Lovin’ Lutheran Schools by Kristen Okabayashi
This week we celebrate Lutheran Schools Week! Did you know that Lutheran Schools across the country form the second largest private school system? Hope is part of 87 Lutheran high schools, 778 elementary schools, and 1127 early childhood centers which together educate over 184,000 students. Hope School was planted as an educational ministry of Hope Church back in 1959, which is super exciting this year as our school officially turns 60 years old! While not quite as senior as Hope Church which is now 101 years old, we are approaching those “mature” years as a school.
Hope School is part of the Northwest District schools, which includes 4 high schools, 31 elementary schools, and 93 preschools in four states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. As part of this district, we attend the annual teachers’ conference in the fall, and I also attend a principal conference each fall and spring with other administrators in our district. As a church and school, we are able to access resources from our district office in Portland. One of the highlights of our particular Northwest District, which is unique to our district, is our annual Lutheran Elementary Schools Tournament coming up in just two weeks. Many of our students in grades 5-8 will descend upon Concordia University Portland’s campus to compete with 20 other Lutheran Schools in many different events including basketball, swimming, cheer, math, robotics, music, and drama, among others.
Families are drawn to Lutheran Schools for a variety of reason, most commonly for the faith foundation, small class and school sizes, and strong academics. Another hallmark of Lutheran Schools is a grace-filled environment, where students feel safe and cared for. Our particular West Seattle school tends to have a more diverse population than many, including diversity of faith beliefs, race, and economic status, reflecting our wonderfully diverse city that we live in.
Thank you to those of you who joined us for Lutheran Schools Sunday, and we look forward to a fun week of celebrating our Lutheran schools.
Lutheran Schools Week – Jan. 29 to Feb. 1
Wed. 1/30: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mrs. Okabayashi
Fri. 2/1: Free Dress Day
Wed. 2/6: 8:40 AM Chapel led by 4th Grade / 7:00 PM General PTH Meeting
Wed. 2/13: 8:40 AM Chapel led by 7th Grade / Noon Dismiss – Start LEST Mid-Winter Break
Thurs. & Fri. 2/14 & 2/15: No School – LEST Mid-Winter Break / ESC & Sand Dollar Club Open with Pre-registration
Upcoming Events
February 18 & 19 mid-winter break continues, school closed, no ESC or Sand Dollar club
PTH General Meeting – February 6 @ 7:00 PM
Come join your PTH Board and learn of the exciting things planned for 2019 and beyond, upcoming PIP opportunities, and more! The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 pm in the Church Commons. For those with younger children, childcare will be available from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Street side parking may be available as well as in the lot just southwest of the school on 42nd Ave. SW and Oregon.
LEST Dates February 14-16, 2019 – For Information Click Here
Travelers to LEST – folders are coming home today in the communication envelopes. Included in the folders with an updated schedule, along with maps and other information from Concordia University. Event coaches, please note that we have not received the basketball passes yet and so those will likely go home next Tuesday. Please let us know in the office or ask your child’s teacher or coach if you have any questions. Go Eagles!
East Coast Trip Monday/Friday Hot Lunch – Orders Forms Due 2/8
Order forms are coming home today, Tuesday, January 29th and will be due by February 8th. Chicken strips, carrots and chips will replace Hot Dog Mondays. The second half of the year will begin Monday, February 11th and pizza will begin February 22nd. Contact Sally Heit at 206-935-8500 or sheit@hopseattle.org with questions.
Spirit Dress-Up Days – February 7 – 13, 2019
All students in preschool through 8th grade are invited to join us in spirit days as we gear up for LEST! These are optional spirit days and students not participating will need to come in school uniforms as usual.
Thurs. Feb 7th-Class Color Wars (PK & K-rainbow, 1st-red, 2nd-orange,3rd-yellow,4th-green,5th-pink,6th-blue,7th-purple,8th-black/gray/white)
Fri. Feb.8th-Wacky Tacky Day (The crazier, the better!)
Mon. Feb.11th-PJ Day (Come to school in your warm pajamas!)
Tues. Feb. 12th-sports spirit (Wear anything sports-related-jerseys, team uniforms, Seahawks gear or college team sweatshirts, etc.)
Wed. Feb. 13th- Blue & Gold Day (Let’s show our LEST spirit!)
Registration for Fall 2019
Just a reminder that our registration for the fall of 2019 is open. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible. Access keys for each student were sent home in the Tuesday envelope two weeks ago. Please call the office if you did not receive it or have misplaced it. To register visit: https://hope-lutheran-school.k12online.us/hope-lutheran-school/portal
Have You Seen Our New Video about Hope School!
We are so proud to show this video to you, and encourage you to share it with others who are looking for a student centered education for their student. New families join the Hope family because a friend or family member has recommended Hope to them. And, don’t forget that current families can receive a $250 tuition credit for recommending a family to Hope school that enrolls with us.
School Clubs at Hope – Click Here
Chess Scholars winter registration is open https://www.chessscholars.com/signup. Enter class code LWA2.11.19 to register. Register by 10PM TODAY 1/28 for early bird price of $98. Class starts Monday, February 11, 2019.
Registration for the next Hope Art Workshop session 1.3 is now open online.
You can register here: https://www.rainbowparrotart.com/workshops/
PTH & PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Visit signupgenius.com and search by pth@hopeseattle.org
We have the following opportunities: Midwinter Dance and a PTH position for this 2018/2019 school year for a Member-at-Large.
Church News & Activities – Click Here
Open House for Seattle Lutheran High School – Thurs., January 31, 2019, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Join us for our Open House featuring a look at the exciting courses offered during
J-Term, including our environmental science trip to Costa Rica. It will feature a tour of the facility, as well as interaction with Seattle Lutheran’s faculty and administration. We are located at 4100 SW Genesee Street, Seattle, WA 98116. For more information contact Rachel Bigliardi at 206-937-7722 or visit our website at www.seattlelutheran.org to RSVP for the open house.
Bunco is Back at Seattle Lutheran!
This is an evening for adults to come together for fellowship, food and fun!
Where: SLHS Menashe Gymnasium
When: Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 5:30 P.M.
Food: Brats (Beverages will be available for purchase)
Cost: $20.00 Please note that all proceeds benefit the Seattle Lutheran High School Sailing Club. Please RSVP at www.seattlelutheran.org no later than Tuesday, February 4, 2019.
