August 24, 2021 | Issue #1
PTSA
Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
Greetings to our new families, and welcome back to those who are returning!
 
After more than a year of remote learning, the start of this school year marks a return to in-person learning for many. Things will look a bit different this year, but some changes are cause for celebration: construction on the two new wings of LWHS is now complete, and we have a new principal, Christine Bell, to welcome to our school community!
 
High school is an important time for us parents to be involved in our student's education, and as our students return to in-person learning, it is even more important to intentionally stay engaged. LWHS PTSA offers several ways for families to do just that:
 
  • Stay informed. Our Kang Crier newsletter is a timely and reliable source of information for what’s happening at LWHS and in the community. We are also on Facebook and Instagram, and our website is another great resource.

  • Volunteer. Volunteering will look a bit different this year, and in-person opportunities will be limited. However, we are still looking for help with work that can largely be done remotely. Check out our website to learn more about how you can lend a hand! We have several open board and chair positions available as well (see additional information below).
 
  • Become a PTSA member. Your membership and donations of time, money, and skills enable LWHS PTSA to continue to offer support to teachers and administrators, to the school, and to supplement your child’s education. Click here to see what your donations, time, and talent make possible.
 
  • Connect with your community. Meet fellow LWHS families and our new Principal and administrators through events such as “Coffees with Christine” (schedule coming soon) and our general membership meetings. Our first general membership meeting will be Wednesday, September 15 at 7:00 pm and will include a Q&A with Principal Bell. We also plan to hold our Welcome to LWHS Primer for new parents as well. More details coming soon!
 
There’s a lot to look forward to this year. We welcome your support and hope to see you soon!
 
2021-2022 LWHS PTSA President
Help Wanted!
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.
  • Ways and Means: Organize and coordinate the fundraising efforts for the LWHS PTSA including the main “Pass the Pouch” fundraiser that occurs in September. Oversee the distribution of funds as determined by the annual budget to include grants to staff and school groups. In other words, help raise funds…and then help spend them!
  • 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.
 
Open chair positions:
  • SAT/ACT Practice Tests
  • School Beautification
  • Sustainability - current chair is seeking a co-chair to train
  • Webmaster
Help Get the News Out to Our New Kangs
The Kang Crier Newsletter is the primary communication method used by LWHS PTSA to communicate with LWHS families. The district distribution lists are not updated and available until late October, meaning families new to LWHS are missing out on the information we distribute. If you know of a family who is new to LWHS, please have them subscribe to this newsletter by visiting lwhsptsa.org or forward this newsletter so they can click here to subscribe.

LWHS PTSA Kang Crier Editor
School
A Letter From LWHS Principal Christine Bell
Greetings, Kang Families! 

The staff at LWHS is excited to have students joining us on campus full-time on September 1! To prepare for the first day of school, our 10-12 graders are "Jumping In" to LW today to take care of business including paying fees/fines, purchasing parking passes, and picking up Orca bus cards. If your 10-12 grade student is missing this opportunity, they can stop by the main office on Monday, August 30 to complete these tasks.

On August 31, we welcome our 9th graders for LINK Day from 10:00am-1:00pm. LINK day is an orientation that includes tours and an opportunity to be on campus with just other freshmen and our student LINK leaders. Welcome to the class of '25!

You may have noticed that our first week of school looks a little bit different this year. For September 1-3, each day will begin with a soft start in Homeroom followed by all 7 class periods so students can get to know the campus and their teachers. Click here for more information on the bell schedule. Student schedules should be available to view online--stay tuned for an email update on this soon.

Here's to a great 2021-22 school year!

Principal, Lake Washington High School
Sign Up Now Open to Audition for LWHS Fall Musical, Chicago!
Auditions for Chicago are open now through September 8. Students can submit their pre-recorded audition through flipgrid. There will be rolling callbacks--so the earlier they submit, the earlier they'll know what callback they may have.

For more information and audition submission guidelines, go to: https://www.lwhstheatre.com/chicago-auditions

Questions? Contact Morgan Heetbrink, LWHS Drama
Get to Know Your Boosters
Welcome Back, Kangs! The LWHS Booster Club and our 18 participating clubs can’t wait to see you all IN PERSON this fall. With so many new families to our programs, it’s a great time to learn more about what a “booster club” is! Boosters is a great way for parents to work together to enhance the experience of our athletic teams and interscholastic activities. Check out our website here to learn how we work and where you might be able to lend a hand. We always need volunteers. And definitely follow us on Facebook, Insta and Twitter to stay up on what’s happening. And great news…our brand new scoreboard (thank you donors!!) will be installed and ready to show off for our first football game on September 3! 
 
LWHS Booster Club President
LWSD Updates
LWSD has created both a Back to School Information page and an updated Pathway Forward Frequently Asked Questions webpage for families to review as they prepare for the return to school.

Please continue to check both pages for information regularly, as updates will be made in conjunction with guidance from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Office of the Superintendent of Instruction (OSPI) and Seattle-King County Public Health.
LWSD Nutrition Services is Hiring
LWSD Nutrition Services is hiring! Both part time and full time roles are available. Click here for more information.

Questions? Contact Megan Test at 425.936.1396 or megan.test@sodexo.com.
Seniors
School Has Yet to Start, But We're Already Planning for Graduation
Parents of Seniors, we need you!

LWHS PTSA has a few open board and committee positions that are specific to events for senior students. 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 Party (appointed board position): Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the preparation of the senior party. This position requires attendance at monthly board meetings and, ideally, membership meetings as well. Per LWHS PTSA Standing Rules, the Senior Party chair must attend PTA & the Law at least once during their term. 
 
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.

Questions? Contact Stacy Mehlberg, VP of Student Programs
Community
Events
August 24: "Jump In" Day for 10-12 Graders
August 31: Freshman LINK Day, 10:00am-1:00pm
September 1: First Day of School
September 6: Labor Day (No School)
September 15: LWHS PTSA Membership Meeting, 7:00pm
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.