Black History Month or African-American History month is observed in the United States and Canada from February 1st - March 1st every year. We celebrate Black History Month by remembering the events and people in American History that made significant contributions to the betterment and treatment of all Americans including civil rights leaders, activists, to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture, and more.

Here at BSS, we have been celebrating African American Month by doing various activities during the month of February. Here are just a few:

Mrs. Spradlin's seventh-grade social studies students have been studying the life and work of Alma Woodsey Thomas (September 22, 1891 – February 24, 1978) who was an African-American artist and teacher who lived and worked in Washington, D.C., and is now recognized as a major American painter of the 20th century. Thomas is best known for the "exuberant", colorful, abstract paintings that she created after her retirement from a 35-year career teaching art at Washington's Shaw Junior High School. The Seventh-grade students were tasked with researching and preparing a trifold brochure about her life and creating an original piece of abstract art inspired by the works of Alma Thomas. 

Mrs. Spradlin's sixth-grade Chorus students learned about the life and career of Opera Singer Marian Anderson. The class read the book “When Marian Sang” by Pam Muñoz Ryan, watched her famous performance at the Lincoln Memorial and completed worksheets and puzzles related to her life and career. 

Friday, February 24 - Reports Cards Go Home 📝; School Mass @ 8:30 ⛪

Tuesday, February 28 - Middle School Field Trip to Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum

Monday, March 6 - Food Pantry Distribution

Tuesday, March 9 - Mandatory Chaperone Parent Meeting for Middle School Trip @ 6:30 pm - Save the date, please!

Friday, March 10 - Stock the Lounge for Spring

Friday, March 17- St Patrick’s Day- Out of uniform-Wear green.🍀 

Bring in any food item for the pantry. Early Dismissal- Afterschool Care available

March 20 - March 24 - Scholastic Book Fair 📚

Monday, April 3 - Summer Uniforms Begin

Tuesday, April 4 - EggSTREAM Tuesday; Egg Hunt and Egg Dying 🐰🐣

Wednesday, April 5 - Little Knight Egg Hunt and Class Parties @ 10; Stations of the Cross @ 10:45; Early Dismissal @ 11:30 am-Afterschool Care available

April 6 - April 16 - Easter Break - School Closed 🐰

Monday, April 17 - Classes Resume

Wednesday, April 29 - Spring Pictures for 1st - 7th Grade 📸

Click here to see the official BSS calendar: BSS Calendar

Last Tuesday, February 21st, our students, teachers, and staff celebrated Mardi Gras with a Parade! Students were encouraged to come dressed in yellow, green, or purple. The students also made masks and musical instruments in Art and Religion! Our Queen & King this year was Isaias Guido (6) & Aivie Gael (K) and they led the parade.

Our neighbors were notified that we were going to be parading down to the Parish Offices and they were all waiting for us outside their porches/driveways. After the parade, students were treated to King's Cake!

A special thanks to the parents who were able to walk with us to help keep our students safe and Mrs. Fitzgerald for organizing this wonderful event for us all.

CLICK HERE to see a video recording of this wonderful event.

CLICK HERE to see more pictures of this event. CLICK HERE for more pictures part 2. Here are just a few pictures of the day:

Last Wednesday, February 22nd at 10 am, we celebrated mass with Fr. Vincent and received our ashes. This day marks the beginning of the Lenten Season of Prayer and Fasting, precisely 46 days before Easter Sunday. We are also very proud of our Altar Boys in Training Elam & Nair (3) as they are taking the baton and learning from our eighth graders Nick & Will.

Golf Tournament & Auction! 🏌⛳

BSS is bringing back its largest fundraiser for the year and making it even bigger by adding the first-ever Golf Tournament. We need help from all of our students and families to really make this a success. 

We're bringing back the class-themed baskets for elementary school and asking the middle school to help with beverage donations for the golf event.

Little Knights thru 4th grade please support in the building of a themed basket to be auctioned off. A box will be provided for each classroom to collect items for their class. So students can bring the items to class for their theme. Planning members will collect the items and make the baskets for the auction. If you have new items around the house you would like to donate for another class basket, you may donate these items as well. The bigger the basket the better it will do at the Auction!

Below is the list of grades and your themes. To help support donation items we have created a SignUp Genius for each theme. Any item fitting the theme is welcome, it doesn't have to be on the list. Monetary donations for items are great as well.  

Elementary Theme Signup Links

BSS is having its first-ever fundraising golf tournament. One of the ways we are raising money that day is with the sale of beverages from the beverage golf cart. If you are not familiar with golf, during a round of golf there is a special golf cart that will drive hole to hole selling beverages to those who are playing. We have an agreement with the golf course to be able to use the cart. Therefore 100% of the product sold off that cart would go toward the Athletic Booster Club. We need your help to stock the cart! Sports drinks, bottled water, soda, etc. The only requirement is NO GLASS containers or bottles. It must be canned or plastic.

A SignUp Genius has been created to help ensure a variety of options for golfers. All donations can be turned into the office. 

ALL Students and Families 🏌⛳

A big portion of our fundraising success for the golf outing will be in the sale of raffle tickets. After the round of golf is over, we will be raffling off as many items as we can collect in donations.  

How can you help? Donation of items! The only criterion is that it must be new / never used items. They can be items with company logos or without. Here is an example of some items to consider:

If you work for a company that has giveaway items, those work great too! Free marketing for them and supports our fundraiser. It really can be any new item for a prize. So check your closet and drawers to see if you have anything new that will not be used. If you have any questions about any items please email Holly Groh at holly.r.groh@gmail.com. Donations can be made to the office. Thank you for your support in making this event a success!  

In this video, Bishop Luis talks about the importance of prayer and reflection during the Lenten season, to take advantage of this time of grace and not be afraid to experience the love of Jesus. Make time for prayer without making excuses for being too busy. Prayer is a way to connect with God and nurture our spiritual needs.

The purpose of this message is to inform you that the next food distribution for the Little Portion Food Pantry sponsored by Blessed Sacrament Church is scheduled. Please share the information with your congregations.

The food pantry is located at 408 West Davis Street, Burlington, NC. 27216

The streets are cordoned off to allow easier access for guests. Please encourage attendees when possible to arrive earlier in the day when the selection of fresh produce and other limited products is greater.  

The distribution is open to anyone regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. There is no proselytizing of any sort permitted.

Volunteers to help with the distribution efforts are always welcome! We need all the help we can receive! 

Last Thursday, February 24, the temperature rose above 70 degrees and the students were eager to go outside and enjoy the nice weather God gave us.

Mrs. Kearney's seventh-grade religion class used the outdoor classroom & Mrs. Byerly & Ms. Tonya's kindergarten class had their snack time on the tables we have outside. Our 7th and 8th-grade students enjoyed the beautiful day by walking to the Willowbrook Arboretum during PE!

Last Tuesday, February 21st, our Kindergarteners accompanied by their sixth-grade STREAM Buddies visited the Burlington Fire Department. The students had much fun learning from our local first responders, had a lot of questions, and thoroughly enjoyed their visit. Thank you Fire Fighters!

Are you a student between the ages of 12 and 17 who are looking for a wonderful adventure this summer? Do you like older people and enjoy helping with activities, music crafts, games or just talking with an “adopted grandparent”?

If so, you might be interested in the YESS! (Youth Engaged Serving Seniors) Twin Lakes Community Summer Program. This program helps you learn more about older adults and gives you the opportunity to spend two days each week during the summer volunteering at Twin Lakes. The YESS! Twin Lake Community Summer Service Program runs from June 20th to August 10th. If you are interested in volunteering, see Mrs. Gomez (mgomez@bssknights.org) for an application! The application is due by 4:30 pm on Wednesday, April 5th. 

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.

Shamrock Basketball Weekend! 🏀🍀

On Saturday, February 18th, our Competition Cheer Team had their final competition of the season. They have been working hard since September. We are SO proud of the progress they’ve made this year. They were amazing!!! 

Thank you to Coach Tichy and Coach Spradlin for taking on this new responsibility! All of the girls have loved their time with you guys! It’s unbelievable what you were able to teach them! 💙💛

Our varsity boys played their last game of the season also on Saturday, February 18th. Thank you to Coach Aleem and Coach Goodman for the many hours you worked with our boys! Amazing coaches and role models! 🏀🍀

Hello Cheer Parents!

I hope you have all had a chance to recover from our big weekend. We are so so proud of our girls! Thanks for everything you did to help and support our team all weekend and this whole season. We couldn't have done it without you!

Mrs. Tichy has a scheduling conflict this week, so we would like to have our End of Season Celebration next Wednesday, March 1 after school. More details to come!

Thanks!

Coach Spradlin and Coach Tichy

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!

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 Victor, our maintenance personnel, as he recovers from surgery.

Please pray for a peaceful resolution between Ukraine and Russia. 

Please pray for the people of Turkey & Syria who suffered a terrible earthquake last week.

Dear Parents,

As we begin the Lenten Season, let us reflect on our relationship with God. Let us thank Him for all the blessings in our lives.

Mrs. Gomez

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:

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.

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:

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.

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

José Rico Benavides

Director of Admissions

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

Any Questions? Contact Mrs. Kearney at ckearney@bssknights.org

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.

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

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.

****Mandatory Chaperone Parent Meeting for the MS Williamsburg field trip on Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm.****NEW DATE****

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.

CLICK HERE to see the invitation letter.

Well, done students!

Dear 8th Grade Parents:

Many of you are trying to choose classes with your child for the upcoming freshman year. 8th graders have the link in their HS Prep Google Classroom to the manual that contains the NC HS graduation requirements, details about ABSS programs offered, and an extensive list of all courses, prerequisites, credits, and course descriptions. I hope it will help you in the process. I cannot attach it due to its size, but again, all students have access and can give you access through their HS Prep Google Classroom. 

In addition, the application to the Academy of Finance at Williams has opened. Anyone attending Williams HS can apply, even if he/she has been accepted into the IB Program. The application is due April 1. We will be working on this application in class for anyone interested and for more experience in filling out applications. 

Let me know if I can help in any way.

Mrs. Champion 

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.

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.

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:

RSVP by Clicking Here or call the Admissions Office at 336.564.1011

The Burlington Upper School - Located here in Burlington, NC!

Alamance Christian School - Located here in Burlington as well.

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

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.

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,

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

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.

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**

Visit https://1stplace.sale/56240

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:

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

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

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

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

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

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.