May 5, 2020 | Issue #18
PTSA
Save the Date: Online PTSA Membership Meeting & Principal Chat
Save the date for the last PTSA Membership Meeting of the year on Wednesday  May 20 at 7:00 pm , online, from the comfort of your own home!
 
Approve our 2020-2021 PTSA budget so we can keep working for the LWHS school community, vote on next year's Board of Directors, and hear about how the COVID-19 response will affect the school and PTSA events. Principal Thomas will be joining us to provide an update and answer your questions. Questions should be sent in advance to president@lwhsptsa.org . Please plan to join us!
 
LWHS PTSA Membership Meeting
Wed, May 20, 2020 7:00-8:30 pm

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3122

Access Code:  150-249-029

New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
LWHS PTSA Board of Directors Nominations for 2020-2021
The Lake Washington High School PTSA Nominating Committee places the following names in nomination for the 2020-2021 LWHS PTSA Board of Directors:
 
President: Denise Campbell
Executive Vice President: Denise Ferguson
Secretary: Karen Tipp
Treasurer: Julie Tribolet
Vice President, School Support: Meredith Schwietzer
Vice President, Student Programs: Stacy Mehlberg
Vice President, Ways & Means: Mindy Lincicome
Vice President, Family and Community Engagement: Hae Sue Park
 
The nominating committee has confirmed that the above nominees have been PTA members for at least 15 days prior to the election, and meet other requirements as stated in the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws.
 
The Election of Officers is planned for the virtual Membership meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Dan Olson, Barbie Collins Young, Denise Ferguson
LWHS PTSA Nominating Committee
PTSA Award Nominations Now Being Accepted
Do You Want to Honor 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

Feel free to nominate more than one person. Please use one form per nominee. Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

Nominations forms, information and award criteria are  available here . Email your completed nomination forms to  communications@lwhsptsa.org  by May 20.
 
LWHS PTSA Awards Committee
Colette Ulloa, Pam Hay and Anne Buck
Call to Action: Staff Appreciation
In usual times, our Staff Appreciation chairs would have been working to create an amazing Staff Appreciation Week experience for early May, showing how much we appreciate all LWHS staff members with a differently themed meal each day for one whole week. Since we can't show our appreciation with meals this year, we're calling on all of you to help us. Please ask your students to email their teachers or a staff member this week to show their appreciation for all that Lake Washington Staff has done this year and is continuing to do! 

The messages can be as short or as long as your student wishes and can say anything from “thank you for being (a great teacher/counselor/attendance secretary/coach/cook)” to paragraphs describing a certain moment or time at school when the staff member really made a difference in your student‘s life. Your student could send a photo of something they have been working on at home which the staff member would enjoy, such as a book, artwork, training a pet, a homemade meal, shooting basketball in the driveway, etc. 
 
If you wish, parents can also send along a photo of your student with words of encouragement.

Thank you for helping honor all LWHS staff in this challenging year!
2020-2021 Reflections Arts Competition
Start Reflecting on Next Year’s Theme
 
It’s not too early to get your student’s creative juices flowing for next year’s Reflections competition. The theme is  I Matter Because…
 
What is Reflections ? Reflections is a National PTA arts competition offered through the LWHS PTSA.

Who can participate?  Any student, Kindergarten to 12th grade.
 
How to participate?  Students enter a piece of art that goes through a judging process at the school level with the potential to advance to the Council, State and National level.
 
What are the Art Categories ? Visual Arts (2D only), Music Composition, Photography, Literature, Film Production and Dance Choreography. There is also a Special Artist Division (for students with disabilities).
 
How to get started?  Rules for next year are not available but students can refer to last year’s Rules and the Checklist for Success, located on the  PTSA website/Programs .
 
Questions?  Contact Reflections Chair,  Pam Hay
School
LWSD Resources During School Closures
Lake Washington School District is working to provide services during the school closures. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the  LWSD Coronavirus (COVID-19) website .

Meals:  Grab and Go student meals  for students are available at six middle school sites across the district.  Delivered meals  are also available at 24 sites across the district. Pantry Packs will distribute weekend packs on Fridays at the middle school meal sites. Please check the  Pantry Packs website  for the latest information in case of changes.

Childcare : The YMCA and Bellevue Boys & Girls Clubs are providing care for families in our district that need care. They have multiple locations to choose from. First responders and health care providers of direct services can use this program for free. More  details and instructions .

Education : Find supplemental educational resources with supports for at-home learning.

Community Resources : Find resources including health, wellness, food, finances, technology, Internet, legal and more.

Have a coronavirus or closure related question? Please check the  Frequently Asked Questions  or  submit a question .
From the Counseling Center
Virtual College Fair Now Available
Students and parents may be interested in checking out the Navigate 2020 Virtual Conference and College Fair. This event will host three days (May 4–6) of live-stream presentations for students and families and a concurrent virtual college fair with fully interactive booths. Students will be able to browse interactive college fair booths and chat with admissions representatives.  Additionally, there will be information sessions about the college decision process. 

This event is free to attendees and is designed to help students and colleges connect safely during the COVID-19 crisis. After the three days of live interactions, the event will remain posted at the event site until the COVID-19 crisis is over. The site promises to be a safe place for students to access information and explore their options.  Click here to register!

AP Exams
AP Exams run from May 11 to May 22. Students are urged to read the AP Student Update #2 and the information preparing them for exam day (including specific information about the test day log in process) that are both available on the Counseling Power School site as well as on the LWHS Counseling website . Students need to be aware of how to log in and feel comfortable navigating the site. 

Remember, if students want to cancel an exam, they just don’t open/take the exam. No refunds will be made until all testing is completed and we have received the rosters from College Board. Refund checks will be mailed sometime this summer. Good luck to students who have been preparing for their exams!
 
LWHS Counseling Center
Seniors
Seniors May Be Asking About...
  • The deadline to accept or deny an offer of admission was May 1 but be sure to check with your college because some schools have extended the due date. If your college has not extended the date but you need more time to consider your options given the current COVID-19 crisis, contact the admissions office and see if they will grant you an extension. Remember that most colleges require you to submit a nonrefundable enrollment fee when you accept your offer of admission; check on this, too, because some colleges have extended the deadline to make deposits.

  • Some students are wondering if they can defer their admissions; in other words, delay the start of their education for one or two semesters. Again, contact the Office of Admissions. Some schools require a form that asks you to list a reason why you are deferring. There is usually a deadline to request this. And, some have ‘rules’, like you can’t take classes at another college if your admission request is approved.

  • If your family’s financial situation has changed significantly and you’ve already completed the 2020-2021 FAFSA, you should contact your college’s financial aid office and provide them with your updated financial information.

  • If you’re curious about campus visits, information sessions, meetings with academic programs, check out the college’s website. Most schools have really expanded their virtual opportunities.

  • Some students are concerned about second semester grades. I’ve received many emails from colleges that they know this is an unusual time and that they will accept whatever the school’s decision is regarding grading. If students are particularly concerned, they should check out the college’s website to get the specifics on current grading policies.

  • Some colleges are modifying admissions requirements. Additional information regarding Washington State colleges can be found on the Washington Student Achievement Council website and on this document they have published. Some campuses have gone test-optional, meaning students do not have to submit scores from standardized tests like SAT and ACT. Again, check out the college’s website for details.

LWHS Counseling Center
Community
Lake Washington Schools Foundation News
Be the Virtual Bridge Event - Over $200,000 Raised! Your Help Still Needed!

Thank you to our donors and sponsors for helping us raise over $200,000 during our 2020 Be the Virtual Bridge Fundraiser. As LWSF continues to serve students and families in our community during COVID-19, these crucial funds ensure that we can continue our important work both now and in the future. It isn't too late to watch our event videos, learn about the important work that we do in the LWSD community or make a donation at  https:// www.lwsf.org/bethebridge.html .
 
LWSF continues to find many ways to support students and families even while schools are closed. Find a list of upcoming events and services here .
Events
May 20: LWHS PTSA Online Membership Meeting
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