October 25, 2022 | Issue 5

PTSA

LWHS PTSA General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm, LWHS Library


Wondering how you might support your student and school? Curious where your donations go? It’s all at the next LWHS PTSA General Membership Meeting! We will also elect our new PTSA President and Executive Vice President together with some key committee chairs.

Coffee With Christine

The next "Coffee with Christine" will be in-person November 17 at 8:30 am. Come join other LWHS parents and community members for an open Q&A discussion with LWHS Principal Christine Bell. School counselors will join Principal Bell and her administration team to answer questions about Xello, high school and beyond planning, and grad pathways. Come and join this super informational session! This meeting will last about an hour.


Please be sure to read Principal Bell's letter in the "School" section below.

LWHS PTSA Needs You

There are still a couple open board positions for the 2022-2023 school year. Job descriptions can be found here. Available board positions include:

 

  • VP, School Support
  • Senior Party Chair 


The Senior Party role is an urgent need, with the possibility of the event being canceled unless the role is filled. Interested parties can email president@lwhsptsa.org. 

Corporate Giving Campaigns Support Student Education

Did you know? You may work at a company conducting a Giving Campaign this Fall. These Giving Campaigns often allow you to direct those funds to charities of your choice, and some may also match your contributions. We checked to see how this can be done by Microsoft and Google employees (many other companies may have similar methods). Employees may select Lake Washington High School (LWHS), LWHS PTSA, or LWHS Boosters from the list of charities. In addition, employees can use the "Comments for the Cause" field to direct funds to a specific Booster program by typing in the open text field. Thank you for your generosity and support of our students!

 

Questions? Email waysmeans@lwhsptsa.org

Grants Available from LWHS PTSA

LWHS PTSA is excited to support the Kang community by providing grants to LWHS teachers/staff and ASB Clubs to foster connection and learning. Available grants include:


  • Teacher/staff enrichment grants to fund programs, equipment, or other activities that will help enrich the educational experience at LWHS.
  • ASB Club grants can support activities by funding equipment and participation at events.

 

Additional information and grant applications are on the PTSA website under Teacher/Staff and ASB Club Grant Info. Application deadline for Fall grant requests is this Friday, October 28. Applicants will be notified about funding in mid November.


Questions? Contact Christine Woskett, Grants Committee Chair

Grants Committee Member Needed

Do you have a small amount of time to help make a big impact for our school community? We’re looking for a PTSA member to join the Grants Committee and help review grant applications from school staff and student clubs. We meet for about an hour in early November and February (with occasional shorter meetings as needed) to discuss applications and prepare recommendations for the PTSA board.


If you’d like to find out more about the grants program, see the PTSA website. If you’re interested in joining this committee, please email Christine Woskett, Grants committee chair, at grants@lwhsptsa.org.

LWHS PTSA Nominating Committee Needs You

Are you looking for a way to connect with other parents in the community? Are you interested in a short-term volunteer commitment? LWHS PTSA is looking for members to serve on our Nominating Committee to recruit candidates for 2023-2024 school year. Training is available. Duties are only a few hours a week and will be completed after spring elections. If you are interested in serving on this committee or would like more information, please email LWHS PTSA President.

Lake Washington PTSA Council Scholarship Basket Auction

Each year, the LWPTSA Council annual basket auction raises funds for the Council’s scholarship fund, providing scholarships to graduating seniors and staff across the Lake Washington School District. Last year, LWPTSA Council was able to award academic scholarships to 15 graduating LWSD seniors.


This year, they are pleased to be hosting their 2022 auction in person! Community members are invited to come support the next class of scholarship recipients by visiting Lake Washington School District’s Resource Center lobby during business hours to view gift baskets and place bids on them. Everyone is invited to join the auction reception pajama party on November 3 as the bidding is closed and they host a raffle with refreshments.


  • Silent Bidding: Open now until Thursday, November 3 at the LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th St., Redmond WA 98052). LWSD’s business hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please go and check out LWHS PTSA’s “Hot Winter Drink” gift basket!
  • Auction Reception & Raffle: Bidding will close on Thursday, November 3 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm at the LWSD Resource Center. Bring a friend and wear pajamas while enjoying cocoa and cookies! In addition to the gift baskets, you'll be able to support the program by making donations, buying raffle tickets for prizes, and purchasing gift cards from local businesses.


Questions? Please email auction@lwptsa.net

Bring Your Lunch & Learn With Us

LWPTSA Council's Lunch & Learn series consists of short presentations and discussions on topics of interest to all community members, from noon to 1:00 pm on select Thursdays at the LWSD Resource Center or online via Zoom.


Our first Lunch & Learn is coming up on October 27, and will be a virtual session on Zoom. Stay tuned to our website for details. Bring your lunch, and learn with us!

Reflections: A National PTA Arts Competition

If your student loves art, here is an opportunity for them to create a piece of art and participate in the Reflections program!


Reflections is 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 levels. There are six categories including visual arts (2D only), literature, music composition, film production, dance choreography, and photography. There is also a special artist division for students with disabilities. Students will submit a digital version of their completed works in one or more categories.


The 2022-2023 Reflections theme is “Show Your Voice!” You can find category rules and guidelines at https://www.lwptsa.net/reflections/.


Submissions are due November 1 before 5:00 pm. Click here for an entry form


Questions? Contact Rachel Pai, LWHS PTSA Reflections Chair

Share Your Thoughts with LWSD's School Start Times Committee

The LWSD Start Times Committee wants to hear from you! The committee is working on a proposal for all high schools to start no earlier than 8 am, and will also recommend an earlier start and end time for preschool. To help shape their recommendations, the committee is seeking input from families, students, staff and community members.


Share your thoughts here


The survey is open until 11:59 pm on October 26, which allows the committee to review feedback at their next meeting on October 27. In November and December, the committee will ask for input from parents, staff and students on specific options.

School
From the Desk of LWHS Principal Christine Bell

Dear Kang Families, 


We are headed into November. The eighth of November is not only election day, it is also the end of our first quarter. This is a good time to talk with your student about their grades and to support them in using homeroom/Roo time effectively to recover any missing assignments. 


Fall also means cold/flu season. As we move further into the flu season and continue to contend with Covid, we want to encourage you to keep your student home when they have any symptoms or are feeling sick. This is how we prevent the spread of sickness at school. 


Thank you to all of our parents who have shared kind words, donated snacks, supported our student performers, scholars and athletes, and been genuinely supportive of Lake Washington High School. We are proud to be a part of the broader LWHS community. 


I wish you all a healthy and happy rest of October. Go Kangs!


Christine Bell  

LWHS Principal

From the LWHS College & Career Center

College Fair

Our first in-person College Fair will be taking place on October 26 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the LWHS Commons. We have several great schools in attendance including UW, WWU, Gonzaga, U of Oregon, Cornish College of the Arts, and more. Several two-year colleges will also be there. Students and parents are welcome to attend this event which will be hosted in the LWHS Commons. Join us to hear more about these great schools directly from their admissions representatives.

 

College Visits are in full swing! 

Upcoming visits include:

  • University of Arizona: Today, October 25 at 3:00 pm
  • Arizona State: Wed, October 26 at 1:00 pm
  • Oregon State: Fri, October 28, Room Time B
  • American U of Paris: Tues, November 1 at 3:00 pm
  • U of Oregon: Wed, November 2 at 1:00 pm
  • UW - Bothell: Fri, November 4, Roo Time B


Subscribe to the College & Career Center Calendar or follow our Instagram account (@lwhscollegecareer) to learn about college visits and other events.

 

Financial Aid Information:

In September, the College & Career center hosted a Financial Aid evening. The event was recorded and is available to watch on the LWSD College & Career Readiness site

 

Questions? Contact Nichole Swanger, LWHS College and Career Specialist

LWHS Theatre Presents Boy Gets Girl

October 28 and 29, 7:00 pm


Please join us for LWHS Theatre’s next production, Boy Gets Girl.  It is a play that was chosen for its important statements about how people can protect themselves and protect each other from uncomfortable situations.


Synopsis: Theresa Bedell agrees to go on a blind date with a friend of a friend. Tony is attractive and funny, but after a second date she sees no point in continuing with the relationship. Tony, though, thinks otherwise as his persistence turns to obsession, and Theresa's annoyance turns to terror. 


This show is not for younger audiences as it confronts issues of stalking, sexism, relationship dynamics, limitations of law enforcement, and more. It speaks to the challenge of the justice system and how helpless victims can feel. But most importantly, it asks audiences to consider how they perceive others, why they perceive them that way, and asks if it’s the right way.

 

When: October 28 and 29, 7:00 pm

Tickets: Available in advance through Brown Paper Tickets or at the door (Cash/Check Only). General Admission $10, Students with ASB $8.

 

Questions? Contact Morgan Heetbrink, LWHS Drama Teacher

Support LWHS Theatre by Dining at MOD Pizza - TODAY

Show your support for LWHS Theatre by having lunch or dinner at MOD Pizza in Kirkland’s Totem Lake today, Tuesday, October 25! A portion of the proceeds will go to the Theatre Boosters in support of costumes, props and more for our 2022-23 theatre season. Click the button below to print the flyer to show at the restaurant, or order online and enter this fundraiser code: MODF13139.


Print the flyer


Questions? Contact fundraising@theatre.lwhsboosters.org

Seniors

College Application Workshop

College Application Deadlines are Just Ahead!


November 15: Early Action, Early Decision and UW Deadline

November 30: UC Schools Deadline


Students can reserve a spot with a tutor via Signup Genius or drop in for first-come/first-served essay support. They can also sign up in person at the College and Career Center. 


Sign up HERE to reserve a spot NOW!


When: We meet every Wednesdays at 12:55

THIS WEEK: Friday Roo A and B by reservation only

Where: Outside the College and Career Center


Questions? Email collegeapp@lwhsptsa.org

Community

Lake Washington Schools Foundation News

Parent Chat with Balance in Mind

The Balance in Mind team is back with a new season of Parent Chats! Parent Chat hosts experts in youth mental wellness with interactive discussions. This season Parent Chat will be covering topics such as resurfacing from the pandemic to stresses on student athletes and developing key social and emotional skills in yourself and your children. Sessions occur twice a month on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.


Register for our fall Parent Chat series

Pantry Packs Fall Food Drive

The Pantry Packs Program is hosting its annual Fall Food Drive! You can help feed hungry students in our community through one of two ways:


  • Donate food directly through our Amazon Wish List.
  • Drop off your food donations on November 16 or 19, from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at our Pantry Packs warehouse located at 14816 NE 95th St - Bldg 6, Redmond, WA. 


Click here for more information

Will you go ALL IN FOR KIDS? 

If you care about students, schools, and families, then supporting Lake Washington Schools Foundation (LWSF) is a great way to make a big, positive difference in the lives of kids in our district. Last year, thanks to funding raised from the community, LWSF: 


  • Distributed 25,000 weekend meals to food-insecure students. 
  • Added 1,100 diverse books to help build inclusive library collections 
  • Trained 160 students in Teen Mental Health First Aid 
  • Supported 1,600 students and parents with the college application process 
  • Provided 1,300 hours of mentoring to local students 
  • and much more! 


With your help, LWSF will do even more this year. Please go ALL IN FOR KIDS and make a donation today: www.lwsf.org/all-in-for-kids

Events

October 26: LWHS College Fair, 5:30 pm, LWHS Commons

November 8: End of First Quarter

November 11: No School (Veteran's Day)

November 16: LWHS PTSA General Membership Meeting, 7:00 pm, LWHS Library

November 17: Coffee With Christine, 8:30 am, LWHS Career Center

November 23: Half Day (11:40 am release)

November 24-25: No School (Thanksgiving Break)

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.