Hamlin Robinson School
Scoop
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.
As I turned the calendar to August, I was struck by how quickly the summer has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the end of the 2024–2025 school year, and now we find ourselves preparing to welcome students back for another year of learning, laughter, and growth.
However, before I talk about the new school year, I can’t help but smile when I think of the end of last year. One of the moments I always look forward to each spring is Alumni Day. It’s such a joy to reconnect with former students whether they’re just finishing their first year of high school, entering the workforce, or completing college. Their reflections and excitement are powerful reminders of how strong and lasting the HRS community truly is.
This spring, we also celebrated an exciting milestone with our first school musical, Madagascar. The energy in the auditorium on performance night was contagious! Whether students were on stage or behind the scenes, it was clear how proud they were to be part of
something so special. I know it’s a memory they, and many of you, will cherish for years to come.
Graduation, as always, was one of the most meaningful days of the year for me. Listening to our graduates share what HRS has meant to them — how they’ve grown in confidence, rediscovered the joy of learning, and learned to advocate for themselves — was incredibly moving. These stories affirm the powerful impact this community has on students’ lives.
Now, as we turn to the upcoming school year, I realize that at Hamlin Robinson School, we are united by a shared goal to meet the unique needs of students with dyslexia and to celebrate their strengths. That mission takes all of us — students, families, teachers, staff, and supporters — working together. I’m so grateful to each of you for being a part of it.
COVER: The Class of
In this edition of The Scoop, I hope you’ll enjoy seeing some of the joyful moments from the end of the school year, as well as a spotlight on the amazing work of our Instructional Support Team (IST). We look forward to welcoming students back to school soon and seeing the impact that the IST and our teachers have on student learning. Most of all, I hope you’ll feel the warmth, purpose, and connection that make our community so special.
While we know that the start of school may bring a few butterflies, we recognize that the Back to School Conferences help alleviate that fear and help students prepare for that first day. We cannot wait to have students back on campus for another great year.
Warmly,
Stacy Turner Head of School
In Loving Memory Remembering Hayden Hall
The Hamlin Robinson School community mourns the loss of Hayden Hall, who passed away on July 4 after a battle with lymphoma. Mr. Hall was a Middle School teacher and advisor, one who loved helping students find joy in math. His warmth, wisdom, and genuine care left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him.
Mr. Hall brought remarkable patience and creativity to his classroom, making math feel accessible and engaging for his students. He came to school each day with a happy heart, leaving students and colleagues alike feeling respected, supported, and seen. Beyond his dedication as an educator, Mr. Hall was also a professional DJ who brought joy to countless celebrations, including many HRS Middle School dances.
A University of Washington graduate and former Husky Marching Band member, Mr. Hall was passionate about sports, fitness, and community. He completed multiple Seattle Marathons and the challenging RAMROD bike ride around Mount Rainier. His colleagues and friends often described him as “a walking hug,” someone who approached every interaction with genuine kindness and enthusiasm.
Mr. Hall found joy in the everyday. Whether he was encouraging his students in math class, mentoring aspiring DJs, or simply offering a smile in the hallway, he made everyone around him feel valued. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he brightened.
Hamlin Robinson School will continue to honor Mr. Hall’s memory and the positive impact he made during his time with us. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.
In accordance with his family’s wishes, HRS has established the Hayden Hall Legacy Scholarship Fund, which will support students whose families face financial barriers to attending HRS. The Hayden Hall Math Resource Center has also been created in his honor, bolstered by the family’s generous donation of Hayden’s collection of math games and manipulatives. Through these materials, students will experience the kind of hands-on learning that Hayden knew makes math come alive.
A QR code is included for those wishing to contribute in his memory.
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
On the evening of June 10, the class of 2025 became the 40th graduating class of Hamlin Robinson School. For these students, graduation marked the completion of an educational experience that was instrumental in how they view learning and themselves.
As is tradition at HRS graduation, each graduate took the stage for a speech. Their reflections touched on personal and academic growth, gratitude for the community that supported them, and excitement for what lies ahead. Speaking with confidence and clarity, the class of 2025 showed how far they had come since their first days at the school.
Their words captured the impact of the HRS experience — the journey from uncertainty to confidence, from struggle to strength.
“HRS does a great job at promoting individuality. It is so easy to be myself in the judgment-free environment created here. Without this school, I don’t think I could be the proud, independent person I am today.”
“When I first got here, I was unsure of myself and nervous about what the future would look like with dyslexia. However, being surrounded by teachers who understood how I learn and classmates who share similar challenges made all the difference.”
“My friends at HRS have shown me that respect isn’t just something we give to others, but something we also give to ourselves.”
“I learned that handson learning helps me, and I learned that I like to be challenged to try new things.”
Incredible student musical performances were a highlight of the evening’s show. The graduating class also presented a beautiful piece of artwork that will hang on the walls of our Middle School, a daily reminder of the individuals who comprise the class of 2025.
To the HRS class of 2025, congratulations on this milestone. Your hard work, determination, and growth are things to admire, and we can’t wait to watch you soar. •
The Team
BEHIND THE TEACHERS
Spotlight on the Instructional Support Team
While teachers work directly with students throughout HRS classrooms every day, there’s another team working behind the scenes to ensure that teachers have the tools, training, and support they need to help students succeed. The Instructional Support Team (IST) serves as the backbone of the HRS academic program, pioneering educational vision and implementing it in classrooms with intention.
With an impressive 80 years of combined classroom teaching experience, the four members of the IST each bring a particular focus to the team.
Lindsey Key leads the team as the Director of Teaching and Learning, crafting big-picture educational visions and translating them into concrete actions.
As Curriculum Specialist, Emma Lopez vets, adapts, and supplements curriculum content, as well as manages monthly student assessments to ensure student needs are met.
In her role as Slingerland Specialist, Bonnie Meyer supports teachers instructing reading and writing using the Slingerland approach, ensuring the approach is implemented with fidelity.
Together, they create a onestop shop for resources and information for teachers.
“The model we have at our school is unique, innovative, and not replicated in many other places,” notes Meyer. “We bring such a depth of support to our teaching staff that strengthens everything we’re doing every day for students.”
The IST’s work over the 202425 school year included several significant projects, including ongoing work on a multi-year refresh of scope and sequence plans (documents that detail what to teach and when in each content area). “Many schools don’t have a scope and sequence. They’re just following what the curriculum suggests,” says Lopez. “But that doesn’t benefit everyone all the time.” The team is taking these documents from topic lists
Dr. Emily Starrett serves as Math Program Manager, refining the math program, designing scope and sequence, and strengthening the connection between math and literacy instruction.
to comprehensive curriculum maps that move towards vertical alignment across grade levels.
In partnership with University of Washington, Dr. Starrett is also conducting ongoing research in math learning, examining student sense-making processes and developing instructional tools and strategies, specifically for students with dyslexia. The IST also expanded parent education through monthly Family Association presentations and hosted professional development opportunities for teachers at HRS and beyond, including a four-day workshop for math teachers in August.
“I’m so proud to be part of a team that delivers such high-quality professional development in-house for our staff,” says Meyer. By listening to the conversations and questions posed by teachers who
visit the IST office throughout the day, the team can provide targeted professional development baked right into teachers’ workday.
While each member brings specialized expertise, the team’s real strength lies in their collaboration. “We function as a true team,” says Lopez. “In isolation, we could do all this great stuff, but it only comes together when we’re all on the same page. We all have the same vision in addition to the school’s mission.”
At the heart of the Instructional Support Team’s work is a fundamental belief in HRS students and their potential. “We’re not here to help people learn how to modify materials and make them easier for our students,” explains Key. “We’re here to maximize what we can help each and every student accomplish.” •
Nest Back To The Alumni Day 2025
As alumni returned to campus this May, you could feel the excited energy in the air. Warm hugs, laughter, and happy reunions filled the room as old friends reconnected. Alumni swapped HRS stories and reflected on the ways they grew throughout their time at school.
Graduates from various years walked campus together, pointing out former classrooms and favorite spots. The familiar phrase “Remember when...” echoed through the building, sparking memories and conversations.
This year’s Alumni Day was made even more special as we honored beloved HRS teacher Pat Massoth, who retired at the end of the school year. Alumni gathered to celebrate her remarkable career and thank her for the lasting impact she made on their education.
Alumni Day reminds us of the strong connections within the HRS community, and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined us to celebrate.
We love our alumni and can’t wait to welcome you back again next year!
Meet + Greet
with Anne Baunach Director of Advancement
Hamlin Robinson School is thrilled to welcome Anne Baunach as our new Director of Advancement. With more than 30 years of experience connecting nonprofit missions with their communities, Anne brings a deep passion for educational equity and a strong background in marketing, communications, and fundraising.
Reflecting on her first months at HRS, Anne shared:
“I am so happy to join this amazing school community. Beginning in May allowed me to participate in some incredible events this spring including Alumni Day, Graduation, and the end-of-year faculty and staff party. It was evident that this is a community that is changing the lives of students — and I cannot wait to help contribute to this mission.”
We sat down with Anne to learn more about her background, her passion for education, and what excites her about joining the HRS community.
Q: Tell us about yourself and your professional background.
I’m a proud mom of two adult children and have been married to my husband Jay for 33 years. I was deeply involved in my children’s education, from volunteering with the PTA to teaching art in their classrooms. My passion for education led me to serve nearly seven years on the Auburn School Board.
Professionally, I’ve always gravitated toward roles where I could help move a mission forward by connecting communities to causes through marketing, communications, and fundraising. I’ve worked with organizations like Mary’s Place, Green River College, the Highline Schools Foundation, and the YMCA of Greater Seattle. Across these roles, one constant has remained: a commitment to creating opportunities for children and youth to thrive.
Q: What inspires you about joining Hamlin Robinson School?
I love this quote from Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful tool which you can use to change the world.” I believe there’s nothing more important than how we educate our children.
I also believe that education isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s why I’m so inspired to be part of a school like HRS that recognizes and celebrates student learning.
Q: What are your biggest challenges for the coming year?
This is an incredible community with so much happening. It’s exciting! One of my biggest challenges will be identifying where I can make the most meaningful impact right away and prioritizing projects strategically.
I’m also really looking forward to building relationships with our amazing students, families, and community members.
Q: What do you think people might be most surprised to learn about the Advancement team?
We have a phenomenal Advancement team of dedicated, mission-driven professionals who work behind the scenes to support the entire HRS community. Our work includes communications and website management, event planning, supporting the Family Association, and leading fundraising efforts like the Annual Fund and the Fun & Free Play Campaign.
I think many people would be surprised to learn just how many different ways we help create an enriching, joyful, and well-supported environment for our students.
Q: How can the HRS community best support our amazing school? Connections. Connections. Connections. We want to share the story of Hamlin Robinson School with more families who could benefit from what we offer. The best way our community can support us is by being strong advocates and sharing their own experiences about the remarkable work of our faculty and staff with others. Word-ofmouth and community support are incredibly powerful.
Welcome, Anne! We’re excited to have you as part of the HRS family and look forward to the leadership and warmth you bring to our community.
Curtains Up!
Madagascar, The Musical: A Smashing Success
HRS students took the spotlight this spring and accomplished something remarkable: staging the school’s first musical, Madagascar!
Students were excited to work with Danielle Melilli (Lower School Librarian), Nathalie Curtis (Director of Auxiliary Programs), and Owen Fox (Music Teacher) to bring HRS’ first musical theater performance to life. And what a show it was! Choreography, music, costuming, and action took center stage in front of an energetic audience who packed the house to support the cast and crew.
The musical was a true team effort. “It was important to me for the musical to be a for us, by us situation for the students.” says Curtis. Students took on roles based on their interests: creating props in the Middle School Makerspace, dancing in the chorus
through Dance Club, running lights in technical crew, and creating costumes with guidance from an experienced costume designer.
For three months, the cast and crew were hard at work preparing the show. Working together, they
Save Date THE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
9:00 AM AT SEWARD PARK
Join the HRS community for the 2nd Annual Dyslexia Dash fun run!
Open to HRS students, families, alumni, and friends.
rehearsed lines and music, learned dance numbers, constructed sets and props, and built costumes. When showtime arrived on June 6, students were ready to bring the house down. The cast performed with confidence and charisma, brought to life by creative costumes, set pieces, and lighting. A huge thank you to our neighbors at Giddens School and Lake Washington Girls Middle School, who were gracious enough to share their auditorium space for the show.
From the first rehearsal to the final bow, Madagascar showcased the musical magic that HRS students can create when their creative potential is ignited. Bravo! •
1701 20th Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98144
206.763.1167
www.hamlinrobinson.org
UPCOMING EVENTS:
September 17, 2025
MS Curriculum Night
September 18, 2025
LS Curriculum Night
September 26, 2025
Fall Parent Social
October 8, 2025
Walk in the Shoes
October 25, 2025
Dyslexia Dash
