Retirement Reflections by Roselyn Newton, Middle School teacher
I feel like an actress taking her final curtain call, but my heart aches. My heart is filled with an overwhelming gratefulness to so many that it is difficult to know where to begin. This teaching career was not my choice, but clearly was given to me by my Lord. It has been filled with people and challenges that made me a better person.
I am thankful to all my students who helped me understand the importance of laughing at myself. It was rewarding to watch you all grow in faith, build academic skills, overcome obstacles, and walk proudly out the door headed to high school.
I am thankful for the many parents who coached, coaxed, and sometimes coerced their daughters and sons to believe in themselves. I am thankful we were able to work together as partners watching these young people mature and grow in self-confidence.
I am thankful for the people God placed near me to work with. These were strong, God-loving people, who loved and cared for their students. These were people who selflessly worked together out of support for each other. Thank you especially to the middle school staff for the cooperative efforts you made to help students succeed. I’m especially thankful for time to work with Leah Evjen-Bryan, our resource teacher. We spent hours discussing strategies and techniques to help students learn better. I’m thankful for Shari Wallace who kept me on track, a full-time job in itself. I’m most grateful to our principal, Kristen Okabayashi, who listened to my concerns, made helpful suggestions, and kept me grounded. I loved working with all of you. You make it difficult for me to walk away; I anticipate an emptiness in my heart that will be difficult to fill.
Finally, thank you to Hope Church for supporting me during my tenure at Hope School. Your prayers were needed and so appreciated. Thank you for supporting me in ways I don’t even know or understand!
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 6/1: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Mr. Kopecky / Principal Asher – Wear clothing demonstrating what do you want to be when you grow up!
Fri. 6/3: Yearbook Order Forms Due
Sat. 6/4: 8:00 AM Eagle Classic Golf Tournament
Mon., June 6 to Wed., June 8 – Finals for Grades 7 & 8
Tues. 6/7: 5:30 PM WA. D.C. Fundraiser at Coastline / 7:00 PM Spring Drama Performance
Wed. 6/8: No Chapel
Thurs. 6/9: 10:45 AM & 1:00 PM Preschool 4 Class Graduations / 2:00 PM Kindergarten Graduation / Last Day for Hot Lunch Service
Fri. 6/10: 8:40 Closing Chapel led by Pastor Peter / 10:00 AM Dismiss / ESC “XTRA” Open / 7:00 PM
Eagle Classic Golf Tournament – June 4th
We made sure to put our order in early for some great weather for the Eagle Classic, June 4th! Wear your sunscreen and hat in preparation for 84 degrees. There is still time for last minute registrations if you aren’t signed up yet click here. We look forward to seeing you bright and early in time for the 8 am shotgun start!
Hope School Year Book
Don’t miss out on this wonderful yearbook that includes ALL grades, including preschool, along with Hope’s programs. Order forms found here and are due by this Friday, June 3rd, cost $25.00, and orders will be filled on a first come, first served, basis.
Librarian Help Needed
We are so thankful to have had the leadership of Karin Roney, our volunteer librarian, over the past several years at Hope! The Roney family is moving to Maple Valley, leaving the position open for someone new. Our vision is to have someone commit 3-5 hours per week helping K-5 classrooms visit the library, and to have 2-3 other volunteers take time 1-2 hours per week shelving books, etc. A small stipend may be available for the librarian leader position. Please contact the school office if you are interested or would like more information.
Seeking Parents and Teachers of Hope (PTH) Board for Next School Year
PTH has two vacant positions for the 2016-2017 board. PTH is a great way to get to know other parents better, learn more about the inner workings of Hope, and feel good about providing support to students, parents, and teachers. You also earn PIP for serving on the board!
Other board members are available to train new board members and for questions throughout the year. There is just one meeting a month (August-May), three of which are General PTH meetings. Being a board officer will fulfill all of your PIP hours for an entire school year. Members-at-large generally earn up to 15 hours of their annual PIP by serving on the board. We are a small-budget PTH, so the board jobs are very manageable. Please contact PTH President, Sonjia Barker, at sonjiabarker@hotmail.com if you are interested and/or would like more info about serving on the PTH Board.
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Need Lunch assistance on Thursday through end of the school year!
Spring Drama Performances – June 7th
Come for a fun evening performance at 7:00 PM from our spring drama groups after dinner at Coastline. Held in our Hope Church Commons/Sanctuary.
The Internet is a Distract…OH LOOK A KITTEN! By Ian McWethy – Grades 7&8
A high-octane comedy that explores the rabbit hole of distraction we all go down every time we go online.
Game of Tiaras by Don Zolidis – Grades 4 thru 6
Combining the gut-wrenching plot twists of Game of Thrones, and the soul-numbing despair of Shakespearean tragedy, this adaptation of King Lear will leave you dying with laughter as the body count mounts. When you play the Game of Tiaras, you win or you die.
Washington D.C. Fundraiser at Coastline Burgers – June 7th
We invite you for a fun evening at Coastline Burgers (4444 California Ave SW) from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. It will be a fabulous night with burgers, friends and art. A percentage of the night’s proceeds will benefit our 7/8th grade Washington DC Enrichment program. Plus, several artists from our Hope community have donated items for our art sale. We look forward to seeing you at Coastline Burgers, Tuesday, June 7!
Support Hope Lutheran Church & School when you shop on Amazon!
Hope Lutheran Church & School receives a portion of each sale when you shop at smile.amazon.com at no cost to you. It’s a simple and automatic way for you to support Hope Lutheran Church & School and you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com. To shop at AmazonSmile, simply click here , then select Hope Lutheran Church & School – West Seattle when prompted. Hope Church & School operates under a combined budget; Smile dollars received will be recorded in a joint line item in the operating budget. Thank you for your support!
