November 17, 2020 | Issue #7 |
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PTSA General Meeting Recap and November Meeting Reminder |
General Membership Meeting and Parent Ed
Wednesday, November 18, 7:00 pm
Please join us tomorrow for our next virtual PTSA Membership Meeting. After briefly reviewing updates to our Standing Rules and current activities of the PTSA, we'll hear from two members of the LWHS Racial Equity Team. They'll share their goals and objectives for this year and want to hear from us, too.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Membership is not required. The virtual meeting link is below and also posted on the PTSA calendar and LWHS calendar.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 980 2874 4819
Passcode: 919090
September 16 Membership Meeting Recap
At the September 16 General Membership meeting, LWHS PTSA membership elected Cheryl Geels as Secretary and approved the 2020-2021 budget. PTSA members can view the budget on our website. Guest speaker LWHS Principal Christina Thomas held a Q&A for parents after the meeting.
LWHS PTSA President
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Parent Ed Event: Student Mental Health in the Remote Learning Environment |
Wednesday, November 18, Following PTSA Membership Meeting
Immediately following our brief membership meeting, Join Lindsey McMeins, LICSW, EvergreenHealth Social Worker at LWHS, for a timely and informative presentation.
With remote learning, there has been an increase in mental health concerns among students including, stress, loneliness/isolation, depression and anxiety. What are the warning signs and/or symptoms, what are skills/tools that can be used in the home and what supports are available in the community and through the school/district? Lindsay McMeins will address these questions and more for us. She is looking forward to meeting members of our community and answering your questions! Join via the Zoom log-in above. Parent Ed will start around 7:30 pm but please join us for our meeting as well.
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Understanding Youth Substance Use - Influence the Choice |
This topic is timely as our youth may find themselves in a vulnerable place in light of the pandemic and related challenges. Substance use by youth is a complex reality. For some, peer influences, social norms and their genetics conspire to create a profile that make it difficult for them to escape. The program will begin with a special guest, Olga Davidov-Beirer, a local parent of a teen who died by fatal overdose who will share warning signs. Jerry Blackburn of Influence the Choice will shine light on the impact that substance use has on youth development and look at community prevention strategies we can all support. It’s important for all parents to be informed and aware whether you are concerned about your own child or just want to be part of the solution. Learn how you can talk to teens and influence their choices.
Anonymous event participation is available by changing your name in the settings.
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Special Education Group Meeting - Tonight! |
Learn how to best partner on inclusive remote learning so that all students learn and have their unique needs met.
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Topic: Partnerships to Support Academic Engagement in Inclusive Environments
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When: TONIGHT, November 17, 7:00-8:30 pm
- Parent networking from 6:30-7:00 pm
- Presentation at 7:00 pm
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Where: Zoom link or dial 253-215-8782 with meeting id: 998 0907 7968
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LWHS PTSA Membership Drawing - Last Chance to Win! |
Join or Renew Today!
Thank you to everyone who has already joined LWHS PTSA.! It's not too late to participate in our latest membership contest. Any member (individual, family, student, or staff) who joins before November 30, 2020 will be entered for a chance to win another fun prize package! Remember, PTSA is an annual membership that needs to be renewed each year.
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Step 1: Join LWHS PTSA
- Step 2: Your name is automatically entered into a drawing for a prize package.
- Step 3. All members who join by Monday, November 30, will be entered into the drawing to win a “School-from-Home” prize package. Every new PTSA member from August 15-November 30 is eligible to win. Staff, Students, Parents, anyone can be a PTSA member.
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Thanks to the generous support of our Kang community, we are about 75% of the way to our fundraising goal for the year! While students aren't meeting on campus, your donations are still supporting innovation and enrichment in these challenging circumstances. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, visit our website to read about the different efforts our PTSA supports.
Passive Fundraising Options
You can also support our PTSA without sending us any more dollars! If you already made a donation, remember to report that donation to your employer for a matching contribution (Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Boeing, and other local employers will match donations to the LWHS PTSA). Also, select LWHS PTSA as your designated charity when you shop at Fred Meyer or Amazon! More information is available on our website.
LWHS PTSA VP Ways & Means
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Committee Chair Needed for Student Awards - Help Spread the Love! |
Do you like to give affirmations? Consider signing up to chair the Lake Washington PTSA Council Student Recognition Committee! Our students need some love more than ever and getting recognized for the good work they are doing or positive attitude they possess is sure to be appreciated. They have a template to recognize students but need someone to get the word out and organize the effort along with school personnel. If you would like to help, please email info@lwshptsa.org. |
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LWPTSA Scholarship Auction |
Join the Lake Washington PTSA Council for their first-ever online scholarship auction, now open! Browse and bid on over 50 auction experiences, including cooking classes, local restaurant gift cards, wine tasting, photography packages, artwork, game nights, and more.
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!
Thank you to our generous community partners and donors. A huge thank you to LWHS Mom and Chef, Marla Groves, for donating a cooking class and a signed copy of her book "The Eating Enchanted Cookbook".
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Showing Gratitude for Our LWHS Teachers and Staff |
This Thanksgiving season may be different than most, but the opportunity to say “thanks” and share gratitude for all those in our lives is unchanged. 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 our students during this especially difficult time! Find email addresses in the LWHS Staff Directory.
Speaking of Gratitude...
Our staff appreciation team is hard at work coming up with ways to show the LWHS staff appreciation all year long. If you would like to be a part of the staff appreciation team and see what is being done to support our terrific staff, please email staff appreciation chairs Anne and Linda at appreciation@lwhsptsa.org to be added to their contact list.
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SAT and ACT Practice Tests - Additional Dates Now Available |
LWHS PTSA is once again partnering with Princeton Review to give students the opportunity to take SAT and ACT practice tests. This year, due to COVID restrictions, the practice tests will be conducted online.
The practice tests are created from original SAT/ACT tests from past years. They are a great way for your student to get comfortable with the format and style of the SAT or ACT. Students who take the test will also be invited to a strategy session that provides tips and tricks for better performance in the actual test.
The online practice tests will occur:
- SAT: Saturday, January 16, 2021 with Strategy Session January 26, 2021
- ACT: Saturday, January 23, 2021 with Strategy Session February 2, 2021
Note: If your student has taken the test earlier, they can take the test again. However, please note that the set of questions will be the same and they will NOT get a new set of questions.
Don’t let your student miss this opportunity. Sign up for free! Registration must be completed by January 12, 2021.
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Sustainability: Food Waste Prevention |
What’s the Difference Between “Best-By" and "Sell-By”?
The holidays are fast approaching and that typically means an increase in the quantity of food coming into our kitchens. Food Waste Prevention is a big part of Sustainability; food production consumes a lot of our environmental resources – land, water and energy. To be good stewards of the environment, we can buy, store and use food wisely to minimize our waste. King County Solid Waste Division shares ways to store food in the fridge (Smart Prep) so it lasts longer; defines what “Best-By, Sell-By, Use-By” means (Smart Storage) so we don’t prematurely throw out good food; and provides recipes for using up leftovers (Smart Saving) especially useful after big holiday meals. Save the Food is also an informative, interactive website with tips to reduce food waste, for example, “What vegetables should not be storage roomies?”
Bon Appetit and Enjoy the Holidays!
For questions and sharing, contact Pam Hay, LWHS PTSA Sustainability Chair
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LWPTSA Council LGBTQ+ Panel |
Lake Washington PTSA Council is hosting an evening of sharing and learning – find out about supports in our schools and how you can be a valuable ally! Parents, caregivers, guardians, grandparents, aunts, friends, uncles and students are all welcome to attend.
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When: Wednesday, December 2, 7:00-8:30 pm
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Please RSVP here and the webinar link will be sent to you prior to the event.
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Download a flyer to share.
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From the Counseling Center |
High School & Beyond Plan
Completion of assignments in Xello meets the High School and Beyond graduation requirement. All students have been introduced to Xello, and they know how to access their assignments and due dates. Resources, contacts, and directions are available under the Xello-High School & Beyond Plan section on the LWHS Counseling Center website. Ask your student to share with you some of the cool features that Xello offers!
LWHS Counseling Center
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LWHS Booster Club and Athletics Information Night |
The LWHS PTSA and Booster Club/Athletic Department are teaming up for an informative session on Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm to present the latest on the status of sports and the role of booster clubs at LWHS. It’s been a crazy year and we know you’re curious. This virtual meeting will give you an opportunity to hear from LWHS Athletic Director, Booster Club President, Athletic Trainer and a few of our coaches too! New and seasoned parents welcome. You can submit questions ahead of time to president@lwhsboosters.org.
Microsoft Teams
Join on your computer or mobile app
LWHS Booster Club President
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LWHS Key Club is organizing another blood drive this year! Since they can’t do it at the school like usual, they have made it a virtual event.
The blood drive will run now through December 5. Students age 16 and older can participate. It's not limited to students - all families and friends can participate as well!
Questions? Reach out to Mia Pekez, Key Club Vice-President
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Financial Aid Information |
Financial Aid Advising Day is today, November 17, during homeroom. Seniors received a link for the Live Event in their email. The purpose of this event is to provide seniors with financial aid information and to assist them in completing the financial aid lesson in Xello. A recording of this event will be posted on the College and Career Center website for parents to view at their convenience.
In addition, The U.S. government mandates that all colleges that wish to continue distributing federal grants or loans must post net price calculators (NPC’s) to their websites (Washington College Net Price Calculator). By plugging in your financial numbers, you can see an approximate cost to attend a particular college.
LWHS Counseling Center
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Final Live Wednesday Presentation - Tomorrow! |
Have your senior join the final Live Wednesday session tomorrow, November 18. Seniors can attend virtual college presentations hosted by college admission representatives.
When: Wednesday November 18, 2020
In addition, most of the past Live Wednesday sessions are recorded and available here.
The College & Career Center’s webpages have information to help you navigate college and career opportunities in high school and post high school.
If your senior would like to schedule an appointment or has questions regarding essays, applications, military, career pathways or just needs to check in, please contact Ms. Henderson in the LWHS College & Career Center at chenderson@lwsd.org or 425.936.1710.
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College Application Essay Support - Don't Let Your Senior Miss Out! |
College application deadlines are looming! Don't let your Senior procrastinate and spend the holidays cramming!
LWHS PTSA continues to provide students with FREE virtual application essay support on Wednesdays after school and select evenings via ZOOM. Students can connect with trained volunteers who will assist with editing college application essays and personal statements. Volunteers can also answer questions about the college application process and steer students in the right direction for any additional support they might need.
Each one-on-one session will be 30 minutes. Students must sign up in advance for a specific time/date.
Sign up HERE to reserve your spot 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 1, 2020. Details can be found on the LWHS website under Yearbook.
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 and commemorate a unique year. The deadline for ads is also December 1, 2020. Click here for more information.
LWHS Yearbook Advisor
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The Lake Washington Schools Foundation Updates |
#LWSFGivesThanks all month long!
As Lake Washington Schools Foundation looks back on 15 years serving the LWSD community, we invite you to join us on a journey of gratitude. During November we’ll be sharing positive stories about local businesses, volunteers, and community members using the hashtag #LWSFGivesThanks. Follow us on Facebook for these heartfelt stories!
Balance in Mind Parent Chats
- Taming Teen Stress: November 18 at 7:10 pm
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November 17: Special Education Group Virtual Meeting, 6:30 pm
November 18: PTSA General Membership Virtual Meeting, 7:00 pm
November 19: Understanding Youth Substance Abuse, 7:00 pm
November 25: Half Day
November 26-27: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 1: Yearbook Deadlines for Seniors
December 2: LWPTSA Council LGBTQ+ Virtual Panel, 7:00 pm
December 2: LWHS Booster and Athletics Virtual Information Night, 7:00 pm
Dec 21-Jan 1: 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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