Message to Families

Beloved Families,

I hope you had a great start to October and are managing the changing of the weather. We appreciated seeing our parents/guardians show up for Curriculum Night last night! For those who attended, thank you for coming to meet and hear from your teachers. This week, it was powerful to conduct observation rounds and observe the teaching and learning occurring in our classrooms.

I would like to highlight the success of our Co-Teaching launch and Advanced Learning I observed through both our College in the High School (CHS) Business Math 130, and College in the High School (CHS) Ethnic Studies. In CHS Ethnic Studies, Ms. Balint and Mr. Heald co-taught a lesson focused on Native Education, specifically highlighting Indigenous erasure, with the outcome of students producing a land acknowledgement, action plan, or artistic demonstration addressing treaty rights in the Pacific Northwest. The skill development in this learning focused on student Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Collaboration addressing historical events that have current implications.

Another powerful teaching and learning experience addressing Inclusionary efforts and Advanced Learning was in CHS Business Math 130. Mr. Zutz and Ms. Coffee co-taught a lesson on the financial and social impacts of attending college by introducing a game called “payback”, which simulated the experiences students have after they complete college, and “paying back” their loans. Try it out! This learning experience ultimately led to students reflecting on the learning experience in the game and how they will make specific financial and social decisions impacting their future. Please see our Continuous School Improvement Plan which provides more information and context for our Inclusion and Advanced Learning efforts this year: our Continuous School Improvement Plan.

Recognitions

Happy Filipino American History Month! In Filipino American History Month, we commemorate the first Filipinos to arrive in the United States at what is now Morrow Bay. We still recognize celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month through Sunday, October 15th. Lastly, we also commemorate National Disability Awareness Month, which celebrates the contributions of those with disabilities past and present and focuses on supporting inclusive policies and practices that advance access and equity.

School Safety

School safety is a top priority to ensure all students, educators, and families feel safe and welcome to learn at their highest capability. Thank you to all students, families, and educators who have reported concerns surrounding school safety surrounding building safety with weapons and fighting, but also inappropriate behavior and conduct in our school and community surrounding harassment, intimidation, bullying, transphobia, xenophobia, and racism. Please continue to report to administration, school security, and counseling department, and we will work to find resolution, support, and care. If you see something, say something.

Nathan Hale Events – Stay Connected!

There is a lot happening in the Nathan Hale community. For example, tomorrow, Saturday 10/7 from 10am to 5pm there is a Mattress Fundraiser in our Commons that supports the Nathan Hale Music Department. You can keep up with all the happenings, athletic games, and events by signing up for Hale Mail. You will receive the Daily Bulletin in your email which includes information your student may want to know (bulletin items are read every day by student leaders) as well as other grade-specific notifications you may want to know about. Sign up by going to the Hale Mail webpage on the Nathan Hale website.

Respect the Neighborhood

Please encourage your students to be responsible drivers as they travel in our community. There are many pedestrians around our neighborhood, including Nathan Hale and Jane Addams Middle School students (and when the remodel of John Rogers is completed, elementary students). Most of the streets around Nathan Hale do not have sidewalks which increases safety concerns. Also, it’s sad to say, but some students in our community do not throw their garbage in trash receptacles, and instead appear to be throwing their garbage out on the student parking lot or in the nearby playground and park. We encourage all our students to Respect the House, and our neighborhood.

Free and Reduced Lunch Program

All eligible families are encouraged to apply for the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) program. A new form MUST be submitted every year even if approved last year. Qualified students may receive benefits in addition to the school lunch program: assistance with event fees, field trips, advanced placement tests, Running Start books, Associated Student Body (ASB) fees, pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT), college application fees and yearbook fees. Please note, if your student is planning on taking an AP exam and qualifies for FRL, there is a very substantial discount.

Online Free and Reduced Lunch Program application.

Flu & COVID Vaccine Clinics

Clinics will be offered here at Nathan Hale tomorrow, Saturday, 10/7, Sunday, 10/22 and Sunday, 11/5. Go to the district vaccine clinic webpage for times, to schedule an appointment, and see other locations where clinics will be offered.

More sunny weather is in store for us this weekend! Enjoy!

Much love,

William Jackson, Ed.D. (he,him)
Principal
Nathan Hale High School