August 25, 2020 | Issue #1 |
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Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year! |
The LWHS PTSA would like to welcome all families, students and staff to the 2020-21 school year! Though it may not look and feel the same as years past, we are still looking forward to a great year of learning, connecting (virtually for now!) and building a supportive and engaged community. Our board is working hard to find ways to adapt our programming that generally takes place in the school building to our current virtual learning format, as well as looking at different and new ways we can support students, staff and families. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for how we can help! Please read this newsletter and check out the PTSA website to stay up to date with the latest news and what’s happening at LWHS. And, plan to join us on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm for our first membership meeting of the year. Principal Thomas will be joining us as our guest speaker to update us and answer your questions. More details to follow on accessing the meeting.
LWHS PTSA President
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Welcome to LWHS! A High School Primer - For Parents From Parents |
Event for New Students and Families of LWHS
Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 pm or Thursday, September 10, 7:00 pm
LWHS PTSA is pleased to present a live, virtual presentation designed for families of Freshmen and others new to our school community, although all Kangs are welcome to attend. We will cover lots of information about the High School experience, both district wide and specific to LWHS, and answer common questions, including:
- What is different between middle and high school?
- Parent to school communication
- What to expect: keeping track of student work, assignments, grades and fees
- Academics and tests during the school year
- Counseling Office Services
- After school clubs and competitions (school/ASB/PTA run)
- Sports and social activities (school/ASB/PTA run)
- Parent volunteering
- And much more!
Following the presentation, we will have a panel of experienced parents and a current student available to answer your specific questions.
Please plan to join us! The presentation will occur on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10 (same content both evenings). RSVP below to receive instructions on how to join the meeting.
Please note: this presentation is geared around a “normal” school year but most information still applies. It is not designed to address questions about current virtual school format or issues that are best addressed by school administration.
LWHS PTSA FACE VP
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Laptop Roll Out Needs Volunteers! |
LWHS Librarian, Ms. Courage, needs our help! Please consider signing up for a shift, today, August 25, through Thursday, August 27, to help pass out student laptops. LWHS teenagers are welcome to volunteer as well.
Volunteers need to wear a mask and complete a health attestation form. Gloves will be provided.
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LWSD and LWPTSA Council Special Education Group Virtual Meeting: Back to School - Special Education Edition |
Thursday, August 27, 7:00-8:00 pm
Join Dr. Shannon Hitch, Executive Director of Special Services, and the LWPTSA Council Special Education Group for information and conversation on what service delivery will look like in the coming school year.
Or join via phone:
+1 (872) 240-3311 Access Code: 586-676-301
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Support Students and Meet Other Parents! |
LWHS PTSA Board & Committee Chairs Needed
Your PTSA is underway and getting ready for a great year. There are a few PTSA chair positions looking for leadership, and your talents and experience can benefit all LWHS students and the LWHS community. The PTSA Board and others are here to help anyone who would like to serve - no chair experience required! If one of these sounds enticing to you, or you're interested in learning more about how you can become involved, please email info@lwhsptsa.org.
Secretary (Board position)
Our board is seeking a Secretary to keep minutes of our meetings and a few other record keeping tasks. We would love this person to also help us with our social media postings (Facebook). A great way to be in the know about what is happening at the school!
Student Recognition
Help launch a fairly new initiative at our school by working with administration in coordinating quarterly awards for students based on agreed upon criteria. Support current awards (Rising Kang Award), create award events and help recognize the many outstanding students at our school
New Family and International Outreach
Work to welcome all new families to the LWHS community, including those from elsewhere in the U.S. and from foreign nations. Promote that inviting Kang spirit and encourage folks less familiar with the U.S. school system to jump on in as they wish.
Parent Education
The chair helps vet and schedule educational speakers of interest to the LWHS community. Speakers typically are scheduled for PTSA general membership meetings which are held 5 times per year but other events may be scheduled as desired.
Staff Appreciation
Our current chair could use some help with this important program that supports our wonderful teachers and staff. This year especially may require some outside the box thinking and strategies.
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August is for Activism!
National PTA Advocacy News
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Schools Need Resources Now to Reopen!
Schools need resources now to plan and prepare to reopen. National PTA is asking Congress to address five key areas in the next COVID-19 relief package. Please contact your Members of Congress today and ask them to provide the critical funding needed to reopen schools. Take action today!
New National PTA Position Statement on Addressing Institutional Racism
As National PTA stands firmly against racism in all forms and the culture of oppression that permeates the United States, the association’s Board of Directors recently adopted a position statement on addressing institutional racism.
National PTA Endorses Two Pandemic-Related Child Nutrition Bills
On July 23, Rep. Nydia Velázquez (NY-7), introduced the Child Nutrition Relief Act, which would allow USDA to extend all COVID-19 school feeding waivers through June 30, 2021. Extending these waivers will allow school meal programs to seamlessly continue grab-and-go meal pick up for distance learners, serve meals to students in the classroom or adjust meal service in the event of a sudden COVID-19 school closure.
Thirty-six U.S. Senators expressed support for the extension of COVID-19 school feeding waivers in a letter sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
On July 30, the House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) introduced The Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act, to make all students eligible for free school meals during the 2020-2021 school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act would allow all children to access breakfast, lunch, and after-school snack programs either in school or through “grab and go” and delivery options.
LWHS PTSA Advocacy Chair
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Help Get the News Out to Our New Kangs |
The Kang Crier Newsletter is the primary method used by LWHS PTSA to communicate with LWHS families. The district distribution lists are not updated and available until late October, meaning families new to LWHS are missing out on the information we distribute. If you know of a family who is new to LWHS, please have them subscribe to this newsletter by visiting lwhsptsa.org or forward this newsletter so they can click here to subscribe.
LWHS PTSA Kang Crier Editor
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LWHS Back-to-School Information |
LWHS School Administration has been emailing updates and important back-to-school information to LWHS families. Visit lwhs.lwsd.org for information about laptop pick up, school pictures, virtual bell schedule and more!
Connect with LWHS for up-to-date information:
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LWSD Events on Virtual School: Recorded Versions Still Available |
The week of August 17, a number of District administrators provided updates during two Live Broadcast events. Over 3,600 viewers participated in each of the Live Broadcasts. On the first broadcast, participants heard about the District’s Equity work, Elementary Education, and Special Education Services. On the second broadcast, participants heard about Secondary Education, Family Technology Supports, and Health & Safety. Each broadcast was recorded and is available on the Return to School Task Force website.
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LWHS Booster Club Program |
Our new LWHS Booster Club Board was very excited for a strong kickoff this fall, but instead will continue to focus on planning for when we can be together again safely. Our Booster Program consists of 19 participating sports and activity booster clubs comprised of parents and families like you who rally behind us, helping to fundraise and volunteer their time and expertise to help make our programs robust and bursting with Kang pride.
Please follow us on social media (FB, Insta, Twitter) for updates and consider volunteering to help us maintain our LWHS Booster Program and give these amazing kids the comeback they deserve.
Your LWHS Booster Club Board,
Janis Rabuchin, Christin Walenczak, Mary Pope, Britt Coma & Erin Hofmann
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Senior Yearbook and Picture Deadlines |
The LWHS 2020-2021 yearbook will include traditional LWHS Senior highlights, including Senior Recognition Ads, Senior Baby Ads, and Senior Quotes. Click here for additional information and deadlines.
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Join Find Your Fit for "The Counselor Is In!" |
Thursday, August 27 from 10:00-11:00 am
Parents and high school students, have any questions for a college counselor? Find Your Fit is here to help by offering "office hours" with independent college counselor and Find Your Fit developer, Mary Pat O'Neil. Depending on the number of people who register, you might have a private session or be in a group discussion!
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August 25-27: Student Laptop Roll Out and School Pictures
August 27: LWSD and LWPTSA Special Education Group Virtual Meeting
September 1: First Day of School
September 9 & 10: LWHS PTSA "Welcome to LWHS!" Presentation
September 16: LWHS PTSA Virtual Membership Meeting
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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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