Friday 9/23 Message to Families

Message to Families

Beloved Families, 

We are up and running, having finished our first full week of school. We are happy to be starting our school year with activities we have not been able to hold for several years. Be in the loop! Get the Daily Bulletin in your email by signing up to receive Hale Mail. Sign-up details are below.

We repeat some items as we know you receive many emails in the fall and some messages may have been missed.

This month we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is an annual celebration from September 15th through October 15th, recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements in the United States.  

Hale Mail

To sign up for Hale Mail. Be sure to check the box that corresponds to your student’s graduation year. Hale Mail is your source of information on grade level activities, volunteer opportunities, booster group activities and other NHHS news. The Daily Bulletin is sent to families signed up for Hail Mail. The Daily Bulletin has information for students and families that includes where and when clubs meet, athletic meets and games, music and theatre performances, service learning opportunities, all-school events and community events. 

Start of School Packets – Due Date

Students were given manila envelopes with start of school forms and info this week in 4th period. If you do not have your family’s packet, please ask your student for it. You should have also received a Start of School Packet email from Nathan Hale High School on Tuesday, September 20th which has links to all the items. Read the checklist included in your packet for information about how to access the Online Data Verification form which closes on Friday, September 30th. The Emergency Info/Student Release form and the FERPA form are also due by Friday, September 30th.

Library

The Nathan Hale library is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th – October 15th. We are displaying books by Hispanic and Latinx authors in the library and in the main office, and students are encouraged to stop by and check out the displays. Families can also view recommended titles online. In October the library will host screenings of several live online panels for the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival. We are currently featuring recent releases from several authors participating in the festival, including The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas, Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado, and Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie. Find more information about Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.

School Meals and Free & Reduced Lunch Application

This year school meals will cost $3.50 for lunch and $2.50 for breakfast. Families can add funds to their student’s account by sending in a check (preferred) or cash with their student, and bringing that to the Lunchroom, which is open starting 8:15am each day. Families can also pay via credit card using PayPams which will charge users $1.95 each time you add money. PayPams requires student ID number to create an account. 

We encourage ALL families who are eligible to submit a Free and Reduced Meal Application form. An online application form and more information about who should apply (including an income chart) is on the Free and Reduced Price Meals webpage. Students approved for free and reduced price meals may be eligible to receive reduced fees for field trips, Advanced Placement test fees, ASB fees among other programs.

ORCA Card

All ORCA cards issued last year (blue cards) and the new black ORCA cards issued this year should be registered by June 30, 2023 by going to the Youth Ride Free-Update Youth Card webpage. 

The state of Washington approved a Free Youth Transit program allowing all youth under 19 years old to ride public transportation for free. Student ORCA cards are no longer being managed by the district. Students should continue to use the blue ORCA card they were issued in the 2021-22 school year. They will work through this school year even if there is an expiration date printed on the back of the card. 

We received a limited number of new black ORCA cards for current 9th graders who didn’t receive a card last year and for new-to-Seattle Public Schools students in grades 10-12. Once those run out, students will need to create an ORCA account and request a card from the myORCA.com website. Replacement cards for those who lost their card will also need to be requested from the myORCA.com website. Current student school ID cards will also be accepted to ride the bus.

More details about the ORCA/Youth Transit program can be found on the district ORCA card webpage and the ORCA Youth Transit program webpage.

Curriculum Night – Date Change

Curriculum Night (in person!) has shifted to Thursday, October 6th. Coffee and information tables at 6:00pm; Senior Year meeting for Class of 2023 families and Class of 2024 families (for a sneak preview of senior year) at 6:15pm in the PAC; classroom visits start at 7:00pm. Zero period music class visits start at 6:45pm.

Student ID Cards

All students are encouraged to get an ORCA card but if for some reason that isn’t possible, this year a student’s current student ID card can also be used to get onto a Metro bus. Student ID cards are printed by Yuen Lui photographers when students take a photo at school. If a student has paid for an activity (or ASB) card, the ID card will have a blue sticker on it.

Photo Retake Day, Thu, 10/27

Photo Retake Day for those who ordered portrait packages of their student taken on either Raider Day or yesterday’s Make Up Day will be Thursday, October 27th. For students who missed taking their photo for their ID and yearbook on Raider Day and Make Up Day, Retake Day will be the LAST opportunity to take a photo with the photographer this school year.

Message from Nathan Hale Theatre

Your student can do theatre here at Nathan Hale! Everyone is welcome and capable. Please check out the Nathan Hale Theatre Statement of Purpose: 

Nathan Hale Theatre is a family where students can have fun, build community, grow as theatre artists, and bring their own unique talents and strengths to this theatrical round table (by performing, building, tech-ing, leading, bonding, goofing, collaborating, or something else).  We’re here to build a supportive and productive community that fosters a sense of belonging for all abilities, backgrounds, and levels of theatre experience.  Whether or not you consider yourself creative or capable, we’re here to tell you that when you are here…you are both. 

Visit the Nathan Hale Theatre website or their Insta @nathan_hale_theatre. 

The Fall Play will be “The Imaginary Invalid” by Oded Gross. Scan the QR code outside the Black Box or sign up on the Nathan Hale Theatre website. No experience necessary. Students can sign up to perform on stage, become a techie to work backstage, or just help us build or paint or sew. “Imaginary Invalid” allows you to discover precisely how YOU can be as funny as YOU can be. Signups close on September 27th. Auditions will be September 26th & 28th. Don’t put it off. Sign up now!!

School Day SAT and PSAT/NMSQT

On October 12th, Nathan Hale will be administering the SAT for 12th grade and the PSAT/NMSQT for 11th grade. Students are automatically registered for the test by Seattle Public Schools. No action is necessary on your part. There is no charge for the exam. Students may send up to 4 SAT score reports to colleges for free.  

Testing practice is available at the College Board online

The SAT is an additional pathway to graduation. A qualifying score on the SAT can be used to satisfy the graduation requirement for ELA and/or math. Current qualifying scores are 410 for ELA and 430 for math.  

The PSAT/NMSQT can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other scholarships. It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and covers reading, writing and math. To prepare, get practice tests with official SAT practice on Khan Academy online. PSAT/NMSQT study guides are now available in the Counseling Office. Please email Melinda Greene with questions: msgreene@seattleschools.org  

After a busy first week, we hope you all enjoy a restful weekend!

With love, 

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