Hamlin Robinson School
IN THIS ISSUE
I was recently invited to the monthly meeting of a local organization to share information about our school’s mission and impact. Halfway through my presentation, an audience member stood up and asked to share his story.
He shared that his son had attended Hamlin Robinson School several years ago. Dyslexia ran in the family and had greatly impacted his own life journey. As tears rolled down his face, he spoke about the shame he felt in school while struggling with reading. He didn’t have a school like HRS. But his son did.
“Your school changed his life,” he said. With pride, he went on to share that his son graduated from high school with an outstanding GPA and is now a Division I athlete maintaining equally impressive academic success in college.
In the moment, I knew that this father’s words spoke more directly to our school’s impact than anything I could have prepared. Everyone in the room knew that his words were from the heart.
Just weeks before, I had a similar experience with another father. This one happened to be the Prince of Sweden. Like the father at the
meeting, dyslexia ran in his family and greatly impacted his life. Even all the way in Sweden, His Royal Highness had heard about our school and wanted to visit while in town. He was seeking ways to make the educational journey of children in Sweden more adaptive to learners with dyslexia.
I’m profoundly grateful to witness these kinds of stories, and I share them because they belong to all of us. Together, we have built this school and this community. We’ve created a community that is focused on meeting the educational needs of students with dyslexia and committed to sharing our expertise beyond our walls.
In this edition of the Scoop, you’ll see this commitment in action through the work of our students, teachers, staff, and parents. I hope you’ll feel pride at what we’re accomplishing together. •
Stacy Turner Head of School
Prince Carl Philip of Sweden Visits HRS
In March, Hamlin Robinson School students, faculty, and staff welcomed a special visitor: His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip of Sweden.
Dyslexia awareness and education are important to the royal family of Sweden: the Prince, his sister, Crown Princess Victoria, and father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, all have dyslexia. In 2015, the Prince and his wife, Princess Sofia, established a foundation, a key focus of which is supporting dyslexia education.
During his visit to HRS, Prince Carl Philip observed Lower and Middle School classes and met with faculty and staff to learn about the school’s instructional approach. It
was obvious that he truly enjoyed interacting with students, hearing about their experiences with dyslexia and HRS, and engaging students in conversation.
Students had all kinds of questions for the Prince, from the silly (What’s your favorite candy?) to the serious (How does dyslexia make it harder for you to be a leader?)
“It was exciting because nobody else in my family has met a prince. I was the first!” reflected one Level 1 student. A fellow
classmate agreed: “I think we were all the first! Not many people get to meet princes.”
The HRS community appreciated the opportunity to connect with Prince Carl Philip, the visiting staff of his foundation, and other members of his delegation during his visit to Seattle. Our tagline, where learning has no limits, came to life in a new way—with our methods catching attention across continents and bringing royal visitors to our classroom doors. We hope to find ways to collaborate with the Prince Couple’s Foundation to support dyslexia education locally and worldwide. •
Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s HRS Galactic Gala & Auction, held in March at the Museum of Flight! We enjoyed an evening of stellar food, far-out fun, and out-of-this-world auction items. Every dollar raised will support the students and transformative programs at Hamlin Robinson School.
Whether you donated items, attended the live event, bid online, or supported this year’s Fund-A-Need, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Adding to the party: the Fun & Free Play Campaign was launched at the 2025 Auction. Our HRS community raised significant funds to be used for the purchase of new play structures. We had an ambitious goal, and we’re off to a great start!
The Fun & Free Play Campaign supports the build-out of the blacktop outdoor area of the playfields as well as the outdoor Middle School plaza. Upgrades will include play and fitness structures suitable for both Middle School and Lower School students.
In order to move forward with this capital project, an additional $200,000 will need to be raised. Want to help us reach our funding goal?
• Donate!
• Share the cause with friends and family.
• Let us know if you have grantmaking contacts at a community or family foundation.
Please contact Jen Fukutaki in the Advancement Office with any questions about supporting the Fun & Free Play Campaign: jfukutaki@hamlinrobinson.org. •
Discovery + Enrichment
The Joan Beauregard Endowment for Discovery and Enrichment opens doors for students by bringing special guests, speakers, and performances to Hamlin Robinson School. Visitors from all fields spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and enrich the HRS student experience. Here, we highlight two recent visitors:
Kazu Kibuishi
When acclaimed graphic novelist Kazu Kibuishi visited campus, the excitement was palpable! Creator of the beloved Amulet series (one of the most checked-out books in the library), Kibuishi shared about his creative journey, the inspiration behind his work, and the challenges he has overcome. Students watched in awe as he conducted a live drawing demonstration while answering their thoughtful questions. For many of our students who think visually and connect deeply with graphic novels, this visit was particularly meaningful.
Eleonora Karpukhova
Internationally renowned pianist Eleonora Karpukhova brought the beauty of classical music to Middle School students. An Associate Professor at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory and winner of numerous international piano competitions, Karpukhova played five exquisite pieces before answering students’ questions. Students enjoyed learning about her journey from beginning piano at just five years old to becoming a virtuoso who performs all around the world.
These visits show students the endless possibilities that await them — we are deeply grateful that they are part of the fabric of HRS. You can help bring more of these experiences to HRS students by supporting the Joan Beauregard Endowment for Discovery and Enrichment through the HRS online giving portal. •
The Pat Massoth
Legend
For most of the past 30 years, the youngest students at Hamlin Robinson School have entered the classroom each fall and found someone who would become one of their most beloved teachers and advocates — Pat Massoth.
Ms. Massoth will retire at the end of this school year and say goodbye to daily life at HRS. She will be deeply missed! We’re taking this opportunity to spotlight her life and stellar career.
Early Life
Born in Seattle, Pat moved frequently during childhood. Her father’s career in the U.S. Navy meant attending many different schools from elementary through high school. These experiences taught her what it feels like to be a new student in a new classroom, not knowing anyone. She learned firsthand the importance of making students feel welcome and at home in their classroom from day one.
Pat graduated from high school in the Seattle area and became the first in her family to attend university, studying at the University of Washington. While working a summer job as a waitress at the Ocean Shores Inn, she met the love of her life, Gary Massoth.
Becoming a Teacher
After Pat and Gary married, his military post immediately took them to the Philippines, where Pat took her first teaching job. Following another move, she paused her career until returning to Seattle. Wanting to make a bigger impact on students who struggled with reading, she decided to enroll in summer Slingerland training at Hamlin Robinson School. In 1996, Pat was hired at HRS — and the rest was history! Over the decades, Ms. Massoth became legendary for the impact she has made on the lives of students.
Why She Teaches
Pat always wanted to help people succeed. Members of her own family grew up with dyslexia and never had the benefit of instruction that could help them learn, thrive, and feel smart. The Slingerland Approach® and teaching at HRS gave her the skills and tools to make an impact.
Pat’s words of wisdom for teachers:
• You have to like the kids and accept them for who they are.
• The kids are so smart!
Pat’s words of wisdom for students:
• No one is perfect. Just do your best.
• You are learning for YOU, not for your teacher.
• Believe in yourself — you have the tools to succeed.
For decades, Pat has found joy in watching students learn and grow. She loves hearing updates from former students and running into them out and about. But — Pat reminds her former students — always introduce yourselves. Former students often look very different from the time they were in primary grades at HRS!
What’s Next
After retiring in June, Ms. Massoth plans to travel, play golf, and enjoy life. She will miss the HRS community and teaching — we wish her all the very best! •
Wednesday, May 28 3:30–5:00pm
Former students can connect with Ms. Massoth at this year’s Alumni Day! RSVP at hamlinrobinson.org/alumni.
Joyof Inquiry The
What happens when teachers give Middle School students the tools to think like scientists and engineers? The annual Science + Engineering Fair in April provided exciting answers.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE + ENGINEERING FAIR
As students prepared for the Fair over six weeks, they were encouraged to inquire, problemsolve, think creatively, and discover. Using the framework of the Engineering Design Process, Level 6 students were challenged to identify a problem in their own lives and build a prototype
solution. For their projects, Level 7 and 8 students applied the Scientific Method to conduct different experiments connected to their science curriculum.
On April 3, the Middle School was abuzz, full of families, students, and teachers eager to see the results of their hard work and experimentation.
Level 6 engineers showcased solutions to a range of challenges in their daily lives. Students guided audiences through their engineering process for prototypes like a sunrise alarm clock, a hockey stick that returns the puck back to the user, a 3D printed trash compactor, and much more. Sharing their successes, failures, and surprises illuminated the reality of creative problem-solving.
Level 7 and 8 tackled questions like: What is the effect of a Venus fly trap’s diet on their growth? How does the temperature of a guitar string affect its frequency? How does the blade size affect the amount of voltage produced by a wind turbine? Using the Scientific Method, students designed experiments to probe these questions. Students conducted background research, formed testable hypotheses, collected data, and analyzed results to answer their posed question.
In addition to their impressive experiments and engineering design work, students also gained public speaking experience with various audiences, from Level 1 students to HRS parents and faculty members. Experiences like the Science + Engineering Fair are essential parts of the HRS Middle School journey, building students’ confidence and skills as they look towards the future. •
Experiences like the Science + Engineering Fair are essential parts of the HRS Middle School journey, building students’ confidence and skills as they look towards the future.
Sharing What Works
EDUCATOR OUTREACH AND WIDENING OUR IMPACT
Teachers connect at the first Literacy Link professional development workshop.
Dyslexia affects about 20% of the population, but not every student has access to an education designed for their learning needs. For Hamlin Robinson School, the desire to build a world where all learners can thrive compels us to share our expertise with educators beyond our campus.
How Did HRS Support Educators?
The Admissions team and Instructional Support team hosted several Educator Tours, welcoming heads of school, educational psychologists, learning specialists, and others interested in understanding HRS and the profile of our students. Visitors heard from administrators, observed classrooms, and asked questions about our literacy approach. They witnessed firsthand the benefits of a school like ours, with its comprehensive curriculum, classroom-based setting, and evidence-based literacy approach.
In addition, HRS faculty and staff hosted two professional development workshops for teachers across the region. These sessions shared teachers’
specialized expertise, focusing on ways to support students with dyslexia or other language-based learning differences (LBLD).
As part of the Learning Center’s Literacy Link program, Curriculum Specialist Emma Lopez led a grant-supported, free workshop about identifying and supporting struggling readers. Participants learned about key assessments to identify students’ literacy strengths, methods to personalize instruction, and more. In addition to the toolbox gained, teachers were able to trade strategies, network with others, and learn more about the work done at HRS.
Lower School Librarian Danielle Melilli and Art teacher Melissa Schmoll led a workshop specifically for specialist teachers. Teachers
Lower School Head Jessica Ruger speaks at an Educator Tour.
of subjects like art, music, drama, and PE play an important role in nurturing the strengths of all students, including those with LBLD. Melissa and Danielle discussed ways for specialist teachers to become champions for learners with dyslexia through awareness, understanding, and instructional design.
Opportunities like these equip teachers and other educational professionals with knowledge and strategies to support diverse learners. Through educator outreach and training, HRS extends our impact and expands educational equity. •
Local educators observe a Middle School writing lesson at an Educator Tour.
www.hamlinrobinson.org
May 28, 2025
June 10, 2025 Level 8 Graduation
June 11, 2025
Last Day of School
June 23 – August 8