WOH For Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016
Lessons in Technology by Kevin Jones, Technology Director
Some of our best conversations as teachers happen in the hallway. A parent asked me recently what types of things we do in our Technology classes. After describing specific activities (visual programming with Scratch and Hour of Code, writing with Microsoft Word, Internet-based research, etc.), I found myself drawn more to describing the “how” rather than just focusing on the “what”. Answering this parent helped me identify even more what my mission here at Hope is, and what I consider to be the most important things to teach about technology. While it may not surprise some parents, the most important thing to teach about technology isn’t really about technology at all. To explain what I mean by this, a few examples are in order.
During most classes, students are given the opportunity to earn a few minutes of “free choice” time at the end of class. Anything we have ever done in class as a lesson so far is on the list of choices. The first lesson about “free choice” is that like most things worth having, it’s not free. Following the suggestion of a first grader last year, we often call it “earned free choice”.
Students earn free choice time by following the rules of the Computer Lab and Hope in general. One of the first and most important roles in the Computer Lab, for all grades, is that we don’t touch another student’s mouse or keyboard unless we are specifically partnering with them on a given task. The reason for this is that very few people learn by only watching someone else. It’s also a great way for students to develop the skills to become better helpers — something many well-meaning students unintentionally “overdo”. Students helping in this way also develop their critical thinking skills by giving hints, offering suggestions, and asking questions. In this way, we become one another’s teachers and mentors by helping them find their own way over the particular obstacle they are facing rather than just moving them aside and doing it for them (very temping, because it’s much easier).
I am most proud of the moments when I see students allowing the other student to discover a solution themselves. Education often talks about the fact that teachers need to be “the guide on the side” rather than “the sage on the stage”, and this model applies as well to students and how they can best help one another. These skills of gentle support and compassion, more than any specific technology skill, will take them far in any field they pursue.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 2/10: Blue & Gold Day / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mr. Kopecky – Ash Wednesday / 2:00 PM PEP Assembly @ SLHS Gym / NO PTH General Meeting – Re-Scheduled to the 17th
Feb. 11 & 12: No School – LEST Break / ESC & ESC EXTRA Open
Feb. 15 & 16: No School – Presidents’ Day & Midwinter Break / ESC Closed
Feb. 17: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Sylwester / 6:00 PM PTH General Meeting
Sports Events Calendar – Click Here
Track Coaches Needed!
Hope is on the search for a set of adults to help run our track team this upcoming season. Coaching is a great way for parents to become involved with the kids. It is also an opportunity to earn your PIP hours! Season runs from April 11th until May 24th and includes 4 Saturday meets and 1 Tuesday Meet. Positions needed: Throwing coach – Louis Couwenberg, Long Jump Coach- Needed, Running Coach – Needed, Additional Coach –Needed, Head Coach – Needed (can be one of the above). Please contact Brett Kapels if you are interested! Bkapels@hopeseattle.org.
Flu Information for Families
As flu prevention at school continues we are also reminding parents that if your child is sick do not send them to school or afterschool programs. If your child has a fever (100º F or 37. 7ºC), vomiting, or diarrhea, keep your child home from school for at least 24 hours after his or her temperature returns to normal without the use of fever reducing drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your child never had a fever, you should keep your child home for 24 hours after symptoms have stopped. We have attached a flyer for parents with flu information and guidelines.
LEST Calendar of Events – Click Here for Updates
LEST families, we are sending home an updated schedule in the communication envelopes today; the new schedule includes all events including music times. Please let us know if you have any questions and go Eagles!
Spirit Kits will be available for purchase in Portland for LEST for $12. These include 2 pom poms, 2 blue & gold bead necklaces, 2 blue & gold leis, blue & gold makeup sticks & Eagles hand fan. Find Mrs. Hartley to get your spirit kit and help Hope win that Spirit Award!
LEST PEP Assembly Tomorrow @ 2:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb 10 is Blue and Gold Day, a day to wear our school colors and show your school pride! Hair and face painting is OK this day. Join us for our PEP assembly, held in the Seattle Lutheran gym at 2:00 PM, where we send off our LEST participants and our Hope cheerleaders will perform. Go Eagles!
Spirit Gear Still Available
We have Hope umbrellas for our rainy NW days ($12), Hope Car Flags ($5), Slap bands ($1), Bag tags ($2), and extra t-shirts (limited sizes) plus tattoos and car stickers! Purchase in the school office.
Post-LEST Celebration and PTH General Assembly Soup Supper – Feb. 17 @ 6:00 PM
On Wednesday, February 17th after LEST and our mid-winter break (return to school) we are having the second of our General Assembly Meetings and a post-LEST celebration. The event starts at 6:00pm in the fellowship hall (lower area of the church on the south side entrance) with a Soup Supper Celebration. Come see the awards and share in the talents of our Hope kids this evening. A representation of Hope LEST event will start at 6:15pm along with general business items and the evening will conclude by 6:45pm. Everyone is invited to attend Hope Church’s Lenten Service beginning at 7pm following the PTH meeting.
Great Gatsby Gala – April 9, 2016
We have 2 months left before the grand auction gala to support Hope Lutheran School! Excitement is building and we can’t wait to throw on those boas and top hats! Co-Chairs, Sarah Nicol and Sally Heit are accepting donations on or before March 18 preferably. Some ideas are: bottles of wine for the Wine Wall, local excursions or experiences, spa treatments, cabins or trips or handmade items. Pick up a procurement form in the school office or online at our Events page. All proceeds fund Hope School through our PTH (Parents and Teachers of Hope) and the many programs offered to students. Look for invites soon!
Box Tops Treasure Chest Campaign Continues
We just received an additional $108.10 towards our Hope Preschool Program! Thank you Hope School families and keep collecting those Box Tops for a chance to pick a prize from the Treasure Chest. Another sheet will be sent home on the 23rd.
Other PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Auction Help – ongoing
PTH Mid-Winter Dance – http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0545ada823aafa7-midwinter
Check out PTH’s signupgenius page and search by the general PTH email address (pth@hopeseattle.org) for other opportunities.
PTH Partners with Benefit – A Fundraising Solution
Parents and Teachers of Hope Lutheran School (PTH) has partnered with Benefit as a fundraising solution. It is free to members and free to PTH. Benefit is a free iPhone or Android phone app that can be used to pay for your everyday purchases such as groceries, clothes, home goods, and more. You can pay on site at the store or online. A portion of your purchase goes directly back to PTH. Retailers include Lowe’s, Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and many more! For instance, buy $300 worth of golf equipment at Callaway online, and $60 goes back to PTH. Download the app and add PTH as your beneficiary to start giving. Find more information in the app or at www.benefit-mobile.com. Feel free to forward this information to family and friends. The more people who participate, the more funds we will raise.
Afterschool Activities – Click Here
Auction News & Opportunities – Click Here
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities – Click Here
Season of Lent Family Worship Opportunities
The holy season of Lent begins on Wednesday, February 10 with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. Every Wednesday evening at 7:00 pm for six weeks leading up to Easter we will have a family friendly worship service. In the service, there will be a special children’s message where the children will receive a small gift to remind them of the story of Christ’s death and resurrection and the hope it brings to our lives each day. Join us each Wednesday for a delicious soup supper at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall before the worship service at 7:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to experience the traditions of this holy season with your children.