Lake Washington High School PTSA Newsletter   
 

October 21, 2015 | Issue 5 
In This Issue
Kang Crier Links

sidebarCo-editors: Karen Peters & Debbie Ohman
 
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~ Upcoming Events ~
 
Today! LWSD Unity Day: Wear Orange to Support 
Bullying Prevention
Wednesday, Oct. 21
 
Tonight! Lyrica and Chorale Fall Concert
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7pm, LWHS Theater

LWHS Beautification Day
Saturday, Oct. 24, 9am-noon, LWHS

PTSA Legislative Assembly 
Saturday, Oct. 24, 8am-5pm, Red Lion Inn, Olympia

Senior Cap & Gown Orders Due
Tuesday, Oct. 27 

LWHS Band Concert and Reception
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7pm, LWHS Theater

Picture Retake Day
Wednesday, Oct. 28, LWHS

Reflections Entries Due
Monday, Nov. 2, LWHS

Winter Sports Registration
Monday, Nov. 2 - Thursday, Nov. 12

LWSD High School Honor Concert
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:30pm, Redmond High School 
 
Last Day of First Quarter
Wednesday, Nov. 4

Orders due for Orchestra & Band Holiday Greens Fundraiser
Friday, Nov. 6, LWHS

LWHS Dance Competition
Saturday, Nov. 14, 1pm, LWHS Gym

LWHS PTSA General Membership Meeting with Parent Ed: College Planning for Parents
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7:30pm, LWHS Library

Insights into Engineering and Manufacturing Night
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6:30-8:30pm, LWHS 

LWHS Drama Production: Three One-Act Plays
Thursday - Saturday, Nov. 19, 20 & 21, 7pm, LWHS Theater 
  


This Saturday, We Need You!
LWHS Beautification Day
Bring your gloves and garden tools, it's time for another LW Beautification Day!  On Saturday, October 24, 9am-noon, all students, staff and parents are encouraged to come and help clean up the school grounds to make LW as beautiful as it can be. We'll be weeding, pruning and spreading mulch provided by the district. We're also planting lots and lots of purple and white spring bulbs. Be sure to bring gloves, hand pruners, heavy rakes and shovels - we'll mark all tools to make sure they are returned. Come when you can, stay as long as you can.

For more information contact PTSA Beautification Chairs Karen Tollefson and Lisa Brown. 
 


From Your PTSA Co-Presidents
Hello Kang Families!

At $16,500 we are very close to our fundraising goal of $18,000 ! It's not too late to make a Pass the Pouch donation!  With 360 members we have surpassed last year's membership totals, but are still short of our goal of 500. It's never too late to show your support for LWHS PTSA!

What the LWHS PTSA Has Accomplished So Far This Year:
  • Rounded up the many dedicated volunteers who helped shepherd 1,605 students through the back-to-school process in August and September.
  • Co-hosted, along with the school, the Back-to-School BBQ in August.
  • Organized a staff appreciation breakfast for all teachers at their August staff meeting.
  • Gave away 38 $50 Teacher Fund mini-grants to staff.
  • Offered proctored "Fear-Free" practice SAT and ACT tests, to 90+ students.
  • Opened our fall grants for teachers and staff to apply for, with $5,000 available.
  • Transported Pantry Packs between Hopelink and LWHS for 23 students. (The Pantry Packs program provides weekend food for students from food-insecure families. Students and parents can learn more from their counselor.)
  • Organized a parent education session on the topic of the new Career Cruising software that is part of the required High School and Beyond plan for this year's freshmen.
  • Hosted a coffee offering parents an hour of Q&A with the principal, and an opportunity to meet the new associate principals and other parents.
  • Began our weekly Wednesday afternoon College Application Workshops, offering assistance with applications and essays to seniors.
  • Promoted the national PTA Reflections art competition.
  • Sent out five Kang Crier newsletters and provided a current PTSA website.
  • Continued the work of organizing Senior Party.
  • Purchased Kleenex, printer paper and health room supplies.
  • Fulfilled training of our entire board of directors who are ready to help the LWHS community.
  • Acted as a resource for parents, teachers and administration.
Not bad for the second month of school! If you want more information about any of the programs, visit lwhsptsa.org, or contact Co-Presidents Liz Hedreen and Anne Ryan.
 
Liz & Anne
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PTSA News

College Planner to Speak at PTSA Meeting
Wednesday, November 18, 7-8:30pm, LWHS Library
Continuing in our effort to provide useful and timely information to the LWHS community, the LWHS PTSA is pleased to present Claudia Cot� of A College Plan discussing College Planning for Parents. This presentation will cover the following subjects:
  • College prep: What high school students should focus on both academically and through extra-curricular activities, and the importance of using this time to explore and develop interests and skills.
  • College planning:  Emphasis on the wide variety of choices available, how to tone down the hype, and get to the best fit for your student.
  • Financial aid applications: A general discussion of what forms are required (FAFSA, etc.) and tips for finding merit and scholarship money.
With over two decades of experience in the field of education, including twelve years leading a college and career center in a large pubic high school, Claudia Cot� opened A College Plan in 2011 to work with individual clients. As a member of PNACAC- Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling, HECA - Higher Education Consultants Association, and SACC - Seattle Area College Consultants, she regularly attends regional and national meetings and conferences in search of new ideas to help her clients maximize their opportunities and enjoy success in their post-high school plans.
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College Application Workshops Have Begun
The College Application Workshops are up and running. If your senior has questions, needs help
or simply wants another pair of eyes to review their essay, send them in. They can stop by the
College & Career Center after school on Wednesdays and sign up for a 20-minute time slot. While they wait for their appointed time, students can eat the free lunch we provide, do homework or check out the great resources in the College & Career Center.

This PTSA program is based on the successful College Corps program run by the Bellevue School District who generously provided training to our volunteers. Contact  Liz Hedreen for more
information.

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Do You Have a Creative Student?
Entries Accepted for Only Two More Weeks
With only two weeks until the deadline for Reflections, it's definitely not too late to get your student started on their entry in the category of music, writing, drawing, animation, painting, photography and/or dance. This year's  theme is "Let Your Imagination Fly." Click here to find out more. The deadline for entries is Monday, November 2, which means students have the rest of October to create and submit something imaginative and interesting. Contact Reflections co-chair Pam Hay, at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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PTSA Advocacy - A Voice for Kids
ptsa
Legislative Assembly is coming up on Saturday, October 24 at the Red Lion Inn in Olympia. Any PTA member is welcome to attend (delegates only may vote). Come join local unit and council PTA representatives from across the state as they meet, debate and discuss issues that the PTA hopes to advocate for during the next two years.

Washington State PTA's priorities for the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions include: 
1. Funding McCleary
2.
Creating positive school climates through social emotional learning
3.
Increasing capital funding
4.
Increasing access to higher education
5.
Breakfast After the Bell

2015-16 Legislative Issues include:
Issue #1:
Improving education outcomes for foster children
Issue #2:
Career development and training for para-educators

Register here for legislative assembly. Contact Melissa Jackson if you have questions. We hope to see you there! 
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Kang Sports

Winter Sports Registration: Calling All Kangs
Winter sports registration is from Monday, November 2 - Thursday, November 12. Gymnasts register by Thursday, November 5, practices start Monday, November 9. Girl's and Boy's Basketball, Wrestling, and Boy's Swim & Dive register by Thursday, November 12 with tryouts or practices starting Thursday, November 19. Registration packets can be picked up in the Athletics Offices, or can be downloaded from the LWHS Athletics webpage. Go Kangs!

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LWHS Girls' Soccer Team Meets Clint Dempsey
On September 30, Clint Dempsey, an international, national and local Seattle Sounders soccer player paid the Lake Washington High School Girls' Soccer team a visit. This visit was an opportunity for the young players to ask questions of someone who has spent most of their life playing soccer. Questions ranged from his warm-up ritual, experience playing outside of the United States, most influential coaches, and how he copes with various outcomes of games.
 
The LWHS girls' soccer team chats with Seattle Sounder Clint Dempsey.

Delaney Farmer, LWHS's Athletic Trainer and supporting member of the Seattle Sounders medical staff, arranged to have Dempsey come talk to the girls. Farmer noted, "It's great for these girls to see someone they love to watch and who plays on Seattle's MLS team. Having the ability to ask someone of his caliber questions face to face was an opportunity that they should remember fondly."
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LWHS News & Activities

See the LWHS Dance Team in Competition
Six-Time State Champions
You may have been to an LWHS football, soccer, basketball or volleyball game, but when was the last time you attended a dance competition? The first dance competition of the season will be in Kirkland on Saturday, November 14.

These competitions are loud and fierce with performances from 15 dance teams. Under the leadership of Coaches Lindsey Beck and Jeanne Gloudemans, the girls begin their season in May, culminating 11 months later at the State Championship. They will have put in over 400 dedicated hours in one season! The team has made our school and community very proud with their achievements. Help support them at this season's competition kickoff!
  
When: Saturday, November 14, doors open at 12pm, competition starts at 1pm 
Where: LWHS Gym 
Cost: $7 ($5 with ASB card)  
 
Concessions and refreshments will be available for sale at the event with all proceeds benefiting the LWHS Dance Team Booster Club.
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Come Hear the Talented Musicians of LWHS
Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening of fabulous music provided by our own LWHS music students. The concert bands, jazz band and percussion ensemble will all perform next Wednesday, October 28 at 7pm in the LWHS Theater.

The concert will be followed by a reception to celebrate the 2015-16 debut performance and to welcome LWHS's new director of bands, Matthew Kruse.

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Support Orchestra & Band's Holiday Fundraiser
Sale of Wreaths, Garlands and Poinsettias to Benefit Music Students
The Orchestra and Band Booster Clubs are selling 6.5" pots of red, white and "shades of pink" poinsettias, as well as 24" wreaths and 25' garland. These are lovely, high quality items and you can support LWHS music while buying something you will probably get anyway. Orders and full payment are due by Friday, November 6. Distribution is Friday, December 4, 4-7pm, from the Band Room.

Order forms are in the main office, or just print this flyer. Please return your order with payment to the main office marked Attention Orchestra and Band Boosters. All funds raised go to provide enrichment for all students in the orchestra and band programs. Questions? Contact Christine Harmon, Treasurer, Orchestra Boosters
Thank you!
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Mark Your Calendars for the Fall One-Act Plays
The thespians of Lake Washington High School are pleased to present our fall one-act plays. This year's performance includes: Rosie the Riveter, Get Real, Barbie and All I Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play.

Performances are in the LWHS Theater, Thursday through Saturday, November 19, 20 and 21 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. Please come support these hard-working thespians. 

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Julius Caesar: Guilty or Innocent?
AP World History students put Julius Caesar on trial for becoming a dictator for life, using brutal tactics and immoral behavior.

Michael Mar, JJ Wong, Eric McGaw and Molly Behrends.

Eric McGaw interrogating his brother Andrew McGaw as Julius Caesar!













Zach Michelson, Carolina Valdez, Sophie Styant-Browne and Andrew McGaw.
Grace Hawkins, Anna Basna, Erin Kelly, Claire Cocales and Olivia Kaulfus.















Ioana Burlacu, Ethan Smith, Thuan Do, Torrey Armstrong, Alex Seeler, Finn Mercer, Soleil Brandenfels and Karen Boctor.




















Anousha Shadrach, Sophia Jacques, Darya Shafapay, Blake Knowlton, Haley Kubik, Kiera Farren and Isabel Day.

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Save the Date for Trivia Night
Save the date for something fun and challenging - trivia night! On Tuesday, November 10, the senior class is hosting a trivia night fundraiser and invites parents to participate on the teams.
More information to come; start studying now!  

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Insights Into Engineering & Manufacturing Night
Don't miss out on this great opportunity to explore careers in engineering and manufacturing at LWHS the evening of Wednesday, November 18 from 6:30-8:30pm. More information is available here, or contact Jared Greenwood at  [email protected].
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College & Career Center

Upcoming College Visits to LWHS
All visits will be held in the College & Career Center, Room 180. Students are required to sign up with Mrs. Madsen for a specific college visit; they will receive a pass to attend that must be signed by their class period teacher.
 
Oct. 21  Claremont McKennaOct. 27University of Montana
Oct. 22 
Portland State University
Oct. 30 
Linfield College
Oct. 23  University of RedlandsNov. 3Eastern Washington University
Oct. 26
Bryant University
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Colorado - Boulder
Nov. 6 
Seattle University 
 
See specific times of visits on the Career Center page on the LWHS website.

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Scholarship Opportunities Abound
Don't forget to look at the amazing variety of scholarships available to all grades of students at LWHS. Begin your search with the LWHS College & Career Scholarship BulletinPick up a copy in the College & Career Center or go to the LWHS website and click on Career Center in the left sidebar.
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Counseling Center

Getting Good and Even Better Test Scores
Suggestions from the Counselors
Now that we are well into first semester and the end of first quarter will be here before we know it, it's time to take a look at test scores. Performing well on exams isn't a function of luck, nor is it necessarily a matter of being smart. It's a matter of being prepared.  Here are a few tips to discuss with your kids.
  • Focus on what you are studying
  • Don't wait until the last minute
  • Talk to your teacher
  • Know the type of test you're taking
  • Use  your resources
  • Know how you study best
  • Mix up your study zone
  • Try to study during daylight hours
  • Exercise before you hit the books
  • Say what you know to someone else

Click here for more information about each study tip. Follow some of these tips and you won't need "good luck" on your next test. Happy studying!  

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College Board Testing Services for the Disabled
The College Board's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) has made note that for 2015-2016, the request process for services is not changing. However, some accommodations and test formats are new for this year.  More information can be found here.

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Registration for SAT & ACT Tests
Below are the official test dates for the SAT and ACT tests which require registration before or during winter break. Students who plan to take a test need to register online as listed below, using the LWHS code, 480545. 

SAT Test (register at collegeboard.org)

Test Date
Registration Deadline
December 5, 2015
November 5, 2015
January 23, 2016
December 28, 2015

ACT test (register at actstudent.org)

Test Date
Registration Deadline
December 12, 2015
November 6, 2015

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Info for Seniors & Senior Parents

Buy Your Class of 2016 Senior Party Tickets Now!
Help Out By Buying Your Ticket Early
Parents, we need your help - please buy your student's ticket in October (if possible) to make sure we fully fund the Senior Party on time. While the party isn't until June, your early ticket purchase helps us make sure we reach the numbers needed for a successful celebration.

Tickets are $145 if paid by December 31, 2015, $155 by April 1, 2016 and $165 by June 8, 2016. Tickets are non-refundable. Information on ways to buy your Senior Party tickets can be found on the PTSA website (under the seniors link in the sidebar). Options include purchasing tickets online or by cash or check using the registration form. Return your payment and registration form to the main office or mail to LWHS marked, Attention PTSA Senior Party. For scholarship or registration information, please contact Joan Lindell Olsen.
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Cap and Gown Purchase Next Week
Seniors will purchase caps and gowns on Tuesday, October 27 during lunch using the order forms they received on Tuesday, October 20. They will also  have the opportunity to order class rings. For more information, see the seniors section of the LWHS website.
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Community News

Lake Washington School District-approved flyers to keep you informed about upcoming activities, programs and events.
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Below are links provided as a service to the community - LWSD and the LWHS PTSA do not sponsor, endorse or recommend any of the organizations, services, or activities described in these materials.
On Tuesday, November 3, the citizens of Kirkland will vote on the Metropolitan Park District (MPD) to fund the Kirkland ARC - Aquatics Recreation Community center. Kirkland's 22,000 square feet of existing recreation space was built to serve a 1990 population of 40,000. Today, we are approaching 85,000 people. The Lake Washington School District has previously announced that it will close Kirkland's only indoor public pool. 

The Kirkland ARC is envisioned to provide year round recreation for kids and the entire community:
  • Warm water pool suitable for swim lessons, water aerobics and therapy
  • Lap pool suitable for both swim and dive, including Lake Washington and Juanita high school teams
  • One or more courts suitable for basketball and volleyball
  • Gym with various equipment
  • Hard floor studios suitable for dance, tot classes, art classes, yoga and more
  • Indoor track
  • Community rooms for meetings and events for up to 250 people
The City of Kirkland has studied potential locations, including environmental and structural concerns. The city's website has all the details, including facility features, architectural drawings, information about the MPD, budgets and more. The choice is yours - vote on November 3.

Host an Italian student a for a semester or school year and your child will be invited to Italy through this cross-cultural exchange program.

SAT and ACT test preparation courses for students on the Eastside. Courses are available for the current SAT, the new SAT, and now also the ACT 
 
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ptsa 
 Lake Washington High School * Kirkland, WA * PTSA Local Unit 2.8.95

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