Weekly Newsletter
12.6.2023
THANK YOU!
The teachers and staff would like to say thank you to each and every family for the generous Christmas gift received! We truly appreciate your kindness and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and blessed Holiday Season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, December 6th
Non-Uniform Day
Noon Dismissal Day for K-8 Students
Wednesday, December 13th
Christmas Program @ 6:30pm in Victoria Hall
Thursday, December 14th
Tiger Spirit Day - Wear your Gear!
Friday, December 15th
Christmas Spirit Dress Day (Christmas PJ's, Holiday Sweaters, Red, Green & White, Santa Hats, etc.)
Noon Dismissal Day for All Students
No After School K-8 Extended Care
No Full Day Preschool or PM Pandas Program
Christmas Program
December has arrived, and with it comes our annual St. Catherine Christmas Program! All of the students from Preschool up to 8th grade have been working hard to prepare their songs for the 2023 Christmas Program, and we are excited to celebrate the Christmas season with our St. Catherine Community.
The Christmas Program is Wednesday, December 13th at 6:30pm. Students should arrive to their classroom no later than 6:00 pm, and doors to Victoria Hall open at 6:00 pm. You may not enter the gym and put coats on chairs during the day. Any items left on chairs before 6pm will be removed.
Calling all bakers!
We need your help to provide sweet treats for the ever-popular and crowd-drawing Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 13th. Please sign up using the button below and bring your cookies to the gym after dropping your student off!
From the School Office
2024-2025 Opt-Out
St. Catherine School families are set up on a rolling admissions schedule. Existing K-8 families who will "opt out" for the 2024-2025 school year are due by January 12, 2024. Parents of returning students will be able to access the opt-out form via their parent portal within a couple of weeks. Parents will be notified via Alma annoucements once the form is available. Notice of families not returning for the following school year after the January 12, 2024 date will be charged the non-refundable $250/child registration fee.
Lost & Found
Is your child missing a jacket, lunch box, water bottle or sweatshirt? The lost and found is overflowing with many unclaimed items. Please come check out the lost and found located in the gym foyer the next time you are on campus. Any unclaimed uniforms will be given to the used uniform sale and all other items will be donated to Goodwill over Christmas Break.
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.
Auction Planning
Auction planning is in full swing! Volunteers, we need you!
Are you interested in working with your kids' classrooms to create a masterpiece? Please reach out to auction@stcatherineschool.net if you would like to lead a Classroom Project that will be available to bid on at the St.Catherine Auction in April 2024.
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
Partners in the Gospel Update
In response to your feedback during our summer sessions at our church and online, a new family of parishes has been proposed by the archdiocesan Partners in the Gospel Team.
The new family proposal includes the churches and schools of Our Lady of the Lake, Saint Bridget, Assumption, and Saint Catherine of Siena. Many of you expressed the desire to be placed into a different family than you were originally proposed to be in. Please continue the conversation!
The new family configuration is still a recommendation. Once more, your prayerful conversation and feedback will determine our future. Please attend a second parish wide listening and prayer session on December 9th, 2023, after the Saturday 5:00 pm Vigil Mass, in Victoria Hall. Please RSVP HERE to help us plan attendance for note takers and refreshments.
St. Vincent de Paul Holiday Program
Thanksgiving Meals for Neighbors in Need
The SVDP Holiday Program is serving 25 neighborhood families this year. A grocery
voucher will be given to each family to plan, shop, and prepare a meal of their choice.
The voucher will be worth $30 per member; a family of four will receive a $120
voucher. Will you please help by feeding one family or contributing what you can? We
appreciate early donations so families have adequate time to plan and shop.
Please make checks to the SVDP Holiday Program and place them in the collection basket or mail them to the parish office:
814 NE 85th Street
Seattle WA, 98115
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.