WOH For Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019
Hope School Turns 60! By Sally Heit, Admissions Director
This year has started off much like any other year: new classmates, new teachers, Outdoor Ed, sport practices, etc. What is different from other years is that Hope School is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. That is pretty exciting, and considering Hope Church is 100 years old, this year feels special knowing the school is a part of the legacy of Hope.
You may have heard the brief history of how our school started in 1959 with 88 students in grades one through five and only three teachers. The story in reality begins much earlier though, which I learned about while reading through numerous old meeting minutes, church newsletters, and personal accounts. The idea of starting a school was first discussed in a voters meeting January 15, 1923, which was only five years after the church had its first service. A strong advocate of a parochial school, Pastor Oscar Korsmeyer urged Hope’s voting body in April 1923 to start a school that following September. However, the dream couldn’t be realized yet because the district Mission Board could not subsidize the project at the time. Fast forward through the depression and World War I & II when a serious plan for a school was presented, championed by Pastor George Schmidt and scheduled for September 1, 1948. But due to scarce building materials and unstable economic conditions due to war, plans were again postponed. Years passed and Pastor Emil Jaech was Hope’s pastor. At the May 24th meeting in 1956 the voters resolved to once more begin plans for a school with the motto, “Let’s not just talk about it, let’s go forward!” This time, with adequate funding in place, Hope was ready to build the school, and it was dedicated and its doors opened in September 13, 1959.
As I researched the history, I realized it took three pastors and 36 years to finally realize the dream of a faithful congregation to open a school. That’s a long time to wait, but how amazing is it that the congregation did wait and never lost hope or their faith in their dream of educating and bringing Christ to children. Our school theme of “Grounded In Faith” (Mathew 7: 24-27) is so apropos in light of the anniversary this year, for our school was and continues to be grounded in faith by those who had the dream at the very first and those who continue it sixty years later.
Tues. 9/24: 6:30 PTH General Meeting / 7:00 PM Curriculum Night
Wed. 9/25: 7:45 AM Glee Club Starts Grades 5-8 / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mr. Kopecky, Youth Minister
Fri. 9/27: 1:00 PM Fall Olympics Grades K-8
Wed. 10/2: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 8
Fri. 10/4: Free Dress Day
Upcoming October Events
Tuesday, October 8 – All School Picture Day
Tuesday, October 22 – Kindergarten Information Night – this is intended for current preschool families and prospective families
PTH General Meeting Tonight – September 24 at 6:30 PM.
First PTH meeting of 2019-2020 school year! This is a quick 30 minute introductory meeting to the events and volunteer opportunities for this school year. We will meet in the chapel prior to our curriculum night event. Child care will not be provided at this meeting.
School Clubs at Hope – Visit Here
Visit our school website for updated information on our school clubs at www.hls.hopeschool.org.
Glee Club is starting on Wednesday, September 25th. This club is offered to students in grades 5th – 8th meeting every Wednesday morning from 7:45 to 8:15 AM.
Middle School Book Club meets on Thursdays 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the View Room. No sign up required. We will read and discuss books from a variety of genres. Led by Hope graduate Eva Tanis-Likkel and Hope teacher Emily Tanis-Likkel. Contact Emily at rev.emilyjoy@gmail.com for more information.
Fall Olympics – September 27 at 1:00 PM
Parents are invited to cheer on students in grades K-8 in our lower playground area across the alley for our Fall Olympics. Students are divided into teams and compete in activities such as the slow bike race, shoe toss, hula hooping and much more. The students have a great time; it’s one of the highlights of the season.
School Pictures – All Grades – Tuesday, Oct. 8
Tuesday, October 8 will be picture day! We will offer students the choice to wear uniforms or “Classy Dress”. Please help your child select clothing they would like to wear for their picture, following the free dress day guidelines. Order forms will be sent home Tuesday, October 1st in your yellow envelope and should be brought in on picture day. Our picture ID number with Lifetouch is LS119064Q0. 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.
Preschool 3s Wednesday – Friday only students will have picture day on Thurs., November 14.
Parent Involvement Program or PIP Opportunities
Join the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee
Need some PIP hours? The 60th Anniversary Planning Committee could use some extra hands to help with upcoming events and database work. Interested? Email Sally Heit for more information at sheit@hopeseattle.org.
Lunch Room Parent – It’s a great way to connect with kids mid-day, see the lunch room in all its fun and flurry, and it’s a short weekly (or biweekly) commitment from 11:40 am to 12:50 pm. Help our teachers get the mid-day break they need.
Recess Parent – Come play outside! Even in the winter months you can get some Vitamin D and a quick hug on the playground. Hours are 12:00 to 1:05 pm. One day a week or more!
Trophy Case – Clean and organize our trophy case located on the 2nd floor of Hope School.
If you can help with any of these times, please contact Shari Wallace at swallace@hopeseattle.org or (206) 935-8500.