Pulling Grass to make it Grow by Kevin Jones, Technology Director
We all know that you can’t pull grass to make it grow. What we can do is prepare the soil, plant the seeds, and do everything possible to make the environment hospitable and encouraging for growth. Teaching is exactly the same: you can’t make someone learn. Therefore, in some ways, there is no such thing as teaching.
So if we don’t teach, what do we do? We do exactly what parents and teachers have always done: we create environments and experiences that make learning possible.
Does my student hate being timed during math? Stop timing her. Is my student unable to see the SMART Board? Move him to the front of the room. Are some students sitting next to their best friends, and having too much fun talking to be able to pay attention to the lesson? Have one of them move.
As a teacher, when a student doesn’t “get it”, my first task is to identify and eliminate any roadblocks that are getting in the way of the student’s learning. My second duty is to make sure that I’m making sense from the individual child’s perspective. Do they prefer to be hands-on? Do they need a handout? Do they like verbal instruction and do well with it?
When possible, we teachers try to offer multiple ways for the students to interact with the topic at hand. While this definitely includes “direct instruction” (just telling them and/or showing them specifically), it is their job to learn it. When they have trouble doing so, we must first question ourselves about the learning environment we have designed for them. We do this through constant observation, dialogue, feedback, assessment, and reflection.
As teachers, we share the joy of their academic growth and the role we played in it, but we also remember that they are the ones who did the learning. We, in turn, also grow and learn.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Today: Forms for Parent/Teacher Conferences due (Conferences are optional)
Wed. 3/15: 8:00 AM Donuts with Dad / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 3 – Friend of Little Children, Matt. 18-19
Fri. 3/17: Free Dress Day / St. Patrick’s Day Green / Deadline to order Free Dress Passes
Wed. 3/22: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 4 – Zacchaeus, Luke 19 / 1:15 PM Talent Show @ SLHS Gym
Donuts with Dad! – TOMORROW
Calling all Dads or special guests! Start your day with delicious donuts and put a smile on your child’s face. PTH will serve donuts, coffee, juice, and milk in the Commons. We will gather in the church commons at 8:00 a.m. Students must be in class by 8:30 a.m. However, you are welcome to mingle and then join the Hope students at chapel starting at 8:40 a.m. Chapel will be led by our 3rd grade class.
St. Patrick’s Day Green – Friday, March 17
This Friday, March 17, we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is a free dress day however students are encouraged to wear green/jeans/St. Patrick’s Day-wear.
Parent/Teacher Conferences, March 30 & 31
We look forward to visiting with you March 30 & 31 for spring parent/teacher conferences. These spring conferences are optional. Conference times will be sent home in next Tuesday’s communication envelope.
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Don’t forget to check out SignUpGenius for PIP Opportunities! Just go to http://www.signupgenius.com/and search by pth@hopeseattle.org.
School Clubs – Click Here
Chess Club has discontinued as of March 2017
Free Dress Passes for Sale – Deadline Friday, March 17th
Student Council is selling Free Dress Passes for a spring fundraiser. Passes come in books of 5 and will be sold for $25. Students may purchase a maximum of one book of passes, but the passes may be used any day. Proceeds will go towards the student council fund, with a goal to raise enough for a water bottle filling station for the whole school to use. Order forms are available in the office or online here.
Spaghetti Dinner & Art Show – March 24
Families are invited to a good old fashioned Spaghetti Dinner and Art Show benefitting the WA D.C. Enrichment program for 7th and 8th graders at Hope School March 24th from 5-8pm in the Fellowship Hall. There will be two seatings: one at 5 pm for those early bird diners and one at 6:30 pm. RSVP in the school office to let us know which time you will be attending or complete online form here. Gluten Free options are available. And, Hope Lutheran Glee Club will be performing. After dinner, wander up to the Commons to view the artwork and enjoy coffee and dessert. Cost: Free Will Offering. See you there!
Financial Aid Information for 2017-18 Academic Year
We partner with School and Student Services (SSS) for our financial aid process each year. Instructions for applying for financial aid at Hope Lutheran School are available by visiting sssbynais.org/parents. Our school’s SSS code is 179833. Due date for completing the Parents Financial Statement to SSS is April 30, 2017.
Hope Church & Youth Events – Click Here
Thursday Morning Bible Study – Join us for a new study on the Epistles of John. All ladies are welcome from 8:30-10:00 AM in the Commons. Contact patramueller@hopeseattle.org
Save the Date: VBS is coming July 24-28 – Registration will open online in Mid-March!
Lenten Services Wednesdays At 7:00 P.M. We gather with others at Hope for a short worship experience featuring some of the best of our traditional and contemporary worship hymns and songs, special elements, and inspiring messages to take us deeper into Jesus’ amazing love.
Soup Supper – Join us at 6 pm on Wednesdays for an informal meal of a variety of soups, green salad, and bread in the Fellowship Hall. It’s a wonderful way to connect! Our Soup Supper Host Group for tomorrow will be the Women of Hope Church & Middle School Youth Group. All are welcome to join us!
