CAMPAIGN PREVIEW

FALL 2014

THE BALANCE OF EXCELLENCE

The mission of Bishop Blanchet High School is focused on one thing, Student Transformation.

At Bishop Blanchet, transformation is a process where an adolescent matures into a young adult, supported by a community of faith and guided by adults who serve as counselors, teachers, mentors and coaches. The goal is for each student to be prepared spiritually, academically, artistically, athletically and socially for a successful college experience. At Bishop Blanchet this is known as the “Balance of Excellence.”

“Our vision is to engage our students in the

most comprehensive Catholic education in

Seattle. To do this, we pursue a balance of

excellence across academics, athletics, arts,

activities and faith development. We call our

students to explore beyond their comfort

zone and immerse themselves in every facet

of our comprehensive program. It is through

this process of exploration that our students

experience the holistic growth unique to

Bishop Blanchet.”

- Antonio DeSapio, BBHS President

faith. academics. arts. athletics. activities

A New Chapter of Growth

Meeting an Urgent Need

Now, having undergone a year-long strategic planning and visioning process that represents a new chapter in the school’s growth and development, the Advisory Board, with input from the entire school community, has developed a set of priorities to ensure that Bishop Blanchet has both the program and physical environment to continue developing generations of faith-filled, well rounded young adults.

Some of the pressing issues facing our learning environment include:

• Static classrooms don’t foster adaptive, collaborative interaction among students and teachers and are not able to fully take advantage of the school’s technological infrastructure

• Students, alumni, parents and faculty/staff have limited space to gather during the day and for after-school activities

• Students, athletes and others interested in physical fitness and wellness have outgrown the current workout spaces

• Inadequate or outdated space for programs like drama, choir, computer science and robotics, all of which have either grown substantially or were non-existent when the current facility was built

Existing BBHS Classroom

21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM MODERNIZATIONTransforming classrooms to support the educational needs of our teachers and students is our highest priority. Bishop Blanchet has already taken an initial, important step by upgrading six classrooms to include 21st century learning furniture. Now, remaining classrooms must be brought to this standard by providing:

• Flexible classroom furniture and desks for multiple configurations, promoting collaboration and project-based learning

• Tech-friendly spaces where students can access virtual learning environments

• New windows, blinds and heating system that creates a more comfortable learning environment.

This far-reaching plan is organized under three “pillars,” each of which will require the kind of generous investment from the community that previous generations have made over the past six decades. The pillars are:

• Pillar 1: Student Formation• Pillar 2: Community Experience • Pillar 3: Access and Excellence

“Bishop Blanchet’s dedicated faculty and staff

have taught countless students in the school’s

classrooms. They have made the most of

every space in our facility by providing a

supportive, dynamic learning environment

to our students. Today it is so important

to provide our teachers and students with

the flexibility to incorporate additional

instructional resources and strategies that

were not available 60 years ago.”

– Sheila Kries, BBHS Principal

PILLAR 1: STUDENT FORMATION

At the heart of each student’s formation at Bishop Blanchet are opportunities to discover his or her gifts and talents in academics, arts, athletics, activities and faith.

The Facility Investments in Pillar 1:• 21st century classroom modernization• New learning spaces for technology, specifically a robotics and engineering lab, updated computer labs and continued work on a

fully integrated library and media center• New and expanded fitness and weight room, new classrooms for PE, health, sports medicine • New creative spaces for our performing and visual arts programs

NEW SPACE FOR OUR PERFORMING ARTS AND VISUAL ARTS PROGRAMSTo keep Bishop Blanchet’s regional reputation for excellence in the arts strong and build an even stronger performing and visual arts heritage, the plan includes space for:

• New theatre tech / green room• Updated choir room• Enhanced theatre lobby and

art galleryCurrent Performing Arts Lobby

Current Ernie Rose Activities Center Foyer

THE ADDITION OF A 2ND FLOOR TO THE ERNIE ROSE ACTIVITIES CENTERAdding a second floor to the Ernie Rose Activities Center and relocating the athletic facilities there will provide an additional 7,000 square feet of space to the current facility and create the room needed for the following improvements:

• A new and expanded fitness and weight room• New classrooms for PE, health, and sports medicine• Updated foyer that highlights Bishop Blanchet’s athletic accomplishments

FIELD LIGHTS ON MICKEY NAISH FIELD

Existing Cafeteria

PILLAR 2: COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

Building community is a powerful part of the Bishop Blanchet experience. A large component to each student’s formation is learning to live in a community, which has both blessings and challenges.

The Facility Investments in Pillar 2:• Expanded and updated cafeteria, converted into a “student

commons”• Enhanced faculty commons• Expanded and updated campus ministry space• Modernized locker rooms• Develop the outdoor quad through landscaping, more seating,

adding statues, memorials and recognition space• Install athletic field lights and continue the

legacy of Brave Pride

NEW STUDENT COMMONS The need to expand and update the cafeteria has increased dramatically with the move to the block schedule. Students are now divided into two lunches rather than three. By converting the cafeteria into a “student commons” model, the space will not only feature a larger space for our students to eat and gather but will also provide:

• A dedicated center for student activities• A space to host large events and

community gatherings outside of school hours

• Access to the quad through a glass atrium

PILLAR 3: ACCESS AND EXCELLENCE

Central to the learning environment are students and teachers. As a Catholic Archdiocesan High School, Bishop Blanchet is committed to providing access to each student who can benefit from the Blanchet experience. However, economic realities create limits to how far the financial aid budget can be stretched.

Teachers, meanwhile, need to possess not only a love of education, but opportunities to keep their skills sharp. Bishop Blanchet faculty members have been adept at stretching limited professional development dollars; in order to remain competitive in retaining and attracting the region’s top teaching talent, additional investment is required.

The Financial Investments in Pillar 3:• Financial aid endowment• Professional development fund endowment for

faculty and staff

The strategic plan developed by the Bishop Blanchet community, and the funding plan that grew out of it, reflects an integrated approach to pursuing the balance of excellence across academics, athletics, arts, activities, and faith development. It is now up to the Bishop Blanchet community to respond to these plans and guide the on-going deliberations around a capital campaign to make the vision a reality.

A member of the Campaign Planning Team will be contacting you to ask for your participation in our campaign planning study. We encourage you to take part in this important effort, as we ask for your advice and counsel.

For additional information about the plan or the process, please contact:

Antonio DeSapioPresident206.527.7700adesapio@bishopblanchet.org Craig SchaeferDirector of Development206.527.7733cschaefer@bishopblanchet.org

We Need Your Input

PILLAR 1 - STUDENT FORMATION

Goal: $9-11 million

• 21st century classroom modernization • New learning spaces for technology • New and expanded fitness, health and wellness facilities• New creative spaces for the arts

PILLAR 2 - COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE

Goal: $5-7 million

• Expanded and updated cafeteria, converted into a “student commons”

• Enhanced faculty commons• Expanded and updated campus ministry space• Modernized locker rooms• Quad enhancement• Install field lights

PILLAR 3 - ACCESS AND EXCELLENCE

Goal: $1-3 million

• Financial aid endowment• Professional development endowment

GOALS BY PILLAR WITH ESTIMATED COSTS