The Scoop Spring Edition

Scoop Hamlin Robinson School

SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER A publication for families and friends of Hamlin Robinson School

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IN THIS ISSUE

Spring is the time of year when we celebrate new beginnings.

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A Note From Stacy Turner

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Alumni Update

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Elevating our Impact

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Hadyn Daugs

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Alumni News

MISSION To ignite the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other languagebased learning differences.

VISION The world class educational program at HRS is a catalyst for students to discover the joy of learning within a rich, comprehensive school experience.

Flowers bloom, the weather starts to warm, and the grey of winter begins to lift. With continued hope, we are starting to see the slow and steady impact of the vaccine, resulting in a stable but carefully planned reopening. On April 29, HRS students had the option to return to class for four full days of in-person instruction each week through the remainder of the school year.

It is hard to explain how much this changes “life” at HRS. HRS simply isn’t the same without students laughing in the hallways, running around in the gym, touring the neighborhood for a nature walk, or just simply sitting in the library to read a book. We haven’t had the opportunity to return to every normal activity prior to the pandemic, but we are on our way, which feels fantastic.

We are thrilled to offer a summer program this year; although modified, this is an additional small sign of stability. During this 3.5-week class, students will learn and practice oral language skills, handwriting, soundsymbol correspondence, spelling, written expression, decoding, and reading comprehension strategies. Program details can be found on our website.

In this issue of the newsletter, readers will learn a bit more about our plans to open a new middle school in the fall of 2022. This has been a project several years in the making and one I am deeply committed to seeing through. After a short pause in the fundraising campaign last spring at the beginning of the pandemic, our volunteer cabinet members doubled down and devoted themselves to this project and ensuring the success of our efforts. They are a remarkable group. This new beginning will change the landscape for HRS far into the future. More details will be shared as we launch our community phase of the campaign in the weeks ahead.

Finally, a special thank you to our community of supporters who joined us for our virtual auction. I know everyone was wondering how this nontraditional format would work out, but I can truly say it was good for the soul. It was engaging, fun, delightful, and above all, a way for our community to join together and celebrate with each other. HRS is a special place – and I am honored to serve in this role each day.

CORE VALUES Respect, Responsibility, Purpose, Perseverance The Scoop is a publication of the HRS Advancement Office and is mailed quarterly.

Stacy Turner Head of School

INTRODUCING Notes from the Head A New Way to Connect

As Head of School, there are lots of opportunities for exchanging ideas, gaining insight, meeting people, and creating relationships. When the idea of a blog was first discussed, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But, the more I thought about it, the more excited I got. Why? It’s one more way for me to build connections and relationships with our community. Right now, in this time and space, connections and relationships are essential. They offer an outlet and make us happy.

Where are they now?

Mia Kunins '20

We just moved to full time in-person at my high school, which is very exciting. I am trying to focus on meeting new people and catching up with old friends. I’ve also been able to take some very interesting classes including an ethics, improv, civics, and rhetoric class. A few weeks ago, I auditioned for the intermediate acting class for next year and got in! So, I am very excited to start that. Finally, I am very proud that I’ve managed to make honor role every trimester despite all the challenges this year has thrown.

I hope this new blog will stimulate new connections, encourage new relationships, and if nothing else, provide a bit of reading for our community once a month or so.

Maybe it sparks conversations in your family or here at school. Either way, I welcome and invite you to reach out to me and share your feedback. Thank you for taking a moment to read these thoughts and insights.

Stacy Turner Head of School

You can find the blog on our website: www.hamlinrobinson.org/turnerblog

HRS ALUMNI

Let us know what you've been up to! www.hamlinrobinson.org/alumni RNuffer@hamlinrobinson.org

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Elevating our Impact

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amlin Robinson School fulfills its mission to ignite the academic and creative potential of students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences through its school programs for enrolled students and its Learning Center programs for the local, regional, and national community.

Enrollment numbers have tripled since 2010, including steady growth since the move to our new campus in 2015. This growth is attributable to several factors including increased community awareness of HRS programs, growing recognition of language-based learning differences, and available classroom capacity at the HRS campus. However, the number one reason for exponential growth at HRS is our reputation for effective literacy instruction and highly skilled teaching.

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The demand for urgently needed services from the school and the HRS Learning Center has significantly outpaced what can be provided by current facilities.

HRS opened its new campus in 2015, with a goal to reach projected capacity of 275 students in ten years.

The school hit this number in five years and stretched capacity to 316 students. HRS maintains a lengthy waitlist which is a constant reminder that students who desperately need our program cannot enroll. The HRS Learning Center, housed in the current facility, also outgrew its space, preventing maximum implementation of much-needed tutoring, screening, and educational services to the regional and national community.

The Elevating our Impact capital project is a direct response to these immediate and growing needs.

THE PROJECT In 2019, HRS announced the purchase of the Oberto property along Rainier Avenue to the east of the school. In June of that year, the HRS Board of Trustees voted to build a new middle school with an expanded Learning Center on the property. The new building is scheduled to open for the 2022-23 school year.

The 4-story building will increase access to HRS educational programs. Students attend HRS from over 60 different ZIP codes, often choosing the school due to an inability to find a more local instructional program for their learning needs.

The new middle school will increase access by adding enrollment spots, totaling 225 middle school students. Expanding the campus will also benefit younger students by increasing enrollment opportunities in the current facility for students in grades 1-5 to 275 students.

The new building will devote an entire floor to the HRS Learning Center. Increased space will allow for expansion of tutoring services. The Learning Center also offers educational workshops, summer programs, live and virtual events, the HRS speaker series, and teacher training, all of which will benefit from the conference center housed in the new building.

There is NO question the need for HRS and the Learning Center will continue to grow. Not only has awareness of dyslexia increased societally, but legislation was passed to act upon this awareness.

The WA State Legislature passed Senate Bill 6162, requiring dyslexia screening for students in grades K-2, beginning in 2021. HRS anticipates as many as 15,000 students at each grade level statewide may be identified as having a language-based learning difference. The new facility will allow us greater opportunity to assist these students and their families.

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW? We are excited to begin construction soon - as we start to mobilize resources. In late March, Oberto announced this update about the Rainier Factory Store location on their website. We are deeply grateful to the Oberto family for their support and partnership throughout this process. You can read more about it here: www.oberto.com/rainier.

Our volunteer capital campaign cabinet has been hard at work behind the scenes to fundraise for this important and much-needed project. Mary Seifred took the lead as Chair in the early phase of the campaign and served as a tireless and passionate ››

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›› advocate on behalf of the school helping secure a foundation for success. She handed the reins to Mark Fordham in December. Mark has been a long-time member of the HRS community and has, time and again, stepped forward to provide steady leadership as the school has expanded and grown. We recently had the opportunity to meet with Mark to learn more about his involvement with HRS. MORE ABOUT MARK FORDHAM Mark Fordham joined the HRS board in 2011 after an invitation from then Head of School, Joan Beauregard, and when his son was a student in the 6th grade. At the time, he was serving as Vice President, Assistant General Counsel with Starbucks. His experience in corporate business and law added to an already strong and talented group of board members. Mark has since served in several leadership roles, most recently as capital campaign chair.

Q+A WITH MARK FORDHAM What makes the HRS mission meaningful to you?

Mark: Hamlin Robinson is uniquely placed to meet an underserved community and the outcome of receiving an education at the school changes the life trajectory of the family and student. Unfortunately, it is because there is an unmet need in serving students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences that HRS exists and is thriving. HRS has the opportunity to influence others and transform lives.

Why did you get involved with HRS and what makes this different for you?

Mark: In truth, I get a great deal of personal satisfaction in my volunteer work with HRS. The goodness rubs off – we are doing amazing work and creating transformative outcomes with our program.

In many ways, HRS saved my son – he needed care and he needed a thoughtful educational program.

Without HRS, his outcome would have been much different, not in a good way. HRS truly delivers on its mission. Not every organization can say that.

What motivates you?

Mark: One day, before COVID, Stacy Turner invited me to come to the school and greet the students in the morning as they entered the building. I was honestly overwhelmed by the energy, the joy, the excitement and happiness I saw in them as they

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entered the building. To know where they came from, to understand the struggles they encountered before HRS, to realize they are now excited about and having fun learning; that is what motivates me. Every student should feel this way about school.

What are you most excited about in the new building?

Mark: I am thrilled this building is dedicated to middle school students. To have the opportunity to ensure they are prepared for high school and beyond, that’s pretty exciting. In addition, to know the project is supported by the community, our neighbors, the Oberto family; it pays respect to Seattle and honors the history of our city. The Oberto family is a legacy in Seattle. I love that.

What do you hope happens to HRS next?

Mark: HRS has so much runway! Truly, we are only limited by our own aspirations. HRS is uniquely positioned to be an active advocate and leader in this space, and we continue to build a program in high demand because of our reputation and record of success with students who learn differently. We are the only school in the region serving this community which presents unlimited opportunity.

MIDDLE SCHOOL The new middle school will increase access by adding enrollment spots, totaling 225 middle school students.

The plan includes: • A learning facility uniquely designed for students in middle school.

• Flexible space for team building and collaborative activities.

• Dedicated science labs and library space with age-appropriate resources.

• Middle school physical education and fitness space.

• Designated areas for art, a maker space, and video production.

• Social-emotional specialists who focus on the age group’s needs.

• A facility that continues to enable interactions and collaboration among students in Levels 1-8.

LOWER SCHOOL Lower school enrollment opportunities will increase for students in levels 1-5, totaling 275 students.

The plan includes: • Flexible spaces that enable students to learn through hands-on projects and group interaction.

• A dedicated lower school science lab for hands-on experiences.

• An art studio and Innovation Lab for lower school experiences and skillsets.

• Space for additional lower school enrichment activities.

• Expanded services for lower school students, such as speech and social-emotional support.

HRS LEARNING CENTER • Growth as an educational resource hub for the region and nation.

• Hundreds (and eventually thousands) of teachers to be trained annually in a space designed for outreach events.

• An informational event site for parents newly affected by SB 6162 testing.

• Expanded resources offered to the greater community, such as speech and language services, advocacy support, testing and screening, and parent consultations.

• Expanded in-person and online tutoring services.

• Day or night events without disrupting other student programs and activities

This campus expansion will allow for innovative growth across three core programs of the school: the lower school, the middle school, and the Learning Center.

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

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Hadyn Daugs Alumna and Elevating our Impact community alumni chair Hadyn Daugs looks back at her time at HRS fondly, recalling her favorite teachers, biggest motivations, and hopes for the future.

ON HRS TEACHERS AND LEARNING: When the way you learn is different than most, it can take some time to adapt to traditional teaching. At HRS, Hadyn says, “I was able to learn how my mind works and the tools I needed to be successful in school and life. Mrs. Nelson, who is still at Hamlin Robinson,

was a blessing in my education. Not only was she patient with me in the classroom but she also helped me socially when being the new student.”

In combination with the dedication of the teachers, the activities at HRS pushed Hadyn to develop her skills. She best remembers the Question of the Day assembly, where students learned to answer a question with the question in it and gained confidence in public speaking. Hadyn suspects this was only the beginning of perfecting her love of public speaking.

ON HER BIGGEST MOTIVATIONS: Hadyn’s family has always been there for her as her biggest cheerleaders. Her learning was driven forward with her goals of graduating and achieving advanced degrees as major milestones to accomplish.

Hadyn has not only achieved a degree in Public Relations, but also earned an MBA. With these degrees and her hard-earned skills, Hadyn has been able to work for two global companies: L’Oreal and Microsoft. She’s worked hard as a team member to now being a team leader, sharing her expertise and guiding forward her teams. To her, the most important qualities in a leader are empathy and feedback, both positive and constructive.

ON HER DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE: Hadyn’s success can’t be doubted and her passion is easy to see. She loves travel and hopes the future will hold more of it. Hadyn’s favorite subject in school was history, since history is made up of diverse stories from around the world. Even today,

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docuseries are her top pick for a night of TV. As the community alumni chair for the HRS capital campaign, Elevating our Impact, which will fund the expansion of the HRS campus, Hadyn sees an opportunity to tell a new story, one of perseverance, the power of an idea, and the satisfaction of turning a dream into a reality.

campaign, Hadyn sees herself continuing the family legacy of philanthropy she learned from her parents.

Serving at the time as the president of the board of trustees at HRS, her dad, Dennis, was an integral member of the first Hamlin Robinson School capital campaign to build the current school on 20th Avenue.

HRS has constantly changed and evolved since it was first founded almost 40 years ago. As part of the

But, it takes more than one person to make a dream a reality. Hadyn is encouraging every alum and every HRS community member, from parents to grandparents to former students, to look at how they can give back to a school that helps so many and elevate their own individual impacts. Whether it be sharing time as a class speaker, talent as a mentor, or a donation to the new building fund, everyone can contribute something. In the end, what Hadyn most hopes for is for the original idea of the school to continue the reality of changing students and families lives for the better, and normalizing the strengths our youth with learning differences hold. •

FIRST ANNUAL HRS

Day of Giving On May 4, HRS launched our firstever HRS Day of Giving campaign to support the Joan Beauregard Endowment for Discovery and Enrichment. Thank you to everyone who made a gift to help fund cultural, historic, civic, artistic, and scientific enrichment for HRS students!

We were so thrilled to raise $24,000+ to ensure HRS students have a comprehensive and rich educational program.

Thank you This year, Hamlin Robinson School received donations from so many kind and generous donors. This support makes a tremendous difference to the school and helps HRS continue to thrive and grow.

Every single gift makes a tangible difference today and as we prepare for our future.

We cannot express how thankful we are for our community who, through their goodwill, make it possible to deliver our program, ensuring students who learn differently can succeed. www.hamlinrobinson.org | TH E S COOP

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Meet Our New Alumni and Outreach Manager, Rebecca Nuffer Rebecca joins our development team with a strong background in relationship building. She is passionate about creating connections and finding new ways to bring all elements of a community together. Now more than ever, she loves to find new opportunities for creative events!

You can find Rebecca strolling through the West Seattle farmer's market with her husband and toddler son, taking walks through local parks, or working hard to keep the plum trees in her yard at bay.

Learn about upcoming alumni events, programs, and more by visiting our new HRS alumni webpage today!

Feel free to contact Rebecca with questions or just to say hello. www.hamlinrobinson.org/alumni RNuffer@hamlinrobinson.org

While many things are different this year, we're not missing the chance to celebrate another great year and reconnect with HRS alumni in high school!

Join us for a virtual Alumni Day on May 26 at 3pm. Chat with friends and other alumni, catch up with teachers, and bring your competitive spirit for a game of bingo!

This free event is reserved for alumni who have graduated in the last four years.

Register by May 20 to take advantage of all the fun – and for a special alumni gift delivered right to your door!

Register: www.hamlinrobinson.org/alumni

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Thank You for Supporting the HRS 2021 Auction: Camp-In! On Saturday March 20, the HRS community joined together, while apart, to support Hamlin Robinson School for the 2021 HRS Camp-In auction. It was a Camp-In adventure to remember! This online camping trip was filled with spirited bidding, laughter, and lots of memories made, all in support of our school.

These proceeds will have an immediate impact on our students and school. A quarter of fund-a-need proceeds will be designated to our financial aid endowment which provides support for need-based financial assistance for HRS families. THANK YOU to everyone who made our auction a tremendous success and spectacularly fun we are so grateful.

Catered dinners, camper boxes and camping around the living room fire were the highlights of the night.

Our auctioneer, Ian Lindsay, opened the live auction on YouTube where livestreaming made it possible to watch and bid the night away.

A special thank you to everyone, seen and unseen, who helped plan this amazing celebration of our school.

In addition, the auction wouldn't have been possible without the contributions and partnership of our auction sponsors and donors. We are humbled by the dedication and spirit of giving from our community.

Although the event was virtual, we all joined together in the chat room, sharing emojis and cheering for every bid! (colon clap ) Your extraordinary generosity helped us raise over $310,000 – with over $205,000 contributed during the fund-a-need (not including matching funds).

We can’t wait to have s’more fun next year!

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, March 19, 2022

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NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT #573

1701 20th Avenue S. Seattle, WA 98144 206.763.1167 www.hamlinrobinson.org

UPCOMING EVENTS: May 26, 2021 Virtual Alumni Day June 15, 2021 Graduation July 7-30, 2021 Summer Slingerland Program

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