Greetings!


This past Sunday’s Gospel revisited the same Gospel we heard when we were gathered together with Archbishop Etienne two weeks ago. Hearing this passage again offered an opportunity to once again reflect on his homily. If you’ll recall, Archbishop reflected on the historical significance of Jesus venturing into Tyre and Sidon, outside of Israel, as a teaching moment for his disciples. Through his example, he demonstrated what they would be called to, to extend beyond the boundaries of Israel and spread the Gospel beyond the lost sheep of Israel.


Our Catholic schools are uniquely positioned to venture beyond the bounds today. In his apostolic letter last fall, Pope Leo reminded us what the Second Vatican Council taught, that “education is not an ancillary activity, but forms the very fabric of evangelization: it is the concrete way in which the Gospel becomes an educational gesture, a relationship, a culture.” In this way, I believe we are called to extend others beyond the familiar through our outreach and relationships.


As you prepare to welcome back your students in the weeks ahead, I pray for each of you and your faculty and staff, that you are filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to propose the Gospel anew.


LAST CALL: Christ in the Classroom Logo Wear Orders Due TODAY by 5:00pm

Don't forget to submit your order today if you haven’t already by using this link. If you ordered incorrectly, please let Ellie know, and she can remove the order from our list.


SUPPORT: Faith Through the Fire – A Call to Help Spokane Catholic School Families

Several of you have asked how your school might support those whose lives have been impacted by the devastating fires in eastern Washington.


Nazareth Guild is partnering with the Diocese of Spokane, the Office of Education, and Catholic Charities to ensure the families affected by the fires receive the support they need, when they need it most. Currently, they know of at least 18 families who lost everything.


In their mission to support Catholic education, their greatest priority is tuition support, helping families keep their children in the Catholic schools that provide faith, stability, and hope during this difficult time. As additional needs arise, the Faith Through the Fire Relief Fund will also help provide other school-based support for students.


If you are not able to financially support at this time, please consider writing a letter of hope to a family affected and mailing it to Nazareth Guild (PO Box 76 - 99210), who would be happy to share those letters with them.


To learn more about how to support this fund, please visit Nazareth Guild’s website.


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

Taking a break until October!

Upcoming Events

 
 

August 19, 2026

OCS Presents: Classroom Management

Zoom

 

August 25, 2026

MDI Teacher Formation

Our Lady of Guadalupe

 
 
 

September 22, 2026

GRACE Online Kick Off

Online

 
 
 
 

September 23-25, 2026

Christ in the Classroom Retreat

Seabeck Conference Center

 

October 6, 2026

GRACE Fall Meeting

Camp Don Bosco

 
 
 

October 7, 2026

OCS Presents: Mission

Zoom

 
 
 
 

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Dr. Knight Visits

Dr. James Knight is returning for student, staff, and parent presentations on cultural humility from October 19-23 and April 12-16. Please register here for one of these two windows and we will be in contact with you to set a specific date and time.

Christ in the Classroom Leadership Retreat Registration

We look forward to gathering with you at the Seabeck Conference Center from September 23-25 for our annual Christ in the Classroom Leadership Retreat. Click here to learn about the retreat and register today!

Sacred Heart Devotion Curriculum

Curriculum has been developed to help our schools activate the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in three grade levels: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Please share this curriculum with your teachers along with this introductory video. Archbishop Etienne recently published his Pastoral Letter on the Sacred Heart, which provides more context for perpetuating the devotion. You can find his letter, the curriculum and more here.

2026-2027 MDI Registration

Registration is open for the 2026-2027 Missionary Discipleship Institute program for all 7th grade religion teachers. Click here to learn more about the curriculum and register for the year of formation ahead.

Inclusive Schools Leadership Seminar

Principals are invited to register for the online Leading Inclusive Schools seminar led by Dr. Colleen McCoy-Cejka. Through the generous support of the Fulcrum Foundation, registration is provided at no cost to our principals. Learn more here and email Connor Geraghty if you plan to register.

FAQs and Guidance on ICE

Please click here to review our guidance and most common questions regarding immigration enforcement. For questions or other resources, please contact Chris Koehler at 206-274-3194 or chris.koehler@seattlearch.org.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Personnel & Policy Notes for the Week of 08/17/26

Updates this week: Information on federal programs for 2026-27; Repeat personnel and policy reminders.

Click here to read more.

Leadership Academy Registration

The Office for Catholic Schools offers a year-long BLC cohort for aspiring administrators with a mixture of in-person and virtual meetings. Framed in the 4 domains of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS). For questions, please contact Kelly Surapaneni at kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org. Click here to register!

Calling All Assistant Principals

The Office for Catholic Schools offers year-long BLC cohort (with a mixture of in-person and online meetings) for assistant principals to develop leadership, share resources, and collaborate. For questions, please contact Kelly Surapaneni at kelly.surapaneni@seattlearch.org. See registration form to connect with the Assistant Principal Collaborative Network (APCN).

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Register GRACE Teacher Leaders for 2026-27

Register your GRACE teacher leaders for the 2026-27 school year.

GRACE 2026-27 Description

Check out our website with information, schedule, and teacher registration, contract, and other resources!

Plan for NWEA MAP Testing in 2026-27

The testing schedule is listed on our website. We will also be hosting several meetings throughout the school year (both online and in person) for Data Analysts.

Curriculum Committees for 2026-27

We are meeting in person quarterly to look at Content Times and Homework; we are also resuming the AI committee. Learn more here!

OCS Presents: Calm Classrooms Series

Join us 8/19 from 3:30-4:30pm for our first session on Building Positive Classrooms of Belonging! Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84563212772#success

SU Special Education Endorsement

For $2000 dollars, Seattle University is offering an endorsement in Special Education. For questions, contact Ted Kalmus, kalmust@seattleu.edu. Click here for more information!

Early Learning Weekly Newsletter

Important Resources and Reminders for Early Learning Programs. Click here to learn more.

OSPI Virtual PD on SEL - FREE

OSPI is partnering with Generation Wellness to train teachers in SEL standards - up to 9 free clock hours. Click here for more information!

 

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

Staffing Changes

Please send a list of new and departing teachers with cell numbers and emails to Synthiea (synthiea.kaldi@seattlearch.org). If there is a move to the sub-pool, please include cell number and personal email.


Sub Pool - New Rate?

If you are changing the rate you pay your substitute teachers. please email that to Synthiea.

 

Fulcrum

Designate a TAP Coordinator

Please designate at least one Fulcrum Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAP) Coordinator, who will be the main contact at your school for all questions or communications with Fulcrum concerning TA for the 2026-2027 school year. For some schools, the principal is the sole TAP Coordinator. For others, multiple people at the school are designated as TAP Coordinators. You may designate up to four people for this role at your school.

 

Link to form: Fulcrum TAP Coordinator 2026-2027 – Fill out form

 

Please submit this information by no later than Friday, September 4, 2026.

We are so grateful for your partnership in administering this program and helping us advance our mission of providing access to high-quality Catholic education in Western Washington!

 

Please reach out with any questions, I am happy to help!

 

Josh Jinkens, Fulcrum Programs Coordinator

Josh.jinkens@fulcrumfoundation.org

206.219-5829

News & Resources

 

No News this Week!

If you would like something featured in this section, please contact Ellie Bailey (eleanor.bailey@seattlearch.org)