June 14, 2022 | Issue #21 |
|
With Gratitude from LWHS PTSA |
It’s been another challenging year, but our community – specifically our members, donors and volunteers – have come through once again. LWHS PTSA started this school year virtually with an online Welcome Back event and Coffees with Christine, but we have been able to close the year with in-person events such as our annual Senior Party and our revamped Senior Farewell. We welcomed Principal Christine Bell to our community, stocked LWHS’s new Kang Closet with supplies for students in need, awarded more than $7,500 in enrichment grants to support students and clubs and more than $3,500 in classroom grants to support staff, all the while continuing many of our annual PTSA programs. Please have a look at our full list here.
We cannot accomplish any of these things without our volunteers, who lend their time, energy, and talent to enrich our students’ experiences at LWHS; most especially our Board of Directors and our many PTSA chairs.
Would you like to join us in making a difference for our students next year? We’re looking for help next year in a variety of roles; please see the article on open board and chair positions below for more information.
Wishing all of you all a safe and relaxing summer!
|
|
Congratulations to Our Award Winners! |
Every year LWHS PTSA recognizes individuals for their dedicated service and commitment to our Kang community. This year we are pleased to announce the following award winners:
-
Golden Kang/Outstanding Educator (teacher or staff member): Morgan Heetbrink, English teacher and Drama advisor
-
Outstanding Advocate (for all children): Jennifer Malick, parent volunteer for LWHS PTSA and LWHS Boosters
-
Golden Acorn (outstanding volunteer): Linda Cheyne and Anne Allan, LWHS PTSA Staff Appreciation chairs
-
Outstanding Student Advocate (significant contributions in leadership and service): Mariana Shuman and Scout Despain
A contribution to the Washington State PTA Scholarship Program will be made in honor of each of these award recipients. Here is more information about the contributions of this year’s award winners.
We would like to offer the award winners, along with all of the amazing volunteers and staff in our LWHS community, our heartfelt gratitude for their outstanding commitment, dedication and service. We truly appreciate you!
LWHS PTSA Board of Directors
|
|
We've Begun Planning for Next Year |
LWHS PTSA Board positions available
There are still open board positions for the 2022-2023 school year. Job descriptions can be found here.
- President
- EVP
- Secretary
- VP, School Support
- Senior Party
- Communications chair
LWHS PTSA committees and chairs make things happen! We are looking for chairs and committee members, specifically at this time:
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Social Media chair
- Hospitality
|
|
Thank You from LWHS PTSA Grants Committee |
One of the ways that the PTSA supports our school community is by funding grants that provide educational enrichment as well as support club activities, social events, and social and emotional well-being. This year, LWHS PTSA provided grants that provided a contribution to the cost of the Unspoken Truths Traveling Museum, the purchase of the Signs of Suicide curriculum for use in Health classes, licenses for News in Slow Spanish, a trading game for the Economics classes, photo frames and mats for an exhibition by the Photography Club, and drums and protective covers for the LWHS band.
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.
|
|
Thank You from LWHS PTSA Staff Appreciation Committee |
Do you know what a difference you made?! We Do!
You helped us celebrate our teachers and staff every month, during good times and tough times, because you said yes and donated your time, or donated items, or just by joining the PTSA. YOU made it possible to let the staff know that we are here for them. This is a huge THANK YOU to you for making it possible!!
To our wonderful staff: THANK YOU for all of your time and effort during these ever changing times! It's been quite a ride, and you've been there to help our kids learn, grow, and discover what they can do.
We hope you all enjoy a wonderful summer,
Your LWHS PTSA Staff Appreciation Team
|
|
LWPTSA Council Special Education Group End-of-Year Survey |
Want to make LWPTSA Council Special Education Group (SEG) work better for you and your student? Now is your chance! The SEG is seeking input from families with students who have IEPs, 504s or Individual Health Plans to help improve SEG meetings and plan for the 2022-23 school year.
Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey by June 30. You will have the opportunity to be entered to win one of two Amazon gift cards valued at $50 each!
|
|
From the Desk of LWHS Principal Christine Bell |
Dear Kang Families,
Lake Washington High School staff voted to change the bell schedule for the 2022-23 school year. This was in response to feedback from students, staff and families on student mental health and wellbeing and on the need for increased passing time. We understand that students had concerns about having too many classes to study for each night, that they didn’t have enough time to travel between classes, and that they wanted Roo Time and Homeroom to continue to be available for support and intervention.
Lake Washington High School already has a two-day block schedule. By extending the two days to four, we will allow for built in time to meet the needs of our building. As we have tightened up our security protocols, we also have limited student access to outside entryways, thereby congesting student traffic in our hallways. More transition time was needed so that students could get to their classes. Adding time to our passing periods was only possible if we kept to guidelines regarding instructional minutes. We also had to maintain our start and end times. Moving to a four-block schedule accomplishes this and meets a number of student requests: longer passing periods, extended ROO time, and more of a college-like atmosphere.
LWHS will form a second committee focusing on training so that teachers are effectively teaching in the block schedule and offering engaging, appropriately timed and differentiated activities. We purposefully drew from the experience of other teachers (from Eastlake High School) who have been teaching this schedule for years.
If you would like to get more involved at LWHS I encourage you to join PTSA and to attend parent engagement activities when possible. You can find more information at lwhsptsa.org/home.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Lake Washington High School. The new bell schedule will be posted to the LWHS school webpage soon.
LWHS Principal
|
|
Scoreboard Advertising Opportunities for the 2022-23 School Year |
The LWHS Booster Club would like to congratulate our graduating seniors and wish everyone a happy summer! As we close out this school year, we would also like to remind everyone about digital scoreboard advertising and sponsorship opportunities for the 2022-23 school year! Our goal is to pre-sell as much as possible prior to the start of next school year so we are up and running for the first games of our Fall 2022 sports season. Whether you know a business interested in an annual sponsorship deal or an individual interested in advertising a special event, we have options for everyone! All proceeds from advertising sales directly benefit our LWHS booster programs and ASB. Please click on the flyer linked here or check out the LWHS Booster Club website for more details: www.lwhsboosters.org
Go Kangs!
|
|
If you know your student is not returning to LWHS next year, please email Kerrian Baker at kebaker@lwsd.org.
|
|
Looking for Something for Your Student To Do Over the Summer? |
Ah, the lazy days of summer. Your student has worked hard all year and deserves some of these ‘no list’ days. But too many can get boring! Here are some great ways for students to stay busy and get ahead of the upcoming school year.
-
Class of 2025 and 2026: Begin thinking about post high school plans, including gap year, military, private career schools, technical colleges, two- and four-year colleges. Begin exploring details about different programs and schools.
-
Class of 2024: Continue to explore interests and options. If your student is four-year college bound, they can check out college websites or take a virtual tour of the campuses. See if chosen colleges will require the ACT or the SAT for admission. Check out potential scholarships.
-
Class of 2023: Continue to refine the list of post high school options and narrow down choices. Register online for the SAT or ACT. Narrow college choices to four to six schools and decide about applying for early admission. Polish your resume. Create a master calendar of deadlines and due dates. Check out potential scholarships.
|
|
Congratulations Class of 2022! |
The Senior Party Co-Chairs would like to thank the more than 40 amazing people who volunteered this year with the Senior Party – serving on the committee, donating supplies, organizing waivers and bus sign-ups, and volunteering as bus check-in helpers and/or chaperones. We could not have pulled it off without all of you! Please email seniorparty@lwhsptsa.org if you have any questions or if you’re interested in chairing/co-chairing for the Class of 2023.
Congratulations, Seniors – let’s party!
|
|
Please read the following information regarding diploma pick up for the class of 2022:
- Diplomas will be available for pick up in the Counseling Office June 15-17 during normal business hours (7:00 am-3:30 pm).
- Students with fines will not be able to pick up diplomas until fines are cleared.
|
|
Cap and Gown Donations Accepted |
LWHS PTSA maintains a modest supply of gently used graduation caps and gowns which are lent out to LWHS graduating seniors who cannot afford to buy a set. If you would like to donate your LWHS graduate’s gently used cap and gown (no stoles or tassels, please), please put them in a plastic bag, clearly marked “LWHS PTSA” and drop it off at the main office at LWHS. We’ll take care of the rest!
|
|
Lake Washington School Foundation News |
Class of 2023 College Bootcamp
Calling all Class of 2023 students and parents! Join independent college counselor Mary Pat O'Neil of LWSF's Find Your Fit program for a series of three webinars in July. Attend one, two, or all three! Register here.
- Session 1 - Monday, July 11 from noon to 1:00 pm: Creating a Balanced College List
- Session 2 - Wednesday, July 13 from noon to 1:00 pm: Completing Your College Applications
- Session 3 - Friday, July 15 from noon to 2:00 pm: How to Write a College Essay
|
|
From Youth Eastside Services Counselor Andrea Frost |
Welcome to Summer! As your Youth Eastside Services’ Prevention Intervention Specialist, I have enjoyed supporting LWHS students and families during this school year, and look forward to coming back in the Fall. Click HERE to check out our Community & Summer Resource list for many activities to do this summer and where to reach out for help & support. See you in the Fall.
Andrea Frost, LWHS Substance Use Prevention Intervention Specialist
|
|
Free Summer Youth ORCA Passes are available to 8th through 12th grade LWSD students who qualify for the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch program.
|
|
June 14: Graduation, Alaska Airlines Arena, 6:00 pm
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
