ICS PTSA NEWSLETTER

October 22, 2023

See the ICS Calendar for more upcoming event dates.

NEW OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE NECESSARY PE WAIVER

Physical Education is a required high school credit in the Lake Washington School District. However, ICS does not offer high school PE in any form. Therefore, all high school students must complete paperwork to waive the PE requirement in order to graduate.

Students are aware of this requirement; however, it can be hard to take the first steps. The PTSA has partnered with Ms. Zavala and Coach Vogt to assist students in navigating this process. We are offering four study sessions for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to drop in and receive help answering their questions. The session dates are November 2, 9, 16 and 30 from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM in the Lyceum.

Encourage your students to attend these sessions and complete their waivers! There are three opportunities per year to submit waiver applications and the next deadline is Dec 13. It is a good idea to submit early in the year because applications are occasionally rejected. For questions, contact president@icsptsa.org.

REFLECTIONS ART COMPETITION

Calling for entries!! 

Theme: I am Hopeful Because

Due Date: November 1, 2023, by 10 PM

Entry form and Program details: https://icsptsa.org/icsptsa/index.php/volunteering/support-curriculum/reflections

Contact: reflections@icsptsa.org

2024 ART DAY PREPARATIONS 

Art Day is on 1/29/24!

Macrame/Hand Sewing class - we are looking for someone to lead and/or assist this class. Please reach out to artday@icsptsa.org or ali@icsptsa.org, if you are interested. 

Parents can also submit Art Day ideas at Art Day 2024 (pollunit.com). Please don’t forget to leave your email address along with your idea to help us contact you. 

Please contact artday@icsptsa.org or Albert Li (ali@icsptsa.org) if you are interested in other volunteering opportunities or have any questions.

ICS ORIENTEERING CLUB VIRTUAL INFO SESSION OCTOBER 23

ICS Intramural Sports Club will host an information session for Orienteering, Monday, October 23 at 7:30 PM via Teams. Click here to join the meeting. If you are interested and would like more details, please join us. Meeting ID: 272 098 281 037 Passcode: yWxAmL

Orienteering Club will meet on Thursdays, starting Oct 26, directly after school, and will run until 4 PM. Students will learn to read an orienteering map, navigate trails and woods, and pace themselves over a course. Students should bring athletic shoes and dress for being active outdoors – rain or shine. For more information, contact lucialiu@icsptsa.org.

SKI BUS UPDATES

The Sign-up for the Ski Bus 2024 is now open. To learn more, reserve your seat, purchase lessons, and pay for the bus, join the WhatsApp group or email Boris Baryshnikov.

SPORTS CLUB SEEKING PARENT VOLUNTEERS

We are hard at work putting together an afterschool sports activities club. There is so much interest! The next step is gathering parents who can commit a few afternoons a month to either lead or just supervise. The club will meet Mondays and Thursdays. We would like to gather some interested parents to solidify the plan and begin playing together soon! Interested in volunteering for Sports Club? Please fill out this form. Contact vpactivities@icsptsa.org, or presidents@icsptsa.org for more information.

CELEBRATING DIWALI

Diwali is one of the most festive and beautiful times of the year. The true meaning of Diwali is the celebration of light, making a fresh start, and new beginnings. Many people consider that Diwali marks the start of their new year. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on November 12.  Because Diwali is celebrated by so many people worldwide, traditions are diverse, including lighting candles and gathering families. 

The main celebration of Diwali takes place on the day of the new Moon when the sky is at its darkest, so a big part of the celebration revolves around light. Candles, clay lamps, and oil lanterns are lit and placed throughout the home, in the streets, in areas of worship, and floated on lakes and rivers. Fireworks are also set off on the night of Diwali—said by some to ward off evil spirits. Another central theme of Diwali is family. Wearing their best new clothes, families gather together to eat sweets and other special foods, light diyas (decorative oil lamps), and pray for their ancestors. 

Want to celebrate Diwali? Here are a few events around Seattle to check out!



Diwali (seattlecenter.com)

AmPowering Grand Diwali Ball 2023 Tickets, Sat, Oct 28, 2023 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

UTSAV Diwali 2023 Tickets, Sat, Nov 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite

Karwachauth And Diwali Bazaar 2023 Tickets, Sat, Oct 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite