A Message from the President: Companions on Pilgrimage
As Christians we are companions on a pilgrimage to heaven. The word “companion” evokes a sense of bonding and unity that is stronger than the word “community.” To be a companion is to be tied to others. Indeed, the word "companion" literally means “one who breaks bread with another,” and of course, as Catholics, that bread which unites us is the bread come down from heaven—Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist.
The current time of our pilgrimage seems set on tearing apart the companionship of our schools. Sports, activities, and even the ability to gather for in-person instruction are highly questionable. Thankfully, our companionship is expressed in these good activities not founded upon it. Instead, our companionship is founded upon the rock of Christ, and, as St. Paul reminds us, “If God is for us, who is against us?...For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present...nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This current time, all the more, calls us to be companions with one another through Christ. To that end, I would invite you to three things:
- First, the Walla Walla Catholic Schools is hosting a holy hour for teaching and learning at Assumption on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.
- Second, today begins the novena of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots.
- Third, we would like to pray for you and your intentions. Please fill out this form with any requests you may have, and we will be sure to bring them to Our Lord, through the intercession of Mary and St. Francis DeSales.
In Christ,
-Father Curtis Seidel
President of Walla Walla Catholic Schools
Staffing Update
We are happy to report we have hired Mrs. Anna Taylor as our Physical Education instructor at Assumption. Anna worked with us previously at Assumption as a Physical Education instructor and also as an athletic trainer for the DeSales High School sports teams. Welcome Back Anna!
As we explored our options for our History position at DeSales, to best serve our students this year and moving forward in the future, we have decided to provide the high school requirement of Government and Economics semester classes to our sophomores, juniors and seniors. This model will be similar to what we provided with teaching Physics, and Anatomy and Physiology to all our juniors and seniors this year. We are fortunate to have Mr. Eric Rohde, who has taught the Government and Economics classes over the last several years. Eric was excited about the opportunity to teach multiple Government and Economics classes this year.
Each grade level class will remain together with the same period scheduled for History. Sophomores period for European History will adjust to Government and Economics, and Juniors period for U.S. History will adjust to Government and Economics. Seniors are already scheduled for Government and Economics. In what will undoubtedly be a profoundly challenging year, simplifying the number of class preps for our teachers will facilitate greater learning for students. This model will provide us an opportunity to evaluate our History program moving forward and staff accordingly for next year. Any History requirements needed for our current sophomores and juniors will be scheduled over the next two years to ensure any necessary requirements are met.
We are still currently in a search for the part-time Art position, as well as a full-time and part-time custodian. All positions and requirements can be found on the
WWCS Employment Opportunities website.
Reopening in the Fall
As has been identified previously, the goal of WWCS has been to provide in-person instruction as soon and as safely as possible. As was mentioned in a
memo sent by Father Seidel yesterday, we will continue to prepare for in-person instruction while also being prepared to move to our remote learning program. We continue to be in regular communication with the Diocese of Spokane and our local health department regarding the ability to safely provide in-person instruction and will follow their guidance and requirements. The State Department of Health came out with updated school opening guidelines. As we mentioned in our
Reopening Plan, we will adjust the plan to meet updated guidelines and requirements.
Back-to-School Packets
Back-to-School information and forms will be sent out this Friday. Information on returning the necessary forms will be provided in the packets.
School Supplies List for K-6 & DeSales Junior High Students (7th and 8th grade)
A school supply list will be provided in our back-to-school packet. There have been numerous questions on what additional items students will need for school. We are asking parents for the following:
2 masks or face guards for students. The extra mask is requested in case something happens to their first mask (wet, sweat, etc.) If families are unable to provide this, we will provide masks at school. Masks are not to have symbols or writing.
As requested in previous years, students are asked to bring tissues, however, this year tissues will only be for their individual use.
The school will provide hand washing and sanitizers. If parents wish to send their students with individual hand sanitizer, that would also be acceptable, but not necessary.
We are currently looking at providing no spill water bottles for our Kindergarten through 2nd graders. These bottles will be kept and disinfected at school and will be assigned individually for each student as we move away from using water fountains at this time.
Senior Closed Campus at DeSales
To begin the year, DeSales will be a Closed Campus, as students will not be allowed to leave campus for health and safety reasons. If during the year we are able to have an Open Campus for seniors, information and forms will be provided to students and parents.
