May 4, 2021 | Issue #18
PTSA
PTSA Membership Meeting and Parent Education Event
May 19 at 7:00 pm
 
Don’t miss our last membership meeting of the year on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00 pm. We will elect our 2021-22 board members (full nomination list available here) and approve next year's budget. We will also provide updates on year-end activities including senior events and announce the PTSA award winners. Everyone is welcome to attend but only members will be able to vote. Your voice and vote are needed!

Following the meeting, stay for our parent education event with Cadence Child and Adolescent Therapy for a short presentation on 'Coping Strategies for Back to School Anxiety'. Learn tips and tools your student can use now, next year, and even this summer as they re-engage with friends and activities.

Look for the meeting login information in the next Kang Crier and on the LWHS PTSA calendar closer to the date.
Nominations for LWHS PTSA Awards Due Tomorrow!
Recognize a FABULOUS Educator, Volunteer, or Student

This school year has been like no other, but there have been many individuals who have gone above and beyond to make it the best it can be for LWHS students and families. Please take a moment to nominate a candidate for one of the following awards:
 
  • Golden Kang / Outstanding Educator - for an outstanding teacher or staff member 
  • Golden Acorn - for an outstanding volunteer 
  • Outstanding Advocate - for an outstanding advocate of all children 
  • Outstanding Student Advocate - for a student who has made significant contributions in leadership and service 

To nominate, email the Awards Committee with the following information: name of the nominee, the award they are nominated for, and details on why you think they should be honored. Please also include your name.

Information, award criteria and past recipients are available here. Feel free to nominate more than one person. Deadline for nominations is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 5. 

Winners will be announced at the May 19 PTSA Membership Meeting.
Volunteers Needed for Year End Events
Freshman, Sophomore, Junior parents - we need you! Do you want to be in the know about your student’s future senior year activities? Would you like to Pay it Forward? Committees are hard at work planning culminating events for the Class or 2021 but Senior parents deserve a night off too so could use your help! Here are a few ways you can lend a hand and get an inside glimpse to these LWHS PTSA traditions.
 
Senior Party: contact Debi Blaskovich at seniorparty@lwhsptsa.org to volunteer
  • June 9: Help with bus loading and check-in (8:30 to 9:30pm) and/or chaperone the event (9:00 pm–2:30 am)
  • Join the planning committee and help with any pre-event tasks
  • Provide or source donations for prizes or party perks
 
Senior Salute: contact Jennifer Wilson at seniorsalute@lwhsptsa.org to volunteer
  • June 8: General event help in the evening. Time and details TBD.
Get Informed, Stay Connected!
There are multiple ways to stay on top of what is happening at Lake Washington High School. Below are just a few of the helpful websites and social media accounts where you can find info or subscribe to get timely information. For our Class of 2021, connect to find info on graduation, senior salute, senior party and other end-of-year activities.
 
Websites:
 
Social Media:
  • LWHS: @lwhs_alwaysrising
  • Counseling/College & Career Center: @lwhscounseling
  • Student newscast: @Kangnewslive Info for students, by students. Great place to learn what the students are up to in school and related activities. Also live streaming many of the current sporting events.
  • ASB events and activities: @lwhs.asb
  • Graduation years: @lwhs.2021 (2022/2023/2024) Stay up to date on happenings by class.
  • Student athletic information: @lwhsboosterclub Highlights student athletic teams and other interscholastic activities.
  • LWHS PTSA: @lwhsptsa PTSA happenings, school announcements and events.
Special Education Group Meeting
Please join LWPTSA Council Special Education Group for the next virtual meeting on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00 pm. Our special guest will be Lei Wiley-Mydske from Ed Wiley Autism Acceptance Lending Library and author of "Disability in Children's and YA Literature". A Teams link will be published soon.

LWPTSA Special Education Group on Facebook also has valuable information and a great way to stay in the loop. Have a look! 

Please send questions to the Special Education Group Chairs at specialeducation@lwptsa.net.

LWHS PTSA Special Education Chair
The Journey to Becoming an Anti-Racist Family
LWPTSA Council is hosting a two-part workshop with Kenesha Lewin on "The Journey to Becoming an Anti-Racist Family" on May 11 and 18. With a diversity centered approach, Kenesha specializes in education training, community organizing, coaching, restorative practices, and racial justice consulting. The journey is a long one and it's never too early to start the conversations of being anti-racist. As Angela Davis states: “In a racist society, it's not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.” 


Please send questions to Irene Neumann and Hae Sue Park, LWPTSA Council Parent Ed Co-Chairs.
Self-Care Series
Save the date for the final LWPTSA Council Self-Care Session on May 21 at 5:00 pm. Our topic will be Mindfulness and Meditation. If you missed our April Session on Gratitude with Staci Danford, here is a recap.

  • When: Friday, May 21 at 5:00 pm
  • Where: Meeting links will be shared in a future newsletter

Please send questions to Irene Neumann and Hae Sue Park, LWPTSA Council Parent Ed Co-Chairs.
School
LWSD Pathway Forward
Learn more about Lake Washington School District's return to in-person services at lwsd.org/pathway-forward.

From the Counseling Center
Advanced Placement Exams
Students can check the LWHS Counseling website for the AP exam calendar. Students are urged to read their emails from College Board and their AP teachers regarding exam testing guidelines. Students need to be aware of how to log in and feel comfortable navigating the site. 

If students want to cancel an exam, they will simply NOT open or take the exam. Refunds will be issued after all testing is completed and we have received the rosters from College Board. Refund checks will be mailed sometime this summer. Good luck to students who have been preparing for their exams!  

LWHS Counselor
Book Donations Needed for LWHS Library
LWHS library needs your help! Typically, books are purchased for students throughout the year, but Covid caused many publishing delays including book delays. Some books that were meant to be released last spring are finally being published. We'd love your help adding them to our library.

We’ve made it easy! A curated list of new releases, high asks, and important books is available through an Amazon Wishlist. Click here to access the wishlist.

The wishlist will be updated every week. Every book donated will be inset with a bookplate noting your donation (unless you prefer to remain anonymous). When ordering your book for the LWHS library, please remember to write your message or name in your gift message. For example, you can dedicate your book in honor of your student, family member, beloved teacher, or simply state the book is a gift from your family.

Thank you in advance for supporting this wonderful gift for our students!

Questions? Contact Elizabeth Courage, LWHS Librarian
LWSD Spring Support Groups for Students and Parents
Lake Washington School District is offering support groups for both students and parents this spring. Students can join virtually on Wednesday afternoons to connect with fellow students for some extra support. Discussions will be about struggles and successes and to get some ideas for how to cope with isolation, the pandemic, lack of motivation, stress and anxiety. Groups will be tailored to student interests based on attendees. 
 
Parents and guardians will have the opportunity to vent and talk about frustration and worry, as students transition back to in-person learning or whether they remain at home. This drop-in group will provide parents with an opportunity to discuss parenting tips and to share successes and struggles in a supportive environment with other parents. Groups will run through the last week of school. 
 
Final Opportunity to Buy a Yearbook!
The final yearbook sales window of the year is here! Sales will run through Sunday, May 23. 
 
We know it's challenging to imagine what a yearbook will look like after a year that’s been primarily online. The yearbook staff of 27 students grades 10-12 has been working incredibly hard to capture all the moments this year to create a genuine and authentic remembrance of the school year during a global pandemic. In addition, the yearbook publishing deadlines were extended to capture as many activities as possible, including sports, in-person school, and senior events including graduation! Distribution will happen via drive-through at the school in mid-July. 
 
A few reminders:
  • Yearbooks are $65 and can be purchased online through the LWSD Payment Portal. You can also view your purchase history to double check if you’ve already purchased a yearbook.
  • Yearbooks are NOT automatically included in the purchase of ASB, it is a separate purchase.
  • Make sure you are purchasing an LWHS yearbook, it should say LWHS in the site column.
  • This is the FINAL sales window of the year. We will NOT be selling during distribution. We will be able to sell leftovers next Fall, but we cannot guarantee there will be leftovers. Don’t hesitate to purchase! 

Information about Yearbook sales can be found on the yearbook page of the LWHS website.

Questions? Contact Hanna Kreutz, Yearbook Advisor
LWHS Key Club Virtual Blood Drive
Usually at this time of the year there is a hosted blood drive at LWHS, but since Bloodworks Northwest can’t come to campus, join us instead in the LWHS Virtual Blood Drive! The gift of one hour of your time and one pint of your blood will save the life of another! Find donation locations at a Brick & Mortar Center or a Pop Up Location. All donations are by appointment only. This is a safe and essential action. No walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite.

All donors are required to wear face masks during their appointment. If you need assistance making an appointment, call 1-800-398-7888 or visit schedule.bloodworksnw.org. When you check in, be sure that you share the LWHS code so you can help us reach the goal to have 50 blood donors participate. A signed Parent Consent Form is required for all 16 & 17 year old blood donors. 

Questions? Contact Lynne Luckey, LWHS Key Club Advisor
New Scoreboard is Funded!
LWHS Boosters is pleased to announce that the new scoreboard has been funded! Thank you to everyone who donated. Installation is targeted for August 1.

LWHS Boosters President
Seniors
Class of 2021 Senior Party - Tickets Available NOW!
Senior Party is an LWHS PTSA sponsored late night chaperoned event for seniors to celebrate in a safe and fun way with their classmates on graduation night. This year’s party will be held on June 9 from 9:30 pm to 2:30 am at a single surprise location. This local venue is large, has indoor and outdoor space, and will follow all COVID protocols in place at the time of the party (and can still operate under either Phase 3 or Phase 2). Ticket price includes transportation to and from a Kirkland location close to the school (TBD), fun activities and food. Don’t let your senior miss this LW tradition!

Tickets are $110 and go up to $135 on May 16. Don’t delay, your purchase NOW helps us plan and possibly provide additional perks at the party. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.

Questions? Contact Debi Blaskovich at seniorparty@lwhsptsa.org. 
Yearbook Now Accepting Kang Kruisers Submissions
We know the Kang Kruisers yearbook feature (seniors posing with their car) is a special tradition and we’ve been holding off trying to see if we could make it happen in person like a typical year. Unfortunately, we can't do this on campus but we still want to give students the option, so here’s what they can do:
 
  1. Grab their car (or any mode of transportation) and themselves (plus friends if desired)
  2. Head to their favorite location (really anywhere is fine, even their driveway)
  3. Snap as many pictures as they want to get the perfect shot
  4. Students then complete this Microsoft Form by May 14 with details about their car and photos
 
Please note: Running Start students should complete the Microsoft Form but will need to email photos directly to Hannah Kreutz, as the upload won't work for them.
 
Questions? Contact Hannah Kreutz, Yearbook teacher
Senior Salute - Save the Date!
Save the date for a Celebration for our Seniors at LWHS on Tuesday, June 8 in the evening. The ASB, Administration and PTSA are working hard to put on a celebration at LWHS for our Seniors! Stay tuned for more details.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Wilson, LWHS PTSA Senior Salute Chair
Community
Balance in Mind Events for Parents and Teens
Upcoming events:
  • May 2-8: Free Screening of the IndieFlix movie, LIKE, directed by Scilla Andreen. Take a closer look at the impact of social media on kids. Register for your free ticket here. 
  • May 5 at 7:00 pm: Parent Chat: Social Media and Mental Health with Scilla Andreen, Director of LIKE & Angst
  • May 19 at 7:00 pm: Parent Chat: Sexting: What Parents Need to Know with Jo Langford, a dad & sex educator for tweens, teens and parents
  • June 2 at 7:00 pm: Parent Chat: Understanding Queer Kids Today with Jen O'Ryan, PhD, experienced with gender identity and sexual orientation


​Missed the latest webinars? Click here to visit Balance in Mind's YouTube Channel.

Want additional information? Balance in Mind's Instagram @balance.in.mind is a destination for teens to gain inspiration, learn self-care tips, and more! 
Alcohol Drug Education Class
Parents & Caregivers! Join our no-cost Alcohol Drug Education Class held virtually on one Saturday of each month. Excellent resource for parents and students (12-19 years old) to attend together for a shared learning experience.
 
  • Gain tools and skills to make more informed decisions for student futures
  • Learn about the dangers of current substance abuse trends
  • Understand the effects of substances on the developing body and brain (including the dangers of mixing substances)
  • Learn how to get help & support for substance abuse and mental health issues
  • Learn where to access websites offering how to help talk to your teens and gather fact-based drug and alcohol information
 
Go to youtheastsideservices.org/adec to register for this FREE educational opportunity for parents and students to attend together. The next classes are May 22 and June 19. All classes are no-cost to families, on Saturdays, and run virtually from 9:30 am-12:30 pm. Thank you for spreading the word about this important resource!
 
Questions? Contact Andrea Frost, YES Specialist at LWHS, at 425-747-4937 x2721 or andreaf@youtheastsideservices.org  
Events
May 19: LWHS PTSA General Meeting, 7:00 pm
May 31: Memorial Day (No School)
June 1: Snow Make-up Day (No School)
June 9: Graduation, 3:00 pm T-Mobile Park
June 16: Last Day of School (Half Day)
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.