WOH, Tuesday April 16, 2024
Why the Talent Show is not just a Talent Show By Kristen Okabayashi
The annual Hope School talent show is always a “feel good” type of event for our school – cute and talented students performing a variety of acts for students, families, and friends. Super wholesome and wonderful without a doubt! But, it is more than just a simple group of performers to me.
The talent show is one of the only school events that I personally plan and run – it is one of my particular favorites and something I care passionately about. I would even go so far as to say it epitomizes one of my “whys” for being in the educational field at all! Growing up, I was a quiet and somewhat studious student, attending large and boisterous public school classes in Olympia, WA. I took ballet and piano lessons but never would have had the courage to perform in front of our school myself in elementary and middle school. One of my hopes when I became the principal at Hope was to create a school where all students could feel comfortable and safe performing in front of the entire school. I enjoy all our talent show performances, but my heart sings especially when I see a quiet and more reserved student go up and perform!
Part of what makes the talent show so special is the support our student population shows to the performers. Regardless of the age or type of talent, the students will sing along, clap, and cheer for each and every performance. It is a type of send-off for our 8th grade students too, as they help run the show by handing our programs, gathering up the groups who will be performing next, helping run sound and equipment, and announcing the show itself.
Thank you to our student performers, helpers, and great audience members, along with our staff and families for supporting this annual Hope tradition.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tues, April 23: ECT Spaghetti Dinner; 6-7pm; Fellowship Hall
Tues, April 23: Academic Fair at 7:00 PM
Fri, April 26: 7th & 8th grade Dance; 7:30-9:30pm (See PIP sign-up link below)
Tues, April 30: Financial Assistance Applications Due
Tues, April 30: Cheerleading Parent Info Session; 6-7pm; Commons
Sunday, May 5th- 10th: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week (see PIP sign-up link below)
SCHOOL NEWS
Financial Assistance for 2024
Applications for financial assistance are due April 30th. More information and applications can be accessed through this link.
Tuition Contracts will be EMAILED April 5th with DocuSign to both parents. Please review and fill out the tuition agreement by April 19th. A parent from each household needs to fill out a contract. Signing the tuition agreement will enroll your child(ren) for Fall 2024. All families must re-enroll in Blackbaud unless you are paying tuition in full by July 1st. If you have any questions, please email Sally Heit.
2024-2025 Blackbaud Fee Increase
As of the 2024-2025 school year, Blackbaud’s Annual Admin Fee will increase to $56.00 across all payment plans and credit card users will see fees increase to 3.12%.
Journey Project – Tobi K. 2024 – Hope 8th grade student
Asempa Global Academy – Ghana, West Africa
For my confirmation Journey Project this year, I have chosen to do a fundraiser for Asempa Global Academy in Ghana, West Africa. Asempa Global Academy was started by a friend of my family to provide an excellent Christian education to students living outside of Accra, the capital of Ghana. The school was started over 10 years ago by BB Lanbon, who is one of my Dad’s best friends from his childhood as a missionary kid in Ghana.
Right now, Asempa Global has 97 students and BB’s family is using their home as the school building. A four room school foundation has been completed so far. With your help, we hope to provide them with the funds to raise the walls and build a roof for the four classrooms. The cost to finish the building is $25,000.
Please see the flyer in the Tuesday envelope with a QR code to donate OR use the following website..
https://hopeseattle.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/81569f65-4761-4944-8fa3-e08cd76cb6ec
Thank you for considering a donation.
Tobi and Asempa Global Academy
Spaghetti Dinner: Tuesday, April 23; 6-7pm
Let us do the cooking! Come join your friends and classmates for a delicious dinner before visiting the classrooms for the Academic Geography Fair. The East Coast Trip Group is doing the cooking and preparation as a fundraiser. Order forms are being sent home today in the Tuesday envelope. Preorder your tickets now to save money. Dinner will include spaghetti (with or without meatballs), garlic bread, salad, beverage and dessert.
Academic Fair – Tuesday April 23 at 7:00 PM
Academic Fair Assignment For All Students due Mon, April 22!
Here’s some big news! This year we are doing a geography fair. So, what is a geography fair? It’s a lot like a science fair. All the instructions and guidelines have been sent home, as well as the tri-fold boards. Please contact the school office if you need another copy sent home. The completed project will come to school the day of Monday, April 22 so classrooms can be set up. We expect all students to attend and browse all the projects in the whole school. Maybe you will see one of your favorite places to travel to!
Chapel Offerings
The chapel offering is collected during our weekly Wednesday chapels. Students will find offering envelopes in the weekly Yellow Envelopes.
For the months of March and April, offerings will go to Heifer International. Heifer International is on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities. It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately gain access to supply chains and markets. Some of the livestock that can be purchased are heifers, goats, sheep, chicks, and honeybees. We have set a goal of $500 to purchase a heifer. Any additional offerings will be used to purchase additional animals.
Summer Camp 2024 Registration
Summer Camp 2024 is open from June 24 through July 26, 2024. Families can sign up for multiple camps by the week, fill out forms and pay camp fees beginning today, Tuesday, 3/5. Camp hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Weekly themes listed below. Sign ups will go fast so do not delay in getting your forms in.
Registration activation link open!
- June 24 – 28 Art (also VBS Week)
- July 1 -5 (7/4 closed) Sports Week
- July 8 – 12 Animal Week
- July 15 – 19 Drama Week
- July 22 – 26 Science Week
ADMISSIONS
Preschool Admissions: We have a few half day spots available in each of our preschool classrooms and space in our new Transitional Kindergarten program. If you know of friends looking for half day preschool or considering transitional kindergarten please refer them to Sally Heit for a tour and more information.
We also have spots available in elementary and middle school.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
Payment Portal
Sports, Milk and Bible Link- https://bngn.blackbaud.school/?id=xnxrcid4vjy
SCHOOL EVENTS
Hope Praying Parent Group: Thursdays, 2:30-3:00 pm
Can you come a little early before pickup and join us as we pray for our Hope students and teachers? You don’t have to be an expert at praying out loud to come. You can listen and pray silently as well. We will gather in the sanctuary to pray. Questions contact patramueller@hopeseattle.org.
4th & 5th Grade Bible Club will meet on Thursday morning, April 4, & 18 at 7:55-8:20 am in the View Room.
CLUB45: Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 -8:00 pm. All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to participate in this fun evening including dinner, Bible study and games. Questions of would you like to help?
Contact patramueller@hopeseattle.org.
2024 Summer Art Camps are being offered at Hope North. All rising first through sixth graders from all schools are welcome to attend. Dates: July 8-11 and July 15-18. We may also offer a third week of art camp in August at Holy Rosary – stay tuned! Each camp offers a totally new and unique set of projects. These camps are taught by Lacey Reuter. More info and registration here: www.rainbowparrotart.com
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Important Notice about 2023-2024 PIP Hours – Please Read!
We have entered our final trimester of the year and the school year will be over before you know it. It is time to check on your PIP hours.Unfulfilled hours will be billed at $30/hour. All PIP hours for the 2023-2024 year must be completed and entered into Gradelink by 5/31/24. If you have any questions, please contact the school office here.
PIP hours – we need volunteers to run the concession stand at the Hope sponsored Track Meet on May 21st. It will be held at the West Seattle stadium. Please contact Mark Goodspeed for further information.
See the PTH events below for more PIP opportunities.
PTH EVENTS
Please take this quick survey from the PTH to get your feedback and suggestions for future auctions! Survey due by April 15th
Hope Lutheran Auction Survey 2024 If you have any questions, please email pth@hopeseattle.org
PTH Events and PIP Opportunities:
7th and 8th Grade School Dance – Fri, April 26, 7:30-9:30pm
We need lots of volunteers to make this happen .Get your PIP hours and sign up today:
Hope 7th and 8th Grade Dance Volunteer Sign-Up
Hope Lutheran’s 7th and 8th grade School Dance. Theme: 80’s and 90’s Throwback. It will be held at the Menashe Family Gym at Hope North. Tickets are $20/each. There will be a DJ, photo booth, glow necklaces, light snack and refreshments included in the admission fee.
Coming up:
Please Sign-up to helpTeacher and Staff Appreciation Week Sign- Up
Sunday, May 5th: Door Decorating from 12pm- 4pm
Monday, May 6th – Friday, May 10th: Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
CHURCH EVENTS
A NEW CLASS ON PRAYER entitled The Prayer Course is being offered on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings beginning 4/17 & 4/18. Everyone is welcome! Sign up at https://hopeseattle.org/link-hope
Wednesday Night CONNECT will resume Wednesday, April 17th from 6:00-8:00 pm with Dinner and Programs for all ages.
Vacation Bible School- June 24-28. Registration is now open for participants entering 1st-4th grade in the fall, as well as Middle school volunteers. Click here.
SUNDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL for adults is starting Sunday, April 7th at 6 PM. Stop by the Hope North Gym for a pick up game or to just shoot around. Questions, contact David Knittel or the church office.