Family Message

Happy Friday,

Short weeks do not always feel short when so many things keep moving as we continue to wrap up all the important details to the end of the school year. I see students working hard and trying their hardest to make it to class and the last day of school. Tuesday, we activated our bell system for a trial period voted on by the Nathan Hale Senate to see if ringing bells between each class would improve student’s being in class on-time or not to class on-time. We will talk with students and staff after one more full week of “bells and learning” to get feedback and insight on bells at Hale for the upcoming school year. Ask your student about the bells and see what they say. My hope is that we all have high expectations for students maximizing their learning opportunities by being in class on-time every period at Nathan Hale. Oprah Winfrey once said, “education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” We want all scholars to have that freedom and opportunity as honorable, skillful, thinking, global citizens.

This week we officially lost Ms. Burrell on our admin team. I look forward to seeing her be amazing at Roosevelt HS as the newly appointed principal. We now welcome Ms. Corrine Craven as our new interim lower house (grades 9-10) administrator. Please help me welcome her to Hale for the remainder of the school year. Ms. Craven is a Washington native, who has had vast experience working in education since 1999. She loves baking, especially experimenting with vegan and gluten-free cookie recipes—and she’s happiest when she can combine her love of family, travel, with food adventures around the world. Be sure to say hello when you see AP Craven around campus!

Tonight is the Swing Dance in our Commons from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The first 30 minutes is a time to learn basic swing dance moves. The music performances start at 7:30 p.m. Come listen to our Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz perform tunes that encourage dancing! This is a family-friendly and fun event. Please join us and come enjoy some awesome music.  

Saturday is our BIG PROM for our seniors! All seniors (and their pre-approved guests) who have already purchased tickets will be allowed entry at the Georgetown Ballroom at 8:00pm. All attendees should bring their photo ID to the dance. We look forward to seeing our seniors dressed in their best attire for this last formal dance! I understand parking in the area is challenging and there is also a Mariners game so seniors may want to carpool.

Spring Sports wrap up this weekend as students compete at the 2A WIAA State Track Meet at Mount Tahoma High School. Good luck to all our Raiders competing and breaking records. Go checkout the Raiders still in 2A action via WIAA.

The Spring Sports Dessert is on Tuesday, 6/2 at 7 p.m. in the Commons. We hope to see you there to celebrate our spring sports athletes. PE Waivers are due next week. Please be sure the PE Waiver is signed by both your coach and parent/guardian and turn it into the main office. Talk to Mr. Darby Haskins, PE Dept Head if you have questions. Hale Night at the Mariners is June 19th! Please get your Mariner gear ready and come and enjoy a night out with our school community and support our NH Baseball program. The game is against the Boston Red Sox. This 7:10 p.m. night game will also be Fireworks Night! Tickets are available for $20 each for 300 level seats and $50 each for 100 level seats (in sections 110 and 111). Tickets can be ordered and paid for here: Hale Night Ticket Sale. Reach out with questions to nathanhale.baseball@gmail.com. If you are unable to go to the game but are interested in donating ticket(s) to support a Raider staff person or student who otherwise couldn’t afford to go to the game, that is an option available. Kick-off your summer and celebrate Juneteenth with fellow Raiders!

REQUEST for VOLUNTEERS for 3 events in early June
The Nathan Hale Community Organization (NHCO) needs volunteers to support our amazing community in early June! We have 3 events that need volunteer help within an 8-day timeframe. Volunteering at these events is a chance to have fun and get to know more people in our community. Please consider volunteering for one or more of the following events. Questions? Contact Sarah Heath at nhcoconnections@gmail.com or 206-285-8482. 
1.) Wednesday 6/3/26 is the New Family and Multilingual Learner (MLL) Family Dinner and we need 8 volunteers to help with this catered dinner. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA5AB2FABFFC70-64260752-copy#/
2.) Monday 6/8/26 is the Senior Ice Cream Social.  NHCO hosts an afternoon ice cream sundae bar for the Class of 2026.  We highly encourage parents of Seniors to volunteer at this event.  We need 7 volunteers. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA5AB2FABFFC70-64271410-2026#/
3.) Wednesday 6/10/26 NHCO is hosting the Graduation Reception for the Class of 2026.  We are looking for parents and guardians of Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors to help with the biggest event of our year. We need approximately 40 volunteers for this event.  If you are not available the evening of 6/10, we need 12 dozen nut-free cookies that can be baked/bought in advance and dropped off at school on 6/10 during the day and up until 7:30 p.m. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FA5AB2FABFFC70-64267414-graduation#/ 

May everyone have a nice weekend. I have one last request. Parents and families, if your student drives to and from school will you please remind them to follow the rules of the road and respect the community that surrounds Nathan Hale High School? We have been getting complaints about students driving too fast on local streets and in the Meadowbrook parking lot and east parking lot. Some students park in handicapped spaces and in unmarked parking spots not understanding the big fine they can receive for parking violations. I want to be proactive and help our students be responsible young adults who are safe stewards of the road, parking lots, and the community they live in before someone gets hurt and major consequences are faced. Thank you in advance.

Below is our final countdown of events and activities at Nathan Hale. Please mark your calendars and continue to partner with the school to ensure your students and family have the information you need to know to stay engaged through the end of the school year.

Final Countdown:

• AP interviews on Monday, June 1, 2026.
• Senior Checkout starts on Tuesday, June 2 and runs through Monday, June 8, 2026. All graduation requirements must be met to get graduation tickets. Seniors can get up to 6 tickets after turning in their completed Senior Check-out form available Tuesday in LA class.
• NH Spring Sports Dessert is on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 7 p.m.
• NH Patriot’s Assembly is on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10:35 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. in the Gym.
• NH New Family Night is on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, starting at 6 p.m.
• NH Music Concert is on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 7 p.m.
• Senior Ice Cream Social is on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 3 p.m.
• Senior Breakfast is on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Dahl Field.
• NH Graduation is on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
• NH Finals start on Friday, June 12 (1 & 4), 15 (2 & 5), and 16 (3 & 6). We will observe different bell schedules these 3 days. Check the website calendar for bell schedule.
• NH Performing Arts Awards is on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 6 p.m.
• SPS Last day of School is Wednesday, June 17 (1 HR early release). We will follow a different schedule this day due to the 1-hour early release. Check the website calendar for schedule.
• SPS Summer Break is June 18 – September 1. Raider Day is on Tuesday, September 1. This is when students take photos for the yearbook and ID card, get their laptops, get their schedule, get lockers (for 9th graders only), can purchase Raider Gear, yearbook, activity card.
• SPS first day of school is on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

In Partnership,

Ms. Jolene Grimes
Proud Principal