseattle.org/youth-choir
Choir participation fee: $100/child per year. Financial aid available via GatorAid • Holy Rosary School (holyrosaryws.org)
Parents: Volunteer time counts towards your school hours! Help support our YouthChoir! by volunteering your time and fun ideas or resources (t-shirts, video recording, website, field trips, community performances, pool/karaoke parties, etc.) Contact Paul Dolejsi, director at pdolejsi@holyrosaryseattle.org for more info.
Religious Education students are invited to participate, too! Some local schools are getting out earlier now. Even if your student can’t attend weekly Wednesday 2:30 rehearsals, maybe they can make the one Wednesday when they get out early for teacher in-service. They are also invited to the Sunday rehearsal at 9:30am before Mass. We’ll go over all the music so they can sing at the mass!
Remember: Music helps kids become better learners! Choir helps kids become more confident persons! Singing and serving helps them grow closer to Christ!

Altar Server Training

Use this SignupGenius link to sign up early and reserve your place!  
Time for Altar Server training! This is for new and returning altar servers. Training is required in order to serve. Girls and boys in grades 5, 6, 7, 8 and High School can serve the holy people of God during Mass. When we join in the Mass, we remember Jesus and give thanks and praise for all the good things that God does for us. Altar Servers assist the whole church in praying. They carry the crucifix, candles and books at Mass. They prepare the altar so that bread and wine can become the Body and Blood of Christ!
The priests and the other ministers who help us celebrate the Mass rely on the altar servers so that we can all receive Christ by hearing the Word of God and receiving the Eucharist. Servers are trained after school or in the evening. Current altar servers receive follow-up training. Older altar servers can learn to lead the other servers at Mass!
Altar Server Training (One class from each session required)
Training Session 1

• Thur, Sept 15th – 3:15-5:15 pm
• Sun, Sept 18th – 12-2 pm

Training Session 2

• Wed, Sept 28th – 2:30-4:30 pm (pick only one 9/28)
• Wed, Sept 28th – 6:30-8:30 pm (pick only one 9/28)
• Fri, Sept 30th – 3:15-5:15 pm
• Sat, Oct 1st – 9:30-11:30 am
• Sun, Oct 2nd – 1-3 pm

We will train all altar servers together–new and old. This helps the new servers learn quicker and helps refresh older servers. We’ll sign up about 10 servers per session.
Location: Church Sacristy

Sacramental 2 Preparation

(First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion)

Holy Rosary parish follows the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Seattle regarding children’s preparation to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Children must have one year of religious instruction before being prepared for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

Children who are Baptized Catholic and in Grade 2 can receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Registration is open online: 2022-2023 Sacramental 2 (formsite.com)

If you have older children who have not yet received either of these sacraments or for information about First Reconciliation/First Communion Preparation, please contact Sr. Stella at srstella@holyrosaryseattle.org or 206 – 937-1488 ext. 252.

Youth Confirmation

Youth Confirmation kicked off last Sunday September 11^th. We have received some feedback that Mondays were very hard for school families to attend. To make things more convenient, we will meet on Sundays before Mass. Youth Confirmation will meet Sundays from 9:30 am till the end of 10:30 Mass. Registration is now open.

Adult Confirmation

Adult Confirmation will start November 3^rd and will meet Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. And for anyone interested in becoming Catholic or wanting to learn more about the Catholic Faith, RCIA kicks off on September 14^th and will meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.RCIA Flyer

Rite Of Christian Initiation Adapted For Children

Holy Rosary Church welcomes children 7-18 years of age who have never been baptized, along with their families, on a journey of preparation for initiation into the Catholic Church. If you or your children are interested to know more about RCIA, please contact Sr. Stella at srstella@holyrosaryseattle.org or 206-937-1488 ext. 252 or you can register online: RCIA for Children (formsite.com)