WOH For Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020
Election Day by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
As we begin our day today, I know many of us in our Hope community and around the nation are feeling a wide variety of emotions. This election year has certainly been different than previous ones in my lifetime. As you might expect, our students, staff and families all have different thoughts and opinions about who and what to vote for.
As we journey through today and the coming days, regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, as well as more local issues, at Hope School we will continue to support and teach our students. We will work hard to be sure all students feel safe, respected, and valued.
And, as you journey with your students at home, we have some reminders for you to maintain your equilibrium and support your student:
- Stay present in the moment. Focus on what you can control and cannot control. Practice self-care and calming techniques such as prayer, deep breathing, exercise, or other ways of managing your stress. Avoid projecting into the future.
- Distract yourself and your children with activities that are important to your family. Playing games, reading, talking, and other activities can take your mind off heavy events if needed.
- Limit consumption of news and social media outlets. Set family limits and media boundaries. Turn off notifications on your device if needed.
- Ask for help when you or your child needs it. Pay attention to your child’s stress and your own stress and take action if needed. If you are unsure if you are doing okay, talk with a trusted relative or friend. If you or your child’s stress or anxiety seems unmanageable, consider seeking professional help. I have an ongoing list of counselors available as a resource as well.
In West Seattle we do not anticipate heavy protests or demonstrations overnight or later in the week, but we will be following local news reports carefully. If we feel that it is unsafe to open school tomorrow, we will let you know via email and phone as soon as we can. Again, we do not expect this to happen, and SPD does not expect it either, but just want to be prepared.
Please join us in lifting up our local and national community in peace and care for one another. We are thankful for all of you!
Parent/Teacher Conferences Reminder
If you have not signed up for upcoming parent teacher conferences, today is the deadline to sign up. K-8 student fall conferences are strongly encouraged, particularly during this pandemic school year. Preschool student fall conferences are optional, with the required conferences occurring in the spring for preschool.
This year, most conferences will be held with the homeroom teacher only, including middle school. Please click on the link below to sign up for a conference time on November 5 and 6, 2020, with your student’s teacher. All conferences will be held via the homeroom teacher’s Zoom and will be 20 minutes in length. Please let us know in the office if you have any questions about parent/teacher conferences; we look forward to meeting with all of you!
https://sites.google.com/hopeseattle.org/hls-ptc-booking/home
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 11/4: 8:40 AM Online Chapel Led by Mrs. Neafcy, Kindergarten Teacher
Thur. & Fri. 11/5 & 11/6: No School for Parent/Teacher Conferences / ESC Open
Wed. 11/11: No School – Veterans Day
Wed. 11/25: Noon Dismiss for Thanksgiving Break / ESC & Sand Dollar Club Closes at 3:00 PM for Thanksgiving Break / Last day of Trimester 1
Thur. & Fri. 11/26 & 11/27: No School / No ESC – Thanksgiving Break
Middle School Schedule Change for Tomorrow, November 4, 2020
Previously, November 4 was a no school day for middle school due to parent teacher conferences. Since the middle school students learn from specialists on Wednesdays this year, middle school students will continue to have school as usual that day. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Hope All School Virtual Open House – November 17, 2020 @ 6 pm
It is a fact that the majority of new families that seek out Hope School do so because a friend referred them or encouraged them to check us out. You, our families, are our biggest cheerleaders, and we thank you! We will be hosting a virtual all school open house November 17th and need your help to spread the word far and wide. Invite your friends and family members to log on and see what Hope School is all about. Register to attend the event.
Greater West Seattle Middle School Virtual Information Night – November 9, 2020 @ 6pm
Hope School will be participating in the 3rd annual middle school information night as one of the many local options for middle schools. This event is an opportunity for families looking at middle school options to learn more about what to expect in middle school. The general meeting kicks off at 6 pm and then families can join individual Zoom links for the schools they want to learn more about. Register to attend at this link. Spread the word to friends and have them come check out Hope!
Parent Involvement Program or PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Garden Clean-Up Day – November 7
On Saturday, November 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, join the Hope Community for a morning of fresh air and gardening. Our crew will be hard at work, rain or shine, and would love extra hands to help winterize our gardens; stay for an hour or stay the whole morning! Tasks include weeding, pruning, clearing debris, as well as a couple bigger projects for those able. Some tools will be available but feel free to bring your own. Click here to register.
Social distancing between households will be maintained and masks required when working next to others. PIP hours are available for Hope School families. For questions, email church@hopeseattle.org.
Holiday Shopping With Scrip – Support Hope School
There are many ways to order scrip and support Hope Lutheran School.
- Shopwithscrip.com
- Paper order from (available at Hope’s website under Parents, then Scrip)
- RaiseRight App (Enrollment code: 1C27LC3812L43)
Earn 1 PIP hour when you purchase $200 of scrip in a month.
School Pictures Arrived – Retake Day Nov. 20
Your Lifetouch school pictures have arrived. In school students will receive them in your Tuesday packets and virtual student packets will be mailed. Please note that our retake day is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20 from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Students who were absent will have pictures taken this day. If you feel you need a retake, bring your first picture packet in on picture retake day to return to photographer.
You can still order on www.my.lifetouch.com and enter your Picture Day ID EVTZPBJV
Church Happenings – Click Here
Giving Tree – November 1 – 15
Giving Tree is finally off to a start for this year! Although things will look different due to COVID-19, things are still very much the same. The need with these kids is still so great and they need to feel the love of Jesus through us! What joy that we can still serve in some way!
Here is what Giving Tree looks like this year: Because we are not gathering in-person for church, we will not have an actual tree to choose actual tags from. Instead, we are asking for monetary donations to help HCM purchase all the gifts. Most tags average about $100. Any donation amount would be welcomed!
*To donate directly to Human Care Ministry, please click HERE – https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/hopeseattle or click on GIVE and choose Human Care Ministry.
We would like to gather all donations no later than Sunday, November 15th so that we can build a budget for our purchases. We will not be wrapping gifts but, instead, we will provide paper and tape for the parents to wrap items on their own. In addition, the Giving Tree will be done off-site due to the needs of the Fellowship Hall by the school. Please pray for this ministry as we follow this new path to serve these children.