On Your Mark. Get Set.   GO!

Training. Proper sleep. Snugly laced shoes. The starting blocks positioned correctly. A positive mental attitude. Calm yet ready. Wait for it. Go! Then top speed in seconds! This past summertime we witnessed sprinters in the Olympics prepare intensely for the start of each race. In a similar manner, we have prepared ourselves for the start of the new school year. We’ve trained, rested, dressed appropriately in our school uniforms, and have prepared our minds to be open to growth. With the coming of the fall season the new school year is off to a good start!

Already students have experienced breakfast, daily assemblies including our Mass of the Holy Spirit, the issuing of new textbooks, a refresher on how to open lockers, the invigorating sound of that first school bell, the excitement of a new course of study, the anticipation of lunchtime and recess, and the discipline of afternoon study hall.

Faculty and staff were readied with our week-long “in-service” days of prayer and training together. Students have arrived and we now feel their energy and excitement for learning and success. We are at top speed!

A look back lets us know that preparation for this great start has had many aspects. Our three-week Summer Academy introduced the rigor and expectations to incoming sixth-graders. Summer School programming provided extended learning for students already enrolled at Nativity. Teachers and staff, well before our in-service week, prepared schedules, classrooms, and lesson plans. The generosity and support of our benefactors allowed us to make improvements to the physical plant: the school halls, lockers and classrooms were given a fresh coat of paint, surfaces were scrubbed, new light efficient shades were installed throughout the school (thank you Fulcrum Foundation!), and truckloads of yard-waste and trash were removed from our campus by volunteers (thank you Gonzaga University Alums!). We are off to a good start!

We welcome you to join us as we begin this great event that is the 2016-2017 Academic Year at Seattle Nativity School. Feel free to come by and witness the inspired beginning that is underway for our students and teachers! To schedule a visit, just give a call to the main office at 206.494.4708. See you at the start!
 
—Fr. Jeff McDougall, S.J., President

Building Community
The start of school can be a time of great anticipation for students, families and teachers.  A smiling face, a welcoming handshake, saying grace together, sharing a meal and cheering the Seahawks can be a super start to a school year.  On September 1, our 12's Family Tailgate Night was just that— a super start and a great way to build community.  Prior to the Seahawks kick-off against the Oakland Raiders, we shared dinner including potluck items from our families, Ezell's Chicken, the Blue Thunder Drumline performance, and of course a pick-up game of basketball in the parking lot.

As we enter our fourth school year, we have more students and families who are part of the Seattle Nativity School history and community.  An essential part of our school culture is to develop our support system for our students. We look forward to many more moments when we can celebrate our connection through Seattle Nativity School.

Special thanks to several very generous benefactors who provided this opportunity to share dinner from Ezell's Chicken and experience the wonderfully loud performance by the Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline. Additionally, thank you to our volunteers who helped to decorate, serve and clean-up for this special event.

—Mr. Edward Nelson, Principal