Dear Bishop Blanchet families,

It was wonderful to meet so many of our newest members of the Bishop Blanchet community last night, at the New Parent and Guardian Welcome. Thank you for joining us to learn about what to expect for your student’s year ahead, begin to build your community within the broader Blanchet family, and launch your family’s journey at Blanchet.

This year, we have slightly modified some of our bell schedules for the 2023-24 school year, which will impact the start of the day for a few of our alternate schedules. While the shifts are minor, they are meant to improve the student experience, accomplish several faculty and staff goals, and allow for expanded flexibility within our school day. Here are the key takeaways for parents: 

• The “regular” Green Day and Gold Day start times remain 8 a.m.
• The new Gold Day Late Start time will shift to 9:35 a.m. — these days happen about once a week
• The new Unified Day start time will shift to 8:10 a.m. — these will happen a handful of times throughout the year

We also have a few other, less-frequently used Bell Schedules that can be found by clicking the Bell Schedules link on our calendar webpage. These changes will be reviewed with your students during the first week of school. I’m confident that our students will, as they do every year, quickly become experts at navigating their schedules! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for your flexibility and cooperation. 

Go Bears!

Sam Procopio

Principal

[email protected]

FRESHMEN WELCOME: TOMORROW AND FRIDAY

Attention freshman families! We are so excited to welcome you to the Bishop Blanchet community. Our Core Five Leaders, Community Period Leaders, and Student Mentors are eager to welcome the Class of 2027!

Your student should attend both days of the Freshmen Welcome:

Thursday, August 24 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 

• Wear your green Class of 2027 t-shirt! (T-shirts will be available at check-in for those who did not receive one this spring.)
• Lunch will be provided

Friday, August 25 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Students may bring a water bottle, but do not need anything else either day.

Parents are welcome to drop off and pickup students in the main parking lot. Students with questions are invited to connect with their mentors, or program coordinators Ms. Boyd or Ms. Pouley.

ALL-SCHOOL QUAD DANCE: SEPTEMBER 9

The Freshman class is sponsoring the All-School Quad Dance on Saturday, September 9 from 7-10 p.m. This dance is open to BBHS students only - no guests. There will be an entry fee of $10 per student grades 10-12 (cash only). Freshmen will be admitted free of charge.

FRESHMAN CLASS BBQ/PRE-QUAD DANCE CLASS EVENT: SEPTEMBER 9

Calling all Class of 2027 Bears! Join us for a Freshman Class BBQ and pre-Quad Dance event on Saturday, September 9 from 5:30-7 p.m. More information for students about the event will be posted on the Class of 2027 Google Classroom page. Please email Mr. Ian Turner, Freshmen Class Advisor, if you have questions.  

SENIOR CRUISE: SEPTEMBER 17

Calling the Class of 2024! The fun and festive Senior Cruise will be on Sunday, September 17, from 4:45-8 p.m. Parents, please register your student for the seniors-only Argosy cruise. Confidential financial assistance is available; please email Jessica Owens in our Business Office to inquire. Students can find more information on the Class of 2024 Google Classroom page. We hope the entire class can join in the fun to kick off the year!

Laura Meaux

Directors of Community Engagement and Leadership Development

[email protected]

REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES

To report student absences, please email [email protected]. When reporting an absence, please identify yourself, provide your student’s name, grade and the reason for their absence. Please email prior to the start of the school day. 

STUDENT IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION

Contact your health care provider to ensure that your student is in compliance prior to the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Bishop Blanchet will reach out with families if their student is out of compliance.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION FORM

The Administration of Medication Form is required to allow specific BBHS faculty and staff members authorization to administer medication (over-the-counter or prescription) to students. Email the completed and signed form to Associate Dean Lynn Augustavo.

TARDINESS

Students are expected to be in their classrooms on time. After 20 minutes, a tardy becomes an absence. The Dean’s Office will notify parents and guardians if a student’s tardiness becomes a pattern. Students with a consistent pattern of tardiness will face disciplinary action, including after-school, morning, and Saturday detentions. Additionally, students frequently tardy may be prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities and events.

DRESS CODE

Dress and appearance should always reflect neatness, cleanliness, modesty and good taste. Clothing may not refer to alcohol, alcohol-related establishments, tobacco, drugs, anti-religious messages, sexual innuendo or violent images. In all dress code violations the Dean’s Office will determine whether student attire adheres to Bishop Blanchet’s dress code policy. Students in violation of the dress code policy will minimally receive a detention. Repeated violations will result in further disciplinary action. Below are some general guidelines regarding dress code requirements:

 Appearance should always be modest and appropriate:

• No hats or hoods permitted while in the building
• No holes in pants
• No pajamas
• Athletic wear is permitted

FORMAL DRESS DAYS

Throughout the school year, the school will designate formal dress days and require students to dress in more formal attire. These will typically occur for Mass and other formal events and celebrations. The school will communicate with the students in advance of our formal dress days. On formal dress days, students are prohibited from wearing sweats, yoga pants, sweatshirts and athletic shorts.

STUDENT PARKING 

Student parking spots were assigned last spring. Students who received a parking spot were emailed their assigned space with a parking lot map and payment link this week. Payment ($150) must be submitted no later than Wednesday, September 13. If you have any questions, please contact Bishop Blanchet’s Security Officer, Marilu Byrne.

Note: students are expected to park and drive on campus and in the neighborhood in a safe and responsible manner and follow all city parking rules and regulations. Students who park illegally off campus may face disciplinary action by the school. Students who consistently do not follow parking rules off campus may be prohibited from applying for a parking permit in the Bishop Blanchet parking lot the following school year. 

DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES: PARKING LOT SAFETY

For the safety of our entire community, it is imperative the Parking, Pick-up & Drop-off Instructions are followed by all parents, guardians, students, faculty and staff, visitors, and all vehicles entering the BBHS campus. If you have any questions, please contact Bishop Blanchet’s Security Officer, Marilu Byrne.

LOCKER ROOMS

Bishop Blanchet encourages all students participating in after school activities or enrolled in a PE class to purchase a lock to secure their bags and valuables; it is not guaranteed that locker rooms will be locked throughout the school day and during after school activities. Bishop Blanchet is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

HANDBOOK INFORMATION

Please read and refer to the 2023-24 Bishop Blanchet Handbook.

Chris Bilanko

Dean of Students

[email protected]

DRIVERS ED FALL SESSION REGISTRATION OPEN

We are again partnering with Shield Driving Academy to offer a series of classes just for Bishop Blanchet students. The fall session will be held virtually on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. from October 3-November 9 (except holidays). Click here to register your student for this upcoming session. Note: A parent or guardian must attend the first class. A minimum of 10 students is required to hold each session.

STUDENT ORIENTATION (MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS): AUGUST 28

Freshman: Monday, August 28 from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

• Pizza lunch will be provided to freshman

Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors: Monday, August 28 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. 

On Monday, August 28, all students should:

• Report to their 6th Period (CP) class at 8 a.m.
• Bring their laptop and be prepared to have their photo taken (students will receive their ASB/ID card)

SCHOOL PHOTOS: AUGUST 28

Yearbook/ASB card photos will be taken Monday, August 28, and students should be in compliance with the school dress code. (See the BBHS Handbook for details). Traditionally, seniors choose to be more dressed up - the photo will be used in various graduation celebrations.

Ordering photos:

• To pre-order photos, please find the link here. You can also go directly to www.mylifetouch.com, enter Picture Day ID EVT2C64HC and your student's information. 
• If you prefer to wait to see a proof before ordering pictures, you will need to wait until your student brings home a proof sheet in early October. Proof sheets will have a Portrait ID and Access Code that is specific to each child and necessary for ordering at that point.

LOCKERS

Update: Students received an email yesterday with the link to request a locker. Please note: the student must complete the request form, parents/guardians cannot do it on their behalf. Students with issues will have the opportunity to work with their CP teacher during Orientation on Monday, August 28.

FOLLOW BISHOP BLANCHET ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Parents Guardians are invited to join the Facebook group for their student’s class, as a way to get to know others in the community.

Class of 2027 

Class of 2026

Class of 2025

Class of 2024

Please also follow Bishop Blanchet on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok and LinkedIn too!

BISHOP BLANCHET E-SPORTS TEAM MEETING: SEPTEMBER 5

Any student interested in playing competitive E-Sports should join us for a meeting on Tuesday, September 5 at 3 p.m. in Haggerty Hall, or contact Mr. Brewster and Mr. VanDuinen with questions. 

Blanchet partners with PlayVs to play E-Sports against high school teams throughout the Western region in Rocket League, Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, League of Legends and more.

Chuck Bocian

Vice Principal of Student Activities

[email protected]

FALL SPORTS PARENT MEETING: AUGUST 28

The Fall Sports Parent Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 28 in the Norcliffe Student Commons. The Athletic Department will provide important information and reminders to all parents before transitioning to team-specific meetings. If your student is participating in a fall sport, at least one parent should attend.

SUPPORT ALL BBHS SPORTS: JOIN THE BOOSTER CLUB

The Bishop Blanchet Booster Club is a great way to meet other families and support all of our student athletes! The Booster Club has a strong history of supporting and enhancing Bishop Blanchet athletics. Recent examples of our support include upgrades to the weight room for all student athletes, annual college scholarships for senior student athletes (six awarded in 2023!), Senior Night blankets and banners, professional development for coaches, and more.

Click here to join the Blanchet Booster Club. Go Bears!

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Media Guides are back! If you'd like to support Bishop Blanchet Athletics and advertise your business, please email Ashley Langdon in the Athletic Department to learn more about ad opportunities and pricing.

FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES ARE LIVE

Bear fans, click here to find schedules for all of our fall sports teams.

Sean Gaskill

Athletic Director

[email protected]

BBHS PRIVATE BUS SERVICE

Sign up now for before and/or after school bus service! Buses begin running on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 29. Registration forms are available on our website. Space is sill available on most bus routes; please email the completed sign-up form and consent waiver to Jessica Owens, or turn in paper forms to the Business Office as soon as possible.

LUNCH PAYMENTS

The BBHS Cafeteria and Cafe are on a cashless payment system. For lunch or cafe items your student chooses to purchase, they will swipe their ASB/ID card or use the Skyward Mobile App, both of which link to their RevTrak account. Before school starts, please ensure your student has funds available in their RevTrak account. New families should create an account and add funds for their student. Questions? Please email Jessica Owens.

Skyward Mobile App

• Download the Skyward Mobile App
• Open the App
• Find Class Grades and click on the drop down menu
• Click on ID Card - View ID
• Scan the photo as they would their physical ID card
• Make sure the app is open before entering the Commons

Tom Ramsey

Director of Finance

[email protected]

SCHEDULE CHANGE REQUESTS

To request a schedule change for the 2023-24 school year, please read and follow all instructions below.

BBHS Counseling will only consider schedule changes made using this form and there will not be opportunities for drop-in scheduling meetings. Please complete this form as thoroughly as possible. Counselors will communicate with students regarding their requests.



• The student must complete the Schedule Change Request Form by Friday, September 1 at 3 p.m. Submitting requests earlier will increase the likelihood that a change can be made.
• Incomplete requests will not be considered. Ensure the student includes a compelling reason for requesting the change, and verify that the parent or guardian has approved the change request.
• A note about electives: students may have received one or more alternate electives. Please know that every effort was made to provide first choice classes. It is very likely that these first choice electives were not available once core classes were scheduled. Receiving a class listed as one of the alternates does not constitute a compelling reason for a schedule change.
• Not all schedule change requests can be granted. Possible reasons might include: 
• The request was incomplete or the reason given for the schedule change was not compelling (see Schedule Change Request Form for what constitutes a compelling reason).
• The requested change does not fit into the student’s schedule, or the requested class is full.

READY-SET-GO! FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Counselors will meet with seniors on Tuesday, September 12 during CP (Community Period) to review the college application process, including the critical steps and deadlines. Counselors will then begin meeting individually with seniors to review their individual plans for completing their applications. More information about the one-on-one meetings will be sent directly to students via email.

2023-24 COUNSELING EVENTS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Please join the BBHS Counseling Team for this year’s Parent/Guardian evenings, focused on important grade-level information and events. Parents/guardians of each specific grade will receive an email with additional information as each event nears.

Please note that these evenings are for the parents/guardians only; students will receive their information during the school day. The exception is College Kickoff Night in late February; both juniors and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend this important evening.

• College Planning Night for Senior Parents/Guardians - Tuesday, September 12
• Topics will include an overview of the college admissions process, SAT and ACT, important dates, and deadlines
• Junior Parent/Guardian Information Night - Tuesday, September 19
• Freshmen Parent/Guardian Information Night - Tuesday, October 10
• Sophomore Parent/Guardian Information Night - Tuesday, October 24
• Course Planning Night for Freshmen/Sophomore/Junior Parents - Tuesday, February 6
• College Kickoff Night for Juniors and Parents/Guardians - Tuesday, February 27

Brian Mullen

School Counselor (A-E)

[email protected]

Shannon Fleming-Bray

Student Support Coordinator

[email protected]

Janice Moehring

Counseling Assistant

[email protected]

SOLIDARITY: WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER 

This year’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) theme and focus is – Solidarity: We are Responsible for one Another. What does solidarity mean when it comes to economic differences? 

This theme’s focus on economic differences prompts us to explore the intersection of economic differences alongside other salient identities. Economic differences can be compounded when a person or community holds other additional marginalized identities. Because we are guided by the Catholic Social Teaching pillar of solidarity in this theme’s focus, we are called to explore the both-and: our individual responsibility for one another, and also the systemic responsibility. This year we will be joined by a Scholar in Residence: Dr. Erika Del Villar, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Bastyr University. Dr. Del Villar will facilitate the faculty and staff’s continued conversations around this theme.

To learn more about our efforts in the areas of DEI, click here! 

Sofia Lopez Bactol

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

[email protected]

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM MEETING AND OUTING: AUGUST 28

All new and returning international students are expected to attend a start of year meeting on Monday, August 28 at 12 p.m., following the all-school orientation. We will meet in the Student Commons Conference Room, have lunch before leaving for a group outing to the Seattle Center. Host parents/guardians should plan to pick their students up from campus by 4 p.m.

Janah Valenzuela Cardin

Director of International Student Services

[email protected]

CHOIR: JOIN TODAY!

Is your student interested in taking a music class and having a simple addition to their schedule? Blanchet offers a 0 period Vocal Ensemble course option from 7:00-7:50 a.m. on regular start days (no class on late starts). This is a great opportunity to earn art credits, expand one’s musical knowledge, and develop team-building skills and lifelong friendships. With over 30 students involved in this ensemble, it’s also a great way to beat the morning traffic rush and kick start one’s mind for the day. Questions about this opportunity? Email Mr. Roa!

DRAMA WELCOME LUNCH: AUGUST 25 

Meet and mingle with Drama staff and current BBHS Thespians in the Dale Marshall Performing Arts Lounge this Friday, August 25 at 12 p.m., following the Freshmen Welcome! Students will learn all about the Blanchet Drama community and all the exciting theatrical skills you can learn - performing, building sets, creating costumes and so much more. A pizza lunch will be provided! RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.

Michelle Carrasquilla Lander

Performing and Fine Arts Department Chair

[email protected]