Dear Nathan Hale families –  

We appreciate how flexible and supportive students and staff were this week with water leaking from the ceiling. Hale staff, students and SPS maintenance did a great job of responding to the situations right away. It wouldn’t be a normal week without something to keep us busy. Lao Tzu, once said, “Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” Fingers crossed the issues are resolved and no more leaks.  

This week our 9th graders participated in the ASB 9th grade election process. They got to hear speeches from potential class leaders and vote on peers they see deemed most fit for the leadership positions within their grade level. We love to focus on student leadership at Nathan Hale, as students often find their voice through leadership opportunities. Winners were announced over school intercom at the end of the day today. Congratulations to the new 9th grade cabinet! 

Post Season athletics fun! We are so proud of all our student athletes. Parents/guardians, thank you for entrusting our coaches in teaching your students the importance of being good teammates, great competitors, and proud Raider Student Athletes. It takes ALL of us.  

Tonight at 7pm, our Raider Football team plays Lynden at Ferndale High School. The Girls Swim District Meet started at 12pm today and continues tomorrow from 12-4pm at Hazen Pool. Varsity Cross Country competes in the State Championships at Sun Willows Golf Course from 9am-4pm. Girls Varsity Soccer plays Lindbergh tomorrow at 1pm at Renton Memorial Stadium. Girls Varsity Volleyball plays Evergreen at Foster High School tomorrow at 11am. 

Emergency drill this week. We conducted an earthquake drill and Dropped, Covered and Held. Each month we practice one of several drills as a school to ensure that students and staff are ready to respond effectively in emergency situations.  

Start of 2nd Quarter (November 7, 2024 – January 28, 2025). What this means for your student: they should reflect on their 1st quarter academic grade marks and set a goal for each course they are currently enrolled in to ensure they are working towards their goal to pass classes to earn credit on their high school transcript. Remember, final 2nd quarter grades combine with first quarter grades to make an overall 1st semester grade that goes on a student’s transcript. Please note that students who earn an E grade fail the course and will have to look at credit retrieval options within their high school program.

Important Culinary Services Support – If your student(s) have a negative balance on their student meal account please continue reading:  

1. Consider applying for Free or Reduced-price meals, if eligible. 
2. Pay Student meal accounts through MySchoolBucks by  credit card payments or by cash or check in the cafeteria.  
3. Contact us if you need additional support.  

Students who have meal charges on their cafeteria account of five (5) unpaid meals or more, SPS will be following up on these charges by way of communication via letters, emails and/or robocalls.   

As winter approaches, Seattle Public Schools will provide information to families about inclement weather. Currently, on the SPS website there are two pages available to review for general information: Transportation’s Ice and Snow webpage and a post from January 2024, Preparing for Winter Weather. If inclement weather causes us to move to a 2 hour late start, Seattle Public Schools will notify families through local media sources, and possibly through a phone call home. To see our two hour late start schedule, please go to our bell schedule webpage.   

In close, this year we will be focusing on a Veteran’s Day Tribute at Nathan Hale, which means we are asking students, staff, and the community to STOP and reflect on the importance of Veteran’s Day. We will host an all-school Veteran’s Day Tribute following the Veteran’s Day observance (No School on 11/11/24), by grounding the school with the following questions to think about during their day off: 

• How has a Veteran impacted or changed your understanding of Veterans Day and their contributions in this world? 
• Is there a veteran in your life whose story has personally impacted you? Who and why? 

May everyone have a nice three-day weekend. We look forward to seeing students back in school on November 12th at 8:50am. Please help the school by making sure your student gets to school on time and is ready to learn. Academic time at Nathan Hale is treasured time and we do our best to keep students engaged and in class. Ask your student how they are doing and if they utilize their academic time wisely to maximize their learning. If they are struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out to a trusted staff member for support or contact a school counselor for guidance. It takes a village.  

Mark your calendar – Please note the following important dates for SPS students and staff: 

• November 11th – No School for Veteran’s Day 
• November 27th – Regular Early Release Day – 2:25pm 
• November 28th – 29th – No School for Thanksgiving Day Holiday 
• December 20th – 1 Hour Early Dismissal – 2:40pm 
• December 23rd – January 3rd – No School for SPS Winter Break Holiday (Winter sport athletes consult with your coaches on practice time and game schedules during the break) 
• January 20th – No School for MLK Day. NHHS MLK Assembly TBA.  

In partnership,   Ms. Jolene Grimes 
Proud Principal