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August 2, 2023

Our Summer Newsletter Is Chock-full of News!

Carol Fundraising, NewsFeed, Newsletter, Success Stories, Uncategorized Hope for Tomorrow Campaign, Hope Hall Newsletter, Summer 2023 Newsletter

Since our summer newsletter covers all the activities that happened at the end of the year, it’s packed with news!

In addition to Sister Diana’s Directors Corner, in which she calls for Resiliency and Hope, and thanks the many, many individuals, foundations, and donors who made this year’s Walk for Hope so successful. She points out that the kindness and generosity of each is a great reason to keep Hope in our hearts.

In this issue, you’ll also:

Meet our new Associate Executive Director, who many of you may already know!
Hear from our graduates, regarding what they have learned that they are taking out into the world (To listen to their actual speeches, visit Hope Hall Senior Speeches 2023)
Discover how we celebrated our Eighth Graders moving up to become High School Students
Meet our three students who were recognized by Benjamin Bruce, Deputy Assistant Attorney General In-Charge of the Rochester Regional Office, for receiving New York State Attorney General Letitia James’s Triple “C” Award for Commitment, Character and Courage
Get an update, with photos on the expansion and renovation progress happening on the Hope for Tomorrow Campaign
See photos from Hope Hall’s Talent Show that happened toward the the end of June
Discover what elements of their Living Environment Science class Hope Hall’s 10th Graders were able to identify on a field trip to the Seneca Park Zoo
See photos from the Walk for Hope that raised over $48,000 toward the Hope for Tomorrow Campaign

Click on Newsletter above to download

May 31, 2023

Hope Hall Contest Alert!

Carol Fundraising, Hope Hall, NewsFeed, Uncategorized Hope for Tomorrow Campaign, Hope Hall Contest, Hope Hall Merchandise Contest

As we kick off the month of June, a time of celebrations as our eighth graders move up, and our seniors graduate and begin the next phase of their lives as young adults, we will also celebrate all that the Hope for Tomorrow Campaign has, and will, accomplish for our students in a month-long on-line Hope for Tomorrow series. This special series will highlight some exciting facets of the Hope for Tomorrow Campaign, including construction, program expansion details, the impact of scholarships and financial aid, and more. Like and follow us on social so you don’t miss out!

Plus, our e-newsletter members will get a couple of exclusive “Deep Dives” during the month that provide the inside scoop on construction, and some detailed stories about how our students’ lives will be changed by this initiative to expand our footprint and programming in order to better meet the needs of students who learn differently. CLICK HERE to sign up for our e-mail list if you aren’t already on it.

Contest Details

Every NEW like and follow on our social media platforms and every NEW e-mail sign up between June 1st and June 5th will be entered into a contest for a Hope Hall Merch pack, including a Hope Hall drawstring bag, a Hope Hall sweatshirt, a Hope Hall polo shirt, hand-designed cards, and pens.

You won’t want to miss out!

Follow us on Social Media, or add your name to our e-news list using the links below, for a chance to win!

Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

The winner will be selected in a random drawing from among qualifying entries. A variety of sizes are available in the polo shirt and sweatshirt. Winner will be announced Tuesday, June 6th. Hope Hall Students, Faculty and Staff are not eligible to win.

Hope Hall Students watch construction workers at the school

April 6, 2023

Students Marvel as Hope for Tomorrow Construction Progresses

Carol Fundraising, Hope Hall, NewsFeed, Uncategorized, Update Hope for Tomorrow Campaign, Hope Hall School Expansion

Construction on the expansion and renovation of Hope Hall School is progressing smoothly.

Our students have been fascinated to watch as the vestibule that was used as the exit for recess was taken down (watch the short video below, taken in February). Each day, as machinery operators dig the hole deeper and deeper to create the basement-level Woodworking Center’s Inventory Management Center, adults and students at the school marvel that the operators of such huge machinery as the excavators used to dig the cellar can be so precise.

For many of the students–especially the younger students who have not yet taken woodworking classes– concepts such as math and measurements come to life as they say the construction workers using these skills to ensure the construction is done properly. For older students considering what they may want to pursue once they get out of school, construction and heavy machinery operation has become an interesting career choice.

Stay tuned to our newsletters, website and social media for update on the Hope for Tomorrow Campaign construction.

For those who would like to help make the dream of the school’s expansion, renovation and enhancement to student programming, your gift would be much appreciated, and it would make a world of difference for our current and future students!

We are happy to be working with Passero Associates as our architectural firm and with Taylor The Builders as our General Contractors.

April 3, 2023

Active Listening Makes All the Difference

Carol NewsFeed, Newsletter, Uncategorized Hope Hall Newsletter

In the April Newsletter, Sister Diana points out the importance of Active Listening. This is a skill that involves the head and heart, as well as the ears, and that leads to understanding, rather than simply hearing what someone else has said.

She points out that, if we practiced the two following activities, all of us would be improving communication and actively building healthier relationships

When you are listening to someone else, listen with an attitude of wanting to understand first.
. After someone has spoken to you, say, “Let me say back what I think I heard you say.

She points out that this is another good way to end some of the destructive behavior that leads to violence in our homes, our workplace, our city, and our world.

In this issue:

Discover how four of our athletes feel Hope Hall’s Sports Program has helped them become successful personally and academically, and how they feel it will impact their future.
Learn about several field trips our students have taken, and how curriculum in reinforced through these adventures.
Enjoy photos of Hope Hall’s Walk for Hope Kick-off, which was covered by Channel 13 WHAM’s Bright Spot.
We cover alumni Casan Curry’s success and the fact that he was named a a member of The Men of Excellence and Women of Excellence program at MCC
Discover how Hope Hall is being transformed as construction begins to make the vision of Hope for Tomorrow a reality
Meet our Student of the Month for March, Leia Mancini
We thank one of our Gold Level Champions of Hope, Sage Rutty
Learn how YOU can become a Community Partner in Walk for Hope!

Click image below to download the newsletter.

March 6, 2023

Collaboration and Cooperation, the Mantra for the March Newsletter

Carol NewsFeed, Newsletter, Uncategorized Hope Hall Newsletter, Sister Diana Dolce

Sister Diana’s Director’s Corner for March focuses on “Collaboration” and “Cooperation,” two words that many see as the same, but she sees as two complimentary, but different concepts.

She defines collaboration as “working together with others to achieve a common goal,” and cooperation as “working together for a common goal, but also getting along with those with whom you are working, honoring differences of opinion and styles of doing something, and appreciating the fact that there is always more than one way to achieve any goal.

She goes on to say, “In other words, collaboration is what you do in working together, and cooperation is how you do it. She offers suggestions of how to reinforce the values of collaboration and cooperation in the home.

In addition, this issue features:

Our Alumni Spotlight focused on Bridget Lanschwager and Charlie Schaffer.
Student of the Month, Billy Bosley
An article on Hope Hall’s new initiative, the Hope for Tomorrow Campaign that will enable the expansion and renovation of the school and help us enhance programming.
The tale of Enemy Pie in the classroom
Seeds of Hope in Science
How the St. Pauly shed helps Hope Hall and many others.
An update on Experience Italy and invitation to make in-kind donations for it.
Save the Date for the High Hopes Golf Tournament (Hint: It’s July 31 this year, at The Links at Greystone)

To download or read the newsletter, click on the image below.

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!

October 3, 2022

October’s Newsletter – A Focus on the Value of Hospitality

Carol Events, Hope Hall, NewsFeed, Newsletter, Uncategorized, Update Hope Hall Newsletter, Sister Diana Dolce, Toast for Hope Gala

For the month of October, Sister Diana focuses on the value of Hospitality. She points out that hospitality is defined as the act of welcoming another person into our space, into our life, and letting the person know that s/he matters.

She asserts that Hospitality is a value that needs to be taught, nurtured, and cultivated
in order to become a way of life, and she offers tips on how to incorporate it into our personal lives, as well as to make it a way of life for members of our family, including our children.

In this issue, you’ll also find:

- An article about the Dewey Cafe, a “book tasting” that was organized by Ms. Combs and Mrs. Widera to introduce our students to different types of non-fiction.
- An update on new staff, and employee changes at Hope Hall
- Photos from the First Day of School
- An opportunity to “participate” (at least virtually) in the annual “Burying of the I Cant’s” Ceremony.
- Discover How Middle School Science Teacher Miss Kaitlin Hamilton put lab safety “under a microscope to teach her students about doing safe science experiments.
- Read a thanks to all who helped ensure our students and teachers had all they needed in school supplies
- Discover what’s in store for our Toast for Hope Gala online auction.
- Learn how Alvah Halloran & Son’s Hot Rods for Hospice helped the community, including Linda’s Cupboard
- A Save the Date for our Annual Woodworking Sale on December 10.

Click on the image below to download our October Newsletter.

Click to Download

In this issue, you’ll also find:

- An article about the Dewey Cafe, a “book tasting” that was organized by Ms. Combs and Mrs. Widera to introduce our students to different types of non-fiction.
- An update on new staff, and employee changes at Hope Hall
- Photos from the First Day of School
- An opportunity to “participate” (at least virtually) in the annual “Burying of the I Cant’s” Ceremony.
- Discover How Middle School Science Teacher Miss Kaitlin Hamilton put lab safety “under a microscope to teach her students about doing safe science experiments.
- Read a thanks to all who helped ensure our students and teachers had all they needed in school supplies
- Discover what’s in store for our Toast for Hope Gala online auction.
- Learn how Alvah Halloran & Son’s Hot Rods for Hospice helped the community, including Linda’s Cupboard
- A Save the Date for our Annual Woodworking Sale on December 10.

Click on the image below to download our October Newsletter.

Click to Download