WOH For Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019
Words of Hope for Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Building Ownership of Learning in Middle School by Kristen Okabayashi
As Hope School students transition to the high school of their choice, we hear over and over how academically prepared they are. Typically, Hope students do very well in high school, with frequent placements in Honors and advanced placement programs, and even some cases where students skip ahead a grade in math. Our teachers are rigorous in their teaching, and our students work hard on their performance in class, so it makes sense that they would be successful in high school.
Teachers at Hope tend to be very nurturing and caring with our students, including providing emotional support, a loving environment, and a safe place to learn. We particularly enjoy partnering with our parents to help our students do their best work and reach their potential. With that, recently we’ve had a few graduates share that they wished we had been actually NOT as nurturing and kind as teachers and parents, and pushed them to take full ownership of their learning process. This is particularly true of our graduates who have headed to very large high schools. This feedback has given us the opportunity to reflect on current practices.
As a result, in middle school we are making small changes to help all our students take ownership of their learning, so that by the time they graduate, they have the confidence to learn independently and hold themselves accountable for their work. This includes implementing a late work policy, encouraging students to carefully monitor the online grading platform Schoology, and pushing students to “fight for understanding” when learning is particularly challenging for them. Of course, we will still work together as a partnership between teachers/students/parents, but the primary partner always needs to be the student.
Tues. 10/22: 6:30 PM Kindergarten Information Night / Food Drive Begins!
Wed. 10/23: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 3
Wed. 10/30: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mr. Kopecky / Noon Dismiss for NW District Conference / ESC & Sand Dollar Club Open
Thurs. 10/31: No School – NW District Teachers Conference / ESC & Sand Dollar Club Open
Kindergarten Information Night – Tonight, October 22, 6:30 p.m.
Is my child ready for kindergarten? We invite you to attend our Kindergarten Information Night which will provide information regarding kindergarten readiness and what to look for in a kindergarten from our Preschool Director Mrs. Figgins, we will also hear more about our kindergarten program from our highly experienced teacher, Mrs. Neafcy. Please call the school office at 935-8500 or email admissions@hopeseattle.org for more information. Spread the word!
This event is intended for parents only, childcare is not available.
Hope Apparel has Arrived
Our Hope School apparel is going home today. Please email Sally at sheit@hopeseattle.org or call the school office with any questions or concerns on your order.
Hope Food Drive – Oct. 21 – Nov. 8
Help us feed the homeless and others in need in our community! Our annual canned food drive has begun and will run until Nov. 8th. Join our effort to stock Hope’s Church food closet with food for those in need.
You can help by bringing in the following canned and boxed items: canned meals: ravioli, spaghetti’s, stew, soups, chili – canned or pouches: tuna, chicken, turkey, beef, ham, vienna sausage – applesauce cups, fruit cups, raisins, dried fruits, canned fruits – Cup O’ noodles or cup macaroni & cheese – peanut butter-small jars or individual serving – snacks: granola or protein bars, fruit snacks, individual servings of crackers or cookies – Oatmeal packets
Items with pull-tops are preferred since many people don’t have can openers. Please note: we cannot accept any opened/used/expired products. Classrooms that meet the goal of at least 5 items average per student will receive a prize! Stay tuned for details and start looking in your pantry for food items to send in. Thank you!
Get Connected to Hope!
Want to know the latest and greatest happening at Hope School and with the PTH (Parents and Teachers of Hope) group? Search for the Parents and Teachers of Hope on Facebook or Hope Lutheran Church and School and like our pages! Not only do we post about upcoming events and everyday fun in the classrooms and with our sports teams, but we also post weather alerts, school closures or any emergency notices. It is a great way to keep in touch. And if you are Instagram users, Hope has an Instagram page, too!
MAP Testing Update
Last Friday, we completed our first round of Measures of Academic Program (MAP) testing with K-8 students. This week teachers will be trained in how to read student reports, and we will send home results shortly after that. Thank you for your patience as this first time through the process took longer than anticipated.
Basketball Assistant Coaches Needed
The girls and boys basketball teams are looking for assistant coaches for the 7th/8th grade seasons coming up, which begin mid-November and run through mid-February. Practices and games are 2-3 days per week during the season. Head boys coach will be Ryan Santo and head girls coach is Jacob Menashe. Contact Mr. Goodspeed at mgoodspeed@hopeseattle.org if you have questions or want to volunteer.
School Clubs at Hope – Visit Here
Visit our school website for updated information on our school clubs at www.hls.hopeschool.org.
LEST Drama – New Start Date of Nov. 13 – Hope School’s LEST drama will start on Wednesday, Nov. 13 for the 2019/2020 school year. Our rehearsals will be on every Wednesday from 3-4:30 PM. The Nov. 13 rehearsal will begin in Mrs. Norton’s classroom (3rd grade).
Parent Involvement Program or PIP Opportunities
Can you help spread the word?
The admissions director would love some help putting up open house posters and postcards in the junction area and high traffic areas frequented by families. If you would like to get your steps in for the day and walk the junction or if you have a business that you could hang up a poster in, please let Sally Heit know. We need to spread the word about our awesome school!
Lunch & Recess Help Still Needed
Amazon Smile – Support Hope Lutheran Church & School when you shop on Amazon
Hope Lutheran Church & School will receive a portion of the purchase price when you shop at smile.amazon.com at no cost to you. It’s a simple and automatic way for you to support Hope Lutheran Church & School and you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com. To shop at AmazonSmile, simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device, the select Hope Lutheran Church & School – West Seattle when prompted. Hope Church & School operate under a combined budget; Smile dollars received will be recorded in a joint line item in the operating budget. Thank you for your support!
Seattle Lutheran High School’s Open House – Oct. 24 at 7:00 PM
Seattle Lutheran open house will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at 7:00 PM at 4100 SW Genesee Street. School visitations for 8th grade students are on Tuesdays, beginning October 8, 2019. You can sign up for a visit on our website at www.seattlelutheran.org under the Quick Links menu on the right side of our home page. For more information contact Rachel Bigliardi at rbigliardi@seattlelutheran.org or call 206-937-7722.
New Membership Class for Hope Church
Save the date! Are you new to Hope? Are you interested in finding out more about who we are? Pastor Peter and Patra Mueller are hosting a Next Steps Dinner on Sunday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. Contact Patra Mueller for more information: patramueller@hopeseattle.org.
