Washburn High School provides students with an education that promotes excellence in academic, artistic and athletic achievement!

12/8/17 -- Issue 12
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

12/13  Parent Council Social Gathering @ 6:00pm (Carbone's on Cedar)
12/14  Site Council Meeting
@ 4:30-6:00pm (106B)
12/18  Senior Pictures Due
to Yearbook Committee 
12/19   ACT Writing Workshop @ 3:15pm 
12/25-29  NO SCHOOL
- Winter Recess

1/1-1/5  NO SCHOOL - Winter Recess
1/8  Back to School for the New Year
1/24  End of Quarter 2
1/29  Quarter 3 Begins
COUNSELING OFFICE & CAREER/COLLEGE
 


Career & College Center
Check out the weekly newsletter here

Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Minnesota's Office for Equity and Diversity would like to share a couple scholarship opportunities for historically underrepresented students for the 2018-2019 academic year. Recipients of these scholarships are amongst our top students, and they go on to become successful contributors to their communities.If you have any questions, please contact Ralph Blanco ( rblanco@umn.edu  or  612-625-8680 ).  

Historically underrepresented students of color who will...
... graduate from a Minnesota high school and have been accepted to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities   should consider applying for the Puckett Scholars Program. The online application can be found here. Deadline is March 1, 2018.

American Indian high school students who will...
... be attending any of the University of Minnesota campuses starting in the Fall 2018 semester  should consider applying for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) Endowed Scholarship.  The online application can be found here.  Deadline for new undergraduate students is March 1, 2018.

ACADEMICS & TESTING INFORMATION
 

From the Testing Coordinator
All 11th graders (juniors) are automatically registered for the ACT on Tuesday, February 27th.  The test is free for all students in 11th grade at Washburn.
  • Students will take the 4 multiple choice subtests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science AND take the Writing subtest of the exam.
  • 11th graders are automatically excused from class on 2/27 and are expected to be on time and present for the testing session which will start promptly at 8:30 AM.
  • Online testing resources are available on the Washburn website under Testing Resources
Juniors - Writing Test Workshop
Juniors are invited to practice their writing skills of on the ACT at an ACT Writing Test Workshop on: December 12 (after school), and December 19 (6th period). Students will learn about the test, the process, and the rubric and then be able to take a practice writing test. Their practice test will be evaluated using the ACT Writing Test Scoring Rubric and will be returned to students with feedback. More info available online. 
ARTS NEWS
 

Important Dates
December:  Student art display at Washburn Public Library (5244 Lyndale Ave.S)
12/9: WAC meeting 9 a.m. Common Roots Cafe
12/18:  Winter Concert 7 p.m. in auditorium: Choraliers, Miller Voices, Orchestras
12/19:  Winter Concert 7 p.m. in auditorium: Crew612, Treble Choir, Men's Choir, Bands
12/18 & 19:  Cocoa & Clay at Winter Concerts
12/20:  Black Box Theatre : 7:00 pm University of MN-Rarig Center for the Arts 330 21st Ave S, Minneapolis
12/21:  Black Box Theatre:  7:00 pm University of MN-Rarig Center for the Arts 
 
WAC Meeting 
Join us Saturday, Dec. 9 for the next Washburn Arts Council (WACmeeting (and mark your calendars for future meetings the 2nd Saturday of each month). We meet at 9:00 a.m. at  Common Roots Cafe, 2558 Lyndale Ave. South (meeting room in the back of the cafe).  
 
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for Cocoa and Clay sales on 12/18 and 12/19. Click here to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aa8ae2fa0f94-cocoa1 
 
Gala News
There are still some fun Great Gatherings available: Email whsfallartsgala@gmail.com for more info. Proceeds benefit the Washburn Arts Council.
 
WHS Alumni Cabaret 1/4 @ 7:00 pm
Fulton Brewing Tasting 1/16 @ 6:30 pm
Guthrie Theater Backstage Tour 1/20 @ 10:00 am
Spanish Tapas 1/27 @ 7:00 pm
Paper making 2/3 @ 2-5 pm
Book Discussion 2/22 @ 7:30 pm
Miler Underground: Karaoke Party 2/24 @ 7:30 pm
Soup and Board Games 3/17 @ 6:30 pm
ATHLETICS


Athletics Schedule Online
Don't forget check out the weekly athletic schedule online to come out and support our players at home games & matches!   http://mplscity.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=6&school_id=7  


Dining Out for Nordic Skiing 
Come support the Nordic Ski Team by dining out on Tuesday, Dec. 19th at Galactic Pizza (2917 Lyndale Avenue S.) from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.  Please use the attached flyer to help the proceeds benefit Washburn! 
MILLER MART ONLINE ORDERS

Online Orders will be delivered next week. Parents who ordered items will receive an email when the merchandise arrives.  

Pick up Schedule will be: 
    • Monday 12/18:  5:30-7:00pm
    • Tuesday 12/19:  7:30-8:30am
    • Wednesday 12/20:  5:30- 7:00pm
GIFT CARD DRIVE
 
Holiday Help
Can you help us get gift cards for our Social Work program?  Washburn currently has about 30 students who are identified as Homeless/Highly Mobile. We also have many families who are facing housing or food instability. Can you imagine trying to be a teenager and worrying about basic needs such as shelter, food, or clothing? Thanks for your support of our own Millers who could use some extra support during the holiday season! 

This year we are collecting gift cards from the following stores. Cards in any amount help. Cards can be mailed to the school (attn: Erica Lebens-Englund) or they can be brought to the main office.   
  • Target
  • Walmart
  • Cub 
  • Walgreens
*Cash or check donations can also be accepted in lieu of gift cards. Checks can be written to the "Washburn Parent Council" with Washburn Cares in the subject line. Cash donations will help the committee offer yearbooks & prom tickets at a discounted price for students in need. 
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CLOTHING DRIVE     


Donate clothes today! 
Amnesty International is hosting a refugee winter clothing drive. Please bring any coats, gloves, hats, scarves, boots and snow pants you no longer use. Drop items off in the Main Office and Media Center between December 14th--January 24th.
COCOA & CLAY     


Student Art for Sale 
Are you still looking for that perfect holiday gift? Please join us on December 18th and 19th from 5:30-7:00pm for our annual Cocoa and Clay sale! Beginning and advanced ceramic students have been creating a variety of ceramic wares including, mugs, bowls, soap dishes, and plates to raise funds for the ceramic program. These funds will be used to go on field trips, artist in residencies and to purchase specialty supplies. We will be located in front of the auditorium. Cash and Checks accepted. 
SENIOR UPDATES 

Senior Meeting
All students will be attending a Senior meeting on Dec. 13th during Advisory. Important graduation material will be covered. Students will receive their graduation packet on that date.

All Night Senior Party
We are looking for Senior parents to join the Senior Party Planning Committee. We will recruit underclass parents to be chaperones at the event, but need current Senior parents to plan some of the fun. We cannot do the party without a committee so reach out today! Email Erica Lebens-Englund with interest in this committee. 

Senior Photos
Send your senior pictures, senior quotes and baby pictures to wahian2018@gmail.com by December 18, 2017. 

Send each item in a separate email with the first and last name of the senior in the subject line along with what is in the email. Example Subject Line: Mitchell Krause Baby Photo Senior photos should be "cropped to 8x10 portrait orientation (vertically) at a minimum of 300 dpi (should be around 1 meg sized file). DO NOT submit LANDSCAPE (horizontal) oriented photos. Senior photos must be recognizable. And no props please.  Seniors who do not submit a photo will have their Lifetouch photos used.  

Yearbook Senior quotes should be: 20 words or less, positive, encouraging, celebratory, and related to school/graduation/success. Quotes must be in standard English, verifiable by a quick internet search if attributed to someone else. No violence, put-downs, sarcasm, -isms, or random statements that are non-graduation related. 
PARENT INVOLVEMENT - SITE COUNCIL / PARENT COUNCIL

Parent Council
Parent Council offers several ways to get more involved! Looking for opportunities to contribute to Washburn, consider the following options for involvement:
  • Social Gatherings (every other month -- see dates below)
  • Parent Learning Topics (every other month-- see dates below)
  • Volunteer for Events
  • Join a Planning Committee
  • Attend Parent Council Executive Board Meetings (monthly meeting)
  • Donate
Meetings:
12/13/17
Social Meet & Greet
[Carbone's @ 6:00pm]
1/11/18 Parent Topic -- TBD
[Room 106B @ 6:30-7:30pm]
February Social Meet & Greet
[Place & Time TBD]
3/8/18 Parent Topic -- TBD
[Room 106B @ 6:30-7:30pm]
April Social Meet & Greet
[Place & Time TBD]
5/10/18 Parent Topic -- TBD
[Room 106B @ 6:30-7:30pm]
June Social Meet & Greet
[Place & Time TBD]

Visit the Parent Council page on the Washburn website for information on available opportunities   http://washburn.mpls.k12.mn.us/parent_council 
  
Site Council
Interested in what is being discussed at Site Council? Read the minutes from last month! While only official members have voting rights at Site Council, the meetings are always open to the public and all are welcome to attend. If you have a topic you'd like addressed, please reach out to the Co-Chairs prior to next meeting: Jeanne Massey and Diana Benjaafar

12/14 Room 106B  @ 4:30-6:00pm
1/11 Room 106B
 @ 4:30-6:00pm
2/8 Room 106B
 @ 4:30-6:00pm
3/8 Room 106B
 @ 4:30-6:00pm
4/12 Room 106B
 @ 4:30-6:00pm
5/19 Room 106B
 @ 4:30-6:00pm
STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Jilly Leary, Spanish Teacher

The nomination this week comes after a staff member overheard a conversation in the media center. Ms. Koppel shared with us..."students entered the Media Center and asked John McCreary about nominating a teacher for staff of the week. I turned my head away from the copy machine and decided to listen in :) John told them it was selected by the teacher, but he did ask what teacher they wanted to nominate. I thought it was so kind and special that students had taken time from their day to come in and ask the weekly webcast about nominating a teacher. So my nomination goes out to... Jill Leary ! Jill, your students seem to very much appreciate the work and time you are putting towards their learning. It is amazing to me that they came in to the media center to nominate you! In my opinion.. YOU ARE AWESOME :) Though I do not know you very well, I admire how excited students were to talk about you and your class. To me, having an award come from the students says a lot about the type of teacher you are to them. Congratulations, Jill. Your students (and myself!) admire and appreciate the work you do here at Washburn EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Thank you."
Washburn High School | Main Office 612-668-3400 | Family Liaison 612-668-3440 
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