Want to make a difference in the lives of our amazing LWHS students and teachers? Then please consider joining or donating to the LWHS PTSA by clicking here: https://lwhsptsa.org/Packet/joindonate

Still not sure? Then click here to discover all the great ways your PTSA supports Lake Washington High School. It really takes a village, and the difference is you. Go Kangs!

Scott Pike, LWHS PTSA Membership Chair

Registration Deadline is January 5

Sign up your student before the holiday frenzy!

LWHS PTSA is partnering with Princeton Review to give students the opportunity to take SAT and ACT tests just “for practice” at no cost. Student scores on these practice tests do not go on their records. Students take the practice tests online at a date and time that is convenient for them within the following windows:

• ACT Practice test: January 5-13
• SAT Practice test: January 21-29

Registration deadline is January 5. Click here to register.

Don’t let your student miss this opportunity to take the test for free! A few days prior to the test date, students and parents will receive instructions from Princeton Review.

Questions? Email satactpractice@lwhsptsa.org

A big thank you to everyone who donated baked goods, treats, candy, bags, apple cider, and hot cocoa mix for our December Staff Appreciation event. It was a nice treat for our staff members to enjoy and share with their families this holiday season. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!  

Bea Jo, LWHS PTSA Staff Appreciation Chair

Congratulations to the following LWHS students whose Reflections entries have advanced to council level.

• Jacob Lee, 10th grade, visual arts: My Silent Voice
• Megan Lambert, 12th grade, special artist, visual arts: Hear My Roar

Council winners will be announced in early January. Winning entries will be shown at the LWSD resource center on Friday, January 20, 2023. Mark your calendars to come see all the amazing entries and celebrate the artists!

Click here for more information

Rachel Pai, LWHS PTSA Reflections Chair

Game Development Competition

Students attending a middle or high school with a PTA/PTSA in good standing may participate in this competition either individually or in teams of up to five, using their creative talents to develop a computer game or a board game. This year's theme is Curiosity. Entries are due February 15, 2023. The submission process is new this year. Visit WSPTA's Game Development Competition page for details.

Essay Contest

Every day, kids are exposed to a variety of people, and each one has an opportunity to influence the path a child takes. This contest is a platform for students to share their appreciation for the important influencers in their lives and education. Entries are due February 15, 2023. The student must personally know the influencer they write about. The submission process is new this year. Visit WSPTA's Essay Contest page for details.

Scholarship Program

Washington State PTA offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington public high schools with an active PTA/PTSA, who will be starting either a two-year or four-year college the following fall. Applications are due February 15, 2023, and scholarships are awarded by April 30. The submission process is new this year. Visit WSPTA's Scholarship Program page for details and eligibility requirements.

Greetings, Kang Families, and Happy Holidays!

This December and January we recognize many holidays and observances celebrated by our Kangs. Student leadership and our affinity groups work to ensure that all students at LW have the opportunity to highlight what makes them and their families unique, particularly during the holiday season. At Lake Washington High School, it is our mission to ensure that each student feels that they are safe, important and that they belong in our school. Honoring the diversity in our student body is one way we work toward this goal. 

When it comes to helping our parents feel that they belong in our community there is no better option than working with our PTSA. You are reading this critical communication that is published by the PTSA, but that is not all that they do. They volunteer in many ways and contribute time, energy and support to our staff and students. I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to get involved. Join the PTSA on the LWHS PTSA Website and consider getting involved. We need your support. 

Thank you to all who donated cookies for our PTSA Staff Cookie Day. Our faculty and staff absolutely love this tradition. Whatever your traditions are in your family, I wish you the very best for this holiday season. Have a wonderful winter break!

Christine Bell  

LWHS Principal

FAFSA/WASFA

If you have a senior planning for college, use holiday break to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) application. A financial aid application is required to receive potential grants, work study approval or federally subsidized student loans. Many schools also require a completed FAFSA to receive merit scholarships (grade based) and school related scholarships as well.

Career Exploration

Choosing a career is one of life’s big decisions. Help your teen by encouraging them to explore options now.



1. Ask your child to think about their interests. Need help? Have your child try a career quiz at www.careerbridge.wa.gov.
2. Consider how to get there. It’s good to know what skills, classes and degrees are required for different career paths.
3. Discuss ideas of how to discover more about their career interests. Suggestions include a job shadow for a day, conducting research at the library or online, or talking to friends and family who work in those careers.

This can be a fun opportunity to talk with your teens about their future, listen to their ideas and support them through the process.

Coming in January

Lake Washington Institute of Technology will present several of the programs offered at LWIT during Roo time on January 20 and February 3. Stay tuned for more specifics!  

Questions? Contact Nichole Swanger, LWHS College and Career Specialist

CAW wishes you happy holidays!

We'll be back for Wednesday zoom sessions through mid January. Please encourage your student to sign up!

Tutoring sessions are Wednesdays starting at 2:30 pm, 30 minutes per session. Please be aware that sign ups close 24 hours in advance of the sessions.

Click here to sign up

Questions? Email collegeapp@lwhsptsa.org

Senior Parents: It's time to start thinking about the awesome all-night party we're throwing for your kids the night of graduation on June 15, 2023. This year we will return to two venues with many options for entertainment, food, and a safe, good time for all the graduates. If you are interested in volunteering to help plan this event, to volunteer during the event, or to donate food/cash, please contact seniorparty@lwhsptsa.org.

Non-Senior Parents: We are in need of chaperones for the graduation party on June 15. You can help with bus check in, chaperoning at venue #1 OR venue #2 OR all of the above. If you are interested in helping, please contact seniorparty@lwhsptsa.org. We need as much help as possible and thank you in advance for considering. 

Ticket Sales: Ticket sales will begin in January. Look for additional information in the New Year.

Hello families of Seniors,

Just a reminder that one of the graduation requirements is for seniors to complete their High School & Beyond Plan in Xello.

The following Senior lessons need to be completed:

• Résumé or Activity Log upload
• Career Path Choices
• Career Backup Plans

Questions about Xello? Feel free to contact us:

• Margaret Campbell (last names A-Law): mcampbell@lwsd.org
• Phil Magnenat (last names Le-Z): pmagnenat@lwsd.org

From Andrea Frost, Youth Eastside Services Prevention Intervention Specialist with LWSD

Is your child experimenting with drugs, alcohol or vaping? Some normal adolescent behaviors can also be a concern for potential substance use. By not taking a stand against drug use, we send messages that those activities are acceptable or that we aren’t concerned about it. You are in an excellent position to help your student get the support they need.

Please take a few moments to review the list of signs and symptoms of substance use you may see at home:

• Change in behavior, mood swings, inappropriate laughing
• Lower grades, failing grades, lack of interest
• Change in friends/not introducing you
• Secretive/door closed more or closes phone/laptop around you
• Bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils (large), pinpoint pupils (tiny)
• Chronic coughing
• Spending less time with family than previously
• Smelling incense, room/body sprays, cologne/perfume more

If you have concerns, we can work together to support your student to make healthy choices for the future:

• You can reach out to me via phone or email. 
• You can refer your teen to me to talk confidentially at their school (I am at each high school one day each week).
• Students and their parents/guardians can attend YES’ Alcohol Drug Education Class on a Saturday morning from 9:30 am-12:30 pm via Zoom. The class is free for LWSD families but registration is required: www.youtheastsideservices.org/adec.
• You can check out the resources at https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and on this reference document for mental health, substance use or other kinds of counseling available in your community.

Questions? Contact Andrea Frost at andrea.frost@youtheastsideservices.org (encrypted email) or 425-586-2307 (confidential voicemail).

Check out upcoming events and resources at lwsf.org.