April 6, 2021 | Issue #16 |
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Mark your calendar for the next Coffee with Christina which will be held on Wednesday, April 21 at 9:00 am. Bring your own coffee and join us for a virtual Q&A session and parent chat with Christina Thomas, LWHS Principal. The Teams link will be published on the school calendar and PTSA calendar a couple of days before the event. All are welcome!
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Nominations for LWHS PTSA Awards Now Being Accepted |
Recognize a FABULOUS Educator, Volunteer, or Student
We are now accepting nominations for our four LWHS PTSA awards:
- Golden Kang / Outstanding Educator - for an outstanding teacher or staff member
- Golden Acorn - for an outstanding volunteer
- Outstanding Advocate - for an outstanding advocate of all children
- Outstanding Student Advocate - for a student who has made significant contributions in leadership and service
To nominate, email the Awards Committee with the following information: name of the nominee, the award they are nominated for, and details on why you think they should be honored. Please also include your name.
Information, award criteria and past recipients are available here. Feel free to nominate more than one person. Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, May 5.
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Special Education Group Meeting |
LWPTSA Council Special Education Group's next virtual monthly meeting will be held April 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Yordanos Gebreamlak, Senior Education Ombuds of the Governor’s Office of Education Ombuds, will present on the intersection of disability and race. She will discuss how the lens of disability justice can guide caregiver and student involvement, advocacy, and equity work.
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Topic: Equity Means Disability Justice – at the Intersection of Disability and Race
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When: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm
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Where: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/961179397 or by phone at (571) 317-3112 with Access code 961-179-397
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Earth Day is April 22: Ways to Participate |
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Students participating in the Slogan + Graphic Contest, the deadline has been extended to April 9. To review rules and how to enter, click here. The winner will be announced the week of April 19 to celebrate Earth Day.
Questions? Contact Pam Hay, LWHS PTSA Sustainability Chair
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Get Informed, Stay Connected! |
Things are changing rapidly and the end of the year will be here before you know it! Just a reminder that there are multiple ways to stay on top of what is happening at Lake Washington High School. Below are just a few of the helpful websites and social media accounts where you can find info or subscribe to get timely information. For our Class of 2021, connect to find info on graduation, senior salute, senior party and other end-of-year activities.
Websites:
Social Media:
- LWHS: @lwhs_alwaysrising
- Counseling/College & Career Center: @lwhscounseling
- Student newscast: @Kangnewslive Info for students, by students. Great place to learn what the students are up to in school and related activities. Also live streaming many of the current sporting events.
- ASB events and activities: @lwhs.asb
- Graduation years: @lwhs.2021 (2022/2023/2024) Stay up to date on happenings by class.
- Student athletic information: @lwhsboosterclub Highlights student athletic teams and other interscholastic activities.
- LWHS PTSA: @lwhsptsa PTSA happenings, school announcements and events.
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Self-Care Session with LWPTSA Council |
Gratitude as the Ultimate Mood Enhancer Speaker Staci Danford will share ways to use scientific gratitude to change the way your brain works. Brain research shows that wiring your brain for gratitude raises happiness levels and increases in your ability to handle adverse life situations. Click here for more information.
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Freshman and Students New to LWHS - Come Tour the School! |
To prepare students for return to in-person learning, the LWHS LINK crew will be offering tours for freshmen and students new to our school this year. LINK Crew is comprised of upperclassmen who mentor and support freshmen and new students. The tours will be an opportunity for students to become comfortable with the school layout, ask questions, and meet other students.
Tours will be for 30 minutes and are limited to students ONLY, as we have limited space due to the safety guidelines and protocols of LWSD. Each tour will have a limit of ten students and two LINK leaders. Tours are available:
- Friday April 16: 4:00-6:00 pm
- Saturday April 17: 9:00 am-2:00 pm
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From the Counseling Center |
SAT & ACT Testing Requirement Update from Colleges
The Washington Student Achievement Council recently announced that most Washington colleges are not requiring high school seniors to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for fall 2021 admission. While COVID-19 has led to this increased flexibility, many colleges are making their test-optional policies permanent.
Some colleges require an alternative in place of test scores, such as a letter of recommendation, participation in dual credit courses, or success in certain high school classes. Requirements vary by campus but are generally similar by type:
- None of Washington’s public four-year colleges will require SAT or ACT scores for fall 2021 freshman admission, and most will remain test-optional in future years.
- Washington’s private, not-for-profit four-year colleges offer test-optional pathways, although a few require test scores for students who were home-schooled or received non-standard grades.
- Public two-year community and technical colleges are open access, so anyone with a high school diploma or GED can apply and attend. Test scores are not considered.
So, should students still take the SAT or ACT? There are private scholarships that take test scores into account. And while some test-optional colleges won’t look at test scores, others will consider them if submitted. In that case, the decision to not test won’t hurt, but good scores could help. Always check with each college directly for the latest admissions information.
LWHS Counselor
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LWHS Community - Meet Andrea Frost, Your Prevention Intervention Specialist with Youth Eastside Services |
Andrea Frost, Prevention Intervention Specialist with Youth Eastside Services at LWHS, is available to support students and parents/caregivers with the challenges of dealing with remote schooling, issues with substance use including vaping, or concern about a family member or friend’s drug and alcohol use. Andrea can be reached through her drop-in office hours on Zoom on Tuesdays or Wednesdays or at andreaf@youtheastsideservices.org.
Click here for more information and programs available with Youth Eastside Services.
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Enrollment for the New LWSD Online School for 2021-22 Is Now Open |
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Senior Grad Night Party - Reserve a Spot Now! |
LWHS PTSA is excited to announce that we are moving forward with planning our 2021 Graduation Party! We are hoping to offer the seniors a revised party which will likely take place from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am on the evening of June 9 and will be at one local surprise location. The venue is large, has an indoor/outdoor space and will follow all COVID protocols in place at the time of the party. Space is limited and reservations are needed now to ensure that we can meet the minimum attendance requirement. No payment is required at this time but we expect the party to cost approximately $110-$130 per person, depending on transportation requirements. Reservations are progressing but we need additional RSVPs to move forward with this event. Please act now and click here to reserve your spot!
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Last Chance to Order a Senior 2021 Yard Sign |
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Have you seen Senior 2021 yard signs around Kirkland and wish you ordered one? Good news! Signs are now available for sale for $12 through April 21. Signs are 18x24 and come with an H-stake for yard display and can be personalized with your student’s name. To purchase and/or make a donation to senior recognition events please visit lwhsptsa.org.
Please note: if you would like a sign and are in need of financial assistance please contact your student's counselor and one will be provided to you at no cost. Thank you to all of the generous donations we have received so that we can make this possible!
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Destination Day Submissions Due May 1 |
You may be wondering, “What is Destination Day?”
Whether it's college, technical school, the military, an apprenticeship, a job, a gap year or something else, LW's Destination Day celebrates the many future directions of the Class of 2021. Have your student tell us what's next for them by completing the Destination Day Student Submission Form and uploading a picture to be included in our Class of 2021 Destination Day video celebration. If your student doesn't have a LWSD email, they can send an email to LWHS-DestinationDay@lwsd.org and include their name, next destination and picture.
The form is due by May 1 so take your time making your decision. We will celebrate Destination Day later this spring. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
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Senior Parents, Celebrate your Graduating Kang! |
We created this digital picture frame to overlay your student’s photo on your social media accounts. Follow this link to find the overlay, show some Kang pride and celebrate your senior’s accomplishment! Congrats Class of 2021!
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation Event "Be the Bridge: An Evening Benefit" |
The Lake Washington School Foundation's annual Spring Benefit is right around the corner and you are cordially invited to attend! Join us for "Be the Bridge: An Evening Benefit" on April 9 from 7:00-8:00 pm. Click here to register!
While we may not be able to gather in one room, we are looking forward to bringing our community together for an inspirational and entertaining virtual event, with some very special guests!
Table Captains are essential to the success of this event. If you appreciate and support the work the LWSF does in our community, please consider stepping up to bring a group from your school together. You can do this solo or team up with a friend and invite as many guests as you like. Have fun while supporting kids in our school district!
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Balance in Mind Events for Parents and Teens |
Parent Chat - Spring session is now available! Talk with mental health professionals and other parents in a safe and supportive environment. Sessions occur twice a month at 7:00 pm.
Upcoming topics:
- April 21 - Reimagining Success for Kids' Mental Health
- May 5 - Social Media and Mental Health
- May 19 - Sexting: What Parents Need to Know
- June 2 - Understanding Queer Kids Today
Missed the latest webinars? Click here to visit Balance in Mind's YouTube Channel.
Want additional information? Balance in Mind's Instagram @balance.in.mind is a destination for teens to gain inspiration, learn self-care tips, and more!
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Alcohol Drug Education Class |
Parents & Caregivers! Join our no-cost Alcohol Drug Education Class held virtually on one Saturday of each month. Excellent resource for parents and students (12-19 years old) to attend together for a shared learning experience.
- Gain tools and skills to make more informed decisions for student futures
- Learn about the dangers of current substance abuse trends
- Understand the effects of substances on the developing body and brain (including the dangers of mixing substances)
- Learn how to get help & support for substance abuse and mental health issues
- Learn where to access websites offering how to help talk to your teens and gather fact-based drug and alcohol information
Go to youtheastsideservices.org/adec to register for this FREE educational opportunity for parents and students to attend together. Next class dates are April 24, May 22, and June 19. All classes are no-cost to families, on Saturdays, and run virtually from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Thank you for spreading the word about this important resource!
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April 9: LWSF "Be the Bridge: An Evening Benefit", 7:00 pm
April 20: LWPTSA Council Special Education Group Meeting, 7:00 pm
April 21: Coffee with Christina, 9:00 am
May 19: LWHS PTSA General Meeting, 7:00 pm
May 31: Memorial Day (No School)
June 1: Snow Make-up Day (No School)
June 9: Graduation, 3:00 pm T-Mobile Park
June 16: Last Day of School (Half Day)
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Information distributed in the Kang Crier does not imply endorsement by Lake Washington High School PTSA. We assume no responsibility for any content that does not originate from lwhsptsa.org, nor do we independently verify or exert editorial control over information not specifically endorsed by LWHS PTSA. Lake Washington High School PTSA shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused by the use of this content. |
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