Nathan Hale Leaders In Action

Last Monday, the Nathan Hale Life Smarts team competed in the state competition in Tumwater, WA. Team members Trevor R.(captain), Alex T., Julian P., and Chris T. were led by Nathan Hale teacher extrordinaire Cindy Kegley. LifeSmarts is a game-show style competition which tests student's knowledge of Personal Finance, the Environment, Technology, and Health and Safety. It is a program of the National Consumer's League, and Nathan Hale was the only Seattle School participating.

Here are some snapshots:




Congratulations Ms. Kegley and competitors!

Raider Remodel: The Great Foundation~Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Today we were able to pour the foundation to our new wing, which will house our Library, Radio Station and classroom, Art classrooms, and Fitness Center/Classroom. As always, check out our webcam for up-to-date images.

Raiders Get Wet!!

Here is an update on our Nathan Hale swimmers, complete with inspiring (if soggy!) images:

Hale had 28 swimmers at the Metro Championships, with many of them making it back to the finals. We had many best times and fantastic swims, with Nathan Hale placing 5th out of 11 teams behind O'Dea/Holy Names, Seattle Prep, Lakeside and Bainbridge. Check out the results on the swim page: http://www.halesports.org/swimming/index_swim.php

Nine Nathan Hale students were qualifiers for the District 2 Boys' Swimming Championships this Friday and Saturday at Mercer Island: Chris A., Fletcher B., Ben F., Aaron L., Keenan M., Eric N., Kyle Q., Alex R. and Charles Y. Good luck!

We had two inspiring swims from our Swimmers of the Meet at Ingraham. Paul W. swam his first ever 200 free and did a great job! He went on to swim more events, along with a relay to help the Raiders take Ingraham. Blythe W. also swam a fantastic 200 to qualify for Metro. She swam a very smart race and it paid off! Congratulations!

What Students Say . . .

This is preview of a document you will be receiving shortly as part of our request for donations to our Annual Campaign fund. At Nathan Hale we strive to live up to our mission statement every day: ALL students will become honorable, thinking, skillful citizens.

With State and District budget shortfalls and global economic uncertainty, it has never been more vital that we all contribute what we can to help keep our school strong. A strong education is the best gift we can give to our children.

Here are a few quotes from current Nathan Hale 11th and 12th graders regarding their Nathan Hale experience:

Nathan Hale has helped me grow into a well rounded student and thinker. I have learned to embrace my passions and confront challenges. I have been prepared for college and our growing world.

Throughout my time at Hale, I have become more of a global citizen. Through the combination of all my classes, I have become more accepting of other views and opinions, more aware of the problems and changes occurring around me, and more curious about what is to come in my time after I leave Hale.

At Hale I have been able to tailor my education to my own interests. My teachers facilitate my individual learning by letting me construct many assignments around my specific curiosities.

Sports have been a meaningful part of my experience at Nathan Hale. Being part of a team has allowed me to meet new people, gain new experiences, and challenge myself.

The kindness of students and staff has put a positive atmosphere throughout the halls of Nathan Hale.

At Hale I feel completely supported by peers and faculty alike, knowing that their current dedication to my achievement will continue guiding my success in the future.

The AP Environmental Science class went to the Olympic Park Institute in the fall of 2008 to study the effects of removing the Elwa River dams on the surrounding ecosystems. The trip gave us a chance to not only bond with our fellow classmates, but to apply what we had learned in class to an actual situation that fit into the “big picture”. We used data collection techniques that we had learned in class, and applied the five habits of mind to problem-solving situations.

The journalism program means a lot to me. It gives student voice to the school, among other things. The advisor spends dozens of hours per month, outside of regular hours, overseeing the process.

Thank you for giving what you can to help support innovative, creative, progressive schooling at Nathan Hale High School.

Give online at today http://www.nathanhale.org/

Important Second Semester Dates

Please mark your calendars…important 2nd semester dates from the Counseling Department

GRADING
Feb 9 Last day to drop a class without a "W" (withdrawal grade) on transcript
March 6 Last day to drop a class without an "E" (fail grade, affects GPA) on transcript
March 13 Last day to complete any "I" (incomplete) grades for first semester

COURSE REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR
March 5 Course registration materials to be passed out in mentorships. Course selection sheets are for students to choose classes for the 2009-2010 school year.
March 12 Students return completed course selection sheets to mentorship teachers.

Our Great Debaters

Congratulations to Nathan Hale debaters! This last weekend (January 30-31), the Raider Debate Team won the novice division of the Pacific Lutheran University Speech and Debate Tournament as the debate champions.

In 1st place were ninth graders Chaitan C. and Rafael L. They had a 5-1 preliminary round record, beat Annie Wright 3-0 in the semifinals, and then beat Gig Harbor 2-1 in the finals.
In 5th place were ninth grader Maya J. and eleventh grader Amanada M. with a 4-2 record. Maya J. also won a first place trophy for being the best individual speaker and Amanda won a second place trophy.
In 8th place we had eleventh grader Matthew S. and ninth grader Braxton B. with a 4-2 record.

Nathan Hale also competed in speech events: Ninth grader Graham C. was ranked the top 1st year speaker in impromptu speaking.

Nationally Recognized Math and Science Teachers

Nathan Hale Science teachers Matt Hinckley and Karl Englert, and Math teacher Brian Coon recently published an article in the January 2009 edition of The Science Teacher titled "Arctic Research and Writing: a Lasting Legacy of the International Polar Year." The article chronicles their experience working with students and professional scientests on polar ice research funded by a National Science Foundation grant.

Their conclusion? They saw "improved student interest" as students learned about the "real work of scientists and how it relates to important issues such as global warming."

We are fortunate to have working Scientists in our community!