NewsFeed

January 4, 2023

January 2023: Beacons of Light and Hope; Post-Holiday Recipe for Happiness

Carol NewsFeed, Newsletter Hope Hall Newsletter, Sister Diana Dolce, Tribute to Dr. Barry Culhane, Tribute to Tilahun Gushish

For January’s Director’s Corner, Sister Diana revisits December’s topic on the importance of being points of Light and Hope, because toward the end of 2022, we lost two individuals within the Hope Hall Community who embodied those qualities. In this issue, we pay tribute to both of them.

She also focuses on the topic of happiness, pointing out that it is “an inside matter, ” and she offers a “recipe” for bringing happiness into our own lives, as well as those of our children.

In this issue, you’ll also find articles and information on:

Our Student of the Month, 10th Grader David Burt
Experience Italy (Please reserve April 29th on your calendar and watch February’s newsletter for registration!)
TJ Ruberti, our Alumni Spotlight for January
Middle School Math Teacher, Ms. Amie Fouchie, who held “Math Olympics,” as an innovative way to teach ordering numbers and working with decimals to her students
A tribute to former student and one of our points of Light and Hope who we lost in December, Tilahun (‘T’) Gushish (to watch a video tribute done in loving memory of him, Click Here)
A tribute to another of our points of Light and Hope who passed away in November, Board Member Dr. Barry Culhane
A Project done by the Senior Class called Painting with a Crunch
Snowmen in the Library!
An invitation to join us for Celebrate Hope, a new Interactive Open House on February 17th (for more information on this event, Click Here)
A photo collage of thanks to the Gates Fire District, for providing warm, new coats to our students through their annual initiative, Operation Warm

December 30, 2022

In Loving Memory of Tilahun (‘T’) Gushish

Carol Hope Hall, NewsFeed, Update T Gushish, Tilahun Gushish, Tribute to Tilahun Gushish

On December 7, 2022, Tilahun Belete Gushish, our friend, former student, and an inspirational figure at Hope Hall passed away, due to the cancer he had fought since he was a child, living on the streets of Ethiopia.

In the video below, we pay tribute to him, in loving memory, using his own words, excerpted from his graduation speech, and photos and video taken of him during the four years we were privileged to have him as a student at Hope Hall.

For T’s obituary, and to learn of his journey that brought him to the United States, click here.

For his full graduation speech, click here.

December 6, 2022

Mischievous Elves Make Merry at Hope Hall

Carol Events, Hope Hall, NewsFeed Carol White Llewellyn, Hope Hall Woodworking Show, Jase Raymond, Mischievous Elves Video

Just as everyone, including staff, students, and volunteers, is preparing for our Annual Holiday Woodworking and Craft Show on December 10 from 9 am to 3 pm, a group of mischievous elves have invaded our woodworking center! You can’t imagine the havoc they’ve created! Watch the video to find out how peace was made between the elves, the staff, the volunteers and the students!

And don’t forget to join us for this fun, free event in Hope Hall’s gym on Saturday, December 10th!

We look forward to seeing you there!

For full details on the woodworking show, click here.

December 6, 2022

December Newsletter: We Are the Light, We Are the Hope

Carol Curriculum, Events, Fundraising, Hope Hall, NewsFeed, Newsletter, Success Stories December Newsletter 2022, Hope Hall curriculum, Hope Hall School, Sister Diana

For this month, Sister Diana reflects on the dark days of December, when “the light in our northern hemisphere is very much diminished,” noting that it reflects a certain darkness surrounding us in our city, nation, and our world.

She points out that this makes it so important for each of us to become a point of Light and Hope.

Because we are all connected, we can spread that light and hope, and become a force for good. When we do something purposeful for others, and recognize the things in our own lives for which we are grateful, “We can make a difference. We can make someone else’s world better even in a small way.”

She also shares tips for bringing that sense of connection, light and hope into the lives of our children.

In this issue, you’ll also:

Meet our Student of the Month (Adelina, a.k.a. Addie Hunneyman) and discover how she was chosen for this recognition by the Rochester A.M. Rotary Club.
Discover the achievements of two of our Alumni
Learn about our new and upcoming Celebrate Hope Interactive Open House on February 17.
Check out how our Trailblazing Blackhawks did in the Pumpkins in the Park 5K run.
Read several of “The Animal in Me” poems from the 6th Grade Poetry Project. (To see all of “The Animal in Me” poems, Click here.)
Learn how our 2022 Annual Appeal makes a difference in the lives of our students
See our “Twelve Days of Hope Hall Values” Christmas and Holiday Greetings.

Click on the newsletter below to download and read the issue.

December 1, 2022

The Animal in Me 6th Grade Poetry Project

Carol Curriculum, NewsFeed Hope Hall curriculum, Ms. Mariya Gunda, Poetry

Students act out the animal about which they wrote

Almost all children love animals, so to help her students discover poetry and study figurative language, Middle School ELA Teacher Mrs. Mariya Gunda presented a project, asking her 6th grade students to get in touch with their “inner animal.”

They began by talking about the differences between literal and figurative language, and discovered that in literal language you say exactly what you mean, using no comparisons. Figurative language, on the other hand, is full of comparisons such as similes, metaphors and hyperboles.

Then, using venn diagrams, they explored characteristics of different animals to discover which qualities were shared by multiple animals. The students then associated those qualities with their own personalities, using the animals as a metaphor.

“I really wanted them to be able to link the lesson to themselves. We imagined how the animals would react,” she said, explaining how they talked about the imagery that would go with those reactions, getting to the core of the animal’s being to encourage vivid descriptions.

Following completion of their poems, the students read their poems aloud in class, often using body language to act out their animal.

Below are the Animal in Me Poetry Project poems written by students in Ms. Gunda’s 6th Grade Class. Click on the poem to download a pdf.

Dominic

Aurora

Logan

November 27, 2022

Hope Hall 2022 Holiday Woodworking & Craft Sale

Carol Events, Fundraising, Hope Hall, NewsFeed Hope Hall Holiday Woodworking Sale, Hope Hall Woodworking

December 10, 2022 from 9 am – 3 pm

Join us in Hope Hall’s gymnasium on Saturday, December 10 from 9 am to 3 pm for our Annual Holiday Woodworking and Craft Sale!

We’ll have an extraordinary selection of high quality woodworking items, hand-crafted by Hope Hall staff and volunteers. You’ll find something for everyone, even those for whom shopping is challenging! Choose from among home and holiday décor, furniture, toys and games!

You’ll also discover a great assortment of craft items created by staff and friends within the Hope Hall Community.

We’lll definitely get you in the holiday spirits with our “select-a-gift” raffle, holiday décor and music!

All woodworking purchases help underwrite Hope Hall’s Woodworking Program.

This is one holiday sale you don’t want to miss!

Hope Hall is located at 1612 Buffalo Road in Gates, NY. The entrance is off the parking lot behind the school. This event is FREE and open to the public, so all are welcome!

November 3, 2022

November Is Gratitude Month!

Carol Events, Fundraising, Hope Hall, NewsFeed, Newsletter, Uncategorized Hope Hall November Newsletter

In November’s newsletter, Sister Diana points out that, in spite of all that is happening in the world that may be bringing us down, focusing on things and people we are grateful for helps alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety and helps bring HOPE.

During the month of November, she will be encouraging our students to develop a habit of gratitude by listing 5 things for which they are grateful each night before they go to sleep, and by thinking of 5 things for which they are grateful before they leave school for home at the end of each day.

She encourages all of us to do the same to reinforce and bring Hope into our lives.

You’ll also find:

A spotlight on two of our alumni
An update on our Gala, and a thanks to all who contributed
An inspiring excerpt from our Gala Parent Speaker, Roxanne Henry
A Thanksgiving Blessing
An article on an innovative strategy one of our teachers is using to teach history
A Flyer and reminder about our Poinsettia Sale (You can also find the flyer here)
A reminder of Hope Hall’s Woodworking Sale on December 10

Click on the newsletter below to download a copy.

October 20, 2022

Plein Air Art

Carol Curriculum, Multi-sensory, NewsFeed, Uncategorized

When students are learning to create art, it’s important to give them the opportunity to work with a wide variety of mediums, in order to discover what tools they enjoy working with, and what style best suits them.

Last week, when the weather was beautiful, Art Instructor Mr. Aydin Ture took the students outdoors to paint en plein air (French for outdoors) using acrylic spray paint on canvas.

The difference between acrylic spray paint and traditional oil-based spray paint is that acrylic dries faster and combines some of the same properties as oil paint and watercolor. Fortunately, it also washes off more easily!