Thursday Thoughts is a weekly communication for HRS families, including school news, events, and more. Stay up-to-date by reading Thursday Thoughts!
Thursday Thoughts will return in August. Have a great summer!
Thank you for a wonderful school year! We hope that you have a terrific summer with family and friends.
Read below for the last notes of the year. Thursday Thoughts will return in August.
Trimester 3 progress reports and STAR Reading and Math reports are now accessible through myHRS.
Families can find the STAR Reports under Files & Forms, from the drop down menu under the account profile (top right of myHRS). Questions about STAR reports? Please contact Emma Lopez.
The 2025 - 2026 School Calendar is available on the HRS website here. Take a look at what's to come for the upcoming school year!
Last call to sign up for HRS camps this summer! Camps run from June 23 - August 8. Click here to learn more and register!
Calendar
Thursday Thoughts Archive
June 5, 2025
Don't miss Madagascar Jr., tomorrow, Friday, June 6 at 5:30pm at the Giddens School Auditorium (2120 21st Ave. S).
Admission is free and the show runs for about 45 minutes. The cast and crew have been hard at work and they can't wait to see you there!
You should have received an email on Wednesday, May 28 with a link to this year's HRS Family Survey. We encourage you to complete the survey by Wednesday, June 11 so that HRS can further enhance our programs.
Thank you!
The Student Council is coordinating a Care, Comfort, and Community Drive for Wellspring Family Services. They will be collecting toiletry items until the end of the school year. Student Council encourages donations of:
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Soap + body wash
- Deodorant
- Diaper cream
- Baby lotion
- Menstrual products
- Hairbrushes
- Combs
- Hand sanitizer
- Cotton swabs
Items can be dropped off at the front office. Thank you for your support!

On Tuesday, June 10, HRS will host Field Day for lower and middle school students. Please send your student to school in homeroom (LS) or advisory class (MS) colors for a day full of fun activities. Field Day will be fully managed by HRS teaching staff.
Questions? Contact Kendall Melonson or Alex Dixon.
Lower School Teams (Homeroom):
- Red – Huard, Massoth, Wehrly, Van Zant
- Green – Krueger, Kolar
- Green – Main, Edgerton
- Blue – Flaherty, Klaiber, Spangler (half)
- Blue – McDougall, Brooks, Spangler (half)
- Purple – Achziger, Klocksiem
- Purple – Colton, Tice
Middle School Teams (Advisory):
- Blue – Magno, Lee
- Red – Morrow, Tresh
- Purple – Blumer, Morgan
- Green – Acevedo/Stoltzfus, Boe
- Orange – Willis, Kirmeyer
- Yellow – Fox/Hooper, Gruenberg
- Pink – Lundry, Kuh
- White – McGrath/LeMasson, Parsons
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 11.
Dismissal on this day is three (3) hours earlier than your student's typical dismissal time. No Extended Day care is available on June 11.
- Lower School dismissal is at 11:55am (no Extended Day)
- Middle School dismissal is at 12:10pm (no Extended Day)
Buses will reach pick-up locations three (3) hours early. See revised times (approximate) below:
East Bus
- Mercer Island Walgreens 12:20pm
- Issaquah PCC Community Markets 12:37pm
Northwest Bus
- Interbay Pagliacci 12:46pm
- Ballard Goodwill 12:54pm
- Shoreline (Town & Country Market) 1:09pm
Northeast Bus
- Wallingford QFC 12:36pm
- Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center 12:47pm
- Northgate T-Mobile 12:57pm
Hybrid Bus
- UW (Husky Stadium) 12:39pm
- South Kirkland Park and Ride 12:58pm
- Uwajimaya Bellevue 1:08pm
Join us at Arts Fest tonight from 5:30pm to 7:00pm! This annual all-school event celebrates the creativity of HRS students. Activities will take place in the Middle School building.
Families are invited to participate in activities throughout the building, including gallery walks, musical performances, visual art displays, music library, drama performances, a community art project, and a visual art display scavenger hunt. See you there!
Please have your students check the Lost & Found (located in the cafeterias of each school building) by tomorrow, Friday, May 16. All items unclaimed by the end of the day on Friday will be donated. Thank you!
Remember: there will be no school next Friday, May 23 for Progress Report Day. Day-On will be offered on this day.
Ahoy, matey! Come along with us to enjoy the last Day-On of the year - a Pirate's Life for Me! We'll be learning about the seven seas, hunting for buried treasure, and spinning tall tales of Bluebeard and Davy Jones. Don't be surprised if your student comes home that day wanting to go by their new pirate name!
As always, register on CampBrain!
Thursday Thoughts showcases a different Arts & Wellness subject area each week. Today, Owen Fox spotlights what's happening in Middle School Music.
With ArtsFest happening this evening, I wanted to showcase some of the work that is going into the event from our MS musicians:
Music tech students from multiple trimesters will be displaying their summative project in the MS Library. Music will be playing in the room, with separate stations set up for families to listen to students' music with headphones. This performance is also their test. Students are graded on utilizing music theory and production techniques that they have learned through other class assignments.
Student rock bands will also be performing at ArtsFest tonight. We have four bands performing a wide variety of genres and styles. I'm proud to say that students pitched, discussed, and selected their own songs to perform this year. ArtsFest is an opportunity for them to practice playing with the added pressure of an audience, before they perform again at Benaroya Hall for graduation. As a practical class, the takeaway intended for students is for them to apply what they've learned in a music environment outside of school.
Not featured in ArtsFest, but featured in my heart, are our world music students. We've listened to songs from 35 European and 2 non-European countries through the Eurovision Song Contest (finals are this Friday!). Yesterday, we started a unit where students analyze the top 100 music chart of a country in Asia. After independently listening to some of the songs popular in that country, they will focus on comparing music (and pop culture as a whole) between that region and the U.S.
THANK YOU!
A huge thank you to everyone who provided support for the two Faculty Appreciation events hosted by the Family Association last week. Tuesday's snack bar and Friday's taco + burrito bar were huge hits! Whether you donated time, items, or both, these appreciation events could not happen without your help. Here are photos of what you helped to create.
5/14 Meeting Minutes
Thank you to everyone who attended the last Family Association meeting of the year yesterday! In addition to end-of-year updates, attendees had the chance to hear a presentation on Executive Functioning: Skills + Strategies with Emma Lopez, Curriculum Specialist. You can find the slide presentation and meeting minutes posted on the myHRS Family Association tile.
Registration continues for HRS Summer Academy! Less than 20 spots remain for the Slingerland® morning class, so don't forget to register if you have this in your plans.
July 7 - 30, 2025: Slingerland® morning class for students entering grades 1-8, focused on reading, writing, and language skills.
June 23 - August 8, 2025: A variety of weeklong full-day and half-day enrichment camps for all kinds of interests!
For more information, visit the Summer Academy website.
Save the date! The performance of HRS' first Spring Musical will take place Friday, June 6 at 5:30pm at the Giddens School Auditorium.
Come support the cast and crew as we set sail for Madagascar, Jr! Admission is free. Hope to see you there!

Families commuting to Hamlin Robinson School can opt for a variety of transportation options including private bus service, car pool, or public transportation. In partnership with our third-party bus service provider, HRS offers morning and afternoon bus service on routes in the King County area (at an additional cost).
A bus survey will be sent to HRS families on Friday, May 16. This brief survey will help us better understand commuting plans for current and incoming families for the 2025-2026 school year - including desired bus routes and stop locations. Please take a minute to complete the survey by Sunday, May 25 to help us with bus transportation planning. Thank you!
Questions about the bus program? Please contact LaChrista Wilson.
2024-2025 marked the first year of a partnership between the HRS Learning Center and PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support). Through the PAT program, we've connected with families in creative and intentional ways, providing support as they navigate the parenting journey through adolescence and into adulthood.
We’re incredibly grateful to Curriculum Specialist Emma Lopez for her thoughtful group facilitation and support of families throughout the year. Last week, Emma and Rod Walton (Director of Outreach + Learning Center) attended the end-of-year luncheon at PEPS to celebrate a great first year. Here's to growing this work further in year two!
May 29, 2025
You should have received an email on Wednesday, May 28 with a link to this year's HRS Family Survey. We encourage you to complete the survey by June 11 so that HRS can further enhance our programs.
Thank you!

On Tuesday, June 10, HRS will host Field Day for lower and middle school students. Please send your student to school in homeroom (LS) or advisory class (MS) colors for a day full of fun activities. Field Day will be fully managed by HRS teaching staff.
Questions? Contact Kendall Melonson or Alex Dixon.
Lower School Teams (Homeroom):
- Red – Huard, Massoth, Wehrly, Van Zant
- Green – Krueger, Kolar
- Green – Main, Edgerton
- Blue – Flaherty, Klaiber, Spangler (half)
- Blue – McDougall, Brooks, Spangler (half)
- Purple – Achziger, Klocksiem
- Purple – Colton, Tice
Middle School Teams (Advisory):
- Blue – Magno, Lee
- Red – Morrow, Tresh
- Purple – Blumer, Morgan
- Green – Acevedo/Stoltzfus, Boe
- Orange – Willis, Kirmeyer
- Yellow – Fox/Hooper, Gruenberg
- Pink – Lundry, Kuh
- White – McGrath/LeMasson, Parsons
The Instructional Support Team is happy to share an update on our research partnership with the University of Washington. In classrooms where families have consented, Dr. Starrett has been filming math lessons and collaborating with teachers to think about student sense-making. Kids have been engaging beautifully in the lessons and doing a great job of explaining their thinking!
Additionally, Dr. Lewis, a professor at UW, and Dr. Starrett began working with students (whose parents provided consent) for 1-1 sessions focused on how those students think about math. If your student participated, you will be receiving a brief report of the findings, including student strengths and activities/practices to support their math thinking at home.
The team is excited to continue this work in the fall and connect with more students next school year!
The last day of school is Wednesday, June 11.
Dismissal on this day is three (3) hours earlier than your student's typical dismissal time. No Extended Day care is available on June 11.
- Lower School dismissal is at 11:55am (no Extended Day)
- Middle School dismissal is at 12:10pm (no Extended Day)
Buses will reach pick-up locations three (3) hours early. See revised times (approximate) below:
East Bus
- Mercer Island Walgreens 12:20pm
- Issaquah PCC Community Markets 12:37pm
Northwest Bus
- Interbay Pagliacci 12:46pm
- Ballard Goodwill 12:54pm
- Shoreline (Town & Country Market) 1:09pm
Northeast Bus
- Wallingford QFC 12:36pm
- Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center 12:47pm
- Northgate T-Mobile 12:57pm
Hybrid Bus
- UW (Husky Stadium) 12:39pm
- South Kirkland Park and Ride 12:58pm
- Uwajimaya Bellevue 1:08pm
The performance of HRS' first Spring Musical, Madagascar Jr., will take place Friday, June 6 at 5:30pm at the Giddens School Auditorium (2120 21st Ave. S).
Admission is free and the show runs for about 45 minutes. The cast and crew have been hard at work and they can't wait to see you there!
Registration for HRS Summer Academy closes soon! If camps or Slingerland® morning classes are in your plans, don't forget to sign up.
July 7 - 30: Slingerland® morning class for students entering grades 1-8, focused on reading, writing, and language skills.
June 23 - August 8: A variety of weeklong full-day and half-day enrichment camps for all kinds of interests!
For more information, visit the Summer Academy website.
We had many parents who volunteered as class or grade level reps this year. These volunteers helped to organize student and parent social events and welcome new members to our community. Many are planning end-of-year events as well!
We hope that each of you will reach out to your reps and thank them directly. Our community is stronger as we connect.
As we look toward next year, we'd love to hear how you would like to be involved. HERE is a 2-minute survey to share your preferences and ideas. Thanks to everyone who has already completed the form!
The Student Council is coordinating a Care, Comfort, and Community Drive for Wellspring Family Services. They will be collecting toiletry items until the end of the school year. Student Council encourages donations of:
- Shampoo + conditioner
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Soap + body wash
- Deodorant
- Diaper cream
- Baby lotion
- Menstrual products
- Hairbrushes
- Combs
- Hand sanitizer
- Cotton swabs
Items can be dropped off at the front office. Thank you for your support!
May 22, 2025

All HRS families should have received the 2025-2026 bus survey last week. Please take a minute to complete the survey no later than this Sunday, May 25!
This brief survey helps us better understand commuting plans for current and incoming families for the 2025-2026 school year - including desired bus routes and stop locations.
Questions about the bus program? Please contact LaChrista Wilson.
With the end of the school year approaching, the HRS Technology Department is coordinating the collection of devices and accessories issued to Middle School students during the 2024-25 school year.
All devices and accessories must be returned to campus on or before Monday, June 2, 2025.
If your student has content or schoolwork stored on the device’s hard drive, please print or save it to an external drive or cloud-based storage. All content stored on the computer will be removed after the device is returned to the school. Please note: after July 1, if the device is not returned to HRS, a $1,200 replacement fee will be automatically charged to your tuition account.
Level 8 students can access their HRS Microsoft account (email, OneDrive, etc.) until December 31, 2025. Student accounts and content will be permanently deleted and cannot be restored after this date. If students need assistance with data backup, please create a ticket with the student’s name, advisor’s name, and a convenient time to connect with the student.
If you have questions, please contact techsupport@hamlinrobinson.org, and they'll be happy to help!
Remember: no school tomorrow, Friday, May 23, for Progress Report Day. It's not too late to register for Day-On!
Ahoy, matey! Come along with us to enjoy the last Day-On of the year - a Pirate's Life for Me! We'll be learning about the seven seas, hunting for buried treasure, and spinning tall tales of Bluebeard and Davy Jones. Don't be surprised if your student comes home that day wanting to go by their new pirate name!
As always, register on CampBrain!
The mission of the HRS Family Association (FA) is to promote belonging, participation, education, and awareness for the families attending Hamlin Robinson School. Each of you support this mission in countless ways.
This past year, so many of you volunteered your time as class or grade level reps, new family buddies, attendees at Family Association meetings, participants at parent ed events, donors toward faculty and staff appreciation, supporters of the Auction and Annual Fund, field trip chaperones, hosts at events, and much more. Thank you! Our community is stronger because of you.
As we look toward next year, we'd love to get an idea of how you would like to be involved. HERE is a 2-minute survey where you can share your preferences and ideas. We look forward to hearing from you.
We're delighted to announce that Anne Baunach has joined Hamlin Robinson School as Director of Advancement. Anne brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, fundraising, and donor relations to support the school's mission and growth initiatives.
Jen Fukutaki, our previous Director, is staying right here at HRS! She will continue on the Advancement team in a new role focused on development and community engagement.
Please join us in welcoming Anne to HRS!
Thursday Thoughts showcases a different Arts & Wellness subject area each week. Today, Alex Dixon spotlights what's happening in Middle School P.E.
During Trimester 3, students in Level 6, 7, and 8 have had the opportunity to learn technical skills, improve their tactical awareness of strategy and game play, and build teamwork and cooperation within our Team Sports Elective classes.
Students have cycled through multiple indoor and outdoor sports including soccer, flag football, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, touch rugby, basketball, kickball, pickleball, futsal, and badminton. Each week, the focus is on a different sport, building toward competitive but fun scrimmage games.
PEPS, a community partner of the HRS Learning Center, is offering a free community event next week.
Mindful Teens: Reducing Anxiety + Building Confidence in a Digital World
Wednesday, May 28
6:30 - 8:30pm
Together Center, 16305 NE 87th St, Redmond, WA 98052
Dr. Jennifer Tininenko, a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of the Child Anxiety Center at Evidence-Based Treatment Centers of Seattle, will share research-backed strategies for parents and caregivers of children aged 10-19. Learn how screens affect adolescent mental health, discover practical ways to set healthy technology boundaries, and connect with other parents while gaining actionable tips to reduce technology-related stress and build emotional resilience in your teen.
The performance of HRS' first Spring Musical will take place Friday, June 6 at 5:30pm at the Giddens School Auditorium.
Come support the cast and crew as we set sail for Madagascar, Jr! Admission is free. Hope to see you there!