Transfiguration Moments

Good morning, Kristin,


In his homily this past Sunday, our pastor shared a childhood memory of helping his grandfather hot mop the roof of a garage. Knowing he was wary of heights, his grandfather encouraged him, saying, "I think you’ll like what you see when you get up there." When he reached the top, he was awestruck—Mt. Rainier stretched before him, hidden from view at ground level.


His grandfather wasn’t trying to distract him from his fear but to shift his focus to the beauty that awaited beyond it. He likened this to the Transfiguration—Christ did not lead his disciples up the mountain to distract them from the suffering ahead but to reveal the glory that awaited beyond the Passion.


In our Catholic schools, we have the opportunity to offer these transfiguration moments to our students. As they face challenges, fears, and doubts, we guide them—not with distractions, but with the promise of what lies ahead: growth, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of God’s presence in their lives. Through these moments, we help reveal the greater glory of God at work in them and in the world.


With gratitude, 

NICHOLAS FORD | Superintendent

Office for Catholic Schools | Archdiocese of Seattle

 

OPERATIONS CALENDAR & MONTHLY TASK LIST

Click here & log into mycatholicschool.org

Principal Weekly Meetings

3/20/2025 - Curriculum Committees: Key Updates for Principals with Justyna King

3/27/2025 - Care Solace Data Review with Connor Geraghty

4/3/2025 - Lenten Reflection with Nicholas Ford and Connor Geraghty

4/10/2025 - Lenten Reflection II with Nicholas Ford and Connor Geraghty

Upcoming Events

 
 

March 26, 2025

OCS Presents PD Series - Stress Based Reactions for Catholic Educators

Via Zoom




 

March 28, 2025

BLC Lent Retreat

Peace and Spirituality Retreat Center



 
 
 

March 28 & 29, 2025

Latino Summit

St. Thomas, Tukwila




 
 
 
 

April 1, 2025

DUE: SBE Private Schools Approval & Participation in Federal

Click here for more information


 

April 8, 2025

Assistant Principal Collaborative




 
 
 

April 11, 2025

GRACE

Archbishop Brunette Retreat Center


 
 
View Upcoming Events & PD Opportunities
 

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

ACRE Registration

The ACRE religion assessment window for all 5th and 8th graders in the Archdiocese of Seattle is scheduled for April 1-30, 2025. See registration information here. 

WSCC Catholic Advocacy Bulletin

Click here to see the latest WSCC Catholic Advocacy Bulletin.

Gonzaga Explore

Gonzaga Explore is a summer outdoor adventure immersion for high school students that animates Pope Francis's Laudato Si' by exploring ecology, theology, and leadership in order to discover our vocations in serving and loving God, our church, our human family, and our common home. Click here to learn more.

Inspiration & Resources for Lent

Please use this collection of resources to help support your school community throughout the season of Lent. The links provided include a variety of tools to be used in classrooms, faculty meetings, and family newsletters.

Season of Service Report Form

We hope that every school will be represented in the Season of Service spiritual bouquet photobook that will be presented to Archbishop Etienne in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Use this form to submit your hours and photos today! 

OCS Presents PD#4: Stress Based Reactions for Catholic Educators

Join us on March 26 at 3:30 for an hour long PD session hosted by Courtney Caldwell of the Henley Leadership Group who will help teachers navigate this challenging month by providing specific techniques for managing stress based emotions. 

Disability Inclusion Mass and Dance

Please invite your community to a celebration of diversity in our Catholic faith community at the Disability Inclusion Jubilee Mass and Dance at 11am on March 22 at St. James Cathedral.

Latino Summit

Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. Catholic Church—yet they remain the most underserved by Catholic schools. Together can we change that! We’ve partnered with the University of Notre Dame’s Catholic School Advantage – Latino Enrollment Institute to provide schools and parishes with a proven framework to attract, support, and uplift Latino families in meaningful ways. FOR SCHOOL & PARISH STAFF Click here for more information.


 

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Schwartz's Update for the Week of 3/17/25

Included this week: School insurance information, SPS survey on equitable services, and important Board of Ed & OSPI deadline reminders. 

Click here to read more.

Seattle University's Teaching Program

Seattle University has launched a Catholic Schools Teaching Corps Program (starts Summer 2025). Click the link to connect with CSTC.

Exciting Leadership Scholarship Opportunities!

Click the link to learn about leadership scholarships from ACE and Shea Family Charities to attend ACE Principal Academy & ALMA formation programs.

Contact Kelly Surapaneni, kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org with questions.

Educational Leadership

Are you interested in administration? Here is a link to our partner programs. Be sure to check out the Fulcrum Foundation Educational Leadership Grant.

PACE Teacher Requests

Remember to fill out your requests for PACE Teachers! Gary Beckley, Director is our contact. You can reach him at beckley@up.edu.

 

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

OCS Presents PD for Educators #4

Courtney Caldwell from the Henley Leadership Group will lead this one hour online session on how to manage stress based emotions. Clock hours provided. 

Early Learning Weekly Newsletter

Click here for important resources and reminders for the Early Learning Program.



PD&C Day Resources are Online

If you'd like to see a session recording or get the resources from a particular session, check out the PD&C Page website for those options. 

 

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

 

Grow Your Latino Enrollment

Shea Family Charities has generously donated to cover the cost of Notre Dame’s ALMA (Latino Enrollment) program for our Seattle schools, making participation completely tuition-free! For more information, contact Kristin Moore at kristin.moore@seattlearch.org.

2025/2026 School Budgets

Each School community completes this project at a different pace. Where are you? Are you on pace with your Finance Calendar? Share your issues with John Sullivan.

Multi-Year Budgeting

NSBEC Standard 10 describes an effective Catholic School as one that has a Three to Five Year Financial Plan. Do you? See template here.

Monthly School Financial Reporting 

Please review the attached list of monthly Financial Reports and reach out to John Sullivan if you are not receiving all of the items on this list. 

Resumes on the Principal Shared Folder

Resumes from the Western Washington University, Seattle University and University of Portland Educator Fairs are on the Google Webspace. Click here!

 
 

News & Resources

 

No News!

No news this week. Let Ellie Bailey know if you have something you'd like to include in this section!

eleanor.bailey@seattlearch.org


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