Lake Washington High School PTSA Newsletter
 
November 5, 2014 | Issue 6
 
In This Issue
Kang Crier 

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Co-editors: Jeanine Lewis & Karen Peters


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~ Upcoming Events ~
Today - Nick Of Time Heart Screening
Wednesday, Nov. 5, Gym

Scholarship Fund Baskets Silent Auction Begins
Thursday, Nov. 6, 12pm, LWSD Resource Center

Veterans' Day - No school
Tuesday, Nov. 11

Cap and Gown Group Discount Deadline
Thursday, Nov. 13

LWHS Drama Presents: Fall One-Act Plays
Friday, Nov. 14 & Saturday, Nov. 15, 7pm, LW Theater

Parent Night: Paying for College/Scholarships
Monday, Nov. 17, 6:30pm, LW Theater

LWSD Special Needs Group Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7-8:30pm, LWSD Resource Center

Senior Baby Ads Deadline for Yearbook
Wednesday, Nov. 19

PTSA General Meeting with Parent Ed: Not Going to Four-Year College - Now What?
Wednesday, Nov. 19, College & Career Center,
7pm PTSA meeting, 7:30pm Parent Ed

LWPTSA Council Brown Bag Lunch - LWSD Boundary Changes
Thursday, Nov. 20, 12-1pm, LWSD Resource Center

Senior Scholarship Application Due
Friday, Nov. 21, College & Career Center

Thanksgiving Break - Half Day
Wednesday, Nov. 26

Thanksgiving Break - No School
Thursday, Nov. 27 & Friday, Nov. 28

LWSD Boundary Change Options Meeting
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6:30-8pm, Commons

Coffee with Christina
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 9-10am, College & Career Center


 

Letter from the Principal

In light of last month's incident at Marysville, I believe it is important to share our process for student safety and ask for your assistance. Every year we conduct a variety of drills to prepare our students in the event of any emergency. Included in these drills is a lockdown drill. We work directly with Kirkland Police during our drills to ensure we are implementing them with fidelity. In addition, Kirkland Police have hosted many shooter drills in our building over the last few years. These drills provide the police with first-hand knowledge of the layout of the school. Last year, we provided specific "Active Shooter" training to our staff which provided them with specific information and training on the protocol should there be an incident here. 

 

In addition to our drills, we keep all exterior doors locked which ensures that visitors and students can only enter through the front doors. This allows for consistent monitoring of who enters the building. Also, in the next few months security cameras will be installed to allow for further monitoring. We also have a part-time School Resource Officer who is here on a rotating basis. Additionally, administration is visible throughout the building during lunch, passing periods and during class time.

 

This year we will be implementing the Safe School Ambassador Program, an "inside-out" approach to improving school climate. It relies on social norms change and the power of students to help stop bullying and violence. Student bystanders see, hear, and know things adults don't; can intervene in ways adults can't; and are often on the scene of an incident before an adult. They are a critical and under-utilized resource for positively impacting the crisis of bullying in our schools. This program is being funded through the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. I will be providing more information on this program at the PTSA general membership meeting on November 19 and the December 3 Coffee with Christina.

 

There are some things you can do to assist us with our processes for keeping students safe. First, make sure you always sign in at the Main Office. Often parents stand in the Commons waiting for their students or just move directly to their meetings. We need every adult at the school to have a badge. Next, please talk to your children about sharing information with adults. Students generally know things before adults. By alerting school personnel to potential issues, we are then able to intervene quickly. We take all information seriously.

 

Please know that the safety of our students is our number one priority. We will be discussing this at upcoming meetings. Your ideas and thoughts are always welcome.

 

Christina Thomas, Principal

 

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PTSA News

PTSA General Meeting with Parent Ed talk:
"So, You're Not Going to a Four-Year College - Now What?"  
All parents are invited to attend the PTSA's General Membership Meeting and Parent Ed presentation on Wednesday, November 19 in the College & Career Center. We will have a short PTSA business meeting at 7pm which will include a report from Principal Christina Thomas. At 7:30pm we will have a presentation from Julie Madsen, LWHS College & Career Counselor, on post-high school options beyond four-year college.

When teens discover what they love to do, they are more likely to succeed than students who have not explored their interests and abilities. There are many options available to receive post-high school education and career training which will prepare a person for a specific career, in many cases in less than four years. Whatever the path, planning is required and information is needed.
Counselor Julie Madsen will discuss Apprentice Programs, Technical/Vocational Schools, Military and Gap Year Experiences. Knowing your options is the first step towards making a good decision
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If you have any questions, contact LWHS PTSA Co-Presidents Liz Hedreen and Anne Ryan.


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LW Student Directory is Online!
Free Access for all PTSA Members
One of the great perks of being a PTSA member is access to the online LW Student Directory. The directory, available only online this year, has everything you need to know about LWHS: alphabetical student listings (including grade, parent/guardian names, primary phone number and email), student names by grade, list of faculty, PTSA board, class schedule, and a handy map of the school. Print it at home or access the directory from the PTSA website whenever you need it, wherever you are. 

Want access to the LW Student Directory? Become a PTSA member and get access to this valuable resource today. View additional member benefits, including discounts with Staples, Hertz, Sylvan and more. Contact PTSA Co-Presidents Anne Ryan and Liz Hedreen for more information.

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LWSD Boundary Changes Lunch Session
Thursday, November 20, 12-1pm, LWSD Resource Center
Bring your lunch and learn about upcoming LWSD boundary changes during the November Brown Bag Lunch session. The Brown Bag Lunch sessions are short presentations and discussions on a variety of topics, organized by the Lake Washington PTSA Council. They are held on the third Thursday of each month at the LWSD Resource Center at Redmond Town Center. Everyone is welcome! No RSVP is necessary.

 

Future Brown Bag Lunch session topics:

December 18
45th District Legislative Panel
January 22
Grant Writing

 

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Hear the Options for Boundary Changes
Tuesday, December 2, 6:30-8pm, Commons
Boundary Change Process Update

Staff subcommittees from each of the district's four Learning Communities (Eastlake, Juanita, Lake Washington, and Redmond) have begun meeting to develop scenarios for LWSD boundary changes. Learning communities include the neighborhood schools that feed into the same high school. There is a staff subcommittee working on the boundary scenarios for each Learning Community. 

 

Over the last two weeks, the subcommittees each met separately to review data and consider initial ideas. The subcommittees will analyze all impacts of each possible change. Part of the analysis includes comparing possibilities with the decision-making criteria that was ranked based on a survey of parents/guardians and community members. This ongoing process also helps develop more possibilities. The subcommittees are working toward developing two to three scenarios for each Learning Community for parent feedback.

 

The boundary change scenarios will be shared with parents/community for feedback in December. Meeting dates for each Learning Community:

  • Redmond Learning Community - Redmond High School Commons, Monday, December 1, 6:30-8:00pm
  • Lake Washington Learning Community - LWHS Commons, Tuesday, December 2, 6:30-8:00pm 
  • Eastlake Learning Community - Eastlake High School Commons, Thursday, December 11, 6:30-8:00pm
  • Juanita Learning Community - Juanita High School Commons, Monday, December 15, 6:30-8:00pm

For those who cannot attend the meeting, all of the information will be posted on the LWSD website at lwsd.org. You will be able to submit your feedback to the committee online. After parent feedback is received in December, the committee will use the feedback to develop a preferred scenario. Ultimately, the committee will recommend a preferred scenario to the LWSD Superintendent, who will then bring a recommendation to the LWSD Board of Directors for action.

 

For more information, or to sign up to receive email updates about the boundary change process, visit the LWSD website.

 

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Coffee with Christina
Wednesday, December 3, 9-10am, College & Career Center
Have a question for Principal Christina Thomas? Come to the second Coffee with Christina on Wednesday, December 3 and ask away! Our first coffee was a big success with many parents attending. Christina gave us an update on school happenings, answered lots of questions and made herself available for conversations. Counselor Taylor Reuhl also dropped in and answered questions. The food and drinks were plentiful, with tea, coffee, delicious baked goods, fruit and more. Stop in any time - this is a casual, drop-in event. Contact PTSA Co-Presidents Anne Ryan or Liz Hedreen for more information.
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The Gift that Gives Twice
Scholarship Fund Basket Silent Auction
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Need a gift for the holidays? Check out the baskets at the Scholarship Fund Basket Auction - you'll find the perfect gift to give that also helps provide scholarships for graduating seniors and staff in the Lake Washington School District. This annual event, run by the Lake Washington PTSA Council, raised almost $8,000 last year.

 

Each PTSA in the district donates a themed basket; we are fortunate to have LW parent and Master Gardener Karen Tollefson of Perfect Pots assembling our entry - a beautiful plant-filled pot. (Thank you, Karen!) The baskets will be on display for silent bidding at the LWSD Resource Center in Redmond Town Center starting Thursday, November 6, 12pm. Final bidding will take place during the Holiday Social & Gift Wrapping on Saturday, December 6, 2-6pm. Do some shopping, stop by for the final bidding, and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa while your gifts are wrapped. 

 

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WA State PTA Top Five Priority Issues Set
The WA State PTA 2014 Legislative Assembly took place October 24-25 in Vancouver, Washington. Issues were debated and voted on, and the top five issues have been placed on the PTA's legislative platform for the 2015-2016 legislative session. The top five issues:


1. Funding McCleary
2. Create positive school climates through social emotional learning
3. Increase capital funding
4. Increased access to higher education
5. Breakfast after the bell

    

These five issues represent the top priorities for which we will lobby our state legislators during the 2015-2016 legislative session. (Several other issues will also be given attention.) The top priority, Funding McCleary, refers to a requirement for the state government to provide ample funding to meet its "paramount duty" to provide an education for all students as stated in the WA State constitution.* The legislature was recently held in contempt by the WA State Supreme Court for its failure to meet this obligation under a lawsuit filed under the name of McCleary. 
  
For more information on the legislative priorities, please visit the WA State PTA Legislative Issues page of the state PTA website or contact Advocacy Chair Meredith Goldstein.

   

 *It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste or sex. - Washington Constitution, article IX, section I

 

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Parents of Juniors: Pay it Forward!

Parents of Juniors: Please consider helping us honor our graduating seniors! Senior Salute takes place at LW the day before graduation, and, in contrast to the graduation ceremony at Key Arena, Senior Salute is a more intimate opportunity to celebrate our seniors with music, student speeches and artwork. Followed by an informal reception, most students, parents, and grandparents find this an ideal atmosphere for visiting with one another and photographing their cap-and-gowned students.

 

Senior Salute is a great celebration! Please make it even greater for the Class of 2015 and their families by helping out with this year's program. Everyone has different time constraints - you can lead a subcommittee, or choose a small task within a committee. Do what's realistic for you. Subcommittees include: Speakers, Music, Art, Venue, Program, Promotion, Accounts, Decorations and Reception. Contact Patty Hansen if you would like to more information or, even better, if you would like to help out. Thanks for considering!

 

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Earn Money for PTSA with eScrip  

Find out how to earn money for the PTSA with eScrip in the October 15 issue of the Kang Crier.

 

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Did Your Child Miss the Fear-Free ACT Practice Test at LWHS?  
Here's an opportunity for you to take the same version of this test at Juanita High School. See details in the October 15 issue of the Kang Crier.

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Kang Sports News

Cross Country Going to State!
On October 30 the LW girl's varsity cross country team finished fifth in District and qualified as a team to go to the State meet on November 7-8! It was an exciting race, with the Kangs beating some of the girls who finished before them last week at KingCo. Their combined efforts were outstanding. 

Megan LeGresley, Katia Matora, Claire Cocales and Bethany Clowers finished in the top 30, with Megan and Katia finishing in the top 10. Kristen Buckingham, McKenzie Malloy and Sara Anderson rounded out our state qualifying team. Allie Wells and Courtney Brown will be going as alternates, poised to run if one or more of our team are unable to run.  

The coaches are very proud of this bunch and look forward to a great effort at State. Go Kangs!
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Pink Out for Coach Stacy
Featured in the photo are the members of the girls' JV soccer team with Coach Stacy Masters.

On Friday, October 24, the LWHS girl's JV soccer team played their "Pink Out Game" in recognition of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Players wore pink and had an opportunity to play in honor of any cancer battlers or survivors. There was a special recognition for JV coach, Stacy Masters, who is a survivor. The Kangs won this home game 3-0 against Kennedy Catholic.

 

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Dance Competition to be held at LWHS 

See the October 15 issue of the Kang Crier for details of the Dance team's competition on Saturday, November 8.

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LWHS News & Activities

Drama at LW!
Friday & Saturday, November 14-15, 7pm, LW Theater

The LWHS Drama Department presents the Fall One-Act Plays: "The Lottery," "Black Sheep" and "M*A*S*H." The plays will be performed on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15 at 7pm in the LW Theater. The doors will open at 6:30pm on both nights. Tickets will be available at the door. 

 

Tickets are $10 for adults. Two students (or children) can come in together on one ticket with a 2-for-1 coupon. Coupons will be made available to LW students, and friends and family of LW Thespians.

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LWHS Wins Two Awards

Two Kirkland Principals Selected as Distinguished Principals of the Year

The Washington Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP) has selected both Gary Moed, principal at Juanita High School, and Christina Thomas, principal at Lake Washington High School, as 2013-14 League Distinguished Principals of the Year. Congratulations to Christina!

 

Lake Washington HIgh School Named a "Project of Distinction"

The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) has named Lake Washington High School's replacement project a "Project of Distinction" as part of their 2014 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture awards recognition. This award is for projects that the jury deemed worthy of special recognition. LWHS is one of nine that won the award out of 100 project submissions.

 

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PE Options for High School
High school students can meet the fitness requirement for graduation (1.5 credits) by taking the Fitness Knowledge Assessment or submitting a Fitness Plan, rather than taking PE. This allows students the opportunity to take other electives. Those in the class of 2015 have the additional option of asking for equivalency credit.

 

The Fitness Knowledge Assessment is offered three times a year, beginning in 11th grade. The first session was in October; the next session is December 10Students opting for the Fitness Plan must submit a plan three times during the year; the first submission date is December 10. The LWSD website provides more information and forms for students who are interested in these options.

 

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Counseling Center

Parent Night: Paying for College/Scholarships
Monday, November 17, 6:30pm, LW Theater
big-bills-money.jpg Mark your calendars for Monday, November 17 at 6:30pm in the LW Theater! The Counseling Center will be hosting a parent night presentation - Paying for College/Scholarships. We welcome LW parents from grades 9-12; all will be provided with detailed information on the challenges of paying for college, how to locate the correct information, how to stay informed, and how to gain information on scholarships. The PowerPoint presentation will be available on our LWHS webpage and Counseling Haiku page the day after the presentation date. We hope you will be able to join us. Visit our Counseling Haiku page or our LWHS webpage for upcoming parent presentations and events.
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SAT and ACT Test Dates

LWHS Code is 480545

SAT (Register at www.collegeboard.com)   

 

Test Date
Registration Deadline
December 6, 2014
November 6, 2014
January 24, 2015
December 29, 2014

 

 

ACT (Register at www.actstudent.org)   

 

Test Date
Registration Deadline
December 13, 2014
November 7, 2014
February 7, 2015
January 9, 2015

 

See the registration and test dates for 2015. For more information contact the Counseling Office at 425-936-1702.  

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Information for Seniors & Senior ParentsSeniorInfo

Graduation Caps, Gowns and Announcements
November 13 Deadline for Group Discount
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Jostens is the graduation company LWHS works with to provide caps and gowns, announcements, senior accessories and class rings. The group discount deadline is Thursday, November 13, when prices will increase. You can place orders online at nwgrad.com. Contact Scott Krenz, our Jostens representative, at [email protected] or 360-653-9102 for more information.
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Senior Scholarship Application Due

The deadline for the senior scholarship application is Friday, November 21. Applications should be turned into Julie Madsen in the College & Career Center. Applications can be picked up in the College & Career Center, or view the College & Career Center webpage for additional information.  

 

Scholarships are awarded for academic excellence, community service, athletic or artistic talent, even writing and poetry. Whatever your child's special gifts, there is probably a scholarship to match. Scholarships do not have to be repaid, but you do have to apply for them. Let the College & Career Center help your student begin their search now. 


 

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Lake Washington School District

Interested in Earning Extra Money?

Sodexo Nutrition Services currently has paid positions available to serve students. Paid positions are 2-4 hours in length. Starting pay is $9.75 an hour. If interested, please call Nutrition Services at 425-936-1393.

 

Sodexo is an EEO/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran employer


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Lake Washington Schools Foundation
Our Kids, Our Future - It's Up to Us!

Thank you to our generous school community! This fall, you have donated over $14,000, over halfway to our goal of $25,000. Your donations make a difference - they fund Safe School Ambassador (anti-bullying) programs in our high schools, math and literacy programs in our elementary schools, and new teacher training. There is still time to help! Please give to the Foundation during our Fall Campaign and consider donating during your fall workplace giving campaign. Thank you.

 

Help us celebrate our 10th anniversary this year!  We're growing and striving to make an even greater impact on academic excellence in all of our schools. If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation or volunteering for our upcoming luncheon, please contact Executive Director Kristina Williams at [email protected] or 425-936-1317. Thanks for your support.

 

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Community News

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 Host an Italian Student
 Your Child Will be Invited to Italy!

Ergon Student Exchange is looking for families to host a 16- or 17-year-old Italian student for a semester or school year. The Ergon program provides a true cross-cultural opportunity that will be a transformative experience for both the host family and the student. The Italian families offer your son or daughter direct exposure to Italian culture through an all-expenses paid summer vacation in Italy, and Ergon sponsors the flight!

 

In the current fall semester, Benedetta is attending LWHS. Our Italian students have attended area high schools with excellent experiences for students and families alike. Past and present host families are our best references and they are happy to share their experience with you. To learn more, please email our Seattle coordinator Denise Trogdon and visit our website.

 

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SAT Prep at LW
The SAT Prep Course provides classroom-based practice testing and instructions in preparation for the SAT test. Areas covered include essay writing, grammar, geometry and algebra. Immediate feedback is provided - students will leave with a marked essay, their score from the practice test and a better understanding of SAT scoring. View the flyer for more information on dates, fees and additional locations, or visit SATPrep.org.
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Life Sciences Research Weekend
November 7-9, Pacific Science Center
View the October 15 issue of the Kang Crier for details.

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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.

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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

ptsa 
 Lake Washington High School * Kirkland, WA * PTSA Local Unit 2.8.95