Easter People

Good morning, Kristin,

In his Easter message (shared below), Archbishop Etienne reflects on the gifts of resurrection, salvation, and life. In it, he reminds us of our mission, drawing from the example of Christ, “to love the Risen Jesus and to love those that He puts into our path with His grace and His power and His life.”

As we prepare to enter into these holy days, I pray that you feel renewed, not because the challenges have disappeared or the cross is set aside, but because we know we do not bear it alone. We walk forward in hope. We practice resurrection.

That is the work of Easter people.

* * * * *

The Keystone will not be published next week. It will return on April 29. Happy Easter!

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

4/17/2025 - Holy Thursday Reflection with Nicholas

4/24/2025 - No Meeting - Happy Easter!

Upcoming Events

April 22, 2025

Gonzaga Education Fair

Gonzaga University

April 23, 2025

Washington State Educator Fair

Via Zoom

April 29, 2025

Leadership Academy

Via Zoom

April 30, 2025

OCS Presents PD Series - DEIB

Via Zoom

April 30, 2025

Washington State Educator Fair

Tacoma

May 8, 2025

All Principals Meeting

St. Thomas, Tukwila

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.

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!

Families of the Incarcerated Ministry

The Families of the Incarcerated ministry offers compassion, community, and support for families navigating this challenging time. Launched in April 2025, this ministry is rooted in Sacred Heart Parish in Lacey, but our reach extends throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle. No matter where you are, we invite you to connect with us. Join our welcoming community in our monthly Zoom gatherings, where you’ll find understanding hearts and shared experiences. Click here for more information.

2025-26 Care Solace Registration

Care Solace efficiently coordinates mental health care for our students, their families, and our school staff. Use this form to register your school for Care Solace by April 21. Your school community will then have access to this service for the 25-26 school year at the cost of $4 per student. You will be billed based upon your current spring enrollment numbers.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Schwartz's Update for the Week of 4/14/25

Included this week: A Memo from the Archives Dept. regarding social media, hiring information, and information on a school safety webinar.

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.

PACE Teacher Request Form

Remember to fill out your requests for PACE Teachers!

Educational Leadership - Fulcrum Grant Deadline 4/25

Are you interested in administration? Here is a link to our partner programs. The deadline for the Fulcrum Foundation Educational Leadership Grant is April 25th.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

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

May Principal Meeting Registration

The May principal meeting is coming up! Please register here to join the last principal meeting of the academic year. Register here.

Applications to the Liquor Control Board for Auctions

There has been a recent challenge affecting school auctions when applying to the Liquor Control Board. Please see the Best Practice attached here.

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.

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!

Open Enrollment and Rate Memo for the 2025-2026 Plan Year

Each year the Benefits Group (IBPS) shares a memo describing changes in health insurance for the upcoming year. Attached is that memo for the 2025/2026 School Year.

Lay Health and Welfare Monthly Benefit Premiums for the 2025-2026 Plan Year

Attached are the Lay Health and Welfare Monthly Benefit Premiums for 2025/2026.

Questions? Ask Darlenn, John or Pam.

2025-2026 Salary Scale

Each School develops its own Salary Scale for the 2025/2026 School year. Please share your Scale with assumptions with John Sullivan as soon as it is completed.

Big Recruitment Fairs on the Horizon!

Make sure your Frontline positions are up-to-date, get ready to receive inquiries from interested applicants, inform folks in Seattle area about Innovative Housing. Click here for more information.

Fulcrum Foundation

Norcliffe Foundation and Snyder Foundation Agreement Reminders

As a reminder, Fulcrum has agreements in place with both the Norcliffe Foundation and the Frost and Margaret Snyder Foundation which state that schools may not apply directly to these foundations for funding. These foundations have chosen to distribute their funding through Fulcrum’s School Partnership Grant Program. Please share this information with anyone in your school community that may be researching grant opportunities. You may contact Susan Ocoma, Fulcrum Programs Director, (susan.ocoma@fulcrumfoundation.org or 206.748.7988) with any questions.

Norcliffe Foundation

In 2014 the Board of the Norcliffe Foundation unanimously decided to partner with the Fulcrum Foundation to distribute its funds through Fulcrum’s School Partnership Grant Program. This means that Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle may not apply directly to the Norcliffe Foundation for funding. Catholic high schools may continue to apply directly to Norcliffe.

Frost and Margaret Snyder Foundation

In 2016 The Frost and Margaret Snyder Foundation Trustees made the decision to distribute its funds for Pierce County Catholic elementary schools through Fulcrum’s School Partnership Grant Program. Each year The Frost and Margaret Snyder Foundation provides a grant to Fulcrum to be used solely for Pierce County Catholic elementary schools. This does not preclude or disqualify these schools from receiving funding from other Fulcrum sources. Catholic elementary schools in Pierce County may not apply directly to the Frost and Margaret Foundation for funding.

Teacher Excellence Awards!

The nomination period is open for the Fulcrum Foundation’s St. John Baptist de la Salle Educator Excellence Awards. These awards recognize eight exceptional educators in regions throughout the archdiocese. Recipients will receive a personal gift and will be honored both at the school level and at Fulcrum’s chairman's event next fall in Seattle. This year, anyone is welcome to submit nominations by April 30, 2025. Please share the nomination form with your community. Questions about the awards can be directed to Amy Hall at Fulcrum (hall.amy@fulcrumfoundation.org).

News & Resources

No News this Week!

We don't have any news this week. If you have anything you'd like to be shared in this section, please contact Ellie Bailey, eleanor.bailey@seattlearch.org.

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