Dear HOPE Parents,    
    
Well, the smoke is gone and the rain is here!  It is Oregon weather again!!  

We have had a productive week at HOPE that began with the Ten Square team visit to review our processes, procedures, and practices.  Of course, they were impressed with our school, parents, teachers, and students.  Our students perform at such a high level, it made them really look close for areas to make improvements.  I will share the report with all of you when we receive the final copy.

BOOK CHARACTER celebration and parade is Monday, October 31.  It will be a fun day for the students.  Like recess and PE, we will have the parade whether it rains or not.  I am hoping for a break in the rain so we can walk the short parade route.  Please prepare students for the weather.  If it is absolutely unbearable rain, we might have the parade indoors.  That will be a last minute decision.  Have your cameras ready, bring the grandparents, and let's have some fun.  Please see the parade route below...

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH grade Science classes have been designing and working on their safety apparatus to protect their pumpkins.  We are looking forward to seeing which group will win the Pumpkin Drop.  The winner will have the least amount, if any damage at all.  

WINTER WEATHER is upon us!  As I sit here in the hallway typing this, I have seen two students come in from PE and take a coat off the lost and found rack.  I am glad they found one.  However, students are expected to come to school dressed to go outside for recess and PE.  Please help ensure that this happens.  We won't always have extra clothes around.  Someday we will have a covered play area!!

PORTABLES will be opening very soon.  We are awaiting one companies wiring work and then final inspection.  We have electricity, heat, furniture , and are just about ready to fill with students.  I appreciate the middle school and fifth grader teachers/students for the patience as we have had to share space as we waited for completion of this project.  I will be contacting parents and students a few days prior to opening to schedule a cleaning and set up party!  

DRIVELINE time continues to improve everyday.  Our tardy line gets shorter and shorter.  I have also received lots of feedback regarding traffic.  Let me review some of what we need to continue improving as we monitor the traffic.  

1. First, when you pull through the driveline, please pull as far up as you can go.  This allows more cars to drop off students.
2. Have your child ready to get out with coat on and backpack ready.  The quicker they get out, the better.
3. Remember that only middle school, 4-5 grade families should be using the back gate.  They should not be dropping off, but parking and walking.  If you drop off students it backs up both directions on 106th.  I know this is frustrating!
4. Finally, and most important, ALL cars leave on 104th, DO NOT turn left on Canyon.  The last two times we were backed up it was due to cars trying to turn left on Canyon.  This is not only dangerous, but takes longer.  Thanks for your understanding.

OUTDOOR SCHOOL is over and it looks like our sixth graders had a great time.  They just arrived back, a little damp, but told me they had fun.  Thank you parents who drove them and picked them up.  It is appreciated.  

FIFTH GRADE DECISION TIME for middle school is fast approaching.  I know many of our fifth grade families have already visited other schools to gain information for making their decision on whether to stay at HOPE or move on.  Although we will not be having a lottery this year for fifth grade, I do understand that families may be looking to attend elsewhere.  However, I will be having a Middle School information night to talk about what we have to offer our middle school students, what we are planning, and to address questions.  This will be held Wednesday, November 9, 6:30-7:30pm in the cafeteria.

SCHOOL TOURS beginning for any families that might want to consider HOPE as the school for their child.  Please tell your friends to check out the tour times and dates on our website.

On a PERSONAL NOTE I am patiently waiting for my kitchen to be done!!! Lots of eating out and microwaving at my house.  Supply change problems have pushed out our kitchen remodel to January.  On top of this fun, my two adult children are now back at home saving to buy a house!!!  It is a FULL house.  It appears that one of the medical issues my wife was dealing with is gone!! YAY.  The more serious one may have to be dealt with by surgery.  She is feeling great, being positive, and putting up with me!  That is enough for any one person to deal with!!

Have a wonderful weekend.

With High Expectations,
Kevin Olds