Current and Upcoming Items

Check school email and countdown calendar

Seniors, please check your school mail regularly. This is how we will communicate with you. You don’t want to miss important graduation information, dates and deadlines, and details of senior events. Also, check out the Senior Countdown Calendar for upcoming dates. This will be updated with dates and times as it gets confirmed.

Distribution of Cap and Gown – 4/29 and 5/15

Cap and gown orders will be distributed to seniors who have ordered them on Monday, 4/29, 3:15 to 4:00pm, and Wednesday, 5/15, 2:15 to 3:00pm, in the Commons.

For those who haven’t ordered their cap and gown yet, please go to National Achievers webpage to place your order. To order the cap, gown, stole and tassel only, go to the National Achievers Hale Cap and Gown unit order page. If you have a need for financial assistance, please see your counselor or Ms. Takahashi latakahashi@seattleschools.org in the Counseling Office for a loaner cap and gown. You may still need to purchase the tassel (it notes the graduation year) and stole, but regardless, talk to someone in the Counseling Office.

Senior Meeting, Wed, 5/15

All seniors should attend the Senior Meeting on Wednesday, 5/15 in the PAC during Mentorship (12:05-1:05pm). Updates to High School and Beyond requirements and additional information about year-end events and deadlines will be covered. Please plan on attending!

Check spelling of name – Due 5/17

Seniors should stop by the Main Office to check the spelling of their name for the graduation program (typically a keepsake for parents and grandparents) and for their diploma. Those who don’t review their name will find that it will read as it shows up in the Source. Email Rae Keyes rkkeyes@seattleschools.org in the Main Office if you have any questions.

Graduation Requirements – Due 6/3

These are all due on Monday, June 3rd. Seniors should check Naviance, which is your transcript portal for non-Common App schools. Through your Naviance account, seniors can finish up any incomplete tasks required for graduation. Log into Naviance through Clever using your school account. (Find Clever on the district Student and Family Portal webpage.) List of “tasks assigned to me” will be on the right-hand side of page as you scroll down. Graduation requirements that must be met include:

• High School & Beyond Plan – Found on Naviance
• Required courses for graduation
• PE competency assessnment
• Any PE Waivers – Sports waivers to Darby Haskins; all others to counselors.
• All fines paid.
• Service Learning hours complete (60 hours) and forms turned in.

Senior Check-Out Form

This will be distributed to you in your LA class on Monday, June 10th. Seniors will need to complete all the items on the form and turn it in on Friday, June 14th to the Main Office, at which time seniors receive their graduation tickets.

Senior SPREE

SPREE is a decades long tradition at both Nathan Hale and SPS. Senior class parents sponsor this event to provide a drug and alcohol-free, all-night extravaganza at two top secret locations, jam-packed with thrilling activities. Though this is not a school-sponsored event, it is the last time for seniors to gather with friends, classmates, teachers and coaches.  SPREE will be a safe and unforgettable experience for seniors on the evening of June 18th.

Parent donations raised enough money so ticket prices this year are just $145! Use the SPREE Registration link to sign up! Seniors should contact their counselor for information about scholarships. The SPREE website has more information for those with questions.

Graduation Rehearsal and Ceremony

Graduation Rehearsal – Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00am on Raider Field. This is required for all seniors participating in the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony – Tuesday, June 18th at 8:00pm on Raider Field. This will be rain or shine.

Graduation tickets will be distributed when seniors turn in their Senior Check-Out Form on Friday, June 14th. Each senior will receive 6 tickets. Those needing extra tickets can contact Rae Keyes rkkeyes@seattleschools.org in the Main Office and ask to be placed on a wait list. Extra tickets will be limited as it will only be determined after seniors pick up their tickets and let us know what they will not need for their guests.

Parking for graduation ceremony will be in our Student parking lot (south of Nathan Hale building), Staff/Visitor parking lot (west of building), or in Jane Addams Middle School parking lot (north of JAMS building). Street parking is also available. For families with guests in wheelchairs or with mobility issues, please contact Rae Keyes rkkeyes@seattleschools.org in the Main Office. She will put you on a list for limited parking available in the East parking lot. Though we create a list, it will be on a first-come, first-served basis as this lot will not be staffed shortly before ceremony starts since staff participate in the ceremony.

Professional photographer, Yuen Lui, will be on hand to take photos of graduates as they receive their diploma cover from Principal Jackson. Diplomas will not be available for students to pick up until mid/late August.

More information about the graduation ceremony will be emailed to students and families (via SchoolMessenger) as we get closer to graduation.

Yearbook Sales

Yearbooks will go back on sale in June and will cost $75.

FAFSA/WASFA

Both the FAFSA and WASFA are now open. The FAFSA is the federal application for financial aid. The Washington Application for State Financial Aid or WASFA is state financial aid for undocumented students and other select applicants.

Seattle Promise

Deadline for signing up has passed. For those who registered on time, check email regularly for next steps. Registered seniors can also check the Seattle Promise website for more information. Or talk with Seattle Promise Representative, Aurelio Valdez-Barajas. He is at Nathan Hale on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Students can make an appointment Aurelio Valdez-Barajas. Work Cell: 206-661-1216 (text is available)

Seattle Promise is a program with Seattle Colleges (North Seattle, Central Seattle and South Seattle) where all graduating seniors who register on time are eligible for 2 years of free college! Students may make this their first choice to start at a Seattle College and transfer to a 4-year college or university, or get their AA or certificate. This route provides free tuition for two years. If it’s not the first choice, it is a strong back-up plan. 

Past Items

Senior Grad Ads – DUE 3/25/24

Senior grad ads are a way to honor your senior in the yearbook with a personalized message and photos. Grad Ads are on sale from now until March 25th, 2024. Space is limited, so purchase now to guarantee a spot for your senior. Sales will close early if we sell out of available ad space. Follow the instructions below:

1. Go to to the Yearbook Order Center
2. Type in the school code “7408”
3. Click “Start Your Ad”
4. To be included in the yearbook, senior ads must be purchased and created by March 25th, 2024.

Senior Portrait for Yearbook – Due 1/22/24

Seniors – be sure you are in the yearbook in the senior portrait section. Portraits are now being accepted. Please follow the instructions below to submit a senior portrait: 

• Go to hjeshare.com 
• Type in the school code “nathanhale”, all lowercase with no spaces 
• Fill out the contact form 
• Select “Upload Your Portrait” 
• Attach the photo you wish to submit 

Portrait guidelines: JPG format + Minimum 300 DPI + Dimensions: either 1.5 x 2” or 3 x 4.5”

To be included in the yearbook, senior portraits must be submitted via eShare no later than January 22, 2024. There will not be a deadline extension so please plan accordingly. If you have any questions, contact yearbooknathanhale@gmail.com.

FAFSA/WASFA Drop-In Help – 1/4/24

At the Lake City Branch Library for high school seniors and their parents/guardians on Thursday, 1/4/23 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Work on completing college financial aid forms online, receive assistance, and ask questions.

Students should bring:
– If under age 24, their parent/guardian, if available
– Laptop (or they will have several laptops available for use)
– Social Security number or card, or alien registration card (if not a US citizen)
– Driver’s license or state identification card
– Any income information, a W-2 or pay stub, and a copy of 2022 student tax return or bank statements
– FSA ID (if you have one)

Parents/guardians should bring:
– Social Security number or card, or alien registration (if not a US citizen)
– Driver’s license or state identification card
– Financial information, W-2 forms, a copy of 2022 tax return, and other records of any money earned in 2022
– Any additional financial information, such as child support statements, TANF or benefits information, or family business information

Cap and Gown Ordering – Due 12/15

To order caps and gowns for graduation, go to the Nathan Hale Raiders website

• Deadline to order cap and gowns is December 15th
• You may purchase cap, gown, stole and tassel only
• You may a cap and gown from a sibling or friend from previous years. You WILL need to order the stole and tassel.
• Is it stressful and expensive when you are trying to order your cap and gown in the spring to have it by graduation? YES!! Please order now.

FAFSA / WAFSA Update

The 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will not be available until December 2023. The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) will also be delayed until the FAFSA opens. Applications usually open October 1 of a student’s senior year, so this is a major shift in the college planning process.

The good news is that this delay is due to positive changes in the financial aid application process:

• The FAFSA form will be shorter and less complex.
• More students will be eligible for federal Pell Grants, and the average Pell award will be larger.

Senior SAT – Wed, 10/11/2023

Date: October 11th (Wednesday) 
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Report at 7:45 AM or earlier)  
Location: Library
Who: Seniors 

Materials Required (Before Test):  

• Photo ID (student ID card, driver’s license or permit, passport)
• Required: #2 pencils (sharpened) with an eraser   
• Required: Calculator (phone cannot be used as a calculator)  
• Recommended: Snacks and Water 

The SAT will be given to seniors at Nathan Hale, free of charge, on Wednesday, October 11th. No registration is required. Students must report to the library at 7:45 AM. The SAT covers reading, writing and math. SAT scores demonstrate students are prepared for college with necessary skills and knowledge. Additionally, the SAT can be used as a substitute graduation requirement if a student doesn’t meet passing scores on Smarter Balanced assessments in ELA or math. 

Students will need sharpened #2 pencils and a calculator. They may not use their phone as a calculator. It’s important that everyone be on time because no one will be admitted after the test begins. These exams are three hours long. Snacks are provided during a break, but students should bring their own full water bottle. As always, when taking an important test, students should be sure to get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy breakfast.  

Study guides were passed out in Senior LA classes. Information about other resources is also available in the Counseling Office. Exam scores can be used for college admission.  

Breaks 

• one 10-minutes and one five-minutes – the only times students will be allowed to eat and drink.  
• Test books, answer sheets, and calculators must remain on your desk during breaks 

(After Test): 12th grade students (seniors) will have a break for lunch (at which time they may leave campus) but should return to school after lunch to work on Naviance and College Essays.