WOH For Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022
You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Julie Hartley, 2nd Grade Teacher
“Small enough to be a family; large enough to be a community.” You may have heard this phrase before in reference to our school, as Hope’s size and sense of community is often cited as something that draws families here. I had a poignant reminder recently of just how special this place is to our students when one of my students moved away over Christmas break. In all the excitement of the day, with the Christmas party and chapel and special activities, we had forgotten to have him clean out his desk before leaving our classroom for the last time. After returning to school in January, I prepared to clean it out myself. What I saw when I lifted the desk lid made me both smile and get teary-eyed at the same time. Placed prominently in the middle of the desk, on top of all of his school supplies, was a sweet note to the class. “Dear Class, I am so sad to leave you guys. I am even more sad to leave Landon, Bezy, and Luciana. I need to say that I’ve had a wonderful time with all of you. Love, Lincoln” To me this short note says a lot, especially his last line. What a blessing to spend every day in a place like this where all the kids in class feel like family.
Lincoln came to Hope last year as a first grader and in the short time he was here, he had quickly made strong connections with his classmates. That is something we hear time and again from new students who arrive to find that their worries over making new friends quickly dissipate. Hope kids are welcoming and kind and in my class I have often seen fast friendships form. Many times new students have commented that they can’t believe how nice everyone is and that it feels so different from the larger public schools they are coming from. When coming to Hope for a trial day, we often hear potential students say they felt so welcome and as if they had been here for years. It’s that feeling of family and tight-knit community that sets us apart from the rest and makes kids love it here.
It’s that same closeness that makes it hard to leave. For several months before Lincoln’s move, he had been having mixed emotions as he prepared mentally and emotionally to say goodbye to his Hope family. He was excited about the adventure that the upcoming move out-of-state would bring to his family, but he made comments that he was super sad to have to leave our school. As his final day drew closer, he became increasingly vocal about it. One day about a week before the move, he came to school with baggies tied with bright ribbon, and he proudly handed out carefully-counted Hershey’s Kisses and a fancy eraser to each child in the class. But the best part of his parting gift? Included in each baggie was a 3 x 5 school picture, with his name signed neatly on the back. He announced that the picture was so that none of us would ever forget him, and you can be sure that we never will. Just like we will never forget any of the other kids that we have had the privilege of teaching here at Hope.
I know from personal experience with my own children who attended Hope that the friendships formed here are powerful and lasting. Both of my sons had such a positive experience and had peer groups that were extremely close. Having one class per grade means these kids get to know each other so well. My youngest son is a sophomore at Western Washington University in Bellingham and guess who he spends most of his time with? Yep, friends from Hope that he has known since first grade. A well- known ditty about friendship says “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” Here at Hope, I think it’s safe to say we’ve struck gold.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 1/19: 8:40 AM Online Chapel for All Grades led by Mrs. Neafcy, Assistant Principal
Fri. 1/20: Free Dress Day
Jan. 24 – 28: Lutheran Schools Week
Wed. 1/26: 8:40 AM Online Chapel for All Grades led by 5th Grade Class
Athletic Events – Click Here
National Lutheran Schools Week
Next week Hope, along with Lutheran schools across the nation, will celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week. We have several activities planned as we celebrate Lutheran Schools. Some of these activities include an online mission trip to Zambia, crafts for our younger students, making cards for members of the congregation, and hosting a food drive.
Re-Enrollment for Fall 2022 Begins Today!
Re-enrollment for Fall 2022-2023 begins today, January 18 and continues through January 28 for currently enrolled families. Enrollment materials are going home today in the Tuesday envelopes and were emailed earlier today to all families. Please note: you do not need to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate or immunization record (unless it has recently changed). If you are applying for a new student, then you will need to upload a copy of their birth certificate and immunization record in the Attachments section of the Re-enroll process.
Hope is accepting applications now for 2022-2023 and will be processed beginning February 1. If you know of anyone looking for educational options, please refer them to our admissions director, Sally Heit. Current Hope families that refer a family to Hope and that family enrolls, will receive a $250 tuition credit.
If you have any questions about re-enrollment, please email or call the school office at office@hopeseattle.org or admissions director at sheit@hopeseattle.org
Hope Lutheran Athletic Hoodie Orders due Jan 24, 2022
Hope Lutheran Athletics is offering an opportunity to order athletic sweatshirts to all 5-8 grade students who:
- have participated in a sport during this fall (soccer, volleyball, cross country)
- who are currently playing 7th/8th grade basketball
- will participate in 5th/6th grade basketball and in track and field in the spring.
Order forms are included in today’s Yellow Envelope and were emailed to parents. Hoodies will have the athletic logo on the front and student’s have the option of having their name printed in white on the back of the hoodie for an additional cost. Please make sure to indicate the name (first or last) they want on the order form.
Please fill it out with the student’s name, grade and contact phone number. Submit check or cash to the school office with the order form by MONDAY, JANUARY 24. Due to reduced times in shipping and supply chain issues, we will not be able to take late orders, so please make sure to get your student’s order in by 3PM on January 24th.
If you have questions please contact athletic director, Mark Goodspeed or the main office.
PIP Opportunity
Hope School is looking for volunteer(s) to change our reader board 2 to 3 times a month. This does require using a ladder. If you are interested please contact Patra Mueller at patramueller@hopeseattle.org to answer any questions. Thank you!
Lutheran Schools Week Food Drive – help fill Hope’s food closet. Bring your non-perishable donations through Monday, January 31st. Items in higher need: granola bars, fruit, instant soups, soaps, hygiene items, etc.. Do you have old pairs of glasses lying around? Drop them off at Hope! The Derricks, missionaries with Living Bible Translators, will redistribute them to those they serve.
Starting Point – A Church Intro to Christianity Class
Intro to Christianity Have you ever wondered what Christianity is all about? What are the basic beliefs of Christians and why? Starting Point is an eight week experience in a safe and conversational environment where you can ask whatever questions you may have and discuss with others looking for answers as well. Whether you are wondering about Christianity or have a friend or family member who is, go to hopeseattle.org/linkhope to find more information and sign up today! Starts Thursday, January 27th.