Preschool Fun by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
Recently someone was asking me how I manage the stresses of my job, because as you might guess, sometimes being a principal is not easy! I answered the person who asked with the usual answers you might expect: I have a number of people I can run ideas by, I have a prayer group I can ask to pray for me, or I will take a short walk around the school or grounds just to get some fresh air. However, my other “go to” stress management tool is one that is the most fun: I go for a visit to our Hope Preschool!
On a recent visit to our preschool 4s class, I walked in to see lead teacher Mrs. Seraile dressed up with a fiery orange wig as she led our morning preschool students in learning about the season of fall during circle time. Meanwhile, assistant Mrs. Gardner was sweeping up confetti and other art supplies and it looked like she was about to set out some yummy snack items. I made a note that the class beta fish was swimming away in his fishbowl, fortunately surviving longer than the goldfish before him. This little moment in time is mostly what preschool is about – a bit of academic learning, lots of art and experiential learning, and snack. Why wouldn’t I want to hang out in preschool?!?
I love our preschoolers’ enthusiasm and exuberance. As they were walking around the school grounds the morning of the Orange Ruler Fun Run, I was walking the other way and could hear them chanting, “Go…. Eagles!!!” with the energy only three and four year olds can muster. From the sensory table to the garden area to the writing curriculum “Handwriting without Tears”, our preschoolers are fully engaged in whatever they are doing. It brings me joy to watch them as they learn without realizing how much they are learning. We are blessed with a preschool staff that are young at heart themselves, and enjoy learning with them.
Calendar of Events
Wed. 10/28: 8:40 AM Chapel w/Pastor Peter / 12:00 Dismiss – NW District Conference / ESC “XTRA” Open 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Thurs. & Fri. 10/29 & 10/30: No School – NW District Conference / ESC “XTRA” Open
Tues. 11/3: 6:30 PM Kindergarten Info Night
Wed. 11/4: 8:40 AM Chapel w/Pastor Peter
Thurs. 11/5: 6:30 PM Auction Meeting
Fri. 11/6: Free Dress Day
Sports Events Calendar – Click Here
Dads & Donuts Event a Success!
Special shout out to the 30+ fathers and special guests that attended the Dads and Donuts event on Wednesday, Oct. 21st! It was a treat to see you all here and connect with you. For those that missed this event, we hope to see you at the next family fellowship event this year.
Kindergarten Open House – Tues. Nov. 3 @ 6:30
Come and visit us at our Kindergarten Open House on Tuesday, November 3rd, 6:30-8:00 p.m. We will provide information regarding kindergarten readiness and what to look for in kindergarten from our Preschool Director Mrs. Figgins, as well as hear more about our kindergarten program from our teacher, Mrs. Neafcy. Onsite childcare and refreshments will be provided. Please call the school office at 935-8500 or email admissions@hopeseattle.org for more information. If you would like to be a greeter, prepare a dessert or help with childcare, please email Sally Heit.
Auction Procurement Meeting – November 5 @ 6:30
We have been getting a great response from the community from our recent auction mailing, but there is still work to be done. Our next meeting will focus on procurement, assigning areas and/or businesses to follow up with and generating ideas for auction items. We invite you to join us November 5 @ 6:30 at Sarah Nicol’s home (8412 Tillicum Rd, Seattle 98136). All ideas are welcome and appreciated! PIP hours apply.
More Halloween Candy Than You Need?
Why not share your extra sweets with troops serving in our military? PTH is collecting extra Halloween candy until November 6th. Bring your candy to your child’s classroom and a prize will be given to the classroom that brings in the most donations (determined by weight per person).
Hope Food Drive to Fill the Closet – Nov. 9-20
Hope School student council is sponsoring a food drive to benefit our community and our Hope Church food closet. Food will be collected November 9-20, 2015. Please consider how you can be a blessing to those in need, and donate to our food drive. We are looking for donations of all canned food, and especially ready-to-eat foods such as granola bars, canned meat, flop-top canned fruit, etc. The winning classroom is decided by the average donation per student and will earn a free dress pass for a day. Thank you!
Box Top & Labels For Education
We are hoping to get increased funding from these two programs this year which directly support our preschool classrooms. Please check your kitchens/pantries for products that have the Box Tops and Labels for Education and send them in. To make it easy for everyone, we have a drop box in each classroom and included in your Tuesday envelopes are information and collection sheets. Thank you for your help collecting these to benefit our school!
Believe PTH Fundraiser – Nov. 2-16
With your help, PTH (Parents and Teachers of Hope) would like to raise $5,000 for programs and projects for the school and children through our Believe fundraiser. We are asking every family to participate. Please sell at least 10 items so we will hit our goal. We are counting on these funds for the benefit of each and every child. !
How to Participate: Sell or purchase 10 or more items. Complete order form & collect money as you sell. Return orders to the school office by Tuesday, November 16th. Orders will arrive for distribution in time before the Christmas holidays (expected delivery is by 11/17/15) Make Checks Payable To: Hope Lutheran PTH
What You Get: Participants can win lots of prizes from the prize envelope and online! Check out www.BelievePrizes.com and enter to win 100’s of awesome prizes!
Contact Sandra Hines via email at Sandra@windermere.com with any questions or if you would like assist with this fundraiser.
Daylight Savings Time
Remember that this coming Saturday night, October 31st, is “Fall Back” night! Set your clocks back an hour and enjoy that extra hour of sleep!
7th/8th Basketball Schedules
Basketball schedules were sent home in the Tuesday Envelopes to grades 7 & 8 today, please be on the look for them. These schedules are set, but we all know that changes will likely occur. Please keep up to date with the schedule via the school calendar found on our website. The schedule will be posted soon. Also please remember to turn in your registration form and fee either via the website or to the office with Mrs. Wallace. Please contact Brett Kapels with any questions at Bkapels@hopeseattle.org.
Afterschool Activities – Click Here
Auction News & Opportunities – Click Here
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities – Click Here
After School Club Volunteers needed
Auction help
Open House help
Seattle Lutheran High School – Open House – Tuesday Nov. 3, 2015 – 7:00 – 8:30 pm
We welcome all to attend the Open House at Seattle Lutheran High School. As we grow we are proud of our authentic connection to our foundation, our innovative 21st Century approach to learning, and the value we offer for those who choose to invest in the future of our young adults. Come see great how we achieve great things with a personal approach. Please visit our website at www.seattlelutheran.org for more information.
