Lake Washington High School, Kirkland, WA
lwhs

   
Kang Crier
Jan. 22, 2014
Issue No. 9
LWHS PTSA Newslettertop
In This Issue
Quick Links
UPCOMING EVENTS
 

Classes of '15, '16, '17 Senior Party Planning Meeting
Tonight! Wednesday, Jan. 22, 5:30pm, Commons
PTSA General Member Meeting
(Speaker Topic: Teen Anxiety & Depression)
Tonight! Wednesday, Jan. 22, 6:30pm, Library
Semester Finals
Wednesday - Friday,  Jan 22 - 24, 11:50am Dismissal
End of 1st Semester
Friday, Jan. 24th
Senior Class Photo
Wednesday, Jan. 29th, 12:20pm, Commons
2014/15 Registration Information Presented
Monday, Feb. 3 and Tuesday, Feb. 4, during class
Washington State PTA Focus Day
Tuesday, Feb. 4th, Olympia
Senior Culminating Project Logs Due
Tuesday, Feb. 11th
Vote YES for LWSD Bond and Levies
Tuesday, Feb. 11th
Registration for 2014/15 School Year
Tuesday, Feb. 11th, during Tutorial

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PTSA News

Letter from PTSA President Julie Peterson

Happy New Year! We are quickly approaching the half-way point in the school year. It is a great time to reflect on accomplishments and set goals for the rest of the school year. Whether you and your student are speeding towards graduation, studying for the SAT or just learning to navigate high school, there is no doubt that before we know it spring will arrive and another school year will be over.

 

Your PTSA has been very active so far this year. We launched our new website and new Kang Crier which now comes out twice per month. We now take credit cards online for membership and donations. We awarded over $7,000 in classroom and club grants. We were instrumental in getting the fantastic new banners up in front of the school. We have volunteered many hours assisting with the start of school activities, baking for after school clubs, passing out netbooks and schedules and more. We conducted a successful Pass the Pouch campaign which raised over $15,000 so far. We have many goals for the remainder of the year including surveying our members for input on how we are meeting their needs, putting together a budget for next year, and allocating spring grants.

 

Please take a moment to consider joining your LWHS PTSA, if you have not already. It's a great way to meet like-minded parents, support the school, and keep in touch with what is happening. You can join online at lwhsptsa.org.

 

The PTSA nominating committee is beginning the search for candidates for PTSA officers and chair positions for the 2014-2015 school year. If you would like to be part of the board or would like to nominate someone please contact me.

 

Our next general meeting is tonight, January 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the library. We will have a speaker on teen issues such as depression and anxiety. Please join us!

 

Sincerely,

Julie Peterson 

LWHS PTSA president

 

LWHS PTSA General Member Meeting   
Tonight! Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 6:30pm, LWHS Library 
Special Topic: Teen Anxiety, Depression and Peer Pressure 
Please join us for our General Meeting on Wednesday, January 22, at 6:30pm in the LWHS library. Business will include gathering ideas for our member survey, a request for officer nominees for next year, our financial report and more. We will have a speaker from the YES organization to talk about trending teen issues such as anxiety, depression and peer pressure. Come and listen and bring ptsayour questions. We look forward to seeing you there. Any questions, please contact PTSA President Julie Peterson.

 

Junior, Sophomore, Freshmen Parents: Start Planning! 
Senior Party Committees are being formed for Classes of '15, '16 & '17 

Interested in supporting your student's class Senior Party? Please come to this first meeting to learn more.

  

Join us on:    Tonight! Wednesday, January 22nd

When:           5:30pm (PTSA General meeting starts in the library at 6:30pm)

Where:          Commons at LWHS  

Questions:    Contact the 2014 Senior Party Co-chair Cheryl Ronbeck 

 

We need your support to start the planning process for 2015, 2016 & 2017 Senior Party on graduation night. We are meeting to learn about the process from the 2014 committee. They will lend their expertise and tell us what is needed. The contract for the party locations of this year's junior class is completed in the spring of this year, an entire year prior to the event.

 

Committees will be formed this year by grade. Each class will be able to start fundraising prior to senior year if desired. Joining the committee prior to senior year does not mean you are committing to staying on it through senior year. If committees are formed early and fundraising goes well then ticket prices can be lower and more could afford to attend.

 

Why have a graduation night Senior Party? Statistics show that teen drivers are involved in twice as many fatal car crashes per mile than adults. When alcohol is involved, the fatal crash rate is even higher. During the months of May and June, more teen drivers are injured or killed between 10:00pm - 4:00am then during any other months. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun party on what could potentially be the most dangerous night of our teens' lives.

 

Without your support these committees won't form. Let's send our students out in style and show them how much we applaud their hard work in high school. This party is the one last chance for the entire class to bond (in a safe environment) before they head off in their many different directions.

 

 

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Vote YES on February 11, 2014 for LWSD Levies and Bond

We hope you will join the LWHS PTSA in voting YES to renewing both LWSD levies and approving the bond on your February 2014 ballot. On November 20, 2013 the Lake Washington High School PTSA General membership voted to endorse the LWSD levies and bond.

 

Why should you care whether the bond passes or not? LWHS is already over capacity with 1465 students and the school is closed to any transfers. It was built to hold 1300. We expect it to grow to 1800 in the next 4 years. If the bond passes, they will build a new wing onto LWHS to accommodate the additional students. The result of the bond failing will be portables in the fields, no whole school activities because no space will hold all the students, possible split days to accommodate two shifts of students, and possible readjustment of boundaries and some kids going to JHS or elsewhere. We need that new wing! Plus, Peter Kirk Elementary, and several other area schools, will be replaced. Great schools are good for property values!

 

Why should you care whether the levies pass? The EP&O levy is up for renewal this year. This money pays the gap between what the state gives the district and what it costs to run the district. It pays for 1/3 of all teaching and non-teaching staff costs, plus textbooks, instructional materials, safety, transportation costs, facility maintenance, ELL, Special Education, Safety Net, athletics and other extra-curricular activities. The Capital Projects levy is also up for renewal this year, and it provides money for technology costs such as computers, technology support staff and teacher training; safety and security upgrades; school building and site improvements such as roofs, heating, ventilation, lighting, insulation, parking, sidewalks, stadium turf, tennis courts and tracks.

 

Look for your ballot in the mail after January 22. Every vote is crucial. Mail your ballot early.

 

Here are two sources of information about levies and bonds in the Lake Washington School District:

Lake Washington School District Info. 

Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee 

 

Would you like to put a flyer in your car window in support of the Levy?  If so here is one you can print out: Vote YES for kids http://vote4lwsdkids.org/Sign_Window_8.5x11_B&W_2014.pdf 

 

 

Legislative Focus Day, Feb. 4th 2014 - Registration is Now Open

Please join us in Olympia on Tuesday, February 4 for Focus Day 2014!  You won't want to miss our premier, statewide advocacy event. Focus Day is a great way to connect with legislators as we put kids front and center this legislative session.

 

Registration and information are available at the Washington State PTSA website: 2014 PTSA Legislative Focus Day. The event is free (there is a small charge for the boxed lunch). Lake Washington PTSA Council will again charter a bus to/from Olympia.  If you'd like to join us on the bus, please email the Lake Washington Council VP for Advocacy, Beth Sigall, [email protected]. For a flyer click here

 

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Mid-year Membership Report - Join Online  

It's never too late to join the PTSA! Please lend your support. The year is only half over and we still have much to accomplish. We currently have 459 members. Help us reach our goal of 600 members! We encourage all LWHS families, individuals, staff and students to join. The benefits to the school and students will only increase with more members. Remember that you can join online this year for as little as $26 for families (up to 2 adults), $16 for individuals, and $10 for staff or student members. It is quick and easy. Again, thank you! 

 

To join online, simply go to the LWHS PTSA website and click on the "Join PTSA/Pass the Pouch" icon on the left side of the screen. Thank you for joining the PTSA.

   

LWHS News & Activities

Kirkland Principals Named KingCo Principals Of The Year  

Congratulations to Principal Christina Thomas

The principals at both of Lake Washington School District's comprehensive high schools in Kirkland have been named KingCo Principals of the Year: Juanita High School Principal Gary Moed for the 3A level and Lake Washington High School Principal Christina Thomas for 2A. Principals are anonymously nominated by their fellow KingCo principals for these awards.

 

Christina was nominated for successfully opening Lake Washington High School with progressive education ideas to help all students succeed.

 

"Always a proactive participant in Principal meetings and has warmly embraced the Professional Learning Community of principals we have," said her nominator. "Christina will serve as the KingCo President next year and has done a fantastic job as the President Elect. She is well read, prepared, and open to share and discuss the challenges she faces, to help other principals take risks in sharing where they need help as well."

See the full article on the LWSD website.

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Photographer Needed
Do you have photography experience, equipment and time during the school day? The LWHS Yearbook is looking for a volunteer to take group pictures of the music classes. If you are able to help, please contact Dawn Wyatt.
LW's School Newspaper
Disappointed you didn't get a copy of LW's new newspaper The Pouch? Subscribe for the free  online version by sending the words "sign me up" to [email protected]. A PDF will arrive every month on your "doorstep!" Read the latest issue here.

The Pouch is always in need of printing funds. To donate to the worthy cause, please send a check to the LWHS cashier made out to Lake Washington High School with "School Newspaper Donation" as the memo. Then, please send an email to [email protected] so we can publish your name in the next issue.
LW Visual Arts Program
High School Art Northwest

Lake Washington High School art students joined hundreds of students from Oregon, Washington and Idaho in submitting their works to the annual High School Art Northwest juried art exhibition at George L. Fox University. More information here.

 

The LW Visual Arts program is proud to announce that both Amanda Levine and Tony Nguyen were selected to have their artistic achievements honored in this exhibition.

 

Senior Amanda Levine and sophomore Tony Nguyen are both tremendously talented AP Studio Arts students. Their demonstrated willingness to take risks, resolve and adapt their compositions, and engage in long-term, in-depth projects speaks volumes about their character.

 

The opening reception will be February 3rd, with the show running through February 24.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding Kang artists.

Tony Nguyen
  Scarlet Petals
Color Pencil on paper
Amanda Levine
Slipping Through My Fingers Graphite on Paper

News from the LW Physical Education/Health Department

The following students are among those who have been selected by their Physical Education/Health teachers as Students of the Month for January 2014. 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!

 

Dallas Gaus

Christine Lee

Haim Grebnev 

Lauren Wozniak

Alissa Kato

Brian Bloomstine

Forrest Malcolm

Courtney Johnson

Alex Guerrero

 

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Girl's Soccer Recap
Congratulations on a great season Kangs!
Varsity

Congrats to the Varsity girls' soccer team for the most successful season in school history! The Varsity girls left everything on the field in their state quarterfinal match against Sumner last fall. They lost 0-1, however the lady Kangs led in possession, shots and corners. A season to remember! For season highlights, team awards, individual player awards and statistics, see the full recap here

JV

Congrats to Coach Stacy Masters and the JV Girls' Soccer team for a terrific soccer season! For individual player awards and statistics, see the full recap here.

Our season record was 5 wins, 6 losses, 3 ties.

Season highlights: It was a great season overall. Of our 6 losses, 4 were only by 1 goal! Everyone on our team scored a goal! Awesome group of ladies who exemplified teamwork and respect for one another.

 

C TEAM

Congratulations to Coach Brad Masters and his C team for successful soccer season! For individual player awards, see the full recap here. 
Our record for the year was 7 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties.
Some of the highlights of the year were: starting out 0-3 and going 7-1-2 the rest of the season and watching the team bond and come together. The girls showed great class throughout the season and played with heart and guts. Even with a small roster and injuries, the team worked hard, stayed together and accomplished most of our goals for the season.

News & Activities for Seniors
Hey Seniors and Parents, be sure to check out the section specifically for Seniors and Senior Parents! Located below College and Career Center Information. Take me there!

 

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Counseling Center

Registration for 2014/15 School Year
In February we will begin registration with our current LWHS students. Counselors will cover not only the requirements for graduation, but also specific needs of each student via a credit check form. This year all students will be registering on line during Tutorial. Selecting classes needs to be a thoughtful process since course offerings and teacher assignments are made based on these selections. Traditionally, scheduling is tight, and schedule changes are difficult and the process is often frustrating.

Please help prepare your student for this process. Do you feel your student is being realistic in his/her choices? Is the homework likely to get completed on time? What about other activities/athletics? Do the courses support your student's goals? Your student
needs your input, and we need your support. We appreciate your involvement in this process.

 

February 3rd and 4th - registration information presented during class time

February 11th - online registration during Tutorial

LWHS Registration for Incoming Freshmen

lwsdkanglogoFor those students who currently attend one of LWSD's choice schools (i.e. Northstar, Renaissance, Stella Schola, and Environmental Schools) and live in our feeder pattern, they can register on February 5th at 1 pm. Please contact Teresa Muro (or 425-936-1702) in our Counseling Center to make your appointment. Registration request forms are due on February 12th for students who attend a choice school.

 

Registration for Kirkland and Rose Hill Middle Schools has already been completed. If you missed registration, please contact your middle school counselor. 

    

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FINAO-Failure Is Not an Option!
After Hours Tutoring

Lake Washington High School is in its third year of offering "After Hours" for students who either need individual help with course work or simply need additional time to complete their work. What began as a once a week offering has expanded to five different times during the week where students can stay after school or come early to get assistance from certificated teachers and/or volunteers from the community.  

 

With a structure in place that encourages daily checks on progress, and a focus on one product per session, students are making slow and steady progress in completing work that contributes to their learning and overall success. When students are referred to After Hours, the message is not about their failures, rather, we emphasize that "Effort Creates Ability." People don't wake up on their 16th birthday with the knowledge of traffic safety or skills for how to drive a car---it takes time and effort.  

 

Lake Washington is happy to continue offering this targeted support to struggling students with the support of both the Lake Washington Schools Foundation grants that provide teacher stipends and building resources that have been utilized for intervention funding.

 

If you would like to learn more about After Hours and ways for you to support this program, please contact Associate Principal, DeAnna Kilga, at [email protected]. See the schedule for After Hours tutoring on the LWHS website

 

Upcoming SAT and ACT Test Dates for 2014

LWHS Code is 480545

 

SAT (see complete list of registration dates)

Test Date                                                                Regular Registration Deadlines

                                                                                

March 8, 2014                                                          Feb. 7, 2014

May 3, 2014                                                             April 4, 2014

June 7, 2014                                                            May 9, 2014 

  

 

ACT (see complete list of registration dates)

Test Date                                                                Regular Registration Deadlines

                                         

February 8, 2014                                                     January 10, 2014
April 12, 2014                                                          March 7, 2014
June 14, 2014                                                          May 9, 2014 

 

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Career Center

Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WaNIC)

WaNIC, the Washington Network for Innovative Careers, is a consortium of seven school districts that shares Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. WaNIC was established to provide advanced-level CTE programs to prepare students for post-secondary education and successful entry into high-skill, high-demand careers and employment.


Course Offerings for 2014-15 include classes in the following areas:
  • Arts, Media, Communication, & Design
  • Business & Management
  • Engineering, Science, & Technology
  • Health & Human Services
  • Information Technology

For a listing of courses offered in the above categories, click here. For detailed information about WaNIC's programs, please visit their website.

  

Registration begins February 3, 2014.

 

 

Information for Seniors & Senior ParentsSeniorInfo 

Senior Countdown
The Senior Countdown is a list of important dates and events for seniors to look forward to, such as prom, when senior projects are due, and other fun and important dates. It is available on our website, and hardcopies will be available in the reception area and counseling office. Students can watch the monitors throughout the building for updates.

Senior Class Photo Coming Up - Jan. 29th
The senior class group photo will be taken at 12:20 on Wednesday, January 29th. All seniors will be dismissed from their 6th period class to the Commons at 12:15. Look for the blue outlines on the floor to show you where to stand. Leave your backpacks off to the side so they aren't in the photo.

Tell your Running Start friends so they can get in on the action too.

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Senior Culminating Projects
The next deadline for the Culminating Project Log of Hours is Tuesday, February 11. On this date, seniors are required to turn in a reflection log showing a minimum of 40 hours. Students will see their homeroom teachers (who also serve as their project advisors) every week through this due date; therefore, if seniors have any questions at all, they are encouraged to work with their homeroom teachers. Ms. Christiansen, the project coordinator, is also available to help answer questions, and her work days at LW include Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. All CP information is updated regularly on the CP Haiku page, and students can also find resources and samples there. We are currently working on including CP progress on Standard Score, so parents will be able to readily see their student's progress on the project components. This should be updated by the end of first semester.  

Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
Hopefully, parents were able to attend our Financial Aid Night on December 4th. Remember, if you do experience difficulty when you fill out the FAFSA, we encourage you to call the financial aid offices at any of our local community colleges or universities. They will be more than happy to help answer your questions. Again, it is important to submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible. Many schools have early spring financial aid deadline dates. They strictly enforce deadlines and need your financial information as early as possible in order to give your student the best package. Parents file on line.

For more information about FAFSA, click here.

Student Aid on the Web 

A resource for in-depth information on federal student aid programs, applying for financial aid, and repaying student loans can be found at www.studentaid.ed.gov. This site can also be used to conduct college and scholarship searches, estimate college costs and track and compare financial aid award letters.
   

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Lake Washington PTSA Council News

Einstein, Edison, and Franklin: Dyscalculia and Giftedness
Parent Education Lecture, Tuesday, January 28, 2014

While a student with dyscalculia may have difficulty recalling math facts from memory or learning how to tell time, he may be a gifted writer, artist, or engineer. In this presentation, you will learn about characteristics of dyscalculia, learning strengths often associated with math challenges, and recommendations for instruction and accommodation.      

 

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Time:
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Presentation, 8:00 - 8:30 pm Questions & Answers

Where: Board Room @ LWSD Resource Center 16250 NE 74th St Redmond, WA 98052

(at Redmond Town Center)

Presenter: Dr. Elizabeth Smith has over twenty-five years of experience diagnosing and treating school-aged children with learning disabilities in various public, private and clinical settings. Dr. Smith's bio

Admission: Free     

 

Presented by LWPTSA Council Special Needs Group, everyone is welcome to attend. 

 

More Parent Education Presentations
Presented by LWPTSA Council Special Needs Group
College Services for Students with Disabilities - February 25, 2014 - Kim Thompson, Assoc. Dean of Student Affairs at Shoreline Community College, on the difference between services provided in high school versus in college for students with disabilities.

IEP's and 504s - March 25, 2014 -An Ombuds from The Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds will present on IEPs and 504s

Behavior Challenges at Home - April 22, 2014 - Nancy Rosenberger will speak on Dealing with Behavior Challenges at Home

Dyslexic Advantage - May 27, 2014 - Drs. Brock and Fernette Eide will present on their book Dyslexic Advantage

 

All meetings are held on Tuesdays at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center, from 7 - 8:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.  

 

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Parent Survey - Parent Education Programs

The Lake Washington PTSA Council and the Lake Washington School District are committed to providing quality educational opportunities for parents in our district. Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey about Parent Education programs to let us know how we can best serve you.  The survey will close on January 31st.  Find the survey here.

 

Washington State PTA News

Washington State Legislative News

High court orders Legislature to speed up K-12 funding increases  

The Washington State Supreme Court has turned up the heat on legislators to provide local school districts the billions of dollars of additional K-12 funding that the State's own studies have confirmed are needed to cure decades of unconstitutional underfunding - including fully funding salary increases, materials and operations, transportation and both the staffing and construction costs for full-day kindergarten and K-3 class size reductions.

 

"It is incumbent upon the State to demonstrate, through immediate, concrete action, that it is making real and measurable progress, not just promises," the Order stated. The Court ordered the State to submit a detailed plan no later than April 30 that includes a year by year phase-in schedule for fully funding every element of basic education as defined in the McCleary ruling.

 

For more information, including key directives and observations from the Court, including direct quotes from the Order, see the full article here


These Community Announcements are provided as a service to the community: Lake Washington School District (LWSD) does not sponsor, endorse or recommend any of the organizations, services, or activities described in these materials.

Brand New Chap Clark Seminar Coming January 23!

Dr. Chap Clark will be at Eastlake High School in Sammamish on Thursday, January 23, from 7-9pm thanks to the great turnout last June! The message will be: Hurt 2.0: A Toolbox for Parents, and we would appreciate your help making an impact in our community for our kids! Dr. Clark will be presenting all new material for this seminar; together we will explore specific ways parents and other community members can respond to the issue of hurting teens.

 

Kang Crier Newsletter Archives

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


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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