April 20, 2021 | Issue #17
PTSA
Coffee with Christina - Tomorrow!
Virtual Coffee with Christina will be held Wednesday, April 21 at 9:00 am. Grab your coffee and join us for a Q&A session and parent chat with Christina Thomas, LWHS Principal. The Teams link can be found on the school calendar and PTSA calendar as well as below. All are welcome!

Or dial 1-206-800-4750, Conference ID: 952 458 027#
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. 
Make a Difference - Join the PTSA Team!
The LWHS PTSA supports the parents, students and staff at our school with information, activities, supplies and grant funding. Our PTSA thrives with the service and leadership of a small team of volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors. Elections for the 2021-22 board will be held at our next membership meeting (May 19), and the Nominating Committee is still accepting suggestions of people who will make a positive difference in our community by joining the team. Nominate yourself, or recommend a friend! 

Click here for more information about our board positions or contact our Nominating Committee.

Thanks for your interest and involvement!
Beatrice Joe, Alana Smith and Mindy Lincicome
2021 LWHS PTSA Nominating Committee
Sustainability: Slogan + Graphic Contest Winner
We received several entries highlighting the “green” goal for the year: Waste Reduction. The winner of this year’s LWHS Sustainability contest is Nick Saway. Nick’s slogan is Daily Choices Can Change Your Yearly Output

“A lot of people aren’t aware in the slightest how much waste they produce on a day-to-day basis that is recyclable, let alone the amount of waste that isn’t. The idea of changing our lifestyle today in order to support a sustainable future is the bare minimum we can do for the Earth’s lifespan. The daily choices we make are what will separate the increase in pollution from the greener future.” - Nick 
 
Congratulations, Nick! 
Pam Hay, LWHS PTSA Sustainability Chair 
Staff Appreciation Welcomes Back LWHS Teachers and Staff
LWHS PTSA hosted two special events to welcome LW teachers and staff member back to campus. First, a wonderful grab and go breakfast bar was provided. Items included a variety of goodies and beverages. Thank you to everyone who donated items!

Then, our teachers and staff were treated to a wonderful lunch from "Now Make Me A Sandwich" food truck. It came with rave reviews from all, and they really appreciated our PTSA for making it possible.

In May, we look forward to celebrating Staff Appreciation Week. We could use your help! Please email appreciation@lwhsptsa.org to be included in donation and volunteer opportunities. 
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.
Special Education Group Meeting
LWPTSA Council Special Education Group's next virtual monthly meeting is tonight, 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. 

  • Topic: Equity Means Disability Justice – at the Intersection of Disability and Race
  • When: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm
  • Where: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/961179397 or by phone at (571) 317-3112 with Access code 961-179-397 

Please send questions to the Special Education Group Chairs at specialeducation@lwptsa.net.
Creating Healthier Indoor Environments
Lake Washington PTSA Council's Sustainability Committee invites all to join and listen to a panel of experts from:
  • Washington State Department of Health
  • US Environmental Protection Agency
  • Lake Washington School District

Panelists will discuss how environment affects learning, behavior, and health. Learn ways to create safer, healthier and more inclusive environments at school and at home.


For further information, contact sustainability@lwptsa.net
Active Intruder Drills Explained - Safety Webinar
LWPTSA Council's Emergency Preparedness Committee is hosting a safety webinar about Active Intruder Drills (aka ALICE drills) conducted in our schools. Join two Certified ALICE Instructors and experts in Criminal Justice, Dr. Brooke Gialopsos and Dr. Cheryl Jonson, as they explain what ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) is and is NOT. You'll come away understanding why this multi-option training is important and useful in schools and how to talk to kids about these drills. We will uncover the universal skills being taught through ALICE drills and how to manage our own fears of active threat situations. Parents, staff and older children are welcome to attend this webinar on Teams.


Please send questions to E-Prep Committee Co-Chairs at emergency.prep@lwptsa.net.
Wednesday Wellness with LWPTSA Council
LWPTSA Council is hosting a Wednesday Wellness series this spring for Lake Washington School District families.

Join for a free virtual fitness class on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Check out our calendar for the schedule and registration links.

  • April 21 Session: HIIT Squad with Alexis
  • April 28 Session: Martial Arts Workout with Professor Korbett

Questions? Contact Danit Erlich, VP of Community and Family Engagement at face@lwptsa.net
The Journey to Becoming an Anti-Racist Family
LWPTSA Council is hosting a two-part workshop with Kenesha Lewin on "The Journey to Becoming an Anti-Racist Family" on May 11 and 18. With a diversity centered approach, Kenesha specializes in education training, community organizing, coaching, restorative practices, and racial justice consulting. The journey is a long one and it's never too early to start the conversations of being anti-racist. As Angela Davis states: “In a racist society, it's not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” 


Please send questions to Irene Neumann and Hae Sue Park, Parent Ed Co-Chairs.
School
LWSD Pathway Forward
Learn more about Lake Washington School District's return to in-person services at lwsd.org/pathway-forward.

From the Counseling Center
Advanced Placement Exam Updates
Students can check the LWHS Counseling website for the AP exam calendar. Students who will take AP exams should check their emails often for updates from the College Board regarding preparation for the exams. They should also work closely with their teachers who will provide valuable guidance on how to perform their best on their upcoming exams. Students need to be aware of how to log in and feel comfortable navigating the site. 

If students want to cancel an exam, they will simply NOT open or take the exam. Refunds will be issued after all testing is completed and we have received the rosters from College Board. Refund checks will be mailed in July.  

LWHS Counselor
Seniors
Senior Cap and Gown Pick Up
Wednesday, April 28 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
This will be a drive-through event. More details will be distributed regarding time slots for the pick up. Most orders placed before April 28 will be available for pick up.  
 
Please contact Jostens for any order related questions: jostenspnw@jostens.com or (360) 653-9102 
Senior 2021 Yard Sign Sales End Tomorrow!
Have you seen Senior 2021 yard signs around town 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!

Questions? Contact Tracy Gonzalez at tracyce@outlook.com
Senior Grad Night Party - Tickets Now Available!
Thank you to those who reserved their spot for this safe and fun-filled post-graduation night party for the LWHS class of 2021. Official ticket sales are now open! Visit LWHSPTSA.org/Seniors/Senior Party for more info and to purchase tickets.

If you missed the reservation deadline, it’s not too late! Act fast to secure a spot. Ticket price is $115 and includes transportation. Tickets will increase to $135 after May 15. More details will be provided as we get closer to June 9, but expect your student to be loaded onto a bus around 9:30 pm on June 9 and arrive back in Kirkland around 2:30 am the following morning. 

For scholarship inquiries, contact Jodee Hull at jhull@lwsd.org

Volunteers needed to chaperone or help with other tasks. We are especially looking for Freshman, Sophomore or Junior parents who want to pay it forward!

To volunteer or for questions, contact Debi Blaskovich at seniorparty@lwhsptsa.org. 
Yearbook Now Accepting Kang Kruisers Submissions
We know the Kang Kruisers year book feature (seniors posing with their car) is a special tradition and we’ve been holding off trying to see if we could make it happen in person like a typical year. Unfortunately with current restrictions and uncertainty of what’s to come, we don’t feel like it’s possible, BUT, we still want to give students the option, so here’s what they can do:
 
  1. Grab their car and themselves (plus friends if desired)
  2. Head to their favorite location (really anywhere is fine, even their driveway)
  3. Snap as many pictures as they want to get the perfect shot
  4. Students then complete this Microsoft Form by May 14 with details about their car and photos
 
Please note: Running Start students should complete the Microsoft Form but will need to email photos directly to Hannah Kreutz, as the upload won't work for them.
 
Questions? Contact Hannah Kreutz, Yearbook teacher
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. Your student will need their LWSD email and password to access the form. 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.

Questions? Please contact LWHS-DestinationDay@lwsd.org
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!
Community
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 29 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!

Email tena@lwsf.org to learn more.
Balance in Mind Events for Parents and Teens
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


​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! 
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. The next classes 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!
 
Questions? Contact Andrea Frost, YES Specialist at LWHS, at 425-747-4937 x2721 or andreaf@youtheastsideservices.org  
Events
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)
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.