November 16, 2021 | Issue #7 |
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LWHS PTSA Virtual General Membership Meeting - Tomorrow! |
Our November General Membership Meeting will be Wednesday, November 17 beginning at 7:00 pm. Our guest speakers will be Dr. Jon Holmen, LWSD Superintendent, and Barbara Posthumus, Associate Superintendent, Business and Support Services, who will give an informational presentation on the three LWSD levies that will be on the February 2022 ballot.
After the presentation, our membership will vote on whether to endorse and support the three LWSD ballot measures. We will then elect a VP of Ways and Means and the Nominating Committee. Bess Altamura, LWSD Social Worker from Evergreen Health, will join us for a short Q&A. There will also be time to socialize with and ask questions of fellow parents/guardians after the meeting.
LWHS PTSA Nominating Committee Needs You!
Are you looking for a way to connect with other parents in the community? Are you interested in a short-term volunteer commitment? LWHS PTSA is looking for three members to serve on the Nominating Committee, which will be elected at our November membership meeting. This committee recruits candidates for next year’s PTSA leadership. Training is available, duties are only a few hours a week, and end after spring elections. If you are interested in serving on this committee or would like more information, please email LWHS PTSA President Denise Ferguson.
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Coffee With Christine - Two Options to Attend! |
The next PTSA-sponsored “Coffee with Christine” will be Thursday, November 18. Come join other LWHS parents and community members for an open Q&A discussion with LWHS Principal Christine Bell. These informal gatherings will be held both virtually and in-person, with one in the morning and one in the evening (details below). The meetings last about an hour, but you are free to join late or leave early. Choose the attendance option that works best for you!
Coffee with Christine - Thursday, November 18:
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8:30-9:30am: Virtual Teams Meeting
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6:00-7:00pm: In person at LWHS with a walking tour. Click here to RSVP. Masks are required and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Meet in the College & Career Center to start the tour. Light refreshments will be available.
Please be sure to read Principal Bell's letter in the "School" section below.
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Showing Gratitude for Our Teachers and Staff |
This time of year, many of us pause to be thankful and express our gratitude. Please consider reaching out to a teacher or staff member this season with a quick email of encouragement or thanks for all they are doing to support your student! A short, personal message from a family can mean a lot to a teacher or staff member. Find email addresses in the LWHS Staff Directory.
Speaking of Gratitude...
LWHS PTSA shows appreciation for our terrific LWHS staff and teachers throughout the school year. If you would like to see all the creative ways we support them, please email staff appreciation chairs Anne and Linda at appreciation@lwhsptsa.org to be added to their contact list.
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Donate to LWHS PTSA Through Your Holiday Shopping |
Getting started on your holiday shopping? Support LWHS students while doing so – at no extra cost to you! Some of LWHS PTSA programs operate solely on volunteer time and talent, but others are fueled by financial donations. By selecting LWHS PTSA as your designated charity when you shop at Fred Meyer or Amazon, your purchases help fund our programs for students, staff, and the community. It’s easy to set up! Visit our website for step-by-step instructions.
Doing some comparison shopping?
Join Microsoft Rewards, and your Bing searches will earn Rewards points that are automatically donated directly to LWHS PTSA.
Need a unique holiday gift for that special someone?
Check out LWPTSA Council’s online scholarship auction, which will be live from November 22 through December 3. Browse and bid on auction experiences from the comfort of your home. All proceeds go to scholarships for LWSD graduating seniors and continuing education scholarships for staff. Support our students and get some holiday shopping done at the same time!
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Senior Salute Chair
Senior Salute is an evening reception held before graduation. It’s a more personal gathering of senior students, staff, and families to celebrate the graduating class of the year. We're seeking one or two parents/guardians of underclassmen to organize this so that the parents of seniors can enjoy the event.
College Application Workshop Virtual Chaperones
Volunteer chaperones are needed for our College Application Workshops. The virtual sessions are 30 minutes each and chaperones simply monitor the tutoring sessions with their camera and microphone off. Chaperones must be LWHS PTSA members AND approved LWSD volunteers. If you are unsure of either status, please email either LWHS PTSA Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@lwhsptsa.org or info@lwhsptsa.org. Click here to volunteer.
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Fall Grants from the PTSA |
One of the ways that the PTSA supports our school community is by funding grants that provide educational enrichment, and support club activities, social events, and social and emotional well-being. This fall, LWHS PTSA has funded three grants:
- Spanish-language novels for silent reading time during the Spanish for Native Speakers class. Building a classroom library will provide a greater variety of Spanish texts for students.
- A donation to the cost of hosting the Unspoken Truths Traveling Museum, which will provide an engaging program for our juniors studying US History and an exhibition for the wider school community.
- The Signs of Suicide program that will be presented to students during Health classes by the school counselors, to educate students about the signs of suicide and provide them with tools to help themselves and others when they recognize the signs.
Many thanks to the committee members who gave their time to review the grant applications, and to the members whose donations to the PTSA provided funds for these grants.
Grants Committee Chair
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LWPTSA Council Lunch & Learn: School Options |
Join Dale Cote, LWSD Assistant Superintendent School Support Services, for a conversation about School Options. Bring your lunch and learn with us!
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Topic: School Options
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When: Thursday, November 18 at noon – free
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Where: Join from your computer, tablet or smartphone (link coming soon).
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Parent Education Event: Supporting Whole-Child Development |
LWPTSA Council and LWSD invites you to explore how academic and social/emotional successes are simply two sides of the same coin and how we might support our students’ journeys.
Presenter Jerry Blackburn, M.Ed., SUDP is a community educator and consultant around the broad topics of youth behavioral health, wellness, and student emotional success as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Seattle University. Click here for additional information.
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From the Desk of LWHS Principal Christine Bell |
Dear Kang Families,
As we near the Thanksgiving break I want to share with you a few things I am thankful for.
I am thankful to you for your support of our students, especially as we have had to adjust to coming back to in-person schooling and changing COVID guidelines. I am also thankful to our students for their flexibility and enthusiasm for school and extracurricular activities. The energy in our student body has been without parallel and it influences all of us. Our fall sports and homecoming event showed us that we can pivot when needed while still celebrating what makes us a community.
I am also grateful to our staff for their commitment to supporting our students in the social and emotional needs. The faculty and staff at LWHS work to make an environment that is as inclusive and representative as possible, considering student voice in both curriculum and classroom norms. As we work to focus on attendance and cell phone policy it is clear that our teachers continue to adjust as needed to provide support for students. This, combined with our high expectations for student learning, creates an environment in which students excel.
In November we celebrate not only Thanksgiving, but also Election Day and Veteran's Day. Our student leadership, Kang News, student newspaper (The Pouch) and clubs all do an excellent job of highlighting these two days. I am thankful to our students for their leadership.
I hope that you all have a restful holiday break and enjoy time with your families. Fall is by far my favorite time of year and I wish you all a cozy and warm November.
With warm regard,
LWHS Principal
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Almost, Maine Comes to LWHS December 3-11!
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LWHS Theatre is so excited to be back on stage after a two year absence! Escape with us on a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter to the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. Told through nine stories of love, loss, and hope, Almost, Maine is sure to delight audiences of all kinds.
Tickets will go on sale starting November 22nd! Seating is limited due to Covid restrictions so be sure to buy your tickets in advance. New this year: join us for our Opening Night Silent Auction fundraiser on December 3!
LWHS Theatre Booster Co-Producers
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College & Career Center News |
Live Wednesdays
Did you know?
LWHS College and Career Center has job postings for teens looking for employment. From lifeguarding to basketball officiating to working fast food or in an office, there are a variety of positions available. Check out the College & Career Center page on LWHS website. (Most positions require students to be 16+)
College Application Due Date Reminders!
UC and Cal State applications are due by November 30 for many locations.
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Advertising Available on LWHS Scoreboards |
The LWHS Booster Club just launched an advertising program for our digital scoreboards! With over 50 Varsity home events per year in these venues, we have something for everyone from annual corporate sponsors, small/medium business packages, and family/student shout outs at individual games. Proceeds benefit the booster club of your choice and our ASB. We’re excited to partner with our Kang and local community in this new way!
Janis Rabuchin
LWHS Booster Club President
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College Application Essay Support Available |
Encourage your student to sign up for virtual essay support before Thanksgiving so they can wrap up their work and enjoy a worry-free holiday!
Help us help your student! Encourage them to drop in for essay editing, proofing or just a last pass before they click to send on their college applications.
If November 30 deadlines are in your student's future, we still have virtual sessions available. Have your student reserve now!
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Yearbook Deadlines for Seniors |
Senior Portrait Submissions
If students want to use their senior portrait for the yearbook, please submit to Jostens by December 5, 2021. Details can be found on the LWHS website.
Senior Quotes and Signatures
Seniors also have the opportunity to include a favorite quote and their signature to accompany their yearbook photo. These are due December 12. Additional information is posted on the LWHS website.
Senior Recognition Ads
Looking for an additional way to celebrate your senior? Through Jostens, parents have the opportunity to create a senior recognition ad for their student that will go in the yearbook. It’s a way to celebrate all of their hard work and accomplishments. The deadline for ads is December 5, 2021. Click here for more information.
LWHS Yearbook Advisor
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Lake Washington School Foundation News |
Become a Lunch Buddy for an LWSD student!
Did you know there are students at LWSD elementary schools in need of a mentor RIGHT NOW? Make a difference in a student's life by giving 45 minutes of your time each week for lunch, games, crafts and conversation. Contact Victoria Goetze-Nelson at vgoetzenelson@lwsd.org or (425)936-1410 to learn more.
Balance in Mind Fall Parent Chats
Parent Chat is a great forum for talking with mental health professionals and other parents in a safe and supportive environment. Upcoming topics include Making Space for Gratitude & Joy (Dec 8 at 7:00pm). Register at www.tinyurl.com/BiMFall2021.
Find Your Fit College Planning Events Recap
During the months of September to November, our Find Your Fit program supported 1,786 high school students and parents through our fall webinar series, hosted by independent college counselor Mary Pat O'Neil. Missed an event? You can view recordings from our webinars on our Find Your Fit webpage.
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Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training |
King County Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD), in collaboration with Valley Cities, is providing FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid training classes for interested adults living in King County. Attendees will learn how to assess and support children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing mental health or substance use challenges, and how to use the 5-step action plan to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
For more information or to register please click on the links below:
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Sustainability: Support Our Local Cities' Sustainability Efforts |
City of Kirkland: Anti-Idling Campaign
The City of Kirkland has a Sustainability Master Plan (SMP) to reduce emissions and create a healthier community. This month the city is launching their Anti-Idling Campaign. Going idle free saves money, improves auto performance and keeps our air healthier. Did you know LWSD school buses already have an anti-idling policy? Take the Pledge to turn off your car when parked for more than 10 seconds.
City of Redmond: Adopt-A-Drain Program
The City of Redmond has launched Adopt-A-Drain, a unique national program inviting the Redmond community to adopt a STORM drain near them and keep it clear of debris. Free flowing drains reduce urban flooding and keep pollution from entering Redmond’s rivers, lakes, and streams. To participate, view drains near you and sign up today: https://wa.adopt-a-drain.org.
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November 17: LWHS PTSA General Membership Virtual Meeting, 7:00pm
November 18: Coffee with Christine, 8:30-9:30am virtual, 6:00-7:00pm in person
November 24: Half Day of School (dismissal at 11:10am)
November 25-26: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 3-11: Almost, Maine LWHS Theatre
December 5: Yearbook Deadlines for Seniors
December 20-31: Winter Break (No School)
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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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