WOH, Tuesday November 8, 2022
WOH November 8, 2022
Books! Books! And More Books! by Erika Alba, 4th Grade Teacher
Building a classroom library is a task that is never really finished. Popular books get worn out quickly and need to be replaced. Student interests change from year to year. Even the types of books kids read can change drastically over just a few years. I remember a time in the not too distant past when Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man was a new book. 4th grade teachers everywhere were racing to buy class sets of the book and introduce their students to this new genre in literary fiction: the graphic novel. Meanwhile, 5th grade teachers were praising Jeff Kinney and his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In the years since then, almost everything has become a graphic novel. Classics like Nancy Drew and even The Babysitter’s Club have taken on a modern-day graphic novel twist.
When I started teaching 4th grade last year, I inherited a decent library, but one that could definitely use some updates. In addition to adding more graphic novels, this year, I decided to have students read the 1979 classic Bunnicula (also available as a graphic novel), in small reading groups. Trying to find 20 copies of Bunnicula at a reasonable price was the first order of business. One teacher recommended that I try the local junction bookstore, Pegasus Books. I was excited to learn that Pegasus Books, a seller of both new and used books, gives teachers a discount when purchasing books to be used in their classroom.
When I went to pick up my classroom copies of Bunnicula, I got to chatting with one of the employees about how I was trying to update my classroom library. And to my delight, Pegasus Books offered to donate books for our 4th grade classroom library! Last Saturday I picked up three boxes of quality books (graphic novels included) that the fourth graders will surely love and cherish. We are so lucky to have such a supportive community and generous folks here in West Seattle.
Calendar of Events
Wed, 11/9, 4:00-10:00 pm: Dine Out for Hope
Thurs 11/10: 8th Grade Diploma Name Sheet Due
Tues 11/15: All School Open House, 6:30pm Hope Commons
Wed, 11/16: Donuts with Grownups, 7:45-8:45 am
Notes from the Admissions Department
We are excited to welcome prospective families to our All School Open House on November 15th! Be thinking of who you could invite to attend. Which families in your neighborhood or friend pool might be looking for a change in schools? I represented Hope School at the Greater West Seattle Middle School Information event last night where 13 public, private, charter and independent schools were there to speak with families looking for middle school options. Several families came up to me to say “a friend had told them about Hope.” Word of mouth is still the best way that families hear about us despite the wonders of the internet. So, spread the word by sharing our event on your social media accounts or extending that personal invitation.
Basketball Season Begins
Basketball practices for middle school boys and girls will begin in the middle of November. The season runs from mid November through mid February. Head boys coach is Scott Okabayashi and head girls coach is Anthony Stordahl, both veteran coaches. If your child is interested in joining the team, please be sure they reach out to athletic director Mark Goodspeed. You may sign your child up using the “Athletic Fee Link” at the top of this page.
Student Council Sponsored Food Drive – Student Council is sponsoring a food drive to benefit the Hope Lutheran Church food pantry. The food drive will run until Friday, November 18. Each class has been assigned a type of food to provide and collection bins have been placed outside the classrooms. Below is a list of items for each class. Thank you for your donations to Hope’s food pantry to help those in need in our community.
Preschool – Mac and Cheese
Kindergarten and 1st Grade – Granola Bars (soft and chewy preferred)
2nd and 3rd Grades – Canned fruit or individual fruit cups
4th Grade – Pull-top soup and chili
5th Grade – Canned meats such as tuna, Spam, and chicken (pull-tops preferred)
6th Grade – Instant oatmeal or crackers
7th Grade – Instant rice or instant potatoes
8th Grade – Cup O’Noodles or Ramen
COVID-19 Update
In today’s communication envelopes, you will see a slight update to the return to school guidance for positive COVID-19 cases. The Department of Health has recently revised the guidance slightly for schools. Instead of returning on day 6 or 11 after having a negative or positive test respectively, the dates are a little more flexible. Please read through the handout and let us know in the office if you have any questions. Of course, we will communicate this to each individual student as needed if they test positive.
PTH EVENTS
Auction Meetings – Every Tuesday – 6:30pm-7:30pm
Come help us plan the auction and earn your PIP hours. Meeting in the Commons. Sign Up to help with the auction – PIP Hours apply!
Donuts with Grownups Event – Wednesday, November 16th, 7:45am-8:25 am
Kid(s) and their Special Grownup will gather to socialize and enjoy donuts/refreshments before their class start time. Located in the Commons. Grownups are invited to stay to attend Wednesday Chapel service after the event.
EAST COAST TRIP FUNDRAISER:
DINE OUT FOR HOPE FUNDRAISER- THIS WEDNESDAY!!! Close your kitchen and Dine Out For Hope at Pegasus Restaurant on this Wednesday, November 9th from 4:00-10:00 pm. Pegasus Pizza is locally owned by a Hope school family!! They will be serving their full delicious menu of pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches and beverages. Dine in and take out is available. This event is open to everyone- so please invite family and friends! Please mention the code word “HOPE” when ordering. Proceeds will benefit the Hope Lutheran 7th/8th East Coast Trip.
HOPE CHURCH EVENTS:
Join us for chapel on Wednesday, November 16 to hear guest speaker, Julie Hill from Living Water International. For the past ten years, our Hope community has raised $$’s every year to build fresh water wells all over the world. Our chapel offerings will be going to support Living Water for the rest of the year. CLICK HERE to learn more about this awesome opportunity to change lives!
You and your family are invited to worship at 9:00 am or 10:45 am on Sunday, November 20th for “Give Thanks” Sunday! Lunch will be served after the late service. Plan to join us! The preschool classes are invited to share a song at the 9:00 am service. Students in Kindergarten-8th grade are invited to share a song at the 10:45 am service.
SNOW TEAM: As we transition from Fall, Hope is looking for a few more people to join the Snow Team. Volunteers would be responsible for shoveling sidewalks and walkways around Hope as needed. Please contact Jon Johnson. Snow shovel is not required. PIP Hours available.
