Happy Friday! 

This has been a great week back in the building after the winter break. Students and staff are locked in and focused on wrapping up the first semester well. The first semester ends on January 28th. We have finals coming up on January 24th, 27th and 28th. Please note the finals schedule included below at the end of my message (and on our calendar on our Nathan Hale website) and help ensure that your student is on track to end the semester strong to earn credit, prepared for finals and is in communication with their teacher(s) to end on a positive note. The last few weeks of the semester we will be working with students who may need additional support to make it across the finish line.  

I know there is a lot going on across the country. Our hearts go out to California residents impacted by the California wildfires. A handful of our students have expressed their concern and care for the mass devastation. If your student(s) or family is impacted, and your student(s) need someone to talk to about it, please encourage your student(s) to sign up to speak with their school counselor or connect with their school administrator.  

This week it was nice to get into classrooms and see students learning applicable life skills in financial algebra – such as how renters insurance works to protect their personal possessions. I enjoyed seeing students selecting an image that represents their 2024 year. Students had a wide range of images that show the wealth of care, concern, compassion, and empathy our young people have for humanity, politics, family, community, and each other. Parents and families keep raising awesome humans. 

We have our Winter Ball tomorrow evening at Shoreline Community College. Tickets will not be sold at the door. If your student didn’t buy a ticket by now, please know they will not be allowed entry. Doors open at 8:00pm and the dance will end at 10:30pm. No backpacks allowed into the dance. No re-entry will be allowed if student leaves the dance. 

Athletic grade checks are happening this coming week. All students must be meeting academic standards by Friday, January 17th to continue competing. If you have questions about athletics, please talk with our athletic director, Darby Haskins.  

Seniors received an email this week reminding them about upcoming deadlines for ordering graduation cap and gown and submitting senior portrait for yearbook. Graduation cap and gown orders are due Wednesday, January 15th. Orders are placed using the National Achiever link or by completing the paper form available in the Main Office. There are a limited number of gently-used, donated gowns that are available. Please contact the Counseling Office or your student’s counselor for further information about borrowing gowns or financial assistance. Senior portrait submissions for yearbook are due by January 26th. Submitting a portrait is optional and does not cost anything. All seniors will be included in the yearbook using their school ID photo taken with Yuen Lui from the start of the year. If your senior submits a senior portrait, we will use that photo in place of their school photo. See the Yearbook webpage (scroll down to “Senior Portraits”) for information about portrait guidelines and how to submit your portrait.  

In close, have a great weekend and mark your calendars for no school on Monday, January 20th in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The building will be closed that day. 

Have a great weekend. 

In partnership,   

Ms. Jolene Grimes 
Proud Principal 
Nathan Hale High School 

Friday, January 24 

Tutorial	8:50 – 10:20
Period 1	10:25 – 12:25
Lunch	12:30 – 1:00
Mentorship	1:05 – 1:35
Period 4	1:40 – 3:40

Monday, January 27 

Tutorial	8:50 – 10:20
Period 2	10:25 – 12:25
Lunch	12:30 – 1:00
Mentorship	1:05 – 1:35
Period 5	1:40 – 3:40

Tuesday, January 28 (Last Day of Semester) 

Tutorial	8:50 – 10:20
Period 3	10:25 – 12:25
Lunch	12:30 – 1:00
Mentorship	1:05 – 1:35
Period 6	1:40 – 3:40