WOH For Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015
Building Resiliency by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
Resiliency has been a character trait I’ve been thinking about a lot over the past year or two. It seems so important to me that our schools and families develop this important quality in our students, and yet I’m not sure we always do a good enough job of it.
A personal story: when my oldest son was 3, we were out to lunch with a group of slightly older boy relatives and were headed to a children’s museum later on that day. My son was running around with the boys when he got accidentally pushed and hit the pavement, skinning his knee in a couple places. He was bleeding a bit but nothing too major. At that point as a new parent, I was what some might delicately call “OVER PROTECTIVE!” I basically freaked out and felt like the other boys were being way too rough and that we should probably end our playdate then. Fortunately for my children, I really think that God talked to me in that moment because all of the sudden I went from freak out mode to realizing that I was actually doing some damage to my son by reacting the way I did. With the best of intentions and a heart full of love, I was NOT helping my son become resilient! It was a complete “aha” moment for me and I actually changed the way I parented that very minute. We went on to bandage him up and enjoy the children’s museum, and over time I became much less protective as a mom. Sometimes I also think that is why God gave us four boys, so that I would not have time to give in to my natural over protective tendencies!
We have talked about this idea of resiliency as a staff a bit as well, considering what we can do to help our students become more resilient. They are not always going to get an A+ on an assignment, or be a starter on their sports team, or perform flawlessly in the musical. As we know well, the Seahawks are not always going to win the Super Bowl, and sometimes even our close friends will say or do things that are hurtful. But how do we help our kids handle that type of thing? As a parent myself, I realize that sometimes I have to let my kids fail, something that’s very hard for me. But we also have to help our kids handle adversity by modeling resiliency ourselves, and giving them the confidence to let things roll off of them. In what ways can you too as a parent help your child gain resiliency?
Calendar of Events
Tues. – Fri. 11/10 – 11/13: Food Drive Continues Sponsored by Student Council
Tues. 11/10: 4:00 to 10:00 PM Dinner @ Mioposto – WA DC Fundraiser
Wed. 11/11: No School & ESC Closed for Veterans Day
Mon. 11/16: Believe Order Deadline
Tues. 11/17: 6:30 PM All School Open House
Wed. 11/18: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mrs. Mueller
Thurs. 11/19: 9:00 to 11:00 AM School Picture Retakes – All Grades
Sports Events Calendar – Click Here
Believe PTH Fundraiser
The Believe Fundraiser has kicked into high gear as we head into the first weekend of what we hope will be productive selling! There are only 6 days left to sell (order forms are due on November 16th)! In order to reach our goal of making $5000 for the school, we are hoping each student will sell at least 10 items from the catalog! We are pleased to report a number of students have already turned in their first coupons for selling their first 3 items to get their fun fox prizes! Happy selling!
Treats for Troops
Thank you Hope for making this candy drive an overwhelming success! The winning classroom of our candy drive is 5th grade with 47.5 lbs. collected, that’s an average of 2 lbs. 11 oz. per student. Mrs. Richardson’s class will receive a popcorn and movie party. However, the real winner is Operation Gratitude who will be sending 208 lbs. of treats from Hope to deployed troops to lift their spirits and show them appreciation for their sacrifices. Thank you Troops and Veterans and thank you Hope!
Fill the Food Closet – November 9–20, 2015
Many of our families in the community of West Seattle use our food closet as a resource. We have been blessed with abundance and the chance to serve and share. Bring non-perishable items to your classroom. Each class will have a tub to fill and overfill. We will count the total number of items your class has donated and the class with the highest average will earn a free dress pass.
FOOD CLOSET CURRENT NEEDS – spaghetti sauce, rice-a-roni / pasta-roni type items, cup of noodles, canned meals such as ravioli, stew, soups, canned chicken or other meats, canned veggies, canned fruit, granola bars, juice, pancake mix, fruit snacks, fruit cups, applesauce, peanut butter, bottled water, razors, ladies deodorant. Items with pull-tops are preferred since many don’t have can openers.
Hope School Art at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse in November
Hope Lutheran School is proud to be featured at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse for the November West Seattle Art Walk. This exhibit is a selection of pieces created by our students in 1st through 8th grades inspired by the season. Using art mediums such as paint, chalk, and pen to illustrate a variety of skills such as blending, collaging and shading, these students have expressed pieces uniquely their own. Next time you need coffee, take a walk over to Hotwire and enjoy the show!
LEST Update
5th – 8th grade families, please remember to book your hotel rooms for LEST as soon as possible. We have a limited number of rooms reserved at the Embassy Suites Portland Airport, at a significantly discounted rate of $139 per night. Rates include a sumptuous complimentary breakfast for all, happy hour drinks and appetizers, indoor pool, and refrigerators/microwaves in each suite. Rooms can be reserved by calling the hotel directly at (503) 460-3000 no later than January 15, 2016 or until the room block is gone.
Some families are receiving a second request for LEST information in today’s communication envelope. We would like to include everyone who would like to attend LEST if possible so please fill out the form even if your student does not plan to attend, we are sure not to leave anyone out. Thank you!
Extended School Care & Sand Dollar Club Closures
Please note that our Extended School Care and Sand Dollar Club will be closed tomorrow to observe Veteran’s Day. Both programs will be closing early, at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, 11/25 and then closed Thursday & Friday 11/26 & 11/27 in observance of Thanksgiving.
All School Open House – November 17th @ 6:30 pm
Hope school is having an All School open house November 17th @ 6:30pm in the Commons. This is a great time to invite friends or family who are looking at private school options, especially for kindergarten and 6th grade. Hope families receive $250 toward their tuition for referring a new family that enrolls for the coming Fall!
Mrs. Heit also needs help in posting open house fliers around the junction, at libraries and community centers. If you are able to take some fliers for your own business or pass them around the community, it would be greatly appreciated! Please contact Mrs. Heit at sheit@hopeseattle.org.
Free Dress Reminder
The first and third Friday of each month are “free dress days”. Please remember to follow free dress guidelines from the school handbook on page 32, including that students should not be wearing skin tight or revealing items such as yoga pants. If you have any questions about regular dress code or free dress guidelines, please contact your student’s teacher or the school office.
Message From Lifetouch
To redeem your complimentary digital SmileSafe card, click here.
Last reminder to keep this year’s school picture!
- Go to mylifetouch.com
- Log in with your Portrait ID and Access Code located in your picture package
Afterschool Activities – Click Here
Auction News & Opportunities – Click Here
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities – Click Here
After School Club Volunteers needed
Auction help
Open House help
SLHS Football Team
Congratulations to our neighboring Seattle Lutheran High School’s football team for their success this season! Featuring many Hope Lutheran graduates as players, the team went from winning one game last season to finishing second in league this season, despite the tough loss of two coaches in the off season (click here for a beautiful article in last Friday’s Seattle Times about their transformation).
The football team won their playoff game last Saturday by a score of 52-12, sending them to the first round of state playoffs this weekend. They will play Nasalle High School Friday night, at a time and location to be determined. Congratulations Seattle Lutheran football players and coaches! We are proud of you.