Social and Emotional Skills by Kristen Okabayashi, Principal
As I enter into my eighth year as principal of Hope School, probably the largest shift I have seen over the years is related to the way that students interact with social media. I’ll be honest, I personally love Facebook as a way to keep up with what’s happening with my friends, and also to share with others what’s happening in my life, so I completely understand the attraction to social media. That being said, these pre-teen and early teen minds are not necessarily prepared to manage the emotions and drama that can be part of the social media experience.
Along with social media challenges, students of all ages (and probably us as adults too, right?!) need assistance in sorting through the multitude of interactions that happen between each other. From taking turns in preschool to learning how to lose graciously in fourth grade to dealing with hormones in middle school, growing up can be hard! This fall, Hope School is rolling out a social and emotional skills curriculum to help our students navigate through these challenges, called Second Step. There are many good anti-bullying curricula available, but I think of Second Step as what happens BEFORE things reach the anger stage although it also has tools included to help students manage their heated emotions.
Second Step is a classroom-based social skills program for students in kindergarten through junior high (ages 5–14 years), with a distinct curriculum for each grade. It is designed to reduce impulsive, high-risk, and aggressive behaviors and increase children’s social competence and other protective factors. The program builds on cognitive behavioral intervention models integrated with social learning theory, empathy research, and social information-processing research. It is intended to teach children to identify and understand their own and others’ emotions, choose positive goals, and successfully manage reactions when emotionally aroused.
To hear more about Second Step and curriculum in general, we look forward to seeing you tonight at our annual Curriculum Night at 7:00 PM!
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Tues. 9/19: 7:00 PM Curriculum Night
Wed. 9/20: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Eilers / 2:15 PM Orange Ruler Kick Off
Wed. – Fri. 9/20 to 9/22: 6th Grade Outdoor Ed.
Fri. 9/22: Chinook Book Fundraiser Deadline
Wed. 9/27: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Sylwester / 6:00 PM Auction-Gala Meeting / Deadline for Pizza & Burrito Lunch Orders
Fri. 9/29: 1:00 PM Fall Olympics
School Athletic Calendar of Events – Click Here
Before & After School Clubs – Click Here
Orange Ruler Fun Run Kick Off – Tomorrow @ 2:15 PM
Tomorrow we will kick off our annual Orange Ruler Fun Run. All are welcome to attend and we will be using the West Seattle Christian gym located just up the street. This FUNdraiser aims to not only inspire students to support their school, but also to work as a team to achieve a common goal, believe in themselves, and staying active. Our goal is to raise $25,000 in gross donations.
This is the LAST WEEK for our Chinook Book Fundraiser!
Thank you everyone for helping to make our fundraiser a success! The money we raise helps fund important activities that enrich our children’s learning. Friday September 22 is turn-in day! Please send in your order envelopes with all money collected for Book sales. If you choose not to sell the books that were sent home please return them to the school office in sellable condition – include your child’s name and grade on it.
Earn some PIP hours helping tally all our orders and packing up the books to be distributed! Contact Heather Paar at 206-300-5233 or heatherpaar@yahoo.com to help or with any questions.
Please see additional information and details going home today in your Tuesday communication packet!
It has come to our attention that there is a coupon/advertisement in the book which is for an adult audience and not in alignment with the values of our school. We have communicated our concern to Chinook Books and will not be selling books next year if these are included again.
Hot Lunch Programs – Pizza & Burritos Added
Our East Coast Trip group will offer lunch options on Mondays and Fridays beginning Friday, September 29. Order forms found here and accepted through Wednesday, Sept. 27. Please contact Sally Heit at 206-935-8500 or sheit@hopeseattle.org with any questions.
Our Café Stellina or NEST hot lunch is underway and you can still register here: http://www.cafestellinacatering.com/NEST-School-Lunch-Program.html.
PTH & PIP Opportunities – Click Here
September 27 6:00 PM – Auction/Gala Meeting, location TBD
Come learn more about this highly anticipated event and how you could earn up to 2 FULL YEARS of PIP. We’re looking to kick off the planning committee. Everyone can contribute! We need people with energy or experience in event planning, fundraising, marketing, graphic design, auction item procurement, and a host/emcee for our event! First meeting of the year will be Wed., September 27. Do you have connections to local businesses or leaders in your industry? Sign up to lead our event sponsorship team!
PTH General Meeting – October 4 at 6:00 PM. Earn DOUBLE PIP hours for attending! Plus, meet your PTH Board, learn what’s coming up at school, and share your ideas.
Scrip Chair – Scrip cards are gift cards that can be purchased from the school office, and a percentage of sales gets returned to our school. We need a new chair to promote this easy and fun way to support our school all year. It’s a minimal time commitment, and easy to manage from home – and fulfills your entire year of PIP!
Lunch Room Parent – It’s a great way to connect with kids mid-day, see the lunch room in all its fun and flurry, and it’s a short weekly (or biweekly) commitment from 11:40 am to 12:50 pm. Help our teachers get the mid-day break they need.
Recess Parent – Come play outside! Even in the winter months you can get some Vitamin D and a quick hug on the playground. Hours are 12:00 to 1:05 pm. One day a week or more!
If you can help with any of these times, please contact Shari Wallace at swallace@hopeseattle.org or (206) 935-8500.
Church News & Activities – Click Here
