Lake Washington High School PTSA Newsletter
 
March 18, 2015 | Issue 14   
 
In This Issue
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sidebarCo-editors: Jeanine Lewis & Karen Peters
 
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~ Upcoming Events ~
 
Tonight! PTSA General Membership Meeting/Parent Ed: How Your Student Can Make Summer Count
Wednesday, March 18, LWHS Library,
7-8pm PTSA meeting, 8-8:30pm Parent Ed

AP Exam Registration
Now through March 20

State of the District by Dr. Pierce - Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, March 19, 12-1pm, LWSD Resource Center 

Senior Party Bus Sign-Ups Begin
Friday, March 20 during lunch

TOLO Dance
Saturday, March 21, 9-11pm, LWHS Commons

Dance Team Friends & Family Night
Monday, March 23, 7pm, Gym

LWSD Special Needs Meeting - District Presentation
Tuesday, March 24, 7-8:45pm, LWSD Resource Center

Parent Night: Two Year, Technical, & Vocational Transfer Options
Wednesday, March 25, 6:30-7:30pm, Library

Parent Ed: Parenting the Anxious Child
Thursday, March 26, 7-8:30pm, LWSD Resource Center

Expanding Your Horizons Conference for Girls
Friday, March 27, 7:45am-1pm, Bellevue College 

Coffee with Christina
Wednesday, April 1, 9-10am, College & Career Center

Deadline to Sign Up for Graduation Auditions
Wednesday, April 1, by end of school day, Main Office

Spring Break - No School
April 6 - 10

Deadline to Apply for Sheeley Scholarships
Monday, April 13, College & Career Center

 

From the Principal

The weather and the clock suggest spring has sprung. With spring comes the final quarter of the school year and lots of events, including graduation.

 

Lake Washington High School is a school you should be as proud of as I am. One of my favorite duties as an administrator is to visit classrooms. This week I had the opportunity to visit sophomore history classes. They had embarked on a simulation of the causes of World War I. The teachers designed the lesson so students made treaties, bought armies/navies and industries. Additionally students waged war and divided up the "spoils." Teachers did an outstanding job of connecting the activity to the actual causes of the war. Students were excited, engaged and passionate. When asked, they could clearly identify the learning that was occurring. I share this as an example of the creative, engaging lessons created by our teachers on a regular basis. We are fortunate here at LW to have such amazing, dedicated educators. I hope you take a moment to appreciate their efforts on behalf of your students.

 

In February our juniors, sophomores and freshmen practiced the new Smarter Balance Assessments. Teachers have been working all year to ensure classroom activities prepare the students for these tests. All went well and we are confident the assessments will occur without a hitch. Our testing is the last week of April. We will share information regarding our schedule change as we get closer to the actual date.

 

We are excited to create our first LipDub to engage students in school pride and lead off our Spring Sports Assembly on Friday, March 20. We will share the completed video on the LW website - stay tuned!

 

We are also in the process of selecting a new associate principal to join our administrative team next year. Parents, staff and students have been selected to be part of the process. An announcement of the selection should be made in early April.

 

Finally, third quarter ends Friday, April 3. This is a good time to check Standard Score and student attendance to ensure your student is being successful. If you have questions regarding student success, contact your student's teachers or counselor.

 

As always, please feel free to contact me with issues, concerns or even accolades!

 

Christina Thomas, Principal     

 

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PTSA News

Tonight! PTSA General Meeting with Parent Ed:
How Your Student Can Make Summer Count
7-8pm PTSA Meeting, 8-8:30pm Parent Ed 
Please join us for our General Membership Meeting tonight, Wednesday, March 18, at 7pm in the LWHS library. Business will include election of next year's officers, our financial report and more. Plus, Principal Christina Thomas will give a report on what's going on at school, including a display from the Safe School Ambassadors. 

Is your student ready for a job? Do they know how to get an internship or find the right academic or sports opportunity? At 8pm, LWHS College & Career counselor Julie Madsen will offer helpful information on these topics, and explain how your student can make their summer count. 

If you have any questions, contact LWHS PTSA Co-Presidents Liz Hedreen and Anne Ryan
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State of the District - Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, March 19, 12-1pm, LWSD Resource Center

LWSD Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce will present a State of the District update at the Lake Washington PTSA Council Brown Bag lunch on Thursday, March 19 from 12-1pm. Dr. Pierce will also update us on current short- and long-term planning committee work. Join us and take the opportunity to chat with Dr. Pierce about any questions or concerns you have about the district. Contact LWPTSA Council President Judy East with questions.

 

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Coffee with Christina
Wednesday, April 1, 9-10am, College & Career Center
Coffee with Christina is your chance to chat with the principal. Ask her about the search for a new associate principal, the upcoming Smarter Balance Assessments or anything else you may be wondering about. What better source to confirm or dispel the latest rumor?

Join us in the College & Career Center on Wednesday, April 1 from 9-10am as we cross-examine Christina. We'll also enjoy tempting refreshments provided by the PTSA hospitality committee. Drop in for the whole hour or just a few minutes - everyone is welcome for any amount of time.
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Kang Achievements

Award for LW Model United Nations Club
The 18 members of LW's Model United Nations Club competed for glory at the 15th annual Washington State Model United Nations conference which was held at the University of Washington on the weekend of February 28-March 1. All students had a great time working within their committees to reach resolutions. Congratulations to Arman Talkar who won the award for Distinguished Delegate in the Office of Drugs and Crime. Well done!

 


Abby Burton and Sharada Tangirala at the conference.

 


JulieAnn Uh in delegations in the International Court of Justice.
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Chamber Orchestra Succeeds in Oregon

Kudos to our LWHS Chamber Orchestra students who performed excellently at their recent outing to Mount Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. Ms. Menzenberg-Zvilina's students won 2nd Place in their very competitive division. Congratulations, Chamber Orchestra!

 

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LW Yearbook Earns Honor
The LW yearbook was chosen by Jostens Publishing to be featured in the national Look Book as an example of excellence, creativity and innovation. Having our yearbook featured in this annual gallery of the best of the best in scholastic journalism is a significant achievement. A team of experts selected 476 yearbooks from thousands submitted for consideration. In the coming weeks, more than 15,000 high schools producing yearbooks with Jostens will receive a copy of the Look Book. Way to go, Kang yearbook staff!
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Robotics Teams Achieve at State
Congratulations to robotics teams 4770 and 4770A for making it to semifinals at the state tournament, and to 4770A for receiving the Judges' Award at state!

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LW Dance Team Wins at District
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The LW Dance team won the district title in both the Military and Pom competitions. They now head to the state championships where they will compete in Yakima on Friday, March 27. The team is thrilled and excited to represent LWHS. Congratulations and good luck at State!

Dance Team Friends & Family Night
On Monday, March 23 at 7pm in the gym, the dance team will showcase their Military and Pom routines, give highlights of the season, and honor their seniors. This event is free to the public; sweet treats will be served. 

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Kang Sports

Support LW Boys' Soccer
Get Raffle Tickets for a Chance to Win Signed Sounders Gear!
Come out to the LW boys' soccer home games this week to root on the boys as they start the 2015 season! At each varsity home game all season you will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win signed Sounder's gear, including:
  • Team-signed Seattle Sounders balls
  • Signed Seattle Sounders scarfs
  • A signed Seattle Sounders new, white team jersey in a framed shadow box

Tickets for the season-long raffle will be sold during varsity home games, at the LW student store during the week (open 7:30-7:50am and 11am-12:30pm) and during most team functions. Prices for raffle tickets are:  one for $3, two for $5, five for $10, and the best chance to win - 15 for $20. The drawing and winners will be announced Tuesday, April 28 during the last home game of the year, Senior Night!

 

Come out, support the team and get your chance to win some awesome signed Sounders gear! For more information, or to purchase raffle tickets, contact John Suk at [email protected].

 

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LW Fastpitch Fundraiser
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The LW Fastpitch team is holding a fundraiser with Yankee Candle Fundraising now through Wednesday, March 25. A wide range of candles, fragrances and home decor items are available.To participate, visit yankeecandlefundraising.com and enter group number 990077524. The team will receive 40% of every sale!

Contact [email protected] or [email protected] with questions or if you would prefer a catalog.

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LWHS News & Activities

Parent Help Still Needed for TOLO
Saturday, March 21, 9-11pm, LWHS Commons 

Lake Washington's TOLO Dance is a fun and interactive night that is a part of the high school experience, and will be a lasting memory for everyone attending. To truly make this dance a night to remember, we need your help!

 

Parents' help and contributions are a huge part of ensuring TOLO runs smoothly - any willingness to donate would be fantastic! From decorations and snacks, to manning the GLOWLO-themed games, there are a wide array of ways to help! If you are able to help us out with donations or volunteering, please sign up here. If you have any questions, please contact any of the sophomore class officers or advisors below. Thank you for your help!

 

Sophomore Class Officers:           

Gabryelle Matz-Carter  

Zachary Whitson  

Hannah Madgett     

Alexis Mirza 

 

Advisors: 

Sara Ray

Ashley Zydel  

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Guilty or Innocent?
Below are the experts from the Simon Bolivar Mock Trial. Students in the AP World History class had to prove whether Bolivar was guilty of poor governance policies, excessive brutality and immoral behavior.



Sara Anderson, Joleen Lawson, Annie Seeley,  and Lexi Lum. 

Manhong Gan, Kayla Torimoto, Abbad Vakil and Olivia Smallman.

Caroline Brekkan, Anna Stoneman, Nika Bayanbat and Kristen Buckingham.

Mariana Aguilera, Hunter Trewin, Julian 

Thompson and Jordan Lucero.


 

Madi Miller, Alice Tran, Isabelle Lindheimer, Jane Flegel, Maya Lustgarten, Lucas Mathews, Jennifer Morales and Maggie Alvord. 


 

 

Megan Gertmenian, Isabel Aschbacher, Vanessa Galvan, Joey Wishart, Hannah Prakasam, Emma Davenport, Kelly Lam and Breanna Strobele.

 

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Counseling Center

This Week! AP Exam Registration
Registration March 16-20 

Advanced Placement exams are scheduled for May 4 through May 15. Registration will run from March 16 through March 20, at the end of "C" lunch. Students can pick up a registration packet from their AP teacher or from the Counseling Center. Included in this packet are the registration envelope, information handout and AP Bulletin. The cost is $94 per exam; checks are made payable to Lake Washington School District. The completed registration envelope with check inside is then given to our bookkeeper. Students need their school ID card with them when they pay for their exams.
 

Students have been preparing all year for their exams. If they are unsure whether or not they should test, students should check with their individual subject teachers.  


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Parent Night: Two Year, Technical and Vocational Transfer Options
Wednesday, March 25, 6:30pm, LWHS Library
Join us as the Counseling Center presents its fifth Parent Night presentation. The topic will cover the application process for options other than four-year colleges. This is best for parents of current juniors and seniors, but all parents are welcome. If you are unable to attend, watch the counseling Haiku page for the PowerPoint file of this presentation. You can also find previous presentations there.
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Registration Update
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Registration is complete for next year's classes. If students have any concerns or questions about graduation requirements or credits, they need to sign up to see their counselor. If a student's progress stalls later this spring and they no longer meet the prerequisites for classes, they need to see their counselor. Students may need to consider summer school or an online course if their credits put them at risk for not graduating on time. Now is the time to make any schedule changes. The schedules students receive in the fall are considered final.

 

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Reasons to Take the ACT  

We seem to hear more about the SAT than the ACT, and as a result, many students sign up to take the SAT without learning more about the advantages of the ACT. So here are some key components of the ACT:    

  1. Both the ACT and SAT are accepted at all four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
     
  2. Students can answer every question on the ACT without penalty for guessing; the ACT test score is based only on the number of correct answers.  
     
  3. While the ACT tests more advanced math concepts than the SAT, the ACT tests a wider variety of math skills - from basic arithmetic through trig. Some students find the math questions easier to understand.  
     
  4. The ACT is very straightforward; all the math questions are in one section, all the science questions are in one section, etc. The SAT test breaks up the questions: first there is a math section, then an English section, then back to math, and so on. If students prefer the quick change in subject matter to keep them focused and alert, then the SAT may be better. But for those students who would rather focus on one subject at a time and then be done with it, the ACT is the way to go.  
     
  5. The ACT is an achievement test. It is meant to test what a student learned in school. The SAT was designed as more of an aptitude test; it tests a student's reasoning skills and verbal abilities, and not necessarily what a student learned in school.
     
  6. The ACT has a science section. So for those students who excel in science and have a keen interest in it, the ACT might give them an opportunity to stand out.
     
  7. A big bonus to the ACT is that students receive information on career planning personalized to their strengths, weaknesses and interests. 
     
  8. Students can prepare for the ACT with no-cost test prep options at www.actstudent.org/testprep.  

Ideally, students should get online and try a sample test for both the SAT and the ACT. If they score appreciably better on one test, feel more comfortable with one test, or simply find one test a better 'fit', they should sign up to take THAT test. Students can always take both the ACT and the SAT and submit their better scores to colleges. Being smart about which test to take can help optimize a student's chance of acceptance to colleges.

 

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SAT and ACT Test Dates
LWHS Code: 480545
SAT (register at collegeboard.com)
Test DateRegistration Deadline
May 2
April 6
June 6
May 8

ACT (register at actstudent.org)
Test Date
Registration Deadline
April 18
March 13
June 13
May 8
 If you have any questions, contact the counseling office.
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Information for Seniors & Senior ParentsSeniorInfo

Senior Party Bus - Get Your Seat!
Bus Assignment Sign-Ups Start Friday, March 20
It's time to sign up for the luxury senior party buses! Seniors who have already paid for their Senior Party ticket can turn in the permission form and sign up for the bus with their friends starting Friday, March 20, during lunches. Per the venue requirements, a parent/guardian and the student must sign the form regardless of whether the senior is 18 or under, now or at the time of graduation.This is also the time to turn in the food allergy form, if applicable. 

 

Is your senior still not signed up for the party of the year? It's not too late! Go to lwhsptsa.org/Home and click on the graduation cap in the left sidebar to sign up online, or use a registration form and pay by check.

 

Senior Party Donations Needed
There are games and other opportunities for the grads to win prizes during the party. Donations such as gift cards or movie tickets, to give away as prizes, are welcome! Or you can donate water bottles or grocery gift cards so we can provide snacks on the buses. (There is a meal included in the ticket price.) The less we have to spend on these items the more money is available to spend on activities so the kids will have more fun! Please contact Debbie Bensussen to make a donation.
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Auditions for Graduation Solos and Speeches
Sign-Up Deadline Wednesday, April 1
Seniors interested in auditioning for a speech or solo at graduation must sign up by the end of the school day on Wednesday, April 1 in the Main Office. Contact Kelli Mayer for more information.

Solo auditions for graduation: Tuesday, April 14, 2:35pm, Room 110

Speech auditions for graduation: Thursday, April 16, 2:35pm, location TBD
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Four Scholarships Available - Sheeley Scholarship

This year the LW PTSA has allocated money to award four college-bound seniors $1,000 toward their tuition through the Sheeley Scholarship Award. The selection criteria that the committee will use includes consideration of community service, school involvement, leadership, work and academic achievements, as well as overcoming challenges. The selection process is blind. Seniors can pick up applications at the College & Career Center. The applications are due back to the College & Career Center by Monday, April 13. If you have any questions, please contact Sheeley Chair Joann Leng at [email protected] or (425) 941-7973.  

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LWPTSA Council Scholarships 

At Least One $1,000 Scholarship to be Awarded at LW

$500 Scholarships for LWSD Certified Staff

Each year, the Lake Washington PTSA Council awards a variety of scholarships to graduating seniors and to LWSD certificated staff. Student scholarships, recognizing achievement and community service, assist recipients in their post-secondary education. Staff scholarships provide assistance with continuing education at an institute of higher learning, through LWSD Professional Development, or for pursuing National Board Certification. 

 

The following scholarships are available for 2015 (all student scholarships are $1,000):

 

Qualification based on achievement and community service only:

  • One scholarship to the top candidate at each of the seven LWSD high schools (seven awards)
  • A minimum of two at-large scholarships selected from all of the remaining applicants
  • The Adria Klein Memorial Scholarship, selected at-large

Additional qualifications required:

  • The Dr. L.E. Scarr Scholarship awarded to a student who will attend a vocational/technical school or community college
  • The LWEA/Karen Bates Scholarship for a student pursuing an education degree

Applications are in the Counseling Office. The application deadline for all scholarships is 6pm, April 13. For more information about staff scholarships or student scholarships, see the LWPTSA website. 

 

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Washington State PTA Scholarship 

Applications Due April 30

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Washington State PTA offers six $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington State public high schools that will be starting college. The application must be received by April 30. Scholarships will be awarded by June 15. More information is available on the application.

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Kirkland Kiwanis Scholarships

The Kirkland Kiwanis Foundation will award up to nine scholarships to graduating seniors on the Eastside. The awards range from $500-$2,500. Students or their parents must live or work within the attendance boundaries of Lake Washington High School or Juanita High School. Applications for general college scholarships are due Wednesday, April 15. The scholarships are based on a variety of factors, including academic performance, financial need and community service.

 

The Kirkland Kiwanis Foundation also sponsors the Bill Petter Memorial Scholarships, $2,100 in awards, for graduating seniors who will pursue automotive-related studies at Lake Washington Technical College. Applications for this scholarship are due on Tuesday, April 21.

 

For additional information, or to obtain a scholarship application for either program, interested persons should contact John White, the Scholarship Committee Chairman, at [email protected]. Additional information about the scholarships may also be obtained at www.kirkland.kiwanis.org.

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Outside Grades/Transcripts Due Early June

If your senior is currently completing a graduation requirement outside of LWHS (for instance, taking an online course), remember that we must receive the final grade/transcript documenting the credit earned by early June. The final proctored exam at LWHS is Wednesday, May 27.

 

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Lake Washington School District

Parent Ed: Parenting the Anxious Child

Thursday, March 26, 7-8:30pm, LWSD Resource Center

Lake Washington PTSA Council and the Lake Washington School District invite you to their next lecture: Parenting the Anxious Child, presented by Dr. Chris McCurry, on Thursday March 26, 7-8:30pm, LWSD Resource Center.

 

Increasing numbers of children are dealing with anxiety, which diminishes their ability to thrive in and outside of school. Join Dr. McCurry as he demystifies anxiety, and more importantly, gives parents strategies to enable their children to overcome it. Appropriate for parents/caregivers of children grades K-12. No preregistration required. For more information, please contact Denise Campbell and Jennifer Kennett, Council Parent Education Co-Chairs.

 

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Lake Washington Schools Foundation

You're Invited!
10th Anniversary Legacy for Learning Luncheon
Lake Washington Schools Foundation is celebrating 10 years of investing in kids at their April 29 luncheon. Register today to attend and be part of the success of the students in our district.

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Community News

SAT Prep at LW
The SAT Prep Course provides classroom-based practice testing and instructions in preparation for the SAT test. View the flyer for more information on dates, fees and additional locations, or visit SATPrep.org.
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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