January 11, 2022 | Issue #10 |
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LWHS Temporary Remote School Updates |
Due to the move to remote learning from now through January 18, we have been asked to share the following updates:
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Click here to read the announcement regarding the temporary move to remote learning.
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The schedule for synchronous learning January 12-14 will follow the usual bell schedule, which can be found here.
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The schedule for the week of January 17 can be found here.
- LWHS Student Leadership is going to postpone recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King to the first week in February.
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LWHS will have first semester finals from January 24-28 as planned. Teachers are working on adjusting finals as needed, but the schedule will be the same. Click here to view the schedule.
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2022-2023 course registration presentations from LWHS counselors will still occur this week but it will look a little different. This Wednesday and Thursday, January 12 and 13, students will listen to a recorded presentation during their English (9th grade) or Social Studies (10th and 11th grade) class. Counselors will then have virtual drop in Q&A sessions available for students on Friday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 18 so they can ask questions about class registration. Click here for more information.
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Join Us for a Parent Chat about 2022-23 Course Registration |
Students will be registering for next year's classes in homeroom on Thursday, January 20, and will be receiving information this week from school counselors about course offerings and the registration process. Counselors encourage us caregivers to talk with their students about course selection – and LWHS PTSA knows that you have your own questions too!
This Thursday we’re offering a Parent Chat session to give parents an opportunity to ask questions and share their family experiences with different electives, AP classes, and other topics of interest. You can view last year’s Parent Chat on class registration here.
Drop in when you can, stay as long as you’d like. We welcome your questions and experiences!
When: Thursday, January 13 at 7:00 pm
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LWHS PTSA Virtual General Membership Meeting |
Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 7:00 pm
Our January General Membership Meeting will be Wednesday, January 19 beginning at 7:00 pm. Bess Altamura, LWSD Social Worker from Evergreen Health, will be joining us for a presentation on teen mental health.
We will elect our 2022 Nominating Committee. There will also be time to socialize with and ask questions of fellow parents/guardians after the meeting.
The meeting link will be posted on our website calendar closer to the meeting date. Meeting documents will be posted on our Meeting Documents page. We hope you can join us!
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 one more member to serve on our Nominating Committee. This committee recruits candidates for next year’s PTSA leadership. Training is available, duties are only a few hours a week, and end after spring elections. If you are interested in serving on this committee or would like more information, please email LWHS PTSA President Denise Ferguson.
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The next PTSA-sponsored “Coffee with Christine” will be Thursday, January 27. Come join other LWHS parents and community members for an open Q&A discussion with LWHS Principal Christine Bell. The January gathering will be virtual (details below). The meetings last about an hour, but you are free to join late or leave early.
Future meetings will occur on February 24 6:00-7:00 pm and March 24 9:00-10:00 am.
Please be sure to read Principal Bell's letter in the "School" section below.
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LWHS PTSA Board & Committee Chairs Needed |
We are still looking to fill a few board positions and chair positions. 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:
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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.
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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.
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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:
- School Beautification
- Senior Salute – ideally a parent/guardian of an underclassman, so parents of seniors can enjoy the event!
- Sustainability - current chair is seeking a co-chair to train
- Webmaster
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Cap and Gown Donations Accepted |
Are you planning any spring cleaning soon? LWHS PTSA maintains a modest supply of gently used graduation caps and gowns which are lent out to LWHS graduating seniors who cannot afford to buy a set. If you would like to donate your LWHS graduate’s gently used cap and gown (no stoles or tassels, please), please put them in a plastic bag, clearly marked “LWHS PTSA” and drop it off at the main office at LWHS. We’ll take care of the rest!
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LWPTSA Council Lunch & Learn: Graduation Pathways |
The January topic is Pathways to High School Graduation. Did you know there are multiple ways for LWSD high schoolers to meet the requirements for graduation? LWSD's Donneta Oremus & Kate Atvars will be presenting. Bring your lunch and learn with us.
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Topic: Graduation Pathways
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When: Thursday, January 20 at noon
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Where: Join via Zoom
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LWPTSA Special Education Group Meeting |
Join other families and caregivers of students receiving Special Education services. Find camaraderie in and perhaps even solutions for your education-related woes.
When: Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00 pm
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Reflections: Three LWHS Students Advance to State Level |
We are pleased to announce that the following LWHS students and their Reflections entries won an award at the Council level of the Reflections art competition and are advancing to the State level. Congratulations to:
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Andy Alkin: Outstanding Interpretation (1st) for "The World will Change" in the category of Music Composition
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Claire Pike: Award of Merit (3rd) for "The Shining Stars Inside Us" in the category of Photography
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Jinho Lee: Award of Merit (3rd) for "Game Changing Butterfly” in the category of Visual Arts
Stay tuned this spring when results from the State level are posted.
LWHS PTSA Reflections Chair
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From the Desk of LWHS Principal Christine Bell |
Dear Kang Families,
Our mission as a school is to be a place where each student, every day is connected and feels that they belong in our community. We knew that this would be our focus for the year after reviewing data from student surveys last year and given the disconnect between people during distance learning. We know from our data that last year only 37 percent of our students felt like they belonged in our school. That data comes from several questions that center around relationships. Relationships with peers, with teachers, and with the school community as a whole. Our students feel respected, overall, but not necessarily seen as individuals. In a system the size of LWHS it is important that we continue to focus on ensuring that each student is seen, heard, and valued.
In the fall of this year we again asked students to answer survey questions relating to social-emotional regulation, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging. Again we see that our students do not feel that sense of belonging that we need them to feel. In fact, only 31 percent of our students reported favorably on this topic. This tells us that our focus needs to continue to be on listening to what our students need, and on intentionally building opportunities to connect.
There are many ways in which we are listening to our students. Teachers gather feedback on lessons and classroom procedures, our student leadership and affinity groups lead learning and professional development, and a newly formed focus group allows students to bring concerns directly to school administration. Our school improvement plan and goals are directly aligned to this work as well.
Here is the good news. Students were asked this fall to share what makes them happy. By far, they responded with relationships. Students value their time with family, friends and yes, even pets. As we continue to strive to our motto of “always rising” I want to give you all encouragement by reminding you that your efforts are paying off. Families, and the support of loved ones, can have a positive impact on the lives of our students each day.
Keep up the good work!
LWHS Principal
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*Results from Lake Washington High School Fall 2021-22 SY Panorama Survey Data |
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College & Career Center News |
Live Wednesday Career Panels
Is your student interested in learning more about the programs available at WANIC such as Nursing, Dental, Automotive or Fire/EMS programs or how about Animation or Video Game Design through Digipen? Our Live Wednesday Career Panels begin with a WANIC and Digipen Information session tomorrow, January 12. Have your student join us at 1:30 pm for the general WANIC presentation and 2:30 pm for Digipen to learn more about the programs available for juniors and seniors next year. Click here to attend.
Scholarships
January is a great time to start applying for scholarships. Check out more information on the LWHS College and Career site. The list features several scholarship databases as well as local scholarships from many Kirkland area providers such as the Kiwanis, Rotary and more local opportunities.
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LWHS Class of 2022 Senior Party - Tickets Available Now! |
Prices go up January 31!
Your senior is invited to a safe and fun-filled post-graduation all-night party presented by the LWHS PTSA. We provide transportation to two venues, entertainment, food and a memorable end-of-the year experience.
When: Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Start Time: check-in will be determined once graduation time has been announced but is generally after 9:30 pm.
End Time: 5:30 am on Wednesday, June 15, at LWHS
Ticket prices:
- $190 until January 31
- $200 between February 1 and April 15
- $210 between April 16 and June 1
- Ticket sales end June 1, 2022
- All ticket purchases are non-refundable.
Don’t delay, purchase tickets NOW to help us plan and possibly provide additional perks at the party.
Scholarships or installment plans are available. Contact Jodee Hull at jhull@lwsd.org for more information.
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Lake Washington School Foundation News |
Balance in Mind Winter Parent Chats
Parent Chat launches its Winter Series of important and relevant mental wellness topics. Listen and learn from mental health experts in a safe and supportive environment. Parent Chats are held virtually, twice-monthly on Wednesdays at 7pm. Register at www.lwsf.org/parentchat.
- Jan 12: Trauma-Informed Parenting
- Jan 26: Your Family at its Best: A Workshop
- Feb 9: Cancel Culture
- Feb 23: Mental Wellness Across Cultures
- Mar 9: Well Body, Well Mind
- Mar 23: Youth Susceptibility to Extremism: What Parents Can Do
Webinar for High School Students and Parents: Technical Colleges and Apprenticeships
While attending a 4-year college is an option after graduating high school, there are other paths that lead to student success. In this webinar, Our Find Your Fit program's Mary Pat O'Neil will explore the benefits and opportunities offered by technical colleges and apprenticeship programs. She will be joined by guest speakers from the Lake Washington Institute of Technology and ApprenticePath. Register today at www.lwsf.org/findyourfit.
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January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
January 28: Last Day of First Semester
February 17-18: Mid-Winter Break (No School)
February 21: President's Day (No School)
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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. |
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