WOH For Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Transitions (or Tearful Reflection) by Kevin McFeely, Parent and Board of Directors Chair
When I was asked to write this article and reflect on my time and service on the Board of Directors, I thought oh sure, this would be easy. However, as I am writing this, I realize there is much more to my Board tenure than the 11 years I have served. My two children have attended Hope (one has gone on to Seattle Lutheran High School and one is about to graduate from Hope in a mere 17 days). In addition, my term as Board Chair will conclude on June 30th. Talk about life-changing events-WOW!
I am reminded of Acts 20:36-38: “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship”. There are many similarities between this verse and our graduation ceremony. Our Pastor and Principal pray with our students throughout the year and at graduation. Having been through graduation once already, I can tell you with great certainty it is like placing the graduates on a ship and wondering if we will see the different faces again. I am sure the graduates feel this same way. The graduates on this ship to high school are filled with excitement as they begin their high school journey and choose their life long career with the skills, talents and servant hearts that God has given to each of them and Hope has nurtured. There is also great anxiety on the part of both parents and students for these very reasons. A shining example of the double-edged sword!
Have we prepared these 28 graduates for this upcoming challenge? Putting on my Board member hat, I can tell you unequivocally yes, these 28 students are ready for this next step. As I think back about the changes that have taken place during the past 11 years, I am proud of all that has happened. Our curriculum continues to be updated on a regular basis. We now have a computer lab. Hope offers many opportunities for excellence in sports, music, drama and academics. We have interactive white boards in each classroom. Our standardized test scores have improved to where they are now in the top percentiles in the entire metropolitan Seattle area. Our enrollment has increased by over 50 students during the last 11 years and is continuing to increase. I could go on and on. While I am filled with anxiety about my son taking his next step (as I am sure any parent is), I also feel comforted by the education that Hope has provided to him and how it has shaped him into the young adult he is quickly becoming. As Board Chair, I can step down from this role with great satisfaction knowing the Board has taken seriously their role of setting expectations and goals for all of our school staff to meet (and in many cases exceed) to prepare this and future graduating class for life’s challenges.
Will I weep? Most likely. However, I do not believe I will be alone. This class will be heading to different high schools but I would like to think they will see each other’s faces again. Hope builds that closeness, connectedness and sense of family and community. For that I will be eternally grateful. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve and for preparing my children for a successful future.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Tues. 5/23: Book Exchange All Grades / 9:00 AM 5-8 Grade Track Meet at WS Stadium / No School for 5-8 Grades / Wild Wave Ticket Orders Due
Wed. 5/24: Book Exchange All Grades / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 8 – Acts 10:9-16 / 7:00 PM Sounds of Spring Concert / Last Call for Wild Wave Tickets!
Fri. 5/26: No School – Memorial Day Break / ESC “XTRA” Open
Mon. 5/29: No School – Memorial Day Break – ESC Closed
Wild Wave June 12 – Order Forms Due Today
Discounted tickets still available to our annual family fun field trip on June 12th! This event is open to ALL students and their family members and everyone does need a ticket to enter park. Order tickets online here. Order forms are due by May 23rd; however I will accept late orders on Wednesday. Please call Mrs. Wallace with any questions. Thank you.
Book Exchange – May 23 & 24
We will be having our annual book exchange this year on Tuesday, May 23 & Wednesday, May 24. 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 23. All students P3 through 8th grade are welcome to participate.
Sounds of Spring Concert – Wed. May 24
Please join Hope School and Seattle Lutheran High School students for our annual Sounds of Spring Concert. We will hear from Hope’s Glee Club, Chapel Band, Beginning Band and Handbell Choir, as well as the Seattle Lutheran Band. The concert will take place in Hope’s Sanctuary Wednesday night, May 24, at 7:00 PM.
Eagle Classic Golf Tournament – June 3rd
We have 8 teams signed up so far for the Eagle Classic but we need MORE! Don’t miss out on the fun, especially if we have weather like today! There are some great prizes available to win and everyone gets a goody bag! To check out our sponsors and supporting businesses, click here. To register your team, click here. See you on the course!
Hope 8th Grade Graduation News
Congratulations to our 8th grade class on their upcoming graduation! We wish them the very best on their high school journey. We are excited to announce there will be eight students attending Seattle Lutheran High School, six heading to Kennedy High School, six to West Seattle High School, two to Atlas @ Summit, and one student each to Holy Names, Seattle Prep, O’Dea, Blanchet, Vashon High School and one still to decide. Congratulations 8th grade!
Love Hope School? Tell Someone!
In last week’s Yellow envelope you received a flyer listing 6 ways to share about Hope School. We would love to hear from you! If you have a comment to share, please write your comment in the space provided or email Sally Heit at sheit@hopeseattle.org. We will be compiling comments to use in marketing materials next year and would love to include yours. To download a form, click here.
End-of-Year Box Tops Contest
Time to celebrate the end of the school year! Enter your child’s name into the Box Tops Drawing 2017. It’s fun and it’s easy. Just send in a Box Tops sheet to the office with your child’s name written at the top. Names will be drawn the last week of school for fun prizes. Enter as many times as you’d like. Prizes include movie tickets and a gift card for ice cream. Enter today!
School Clubs – Click Here
Most school clubs will end in May – please check the school calendar.
Updated statements going home today to those parents with a balance. Please contact Mrs. Wallace at 206-935-8500 or swallace@hopeseattle.org with any questions. Exceptions will be considered for June activities to count towards this school year, just email Mrs. Wallace with your request. (Please note that diplomas and report cards will be held until all outstanding fees have been paid.)
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Golf Tournament – Help also needed at our annual golf tournament on Saturday, June 3rd. Contact Mr. Allen at tallen@hopeseattle.org.
8th Grade Reception – Evening of June 9th need help with our 8th grade graduation reception
PTH Board positions open for secretary and treasurer. Contact Sonjia at sonjiabarker@hotmail.com.
Hope Church & Youth Events – Click Here
VBS is coming July 24-28 – Register and see all of the details at: http://vbspro.events/p/4c92da