WOH, Tuesday September 5, 2023
Strong and Courageous! By Kristen Okabayashi, Hope School Principal
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Our school theme this year is Strong and Courageous based on the verse above, and it feels like the perfect phrase for us to follow this year. The words above were said by God to Joshua as Joshua was leading the children of Israel out of the wilderness and into the promised land, as Joshua was feeling overwhelmed with the weight of the task ahead of him. God used those comforting words to encourage him.
While we have not been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, at the same time many of us have had some struggles over the past 3 ½ years! Just like Joshua and his people, God continues to encourage us and lead us as we trust in Him. Many of us at both Hope School and Hope Church perceive a palpable excitement and joy as we head back to school this fall. God is with us as we follow His guidance in the coming school year.
Welcome back to all our families this year – happy first day of school!
Hope North Expansion
Hope Lutheran families are invited to join us on Friday, September 15th from 6-8pm as we share future plans for expansion through our Hope North campaign efforts. Join us to learn more about the new building and exciting opportunities for our students! A Paperless Post invitation was emailed earlier this month. Please kindly RSVP by September 1st. Questions or trouble finding the invitation? Please reach out to the school office. Hope to see you there!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tues, 9/5: First day of School – Dismissal at 12:00 noon
Wed. 9/6: First Full Day of School, except for KG which dismisses at 12:00pm all week
Mon, 9/11: Hot Lunch programs begin
Friday, 9/15: Hope North Vision Gathering – 6-8pm
Friday, 9/15: Free Dress Day (first and third Friday of each month)
Wed, 9/20 to Fri, 9/22: 6th Grade Outdoor Ed
Wed. 9/26 6:00pm-6:30pm: General PTH Meeting in the Sanctuary – earn PIP hours!
Tues, 9/26 6:30pm-7:45pm: K-8 Curriculum Night
SCHOOL NEWS
IMPORTANT LINKS:
School Sweatshirts and Other Apparel
Buy Now Link –https://bngn.blackbaud.school/?id=2mlboz4dch4
We only order these Hope apparel items once a year. Take advantage of this opportunity now! Due date is September 9, 2023.
School Milk – Begins Wednesday, 9/6
Sports, Milk and Bible Link- https://bngn.blackbaud.school/?id=xnxrcid4vjy
Hope K-8 school uniforms and grades 5-8 PE uniforms: available through Lands End.
Lost & Found: Please follow this link to see if your student has lost any item belonging to them. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6xtnbx6A31j7df6F9
Gently Used Uniform Exchange: You are welcome to come by and choose any gently-used clothing items your student may still need. We will keep this available until the morning of Thursday, 9/7, so feel free to stop by!
Student Medical Information Update
If your student requires taking medication during the day, requires an Epi Pen, inhaler or even might need the occasional Benadryl for allergies, ect., the office must have an authorization form filled out and signed by the parent. This form can be obtained in the office or emailed to you and must be on file before medication can be given. All medications will be held in the office. Epi pens should be brought to school by the parent and given to the office on the first day of school. If there is any change in your student’s medical history or insurance, such as an ADHD diagnosis, new IEP/504 plan, new medication, please email the school office so we can update your student’s history in GradeLink.
SCHOOL EVENTS
Hot Lunch Program – Begins Monday, 9/11
We have a new hot lunch provider, the Lunch Ladies. Our program is now available 5 days a week (M-F) during our 1st trimester to all PS – 8th grade families. You may order & pay daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. There are a variety of meals, sizes and add-on options. Click on the registration form here. School code is hope277 (case sensitive so it must be typed in exactly ) Fill in the requested information in the Account Registration page.Please note that Hope School does not register or bill for this program.
In addition to regular lunches, the Lunch Ladies will be adding a special “Pizza Friday” to their menu for us. For each slice of pizza you order, a $1.00 donation will be given back to Hope School as an East Coast Trip fundraiser for the 7th & 8th grade trip that takes place every two years. The ECT fundraiser has not started their pizza day fundraiser yet so this will be where you can order pizza for the fall.
Hope Student Council: Hope Student Council is ready to get started this year. Student council is an opportunity for students to learn about student government, to organize service projects and activities for the students, and to serve as representatives for our school. Last year, the students elected Coco as president and Magdalena as treasurer. At the end of the month, students will have the opportunity to elect class representatives, a secretary, and a vice president. Students in grades 3-7 may run for class representatives. Two representatives are elected in grades 3-7. Students in 7th and 8th grade may run for secretary and vice president. More information is in the yellow envelopes today for students in grades 3-8. If you have any questions, reach out to Mrs. Neafcy (jneafcy@hopeseattle.org).
Rainbow Parrot Art is gearing up for another amazing year of after school art classes at Hope. There will be four 8-week sessions held throughout the school year. All four sessions are currently open for registration. Because these classes are also open to Holy Rosary families, we are giving our Hope families advance notice about this program so that you all have time to sign up! These classes generally fill up fast, with a long wait list. If your child would like to join, be sure to register ASAP: Full info and registration here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Lunchroom Volunteer Opportunities: Monday-Friday 11:45 am-1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Volunteers are needed each day for lunch supervision, disinfection, and clean-up. Please contact the Hope office to volunteer at office@hopeseattle.org.
Clothing Volunteers: 3-4 volunteers needed to bag & put away Hope gently used uniforms; Thursday, 9/7 from 10:00am-12 noon.Thank you all for your donations; it is a blessing to others.
Painters needed: Enjoy painting? We have some rooms/areas that need touch-ups, as well as handrails that need painting. One parent did a lot of painting for us this summer and earned his yearly PIP hours. Thank you for freshening up our campus!
Co-ed Head Soccer Coach or Parent Volunteers
Attention parents! We’re looking for a head co-ed soccer coach and parent volunteers to help our school team for students in grades 5-8. This is a great opportunity to support student athletes and double down on your workout by getting PIP hours at the same time. Reach out to athletic director Mark Goodspeed at mgoodspeed@hopeseattle.org for more info.
Hope Church Reader Board Changer
Earn PIP Hours!! We are looking for an individual who can fill in when needed and change and update the Reader Board for the church. We have one changer who may need a sub at times. Please contact Patra Mueller @ patramueller@hopeseattle.org
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Hiring Subs for Hope School 2023-2024 School Year
Hope is actively looking for substitute teachers to add to our school for the coming school year. Applicants should have experience teaching, coaching, and/or tutoring students.
Visit Hope’s website for more information and an application form, or call the school office at (206) 935-8500. Applicants should submit a resume and application to Hope School Principal at kokabayashi@HopeSeattle.org or via snail mail.
CHURCH EVENTS
FALL KICK OFF at Hope Church: Everyone is welcome to join us THIS SUNDAY, September 10th as we kick off the fall season! Teachers will be recognized at the 10:00am service, followed by lunch and lots of fun together with special activities. Fun for the whole family!
Financial Assistant Needed: Hope Lutheran Church and School is hiring a Financial Assistant. The full-time financial assistant performs a variety of clerical tasks requiring detailed knowledge of church and school procedures and policies, supports administrative staff with routine administrative and clerical details, with the primary emphasis on the entry of financial data. This position reports to the Director of Operations. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please apply HERE.