Lake Washington High School PTSA Newsletter
 
May 6, 2015 | Issue 17     
 
In This Issue
Kang Crier Links

sidebarCo-editors: Jeanine Lewis & Karen Peters
 
Quick Links
top 

 
~ Upcoming Events ~

      

Today! No School 
Wednesday, May 6

AP Exams
Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 15
Morning exams - 7am; Afternoon exams - 11:30am
 
Kang Cabaret
Friday, May 8, 6-10pm, LW Theater & Commons
 
Parent Resource Fair
Friday, May 8, 6-8pm, Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center
 
LW Beautification Day
Saturday, May 9, 9am-noon, LWHS

PTSA General Membership Meeting with Parent Ed: From Helicopter Parent to Lighthouse Parent - Helping You and Your Child Navigate the High School Years
Wednesday, May 13, LWHS Library,
7-7:30pm PTSA meeting, 7:30pm Parent Ed 
   
PTSA Award Nominations Due
Friday, May 15

LWSD Special Needs Meeting: King County School to Work Program
Tuesday, May 19, 7-8:30pm, LWSD Resource Center

Coffee with Christina
Wednesday, May 20, 9-10am, College & Career Center
 
Legislative Wrap-Up - Brown Bag Lunch
Thursday, May 21, 12-1pm, LWSD Resource Center

No School - LEAP Day
Friday, May 22

No School - Memorial Day
Monday, May 25

 

From Your PTSA Co-Presidents

Summer is looming on the horizon, and your LWHS PTSA is in full gear, getting our programs ready for our graduating seniors. The Sheeley scholarship committee has been reading over the applications of twenty-one amazing and inspiring students. Student names are hidden from the committee, and they use a rubric to help them determine which students will win the four $1,000 scholarships. The winners will be announced soon! Thank you to the students who took the time to apply - we wish we could give all of you scholarships! And thank you to our scholarship committee for their time and commitment, it's not an easy job and they take it seriously.

 

Next up for our seniors will be the PTSA's annual Senior Salute. This will be the evening before graduation, and it is a great way for families to celebrate with their grads, complete in cap and gown (might as well get your money's worth)! There will be a program in the theater with student speakers, music, art and more. Following the program there will be a reception with treats in the Commons. This is a free event, organized and sponsored by the LWHS PTSA. See the article below for more information.

 

And then... the big night! Graduation followed by Senior Party. In the evening, after the ceremony our new graduates will get onto four coach buses and spend a fabulous (and safe) night with their friends. They will be taken to fun venues that will remain a secret until they arrive. It is an expensive ticket, but it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment, made all the better by the fact that the kids are not driving, drinking or otherwise getting into trouble - they are just having a lot of fun with soon to be scattered classmates. Tickets are still available via our PTSA website. Pay online, or download a form and write a check.

 

And what about everybody else? The PTSA is laying the groundwork for our programs for next year. The new PTSA officers are elected, training is scheduled, activities and programs are being planned and arranged. Enjoy the rest of the spring, and savor the time with your seniors!

 

Liz Hedreen and Anne Ryan 

LWHS PTSA Co-Presidents

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PTSA News

 

Help Restore the LW Sign on Beautification Day

Saturday, May 9 from 9am-noon

Remember when you could see the LW on the hillside?

Bring your gloves and garden tools, it's time for another LW Beautification Day. This Saturday, May 9, all students, staff and parents are encouraged to come out and help clean up the school grounds to make LW as beautiful as it can be. We'll be pruning and spreading mulch provided by the district. Be sure to bring gloves, hand pruners, heavy rakes and shovels - we'll mark all tools to make sure they are returned.

Bring gloves, hand pruners, heavy rakes and shovels

 

Our big project this Beautification Day is to rejuvenate the "LW" letters on the hill at the entrance of the school. We are working with the district to finalize the details, but we will need lots of help to accomplish this highly visible task.

 

Come join us! For more information contact [email protected].

 

Back to top 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PTSA General Meeting with Parent Ed Talk: "From Helicopter Parent to Lighthouse Parent: Helping you and your Child Navigate the High School Years" 
Wednesday, May 13, LWHS Library

7-7:30pm PTSA Meeting, 7:30pm Parent Ed
Please join us for our General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, May 13, at 7pm in the LWHS library. Business will include approval of our budget and standing rules, our financial report and more. Principal Christina Thomas will give a report on what's going on at school. At 7:30pm, Kelly Moore will join us for our Parent Ed talk. Kelly Moore is the Director of Student Support Services for Eastside Prep. She has over 20 years of experience, working with teenagers and their families in many settings. She leads parenting groups, teaches social emotional skills to teenagers and provides individual and group counseling to teens.

Parenting teenagers is not a job for the faint of heart. At the exact time their brains are undergoing major reconstruction, they want to push away from your guidance. Meanwhile, we parents are under all sorts of pressure to prepare these teenagers for the ever-changing world they will be inheriting. It is no wonder we are confused about how much to do for our kids, and how much they need to do for themselves. Come join us for a discussion on ways to survive, and even thrive, in these tumultuous years. We will talk about key parenting techniques that, if present, will help the parent-teen relationship weather all sorts of storms. Of course, we will also leave lots of time for questions and discussion.

If you have any questions, contact LWHS PTSA Co-Presidents Liz Hedreen and Anne Ryan.   
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Nominate a Deserving Volunteer and Outstanding Educator for PTSA Awards

Nominations Due Friday, May 15

LW students, parents, and staff - do you know of an exceptional volunteer? Someone that goes beyond what's expected and is making a major difference for our students and our school? Now is the time to nominate them for a PTSA Golden Acorn Award!  

Do you know of an outstanding teacher or staff member who goes beyond what's expected to make the LW learning environment fun, beneficial, and challenging? Someone who brings enthusiasm and diversity to the classroom and is a leader who directly influences the success of their students? Nominate them for the PTSA Golden Kang/Outstanding Educator Award! 

 

You can turn in the Golden Acorn nomination form and the Golden Kang/Outstanding Educator nomination form to Mili Nelson in the Main Office, or email it to [email protected]. Feel free to nominate more than one volunteer and staff member for these awards - use multiple forms if needed. Deadline for nominations is Friday, May 15. The Golden Acorn and Golden Kang/Outstanding Educator Awards will be presented at the Volunteer Tea in June.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Help Us Welcome Incoming LW Parents

Join Us for Coffee with Christina
Wednesday, May 20, 9-10am, College & Career Center
croissant2.jpg

Parents of incoming LWHS students are invited to our casual drop-in coffee with Principal Christina Thomas and current LW parents on Wednesday, May 20 from 9-10am in the College & Career Center. This event is rescheduled due to the teacher strike on May 6. Parents will have a chance to see what the school looks like during the day, ask the principal questions, meet other incoming parents, and talk to current LW parents. Plus we'll all enjoy a cup of coffee and a tasty baked treat!  

 

If you have any questions, contact LWHS PTSA Co-President Liz Hedreen at [email protected]. Everyone is welcome. Hope to see you there!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Get Involved!
Open PTSA Chair Positions for 2015-16
Do you want to get more involved at school? Volunteering is a great way to get to know other parents and school staff, and a way to help make LW a great school. The following positions are open for 2015-2016:

 

Staff Appreciation chair - Organizes staff appreciation events throughout the year. There is money in the budget, and volunteers available. Grab a friend and see what creative things you can come up with to help show our staff how much we appreciate them! Contact Nicole Camp, Co-VP of Programs, for more information.

 

Fear-Free Practice SAT/ACT Exam chair - Works with Princeton Review to provide two practice SATs and two practice ACTs to students in the fall and late winter. We set the program up this year, and it is very straightforward to run. For more information, contact Liz Hedreen, Co-President, for more information.

 

Special Needs Liaison - Serves as a liaison between the special needs community and the LWHS PTSA. It is usually a small role, but someone with an interest could make it more meaningful. Contact Co-VP of Communications Karen Peters for more information.

 

College Applications Workshops chair - Organizes after school workshops to help students understand and complete the college application process. This is a new program we will be starting in the fall. Contact Co-President Liz Hedreen for more information.

 

Back to top 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Parent Resource Fair

The Lake Washington PTA Council will present the Parent Resource Fair on Friday, May 8, 6-8 pm at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St. in Redmond.

 

Learn about community organizations that provide summer camps and activities, counseling services, health clinic information and more. There will be free parent education sessions, with LWSD Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce, as the featured speaker. LWSD staff will be on hand to answer questions. Kirkland, Redmond and Sammamish Parks & Recreation will also be in attendance with information about their programs. See www.lwptsa.net/parent-resource-fair for more information. Contact [email protected] with questions.  

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Great Discounts for PTSA Members

Are you going to Silverwood Theme Park, Wild Waves, or Great Wolf Lodge this summer? How about a Rainiers game? PTA members have discounts available to them for all of these fun activities. PTA members also have access to discounts with Hertz, Fed-Ex, Met Life Insurance and many more businesses. It's never too late to join PTA - just visit the LW PTSA website! For more information on these discounts and more, see the April 22 issue of the Kang Crier.     

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Kang Achievements

Four LW students Named Washington Scholars   

The Washington Scholar award recognizes the top graduating high school students in each legislative district in Washington state. The Washington Student Achievement Council announces the awards each spring. This year, 13 Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students have been named Washington Scholars, with four from LW.

 

High School principals nominate the top one percent of each graduating class for Washington Scholars consideration. Nominations are based on academic achievement, leadership, and community activities. Each scholar receives an award certificate and congratulatory letter from Governor Inslee. Congratulations to the winners from LW:  

  • Chelsea Le
  • Ethan Lockhart 
  • Jessie Page
  • Kim Veldee
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lyrica Performs at Carnegie Hall 

Lake Washington High School's premier choir, Lyrica, returned Monday, April 20 from New York City where they performed at the National Historic Landmark Theater, Carnegie Hall. They arrived on Thursday, April 16 to stay at the historic Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, which was also the rehearsal site. They worked with nationally renowned conductor and composer, Dr. Rollo Dilworth, who inspired the national honor choir comprised of six high school choirs from around the country to true greatness in their final performance on Sunday, April 19. The exciting and uplifting program began with Handel's "Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite," followed by Dilworth's own jazzy arrangement of the classic Shaker Tune "The Gift to be Free." The rousing Goldman arrangement of the Israeli Folk Tune, "Zum Gali" thrilled the audience. Gwyneth Walker's "I Will Be Earth" delighted the audience with its lyricism and beauty. Stephen Hatfield's "Son de Camaguey" revved up the excitement again for Dilworth's rousing and irresistible arrangement of "I Sing Because I'm Happy." The audience showed its appreciation by leaping to their feet before the final chord finished sounding and showering the group with thunderous applause.  

 

The students were able to take in several of New York's incredible sights and experiences. They took in a stellar performance of "Wicked" on Broadway, toured the 911 Memorial, visited Little Italy and Times Square, strolled through a rainy but lovely Central Park, and toured Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. The students also gave an impromptu concert on the subway and a spontaneous flash mob in the Grand Concourse of Grand Central Station which delighted many New Yorkers. Sleep was sparse, energy was high, and every sight and sound was recorded and Instagrammed home by the students. It was a transformative trip and a landmark experience for the students - one they will never forget.

Back to top
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LW Chamber Orchestra Takes Second Place at Northwest Orchestra Festival
Lake Washington High School's Chamber Orchestra traveled to Portland in March to compete in the Northwest Orchestra Festival at Mt. Hood Community College. This well-known and long-running festival attracts some of the finest young orchestras from the Northwest. The LWHS Chamber Orchestra played a varied and challenging program. Pieces included two movements from John Rutter's "Suite for Strings," Adrian Gordon's "High Rise," and an arrangement of "Bacchanale" from Camille Saint-Saens' "Samson and Delilah." The students' hard work earned them second place in their division.   
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Poets Society Contest 2015 Winners

Monday night, April 27, three Lake Washington High School students won $500 scholarships for their poetry! The New Poets Society held their annual Poetry Contest, which included student contestants from LW, Redmond, Interlake, and Sammamish. LW Junior Reaven Johnson won a scholarship for her poem, "Ratio." Senior Bryden Robertson won for his untitled poem, and Senior Heather Mathews won for her poem, "Evening Haikus." This is the second year in a row that Lake Washington has won at least three scholarships in this contest.

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ashley Gailus, a Lake Washington High School senior, is the Kirkland Rotary Student of the Month for April. She was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement, community involvement - especially the Loyalty Club at Lake Washington, and working with young children. She plans on attending Pierce Community College and then Western Washington University to pursue a psychology degree to continue her work with young children which she so enjoys now. 

 

The Rotary Club of Kirkland invites students from Juanita and Lake Washington High Schools to apply for this honor; chosen students come to Rotary meetings for a month, learn about Rotary, and are invited to return when they are in the area.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

LWHS News & Activities

See a Show and Support LW Drama
Kang Cabaret, Friday, May 8, 6-10pm, Commons and Theater

The Kang Cabaret will be held on Friday, May 8 from 6-10pm in the Commons and Theater. This wonderful evening of appetizers and dinner, silent auction, and entertainment from our talented LW Drama students is sure to be an event you don't want to miss. Tickets are $25 per person. Invite your family and friends! (Students who are performing or helping that evening do not need a ticket.) Tickets will not be available at the door, but there might be some last minute tickets available. For more information about tickets or if you have questions, email Anne Anderson.  

 

Back to top 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PE/Health Students of the Month
The following students have been selected by their Physical Education/Health teachers as Students of the Month for April. 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!

Taylor Wolf

Linnie Jensen
Brittany Blaskovich

Sean Singh

Hannah Simmermon
Coleton Pantley
Audrey Bean
Courtney Brown

Addison Amadeck
Carlin Wong

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mao on Trial

AP World History students wrapped up their final mock trial of the year by charging Mao Zedong with ruinous economic policies, responsibility for the death of millions, the destruction of traditional culture, and use of brutal tactics

 

Dylan Edlund, Olivia Lopez, Julius Wang, and Charlie Vu
Andrew Palmer, Neil Chaffin, Lauren Carroll, and Lauren Pilat
Yuri Gaviria, Henry Arnold, Arturo Lomeli, and Nathan Clyburn

 

 

Anampreet Basra, Eliza Ludlam, Gabryelle Matz-Carter, and Omri Drori

 

Daichi Tamai, Kathy Helf, Dhruv Raipuria, Jonathan Lincicome, Lisa Oshiro, Anna Thomas, Erin Grove, and Anna Sievers

 

Asher De Forest, Jessie Heitlauf, Meredith Maloof, Sofi Olliver, Alex Lyon, Sevda Fakhri, Chris Gould, and Connor Macomber

 

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Counseling Center

Advanced Placement Exams
Get Your Student Ready for AP Exams

Advanced Placement exams are scheduled for May 4 through May 15. Students picked up their AP Packets on April 23 which lists their exams and test locations. They will need their AP number (from the AP Packet) and photo ID in order to check in. Check in begins at 7am for morning exams and 11:30am for afternoon exams. Students are reminded that they CAN NOT leave any test early. The College Board has very strict rules regarding testing procedures, including no cell phones. Students are strongly encouraged to read the Bulletin for Parents and Students for a list of what to do and what to take to the exams. Having a good night's sleep and nutritional breakfast and being aware of the time and location, what materials to bring, and the testing procedures will help reduce test anxiety. These students have worked hard all year to prepare for their exams. Good luck to each of them! 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Looking For Something To Do Over the Summer?

Ah, the lazy days of summer. Students have worked hard all year and deserve some of these 'no list' days. A few spattered here and there are great. But too many can get boring! Here are some great ways to stay busy and get ahead of the busy upcoming school year.

  • Class of 2019 and 2018: Begin thinking about your post high school plans (apprenticeships, gap year, military, private career schools, technical colleges, two- and four-year colleges). If you already know you plan to apply to two- and/or four-year colleges, begin exploring and investigating details about colleges of interest. Enrolled in an honors class next year? Make sure you have completed your required readings. Check out potential scholarships.
  • Class of 2017: Continue to explore your interests and options. Check out Lake Washington Technical College and several community colleges; call ahead and sign up for a tour of the campus and visit classrooms that interest you. If you are four-year college bound, check out college websites or visit campuses. Make a list of colleges that are of interest to you. If you have already taken the SAT or ACT, review your strengths and weaknesses and take some timed practice tests. Check out potential scholarships.
  • Class of 2016: Continue to refine your list of post high school options and narrow down your choices. Plan to retake the SAT or ACT if you need to improve your scores; register online for these tests and for SAT II Subject Tests if needed. Narrow your college choices to four to six schools; determine if you will apply for early admission. Polish your resume. Create a master calendar of due dates that honor deadlines. Check out potential scholarships.
Back to top 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Seniors: You're Not Done Yet!

Level V requirements, subject requirements, finals - there's lots to do in order to pass classes and graduate! Remember, if required classes are not passed - including online courses completed, graded, and documentation received by LWHS - and all the Advanced Literacies met, seniors will not be allowed to participate in the walk through graduation ceremony.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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

ACT (register at actstudent.org)
Test Date
Registration Deadline
June 13
May 8
If you have any questions, contact the counseling office.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

College & Career Center

Upcoming College Visits to LW

The following colleges will be visiting LW in May:

 

 FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design of Merchandising): Friday, May 8, 8am  

 Bellevue College: Friday, May 14, 12:35pm

Visits are held in the College & Career Center, Room 180. Students may sign up with Mrs. Madsen for a specific college visit and receive a pass to attend.  
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tech Prep College Connections
Payment due Friday, June 12

Attention Parents! Students have the opportunity to get a jump start earning college credit through selected Career and Technical classes offered at Lake Washington High School. If your student was enrolled in one of the courses listed below during first semester, or is currently enrolled in a Tech Prep class, they may be eligible to earn college credit right now in addition to their high school credit.

 

How Does Tech Prep Work?

  • Register for Tech Prep online at www.techprepcc.org
  • Pay $46 consortium fee at www.pay.techprepcc.org - Due Friday, June 12
  • Complete the Tech Prep course with a grade of "B" or higher

The college credit classes offered at Lake Washington High School are:  

American Sign Language 1 & 2 ♦ Child Psychology 1 & 2 ♦ Computer Science AP/Intro ♦ Culinary Arts 1 & 2 ♦ Digital Design/Yearbook 1 & 2 ♦ Engineering 1 & 2 ♦ Environmental Science AP ♦ Life and Finance ♦ Marketing 1 ♦ Marketing 1/Student Store (1st & 2nd semester) ♦ Material Science ♦ MS Academy/Computer Applications    

 

Colleges transcribe all Tech Prep students in August. Each student will receive a notification to their email and/or home address when they have been transcribed.

 

Need a copy of the transcript? Visit the Tech Prep website at www.techprepcc.org/transcripts for specific instructions and links to each of the partner colleges. If you have questions, contact Julie Madsen, Career Specialist at (425) 936-1710 or [email protected].

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Information for Seniors & Senior ParentsSeniorInfo

Call for ALL Senior Artists!

Display your Art at Senior Salute 

Please help celebrate your graduation by submitting your creative artwork for display at the LW Senior Salute (it is not necessary to be currently enrolled in an art class). Both two- and three-dimensional artwork will be accepted.

 

Deadline for Submission: Thursday, May 28 

 

Submission forms with details are available here or in the main office. Submit finished artwork to Ms. Wyatt (room 379). 

 

Back to top 

 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SeniorSalute
Families of Seniors: You are Invited to LWHS Senior Salute!
Thursday, June 11, 7-9pm LWHS Theater

Senior Salute takes place at LW the day before graduation, Thursday, June 11, 7pm. In contrast to the graduation ceremony at Key Arena, Senior Salute is a more intimate opportunity to celebrate our seniors with music, poetry, artwork and student reflections. Followed by an informal reception, many families appreciate this slower-paced, more personal opportunity to visit and to photograph their cap-and-gowned graduates. Each family is allotted four "free" tickets (grads do not need a ticket) on a first-come-first-served basis. Email graduate's name, parent name, and number of tickets needed to: [email protected].    

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Class of 2015 All Night Party - New Bus Added!

Due to popular demand, we were able to add another bus for the senior party! The senior party is a safe place for our kids to be the night of graduation and will be a ton of fun for the new graduates! You can still sign up and pay on line on the PTSA website or by using the paper forms found on the site. The scholarship request form is also available on the PTSA website - there are still some partial scholarships available! The permission slip needs to be turned in at this time, with your signature regardless if your senior is 18 now or at the time of they party. Finally, please fill out the food allergy form, if applicable.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Countdown to Graduation
Find all the information you need for graduation on the LW website. You'll find the countdown calendar, ceremony details, ticket information, final transcript request form and more.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lake Washington Schools Foundation

Lake Washington Schools Foundation Thanks You!
The 10th annual Legacy for Learning Luncheon on Wednesday, April 29, was attended by over 600 parents and community members supporting academic excellence in our school district. The audience heard from Principal Kirsten Gometz on the power of the New Teacher Support Program (LWHS has teachers who are participating in this program), from student Alka Pai discussing the importance of STEM programs the Foundation helps fund in all high schools, and from Rose Hill MS teacher Jason Ewart on the power of robotics to engage students (Mr. Ewart started Rose Hill Robotics classes with Foundation grants). Money raised from the luncheon will continue to fund these programs as well as other innovative programs within LWSD. To learn more or to make a donation to support the Foundation and its work, go to www.lwsf.org.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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.

Back to top
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