|
The Blarney Stone
January 11, 2023
| |
|
|
Mission
Saint Patrick Catholic School, a ministry of Saint Patrick Parish, guides students in the pursuit of academic growth while inspiring joyful lives filled with love, service, and respect as disciples of Christ.
| |
|
How Can I Keep from Singing?
Dear Friends,
Directly below my office is our school’s Music Room, which offers me free entertainment throughout my work days. Whether it is ukuleles playing, percussion instruments pounding, handbells chiming, or sweet voices singing, I hear all of the action quite well right through the floor.
Today several groups were working on the song, “How Can I Keep from Singing?” which is one my high school choir did a fair number of decades ago (and which subsequently became stuck in my head until about 2019). I would like to personally thank Mrs. Lewis for likely getting that one stuck back in my head for the next several decades. It was actually fun, though, to hear the students bringing renewed life to the song’s title phrase.
Our school choir has been honored with an invitation to provide the music for the upcoming Partners in the Gospel-Convocation Mass next Wednesday, January 18, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. This will be a landmark event, with Archbishop Etienne and other Church leaders in attendance. Our choir, which meets before school, has been practicing by 7:30 each morning, and I have no doubt they will do Saint Patrick Catholic School very proud.
Meanwhile, stop by my office sometime during a school day, and I’ll dare you to keep from singing!
Thanks for being here,
Barbara Bolaños
Principal
Saint Patrick, pray for us!
| |
ALWAYS scroll to the bottom of The Blarney Stone [you might need to click view the entire message if the email was clipped] or view it as a webpage in the browser to stay informed about important news, events, and programs. You'll know you've reached the bottom of this edition when you see the photo highlight. | | |
|
|
Parish News
Are you reading our weekly parish newsletter, The Cornerstone? Check out the most recent edition to read Fr. David Mulholland's pastoral letter, view Mass schedules, and learn about faith formation opportunities, sacramental prep, outreach, advocacy programs, news from the Seattle Archdiocese, and more!
Subscribe to receive The Cornerstone in your inbox when published on Fridays!
| | |
|
|
January
now | REACH Auction Ticket Sales
thru Feb 1 | REACH Auction Sponsorship Opportunities
thru Jan 31 | Fruit Cup Collection
12, 19, 26 | Art Studio for Middle Schoolers
18, 25 | Spirit Wear Wednesday
18, 25 | 2 pm Dismissal
13 | Last Day of the First Semester
13 | Intent to Return Survey Due
13 | Mass for K-5 students
16 | No School — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
17 | No School — Professional Development Day
17 & 24 | Operation Keep 'em Warm & Fed
20 | Mass for Middle Schoolers
24, 26, 31 | Girls' Varsity & JV Basketball
26 | Prospective Family Open House for K - 5
27 | ASB Donut Friday
27 | ASB January Coloring Sheets Due
28-Feb 5 | Catholic Schools Week
28-29 | CSW Essays read at Holy Cross & St Patrick
30 | Catholic Schools Week Kick-Off Assembly
30 | CSW Pajama Spirit Day
31 | CSW Free dress for PreK-5
31 | CSW Dress Like a Treacher Spirit Day
February
1 | REACH Auction Sponsorship Deadline
1 | CSW Generations Spirit Day
1 | CSW Game Night at Climate Pledge Arena
2 | CSW Class & Academic Awards Assembly
2, 9, 16, 23 | Art Studio for Middle Schoolers
2, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 24 | Girls' Varsity Basketball
2, 13, 14, 16, 24 | MS Girls' Junior Varsity Basketball
3 | CSW All-School Mass celebrating Vocations
3 | Anything but a Backpack Spirit Day for Middle School
3 | Staff vs. 8th Grade Competition
4-5 | CSW Essays read St. Leo Church
4 | CSW SPPA BINGO Night
7 | REACH Auction Planning Meeting
8,15, 22 | 2 pm Dismissal
8, 15 | Spirit Wear Wednesday
9 | Prospective Family Open House
9 | Blue Ribbon Night
10 | Middle School Retreat Day
10 | Mass for Middle Schoolers
10 | Catholic Schools Dance for grades 7 -8
14 | Valentine's Day Spirit Day
14 | ASB Valentine's Day Coloring Contest Sheets Due
14 & 21 | Operation Keep 'em Warm & Fed
14 | School Commission Meetings
16 | SPPA Meeting
17 | No School — Professional Development Day
20 | No School Presidents' Day
22 | Ash Wednesday All-School Mass
24 | Donut Friday
| | |
|
|
Intent to Return Survey
We understand that you have many choices of where to send your children to school. Your trust in us to help educate and form your children is a responsibility we take very seriously and accept with joy. Please don't hesitate to ask if there is anything we can do to help you understand next school year's enrollment.
Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey by January 13 regarding your intentions for the 2023-2024 school year. The information will help us in our budgeting for next year, as well as our staffing of teachers and aides. Your feedback is also critical for the School Commission as they work to set tuition.
The survey is for families of students in Kindergarten through 7th grade. PreK parents have already received a separate survey. However, please include your PreK students in your answers to this survey too.
The survey does not bind you contractually in any way but is of great importance for our planning. We will distribute Formal re-enrollment paperwork in February 2023.
| | |
|
|
Experience the Classroom
For current families planning to apply for 2023-2024 admission for siblings, now is the time to schedule classroom visits.
Open Houses
It's never too early to start planning for your child's Catholic Education. Could you share our Facebook event and tell your friends and family about our open houses for prospective families? Current families are also encouraged to attend, especially PreK families.
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
January 26 | K-5
February 9 | PreK-8
To schedule a tour or classroom experience:
2023-2024 Admissions
Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are now open.
| | |
|
|
In-Parish Tuition
If you are a parishioner at Saint Patrick or Holy Cross Catholic Church, your Stewardship Card for the 2023-2024 calendar year is in the mail this week.
To receive in-parish tuition, you must have a Stewardship Card on file with the parish, tithe, and attend mass.
| |
|
Join us to celebrate a 130-year legacy of Catholic Education at our
48th Annual R.E.A.C.H. Auction
Our goal is to engage alums, celebrate enrolled families, cherish parishioners, introduce our school to prospective families and raise $400,000 to support operating costs, tuition aid, and ongoing building needs. There are many ways to show your support!
___________________________________________________
SPONSORSHIP
"There are good ships, and there are wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, and may they always be."
Our Sponsorship Program means you are supporting us, and we want to help you and your business! Without you, we couldn't say cheers to 130 years of Catholic Education! Sponsorship opportunities from $250 to $15,000 are available through February 1.
You can learn more about how sponsorship benefits your company while helping us underwrite a portion of the auction so funds raised can go directly to educate students.
___________________________________________________
VOLUNTEER
Cheers to volunteers! We can only do this with you. That's why five volunteer hours of your 30-hour service commitment (15 hours for single-parent or PreK half-day families) are dedicated to the R.E.A.C.H. Auction. Tell us how you'd like to volunteer.
| |
|
TICKETS
We're excited to say cheers to you at the R.E.A.C.H. Auction on March 18, 2023! Tickets are available at $100/ticket until sold out (and they will sell out!)
RAFFLE
You'll be clinking glasses to say cheers when you win tuition dollars! Winners may choose cash or tuition at any school preschool to graduate school in the US. Raffle forms must be received by March 17, 2023. The winning tickets will be drawn at the event on March 18, 2023. You don't need to be there to win. School families are encouraged to buy or sell a ticket at each level. Raffle ticket forms
PROCUREMENT
Cheers to wishlists! Purchase items from our NEW WishList list and send them directly to the school. It's a great, easy way to donate and support procurement.
If you have questions, ideas to share, or need support, email our auction chairs, Wynter Dait and Christy Johnson, at [email protected].
| | |
|
|
Playground Supervisor
St. Patrick Catholic School is seeking a playground supervisor to monitor lunch recesses, Monday-Friday (except for half days), 11:30 am-1:30 pm. The position is a fun chance to interact with kindergarten through eighth-grade students!
We'll provide all the training you need; you bring your love for children.
After-School Supervisor
Are you looking for a fun opportunity to work with children? St. Patrick Catholic School is seeking a part-time after-school supervisor on full school days) as follows: 2:30 pm - 6:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; and 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Wednesday.
Candidates for each position must undergo a background check and complete Safe Environment training within 30 days of the start date.
Interested parties should email Vice Principal Kate Chambers and apply through the Archdiocese of Seattle.
| | |
|
|
Become A Safe Environment Program Facilitator— Volunteers Needed
Protecting God's Children is an initial, in-person class for volunteers and employees throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle working with children or vulnerable adults. Volunteer facilitators are needed to lead the classes in our school, and we invite you to prayerfully consider joining the efforts to keep our children and vulnerable adult parishioners safe!
Requirements
- Any parishioner/school family may apply.
- Commitment to protecting children.
- Endorsement from the appointed pastoral leader (Pastor, Priest Administrator, Pastoral Coordinator, Principal)
- Completion of the entire New Facilitator Webinar online
Upon completing the training session, you will be certified to host and facilitate the Protecting God's Children for Adults course for your parish or school.
Please contact Cathy Wiswell, Safe Environment Coordinator, at 206.382.4285 or email [email protected] for an application and more information.
Service counts towards fulfilling commitment hours for the 2022-2023 school year.
| | |
|
|
Lunch & Recess Supervisor
Are you looking for a fun way to earn commitment hours? We need volunteers to help supervise lunch and recess. Surround yourself with happy little people while helping to keep them safe. Be sure to check in at the office 5 minutes before the start of your shift.
NEW DATES ADDED
through JUNE 2023
Volunteers must have completed Virtus Safe Environment.
| | |
|
|
Volunteer Commitment Hours Log
School families are responsible for finding, recording, and tracking their service hours during the school year.
Did you volunteer at the Uniform Resale, Hedgefest, New Family BBQ, Parish Picnic, Glow Dance, Trunk or Treat, Wreath Sale, Lunch or Recess Supervision, Basketball, or Volleyball? Are you a classroom parent? Do you attend meetings for SPPA, School Commission, and REACH?
Log your Volunteer Commitment Hours after each event, so you're not scrambling at the end of the school year!
| |
To volunteer on campus, you must complete the Virtus Training. If you have completed the initial training, you can log into your account to ensure you are up to date with the background check and all modules. | |
Check events for more volunteer opportunities. | | |
|
|
Catholic Schools Week 2023
Join us in celebrating the 72 schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle, including Saint Patrick Catholic School! Catholic Schools are always reaching higher in academics, faith, student leadership, and value in education!
Check out the daily Catholic Schools Week events schedule, from Academic Awards Assembly & Distinguished Alumni Recognition to themed free dress day.
| | |
|
|
Night at Climate Pledge Arena
Join Catholic School families across Western Washington and cheer on the Redhawks!
FEBRUARY 1 | 7:00 pm
CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA
334 1st Ave North | Seattle, WA 98109
Seattle U Men's Basketball
vs.
Abilene Christian
Bring your school friends, wear your school swag, and prepare for an interactive evening celebrating Catholic schools! All students in 8th grade and under can participate in half-time activities and other gameday experiences.
TICKETS | $15
PROMO CODE | CSW23
| Please call 206-398-4678 for questions or to order over the phone. Ages 3 and older must have a ticket to enter. Discounts are only available online or by phone, not at the door on game day. | | |
|
|
BINGO NIGHT
To close out Catholic Schools Week 2023, SPPA is sponsoring BINGO night!
—SAVE THE DATE—
February 4 | 5 pm - 7 pm
Skip Butler Gym
Sweet treats, water and lemonade while supplies last. RSVPs are required for complimentary dinner. Registration form and volunteer sign up coming soon.
This is not a drop-off event. An adult must supervise students.
| | |
|
|
Homework Support Hour for grades 5-8
Need help with homework? Sign up for support. Space is limited. Sign-ups are required in advance, one week at a time.
Tuesdays
3 pm - 4 pm
Mr. Ainslie's Classroom
Students go directly to Mr. Ainslie's room after school. Mrs. McElligott will help students and ensure they are on task. Students can be picked up from the main office at 4 pm. Please do not send siblings with your student. Feel free to email Mrs. McElligott with questions.
| | |
|
|
Girls' Basketball Game Schedules
Cheer on the Shamrocks! Home games are bold, with Junior Varsity (JV) at 4:30 pm and Varsity at 5:45 pm. Some varsity games will start at 4:30 if there is no JV game that day. The schedule is subject to change. Check Team Sideline for updates.
VARSITY
-
24-January vs. Lighthouse
- 26-January vs. Rainier
-
31-January vs. Crosspoint
- 2-February vs. Sound Christian
-
7-February vs. Carbonado —4:30 pm
-
9-February vs. Heritage —4:30 pm
-
13-February vs. Lighthouse
-
14-February vs. Muckleshoot
- 16-February vs. Chief Leschi
- 24-February vs. St. Charles Borromeo
JUNIOR VARSITY
-
24-January vs. Lighthouse
- 26-January vs. Chief Leschi —Tentative
-
31-January vs. Crosspoint
-
9-February vs. Heritage
-
13-February vs. Lighthouse
-
14-February vs. Muckleshoot
-
16-February vs. Chief Leschi
-
28-February vs. Heritage
Email us photos of the games and practice! We'll share them on social media.
| | |
|
|
After School Art Studio for grades 6-8
Middle school students can use the space and supplies in the Art Room as their studio to develop their skills with a particular medium or to explore something new.
Thursdays | 3 pm - 4 pm
Art Room | Share
Art Studio is a free drop-in activity! You don't need to register. Art Specialist Mrs. Emily Keller will help students with their independent work most weeks. A unique project is planned for once a month.
| | |
|
|
Lunch Program
The lunch program, catered by Love My Lunch, offers three choices each day, including a dessert add-on. Each meal is $5.75 plus tax and includes fruit, vegetable, and a side item: no canned fruits or vegetables or high fructose products.
NEW MENU ITEMS for JANUARY 2023
- Hand-made Croissant French Toast
- Potstickers & Rice
- Scrambled Eggs with Biscuit & Gravy
Orders are due two days before lunch service, and Love my Lunch sends weekly reminders to all families with registered accounts. For questions, email [email protected]
| | |
|
|
Operation Keep 'Em Warm & Fed
Involve your family in a school service project you can do from home! Serving Tacoma since 1995, Operation Keep 'em Warm & Fed builds relationships with people experiencing homelessness.
Can your family help make ten sandwiches at home to give to people experiencing homelessness and hunger?
Jan 17 & 24
Feb 14 & 21
Mar 14 & 21
Apr 11 & 18
May 16 & 23
Jun 13 & 20
Jul 11 & 18
Aug 15 & 22
Sep 12 & 19
Oct 17 & 24
Nov 14 & 21
Dec 12 & 19
To sign up, or learn more, email us! Service counts towards fulfilling required commitment hours for the 2022-2023 school year.
| | |
|
|
St. Leo Food Connection
In January, we're collecting fruit cups, ideally in single serving sizes, and other non-perishable food items for St. Leo Food Connection.
Donated non-perishables primarily support the St. Leo Food Connection Backpack Program serving over 1,200 students weekly at schools in Tacoma, Lakewood, and Puyallup. Backpacks contain at least two days of easy-to-access food, such as oatmeal packets, instant soups, fresh fruits, and vegetables, so that students can come to school nourished and ready to learn after the weekend or extended winter break.
The following are needed, ideally in single-serving sizes:
-
February | Soup
-
March | Dried Fruit
-
April | Mac and Cheese
-
May | Cereal
-
June | Fruit Snacks
Drop off donations at Saint Patrick Catholic School during school hours!
| | |
|
|
Label Daddy Affiliate Program
Are you tired of wasting money on lost stuff? No more lost items with waterproof, ultra-durable name stickers. Check out Label Daddy!
Bonus: They offer a 25% rebate to Saint Patrick Catholic School when you shop using the affiliate link! You need not be a school family to use the link. Watch the video to learn more.
| | |
|
|
RaiseRight, formerly known as Scrip
Don’t just dream about your next vacation. Plan it. Earn 5% for Saint Patrick Catholic School from Airbnb and pick from local and quaint to extravagant and exclusive.
200+ brands delivered right to your door—Ship to Home. It’s convenient to keep earning with reloadable gas or grocery cards, birthday gifts, and more.
How it works:
- Buy gift cards at face value
- Earn up to 20% for St. Patrick Catholic School on every gift card you buy
- Use gift cards at their total value for your everyday purchases
Buy gift cards from your favorite brands to earn on your daily purchases. Use the mobile app or raiseright.com/shop for all your shopping and gift-giving needs year-round.
| | |
|
Box Tops for Education
Download the Box Tops app to scan your store receipts for participating products. St. Patrick Catholic School will automatically earn cash with every Box Tops product you buy.
| | |
|
|
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Do you shop at Fred Meyer? Every time you use your loyalty card, you can earn money for St. Patrick Catholic School.
In the 3rd quarter of 2022, 52 households helped earn $131.23 in donations for our school!
Link your Fred Meyer Rewards Card at Fred Meyer Community Rewards. You can search for us by St. Patrick School or ID Code RX604.
Then, every time you shop and use your loyalty card, you're helping our school earn a donation! You'll still earn your rewards points, fuel points, and rebates, and you'll also earn money for St. Patrick Catholic School.
| | |
|
|
Shop AmazonSmile
Designate St. Patrick School as your charity of choice on AmazonSmile, and purchase RaiseRight Amazon gift cards to maximize earnings for our school.
In the 3rd quarter of 2022, the community earned $262.82 for our school— and over $3,644 since we started participating.
Shop at smile.amazon.com or the Amazon app with AmazonSmile turned on within Settings, and they will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases at no extra cost. Select St. Patrick School as your AmazonSmile beneficiary.
Smilematic is a free Chrome, Safari, FoxFire, and Edge browser extension that automatically turns your everyday Amazon purchases into AmazonSmile donations. Learn more and get the extension.
| |
|
SPPA
2nd Tuesday of the month
5:30 pm - 6:25 pm
share
2023
Feb 16, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9
The SPPA meets from September to May on Zoom. All registered school families are members of SPPA and encouraged to participate.
Attending meetings counts toward Commitment Hours.
SPPA OFFICERS
President
Olivia Cabrales
Vice President
Erica Rosales
Treasurer
Christa Perez
Secretary
Dani Kessler
QUICK LINKS
Bylaws
Staff Favorites
Meeting Minutes
Sept | Oct | Nov
EVENTS
Catholic Schools Week
January 29 - Feb 4
Movie Nights
TBD
Blue Mouse Theater
Grandparents Day
April 28
Teacher Appreciation Week
May 1-5
Color Fun Run
May TBD
| |
|
School Commission
2nd Tuesday of the month
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
share
2023
Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9
The School Commission meets from September to May in the St. Patrick Catholic Church Parish Center.
Attending meetings counts toward Commitment Hours.
SCHOOL COMMISSION
President
Jamie Singer
Secretary
Alyssa Dunivan
Pastor
Fr. David Mulholland
Principal
Barbara Bolaños
Vice Principal
Kate Chambers
Faculty Representative
Trish Joyce
Commissioners
Brie Cooper
Allison Drago
Willie London
Bill Malaier
Stu Morgan
John Nelson
Andrew Noonan
Kasa Tupua Pierson
Bylaws
Meeting Minutes
Sept | Oct | Nov
| |
|
REACH Auction
1st Tuesday of the month
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
share
2023
Feb 7, Mar 7, Apr 4
The REACH Auction committee meets from September to April on Zoom.
Attending meetings counts toward Commitment Hours.
| |
|
After filling up their classroom marble jar, shamrocks in Miss Barro's 3rd-grade class celebrated their first party with lumpia—Filipino egg rolls.
To motivate students to continue positive behaviors, Miss B gives them marbles from her jar each time she observes them following their class promise. This includes using the appropriate voice level when working on a task, quietly walking through the halls with no stops, and receiving teacher compliments.
| | |
|
|
OFFICE HOURS
Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesdays
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 3:30 pm
SCHOOL HOURS
Monday | Tuesday | Thursday | Friday
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesdays
8:30 am - 2:00 pm
Early Dismissal Days
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
| |
SAINT PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL
1112 North G Street | Tacoma, WA 98403
| | | | |
