Greetings!,


Thank you all for your presence and participation at last week’s retreat. I have continued to reflect on the various ways our schools reflect the grace of Christ in their sacramental nature, I am struck by the sacramental nature of this retreat itself. This is possible because of you and the networks of friendship and solidarity that you bring to these moments of gathering and fellowship.

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I wanted to share a letter to the editor published in Sunday’s Seattle Times, which Vivian Shannon, Tony Audino, and I submitted to offer our perspective on the new federal tax-credit scholarship program enacted this summer. This scholarship program can advance opportunity for the most vulnerable and will further support our Catholic schools as a complement to other education options in the state.

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We are in the midst of our annual Fall Data Collection. We are asking all schools to have this completed by the end of this week, Friday, September 26.


If you have questions or problems related to OCS data collection, please contact Synthiea Kaldi (synthiea.kaldi@seattlearch.org). We appreciate your work on this essential annual task.


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

09/25/2025 - Christ in the Classroom Toolkit with Connor Geraghty

10/02/2025 - GRACE with Justyna King

10/09/2025 - MAP Analysts & NWEA Programming with Justyna King

10/16/2025 - Safe Environment Refresh with Pam Schwartz and Cathy Wiswell

Upcoming Events

 
 

September 23, 2025

NWEA MAP Data Analyst/Leader Training #1

2 Options: 8:30am-11:30am,

12pm-3pm

St. Thomas, Tukwila

 

October 1, 2025

OCS Presents PD Series

GenAI in Education: Fears, Fascinations, and Ethics

Presented by Lewis Poche, University of Notre Dame

Online

Register here

(Please share registration with your faculty and staff)

 
 
 

October 3, 2025

GRACE Fall Workshop

St. Thomas, Tukwila

 
 
 
 

October 16, 2025

NWEA Data Dive

Online

 
 

October 23, 2025

Pastor & Principal Fall Meeting

St. Thomas, Tukwila

 
 
 

October 28, 2025

New Employee Orientation

Online

Register Here

(For those who missed orientation in August)

 
 
 

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

WSCC Advocacy Bulletin

Please see the September WSCC Advocacy Bulletin here.

Annual Catholic Youth Convention: Saints in the Making

All high school youth and recent graduates are invited to this year’s Catholic Youth Convention, a one-day, faith-filled event on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Saint Martin's University in Lacey. Organize a group of students at your school and register here today.

Catholic Immigration Summit

As a part of National Migration Week, all people interested in learning more about the Catholic perspective on immigration are invited to join us at Seattle University for the 9th Annual Catholic Immigration Summit. Learn more and register here!


GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Personnel & Policy Notes for the Week of 09/22/25

Included this week: Immunization info., October employee orientation, Pam OOO

Click here to read more.

Register for the Leadership Academy

A leadership development cohort for aspiring administrators. 5 Leadership sessions, beginning October 9th. Register here! Contact Kelly Surapaneni (kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org) with questions.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Curriculum Committees for 2025-26

Social Studies, Science and new Artificial Intelligence committee will be formed this year. We meet four times (in person) throughout the year. Learn more here.

NWEA MAP Testing Dates & Information

Check out our NWEA MAP testing page to learn more about our assessment dates and expectations.

WCEA Accreditation Information

The WCEA has updated their webpage with current resources for schools who are engaged in the self-study process and those who are hosting visiting teams this year.

MAP Data Analyst & Leader Trainings

All schools who implement MAP testing are required to send 1-2 data leaders to NWEA training this year - more information can be found on the NWEA page.

2025 NWEA MAP Norms - NEW!!

Check out this important information about the new testing norms and how they may impact your school's MAP testing growth and achievement scores.

Math Collaborative PD at Assumption-St. Bridget

Attention Math Teachers in K-8! Assumption-St. Bridget is hosting the first Math Teacher Collaborative on October 7, 2025. Register today!


Early Learning Newsletter

Important resources and reminders for Early Learning Program. Click here for more information!

 

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

Filled Job Postings?

If you have filled jobs that are still posted, please close them, or let Synthiea.Kaldi@seattlearch.org know. Thanks!

New Teacher Induction Toolkit

Thomas Wier and Emily Cornell, two BLC all-stars, put together a toolkit for those inducting new teachers. Click here for the toolkit and planning dates!

Innovative Housing Rooms

Rooms are still available at our Innovative Housing sites in Ballard and Maple Leaf! See the form or contact Kelly Surapaneni. (kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org)

New Teacher Induction Toolkit

Thomas Wier and Emily Cornell, two BLC all-stars, put together a toolkit for those inducting new teachers. Click here for the toolkit and planning dates!

 
 

News & Resources

 

Northwest Math Conference

The Northwest Math Conference will be held on October 9-11 in Tacoma, WA! This is sponsored by the Washington State Math Council and the Puget Sound Council of Teachers and Mathematics. All math teachers, elementary and secondary, are invited to consider attending. Clock hours are available. Click here for the website and here for the flyer!