WOH For Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017
Why Fundraise? By Heather Paar, Hope parent and PTH Board Member
Before my oldest child started kindergarten, I remember countless conversations with other mothers about choosing a great school. In all those conversations, one statement was made time and time again: “What makes a school great is how involved the parents are.”
When we came to our family interview at Hope, the first thing Mrs. Okabayashi said to us was that Hope families were not pretentious. It was very important to her that we knew that – and it was just what I wanted to hear. I wanted my child to feel safe, and free to learn and grow, but I didn’t want her to feel like she was part of a prestigious club or an elite group. Hope’s tuition was also more palatable than other private schools we had considered. Since coming to Hope, I have learned that the school and church significantly value keeping a high-quality education available to families of varying incomes. I appreciate that as a parent of three children at Hope, and for the diversity it brings to the Hope community.
Every year when fundraising comes up my husband and I join the chorus of parents bemoaning the selling of goods. Even the PTH board doesn’t like fundraising in the traditional sense. So, why do it? Why not just raise tuition instead? Why can’t tuition cover everything anyway? Here’s some insider knowledge I’ve gained in the last 3 years serving on the PTH board:
1) Our amazing teachers love it here. They could earn higher wages in public schools, but they choose to serve our kids because of the culture and the opportunities they have with students at Hope school. 2) The church supports the school financially and subsidizes our tuition payments to keep Hope affordable for families. 3) Mrs. Okabayashi uses our tuition money judiciously to keep the curriculum up to date and provide our students an amazing education.
4) Kids love treats. They need “treats” at school to keep learning fun and interesting. Treats like the Pacific Science Center van that comes to visit our campus, and brand-new cameras for the yearbook elective, and Foss Science kits in every classroom, and school dances, and extra art supplies for a special class project, and class parties, and sometimes a little extra math instruction from one of our outstanding teachers. These “treats” are paid for by the funds raised by the PTH.
The collaboration between teachers and parents works to enrich our kids experience at school. Could they get by without those extras? Yes. Would our school still meet the basic requirements for education? Yes. Would our kids’ hearts swell with pride when they thought about their school? Would they love the place where they spend most of their waking hours? One wonders…
The PTH works with an annual budget of about $35,000. It amounts to approximately $160 per student per year. Most of those funds come from our biennial auction/gala. Our goal this year is to raise $50,000 at our spring gala Hopecoming – so we can do away with the fundraising by small amounts and no one has to sell any more chocolate bars – or Chinook Books – to neighbors. What other ways could we fund the PTH budget? Raise tuition by $160 per student? Ask for a “love donation” from families every year? Let us know what you think! The first PTH general meeting of the year is tomorrow night, October 4 at 6pm in the Hope Commons. Join us! Childcare is provided plus you earn double PIP hours while learning what’s happening at school. You can be one of those parents who gets involved and make our school great. Bring your ideas and your talents so we can together do greater things.
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Wed. 10/4: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 6 / 6:00 PM PTH General Meeting
Thurs. 10/5: 6:30 PM Screening of Angst at Seattle Lutheran High Gym
Fri. 10/6: Free Dress Day
Wed. 10/11: School Pictures All Grades – Please note change in Date / 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 8 / 6:00 PM Hopecoming Gala Meeting
School Athletic Calendar of Events – Click Here
Athletic Photos Needed
Yearbook is on the search for Flag Football, Cross Country, Volleyball and Soccer photos. If you are at the games or meets and have captured some great shots you can submit them to Ms. Evjen-Bryan at levjen-bryan@hopeseattle.org.
PTH General Meeting – TOMORROW at 6:00 PM in Church Commons
Earn DOUBLE PIP hours for attending! Plus, meet your PTH Board, learn what’s coming up at school, and share your ideas. Childcare will be provided!
Hopecoming – Gala Meeting – October 11 at 6:00 PM – Church Commons
Did you miss the first meeting on 09/27? No worries, there’s lots of planning left and volunteer opportunities available. Come learn how you can make this highly anticipated event a success! Everyone can contribute! Do you have connections to local businesses or leaders in your industry? Sign up to lead our event sponsorship team! We need people with energy or experience in event planning, fundraising, marketing, graphic design, auction item procurement, and a host/emcee for our event.
School Pictures – All Grades – Date Change To Wednesday, Oct 11
Wednesday, October 11 will be picture day! We will offer students the choice to wear uniforms or “Classy Dress”. Please help your child select clothing they would like to wear for their picture, following the free dress day guidelines. Order forms can be found in your Tuesday envelope and should be brought in on picture day. Our picture ID number with Lifetouch is LS115363Q0. Simplify Picture Day by ordering online at mylifetouch.com. No need to send cash or flyer back to school when you order online. See more options available online and you can use a credit card or PayPal on their secure site.
Preschool 3s Monday-Tuesday only students will have picture day on Monday, November 20.
Chinook Book Update
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Chinook Book fundraiser a success. We are still finalizing the class numbers but we have already sold 280 books. That equals $3500 for our school programs! Orders that were returned to the school office have been fulfilled. PLEASE send any remaining orders or money for your sample Chinook Book to the office ASAP. We are still missing payment for 33 books. If you did not receive your books as ordered, or have any questions about your student’s order contact Heather Paar at 206-300-5233 or heatherpaar@yahoo.com.
Before & After School Clubs – Click Here
Lego club starts next Tuesday! Check out the calendar for dates and times of your favorite club.
School Directory & Handbooks
Please ensure we have up-to-date information on your family, address, phone numbers, contacts, etc… Go to K12Online for any updates. Directories will be complied this month with our goal to have them available by the end of October. Our school handbook will have a few minor changes and we will publish those next week. Look for your PTH handbook at our first general meeting tomorrow night and it is also available on the school website.
PTH & PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Picture Day Help – We need volunteers to assist with picture day on Wed., October 11. Contact Mrs. Wallace at swallace@hopeseattle.org or (206) 935-8500 if you are able to help for the day or ½ the day between 8:40 am and 2:00 pm. Thank you!
Lunch & Recess Help Still Needed – Earn Double PIP hours for the month of October!
Help still needed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays and every other Thursday. Our lunch time is from 11:40 am to 12:50 pm and our recess 12:00 to 1:05 pm. If you can help with any of these times, please contact Shari Wallace.
Church News & Activities – Click Here
First Communion Class – Begins On Sunday, October 15, At 9:30 A.M.
We invite children approximately age 10 or older to learn the basic teachings of our distinctive Lutheran Christian belief about the Lord’s Supper. One or both parents (or a close relative) are expected to join their children in the class. This class will meet for five weeks at 9:30 a.m. in Room 212, on the 2nd floor of the school. Pre-register by contacting Deacon Dan Jackson at djackson@hopeseattle.org. You may also contact the church office at 206-937-9330. If you have questions or wonder if your child is ready for this class, please contact Deacon Dan. First Communion for the children who attended these classes will be on Sunday, November 12, at the 10:30 service.
Hope 101 – New Member Coming Soon! This class is led by Pastor Peter and is designed to inform you and welcome you to Hope. Contact patramueller@hopeseattle.org for more information and to sign up. We are excited to make Hope your church home! Classes will be offered in a Sunday afternoon seminar format.