Why Bother with Board Games? By Kristen Okabayashi
Strategic Board Games is one of my favorite electives we offer our middle school students, so much that I’m currently teaching it myself. With the rise of dynamic and responsive video games, board games can take the backseat to these intriguing options. However, many important learning opportunities can be found just be playing a simple board game. I personally love board games, and grew up playing them frequently; it is one of my family’s favorite activities as well. Just last night we were playing a favorite board game together as a family along with a couple of the boys friends.
So why play board games? Playing board games together teaches players many important concepts, including:
- How to win (and more importantly, lose) gracefully and with character (I’ll be honest, I still have trouble losing gracefully upon occasion, especially with the game Risk)
- Planning ahead and learning from your playing experience
- Deductive logic
- Social skills as you play together in groups – this can be fantastic time to spend together as a family
- Problem solving skills can actually be improved with practice
Some of the games we typically play in a trimester include Clue, Dominion, 7 Wonders, Settlers of Catan, Mastermind, and Coup. We have added other games in at times as well. I encourage all our families to find some age appropriate games this summer and play them together!
Upcoming Save the Dates:
Wed. May 23 – Sounds of Spring Concert 7:00 PM
May 25 & 26 – No School Memorial Day Weekend (5/25 ESC “XTRA” Open with Pre-registration)
June 13 – Last day of School Dismiss at 10:00 AM / ESC “XTRA” Open with Pre-registration
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 5/23: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Chapel Leadership Students / 7:00 PM Sounds of Spring Concert
Fri. 5/25: No School Memorial Day Holiday / ESC “XTRA” Open with Pre-registration
Mon. 5/28: No School Memorial Day Holiday – ESC Closed
Wed. 5/30: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Patra Mueller
Fri. 6/1: Free Dress Day
Sounds of Spring Concert – Wed. May 23
Please join Hope School and Seattle Lutheran High School students for our annual Sounds of Spring Concert. We will hear from Hope’s Glee Club, Chapel Band and Handbell Choir, as well as the Seattle Lutheran Band. The concert will take place in Hope’s sanctuary Wednesday night, May 23, at 7:00 PM.
PTH Minutes – Click Here
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
8th Grade Reception – Evening of June 13th – need help with our 8th grade graduation reception
PTH Board positions open for 2 Members at Large – contact Sonjia at sonjiabarker@hotmail.com.
Parent Involvement Program Ends May 31, 2018
Updated statements going home today to those parents with a balance. Please contact Mrs. Wallace at 206-935-8500 or swallace@hopeseattle.org with any questions. Exceptions will be considered for June activities to count towards this school year, just email Mrs. Wallace with your request. (Please note that diplomas and report cards will be held until all outstanding fees have been paid.)
Tuition Materials Past Due for 2018-2019
Tuition materials for our 2018-2019 school year are now past due. Please remember that the following items must be completed and returned to the school office ASAP; Tuition Invoice and Tuition Contract. Please call the school office if you have any questions regarding these materials at (206) 935-8500.
Library Time Ending
Please note that our school library is closing at the end of May for the school year. Final day to check out books to take home will be May 31st. Books will not be checked out after this date. Students will have a chance to visit in June and to return books. Thank you.
Student Council News – Buddy Bench by Pearle, 3rd Grade
The buddy bench started when I was thinking of student council ideas. I told myself “well in order to have a solution you need to have a problem.” So I thought of some problems.
- The 3rd – 5th grade doesn’t have a good spot to put their lunch boxes.
- Some people don’t have anyone to play with
I chose number two. I thought I had seen some schools using a buddy bench through their VBS video’s so I searched the web and there it was! Now thanks to a private donation and Student Council funds we have already raised, we have our own buddy bench.
School Clubs – Click Here
Today is our last Lego club – Thanks to Mrs. Brumberg for hosting this fun club!
Year Book Order Form – Click Here
Order forms are being taken for purchase of our 2017-2018 school annual! Don’t miss out on this wonderful yearbook that includes ALL grades, including preschool, along with Hope’s programs. Order yours today through the webstore in your K12online link here using your students ID & access key. Year books are $25.00, and orders will be filled on a first come, first served, basis. If you have already placed your order through K12online you do not need to order again. Thank you!
Staffing Update
Interviews for Hope’s open positions are finishing up. As we finalize candidates, we will keep you all updated. Thanks for your prayers as we journey to find the right staff for our wonderful school.
Eagle Classic Golf Tournament
We are taking a year off from this annual fundraiser. We value all our past participants and supporters of the tournament and Hope Athletics program. The staff is evaluating this event and looking into opportunities for next year. Stay tuned!
Church News & Activities – Click Here
VBS is July 23 -27, 2018 – Register here
