October 5, 2021 | Issue #4 |
|
Welcome to LWHS! Presentation Now Available |
The Welcome to LWHS! presentation was designed for families of Freshman and others who are new to the LWHS community. It includes lots of information about the High School experience, both district-wide and specific to LWHS, and addresses some common questions.
|
|
2021-2022 Reflections Arts Competition |
Get your student’s creative juices flowing for this year’s Reflections competition! The theme is I Will Change the World By…
What Is Reflections? A national arts competition offered through the LWHS PTSA. Students enter a piece of art that goes through a judging process at the high school level with the potential to advance to the Council, State and National level. Click here for more information.
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.
Who can participate? Any student attending LWHS and any student attending a choice school or online school whose home school is LWHS.
How to get started? Review the rules for the art category and the Checklist for Success, both located on the PTSA website.
What is new this year? Students will submit entries online (upload location TBD). Chair will provide help to any students deterred by submitting online.
When is the deadline? Monday, November 1 by end of day.
Theme Search Contest: National PTA are asking students to submit a theme for the 2023-2024 program year. The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 and his or her theme will be presented at the annual National PTA Convention in June 2022. Repeat themes will not be considered. Click here for a list of past themes. Submit your entry using the new online Theme Search form by November 1.
|
|
Thank You for Supporting PTSA! |
Thanks to your memberships and contributions so far, we're well on our way to our fundraising goal this year. Your donations provide classroom grants, student activities, and ongoing school support. There's still time to add your support to our efforts! Click here to join LWHS PTSA and make a donation.
If you've already donated and your employer matches donations, please remember to report your contribution! If you need any information from our PTSA, contact info@lwhsptsa.org.
You can support our PTA without spending any additional money by designating LWHS PTSA as your charity of choice with Fred Meyer Rewards, Amazon Smile and Bing Rewards. For more information about how our PTSA can benefit from your shopping, check out the information on our website.
|
|
LWHS PTSA Board & Committee Chairs Needed
Your PTSA is getting prepared for another great year and we invite you to get involved! We are still looking to fill a few board positions and have quite a few PTSA chair positions still open. Curious? Click here for more information. Training provided! If a role sounds interesting to you, or you'd like to learn about other volunteer possibilities, email info@lwhsptsa.org.
Open board positions:
-
Executive VP: Assists the President with all responsibilities related to the PTSA Board of Directors. In the absence of a Communications Chair, will assume the responsibilities of this chair position.
-
Advocacy: Work to inform members about legislative issues; help members determine our statewide platform; and help members speak up when it matters most. The Advocacy chair should be nonpartisan and work closely with the LWHS PTSA Board on focus and efforts.
-
Membership: Set a membership goal for the year. Help with membership drives. Collect the forms and submit online information to the state organization. Largely entails data entry that can be done at home on your own time.
Open chair positions:
- Lake Washington School Foundation (LWSF) Liaison
- School Beautification
- Senior Salute (See Seniors section below for more information)
- Special Ed Inclusion and Awareness
- Sustainability - current chair is seeking a co-chair to train
- Webmaster
|
|
Washington State PTA Student Programs |
Washington State PTA has a number of programs specifically for students. We hope you will encourage your student to participate in one or more of these fantastic opportunities.
WSPTA Essay Contest - explores the important and varied influencers in the lives and education of children. Open to all grades. The submission form (available soon) is located on the website and is due by March 1, 2022.
WSPTA Scholarship program - for graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools with an active PTA. The online form (available soon) is located on the website and submissions are due by March 1, 2022.
WSPTA Game Development Competition - a STEM program for students in grades 6-12 who share their knowledge of computer science based on a theme. To ensure all students have an equal opportunity to participate, a new category has been added for best board game. Submissions are due by March 1, 2022.
|
|
From the Desk of LWHS Principal Christine Bell |
Dear Kang Parents,
I have just a few notes to share here. Please keep an eye on your email to check for updates on PSAT/SAT testing and, coming soon, Smarter Balanced Assessments. Also, information will come your way soon that will highlight our upcoming Homecoming Game, Tailgate and Carnival.
There are a few areas in which we need your support.
First, masks continue to be an issue for some students. If you hear from a teacher that your student is having a hard time following reminders to pull up their masks, please support us by having a conversation at home.
We are also having issues with theft at our local businesses during lunch. So far we have been able to handle these situations with restitution and restorative conversations, however, if the offender is caught by store security there is a possibility that charges will be filed. That is not what any of us want. We appreciate the support our community provides and want to respect our businesses and our relationship with them.
Thank you for all that you do, and please reach out if there is anything we can do to better serve you and your family.
Go Kangs!
LWHS Principal
|
|
Your Executive LWHS Booster Club Board is looking for a Communications volunteer to help keep our social media accounts fresh and energized. If you love our Kang sports and arts and posting/tagging/creating stories, this is a great low-time commitment way to join our team! Email president@lwhsboosters.org if interested.
And get ready for some fun “100 year” surprises from the LWHS Boosters at our Homecoming Football Game on the 10/15! Go Kangs!
|
|
Advanced Placement Exam Information |
Lake Washington School District students are able to register for AP exams through the end of lunch on October 8, 2021. The payment window for the exams will run through October 30, 2021. All students wanting to take May 2022 AP exams are encouraged to complete the registration and pay for their exams during these windows. Students can pay the school's bookkeeper or can use the Online Payments tool.
|
|
Volunteering for the 2021-22 school year
We have been happy to welcome our volunteers back into our schools, in a limited capacity. At this time, volunteers are allowed in the buildings, but not in the classrooms or shared learning spaces. There are some district programs/services that can’t be performed without volunteer support. We will be allowing these volunteers to continue to support our students following current COVID guidelines.
Following Governor Inslee’s vaccination mandate regarding K-12 volunteers, all volunteers in our schools will have to be vaccinated as of October 18. There are two ways for volunteers to show proof of vaccination:
- In person at the LWSD Resource Center
- Virtually through Microsoft Teams scheduled events
As a reminder, all volunteers will need to be an approved LWSD volunteer, follow the current masking and physical distancing requirements, and sign-in at the school office.
If you have any questions about your approval status, please contact Chris Robison. If you’ve let your volunteer approval status lapse or you need to apply for the first time, please fill out the online application.
|
|
Parents of Seniors, We Need You! |
LWHS PTSA is still seeking a chair for the Senior Salute. If you are interested in helping out, please email Stacy Mehlberg, LWHS PTSA VP of Student Programs. We’d love to hear from you!
Senior Salute (chair position): The chair/chairs organize a senior baccalaureate evening of inspiration right before graduation which is focused on a more personal level with students, staff, and families. If permitted to take place in-person, the event includes the coordination of school building space, student and staff speakers, student art, refreshments and student music while maintaining a budget. It is an evening to celebrate the graduating class of the year.
|
|
Virtual College Application Workshop Starts October 13 |
LWHS PTSA is pleased 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 date and time. Parents are welcome to join the call as well!
|
|
College & Career Center News |
Live Wednesdays
FAFSA and WASFA Time!
The Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) are now open. This application is required for all scholarship opportunities at each college, university and technical programs as well as all financial aid offerings.
Spanish FAFSA/WASFA information sessions
The Padres Unidos from Redmond HS is presenting a Spanish language FAFSA / WASFA information night and a workshop for all seniors and their parents in our district. The information night will be October 6 from 6-8pm and the workshop will be held on October 12 from 6-8pm at the Resource Center located at 16250 NE 74th Street in Redmond.
|
|
Lake Washington School Foundation News |
Our Kids Need YOUR Support
When you donate to Lake Washington Schools Foundation, you are making an impact by funding programs that nurture, connect, and empower over 30,000 students. Your gift of ANY amount is truly appreciated. Make an impact by donating to our All in for Kids campaign today!
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. Our next session on October 17 at 7:00 pm, titled "Is it the Blues or Something Else?", will cover ways to differentiate sadness and depression, and how to have a conversation with your child about it. Register at www.tinyurl.com/BiMFall2021.
Pantry Packs
Our Pantry Packs program is off to a great start, with 3000 packs distributed in our "soft start" during September. Keep an eye out for news about our community food drive this Fall!
LINKS Lunch Buddy Program
The LINKS program brings students together with caring adult mentors. Upcoming events include a Mentor Coffee Hour on Wednesday, October 13. Contact Victoria Goetze-Nelson to learn about becoming a mentor.
Find Your Fit College Planning Events
Get your 2022 graduate ready for post-secondary success by enrolling them in our fall virtual events hosted by independent college counselor Mary Pat O'Neil. Learn more and register at www.lwsf.org/findyourfit.
|
|
October 15: LEAP Day (No School)
October 15: Homecoming Football Game, 7:00pm
October 19: LWPTSA Council Special Education Virtual Meeting, 7:00pm
October 21: LWPTSA Council Virtual October Lunch and Learn, 12:00pm
October 22: Picture Retake Day
October 28: Coffee with Christine, 8:30-9:30am in-person, 6:00-7:00pm virtual
November 5: End of First Quarter
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
