WOH For Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Accreditation Accolades by Kristen Okabayashi
All year, the staff at Hope have been working on our accreditation self-study, which is a comprehensive review of our entire school as a whole, including everything from staffing to technology to parent involvement. After submitting our self-study several weeks ago to NLSA (National Lutheran Schools Accreditation), a team of six arrived at our school last Wednesday to determine if our self-study matched what was actually happening in our school, and to determine if we should be accredited. Over the course of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the accreditation team met with Board of Directors members, church staff, and school parents, they spent time observing every single classroom on campus, talked with students formally and informally, and reviewed curriculum materials, among many other duties.
On Friday afternoon just before the team departed, they shared a quick recap of their findings with us. We were all so pleased to hear that they have recommended that our school be re-accredited! This means that at the official meeting this summer in St. Louis, they will vote to have us re-accredited. Because this NLSA accreditation is so rigorous, we will also receive accreditation from AdvancED, another important accreditation body.
While we continue to have some things to work on, as all schools do, overall we are so pleased with our results! Thank you to those of you who completed parent surveys and met with our visiting team last week; one of the highlights the team mentioned was how much our families and students LOVE our school! The team noted that Hope parents, students, and teachers all commented specifically on the strong relationships we have with each other. We are blessed!
Calendar of Events – Click Here
May 3 – 6: Teacher Appreciation Week
Wed. 5/4: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 1 / 2:00 PM 5th Ave Assembly / 6:30 PM General PTH Meeting-Last One!
Fri. 5/6: Free Dress Day
Tues. & Wed. 5/10 & 5/11: Book Exchange
Wed. 5/11: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 5
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Financial Aid for 2016/17
Financial aid applications for the 2016/17 school year need to be completed ASAP as our deadline was April 30th. We plan to make tuition awards this week, so be sure to get your application and forms submitted. You may apply online at sss.nais.org/parents and then click on the “apply now” button. Contact SSS customer service at 800-344-8328 with questions.
Teacher Appreciation – Turn in Your Super Notes
Calling all Super Kids: Make every teacher and staff member at school feel like the super heroes that they are this week. A superhero sheet went home last week (extras are available in the office) that students can write or draw a message of thanks or say why they think a teacher or staff is super and return to Mrs. Wallace. These pages will be bound into a book that will be given to the homeroom teacher. It would be really SUPER if we have 100% student participation.
PTH General Assembly Meeting – May 4th at 7 p.m. (Dessert Social at 6:30)
Join PTH to celebrate the successes of the 2015/2016 school year, plan the budget for 2016/2017, say farewell to outgoing board members, and elect incoming board members. All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous prize AND PIP hours apply! Childcare will be provided. We have two vacant positions for next year: Secretary and Vice President. We look forward to seeing you there! Please email Sonjia Barker for more information at sonjiabarker@hotmail.com.
5th Ave Musical “Mercer Girls” at Hope School – May 4th at 2:00 pm
On May 16, 1864, the first eleven “Mercer Girls” reached the new city of Seattle.
Told primarily through the detailed journal entries of the eldest Mercer Girl, Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ordway (who became the first public school teacher in the city), this original musical follows the journey of the Mercer Girls and their experiences in the fast growing town of Seattle.
Annual Book Exchange for All Grades – May 10 & 11
We will be having our annual book exchange this year on Tuesday, May 10 & Wednesday, May 11. Please help your student to pick out up to 10 books at or around their reading level to bring in for the exchange. Please bring the books in a brown paper bag clearly marked with your student’s name and number of books brought by Tuesday, May 10. All students P3 through 8th grade are welcome to participate.
Grandparents / Special Person Day – May 18
Wednesday, May 18, all grandparents or that special person are invited to attend a day of celebration. We will start off at 8:40 AM with a welcome by our Principal, Mrs. Okabayashi and Pastor Peter in the Sanctuary followed by our Chapel service. On the agenda: brunch with your grandchild, musical performances, and our book fair. Sign-up sheets can be found here and RSVP’s are due Today, May 3rd.
Eagle Classic Golf Tournament – June 4
We are one month away from the Eagle Classic June 4, 2016! Now is the time to register yourself or your team of 4 for a fun morning of golf with your buddies. There is new pricing for a team – $420! Hole sponsorships are available as well as prizes for the many course competitions going on throughout the day. Register to play or sponsor online here. Don’t delay, registration deadline is May 25th!
Auction Results
We all have been on pins and needles waiting to see the final total from our Great Gatsby Gala. Drum roll please……the gross income was $80,479! We will set aside $1705 raised for the preschool 3 and 8th grade carpet fund, $9800 towards the STEM fund and $30,700 will go to PTH to fund general expenses for the next school year and part of the next, with only a few outstanding expenses remaining for the gala.
On behalf of Sarah and I and the entire auction team, we THANK YOU for a successful event! We could not have pulled this off without the help and support of all our parents, students, grandparents and friends of Hope School.
Clothing Drive Results
The winning classroom for the clothing drive is… (drum roll please…) 1st Grade with over 300 articles donated, an average of over 15 articles per student!!! Their fun prize will be coordinated with Mrs. Hartley. Thank you not only to 1st Grade families, but to all families that donated!
Family Movie Night at Hope featuring Inside Out!
Join us for a fun evening for the whole family Saturday, May 21 at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is a free event for Hope Families, and concessions will be available. Donations to PTH made at the event will continue to support programs for our students. Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success – and PIP hours apply!
Hope Lutheran School Open Positions 2016-2017
Hope Lutheran School in beautiful West Seattle, Washington, has four job opportunities for the 2016-2017 school year:
- Full-time K-8 PE/middle school math or history teaching position – applicants must be certified teachers
- Part-time preschool through 8th grade Spanish teacher – applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Spanish or education
- Full-time or close to full-time position working with preschool extended care students
- Part-time kindergarten assistant
Additional required qualifications: Hope staff must be understanding of and supportive of the ministry of Hope Lutheran Church and School. Candidates must hold a strong personal Christian faith and a servant heart, and must be professional and strong communicators. All positions begin August 22, 2016.
Visit Hope’s website at http://hopeluthstg.wpengine.com/home/about/job-opportunities/
for more information, job descriptions and an application form, or call the school office at (206) 935-8500. Applicants should submit a resume and application to Hope School Principal at kokabayashi@HopeSeattle.org /mail by May 8, 2016.
St. Paul’s Shorewood Mexico Mission “Picture Perfect Dinner”
Join the Mexico Mission team as they serve a delicious dinner and offer incredible deals on auction items to raise money for their annual mission trip to Mexico. And, entertainment! Saturday May 7, 6PM, Seattle Lutheran High School Gym @ 4100 SW Genesee Street
Tickets $15 per person/$25 per couple/$65 for table of 6
Purchase tickets online at www.saintpaulmission.org or call 206-799-7856 and ask for Colleen.
National Day of Prayer – May 5, 6:30 P.M.
Hope church invites all those that would like to meet on Alki Beach at the Statue of Liberty to celebrate with other Christians from the greater West Seattle area for a time of worship and prayer for our great nation. Music, message, and more! For more info contact 206-718-1995.