Happy Friday,

This message contains a variety of topics and information. We apologize in advance for it’s length but are happy to share out important details that impact our school community.

Yesterday, I completed the final budget arena for Nathan Hale HS. The budget arena is when I submit my final budget for Nathan Hale and allocate all the money needed to run all our programs for the upcoming school year. I am thankful for the Nathan Hale Senate, Department leaders, SEA Union representatives, NH support staff, and the Nathan Hale Foundation for all the support and trust in completing the budget process for the upcoming 26-27 school year. We had to make some cuts that will force us to shift how we provide the best customer service and support to students, while trying to maintain a positive school culture grounded in a student focus.

When you walk around the school, students, staff, and the community will notice new and updated bright yellow safety signs to help keep our school safe. The signs remind people: 1. Make sure the door closes behind you! 2. Don’t hold the door for strangers! 3. Wear your ID badge (students should have their Student ID cards)! And 4. All visitors must sign in at the main office! The SaferWatch hotline number is 206-222-HELP and to report suspicious behavior call 206-222-4357. Please keep these numbers for your personal use as needed.

We also have new See Something – Send Something posters around the school. These posters help students, staff, and the community navigate emergency situations. In an emergency, call 911 immediately. To submit a safety or security concern that is not an emergency, please use one of the tip reporting methods provided. Please remember you can choose to remain anonymous. 1. Call US Anytime: call anytime, 24/7, including holidays. 206-222-4357. 2. Text Your Tip: Text your tip – no app required. 206-222-4357. 3. Submit a Tip Online: submit a tip anonymously online – Seattleschools.org. or 4. SaferWatch App: submit tips through the SaferWatch app – GetSaferWatch.com. May this information be beneficial as we all must be partners to keep the school and community safe.

This week I enjoyed getting into some classrooms and seeing students in our AP Psychology 2 class practicing their interview skills using the Big 5 Personality Interview questionnaire to determine what Big 5 trait their partner displays the most strongly after interviewing them. I participated in the activity and enjoyed working directly with Austin to determine my strongest trait. I was happy to find out that Openness to Experience and Extraversion are my strongest traits, at least today. What I enjoyed the most about being in this class was seeing students working closely together and sharing authentically with their peers. We have future psychologists coming out of Hale. I would also like to highlight another joy I experienced today was a teacher who shared her pride in learning one of her students received a full ride scholarship to Johns Hopkins University. This is what it is all about: celebrating the accomplishments of our NH students and families as they brave their journey through academia in the halls of Nathan Hale. I encourage all Hale families to see our awesome graduation banner in the main office foyer that highlights the colleges and programs attended by the accomplished class of 2025. I look forward to seeing where the class of 2026 will go beyond high school.

On Wednesday, we had an awesome career fair at Nathan Hale during Mentorship time. Students had the opportunity to learn about cool programs available for them within our city. We had the City of Seattle – DSHS, North Seattle College – Electronics Programs, Pharmacy Technician Program, SPS Skills Center, Universal Technical Institute – manufacturer – specific advanced training, the Washington State Patrol, Delta Airlines – inflight department, King County Metro – maintenance department, and Alderwood Dental and many more. There are so many resources and opportunities for students. Please contact Ms. Hester for more information and support with career connected learning opportunities.  

Spring Concert #1: The music department hosted the first of two concerts this past week. On Tuesday evening, attendees were able to hear from the Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble and Symphonic Band. The next concert on Friday, May 27 will feature Vocal Jazz, Concert Choir and Concert Orchestra. The concert starts at 7 p.mm and is free. All are welcome to attend!

Landscape Work Party! Students, parents, and community members are invited to join us for a landscape work party along Thornton Creek on Sunday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students can earn service hours! We have a bit more invasive species removal to do but we are also going to be planting rushes, sedges, and smaller herbaceous plants along the streambank this weekend. Gloves and tools provided. For more information and to RSVP: Thornton Creek Volunteer Work Party – Fill out form

Athletics – Springs sports season is off to a great start. There is still time to join a spring sport in FinalForms. Track & Field is looking for more female throwers.

ASB Card – All athletes are required to purchase an ASB card. ASB cards are an investment in all student activities. They help purchase awards, uniforms, and equipment for our sport teams. We will be assigning unpaid ASB fees as fines to your student’s account. The fine will help ensure that the required fee will be paid before clearance to participate in graduation.

Game Day Attendance Sheets – Student athletes must attend all classes on game days, including Mentorship, to be eligible to compete on game day. Game day attendance sheets are in the main office. They must be signed by every teacher and turned into the coach at the end of the day. If the athlete has a doctor/dental appointment on game day, you must attach a doctor’s note to the game day sheet to verify the appointment.

I am looking forward to Unity in the Community on Wednesday, March 25th. Unity in the Community is a student-led and organized day filled with workshops curated by our students. It is a regular school day for students when we follow a different schedule than our typical day. Students will start off their day in an all-school assembly and then will attend 3 workshops. I look forward to seeing what workshops students choose to engage in.

From Student Leadership: it’s officially election season. Does your student want to be involved in planning events and have their voice heard? They can run to be class or student body president, vice-president, treasurer, or secretary or class senate rep. They can also apply to be a commissioner and join the Nathan Hale leadership class. Intent to run forms will be available Thursday, March 26 in the main office and are due Thursday, April 2. 

 ASB Election timeline:

3/26 – Intent to Run Forms and Commissioner Applications available
4/2 – Intent to Run Forms, Speech, & Info Sheet and Commissioner Applications Due
4/8 – Candidates give speeches during mentorship
4/9 – Election/Voting during ELA classes
4/10 – Results Announced at End of Day.

We now have 12 days left in the 3rd quarter, which ends on April 7. Parents, please connect with your students and ask them if they are meeting their academic goals by passing all their classes. If your student is struggling to meet their goals, or your expectations, I highly encourage you to have them sign up to talk with their school counselor, see their grade level administrator, or talk with an academic intervention specialist located in room 2145. Remember students need 24 credits to graduate. Check out SPS graduation requirements.

Reminder that SPS Spring Break is on April 13 – 17. Please make sure that your student completes a Pre-Planned Absence Form if they will not be at school before or after these designated dates. Contact halehs.attendance@seattleschools.org for more info.

Have a great weekend. Enjoy some sun. Keep working hard the quarter is about to end. 

In Partnership,

Ms. Jolene Grimes
Proud Principal