Greetings!


I hope this finds you well and enjoying time with family and friends during this summer respite.

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks as we begin our year at Kickstart and Inspire. If you haven’t already registered, please do so here. This year, we will once again be at Seattle University and Day 2 of Kickstart will be part of the Inspire Conference.


New Employee Orientation

Please be sure all new employees at your schools have received the registration link for New Employee Orientation: https://mycatholicschool.org/2026/05/14/08-2026-new-employee-orientation-registration/

This training is required for all new employees and is offered in on two dates in two locations:

  • Tuesday, August 11 at Holy Cross Parish in Tacoma
  • Tuesday, August 18 at Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonds


PROMOTE: Solemnity of the Assumption at Cheney Stadium

Please include in all upcoming school family communications about the upcoming outdoor Mass at Cheney Stadium to join Archbishop Etienne, Bishop Schuster, and thousands of the faithful on August 15 as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption.


Admission is free and all are welcome, though tickets are required. Click here to learn more and register.


Last Call: Future of Schools Forum

The future of schools will be shaped through thoughtful leadership and collaboration — and WFIS invites you to be part of this important conversation.


Join colleagues from across Washington on August 13 at Eastside Preparatory School in Kirkland for a morning of expert insight, peer learning, and strategic planning. You'll hear from leading researchers, learn from peer schools already navigating AI, and leave with practical resources and a concrete action plan for your campus.


Registration closes today, so register now.


Have a great week.


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 September!

Upcoming Events

 
 

July 29, 2026

New Principal/Pastor Retreat

Register here!

 

August 3, 2026

New Principal Orientation

Seattle University - Oberto Commons

Register here!

 
 
 

August 4, 2026

Kickstart

Seattle University - Campion Hall

Register here!

 
 
 
 

August 5 & 6, 2026

INSPIRE

Seattle University - Campion Hall

Register here!

 

August 11, 2026

New Employee Orientation 1

Holy Cross, Tacoma

Register here!

 
 
 

August 18, 2026

New Employee Orientation 2

Holy Rosary, Edmonds

Register here!

 
 
 
 

MISSION & CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Solemnity of the Assumption at Cheney Stadium

Please join Archbishop Etienne, Bishop Schuster, and thousands of the faithful on August 15 at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma for an outdoor Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption. Admission is free and all are welcome, though tickets are required. Click here to learn more and register.

Archdiocesan Youth Council

Incoming 10th and 12th graders are encouraged to apply for the 2026-2027 Archdiocesan Youth Council. Please click here to see a letter from Garth Pereira, Director of Youth Ministry Services, that contains the application link.

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 Pastoral Letter and Devotion

Archbishop Etienne invites all school leaders to read and share his new pastoral letter, "Learn from Me, for I am Meek and Humble of Heart," and to join him in fostering devotion to the Sacred Heart within their school communities. The letter can be found here.

Loving Jesus Through the Sacred Heart Devotion Toolkit

Please encourage your community to visit archseattle.org/sacredheart to learn about the Sacred Heart devotion, access prayers for homes and classrooms, and utilize the promotional toolkit. A week-long curriculum for the 2026-27 school year about the history and practice of the Sacred Heart devotion is being developed for elementary and middle school students and will be published by August.

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.

LAST CALL: Certificate in Faith Formation for Christian Educators - Apply by July 31

Seattle Pacific University is partnering with OCS to offer a 12-credit, online graduate certificate in faith formation for Christian educators (120 clock hours available). Thanks to subsidies from the university and OCS, a limited number of our educators are able to earn this certificate for a total of $2000 in the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Please share this flyer with your staff and have interested candidates contact Connor Geraghty.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

Personnel & Policy Notes for the Week of 07/20/26

Updates this week: New employee orientation and benefit information session; Hourly employee benefit deductions; Posting positions on BOTH Frontline and Paycom (Required as of July 1, 2026).

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

Take a few minutes to 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!

Early Learning Weekly Newsletter

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

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!

 

OPERATIONAL VITALITY

Be Part of INSPIRE!

The best ideas are meant to be shared. INSPIRE brings together Catholic school and parish leaders from across the region to learn, collaborate, and return with practical strategies to strengthen their communities.


We hope to see every school represented. Whether you serve in leadership, admissions, marketing, advancement, the front office, parish ministry, or another vital role, you'll find sessions, conversations, and connections designed to support your mission.


Register today (we still have room for you!) and join us as we learn, grow, and inspire one another. Your school, and the families you serve, will be stronger because you came.


INSPIRE PROGRAM

INSPIRE is packed with engaging keynote speakers, outstanding presenters, and practical breakout sessions designed specifically for Catholic school and parish leaders. You'll leave with fresh ideas, proven strategies, valuable resources, and meaningful connections—all ready to put into action when you return to your community.


Click here to download an Excel preview of the event


Questions? Contact Kristin Moore or Ellie Bailey

 

Fulcrum

News & Resources

 

No News this Week!

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