February 9, 2021 | Issue #12 |
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Coffee with Christina TODAY! |
The next Coffee with Christina is today, February 9 at 9:00 am. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for a virtual Q&A session and parent chat. The TEAMS link is published on the school calendar and PTSA calendar. All are welcome!
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PTSA Membership Meeting Recap |
At the January 27 General Meeting, our 2021 Nominating Committee was elected. We would like to thank Beatrice Joe, Mindy Lincicome, and Alana Smith for stepping up to serve on this committee for the 2020-2021 school year. If you are interested in serving on our PTSA board or want to nominate someone else, contact the nominating committee at nomcom@lwhsptsa.org.
We also highlighted the work of our Staff Appreciation committee, provided information about our Eyes Up Campaign, and highlighted our new Chapter Club for parents and caregivers. Our guest speaker, Michelle Brode from Youth Eastside Services (YES), gave a presentation on finding balance in the digital world. The slides from our meeting and Michelle Brode’s presentation are posted on our website here.
LWHS PTSA President
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Eyes UP LW! Tech Tip: Social Media and Mental Health |
This week’s Tech Tip centers on Social Media and its impact on mental health. What you see on social media doesn't always tell the whole story of what's going on in a person's life. Check out the following resources:
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Screenagers Tech Talk Tuesdays series provides examples of how social media can impact our teens and suggests ideas for conversation starters.
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Half the Story is a global community that encourages people to share parts of their lives outside the standard social media story. Talking about the false reality that exists and striving to live life unfiltered is the first step in ending the negative culture social media sometimes creates. Visit their website for a Parent’s Guide to Social Media and stories about living life unfiltered.
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Find more Eyes UP LW! Tech Tips on our website.
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Chapter Book Club Dates Announced! |
Parenting in the Screen Age: A Guide to Calm Conversations
Drop in and join us for collaborative conversations around the new book by local physician, Delaney Ruston, MD of the Screenagers Documentary Series. We will be discussing one chapter each meeting. Purchase the book here or just join us to listen or add your thoughts! All are welcome. The link to join will be on our website calendar closer to the date.
Friday, February 26, 5:00-6:00 pm
Chapter 1: Social Media
Friday, March 12, 5:00-6:00 pm
Chapter 7: Challenging Conversations
Additional dates and chapters TBD. Sign up here to receive future communications and Zoom links for the meetings.
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February is Black History Month |
Our local, state and national PTAs are committed to continuing to advance productive conversations around race, equity and inclusion. Below please find some helpful resources and events which you might find useful in spurring conversations with your students, family or friends.
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February 1-5 was Black Lives Matter at School Week. Helpful resources, videos, and articles about this can be found here.
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National PTA is inviting Reflections artists of color and their allies to share artwork that expresses and affirms their beliefs and identities—as well as the importance of Black lives. Select works will be used to help celebrate diversity in the arts. Click here for more information. Artwork should be uploaded by March 1, 2021.
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LWPTSA Council Lunch & Learn: Unconscious Bias and How It Impacts Our Lives |
This Thursday, bring your lunch and learn with LWPTSA Council.
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Topic: Unconscious Bias and How it Impacts Our Lives
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When: Thursday, February 18 at noon
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Where: See the Lunch & Learn schedule on LWPTSA Council’s website for more information and a meeting link.
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E-Prep Committee Refreshes Emergency Kits |
Your LWHS PTSA is working behind the scenes to get classrooms ready for students to return to school safely. Last week a small team spent the day working on inventorying and refilling emergency backpacks for each classroom. Supplies include first aid kits, flashlights, rain ponchos, mylar blankets, gloves, and more. Thanks to your PTSA donations, classroom teachers can grab these backpacks should they need to evacuate the school. Many thanks to Jennifer Malick, Melinda Lincicome, and Meredith Schwietzer.
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LWPTSA Special Education Update |
Save the date for the next SEG meeting on March 16, 2021. We hope you can join!
LWHS PTSA Special Education Chair
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From the Counseling Center |
Registration for 2021-22 School Year
On February 24 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm students will have another opportunity to register for next year’s classes. This will be their last opportunity to put in their requests for next year. Please visit the LWHS counseling website for thorough information on how to register, troubleshooting, and the necessary materials to register successfully!
Late Registration for Advanced Placement Exams
Late registration for AP Exams is available now through February 26, 2021.
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For information related to registering for any Advanced Placement exams, students need to contact Ms. Hargraves.
- Ms. Hargraves will verify with the student what s/he needs, then contact Ms. Zard, LWHS’s bookkeeper, with the exam information and student name.
- Ms. Zard will add the AP Exam(s) and the late AP Exam payment as a fee to the student’s account so the family can pay online.
- Ms. Zard will email the family so they know the fees are loaded and that they need to pay before the end of the late registration window. If they have not paid by the late registration deadline, she will remove the fees and an exam will not be ordered.
- Remember, students who register during the late AP Exam registration window will incur a $50 per exam late fee in addition to the $96 per exam fee.
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Absolutely no AP Exam registrations will be accepted after 4:00 PM February 26, 2021.
LWHS Counselor
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Winter Support Groups for Students and Family Members |
Provided by LWSD-Based EvergreenHealth Social Workers
EvergreenHealth continues to offer a variety of support groups for Lake Washington School District High Schoolers and their families. Group topics include parent support, general student support during COVID and virtual schooling, a craft/art group and all-around support. Click here for more information.
Questions? Contact Lindsay McMeins, LICSW, LWHS-Based EvergreenHealth Social Worker
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Wouldn’t it be AWESOME if the return to LWHS campus, sports and Kang events included a new digital scoreboard? Our current scoreboard is showing its age and is tough to find replacement parts and bulbs for anymore. We're just $20k away from making this dream come true. Perhaps you know someone or a business that would like to contribute? There are also advertising opportunities available. Every little bit will help!
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LWPTSA Council Scholarships Available |
The Lake Washington PTSA Council is pleased to roll out its 2021 Scholarship Program! Council offers several $1250 student scholarships and two $500 staff scholarships every spring.
Applications for both staff and student scholarships are due by NOON on March 25, 2021.
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Washington State PTA offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools with an active PTA, who will be starting college (either two-year or four-year) in the fall. Additional requirements and information can be found here. The online form is located on the website. LWHS students should reference Lake Washington High School PTSA 2.8.95. Applications are due by March 1, 2021.
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Community Forum TOMORROW: What You Need to Know about Teens, Mental Health, Drugs and Safety |
Wednesday, February 10, 7:00-8:30 pm
Join LWSF Balance in Mind, Youth Eastside Services, and Kirkland Police for a community discussion about teens, mental health, drugs and safety. Hear from an LWHS parent and local experts on how to support your teen and their friends with challenges they may face.
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation News |
Valentine’s Day Teacher Appreciation Campaign
Do you know a teacher who deserves a Valentine? We think you do! Add their name to our virtual Wall of Love at www.lwsf.org/valentine. The last day for orders is tomorrow, February 10.
Find Your Fit
Learn all about the college application process in the College 101 two-part webinar! This has been updated to reflect the impact of COVID-19 on college applications. Registration is required.
- Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 pm: Part 1
- Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 pm: Part 2
'Angst' Documentary Viewing
In partnership with Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and Eastlake High School, we will be hosting an anxiety-awareness documentary, “Angst” on February 25 and 26. Free to attend, prior registration required at www.lwsf.org/angst.
Balance in Mind Events for Parent & Teens
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Parent Chats - Register today for the winter session. Chats are held on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.
- February 17: Healthy Teen Relationships with Libby Gutschenritter
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Spanish Youth Mental Health Workshops - Sistema Escolar, Youth Eastside Services, and Balance in Mind are presenting a series of workshops on youth mental wellness by Spanish speaking experts for Spanish speaking parents. Register at www.lwsf.org/youthmentalwellness.
- Febrero 16, 6:30 pm: Consejería De Salud Mental Para Jóvenes y Derechos De Los Padres
- Marzo 2, 7:30 pm: ¿Que Tipo De Madre/Padre Eres?
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Balance in Mind’s Instagram @balance.in.mind is a destination for teens to gain inspiration, learn self-care tips, and more!
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February 10: Community Forum: Teens, Mental Health, Drugs and Safety, 7:00 pm
February 11-12: Mid-Winter Break (No School)
February 15: President's Day (No School)
March 12: LEAP Day (No School)
March 16: LWPTSA Special Education Group Meeting, 6:30 pm
March 17: LWHS PTSA General Membership Meeting, 7:00 pm
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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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