Christmas Cheer by KristenOkabayashi
During this time of year, it is difficult to slow down and simply enjoy the season. Many of you know that I have four boys, all of whom play basketball. I was looking at our calendar this past Sunday to prepare for the week, and saw five basketball games for the week, our school’s early childhood Advent program Wednesday, 2 Christmas parties to attend, numerous basketball practices, 4 dentist appointments, and an ice skating youth group event. Wow! Thank goodness for a supportive husband.
This year especially though, I feel like my family has our hearts pointed in the right direction. For the first time, all our Hope homeroom classes have “adopted” a needy family for Christmas. My kids have all helped me figure out what would be the perfect item or items to purchase for that needy family. My 8th grader’s adopted family has an 11 year old boy, so my younger boys helped give great gift suggestions for him. I am especially touched by one of my kids, who has made up his own Christmas wish list but has spent even more time drawing up his giving list for family members. He has figured out presents that he thinks each family member will love, and also figured out prices and which brother he will ask to join in with him in giving that gift if it is pricey.
You have all shown us your own giving hearts this year, in the overwhelming support of our food drive for needy families last month, and now with your donations to our Giving Tree families. While it is so fun to give our loved ones gifts they appreciate, it is also such a joy to give people who truly need it wonderful gifts. Thank you for your giving hearts!
Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
Admissions by SallyHeit
One of my favorite things about being Admissions Counselor is that I get to tour prospective families around our great school. I love showing off our enthusiastic teachers and busy classrooms full of creative kids. One of the other favorite things I love to do is welcome new students and their families into our Hope family. This is such a time; help me welcome Ava S. to fourth grade! Ava began yesterday and we are so pleased to welcome her to our school.
Library News by Karin Roney
I have been busy this fall collecting some great new library books and I look forward to organizing our library over Christmas break in order to re-open in January with a fresh new school library. In preparation for all of this, please return all library books during the week of December 16th so we can account for all our books. Thanks so much!
Calendar of Events
Wed. 12/11: 8:40 AM Chapel with 3rd Grade – Advent Theme / 6:30 PM Early Childhood Advent Program – Preschool & Kindergarten
Wed. 12/18: 7:00 PM Sounds of Christmas Concert – Middle School Groups & SLHS
Fri. 12/20: 8:40 AM Chapel with Kindergarten class – Christmas Theme w/Chapel Band, Choir & Bell Choir / Noon Dismiss: Christmas Holiday / ESC “XTRA” Open
Dec. 23 – Jan. 3, 2014: School Closed for Christmas and New Years Holiday / ESC Closed
Mon. 1/6: School Resumes
Santa-grams
Student council is selling candy cane Santa-grams through December 17 to raise money to support our school. Each candy cane comes with a Christmas greeting and they will cost 50 cents. Look for the table in the entryway of the school in the morning and the upstairs hall during lunch. Buy one for all your friends and teachers. Student council will deliver on Friday, Dec. 20.
Scrip Orders for Christmas
The last date to get your order in for Christmas scrip purchases is Monday, December 16. After that date we will only have what is available daily in the box. Now is a great time to order for your teachers, family and kids. We also have “Scrip Gift Certificates” that can be turned in to purchase scrip if you don’t know what that special person wants! Thanks for your continued support!
Christmas Spirit Day, Friday, 12/20
Student council is sponsoring a Christmas Spirit Day on Friday, December 20, 2013. Students may wear Christmas colors to show their Christmas spirit, including Santa hats or other apparel. This is a free dress day so students choosing not to dress up can still be in free dress. Merry Christmas from student council!
Hope School Christmas Concerts
Get in the spirit of Christmas by attending one or both of HopeSchool’s Christmas concerts this December. Hope’s early childhood program (preschool and kindergarten) will perform “Christmas is Coming!” Tomorrow, December 11 at 6:30 PM. Our youngest Hope students will celebrate advent with this sweet performance, followed by juice and cookies in the commons.
Hope’s middle school musicians will perform in our annual “Sounds of Christmas” concert coming up on December 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The concert will feature our middle school chapel band, handbell choir, and vocal choir performing with the Seattle Lutheran High School band. We hope you can join us for this festive event, held in the Hope Church sanctuary.
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities
January 14, 2014 Open House Event
Distribute Open House Event Flyers: Help is needed to advertise our upcoming Open House night on Tuesday, January 14th to our local community.
Prepare Baked Goods: Bring baked goods for our open house to the school office by noon on Tuesday, January 14th.
Night of Event Help: Assist with setting up refreshments, meet and greet our prospective families and/or help clean up.
Please contact our Admissions Counselor, SallyHeit at sheit@hopeseattle.org to volunteer for any of these opportunities.
Library Help:
Help will be needed in the New Year to level books in the library. Contact our librarian, KarinRoney at karin@roneyfamily.net to volunteer. Thank you!
