Happy Friday,

We are three days closer to our Thanksgiving Break, November 27-28. We got this. A reminder that we will have school next week, Monday through Wednesday, November 24-26, with our regular Wednesday early release time of 2:25pm.

I ask people to take care of themselves and stay healthy. This has been a rough week for me with a cold bug that shut my whole house down. Remind your student(s) to wear a coat and dress warm. It is cold outside, and the bug is out there. We have had students stop by on occasion asking for a mask. Though masks were a supply item the district was previously able to provide, we are no longer able to distribute them so if your student would like a mask, please send them to school with one.

Yesterday I had the joy of attending the Pacific Marine Expo at Lumen Field class field trip with students in our Career Connect classes. It is always a pleasure when learning is extended outside of the classroom and students can see all the possibilities out there in the maritime industry. The sky is the limit.

This week it was nice to visit a PolSci101 classroom this week and listen to students learn how to pass bills and provide contextual information on why their bill should be passed. They shared their provisions on what their bill will do and the impact of their bill on citizens. Important topics such as affordable housing, dogs on a leash, police training, and park clean up are examples of a few topics discussed. I enjoyed hearing students take a stance and share their care and concern based on the impact of their decisions. These mock scenarios allow students to go deeper and learn amongst their peers on things that matter to them as young adults.

Students in Oceanography stepped out of class this week to help with much needed restorative work on campus. Oceanography partnered with Hale alum parent Colleen Weinstein and Earthcorps on restoration efforts to Thornton Creek. This November Earthcorps will be working to plant new native shrubs and trees. Earthcorps brought 400 plants to add around our campus, and Oceanography classes were able to help plant them! Students planted anywhere from 2 to 5 plants a person! The most important thing we can teach your young people is how to take care of the earth and our campus. I love that students had this opportunity and appreciate how our NH alumni bring exciting things to our school.

Today we celebrated our Fall State athletes with a State Send Off down the Hale Highway while the band played, and we all cheered them on. Mr. Watkins, one of our amazing security specialists, made this awesome song via AI for students: Kings of the North. We had a great time celebrating all our Fall athletes at the Fall Sports Dessert on Tuesday night. There is something special about being a Raider – Kings of the North.

Winter Sports are off to a great start! Team schedules can be found on the Metro League website.

Performing Arts Showcase Tonight!

The Drama Club is hosting a Performing Arts Showcase this evening starting at 7:00pm in our Performing Arts Center. It is free!

Annual Campaign

The Nathan Hale High School Foundation Annual Campaign has begun! Each fall, we reach out to our community with an opportunity to support our school by donating to the Nathan Hale High School Foundation. These contributions ensure that our programs not only endure, but flourish. To see the difference your gifts make, visit What We Fund on the Foundation website. 

This year, every donation will be matched dollar for dollar by generous long-time NHHSF supporters. Every contribution matters—and we hope you will join us. To donate, please go to the Nathan Hale Foundation Donation page. Thank you all in advance for your support, generosity, and trust in ensuring all students become honorable, skillful, thinking, global, citizens. Hale Yes!

Winter Open House – Sun, 11/23

Come Join us at the Hale Winter Open House at our Greenhouse and Garden this Sunday, November 23rd from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

Our students have been hard at work all quarter and it’s time to celebrate with our annual Winter open house and plant sale! Five varieties of student grown poinsettias are available online now!! In person, we will also sell student made succulent gardens, assorted houseplants, and more things harvested from the garden.

This year we have two more reasons to celebrate –

Hale Business class will be selling items inspired by our summer garden to help you bring the joy of gardening indoors. They will be offering snacking seeds, hot sauces, fruit preserves, soaps, lotions, hot chocolate, and candles as part of the student entrepreneurship product lines.  

Baking and Pastries class will be selling an assortment of fresh made pastries and sweets, as well as a few complimentary treats to go with apple cider.  

Looking for an experience? Come join us for a Build a wreath workshop, led by expert student and volunteer wreath makers. Please purchase and book in advance to reserve! Class times are 11:00am and 12:00pm.

Each year, we make more things available for sale, and yet we always sell out! Go online, make your purchases and reserve your order today!

When you purchase online, you can come and pick up your reserved plants at our winter open house on Sunday November 23th between 11am-1pm. For large orders, special arrangements for delivery can be made. 

Whether you plan to purchase or not, please come enjoy cookies, cider, and great company! See you soon!

Nathan Hale Urban Farm Greenhouse, above Jane Addams parking lot, 113th and 31st NE.

Request from 10th Grade Language Arts Team

The 10th grade Language Arts team is preparing to put on a performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the beginning of second semester. We are looking for costumes and props that students can use for their production. If you have any, or if you know of any we can borrow from mid-January to mid-February, please contact Chris Mulder at cbmulder@seattleschools.org.

Enjoy the weekend!

In Partnership,

Ms. Jolene Grimes
Proud Principal