Weekly Newsletter
10.18.2023
Preschool & Kindergarten Open House
Are you a current preschool family starting to think about Kindergarten next fall? Or do you have friends starting to think about preschool or kindergarten? Please join us, and spread the word about our Open House on Thursday, October 19th at 6:30pm. Its an excellent opportunity to learn about our preschool and kindergarten programs.
To register, please email Tammy Matusak.
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. On November 6th, applications are processed and any openings become available to all other applicants. Be sure to get those applications in!
Upcoming Events
TODAY Wednesday, October 18th
Noon Dismissal Day for K-8 Students
Parking Lot Gates will open @ 11:53pm
Bake Sale Tomorrow! 8th Grade DC Trip Fundraiser
Pumpkin Cookies, Spider Brownies, and many more yummies to be had!
Come and enjoy some goodies during lunch recess and support the 8th Grade Class in raising funds for their DC trip.
"Cash Only" Sale
Thank you for your support!
POP-UP USED UNIFORM SALE & DONATION COLLECTION
In need of a sweatshirt or cardigan for school picture retakes? Have donations to unload?
Sunday, October 22 (9-11AM)
Victoria Hall (Gym Foyer)
Purchase transactions are cashless
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.
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
Alma Updates & Directory
From now until Friday, October 20th, please log into Alma and review your contact information. If you need to make changes, please do so at that time to ensure that the information on file is accurate.
Once logged into Alma, click on your initials in the upper right hand corner, and select "My Info." From there, you can update your contact information - phone number(s), email(s) and address(es). Please also verify, and update (if necessary) your child's emergency contact information.
New this year: The Alma Directory!! By opting into the directory in Alma your information will be shared with other parents who have also opted in, and you will be able to see theirs. In "My Info," you can toggle the little button in the section below your contact information to share your information with other parents.
Emergency Notifications & System Test
In the event of a school closure or emergency situation, we will notify families and staff via Alma's emergency alert system. Everyone will receive an email to their address on file in Alma but then you can choose to receive either a phone call or text message. The default is to receive a phone call so if you want to receive a text message instead, please change your notification preferences in your Alma account: Click on your initials in the upper right hand corner, and select "Notification Preferences" and select the button for "Text Message."
On Thursday, October 19th, we will be having an earthquake drill at ~1pm. At that time, we will also be testing our emergency notification system. Please be sure that you have updated all your contact information in Alma so that you can receive any emergency communication for the school. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
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
What is Harvest Festival?
Harvest Festival is an event for the whole family! Come for an evening of treats, carnival style games, pony rides, chili cook off, cake walk and more.
Date: Saturday, October 21st
Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm
Location: Victoria Hall
Ticket Presale
Buy your tickets now! This is a cashless event, all food, drinks and games are purchased with tickets. Tickets are available now and at the event.
Volunteering
Calling all Tiger families! Don't wait until the end of the school year and scramble to complete your volunteer hours. We have volunteer spots available for this Saturday's Harvest Festival - including an opportunity to earn double hours (clean up/take down) and opportunities on Friday if you're not available Saturday! Join us in making this a great event by helping to set up, sell tickets, bring a cake, or make chili!
Please reach out with any questions to pcinfo@stcatherineschool.net.
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!
St. Catherine School Auction
JOIN IN THE FUN OF AUCTION PLANNING!
St. Catherine's annual auction will be on April 20th, 2024.
We need our community to come together and help plan our biggest fundraiser of the year!
Please join us for an informational meeting on October 23rd at 7pm in the Learning Commons to hear more about how to get involved.
Questions? email auction@stcatherineschool.net
Kindergarten Mini Movers - LAST CALL!!!
Attention Kindergarten Kiddos, please join Ms. Tammy and Mrs. Bell for our first ever Movement Class! This is the perfect opportunity for your child to get their wiggles out while also learning controlled motions, form, and balance. We will practice dance moves, coordinated movements, and spatial awareness; key milestones in their development.
This after school enrichment opportunity will be offered on Mondays 3:15-4:15 beginning October 16th and running through the end of the year (December 11th).
The cost from this class is $225/child, and a minimum enrollment of 8 kiddos is required for the class to take place. Register online: https://forms.gle/VcsAx6KYiUPuFFL8A
Study Hall | 4th-8th Grades
Hi families! After school study hall for students in grades 4-8 has begun. Study hall is held after school in the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Mrs. Anderson. She will provide a safe and studious environment for your student(s) to complete their homework and receive assistance as needed.
If you’d like to sign up your student(s), please read and complete this form. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Anderson.
Drama Program News
Go Grease Lightening
We are so excited to be beginning our 2023-2024 musical, Grease! This program is open to all 4rd-8th grade students. There are roles for singers, non-singers, and technical crew. Please see below for more info! The sign up link can also be found at the bottom of this message!
Mark your Calendars!!
10/24 Tue. - 3:15 - 5:15 –4th and 5th grade Auditions - Music Room
10/26 Thurs. – 3:15-5:15 – 6th, 7th, 8th grade Auditions - Music Room
10/27 Fri. – Callbacks - 3:25- 5:00 - Music Room
Rehearsals will be held every Tuesday and Thursday starting on Tuesday, November 7th. There will be no rehearsals called in the month of December due to the Christmas program and in observance of the holiday season. If your child is interested but cannot attend either audition date, please contact Ms. Clara or Ms. Jones.
Cost: $200/child (½ price for 2nd/3rd child in a family) for Cast T-Shirt and show expenses! There are payment plans available. Please reach out to Amanda Lucero for information on payment plans. There will be a Musical Behavior Contract for you and your child to sign, sent home after auditions.
Interested in Tech Crew? We want to continue to build a stronger behind-the-scenes crew in our theater department this year! If your child is interested in working in stage management, lighting, sound, props, costumes, or anything else backstage, please select “crew” on the registration form so we can build our team!
Needed!!! Drama Volunteers – Whether it’s monitoring during rehearsal, helping with costumes, or trying your hand at stage makeup come March, we have lots of opportunities and needs, both big and small, so please send a note to Clara or Ava if you are interested in helping out! We can’t do it without our volunteers!
Sign up Link: https://forms.gle/bae3dZeg1fGBp4CZ7
Looking forward to a fantastic production!
CYO Sports
Tigers XC Places 3rd Overall!
Congratulations to the Tiger Cross Country Team for finishing 3rd out of 31 teams after the K-3rd grade Ribbon Run and 4th - 8th grade Championship Meet the last two Sundays. 70 kids participated on the team this year and it was great to see their hard work and dedication pay off with great performances and improving times throughout the season! We celebrated at our last practice with the traditional Slurpee Run to our neighborhood 7-11! Below are top 20 finishers from the Championship Meets:
Connor F.
Annie K.
Lily K.
Stella L.
Darby B.
Calla K.
Mia C.
Emma A.
Parker G.
Cormac B.
Fredrik P.
Thank you to all of the coaches and volunteers that helped to make this a successful season. Looking forward to Track and Field in the Spring and another fun Cross Country Season next Fall.
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
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.