WOH For Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Blessings of this year by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
This past pandemic year has been difficult for many reasons, and in particular it has been very difficult for students across the nation and world. Even at Hope where we have been fortunate to be in person more than most schools, it has been hard to adjust to the strenuous teaching requirements of live streaming while teaching in person, students quarantining due to possible exposure to the virus or travel, and of course all the safety protocols. It has been a challenging year for all of us.
That being said, I also see some educational changes we have made as a school, directly as a result of the pandemic, which are positive changes we will continue. For example, last summer we purchased iPads for every single student in grades K-8 as we anticipated students might transition back and forth between in person and virtual learning. Students in all grades have been able to easily access additional learning opportunities and complete research on topics, which has led to changes in how we teach. I recently had the opportunity to see some incredible animal research projects completed with Mrs. Hartley’s second grade class, with written reports and dioramas created from research the students had completed on their iPads.
The pandemic has also caused us to think of classes as cohorts, which in turn has updated how we do lunch, recess, and middle school electives, for example. In addition, we have used our online grading system Schoology more actively than in years past. Some of these changes are actually better than what we used to do, and we will stick with them in coming years.
Looking ahead to the fall, we believe we will be able to have more “normal” class sizes while still following some safety protocols. We will share more information about next year in coming weeks and months as we learn more about future recommendations.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 5/19: 8:40 AM Online Chapel led by Mrs. Mueller, Family Life Minister
Fri. 5/21: Free Dress Day
Mons. 5/24: School Food Drive Begins
Tues. 5/25: 7:00 PM Final PTH General Meeting via Zoom
Wed. 5/26: 8:40 AM Online Chapel led by Mrs. Neafcy, Kindergarten Teacher
Thurs. 5/27: Early Dismissal at 11:45 AM for k-3 and 12:00 PM for 4-8
Fri. 5/28: No School with ESC/Sand Dollar Programs Open
Mon. 5/31: No School All programs Closed – Memorial Day
School & ESC Closures May 28 & 31
Please note that school will be closed Friday, May 28 with our ESC/Sand Dollar club programs open with pre-registration for our ESC age group. On Monday, May 31st all programs will be closed an observance of Memorial Day.
Hope School Food Drive May 24 to June 4
As we end our school year and move into summer months the needs of our homeless community still rises. Thanks to the suggestion of 4th grader Emily E. we are hosting a School FOOD DRIVE, May 24th-June 4th.
Thank you for donating the following items to fill our Hope food closet:
Preschool Classes– Cereal and Instant Oatmeal
Kindergarten– Granola Bars (Soft and Chewy preferred)
First Grade– Soup (Canned or Instant)
Second Grade– Ramen Noodles/Cup of Noodle
Third Grade– Fruit (Canned or Cups)
Fourth Grade– Meat/ Protein (Meat, Tuna, Peanut Butter (canned or packets)
Fifth Grade– Mac & Cheese
Sixth Grade– Pasta & Sauce
Seventh Grade-Rice, Beans and Lentils
Eighth Grade– Toiletries (Tooth paste, tooth brushes, soap, hand sanitizer etc.)
Collection boxes will be placed outside of each classroom.
Office Manager Hired
We are thrilled to share that Hope preschool teacher Tammy Shelver will be taking over as office manager in the school office next year on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. As mentioned previously, current office manager Shari Wallace will continue to serve in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mrs. Shelver has worked at Hope for the past three years, and her warm and friendly personality will be a blessing to our students, staff and families. With lower attendance in our half-day preschool program due to the pandemic enrollment, the half-day preschool class will take a hiatus for this coming school year. Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Shelver to the school office position!
Library to Close June 4
Since the end of the year is quickly approaching, it’s time to get library books returned!
All checked out books will need to be returned by Friday, June 4th.
No Grandparent/Special Person Day – May 27
Due to our current restrictions on large gatherings we are not able to host our much loved annual Grandparent/special person day on Thursday, May 27. We will still conduct an early dismiss for k through 8 grade students with k-3 dismissing at 11:45 am and our 4-8 dismissing at 12:00 pm. Our ESC will be open for those registered for this extra day.
Hope Summer Camp
This year’s summer camp will offer a variety of fun themes and will begin the week of June 21. We will be open Monday through Friday for students who have completed one year of preschool through age 12. Preschool/extended care director Christina Figgins will run our summer camp program with our regular wonderful extended care staff.
Summer camp registration is open with weeks still available. For more information, you may click on the link below. We look forward to a fun summer!
https://hopeluthstg.wpengine.com/extended-care/summer-camp/
Open Teacher Positions at Hope School
As we look ahead into the coming school year with two teachers stepping away to different opportunities and one teacher moving up to the assistant principal position, Hope Lutheran School is excited to open up three homeroom teaching positions for the 2021-2022 school year.
Parent and families, please share the following information and job link with any wonderful teacher candidates you may know who could potentially be a good fit for us at Hope. We are actively seeking candidates for two elementary teachers who will teach all core subjects, and one middle school teacher with a language arts focus. Interested teacher candidates should submit an application and resume to Kristen Okabayashi at kokabayashi@hopeseattle.org by Monday, May 31, 2021. Teaching jobs begin August 23, 2021.
More information, job descriptions, and the application form are available on our website here:
https://hopeluthstg.wpengine.com/home/about/job-opportunities/
Church Events – Click Here