Principal’s Corner: May 23, 2019

Hello St. Al Family and Friends,

This week we celebrate our grandparents and special friends with events and activities on Friday, May 24.

My grandmother was an incredibly important part of my life.  We spoke nightly on the phone (she lived in Montana) and wrote letters back and forth for years.  She was a huge source of support and a sound voice of reason.  I will remember her for many things but most importantly how she shared love.  My grandmother was born and raised Catholic.  She had a constant desire to fully live the values of service and sacrifice that she learned through the Church.  Any given day my grandmother could be found delivering meals, running a mobile library, and spending time with residents at a local hospice.  While I was not raised Catholic, I always watched the example my grandmother set for me.  I watched the expressions of her heart and her love for Christ lead her to do powerful things for others.  I thought to myself, if that is what it means to be Catholic, then that is what I must be.

Grandparents and family friends are important people who shape our lives in ways we could never imagine.  They are a blessing and we are so happy here at St. Alphonsus to celebrate them.  If you are a grandparent or special friend, thank you for the difference you are making in the lives of those in our community.  We love you.  We thank you.  We are so happy you are a part of our lives.

Thank you,

Kathleen Cifu
Principal, St Alphonsus Parish School
(206)782-4363
www.stalseattle.org

Yearbook Sales

Yearbooks For Sale!

Many of you purchased a yearbook back in September.  However, it’s not too late to purchase one today.

Cost: $18.00 (Checks payable to St. Alphonsus School, drop at front office)
Email:  Mrs. Wisen at [email protected] with your order

Yearbooks will be delivered the 2nd week of June.

Scrip

Scrip May Madness Contest

The 2nd week of May Madness has seen some fast and furious shopping. By watching the rebates, the 7/8 Boys have pulled ahead of the 5/6 Boys. With the nicer weather, think about buying summer clothes with Scrip and earn an end of the year party for your kid’s class. Presto Pay purchases count too.

Kindergarten Book Drive

Kindergarten Book Drive

Kindergarten is collecting gently used books for the West Seattle Food Bank Bookcase Program. They are especially in need of board books, picture books, and easy readers.Kindergarten will have a donation box outside the school office beginning on May 6 and will collect books until May 17. Thank you for your donation!

Book Fair

Come to the Book Fair!

St. Al’s Book Fair is OPEN May 16 – May 24, at the following times:

  • Before school each day: 8:15 – 8:45am
  • After school each day: 2:45 – 3:45pm and 1:45 – 2:45pm (Wednesday only)
  • Special event: Friday, May 24 from 11:30am to final purchase.
  • Orientation evenings: Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 from 6:30 – 8:15pm

An exciting new feature this year is the eWallet for your student. Instead of sending a check or cash with your student to purchase books, you can easily set up an eWallet for them online and we can use that for any book purchases over the course of the Fair.

Look for the eWallet information on our Scholastic Book Fair info page, link below. You may also purchase books online through 5/23 using the link.

eWallet Link: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/homepage.do?method=homepage&url=stalphonsusschool1

Thank you for supporting our school library!

Annual Fund

Annual Fund Contest

Have you made your Annual Fund donation?  In an effort to achieve 100% participation, we are hosting one final contest.

Until May 30, make a donation to the Annual Fund in ANY AMOUNT and your student’s class could WIN a FREE DRESS DAY in June!

All proceeds from the Annual Fund directly benefit the students and teachers at St. Alphonsus. Make your donation today! You can learn more about the Annual Fund on our school website.

Questions?  Please contact Kristin at [email protected].

Parents’ Club Executive Board Elections


Parents’ Club Executive Board Elections

It’s election season for our Parents’ Club Board. Our Parents’ Club is an important component of our St. Al’s community that both facilitates community building and fundraising events. The events knit our community together, and our fundraising commitments fill the budget gaps.

Please read below and familiarize yourself with our list of candidates. These candidates will be joining three current board members, for a total of six members. We are grateful to the following parents for their willingness to serve.

Voting opens Thursday, May 16 and will close Thursday, May 30. Click on the link below to vote online. Please take the time to vote and show your support for the Parents’ Club.

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2019-2020 Parents’ Club Executive Board Candidates

Christiana Cairns

My name is Christiana (Chris) Cairns.  My son, Alister, has been a student at St. Al’s for 3 years now (K-2nd) and is soon to be a 3rd Grader.  My husband and I have been together for nearly 20 years, dividing our time between Seattle and places around the globe.  I love volunteering, organizing events and getting my hands dirty.  Literally.  I love to garden and will find any excuse to dig in, even if that means pulling weeds out of a sidewalk garden while I am on a walk.  The reason my husband and I chose St. Al’s is the close sense of community and the incredible feeling as you walk through the doors of family.

 

Liz Powell

Hello! I would like to be considered for the St. Al’s Parents Club Board for a few reasons:

St. Al’s has been a blessing to our family. Our son Ronan started at our school as a 6th grader last fall. It was a big step taking Ronan out of public school, but we had a hunch St. Al’s would be good for him. After nearly a year of watching Ronan thrive, we can say St. Al’s has been a huge blessing in cultivating his love of learning/academics, robotics, spirituality and friendships.

I enjoy and have experience serving on boards, creating campaigns and events. I have found boards to be a rewarding way to give back. During the past 10 years, I have held multi-year positions with the FIRST Robotics Advisory Board in Seattle (school age STEM program), Antioch University Seattle and currently Seattle Rotary Club, where I serve as Membership Chair.

I am ready to serve the St. Al’s parents community. We felt welcomed from the first day and I would like to pay forward the generosity by serving more deliberately next year. I will be Room Parent for 7th grade boys next year, which will hopefully enhance my contribution and insights I bring to the Parent’s Club Board.

A little background on me: I am owner of RE/MAX On Market in Ballard (with my husband, John Manning) and am also a successful realtor who works with clients to buy and/or sell homes. Prior to my real estate career, I spent 25 years as a public relations, marketing and branding executive in Seattle, Portland, SF/Bay Area and France. Most recently, I led the Pac NW consumer brand team for Edelman, the largest public relations firm in the world, working with some of our region’s top brands, including Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Charles Smith Wine, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Theo Chocolate, Value Village and Starbucks. I grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from the University of Oregon (yes, I am a Duck!)

Thank you for your consideration!

Amanda Daylong

Amanda is the mother of 6th grader, Kelan Stewart.  Since coming to St. Alphonsus in 2017, Amanda has enjoyed the school’s close-knit community and goals of providing  high-quality education to its students.  Having “settled in” to St. Alphonsus, Prior to becoming an attorney, Amanda served as administrative staff at a local non-profit, private school in the University District, and assisted in the first steps of that school moving toward accreditation and navigating through tremendous growth.  As a St. Als parent, Amanda now would like to use her background in education and the law to serve on the Parent’s Club Board as the the school moves forward through accreditation and help our community to continue to grow and flourish.

 

Vote Here

Hello Thursdays!

Hi St. Al’s families,

We are opening our doors for the remaining Thursdays in May between 9-11am for 2019-2020 prospective families! Please invite all of your friends and family to observe what great things our school has to offer.

We have space available in most classrooms and would really love to see more 1st graders next year!  Please let me know if you have any questions. Flyers will be coming home with each student today, please post or pass them along to someone who may be interested.

Thanks for all your help!

Jenny Horstmann
Admissions Director

17th of May Festival

We’re Marching!

Let’s Meet at 5:15 pm

We’ll meet around NW 60th St. and 26th Ave NW. Look for the St. Al’s spirit wear or school sweatshirts, our school banner, and a familiar face or two.

Please note: All children must be accompanied by an adult (either you or another adult you have communicated with in advance).

Complete Necessary Paperwork in advance

ALL Participants need to complete the following document and bring it with you:

Parade Starts at 6 pm

Once we know exactly where we will be starting from – the parade organizers line us up – we’ll move from our meeting spot over to the starting location.

Parade Route

The parade route begins at the corner of NW 62nd and 24th Avenue NW. The route follows south to Market Street and eastward to Bergen Place park, then turns right onto 22nd and continues south down Ballard Avenue and ends at Lone St.

Can’t Make the Meeting Time and still want to March?

Text any last minute logistical questions to:

  • Development at 425-367-1735

And When You’re Done?

Be sure to submit your volunteer parent hours on RenWeb! Yes, marching in the parade counts as volunteer hours!