WOH For Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015
School Accreditation by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
Hope Lutheran School is licensed by the state of Washington, a relatively simple process that all schools in Washington must go through in order to operate legally as a school. The process includes things such as making sure we have the correct number of minimum hours in a school year, certified staff teaching, and that the schools generally follow the standards set forth by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In addition, schools can choose to become accredited by other organizations. In 2003, Hope School chose to go through the rigorous accreditation process offered by the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation (NLSA), in conjunction with the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). This was followed by a renewal of accreditation by these organizations in 2010 just before I began as principal here, along with the accreditation by AdvancED, a larger accreditation organization that works to improve all schools and also evaluates schools.
During the current school year, Hope School will undergo re-accreditation by these same organizations, NLSA, NWAC, and AdvancED. Throughout the year, committees will look at 7 different accreditation standards, including:
- Mission/Purpose of the school
- Relationships between the school, the church, and the greater community, along with the school climate
- Leadership of the school
- Professional Personnel
- Teaching and Learning
- Student Services, including guidance and counseling, extracurricular activities, health and safety, and food services
- Facilities
As part of this process, we will survey you as parents and guardians to look at your opinions on these topics, along with asking our students and staff to share their thoughts. We will then pull together our evaluations of the standards above with evidence that shows how we are meeting standards, and submit that to the accreditation organizations, called the “self-study”. Lastly, we will host a visit by the accreditation team in the spring.
We look forward to going through this, and learning even more about our school, and appreciate your support and prayers each step of the way, as it is quite a rigorous process. We will continue to update you all throughout the year.
Calendar of Events
Today 10/13: School Pictures – All Grades – Classy Dress OK
Wed. 10/14: 8:40 AM Chapel w/Mr. Kapels 7th Gr. Class
Fri. 10/16: Free Dress Day
Mon. 10/19 to Tues. 10/27: Standardized Testing
Wed. 10/21: 8:40 AM Chapel w/Mrs. Kunkel 8th Gr. Class
School Pictures – Today, Oct. 13 – Order Online
Parents our picture ID number with Lifetouch is LS115363Q0. Simplify Picture Day by ordering online at mylifetouch.com. No need to send cash or flyer back to school when you order online. See more options available online and you can use a credit card or PayPal on their secure site.
LEST Drama Auditions – Friday, Oct. 16
Our auditions for the Drama LEST, Lutheran Elementary School Tournament, held in February, will be Friday, October 16, starting at 3:00 pm. Auditions will held in the church commons and scripts will be available on the day of the audition. Please note that rehearsals will take place every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 pm and Fridays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Drop-off/Pick-up Reminder
When dropping off or picking up your student in front of the school on 42nd Ave, please remember to pull as far forward as you can, and stay alert to cars moving out in front of you so you can continue to pull forward. We ask that you do this to minimize cars pulling in and out, creating a safety hazard for our students. Also, students should not be dropped off prior to 8:10 am as we have no supervision.
Standardized Testing
We begin standardized testing next Monday, October 19, and it runs through the following Tuesday, October 27. Students in grades 2-8 will take the ITBS (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills) and students in grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 will take the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test). Different classes will take tests on different days but we appreciate your care of your child during this time. Please help your student(s) do their best on the standardized tests by making sure they get plenty of rest, nourishment, and water during this two week period
Hope Lutheran School’s Fall Frolic – October 24
Parents and Teachers of Hope invite Hope Lutheran Church and School families to their fall dance celebration, featuring games, crafts, face painting, pizza, contests, and more!
This will be Saturday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Seattle Lutheran High School Gym. Ticket presale runs through Tuesday, October 20. Admission is just $10 per child (ages 3 and up) and includes five (5) activity tickets. Accompanied adults and kids under 3 are free! Please see the school office for forms to pay by check or cash and drop off at the school. Presale tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event.
Admission tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the event; however they will only include two (2) activity tickets. Additional activity tickets will be available for sale.
More event details may be found by visiting the PTH page at hopeluthstg.wpengine.com.
Parents Night Out Is Back!
Mr. Kapels will once again be hosting a parent’s night out, this Friday Oct. 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Feel free to drop off child(ren) ages 3 and up. First the children will play either outside or in the school. Then the children will move to the Multi-Purpose room from 7:30 to 9:00 pm where we will enjoy a movie and Domino’s pizza. Cost is $20 per child. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Kapels at Bkapels@hopeseattle.org
Afterschool Activities – Click Here
Auction News & Opportunities – Click Here
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities – Click Here
After School Club Volunteers needed
Auction help
Fall Frolic – October 24
School Front Window Update
Over the weekend, someone threw a large rock at one of our front door windows, damaging it beyond repair unfortunately. We have heard reports that this happened to several area businesses over night. We are just being honest with the students who ask about it and sharing with them that someone made a bad choice and that people who do things like this are not in a healthy place themselves. I think the students (and staff and parents too!) have a high sense of ownership of our school, and so it’s upsetting for sure. We have filed a police report and will have the glass replaced later this week.