Happy Friday,

Every week it is easy to say, we did it, pause, take a deep breath and keep on going. I can’t believe we are now entering our 8^th week of the school year. The start has been very challenging with our shift to a new schedule and launch of the NH Flex Pass etc. The new Flex Pass system allows students to select the club(s)/activities/support they would like to attend if they are being hosted during their Mentorship time on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. Since Mentorship is a credit bearing class, attendance is being taken in clubs to ensure that students are where they need to be. The Flex Pass system also allows students to arrange to meet with their other teachers during Mentorship for additional support time or to make up a test. We are excited for this learning tool to allow our students to participate in their clubs, grow in their connections in our school community, and have agency in their learning by scheduling support time with their teachers.  

Last week we shifted to our two-lunch schedule on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesday, we kept our one lunch schedule with no changes to student’s daily routines. You can locate our schedules on the NH Website.

Wednesday, we held our annual NH Club Fair during Mentorship time. Students had the opportunity to view some of the following clubs:

African Dance Club, Class of 2026, Horticulture Club/Farm to Fork/FCCLA, PRIDE Club, Classic Card Club, HOSA, NHS (National Honor Society), Robotics Club, Bug Club, Class of 2027, Class of 2028, DECA Club, Economics Club, LSU (Latinx Student Union), Math Club, Mock Trial Club, Nerd Club, T-Mobile Club, Thrift Club, TSA (Technology Student Association), Amnesty International, Chess Club, Fiber Arts Club, Mock Trial, NAHA Exchange Club, Native Club, Robotics Club, Anime Club, BSU (Black Student Union), CAPS (Coalition of Asian and Pacific Students), Climate Justice Club, Global Affair and Diplomacy Club, History and Politics Club, JSU (Jewish Student Union), Make-A-Wish, MESA Club-B, Podcast Club, Automotive Club, Drama Club, IMPACT Seattle Club, Jesus Club, K-Dance Club, MSA (Muslim Student Association), Rocket League Club

Our goal at Nathan Hale is to ensure students are connected within our school community and join a club, activity, or participate in events for success beyond high school. Ask your student what club they plan to join or charter. If students did not find a club that sparked their interest, they are welcome to charter a club. Charter club forms are in the main office. Mr. Swarts, NH ASB Advisor can support students with the process. He is in room 1102 across from the main office.

Thursday night it was nice to see all the families at Curriculum Night. Thank you for all who attended. We are grateful for the different community organizations and resources who were present during the Resource Fair before the classroom visits. Our meeting for senior families (and interested junior families) was well attended. We hope to get the PowerPoint slides from that meeting and the recording of the meeting posted on our website as soon as possible. The classroom visits, though brief, allowed parents to put a face to the name of their student’s teachers, learn a little bit about their student’s classes this term (or year, for the year-long classes) and hopefully feel better prepared to support their student’s learning from home. If you would like to provide feedback from the evening, we would love to hear from you. Please complete the Curriculum Night Feedback Form.

Today it was nice to bring members of Seattle NBA Fans, who are dedicated to bring back the SuperSonics to Seattle, to Ms. Milanese’s music survey classroom to reveal a one-of-a-kind electric guitar. I was able to acquire this unique art piece at an auction for one of Nathan Hale’s partners, Rise Above. My family was delighted to donate it to the Nathan Hale Music department in hopes of drawing more students into our music program by capturing their interest in music through sports. Ms. Milanese music survey students were in awe as the local Seattle artist Damon Brown joined the group and Rise Above founder, Jaci McCormick, to reveal his beautiful art piece. The electric guitar is hand painted with Seattle SuperSonic legends and historic icons, along with autographed signatures from players such as Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schremp, and Guns and Roses bassist Duff McKagan. This opportunity of a lifetime allowed students to make music with the local artist and build community within the school through music. One student shared, the guitar “brings out a lot of life and it is piece of life itself, “which then will facilitate more music and life as artists.

SAT/PSAT – Tue, 10/28

All junior and senior students will be registered to take the SAT (for seniors) and PSAT (for juniors) and it is free. More information will be coming regarding the schedule for the day for students in grades 9 and 10. If your student is in Running Start, they will need to take the test on the 28^th and make arrangements with their college instructors. 11^th/12^th grade students during Mentorship on Wednesday this week, will work with their teachers to ensure they have their computers updated properly with all programs and, especially, with the SPS secure browser BlueBook to be ready for the test.  Here are instructions for Running Start/Skills Center students who do not have a Mentorship:

•Restart your school computer.

•When prompted to login to your computer, use these credentials instead of your normal one:

UN: APBluebook

PW: college

•This will then open you into a secure computer browser for testing.

•Click on the “Install Bluebook” icon on your desktop.

•Click install.

•On test day, you will open this and be given a sign-in ticket to login and begin your test. Be sure you have this installed before the 28^th.

Counseling

Seniors! If your first-choice school is Washington State, please contact your school counselor to learn more about the Regents Scholarship program. 2 Hale students may be nominated for this scholarship opportunity at WSU!

For students interested in pursuing Dentistry- the UW Dental Academy 2026 program application is now open for students to apply! This is a free 2-session, hands-on program designed for high school students interested in exploring dental careers. Please email your counselor for more information.

Athletics

Varsity Football plays Chief Sealth at 7pm tonight at SWAC. We are at the halfway point in the fall season. One of the last grade checks for this season is happening today. Check The Source for your student’s grades.

Please join us in congratulating our top six Boys Varsity Golf athletes — Eliot J. (Captain), Isaac N., Julian G., Laith M., Declan S., and Jaylen R. — who are heading to the Metro Boys Championship and Districts! They’ll represent Hale at Metros on Monday, October 20th at West Seattle Golf Club and at Districts on Thursday, October 23rd at Snohomish Golf Club. We’ll all be cheering them on!

Photo Retake Day  – Thu, 10/23

Professional photographers, Yuen Lui, will be on site on Thursday, 10/23 on the stage for Photo Retake Day. Students are responsible for going to the photographers if they need a photo.
Photographers will not pull students from class or follow a signup list.

Makeup Portraits

• For students who missed the September Picture Day
• Preorder makeup portraits here: 2025-26 Nathan Hale High School Make-up/ Retake Pre-payments 10/23
• An ID card will be printed only for the student’s first photo of the year.

Retake Portraits

• Anyone is welcome to take a retake photo. Students are responsible for getting a photo.
• The retake will replace the original photo for:
  • The yearbook
  • PowerSchool
• If you preordered a photo package earlier:
  • You can return it to the photographer on 10/23 and get a new package with your retake photo at no charge.
• ID cards will not be printed for retakes — only the first photo gets a printed ID.

View or Order Photos

• Previously taken portraits can be accessed online:
  Order School Photos — Yuen Lui School & Sports Photography
• Keyword: Nathan Hale
• Online Code: Your student’s school ID number

Questions? Contact Yuen Lui Studio for support.

In Partnership,

Ms. Jolene Grimes
Proud Principal