WOH For Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017
Behavior & Discipline by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
Student behavior can be a topic that is really hard to talk about. And yet, we all realize that just as we as parents (and people) are not perfect, certainly our kids are not perfect either! Part of being a school is managing student behaviors and discipline, and so I wanted to share a bit more about our processes here at Hope.
The most important part of student behavior and discipline begins in the classroom with our teachers’ classroom management. The vast majority of our faculty are teaching veterans, who have picked up many skills along the way for helping students be successful in the classroom. Positive incentives to encourage good behavior can include anything from stickers to earning points towards a classroom reading party to encouraging good leadership of younger students. Different students are motivated by different rewards, and while some students are intrinsically motivated and find it mostly easy to manage themselves, others need more reminders. When behaviors go astray, teachers will often have small strategies in place in the classroom, including minutes away from recess or laps to run at recess, a quiet corner for a student to go to gather himself/herself, or even just a simple touch on the shoulder or look from the teacher. As mentioned previously, Hope has also rolled out our new social and emotional skills curriculum “Second Step”, which helps student proactively recognize when they or another student is in emotional distress.
At times, students may need more than just a gentle reminder to help them manage themselves, and these larger types of behaviors may result in a consequence from our discipline rubric, which you can find in our parent handbook. If a student exhibits a behavior that warrants a consequence from the rubric, as parents you can always expect to be contacted about your child’s involvement. While in general our students are well behaved and make my job easier than most, our students are still “normal” kids who do at times say or do things that are mean, impulsive or hurtful. It’s our job as educators (and parents) to help them navigate through those mistakes and hopefully not make the same mistake again.
Often another student is involved in this behavior mishap, and if/when that happens, and if it’s a minor incident, we encourage that student to ignore it or work it out together. If it’s a larger incident or the student needs assistance with a smaller incident, we ask that students get an adult at Hope involved immediately so that we can help address it right away while memories are fresh. At times a student will not bring it up at school but will share later with a parent, which is okay too, and if that happens please encourage your student to bring it up with an adult at Hope the next day. Part of navigating through conflicts involves both sides of an issue and we are happy to help that student sort through it. It’s fine to send an email and give the teacher a heads up as well.
Please let your child’s teacher know if you have any questions about discipline and behavior management, or feel free to reach out to me as well. Know that it’s a normal and usual part of being in a school environment with 200 other students!
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. Nov. 14 to Fri. 17: Student Council Hosted Food Drive
Tonight 11/14: 6:30 PM All School Open House
Wed. 11/15: 8:00 AM Donuts with Dad / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 3 / 6:30 PM Auction Meeting
Thurs. 11/16: Dine Out for DC 5:00 to 10:00 PM
Fri. 11/17: Free Dress Day
Mon. 11/20: 9:00 to 11:00 AM Picture Retake Day
Wed. 11/22: Noon Dismiss / ESC Closes at 3:00 PM / Thanksgiving Break / End 1st Trimester
Thurs. & Fri. 11/23 & 11/24: No School No ESC – Thanksgiving Break
Extended School Care & Sand Dollar Club Closures
Please note that our Extended School Care and Sand Dollar Club will be closing at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, 11/22 however both programs will be open before school.
We will be closed Thursday & Friday 11/23 & 11/24 in observance of Thanksgiving.
School Athletic Events – Click Here
Before & After School Clubs – Click Here
School Directories Coming Home Today
Every effort has been made to publish a complete directory. Please contact Shari Wallace, Office Manager at swallace@hopeseattle.org for any additions, deletions, or corrections. We will list any changes in our Words of Hope. Please honor the privacy of this directory. It is for the use of our school only and should not be shared with other organizations.
Hope Food Drive Continues
Join in this joint effort to stock Hope’s food closet, along with our two local food banks! You can help by bringing in canned and boxed items by Friday the 17th. Items with pull-tops are preferred since many people don’t have can openers. Please note: we cannot accept any opened/used/expired products.
Reminder – Auction Meeting/Planning – Nov. 15 at 6:30 PM
In terms of volunteers, we are still looking for a Communications Coordinator, an Event Planner and Room Parents for those interested in creating community among families in each grade.
Donuts with Dad! – Tomorrow, November 15 at 8 AM
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.
Dine Out for DC! November 16 from 5:00 to 10:00 PM
Join us Thursday night at the Great American Diner and help raise funds for the East Coast Enrichment Program Trip! The Great American Diner will donate a portion of each guest check to the program. The Diner will be featuring an Italian Buffet for HOPE, items include: Chicken Picatta, pasta, grilled vegetables, garlic bread and salad. There will also be a kids menu and a few of their popular hamburgers. There will be items to raffle off as well which include: Head To Toe Day Spa gift certificate, U Village Kid’s Club gift card, Click!, West Seattle gift card, Capers gift card, Hope School free dress pass and photographic canvas by Jason Schrage. We look forward to seeing you there!
School Pictures Retake Day Nov. 20
Please note that our retake day is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20 from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Students who were absent will have pictures taken this day. You can still order at mylifetouch.com, ID: LS117052Q1. If you feel you need a retake, bring your first picture packet in on picture day to return to photographer.
Our Preschool 3 Monday & Tuesday class will be getting their group as well as individual pictures taken this day.
PTH & PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Need one volunteer to assist with picture retake day on Monday, November 20. Please call the school office to volunteer at 206-935-8500.
Lost & Found Items
Parents please note that we have a bin for lost & found items in our school lobby and it is overflowing! If your student is missing an item please have them check for it. We will donate all items left by Thanksgiving break. Thank you
Church News & Activities – Click Here
Church Office Assistant Needed
We currently have an open position for a part-time Office Assistant to handle all church and school accounts payable and ensure the timely and efficient payment of creditors. This position supports the Parish Administrator with additional tasks related to payroll and benefits, month end close and other administrative areas. This is a 10 hour per week hourly position with flexible scheduling Mondays through Thursdays, 12 months of the year. Minimum Qualifications: Some accounts payable or general accounting experience, proficient PC and network computer skills, intermediate-level expertise in MS Excel and Word, detail-oriented with good interpersonal and problem solving skills. Please find a complete job description at http://hopeseattle.org/about-us/employment/. To apply, complete an application found on the same page and submit to jdoerr@hopeseattle.org by Wednesday, November 15th.