Friday 4/11 Family Message
Happy Friday,
We did it! We made it to Spring Break! No school April 14 – April 18. I encourage students and families to take a break and enjoy the time off to get refueled to tackle the final quarter of the school year. Reminder, the last day of the school year is Wednesday, June 18th. Senior graduation is on Tuesday, June 17th. We have less than 50 days left of the school year. Time is flying. Thank you to all the families who made sure to turn in a Preplanned Absence form to let the school know when your student will be out of school. This helps your student stay on top of their studies and helps them communicate directly with their teachers.
We have State Testing when we return from Spring Break, starting Monday, April 21st, running through the week. Please note the schedule adjustments during testing week. Students who are testing (Grade 10 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and Grade 11 on Tuesday and Thursday) will spend the morning in their assigned test rooms which will be posted around the building. Grade 9 students will begin each day with their Mentorship teachers. Grade 11 students on Monday and Friday will be in study hall in the cafeteria. Grade 12 students (our seniors) will be in the library working on Naviance and High School and Beyond plan. It is particularly important for seniors to attend their Senior Meeting on Monday, April 21st. For more information and the schedule, please go to the SBA/WCAS Test webpage.
Today, I enjoyed seeing students in US History class learning about the Great Migration and watching them work individually and in small groups on their choice board to create an artifact that reflects their collective knowledge of the Great Migration. I look forward to seeing what each group lands on as they make history come alive. Students shared their interest in the role of the church, baseball, music, culture and other impactful influences that made the Great Migration a vital part of our US history. Each month I look forward to seeing student work highlighted in our display cases around the school. Ask your student what they are currently working on.
Congratulations to the newly elected 25-26 Nathan Hale ASNH leaders!
For ASNH: President – Georgia V., Vice President – Kai C., Secretary – Sooyoon H., Treasurer – Nemo T.
For Class of 2026: President – Steele E., Vice President – Dano L., Treasurer – Kai W., Senate – Noah D.
For Class of 2027: President – Kayla R., Vice President – Abigail Y., Secretary – Fiona D., Treasurer – Allyson C., Senate – Leo F.B.
For Class of 2028: President – Brea B., Vice President – Kai D., Secretary – Ben P., Treasurer – Lottie K., Senate – Jennie T.
If your student did not run or obtain an ASNH 25-26 position for the upcoming school year, there will be more opportunities to step into leadership roles at NHHS. Have your student talk with Mr. Swarts in the room 1102 or Ms. Burrell, assistant principal in the main office. We have 55 clubs currently running at Hale. Ask your student what Club(s) they are participating in at school. It is not too late to join a club. Check out the list of clubs on our website.
Last Friday was National Librarian Day and we would like to recognize Ms. West for all she does for students in our Nathan Hale library. She supports classroom teachers and students daily. She makes sure the library has a “just-right” book ready and available for students to check out. If your student needs a good book to read, have them stop by the library and see Ms. West. She keeps the library open at lunch time and makes the library a welcoming place for all. Help me appreciate Ms. West.
In honor of School Library Month in April, here are some Quarter 3 highlights from Ms. West.
- The library hosted 70 classes.
- The library checked out 692 books.
- Top grades by circulation: 11, 12, 10, 9
- Top 5 readers: Phylle B. (12), Emmanuel C. (12), Elizabeth N. (10), Nemo T. (11), Sable H. (10)
- Ms. West would like to particularly shout-out the 11th grade Chemistry team, 11th grade Language Arts team, and Mr. Hickenbottom’s class this quarter. We had all juniors in chemistry in the library over two days for research ahead of their cookie project – a collaboration between chemistry and the library that I don’t think has ever happened before. And, as Mr. Mulder mentioned in an earlier email, we had all juniors in English 101 here just before midwinter break to select a book. Thank you so much for your recommendations, they really helped the students make selections! Finally, Mr. H’s class visits the library to choose new books every Monday, and as the Top 5 readers list attests, there are some voracious readers in that class.
We couldn’t do what we do at Nathan Hale without VOLUNTEERS. I would like to say THANK YOU to all volunteers this school year. Please know that you are appreciated. Staff and students appreciate you so much. All volunteers must be cleared before working with staff and students on and/or off campus. We appreciate volunteers taking the necessary steps to be cleared to volunteer. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please complete the online application form after reviewing the volunteer information. The form and information can be found on the district Volunteer webpages.
Athletics – We are at the halfway point of the spring season. The 3rd quarter grade check is mostly done. Check in with your coaches regarding what spring break practice schedules look like. Go Raiders!
CTSOs at Nathan Hale – Our HOSA and TSA clubs both just returned from the Washington State Conferences in Spokane. Both clubs are a great way for students to “get involved”, learn leadership skills, and compete in a subject of their interest. Congratulations to Alexis B. Class of 2025 who placed 3rd in Photographic Technology and Avery L. Class of 2026 who placed 4th in Promotional Design. Check out our Career Technical Service Organizations at Hale: TSA meets in room 1205 on Tuesdays at lunch and HOSA meets in room 1128 on Mondays at lunch.
AP Testing will be taking place May 5th – 16th at Nathan Hale. Students taking AP Exams registered to take their test(s) this past fall. To see specific info for test date, location and time, as well as what students should prepare to bring to the exam(s), please go to AP Testing at Nathan Hale on our website.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Families and Seattle Public Schools share a common goal of preventing sexual abuse and fostering safe communities for our children. Families are invited to an online event on Thursday, April 24th from 5:30-6:30pm on Teams called, Talking with Children about Growth and Development and Preventing Sexual Abuse. The link is below.
Participants will learn about:
- Age-appropriate education students receive in the classroom
- Policies and training provided to staff
- How families can engage in these important conversations at home.
Enjoy a restful spring break! We will see your student on Monday, April 21st. During Spring Break, the building and campus will be closed with the exception of any athletic events or practices.
In Partnership,
Ms. Jolene Grimes
Proud Principal