Happy Friday,

Another busy week at Hale. I enjoyed witnessing so many senior celebrations this week. Our girls fast pitch team is on fire. I loved seeing all their senior posters and words of gratitude towards one another as teammates. I also enjoyed seeing all the red, white, and blue confetti as we celebrated our senior tracksters on Thursday. Parents, you sure know how to bring joy and noise. The highlight of my week was attending the staff preview of the Spring Musical “Legally Blonde.” Wow, we have so much talent in the halls at Hale and a lot to be proud of within our student body and school community. I appreciate everyone who shows up for students daily.

Teacher appreciation week was another success. Parents, thank you for stepping up and showering the staff with coffee, breakfast, lunch, candy, chips, and special treats all week. We cannot do it without the amazing work of our NHCO parent volunteers who show up and help coordinate on behalf of the school and staff. *** Please note if you are a volunteer or plan to become a volunteer for the upcoming school year make sure that your credentials are all up to date and still valid. We need you, smile. Even if your student is against it. Trust me, they will thank you later.

We now have exactly 22 days until the Nathan Hale Class of 2026 Graduation at 7:30 p.m. Senior checkout starts on Monday, June 2nd. The Senior Ice Cream Social will be on Monday, June 8th at 3:00 pm. The Senior Breakfast will be on Tuesday, June 9th. (Junior Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, May 28th.) Please look for details from each class advisor and follow the daily bulletin to stay in the know. And 27 days until the last day of school on June 17th. It will be a one-hour early release at 2:40 p.m. If your student is not at school for the last few days of the school year, please make sure to complete and return a student prearranged absence form to Ms. Cunningham-Daniels in the attendance office.

All seniors, whether at our Nathan Hale campus or in Running Start, are eligible to submit a speech for commencement consideration. All speeches are due on Friday 5/15 to senior students’ English teachers (Mr. Jacobson or Mr. Uhlman) or Mx.Zoba kizoba@seattleschools.org if they’re in Running Start. Seniors will receive an extra copy of the prompt via email by Sunday.

State Testing week for SBA/WCAS begins on May 18th. 10th graders will test M, T, Th, F for ELA and Math subjects that can satisfy a graduation pathway. 11th graders will have T and Th to do their science (WCAS) exam that can also satisfy a graduation pathway. See last week’s family message and also the State Testing Schedule on the school calendar for more details about the alternate schedule and alternate activities for those students who aren’t testing. Please remember, too, that students who aren’t testing and opt to not attend the testing time of day in their assigned alternate locations, need to have their families call out their attendance to the main office.

Semester Two Finals for students grades 9-11 are scheduled for June 12-16. We will keep the same type of final schedule that we have used for semester one finals with two finals scheduled per day. I encourage all students to utilize the tutorial time given in the schedule to help students prepare for their finals. I also encourage students to take advantage of our five days of Mentorship and Support Time embedded into our NHHS Bell Schedule. Please talk with your students about their academic goals to ensure they are meeting their goals and/or need to seek support to meet their goals. These last few weeks of the school year are crucial for students to stay focused and finish strong.

My hope is that everyone will have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. For all who have the responsibility of raising and caring for our students, know that you are appreciated. And to all who have lost a mother, may her spirit be with you on this day. Thank you. Please STOP by the checkout the NHHS Plant Sale. Students have worked very hard for one of the biggest sales in the north end. Read more about it on our Horticulture calendar entry. “Legally Blonde” performance tonight and Saturday in the PAC starting at 7:00 p.m. Also, there are shows next week Friday and Saturday evening, and a matinee on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Stop by and enjoy the amazing performances of our theatre students!

Do not miss NH Athletics still in action: Baseball, Fastpitch and Soccer are All Team Metro Champs. We are hosting Boys Soccer District Playoffs Saturday, 5/9, at 7:00 p.m. on Raider Field. Boys Lacrosse and Girls Ultimate Frisbee have qualified for the State Playoffs.

Congrats to Boys Tennis Metro Champs: Fletcher G. & Sam P. and Girls Tennis Metro Champs: Delia M. & Miko B.

Reminder that PE Waivers are available in the main office for all 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who have completed the spring season in a school sponsored sport. Make sure the PE Waiver is signed by both your coach and parent/guardian and turn it into the main office. They are due in the first week of June.

As we start to wrap up the school year, it is important that students in all grades make sure they start to do the following:

1. Pay any unpaid fines/fees. 2. Return overdue library books. 3. Return classroom materials that are overdue (books)

In conclusion, I am proud of all our Student Testers this week. AP testing will continue next week. Seal of Biliteracy testing next week on Wednesday, May 13th in Ms. Tobon’s classroom. And of course, the SBA/WCAS testing already referenced above. Remember, it is always important that students get a good night’s sleep before testing. Bring water to stay hydrated and prepare before all big tests. These testing moves will help students be prepared and be less anxious.

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your time with loved ones. Stay safe and see students back on Monday.

In Partnership,

Ms. Jolene Grimes
Proud Principal