What's Up Westside

• March 30th-April 1st - Cheer Team Tryouts 4:30-6:30pm
• March 31, April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8th - Musical Drama Production: The Lightning Thief
• April 8th - ASB Election Info Meeting
• April 11-15th - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

Wildcat Families: Spring is upon us. I am going to keep my part fairly short today and want to just get a couple of notes out as we move through the last couple months of the school year. I encourage everyone to get out and support all of our students involved in our spring sports and our Spring music and drama performances. Checking our website for updates on events is a good way to see what is coming up. I also want to provide a link to the updated Covid rules and protocols as they continue to change and adjust. This is were you can get the most up to date information regarding protocols: https://www.seattleschools.org/resources/covid-19-health-and-safety/ As both the weather and our Covid protocols lighten up, I look forward to having opportunities to reconnect and continue our work together in support each and every student's success. Go Wildcats!

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON | SUMMER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Registration is now open for remote and in-person summer enrichment classes at the University of Washington. This is a great opportunity for high school students looking for unique summer learning with classes in creative writing, Engineering Design, Coding in Java and Python, Esports, Algorithmic Thinking and more!

Visit www.youth-teen.uw.edu for registration information and to see a complete list of summer 2022 courses.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS

For Students that have prepaid and registered for May AP exams, the exams will be held in the School Library. Students are encouraged to access their College Board account to make sure their personal information is correct.

Questions about testing contact Amy Doll asdoll@seattleschools.org

Exam Schedule: AP Exam dates on CollegeBoard

GRADING - NO ZERO'S - 50% is a warning

We are hearing from some parents about confusion when looking at The Source and seeing grades that represent a 50%. At the start of this school year, SPS put in place mandatory grading policies that include making adjustments to a 100point grading scale. I am attaching a link HERE to an article and short video describing the reasoning behind this shift. I am also including this as a heads up that if your student has a 50% on an assignment or as an overall grade, they are likely significantly behind or have not turned in that particular assignment or assessment. This is a shift in how to look at grades, and how to support students in earning credits. We will continue to send out updates on grading, but wanted to re-iterate this shift to clarify what you may be seeing when you look at student grades.

STATE TESTING FOR WSHS STUDENTS

Smarter Balanced English/Language Arts and Math– March 7 to June 3

Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science– April 11 to June 3

Spring 2022 ELA, math, and science will be at grade level. Students in grades 10 are required to take the ELA and math assessments. Students in grades 11 are required to take the science assessment. Students in grades 11 or 12 may elect to take ELA and/or math in order to fulfill a graduation pathway.

Please visit SPS Testing and Assessments page for updates and news on how assessments are used and their requirements in Seattle Public Schools.

WHEN TO STAY HOME

If your child has any symptoms (headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea, congestion or a runny nose, or fever) PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME. Reach out to Nurse Aimee Osland with any questions at aiosland@seattleschools.org.

https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/820-229-SymptomExposureFlowchartK12SchoolsChildCare.pdf

https://www.seattleschools.org/news/covid-testing-for-students/

Additional Covid testing site now open in West Seattle!

Provider: Premier Medical Group (PMG)

Operation days/times: M-F, 4-8 pm

Location: Denny International Middle School Galleria (cafeteria), 2601 SW Kenyon St., Seattle, WA 98126

Counselor Caseload Updates: Another friendly reminder that counselor alpha assignments have updated to the following:

Last Names A- GL, Erica Nguyen etnguyen@seattleschools.org

Last Names Go-Pa, Mallory Neuman mlneuman@seattleschools.org

Last Names Pe-Z, Christine Nutters canutters@seattleschools.org

New to WSHS, or just looking to make some new friends? Join the “Fun Time Lunch Time” crew in the ASB room (north side of the Commons) to play games, socialize, and meet new people. The room will be open every Thursday during both lunches starting February 10th.

Seniors, Scholarship Alert! West Seattle Alumni Association Scholarship application is now available for seniors. The form can be picked up in the school library or can be downloaded here: http://wshsalumniassociation.org/how-to-apply/

Deadline to apply is April 8th, 2022 late applications will not be accepted. All applications must be submitted by MAIL.

Seattle Promise Scholarship: The next task and deadline for Seattle Promise is to complete the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) or WASFA (https://wsac.wa.gov/WASFAelig) by April 30th. Contact the new Seattle Promise liaison Alma Salgado with any questions, Alma.Salgado@Seattlecolleges.edu. Wednesdays

Seattle Skills Center 2022-23 Information: Do you want to learn advanced, hands-on, practical career skills and have the opportunity to earn industry certification, dual college credit, or participate in an internship or pre-apprenticeship while still attending high school? Apply for a Seattle Skills Center school year program!

If you are a high school student in Seattle Public Schools, you can enroll in one HALF DAY Skills Center course for up to 3 Career and Technical Education (CTE) credits per year, while still attending your regular school the other half of the school day. You can still participate in sports, activities, and stay connected with friends. Students can get transportation (usually a taxi, van, or school bus) to and from their Skills Center class.

Each class requires 3 periods per day in a typical 6 period high school schedule (periods 1-3 for AM classes, and periods 4-6 for PM classes). Regardless of which high school you attend, you can take any Skills Center class.

Materials to Review:

• See our webpage for full course descriptions: https://skillscenter.seattleschools.org/school-year/
• New locations and times listed in RED on the map of Skills Center locations: https://skillscenter.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2022/02/SkillsCenter_2022.pdf
• Required Online Application

Learn more about school year and summer courses by calling 206.252.0730 or by visiting http://skillscenter.seattleschools.org

UPCOMING PARENT ED EVENTS - SAVE THE DATES

APRIL 27TH - "LGBT Q&A" with Jo Langford

Meeting Registration Link (5)

Sex, gender, orientation, and expression aren't what they used to be. Our kids are living it and it's time for all of the adults to catch up! This talk is an opportunity to get your questions answered in a safe non-judgmental space to boost confidence with new vocabulary, concepts, and etiquette. Jo Langford - author of The Pride Guide - will help us find our way.

MAY 18TH - "Preparing for Summer: Keeping our Kids Safe and Healthy" with SPS Healthy Youth Survey Manager, Lisa Davidson

Meeting Registration Link (6)

Lisa Davidson will share the Healthy Youth Survey data that she collected from WSHS students in the fall. She will then help parents understand the data and give some guidance and resources available to help our kids through the summer.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Consider being a part of shaping next year's PTSA! We are looking for volunteers to help prepare next year's budget and a new slate of officers. Contact PTSA President, Michele Starkey, if interested or for more information at: wshsptsapresident@gmail.com

STUDENTS WELCOME

Ever wondered about that "S" in PTSA? It stands for "students"! We want more (any) student voices as we work to best support our whole community - Parents, Teachers, and Students.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION VIRTUAL SPEAKER SERIES

To register: https://sites.google.com/meridianschool.edu/virtual-speaker-series/home

MARCH 31ST - Jason Reynolds

MAY 5TH - Dr. Bettina Love

GUN SAFETY RESOURCES

http://wshsptsa.org/guns-and-safety-resources

Recent events present an opportunity to revisit what we can do to keep our kids and community safe. We have resources from beSMART on our website.

MINI GRANT FUNDING - DIRECT GIVE DONATION DRIVE

The PTSA awards mini-grants to teachers, departments, and student groups for resources through an application process. Grants awarded in the past have included PNW book collection for the library, Chinese and French readers, lab equipment, a vibraphone and drum set for the music department, sports equipment, art equipment, and more. We have received 11 applications, all of which will support a more equitable and inclusive learning environment for WSHS students. We would like to fund as many requests as possible during a time when fundraising opportunities are limited. Please consider making a donation that will directly fund this year's mini-grant requests. Donate today!

BECOME A MEMBER

Be a part of making WSHS the school community you want! Become a member of the PTSA at: http://wshsptsa.org/

DRAMA DEVELOPMENTS

The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical is coming to the WSHS stage!

Performances: March 31, April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30pm

Due to the evolving nature of COVID restrictions - please check back for updates on in person performances in addition to the planned livestream for all shows.

click here to purchase tickets

ASB UPDATES

ASB Elections are happening for 9th-11th grade

April 8th: info meeting at both lunches
April 19th: info meeting after school
April 21st: applications due
April 27th: Live speeches in Advisory
May 4th: Voting in Advisory

WSHS Sweatshirt orders

For those that pre-ordered the blue WSHS sweatshirts will only have to wait a few more weeks for delivery. As soon as they are in building we will announce for pickup. If you missed the pre-order, we did order extra and you will be able to purchase once the pre-orders have been passed out.

FIELD DAY!

Our beloved Field Day is back after a two year Covid restricted hiatus. This is a school tradition where we put our books down for an afternoon and enjoy games, food, performances, and the company of our peers and staff members out on the Hiawatha field. Due to restrictions on fundraising and a lack of ASB card sales these past years, we are working with a much smaller budget than in the past. Any donation, big or small would be greatly appreciated and will go towards student engagement and fun.

Link to donate: https://schoolpay.com/link/2022FieldDay

Parent volunteers

West Seattle ASB is holding their first field day in YEARS! We’re looking for parent volunteers to help out on Wednesday June 1st from 1-3:30 pm.

If you are interested, start by completing the district volunteer application found here: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/get-involved/how-to-volunteer/

Next complete the following form to get connected directly to the field day coordinators. https://forms.gle/tKVUq18DbLVLQ5v5A

ASB thanks you in advance for your willingness to support our return to FUN!

ORDER YOUR 2021-2022 YEARBOOK

Remember to order this year’s yearbook! It’s $55 each and here is the direct link to purchase: https://schoolpay.com/link/2122wshskimtah

If you are trying to purchase a yearbook you have not missed your opportunity. We have closed the sales temporarily for tax purposes, but will start sales back up again when we return from Spring Break. They will be $55 each and available on SchoolPay.

Come see us preform in the Spring Musical - The Lightning Thief!

We are still finalizing our Spring Concert dates for April, so stay tuned ;)

If you would like to make a donation to support our musicians visit: http://www.wshsmusic.org/

CHEER TEAM TRYOUTS

Tryouts for WSHS' Award-Winning Coed Cheer Team will be held - in person - March 30th-April 1st from 4:30 pm- 6:30pm @ WSHS.

To Participate in tryouts on March 30th, please bring a printed and signed copy of:

* Signed Waver Form Due

* Both Covid Forms Due

* Up to Date Physical

The tryout application and required Forms are available through our following link tree below.

https://linktr.ee/westseattlecheer

Good Luck and Go Wildcats!!

For questions, please email: westseattlecheer@outlook.com

Winner of the Superintendents Choice Award for the Puget Sound Region Art Competition.

Here is the winning artwork "That Which Will Take You Far" and accompanying poem.

the sun is at odds with the biting air
and the crash of the ocean
but these arms remain strong, an
unflappable force in the face of
uncertainty
a permanent scowl through which to greet
the world
and still the warmth
of growing familiarity
that fosters the resilience
that will take you far

If you would like to share something with the West Seattle High School community, please contact wshsptsacommunications1@gmail.com

Find past issues of the newsletter HERE.

Email: wshsptsacommunications1@gmail.com
Website: westseattlehs.seattleschools.org
Location: 3000 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116, USA
Phone: 206-252-8800