May 31, 2017
 
 
Dear Parents, Guardians, Alumni, Parishioners, and Friends of Assumption-St. Bridget School,
       It is Spirit Week at ASB and there is a lot of spirit!  Tomorrow is color wars and also the traditional 8^th grade/faculty and staff basketball game.  All are welcome to attend starting at 1:30pm in the Assumption gymnasium.
       It is also the time of year that we begin to hear about faculty and staff plans for next year.  I am fully aware that there have been many changes in our faculty and staff this year, some surprises and some not.  In schools, change can be particularly difficult given that we are dealing with parents’ most prized possessions- their children!  And for all of us working with them, it is truly a privilege each day.  That being said, change can become harder.  But change can also be seen as an opportunity for the individual involved as well as for ASB.  With our growth mindsets, we embrace the latter. 
       We have a few more announcement to make today.  I like to include words right from the staff or faculty member, so that you can hear their voice and join me in wishing them all well, thanking them, and “sending them forth” with the Holy Spirit to guide their personal and professional journeys.
            After 21 years of service to ASB, Mr. Jeff Pozarski has decided to make a change.  I know that all of you will join me in thanking him for dedicating the majority of his professional life to the ASB community.  Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed and valued working alongside Jeff.  He welcomed me and provided me with his insights and experiences from such a longstanding career here, and for that I will be eternally grateful. Jeff will be missed!   Jeff says,
"I have known for some time that to accomplish my professional goals, I would have to move beyond the comfort and safety of the first school in which I taught. There has always been more than one reason to stay at ASB - the students eager to learn, a caring and engaged parent community, collaborative colleagues. These are all the reasons that teachers seek to work here. But after 21 years, I have arrived at the point that I am ready to explore the world beyond ASB. I informed Mrs. McGill and Fr. Oliver several weeks ago that I would not be returning in the fall.   While my immediate plans are not fully formed, I am exploring a variety of options in and out of education. I have developed here an amazing foundation on which to build.  ASB School has been my home for 21 years. This has been my community, sharing in the joys of life and  learning and offering comfort in times of trial. Saying goodbye to something not easily replaced is daunting, but I leave with memories and experiences that will remain with me where ever I go. For that, I am truly blessed and grateful."
        Our very own, Mrs. Jennifer Hansen, fourth grade, has also decided to make a life change.  We thank Jen for her years of teaching the young people at ASB, and we are very happy for ability to stay home with now TWO young boys and manage their family in the rewarding job of full-time motherhood!  We will miss Mrs. Hansen.  Mrs. Hansen says,
“Thank you for letting me be a part of the ASB community for the last 7 years.  I have truly enjoyed working with the amazing staff and students and feel blessed to have had this time here. After much thought, my husband and I have decided that it is best for our family for me to stay home next school year. I am excited for this opportunity to spend more time with my boys and to be a stay at home mom. I will truly miss everyone at ASB and hope to remain a part of this community. Thank you again!”
       Please also help me in wishing Mrs. Heidi Pouley well in her new adventures at Bishop Blanchet.  This too is a loss to ASB, and a gain for the theology department at Bishop Blanchet!  Heidi has been an educator at ASB for 18 years, and has held many leadership positions here as well.  Mrs. Pouley has touched many students’ and families’ lives.  She will be missed, but we also are happy for her continued professional success.  Mrs. Pouley says,
"It's with both excitement and sadness that I announce that I will not return to ASB next school year as I have accepted a position as theology teacher at Bishop Blanchet High School.  A move to high school is something that I have been considering for many years as my theology background and my education in Holocaust Studies lends itself better to an older audience.  In recent years, I have applied and interviewed for positions within our Catholic high schools, but it never seemed like the right time or the perfect fit until now.  The hardest part of leaving will be not going to school with Dylan, MaryJane, and working with my best friends every day.  However, I will not be far away and I'll certainly remain involved with the ASB community as a parent and parishioner.  I leave ASB after 18 years as a teacher with fond experiences, memories, and friendships.  I look forward to a continued relationship with ASB for many years to come!"
        Switching gears, our ASB staff was notified of the suicide of a local middle school student. As educators, parents, and community members, the tragic loss of even one young person to suicide is heart-wrenching. Several of our ASB middle school students were acquaintances or friends with the deceased, and many more of our students were impacted when they learned of this death via social media. Students in 7th and 8th grades who were directly impacted by this situation had additional support offered to them during the school day today. 
        As a school, our primary charge is the safety and well-being of our students. We are proud to continue to invest in programs, instruction, and staffing to support the healthy, holistic development of our entire student body. If you are concerned that your family or child is in need of additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's homeroom teacher, Mrs. McGill, Mr. Pozarski, Mrs. Conklin, or Mrs. Riggle. 
       If you would like additional information specific to suicide, there are many resources online to offer support in discussing situations like this as a family (if developmentally appropriate). Three such resources are listed below. 
 
When A Child’s Friend Dies By Suicide
 
LEARN Tips For Talking About Suicide
 
Forefront Resource for Bereaved
 
            In these final weeks of school, I would ask that we all unite and ground ourselves as a Catholic school community.  Let us build one another up, support each other through change, celebrate the children/students that we all care for, and model living out the love of Christ.  We also want to keep our 8^th graders, soon to be alumni, in our prayers, as they finish up their final days at Assumption-St. Bridget School!

 In Christ's Peace,
Christina Vierra McGill

Please Read-Regarding FACTS
All payment plans for the 2017-18 school year will be finalized in FACTS on June 6th, 2017.  Please contact Cecelia Davison in the business office if you have any questions. Thank you.

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  Soccer and Cross Country News
Soccer and Cross Country registration IS NOW OPEN for Fall 2017.  Registration for both of these sports will remain open during the summer and will close prior to the CYO deadline for registration, on August 7, 2017.  

ASB Soccer or Cross-Country Registration 
 

Soccer Registration: starts April 26, 2017, and ends June 16, 2017.  
Late Registration will begin on June 17, 2017 and close August 7, 2017.
After August 7, no registrations can be accepted.  

 Cross-Country Registration: starts April 26, 2017 and ends June 16, 2017.  
Late Registration will begin on June 17, 2017 and close August 7, 2017.
After August 7, no registrations can be accepted. 

 

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Volunteers Needed for NEW Parent Board Website
In response to the survey earlier this spring, the Parent Board is creating a website with Parent Board related content. We are looking for volunteers to:
* help design the website 
* maintain the website once it is up and running
If you have expertise and enthusiasm for this project, please contact Nancy Belcher
Parent Board President-Elect.

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Call To Vote
Since ASB is sponsored by two parishes, a Governance Council has been established to coordinate the parishes’ shared responsibility. The purpose of the Governance Council is to advise the parish leadership on major policy issues for the school, including the annual budget and admissions policy.  

The Parent Board is responsible for electing two representatives to the council, one from each parish. The position for the Assumption Parish will be open for a 3 year term beginning the 2017/2018 school year.  The Parent Board would like to nominate Kathy Link, Assumption Parish member.  Kathy has taken an active role as Assumption Parish Liaison for the Parent Board for the past couple of years and is well qualified for this nomination.  Below, please find Kathy’s bio, as well as a link to vote.  If you have any questions, please contact Parent Board President, Nikki Casey

Kathy Link
I have been a parishioner at Assumption for the past 13 years, and my oldest son entered Kindergarten at ASB in 2006. Charles is now a sophomore at BBHS and Nate is graduating from ASB this Spring, but with Patrick (5th grade) and James (2nd grade) I will continue to be involved with ASB for several more years to come. The boys have received an excellent education from ASB and I hope to work with the amazing parents and staff to continue to improve ASB school.   

Vote HERE

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ASB POGO Carpool Ambassador Needed - PAID Position
Check out this flyer HERE for more information about helping launch the POGO Carpool app at ASB.

Need rides or care for your kids this summer?
Take advantage of a summer pilot program our partner Pogo is doing with Seattle Nanny Network. ASB families that fall within the service area will be given preference to participate. Learn more on the Pogo website HERE.

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Traffic Duty, June 1-7
Thursday, 6/1: Loop - Yerkes, Yeend, Wagner, Veneziani; BT - Unbehend, Tafft
Friday, 6/2: Loop - Swan, Slavin, Eldred, Stonich; BT - Shelton, Somers
Monday, 6/5: Loop - DiMartino, Dougherty, Droppelman, Dunn; BT - Constantio, Smith
Tuesday, 6/6: Loop - Frosaker, Gallaudet, Greenberg, Gurry; BT - Veneziani, Hamblette
Wednesday, 6/7: Loop - Heffernan, Hirst, Hofmeister, Johnson; BT - Kannier, Knowles

 

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Parish News
Assumption Parish:

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St. Bridget Parish:

Seattle Prep News
Middle school families, learn more about Seattle Prep HERE

Information about Summer Prep at Prep HERE   
                    Contact if more questions HERE

Bishop Blanchet News
Middle school parents Click HERE for high school information. 

Attention:  Girls 3rd-8th grade!  Girls Lacrosse Clinic 2017- Braves- Riders
                   For more information click HERE