lwhs

Kang Crier
Nov. 6, 2013
Issue No. 5
LWHS PTSA Newslettertop
In This Issue
Quick Links
Upcoming Events
 
Sophomore Class Acropolis Fundraiser
Thursday, Nov. 7, 4 - 10 pm, Acropolis Pizza and Pasta
National College Fair
Friday, Nov. 8, 9 am - 12 pm, and Saturday, Nov. 9, 12 pm - 4 pm, Washington State Convention Center
Senior Culminating Project Presentations
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1 pm
Senior Culminating Project Logs Due (if not presenting)
Wednesday, Nov. 13
9th and 10th Grade Parent Night
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 6:30 pm, LWHS PAC
PTSA General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6:30 pm, LWHS library
Senior Party Auction
Friday, Nov. 22, 6 - 9:30 pm, Kirkland Women's Club
Last Day to Request Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation for January Applications
Monday, December 2


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Letter from Principal Christina Thomas

Dear Parents,

The end of first quarter is almost here! Have you checked your student's grades and attendance? Quarter grades are considered progress reports. If your student is not doing well, we have many opportunities for additional assistance. Perhaps have your student attend After Hours on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, or Thursday mornings. Students are also encouraged to meet with their teachers on Tuesdays during the school day for our tutorial period. Finally, you can contact your student's teacher to find out how you can help at home.

As you may know, the Lake Washington School District will be placing two levies and one bond measure on the ballot in February. On November 20th, please plan on attending an informational presentation regarding these measures and how they will benefit Lake Washington High School. This will be during our PTSA General Membership meeting.

October was National Anti-Bullying month. We had several opportunities to work with student groups on this important issue. We had a guest speaker, Mike Smith, who did a whole school assembly on the topic of "Dude: Be Nice". We also had a speaker, Mama Drill, talk to freshman and juniors on our PSAT day about positive interactions. Finally, we had Stefanie Thomas from Seattle Police Department talk to our freshman about internet safety and cyber bullying. We encourage students to report any harassment and bullying to the administration so we can take action.

Upcoming in November, we will have our first round of senior Culminating Project presentations. All seniors need to have at least twenty hours logged by November 13th. It is important that all senior parents continue to check in with their students to ensure continued progress on this graduation requirement. There is a senior Haiku page with this information in addition to our webpage.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Christina Thomas, Principal


PTSA News


All LW Parents & Friends!
graduation party

4th Annual LWHS Senior Party Auction

Friday, November 22nd, 6:00PM - 9:30PM
Kirkland Woman's Club, 407 First Street, Kirkland, WA 98033

Please support the Auction Committee in meeting its goal of funding bus transportation costs
and providing student scholarships for the after-graduation party in one or more of the following
ways:

DONATING an item or service.
PROCURING
an item or service.
STAFFING
the night of the event.
BUYING TICKETS
to the auction.

Tickets are $25 each and include:
Auction entry and food & wine, including dessert

For Tickets & RSVP Information, email: Joyce Kato.
To help or donate, email: Carol Cowherd.
For the Auction Flyer click here.
For a Donation Form click here.

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PTSA General Membership Meeting
Topic: Upcoming Bond and Levy Measure Information 
Wednesday, November 20th, 6:30pm, LWHS Library 
Please join us for a short business meeting, followed by a presentation by the Lake Washington Citizen's Levy Committee about the upcoming bond and levy measure vote in February. Our speaker will have all the information you need to make an informed choice. Everybody is welcome to attend!
Earn Cash Back for LW
Bartell Drugs Community Card Program
The Holidays are fast approaching, and you'll soon be purchasing all kinds of goodies for the entertaining which is so much a part of the season. It's also the perfect opportunity for Lake Washington High School PTSA to "Cash In" on money that can be earned from the Bartell Drugs Community Card program. Bartell Drugs is a generous benefactor via their Community Card Program and, as a member of our community, our collaboration benefits all of us.

If you have a Bartell Drugs Community Card, please remember to use it each time you shop to earn money for LWHS PTSA. If you would like to sign up, please click on the Bartell Community Card link that is under passive fundraising on the lefthand side of our website.

Should you have any questions regarding the program, or anything regarding fundraising for LWHS PTSA, please email Susan McClung at [email protected].

Thanks for your continued support. Together, we can all make a difference in our children's lives!

Kang Crier Newsletter Archives

Did you miss an issue of the Kang Crier?  Past issues are now archived on the PTSA website.


LWHS News & Activities

Haiku for Parents has Arrived!
New way to help your student stay on track

The Haiku Learning Management System is now open for parents to view information on their student(s) and their classes. Haiku is a digital learning environment for classroom communication and collaboration. It's a great tool for parents to use to help their students stay on track.

 

A page about Haiku has been created in the "For Parents" section of the district website that provides a tour of Haiku for parents. An additional page with troubleshooting information is posted there as well.

 

To log in to Haiku, open an Internet browser and go to this URL: https://lms.lwsd.org. You will use the same username and password that you use to log in to Parent Access on the LWSD website. If you do not have a username and password for Parent Access, go to the Parent Access page on the district website to learn more and sign up.

 

If you have problems logging in, please email [email protected]. The district has added support for this email address to help parents get access to this new tool.

 

Parent Volunteers Needed in Health Room
The Health room is in need of good volunteers. If you are a parent who is interested in being involved with our school, likes to interact with students and has an uplifting personality, then have we got a job for you! We are looking for LWSD approved volunteers to help us out in the health room a few hours per week. Once you are approved to volunteer we will find days and times that work for you. If interested, please email  Suzie Connor.

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ASB News

Acropolis Fundraiser for the Sophomore Class 
November 7th - 4-10 pm
Help the Sophomore Class raise money for their prom by dining in or taking out at Acropolis Pizza and Pasta, 500 Central Way, Kirkland, on November 7th from 4-10 pm.


New Clubs


Men's A Cappella Club - Tuesdays in the Orchestra Room
Girl/Guys Glee Club - Monday and Friday before school in the Orchestra Room
 
LW After Hoursafterhours

LW After Hours is back in session with three different time/day options:

 

Tuesdays, 2:45-4pm in 2 East, hosted by Ms. Simpson (math) and Ms. Cuillier (LA).

Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm in the Library, hosted by Ms. Kilga and certificated teachers.

Thursdays, 6:30-7:30am in 2 East, hosted by Mr. Tuggle (LA/SS).

 

Formal registration is not required, but recommended. Students may drop in for help on current or past due work, to prepare for upcoming quizzes/tests, or to work on projects.

  

Students or adults who are interested in tutoring, please contact DeAnna Kilga for more information.

If you would like to support this program but have limited time, donations of healthy snack items are always welcome. Chips/crackers, string cheese, fruit snacks, bottled water/beverages, (no energy drinks please), are all welcome and may be dropped off any time at the main office. We expect approximately 25-30 students to attend each session. You should contact DeAnna Kilga if you plan on donating.

Thanks for your support!

 

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Teen CEO Business Competition
Designed for students who currently have an existing business
The Lake Washington School District is looking for student entrepreneurs for the first annual Teen CEO Business Competition. Any high school student that currently has their own business is eligible for this competition. Cash prizes will be awarded. Contact Mrs. Madsen in the College and Career Center if you wish to compete.

News from the LW Physical Education/Health Department
The following students have been selected by their Physical Education/Health teachers as
Students of the Month for October 2013. During this time these students have excelled in
their participation in unit/class activities, displayed pride in their fitness and skill development,
and have served as role models for others in their Physical Education/Health class. Congratulations!

Kayla Davis
Evan Gipe 
Kristi Lynch
Kevin Chau 
Brendin Ball
Sarah Rose Shuer
Hunter Trewin
Kathyrn Lopez
Bethany Clowers
Jeremiah Dunbar
Congrats to LW's WIAA Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Senior Devon Grove - WIAA Athlete of the Week (Week 6)! Grove won the "Hole in the Wall Invitational" on October 12, with a time of 15:30.8 for the 5K course. In the process, he broke the course record set in 2002. Wish him luck for the State Cross Country Championship this weekend in Pasco!
Mr. Dawson's Pumpkin Carving Contest
Mr. Dawson would like to thank all of the participants in this year's Pumpkin Carving Contest. Every year, Mr. Dawson holds a contest for his students in which they can carve a course content-themed pumpkin.

AP Government students carved pumpkins ranging from the American Flag, to depictions of President Obama, to political party symbols. American History students carved pumpkins ranging from scenes of the Boston Tea Party, to the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. AP World History student carvings related to Ancient Chinese Dynasties, Roman figures, Spartan warriors, and Joan of Arc.

All students who participated earned extra credit, while the top three pumpkins earned an extra prize of Red Robin gift cards. This year's third place winner was Sheridan Ferguson, second place went to Skylar Olsen, and first place went to Katie Kwok. Katie carved Shi Huangdi on one side and Genghis Khan on the other side of her pumpkin. Some Honorable Mention pumpkins went to the following students:  Wyatt Shelley, Martin Barker, Phoebe Borthwick, Hanna Linsky, Jillian Donahoe, Rachel Imhof, Alex Rayburn, Drew Burke, Andrew Sundene, and Taylor Sekyra. All in all, 87 pumpkins were turned in. Mr. Dawson was very impressed with all of the entries, and proud of all the great work done by his students.

When Snow Hits...
Metro Winter Rider Tips
When snow comes to the Northwest, Metro bus routes change. Here's what you need to know:

In "snow route" conditions,

  • the best place to catch the bus is along a major arterial
  • Wait for the bus at the top or bottom of hills 
  • wait back from the curb
  • dress warmly
  • prepare for delays

Metro Snow route information can be found on the Metro website.

 

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Counseling Center

9th and 10th Grade Parent Night
Wednesday November 13th, 6:30 pm, LWHS PAC
Parents of freshmen or sophomores need to mark their calendars for November 13th at 6:30 pm. The Counseling Center will be hosting a 9th and 10th Grade Parent Night on planning and paying for post high school education and training. This will be an informative evening on apprenticeships, private career schools, military, technical schools, community colleges, four year colleges/universities, and gap year options. Paula Bishop, CPA, Certified College Planning Specialist, will be a guest speaker addressing "Paying for College Without Going Broke". We hope to see you in the Performing Arts Center at LWHS on November 13th.
 
PSAT Results
On October 16th, sophomores and juniors took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Typically, the results are sent right before the winter break or in early January. Counselors will meet with students in the PAC to quickly review and interpret their Score Reports. Students are also encouraged to go to their Math and English teachers with PSAT questions and to read their interpretation booklets for additional explanation on the variables that can affect scores. This is the first pre-college type of test for many of the students and our goal is to have students look at their results with those variables in mind. They may be disappointed in their results, but they can take consolation in the fact that much learning can take place between now and the spring of their junior year when they will be taking the SAT or the ACT. And, if their scores are high now, it can be a good boost in their self-confidence.


Senior Update
On October 16th while the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors were listening to speakers or taking the PSAT or the ASVAB, seniors were managing their own busy schedules. They attended the College Fair and three workshops. Seniors chose from nine different workshops, and counselors presented in three of these: Two Year Options, Four Year College Application Process, and the Common Application. Because they chose the workshops that were important to them, students were, for the most part, attentive and asked good questions. If seniors still have questions or wish to further discuss their post high school options, please encourage them to meet with their counselor. These three power point presentations are all available on LWHS's website If parents would like to take a look at what we covered.

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College Net Price Calculator
Recently, the U.S. government mandated that all colleges that wish to continue distributing federal grants or loans must post net price calculators (NPC's) to their websites. By plugging in your financial numbers, you can see an approximate cost to attend a particular college.

Upcoming SAT and ACT Test Dates for 2013-2014

Upcoming Test Dates for 2013-2014

LWHS Code is 480545

 

SAT (register at www.collegeboard.com)

Test Date                                                               Registration Deadline

 

December 7, 2013                                                   November 8, 2013

January 25, 2014                                                     December 27, 2013

 

ACT (register at www.actstudent.org)

December 14, 2013                                                 November 8, 2013

 

For more test dates, visit the Career Center page on the LWHS website. 

SAT Prep, Inc. Offers SAT Classes at LWHS
SAT Prep, Inc., offers an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for the SAT. The SAT PREP COURSE provides dynamic classroom-based instruction at the high schools and is taught by experienced high school teachers. For more information about the course, and practice tests, click here.
 
The SAT Prep Course - 6 sessions including textbook and all materials: $329 
 

 

Information for Seniors & Senior Parents  

College and Career Center News
National College Fair
College Applications
Important Deadlines to Know
Upcoming College Visits


National College Fair

Since 1972 the National College Fairs program has helped students to decide which post-secondary option is right for them. Free and open to the public, the fairs allow students to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of post-secondary institutions to discuss course offerings and majors, admission and financial aid requirements, college life in general and other information pertinent to the college selection process. Mark your calendar to attend on Friday, November 8th from 9 am to noon or Saturday, November 9th from noon to 4 pm at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle. Register today at www.gotomyncf.com.  

 

College Applications
Students are responsible for providing addressed envelopes for transcripts. Test scores must be requested directly from the College Board or ACT. Students are encouraged to submit their applications early and not wait until deadlines. Remember, December 2nd is the cutoff date to request transcripts and letters of recommendation from counselors for January applications. Directions for transcript submission are printed on the yellow "Transcript Request Form"  (available in the Counseling Center) and are also explained on the school's website.

Students are reminded that the Counseling Center will be closed for winter break from 3 pm on Friday, December 20, 2013 until 7:30 am on Monday, January 6th, 2014. During this period we are unable to respond to emails or phone calls, so please advise your senior student to have their college application questions answered prior to the winter closure. 

 

One piece of advice they will need to hear over and over - don't wait until the deadline!


Important College App Deadlines to Know:

 

November 15 - Senior Scholarship Applications for local scholarships due

December 2 -   Last day to request a letter from the counselor for January deadlines

December 2 -   Cutoff date to request transcripts for January applications  

December 4 -   Financial Aid Night

 

For SAT and ACT Test Dates, click here

 

Keep Informed 

For more information on these and other topics, check the "Information for Seniors" page on the LWHS website. Information on scholarships can be found on the Career Center Scholarship Information page.  

 

Upcoming College Visits
College admission representatives from in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities visit Lake Washington High School throughout the school year. The following colleges have scheduled a campus visit to LWHS.

Nov 6
Whitworth College
8:00 am
Nov 6
University of Utah
11:50 am
Nov 7
U of Redlands
8:00 am
Nov 7
Colby College
10:00 am
Nov 7
N. Carolina State U
12:35 pm
Nov 7
Rochester Inst.of Tech
1:35 pm
Nov 12
University of Idaho
8:55 am
Nov 13
Washington State U
8:55 am
Nov 15
Occidental College
10:20 am

Students may sign up in the College and Career Center to receive a hall pass to attend.

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Senior Culminating Project Info
Presentations November 13, 2013, 1 pm

 

As you probably know, students are well on their way to completing their Culminating Projects, which is an exciting experiential learning project mandated by the state.

 

All LWHS juniors were introduced to the 2013-2014 Culminating Project requirements in their junior English classes in March of 2013. At that time, juniors were asked to discuss the project with their parents and decide on an acceptable timeline-during the summer or school year. Because some students chose to complete the state mandated Culminating Project independently during the summer months, LWHS offers an early presentation day.  As you probably know, some students are planning to present his/her Culminating Project on November 13, 2013. Seniors who are not presenting must turn in their first 20 hours to their homeroom teacher by November 13. 

 

We would like to invite you to LWHS on this day to watch your student's presentation and celebrate all the hard work that went into these projects. Students will be presenting in various locations in the school. Please see your student's Haiku page for more information about specific locations and times of presentations. We will do our best to stay close to the time estimates listed and will make adjustments, as necessary, throughout the afternoon.

 

Culminating Project Presentations will begin at 1:00 pm and go until all scheduled presentations are complete. Seniors will stay in their assigned presentation room until all students in their group have presented.

 

To avoid disturbing other presenters, please do not enter a room while a student is presenting. Instead, wait outside the door until there is a break between presenters. Each presentation should be about 10-15 minutes with time for questions and technology set up. We look forward to a wonderful day of celebrating all the exceptional work of our students!

 

Presenting the Project

 

 

 

Portfolio Due

November 6, 2013

Preparing a notebook that documents your work and shows your accomplishments. 

Presentation Day

November 13, 2013

Making a fifteen-minute presentation about your project to your panel, an audience of students, and/or your parents if they would like to come.

 

  

Questions? 

Contact Lis Christiansen, the Culminating Project Coordinator, in 237A, before or after school or via email at [email protected]

 

Running Start or New to LWHS?

Contact Leanne Fike, Running Start Culminating Project Coordinator, in 164, before or after school or via email at [email protected].

 

Thanks, again!

 

Ms. Lis Christiansen

LWHS

Culminating Project Coordinator
English Department Chairperson

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Washington State PTA News

Washington State PTA's Annual Legislative Assembly   
LWHS parents and PTSA members Sandy Helgeson, Susan McClung and Meredith Goldstein, along with PTA advocates from around the state, came together at the SeaTac Marriott this past weekend for WSPTA's Annual Legislative Assembly.  The topics of the Assembly were advocacy training and the consideration issues proposed by PTA members to be added to the list of issues supported on the WSPTA's legislative platform.  

 

LWHS PTSA member Meredith Goldstein, along with Peter Kirk PTSA members Linda Leste and Bonnie McDaniel, proposed "The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that extend criminal background checks to the purchase of guns from non-licensed sellers" with the hope that this common sense safety measure would increase the safety of our children and our communities. The issue passed with an overwhelming majority. In a Washington State PTA survey, this issue received a score of 4.7 out of 5.0 from nearly 5,000 PTA members across the state, indicating strong agreement. 

 

As the second year of a two-year platform, the top priority issues will remain the same as last year. (Click here to view the top priority issues for 2012-14.) However, delegates voted to adopt the proposed amendment to the current supported issue of Access, Opportunity and Equity for Special Education and add to the list of supported issues: English Language Learner Students; Sufficient and Equitable Funding for Highly Capable Programming; and Background Checks on Gun Purchases (as amended to:  "The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that extend criminal background checks to the purchase of guns from non-licensed sellers.") Click here to view the Issue Guide for more information on the above supported issues.

 

New and amended resolutions were debated and approved. These were: Access to General Education for Students with Disabilities ; Allergies and Asthma (as amended to replace all mentions of "epipens" to "epinephrine delivery" in resolved clauses); and the proposed amendment Funding Basic Education.  See the Issue Guide here for more information about these new and amended resolutions.

The Child Advocate
The Washington State PTA's parent involvement magazine, "The Child Advocate," October issue is now available online.  This issue has articles on Teaching Kids Critical Thinking Skills, Building Parent-Teacher Partnerships and more. Read the October issue here 

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Community News

Ski Bus
LWHS students interested in skiing and snowboarding at Snoqualmie Central on Wednesdays, Jan. 8 - Feb. 12, can get information by contacting Marion Haithcox at [email protected], with "Ski Bus" in the subject line. We do not have on-campus gear storage, so plan on either storing your gear in your vehicle or a friend's, or having someone bring it at Wednesday dismissal. We will likely share a bus with another school.

 

This is not a school, district or LWHS PTSA-sponsored activity.  

 

Host an Italian Student and your child will be invited to Italy!

Ergon, an Italian-based organization and partner with NorthWest Student Exchange, is looking for families to host a 16 or 17-year-old Italian exchange student for next spring semester or school year. The Italian families
are in turn happy to host your child during summer vacations, and we sponsor the flight!
  
Ergon specializes in a rigorous selection process, insuring that participating students are responsible, motivated and proficient in English. We carefully match students with host families. The students are fully insured and arrive with pocket money for all expenses, including recreational activities and vacations.
  
Several of our Italian students have attended Mercer Island, Skyline, Bothell, Roosevelt, Garfield, Ballard, and Nathan Hale high schools with excellent experiences for students and families alike. Past and present host families are our best references and they will be happy to share their experience with you.
  
Exchanges offer the opportunity to experience a different culture and build international bridges through friendships and knowledge. For further information, please email Denise Trogdon, Seattle coordinator, at [email protected].

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The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.bottomofpage