Happy Valentine's Day!
Next Tuesday, February 14th, will be Valentine's Day. We are celebrating the month of love and friendship here at BSS with many activities and sharing with our loved ones something special.

We began last Friday, February 3rd with a dance for our Elementary & Middle School students. Then, we followed it by having our National Junior Honor Society sell cookies with orders taken up to last Monday, February 6th! Thank you NJHS for doing this! (they will be delivered to students on Tuesday, and the proceeds will benefit our Athletic Department-contact Mrs. Bost for any questions at abost@bssknights.org). Followed by our Student Council having a Valentine's Day Sale this Monday 2/13 and Tuesday 2/14! More info on this you will find below (scroll down). Items will be $1, $3, or $5. We will end celebrations by having our annual Out-of-Uniform Day on Tuesday, February 14th-Students may wear red. Remember, you are special ❤🍪 🌷🎀💙💛
Upcoming Dates
February 9 - February 12 - PECSAA Tournament 🏀

Tuesday, February 14 - Out of Uniform Day- St. Valentine's Day Wear Red ❤🌷🎀

Wednesday, February 15 - 2nd Trimester Ends

Thursday, February 16 - Rescheduled: Winter Sports Pictures at the Knight Castle @ 9:00 am - Winter Sports athletes will bring their uniforms and walk to the Knight Castle for pictures 📸; Winter Sports Pep Rally @ 1:30 pm 🏀

Friday, February 17 - Early dismissal at 11:30 am; Afterschool is available.

February 17 - February 19 - Shamrock Tournament 🏀

Sunday, February 19 - Altar Server Training at Blessed Sacrament Church @ 2 pm. Pizza will be served 🍕 ⛪ - email Maddy Reece for more info: mareece@bssknights.org

Monday, February 20 - President's Day - School Closed

Tuesday, February 21 - Out of Uniform - Wear green, gold, and purple!

Wednesday, February 22 - Ash Wednesday

Tuesday, March 9 - Mandatory Chaperone Parent Meeting for Middle School Trip @ 6:30 pm - Save the date, please!
Click here to see the official BSS calendar: BSS Calendar
Knights' News
Mass - Friday, February 10th

We celebrated mass this morning with Fr. Peter! He talked to our students about the importance to see and listen to God, not only with our eyes and ears but spiritually. He had a couple of student volunteers come up and help him with his sermon. Thank you to Mrs. Lee's fourth-grade religion students for reading a passage from the book of Genesis and leading us in prayer requests. We also pray for the people of Turkey & Syria who suffered a horrible earthquake last Monday, February 9th.
First Reconciliation

Congratulations to the following 2nd-grade students for receiving their First Reconciliation last Saturday, February 4th at the church. Feliciades a los siguientes estudantes de segundo grado por recibir su Primera Reconciliacion el pasado Sabado, 4 de Febrero en la iglesia. 

Coombs, Nicholas; Devere, Laci; Flores Guido, Aiden; Garcia, Christian; Ghnaim, Joul; Harrison, Jerome; Marcos Bonilla, Bellasophia; Martinez-Mendez, Matthew; Moreno Santoyo, Karol; Olmos, Christopher; Palos, Isabella; Segura, Sophia; Smith, Harper; Taylor, Caroline; Tayn, Wealegbay Henry; Torres Cruz, Lia; Vela, Nicolle; Yurigan, Joseph; Zadro, Benicio
i-ready!

The Diocese of Raleigh schools will no longer administer the Iowa Assessments. The diocese is moving to the i-ready Program. Our school was asked to pilot the new program. This week past week, K-8, LA, and Math classes began the i-ready diagnostic testing. They will continue to test for 10-15 minutes a day. I have ordered earbuds with cases for the students. If you would like to learn more about the i-ready assessment, go to the website https://i-readycentral.com/familycenter/what-is-i-ready/ for more information.

Mrs. Gomez
Principal
French Toast

Great news! We have a new uniforms supplier! We will be working with French Toast moving forward. Graham Sporting Goods will carry our PE uniforms. See the website:

CLICK HERE for a welcome letter from French Toast.

CLICK HERE to review our Uniform Guidelines for the following school year.
8tth Grade Trip to Woolworth’s Civil Rights Museum. 

Last Wednesday, February 8th, our 8th-grade students visited the famous Woolworth's Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, NC. At the end of their tour, students were honored to meet Mr. Andrew Young! He stopped and spoke to our students and took a picture with them.
Getting Ready for Valentine's Day!

Students enjoyed our Christmas Sale so much, they asked if we could do it again for Valentine’s Day! Student Council members spent their lunch and recess last Thursday, February 9th getting it all set up. Classes started shopping this morning. All items will be $1, $3, or $5.

CLICK HERE to see the many items available for purchase. Bring cash.

Check class shopping times here:
Catholic Schools Week - Homeroom Wars

CLICK HERE to access more pictures of last Friday's Homeroom Wars Celebrations.

Mrs. Gomez’s Homeroom: Toy Story Theme
Preschool: Superheroes (see picture below)
Pre-K: Catholic schools are: rainbows, unicorns, and bunnies
Kindergarten: 100 days; decorate a shirt with 100 things or dress like you are 100 years old! 
1st: Stuffed Animals
2nd: World Cup
3rd: Pokémon
4th: Sports
5th: Careers and Community Helpers
6th: Beach vibes
7th: Smurfs
8th: Western
Valentine's Day Dances: Thank You Student Council!

Thank you to our Student Council officers for hosting two wonderful dances today! It was the perfect way to end a fabulous Catholic Schools Week! The dance took place last Friday, February 3rd. CLICK HERE to watch a video recording of the wonderful dance by the elementary school. Thank you Mrs. Fitzgerald for advising our students all year!
Details from Shamrock Parent Meeting

Hi! Thank you to all of you who came to the Shamrock Parent & Player Meeting yesterday. I know some of you were not able to attend. I will include all of the information covered in this email. If you have a varsity boy basketball player, a varsity cheerleader, or a competition cheerleader, your child is invited to participate in the tournament. Other BSS families are invited to come and support our teams at the games and cheer competition.

Links:






Let me know if you have any questions!
Beth Fitzgerald
Advancement Director
Shamrock Hotel Info!

If you are a member of the Varsity Boys Basketball Team or the Competition Cheer Team, please follow the link below to book your room! 

We have a room block reserved at Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte/South Park at Phillips Place for February 17, 2023 through February 19, 2023. Booking your room is simple, just select "Book a Room" to receive your group's preferred rate.

We're looking forward to seeing you in February! We hope you enjoy your stay and your group's event!

Event dates: February 17, 2023 - February 19, 2023
Book by: February 6, 2023
Knight Honor Cross

Respect God, Self & Others
Be a Person of Integrity
Live a Life of Service
Produce Quality Work

Congratulations to the following students for getting a Knight Honor Cross from Mrs. Gomez last Monday, February 6th! These students have demonstrated the best values Blessed Sacrament School embodies -Will Solari (Eighth), Nicolas Reece (Eighth) 💙💛
Multiplication Master!

Congratulations to Ethan Bowen (3) for outstanding work mastering the times/multiplication tables. Great job! 💛💙
Thank You BSS Alumni for Reading to Our Students 💛💙

We had very special visitors last Thursday, February 2nd in the morning! Four of our alumni, who now attend Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, stopped by to read to our Little Knight and Elementary students!

We always love when our former students visit and give back to our school!
African American and Native American Ancestry Tuition Assistance applications available Feb. 1 - March 10

On February 1, 2023, the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, the 2023-2024 application for the African American and Native American Ancestry Tuition Assistance will be available. This scholarship program is now being administered by the Diocese of Raleigh Office of Education.

Catholic school students (Pre-K - 12th grade) of African American and Native American Ancestry in the Diocese of Raleigh are eligible to apply for tuition assistance. The assistance awards come from funds granted to the diocese from the Black and Indian Mission Office founded by the Catholic bishops of the United States.

  • It is no longer required that families complete a FACTS tuition application for this scholarship, and preschool students are eligible to apply. A separate application must be completed for each student.
  • Application deadline: March 10, 2023.
  • Decision letters will be mailed to parents no later than May 22, 2023.
  • Tuition awards are sent from the diocese to the applicant's school.
  • Application opens on February 1, 2023, and closes on March 10, 2023.

Order your Yearbook!

There is nothing like your school's yearbook. Get your hands on the limited edition collection of our stories from the year. Share it with your friends today and hang on it for years to come! Starting at $45.00 Order your today!

CLICK HERE to order your yearbook online.
BSS Sports
PECSAA Basketball Tournament: THIS WEEKEND!

Make sure you take a look at the PECSAA TOURNAMENT BRACKETS
*PLEASE NOTE: GAMES CAN START UP TO 30 MINUTES AHEAD OF THEIR SCHEDULED TIME. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY!*

It is time to gear up for Spring Sports! Please sign your student up to participate.

***As a reminder, the only sport this spring that is offered to elementary school is Track. All other sports are 5th-8th only.***

If you have not completed the “Athletic Permission & Emergency Form for 2022-2023” or the “Athletic Physical Form”, please visit the “Athletics” section of the BSS website to access these forms or stop by the front office for a form. There is a $20 sports fee for all spring sports.

Elementary Track:

Middle School Track:

Tennis:

Golf:

Girls Soccer:

GO, KNIGHTS!

Marci Letvak
Athletic Director
Cheer Update
Congratulations to all of those students that made the 2022-2023 Competition Cheer Team!

If your family decides to accept the position on the cheer team the following commitments are required:

  • Shamrock Tournament @ Charlotte Catholic High School February 17-19, 2023

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

Kelly Spradlin (kspradlin@bssknights.org)

Elizabeth Tichy (etichy@bssknights.org)

We are looking forward to a great season!! Go, Knights!!!
Prayer Requests
Please pray for:

Our world, to slow the spread of COVID-19. Protect all of us from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty.

Please pray for Mrs. Worley and the family (Resource Teacher) as they mourn the passing of her mother, Grace Rumley.

Please pray for Jasleene as she recovers from surgery.

Please pray for Mr. Victor, our maintenance director, who had surgery last Thursday.

Please pray for the people of Turkey & Syria who suffered a terrible earthquake last Monday.
Assistant Principal's Message
Dear Parents,
Students have worked diligently this week on the i-ready assessments. We are looking forward to a great week next week with Valentine's Day parties, a pep rally, and our Shamrock send-off. Have an enjoyable weekend!

Thanks!

Joy Bolen
5th Grade Language Arts
6th/8th Grade Social Studies
Assistant Principal
From the Office of Admissions
Dear Parents,

The admissions office is in the process of preparing to send out re-enrollment contracts for the following school year to our returning students/families. We are proud to announce that there will be no increase in tuition rates for the 2023-2024 school year! Please, review a letter from Mrs. Gomez by CLICKING HERE. You can review our enrollment timeline by CLICKING HERE.

Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year for returning families will begin on January 23, 2022. All existing families who have not requested financial aid in the past will start to receive an enrollment contract via DocuSign. Space is very limited for rising 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th graders and priority will be given to all returning families. Please do not delay in signing a contract once you receive it to secure a spot for your child. After signing, the system will ask you to pay the $265.00 enrollment fee. Review the letter above for deadlines. You will receive an email from FACTS once Mr. Rico sets up your automatic tuition payment drafts if you choose to pay via this option.

If a family would like to add a new student/sibling, please let Mr. Rico know so he can adjust your contract accordingly. Remember, we will need the following documents for all new students:
  • Copy of the student's birth certificate
  • Copy of the student's immunization records
  • If the family is Catholic, a copy of the student's certificate of baptism.

Contracts for families requesting financial aid will be sent after their applications for aid have been processed and a scholarship amount is known. This will be communicated around March 31.

If you have any questions about this process, you can contact Mr. Rico.
Próximo Año Escolar

Hemos publicado nuestras tarifas de matrícula para el año escolar 2023-2024 HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para acceder al documento a los padres.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para acceder a nuestra línea de tiempo de inscripción.

La inscripción para el año escolar 2023-2024 para las familias que regresan comenzará el 21 de enero de 2022. Todas las familias existentes que no hayan solicitado ayuda financiera en el pasado comenzarán a recibir un contrato de inscripción a través de DocuSign (correo electrónico). El espacio es muy limitado para los estudiantes de 1.°, 3.°, 4.°, 5.° 6.° y 7.°grado y se dará prioridad a todas las familias que regresan. No se demore en firmar un contrato una vez que lo reciba para asegurar un lugar para su hijo. Después de firmar, el sistema le pedirá que pague la cuota de inscripción de $265.00. Revise la carta anterior para conocer los plazos. Recibirá un correo electrónico de FACTS una vez que Mr. Rico configure sus giros automáticos de pago de matrícula si elige pagar a través de esta opción.

Si una familia desea agregar un nuevo estudiante/herman@, infórmele al Sr. Rico para que pueda ajustar su contrato en consecuencia. Recuerde, necesitaremos los siguientes documentos para todos los estudiantes nuevos:
  • Copia del acta de nacimiento del estudiante
  • Copia de los registros de vacunación del estudiante.
  • Si la familia es católica, copia del certificado de bautismo del estudiante.

Los contratos para las familias que solicitan ayuda económica se enviarán una vez que se hayan procesado sus solicitudes de ayuda y se conozca el monto de la beca. Esto se comunicará alrededor del 31 de marzo.

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre este proceso, puede comunicarse con el Sr. Rico en admisiones@bssknights.org. o por telefono al 336-570-0019 extension 212. Recuerde que el Sr. Rico solo esta los lunes, miercoles, jueves en la oficina.
Financial Aid Process

If your family needs to renew a BSS Scholarship, the applications for this are already open. Make sure you review this document and apply. The application can be found in your FACTS account, just log in, and then click on Apply for Financial Aid. This application comes with a $40 fee. This scholarship covers up to 50% of our tuition.

If your child is a recipient of an NC Opportunity Scholarship, make sure that you endorse that your child is attending BSS this Spring and RENEW your scholarship, look in your To Do List for any pending items that may need to be completed, once you log in to your portal. Please review the guidelines as families with children entering in kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grade are eligible to apply! This application is free and covers up to 90% of our school tuition and fees.

If your child is already receiving an NC Opportunity Scholarship, then you do not need to apply for a BSS Scholarship with our FACTS Grant & Aid Application.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Mr. Rico.

José Rico Benavides
Director of Admissions
School Tours

Mr. Rico will be available at the office on Mondays, Wendesdays & Thursdays for any questions or concerns related to admissions.

You can reach Mr. Rico at 336-570-0019 ext. 212 or by email at admissions@bssknights.org Hablamos Español!

Here is a link to our admissions page: https://www.bssknights.org/admissions
Re-occurring Information
Middle School Field Trip to Williamsburg, VA UPDATE

Dear Parents, the field trip to Williamsburg, VA will take place on May 23 and 24th this Spring. If you are planning for your child(ren) to attend, you must submit a registration form with payment. The deadline to submit at least the first partial payment is January 17.

This field trip is only offered to our Middle School Students (5th - 8th).
When: May 23rd & 24th,2023
Where: See the Itinerary by CLICKING HERE
Price: $370 per student (you can pay in full or 3 payments -$124 due 1-17-23 -$123 due 2-15-23 & $123 due -3-15-23)
Adult prices: Double room (please let us know whom you want as a roommate) $390 per person. Single room $450

CLICK HERE to access the registration form, you should also have received it in your yellow folder's Thursday communicator this week. Please sign it and return it with payment to the office (Please, send CHECKS payable to Blessed Sacrament School or CASH)

If you are paying online for the field trip, make sure your write on the form that you paid online and return it to the school signed. THANK YOU!

* Students will room with each other. The price for the students is based on 4 students per room. We keep grade levels together. 
*Parents usually want a private room. If you want help finding a roommate for yourself, I will let you know who is going and you can make a plan with each other. -Mrs. Kearney
Any Questions? Contact Mrs. Kearney at ckearney@bssknights.org
ONLINE PAYMENT OPTIONS:
CLICK HERE if you would like to pay for your child(ren) field trip in full ONLINE for $370.

CLICK HERE if you would like to make a PARTIAL PAYMENT for your child(ren)'s field trip. This first payment of $124 must be submitted no later than Tuesday, January 17th.

CLICK HERE if you would like to make THE SECOND PARTIAL PAYMENT for your child(ren)'s field trip. This first payment of $123 must be submitted no later than Wednesday, February 15th.

Want to accompany your child?
CLICK HERE to pay online for an adult that is coming to pay for a DOUBLE ROOM-Make sure you write down whom you would like to room with. $390.

CLICK HERE to PARTIALLY PAY online for an adult that is coming to stay in a DOUBLE ROOM-Make sure you write down whom you would like to room with.

CLICK HERE to pay online for an adult coming to pay for a SINGLE ROOM. $450.

CLICK HERE to PARTIALLY PAY online for an adult coming to stay in a SINGLE ROOM.
Chaperoning in the Filedtrip?

****Mandatory Chaperone Parent Meeting for the MS Williamsburg field trip on Thursday, March 9 at 6:30 pm.****

If you signed up to be a chaperone you will need to take a Safe Environment training and a Background check.

The dates for Safe Environment are:

  • March 9, 2023 from 5:00-6:30
  • April 4, 2023 from 5:00-6:30
  • or May 2, 2023 from 3:00-4:30

You will need to attend only one of these.

You will also need to contact the front office (336-570-0019) to schedule your background check.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

God Bless,

Mrs. Kearney
Religion
8th Grade Homeroom
2023 Knights of Columbus State Free Throw Competition

Congratulations to the students who placed 1st place in last Saturday's Free Throw Competition hosted by the Knights of Columbus! The winners advance to a District competition. CLICK HERE to see the results.

The winners are invited to the State Free Throw Contest on 3-11-23 at Fairchild Community Center in Burlington.

Saturday, March 11, 2023
Fairchild Community Center
827 S Graham Hopedale Road
Burlington, NC 27217

CLICK HERE to see the invitation letter.

Well, done students!
ABSS HS Options Applications Opens!

Alamance Burlington School System offers various options for students in high school including the option to gain credits toward a college degree while completing the requirements for high school, enrollment in the pre-collegiate academy, and International Baccalaureate options.



Private High School Options in the Area:

Cristo Rey Catholic High School -Located in Durham, NC. They have a Bus that leaves from Home Depot here in Burlington! Ask for Martha Zaldivar, Director of Admissions.

Questions
Martha Zaldivar
Director of Recruitment and Admissions
(984) 999-2142
Bishop McGuiness Catholic High School - Located in Kernersville, NC. They have a bus that leaves and brings students to Target here in Burlington!

From the Director of Admissions Mrs. Knox at Bishop McGuiness:
There is no better way for prospective families to get a feel for the Bishop experience than to take a Villain Walk!
We begin with a welcome session at 9 am followed by a group tour.

RSVP by Clicking Here or call the Admissions Office at 336.564.1011

 Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are available on September 30th
The Burlington Upper School - Located here in Burlington, NC!

Alamance Christian School - Located here in Burlington as well.
AFTERSCHOOL SIGN-UP FORMS

If your family is in need of afterschool care services, do not forget to submit an enrollment form. Following are the links for Afterschool care information and enrollment forms:



Make sure you review the afterschool care procedures for the new school year below:

CLICK HERE to read the procedures

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para leerlos los procedimeintos
Lunch Information

My Hot Lunchbox is excited to be partnering with Blessed Sacrament School again this year as the hot lunch provider. To begin ordering lunches, click the link below to log in or follow the instructions to create your free account!

Important Note: You will need to Update Your Profile with the student's correct teacher to view the meal calendar.


Our new lunch menu beginning August 2022:
Monday: Chick-Fil-A
Tuesday: Cici’s Pizza
Wednesday: Subway
Thursday: Smithfields Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Friday: La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

If you have any questions, please give us a call at (888) 894-8295 or email us at info@myhotlunchbox.com. We are looking forward to serving your school!
If you are bringing lunch to your child, please make sure it is labeled with your student's name and grade level and leave it on the table just outside the front door of the school--Do not forget to buzz the office to let us know you dropped by.
PE Uniforms:

You can still purchase PE uniforms locally at Graham Sporting Goods. They have yellow PE shirts, solid sweatpants, and zip-up jackets. You do NOT have to get the logo on the sweatpants, but it must be on the jacket and sweatshirt.

PE pants need to be solid navy. There should not be any lines down the sides or decals on them.

Let me know if you have any Winter Uniform questions!

Thanks,

Beth Fitzgerald
Director of Advancement
Uniformes de BSS y Nuestra
Tienda de intercambio de uniformes

HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para revisar nuestras pautas de uniformes escolares para el año escolar 2022-23.

Nuestra tienda de intercambio escolar está abierta todo el año, pero necesitaremos que haga una cita con la Sra. Fitzgerald o el Sr. Rico para que puedan mostrarle la tienda. Tenemos dos ventas de tiendas de intercambio antes de hacer la transición a los uniformes de verano o de invierno.

Recuerde, ¡ahora puede comprar nuestros uniformes de educación física en Graham's Sporting Goods! Tienen nuestro logo en la tienda para la compra de playeras amarillas de educación física solamente. Están ubicados en 2535 S Church St, Burlington, NC 27215.
BSS Spirt Wear

Choose from hundreds of spirit wear designs and garments that are delivered to your home in days. Don't miss it! **This is NOT part of BSS uniforms**
From the Office of Advancement
We have new Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2022-2023 school year.

We'd love to help promote your business, while you support our school!

In addition to keeping our tuition as low as possible, donations during the 2021-2022 school year allowed us to do the following:

  • Purchase new picnic tables for our deck and outdoor classroom
  • Replace our back deck
  • Purchase new cafeteria tables
  • Paint many areas of the building 
  • Replace flooring in a few classrooms
  • Purchase new desks & chairs for a few classrooms

If you or someone you know owns a business and would like to partner with our school, contact us today!

CLICK HERE to access more detailed sponsorship level opportunities.

I look forward to working with you!

Beth Fitzgerald
Director of Advancement
Attractions Books:

We are now selling Attractions Dining & Value Guides. They are $25 each! Buy 5 and you get one free! This year our 7th & 8th Grade students are helping us sell them. They are working to raise money for a special Coding project. They will earn $10 for each book sold. Look in Yellow Folders on Friday for more information!
Learn More HERE
Link your AmazonSmile

AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support Blessed Sacrament School every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to BSS. Just make sure you choose Blessed Sacrament Church/School as the charity organization you select.

Remember, only purchases made at smile.amazon.com, (not www.amazon.com or the mobile app,) generate AmazonSmile donations.

CLICK HERE to find out more about AmazonSmile
Box Tops For Education

No more clipping. No more sending Box Tops to school. All you need is your phone. Download the ALL-NEW Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then simply scan your store receipts to find participating products. The app will automatically credit Blessed Sacrament School's Box Tops earnings online. Click here for a video of how it works.

Twice a year, your school will receive a check and can use that cash to buy whatever it needs! If you see this label, use the new Box Tops app to scan your receipt. Box Tops are still worth 10¢ each for your school. CLICK HERE
Link your Lowes Card

With Cart to Class, Lowes Foods will give up to a quarter of a million dollars to local schools this year. To participate, just enroll Blessed Sacrament School on your Fresh Rewards card, and start earning for our school. Click Here
Link your Harris Teeter VIC Card

When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to Blessed Sacrament School if your VIC card is linked.
You link your card online (CLICK HERE), or you can ask your cashier to link your VIC card by providing our TIE code 1704.

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