Math--Raider Style

Our students do deep mathematical thinking about principles as well as procedures:



We keep it fun!

What's happening?

• Wednesday October 29th is an early release day. The school day will end for students at 1 pm. Nathan Hale staff members will be engaged in professional development.



• Nathan Hale athletes are having a great season! Football, soccer, volleyball, and cross country athletes are all doing incredibly well! Read this article about Senior night for our Varsity football team, and check out this link for detailed information. Thanks to our cheerleaders for keeping our spirits high!
  
  
• Nathan Hale debaters had a great day in Gig Harbor on 10/25. They took home three trophies, and all of the Raiders placed in the top 10 in their respective events. Their next tournament will be November 14-15, at Tahoma High School.

Go Raiders!

Home-home-homecoming

What is Homecoming all about at Nathan Hale?

It's about celebrating the spirit that is so unique to our school.

We dress up in thematic costumes.

Jungle day:



Mr. Case day:



(That's Laura D. showing us how it's done, dressed as a tennis ball in honor of our beloved Racquet Sports teacher!)

We engage in a little friendly grade-to-grade competition for points by having a tug-of-war, a yell contest, and daily contests for participation in lunchtime activities.

We decorate our lunchroom, with each grade level working on a different theme:

Seniors were Greek gods . . .



Ninth graders were Cavemen (they built a great cave!)



The week culminated in a great football game and a wonderful dance. All in all, our students showed their spirit of community and commitment.

Physics . . . and volleyball!

Here you see assembled the humble tools that will help our young scientists understand velocity!



Raider Women play volleyball with power and grace!

Just In Case You'd Like To Know . . .

Five things to know about the 12th grade at Nathan Hale . . .

• 09 Seniors shine!
• Seniors should have a color portrait taken for the yearbook. A CD copy of the photo needs to be delivered to the yearbook staff no later than October 17th.
• Senior Class meeting is on October 22. This is when our 12th graders will get cap and gown and grad invitation information. Check for the packet!
• Seniors should be working on their Culminating Projects. Mentorship teachers support students through the process. Rebecca Ross (rbross@seattleschools.org) is the staff lead for Culminating Projects. All CP documents are on our website!
• Keep in touch with the school counselor (A-G Reynolds, H-N Jones, O-Z Shin) to make sure that all graduation requirements are in place.


Five things to know about the 11th grade at Nathan Hale . . .

• ALL 11th graders will be taking the PSAT, free of charge, on October 15th at Nathan Hale.
• This is a great year to experiment with an interesting elective or two! Get involved in athletics, or try out the school musical or a new club!
• Stay in close touch with your counselor (A-G Reynolds, H-N Jones, O-Z Shin) to keep track of graduation requirements.
• Remember to work on service learning hours (students need 60 to graduate), and start planning for the Senior Culminating Project.
• Go for the AP credit!


Four things to know about the 10th grade at Nathan Hale . . .

• WASL dates: Reading-March 16th and 17th; Writing-March 18th and 19th; Math-April 13th and 14th; Science-April 20th and 21st.
• Students register for 09-10 classes in Mentorship class in February.
• ALL 10th graders do quarterly inter-disciplinary projects.
• Students should plan to take advantage of AP opportunities in the 11th grade; there may be summer work between 10th and 11th grade for students who want to do AP. Check with teachers in the Spring.

Four things to know about the 9th grade at Nathan Hale . . .

• Get ready for Exhibition Nights! The first one is on October 28th.

• In our 9th grade academies, students have rotating blocks of extended-time classes (either Health/Science or LA/SS) for just 10 weeks. Since they have extended-time block classes, they receive a full semester of credit for the 10 week period.

• Check your student’s log books daily to see what is due.

• Students do 100 minutes of silent reading each week at Nathan Hale. Make sure your student has a book every day!

Check out our website at www.seattleschools.org/schools/hale

". . . the school's design should be shaped by the intellectual and imaginative powers and competencies that the students need, rather than by "subjects" as conventionally defined. The aphorism "less is more" should dominate: curricular decisions should be guided by the aim of thorough student mastery and achievement rather than by an effort to merely cover content. " October’s Coalition of Essential School’s Principle

If you visit the Nathan Hale campus at lunchtime, you’ll see teacher and coach Hoover Hopkins, walkie-talkie in hand, rain or shine, walking the school grounds. He doesn’t have to do it, but Hoover considers it part of his responsibility as an educator to help ensure that students are healthy and safe.

Last year, Hoover received every possible award for his excellence as a football coach. He led the Raiders to a Metro Sound Division title and the state playoffs, acquiring honors and adulation along the way. But that’s not all: he also hosted a successful after-school homework club for his athletes, and led an athletic program that has the highest participation rate of any Seattle High School as well as some of the highest numbers of scholar-athletes.

What’s Hoover’s secret? He sees his work in terms of the “intellectual and imaginative powers and competencies” of students on the field of play, in the classroom, and even at lunchtime. Hoover teaches a few key principles and teaches them with depth: teamwork, integrity, discipline, and high expectations. He is a passionate lifelong learner and models the skills he teaches every day.
Throughout our school, you will find similarly dedicated educators working in many capacities, from the Teen Health Center to a Physics classroom to the Library, all with the same fundamental focus. Regardless of what “subject” we teach, we all teach students how to be honorable, thinking, skillful citizens.

The year is off to a wonderful start, with construction proceeding on the east end of the school. By next year, we will have a new Library, new Art classrooms, a new home for our Radio program, and a new Fitness Center. Thank you for your support as we move forward to create a physical space that reflects our role as both heart and beacon to the community. Watch the Raider Reader and the Seattle School website for regular construction updates (http://www.seattleschools.org/area/bex/index.dxml). You can also check out up-to-date Athletic information at http://www.halesports.org/index.php.

Thank you for your trust in Nathan Hale. It is an honor to work with you and your students each day!

PSAT Testing at Nathan Hale

VERY IMPORTANT NEWS: On Wednesday October 15th, ALL 9th, 10th, and 11th graders at Nathan Hale (and in all Seattle High Schools) will be taking the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) as directed by the Superintendent’s Office. The testing is free, and your students do not need to register. Testing will take place in classrooms with Nathan Hale teachers administering the tests. You should be receiving a detailed notice from Seattle Public Schools regarding the upcoming testing.



Some key details:



1. On Wednesday October 15th, Twelfth graders should not come to school until lunchtime (12 pm).
2. There will be a full roster of classes on Wednesday afternoon, October 15th.
3. We have created an adjusted schedule to ensure that students are not missing any classes on the 15th and 16th. This schedule will be printed in the Daily Bulletin and posted on the Nathan Hale website.
4. Students should plan to bring at least two pencils and if possible a basic four function calculator for testing. We will have extra pencils and calculators available.
5. Encourage your 9th and 10th graders to see this as an excellent time to practice the skills required by the PSAT. Their scores will not appear on their transcripts or any other official documentation. We are holding testing in their classrooms so that they feel as comfortable as possible.

6. For more information, visit the Seattle Schools website at www.seattleschools.org/area/psat/.


Thank you!



Marni Campbell, Principal