HRS Learning Center Wins Best of Washington Award

Nominated by the community of peers, Central District’s Hamlin Robinson School Learning Center was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Best of Washington Innovative Program Award by the Washington Federation of Independent Schools. The HRS Learning Center programs impacts the entire community and serves students from variety of public and independent schools. This new and innovative program leverages the strengths and transformational qualities of HRS for the benefit of, not only our students, but students and teachers in a variety of schools. The Learning Center has monthly parent educational lectures, professional development opportunities and now tutoring, screening and testing. This ambitious program offers an array of language related services and collaborative opportunities.

The HRS Learning Center programs will benefit over 1,000 students and professionals this year alone. This is a significant expansion in the reach of HRS: in its 29 year history HRS has served just over 1000 students and it will take just one year to reach the same number of participants with the variety of programs in the Learning Center.

Over the two-week winter vacation the school has nearly finished setting up the Learning Center teaching facility. Dane Jensen, HRS Trustee and advocate, has coordinated this effort. The Center features a lab group classroom, six tutoring stations, a conference room and a large event and presentation space. The Learning Center has been made possible by generous support from Wright Runstad & CompanyDane F. Jensen DesignPatrick H. BodenBank & Office Interiors, and Kayley Westra.

Learn more about the HRS Learning Center and upcoming programs at www.hamlinrobinson.org/LearningCenter

HRS is an independent, accredited, non-profit, state approved 1st grade through 8th grade school in Seattle for students with dyslexia and related language difficulties. The school uses a multi-sensory structured language approach in helping students discover the joy of learning, build positive self-esteem, explore creative potential, and acquire specific language skills necessary for success. This accepting environment is respectful of individuals and embraces diversity, allowing each student to recognize and accept his or her own differences and those of others.

Hamlin Robinson School is dedicated to meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs specific to students with dyslexia and related language difficulties.

Dyslexic Advantage Book Presentation at HRS Wed, Nov 30

Come and hear a special presentation and attend a book signing with the authors of the acclaimed book, The Dyslexic AdvantageBrock L. Eide, M.D., M.A., and Fernette Eide M.D. The event will take place this Wednesday, Nov 30 at 6:30pm at Hamlin Robinson School, an independent school in the Central District dedicated to meeting the educational, social, and emotional needs specific to students with dyslexia and related language difficulties.

In this paradigm-shifting book, the authors describe an exciting new brain science that reveals that people with dyslexia have unique brain structure and organization. While the differences are responsible for certain challenges with literacy and reading, the dyslexic brain also gives a predisposition to important skills, and special talents. 

With advice for parents, educators, and dyslexics, The Dyslexic Advantage provides the first complete portrait of dyslexia. Supporting their claims with groundbreaking science and interviews with successful dyslexics and innovative teachers, the authors of this essential book show how the unique strengths of dyslexia can be captured for success at home, at school, and at work.

Register here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2421972184

What others are saying about the book:
“Probably the most helpful material ever published on dyslexia…” – Manuel Casanova MD, Gottfried and Gisela Kolb Professor of Psychiatry
“A compelling call to action.” – Scientific American Mind 
“This is a must read for parents, educators, and people with dyslexia.” – Gordon F. Sherman, Ph.D., Past-President International Dyslexia Association 

Building Blocks: Early Learning and Preschool Fair

Parents of preschool-aged children, save the date for this free early learning and preschool fair! More than 50 pre-schools are attending the fair to help you weigh location, class size, language and more! Includes FREE childcare (one hour limit) provided by Annie’s Nannies in the playroom provided by Seattle Children’s Museum.

Learn 
Talk to over 50 preschool and other exhibitors related to the early years 
Parent “mini-lectures” including: 
 – Getting an Early Start on Financing Your Child’s Education 
 – Why Learn a Second Language Now? 
 – Developmental Milestones—How to decide when intervention might be needed
 – Helping the “socially-challenged” preschooler  Choosing a Preschool

Eat 
Lunchtime Leverage Yummy Snacks 
Cupcake Decorating with  Cupcake Royale

Play 
Mini-Soccer with Arena Sports in the covered outdoor playground 
Storytime in the school library
Live Music on the school stage including:  
 – Alley Oop 
 – Nancy Stewart 
 – Jamtown 

Saturday, November 05
9:00am – 1:30pm
FREE

Hamlin Robinson School
1700 E Union St

Presented by Seattle’s Child Magazine and GET. Hosted by Hamlin Robinson School

http://www.hamlinrobinson.org/buildingblocks

Middle School Choices – Middle Matters Fair at Hamlin Robinson School

It’s a squirrelly, worrisome time, those middle years between the childhood security of elementary school and the teenage liberation of high school. Boys’ limbs lengthen and girls’ angles turn to curves seemingly overnight. Friendships form and dissolve with lighting speed. New subjects at school — what’s algebra? — loom large.

Middle School is a huge decision and finally there is a community event that will help families navigate the many choices Seattle has to offer. 

On Nov 1, 2011, Hamlin Robinson School hosts a special evening which will help to demystify middle school, the middle school process and how to begin your search.

You have questions about Middle School, they’ll have answers.

The Evening’s Agenda…

  • 6pm Event begins: visit schools’ information tables and the “Cyber Cafe” 
  • (available all evening!)
  • 6:15 Welcome from the Heads of Schools
  • 6:30-7:15 Speaker Karin Kallander: Adolescent Brain Development and Middle School 
  • Student panel
  • 7:30 Speaker Rosetta Lee: Priming Your Student for Learning
  • Q&A

Participating schools include:  Hamlin Robinson SchoolSeattle Girls SchoolHyla Middle SchoolBillings Middle SchoolLake Washington Girls Middle SchoolExplorer West Middle School and Seattle Public Schools

HRS Student Activism at TT Minor Playfield

Have you ever faced a larger community issue and wanted to do something about it? Well, the students at Hamlin Robinson School did!

T.T. Minor Playfield, the park neighboring HRS, is home to many wonderful community activities including the school’s Ultimate Frisbee team practices, running, catch and dog walking. However, as you come onto the field, you might find something you didn’t want to find – dog waste. This has been a neighborhood concern for many for quite a long time – so HRS 6th graders took notice and acted!

They recently kicked off a campaign to encourage the neighboring community to scoop-up their dog’s waste. The students created a plan, called STEP:

S= Supply bags
T= Teach the lower grades about the environmental impacts of dog waste
E= Educate the community
P= Promote

This campaign first started earlier in the year when the 6th graders complained about stepping in dog waste. In response to this, the students wrote persuasive letters to the Seattle Parks Department asking if they would be willing to install a dog bag dispenser. A representative came to the class and read each letter explaining why individual students letters were impactful. Then, agreed to install the dispenser. The students discussed having a voice with a choice: to be heard you need to choose to approach the problem in a manner that both parties win.

Then 6th graders passed the torch to the 7th graders asking them to create enthusiasm within the school and the community spirit to change dog owners behavior. The 7th graders formed task groups: one was to collect bags, another was to promote the concept with the neighborhood, and another group was to educate the neighbors by making flyers.

The students decided to have a poster contest in which 60 posters were collected, winners were chosen and all the posters were displayed on the fence surrounding the playfield creating a powerful reminder. They also included a poster with 10 reasons to scoop-up dog waste listed. The students hope that their campaign will raise awareness and create a better place for the whole community.

Now that’s nothing to bark about!

‘Race to Nowhere’ Screening presented by Seattle Girls’ and Hamlin Robinson Schools

On  Tuesday, May 17th at 6:30pm Seattle Girls School and Hamlin Robinson School will present  a screening of ‘Race to Nowhere at HRS.  A panel discussion will be held immediately after the movie.

A concerned mother turned filmmaker aims her camera at the high-stakes, high-pressure culture that has invaded our schools and our children’s lives. Race to Nowhere points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating has become commonplace; students are disengaged; stress-related illness and depression are rampant; and many young people arrive at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.

Race to Nowhere is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. This film has been said to be…

  “Culture changing” Rachel Simmons, Author, The Curse of the Good Girl
  “A growing grass-roots phenomenon.” Washington Post
  “Must see movie” NY Times
  “Another inconvenient truth” George Lucas Educational Foundation
  “Compelling” Diane Ravich, Author, The Death and Life of the Great American School System

Tuesday, May 17
6:30-9:30 pm
Hamlin Robinson School
1700 E Union St
Seattle WA 98122

Tickets are available online: http://rtnseattlegirls.eventbrite.com/

Clock hours available for educators

Walk in the Shoes at Hamlin Robinson School

Have you ever struggled in school or wondered what it would be like not to succeed because of the way you learn? This event is a moving simulation of what it is like to be faced with dyslexia and the impact it has on learning. For new parents, this is a great opportunity to learn the barriers children face. Also, consider inviting any other adults in your life that can benefit from this (grandparents, aunts, friends).
 
Date: Thursday, October 7th, 2010
Time:  6:30-8:30 (please be prompt)
Place:  Gather in the HRS Learning Center
In this simulation you will experience the frustration and difficulties dyslexic and students with learning disabilities encounter in school.  This is a great way for parents and caregivers to understand the auditory, visual and kinesthetic challenges of Dyslexia.
 
Please be prompt.  Class will start on time. This event is for adults, so feel free to invite your family and friends (but please leave the kids at home).
 
Please call us with any questions: 206-763-1167