What's Up Westside

• January 15: NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  
• January 15: WSPTA Focus on Advocacy Day (Olympia, WA)
• January 16: WSHS PTSA Board Meeting (6:30pm, WSHS Library)
• January 17: Seattle School Board Meeting (4:15–8:30pm, JSCEE)
• January 17–19: Almost, Maine (7:30pm, WSHS Theater)
• January 18: AP Exam Accommodations Requests Due
  
• January 18: Racial Equity Team Meeting (4pm, WSHS Library)
• January 18: WSHS Open House (6:30–8pm, WSHS Gym)
• January 20: Saturday Study Hall (9am, WSHS Library)
• January 20: Midnight Masquerade Winter Formal (7:30–10:30p, Fisher Pavilion)

Saturday, January 20, 7:15–10:45pm, Fisher Pavilion

WSHS parents and caregivers: We are seeking volunteers to staff the entrances, exits, coat check, and snack table at this year's winter formal. Please email Angela Ferda if available to chaperone.

The counseling department is looking for parent volunteers to join our Forefront Suicide Prevention Team. Specifically, we are asking for help in running our annual Forefront Parent Night the evening of Thursday, March 7. Forefront is an organization that seeks to prevent suicide in youth through education with students, staff and families in the school community. Learn more about Forefront. Please contact Mallory Neuman if you’re interested in volunteering.

• Senior Portrait and Baby Photo are now due; submissions still being accepted through January 15 (Enter School Code "west seattle")
  
• Senior Shoutout due January 31. Parents, leave a brief message for your Senior!
  
• Graduation will be on Tuesday, June 18, at 8pm in Memorial Stadium.
  

January 17–19, 7:30pm, WSHS Theater

Come enjoy this collection of intimate stories about people seeking love, connection and redemption one evening under the northern lights in the town of Almost, Maine. Get your tickets!

Thursday, January 18, 4–5:30pm, WSHS Library

The Racial Equity Team is a group of staff, administrators, and family members that works towards ensuring that racial equity is at the forefront of decisions being made on campus. Parents and guardians are invited to attend RET meetings to provide feedback on concerns they have surrounding racial equity.

Thursday, January 18, 6:30–8pm, WSHS Gym

Welcome, prospective Wildcats! You are invited to our Open House to meet staff, current students, and parents. Administrators and school counselors will be available to answer questions. Learn about clubs and sports at our resource fair and get a student-led tour of the building. Sample food from our culinary class and enjoy the works of our fine arts program.

6:30–7pm Welcome & Overview (School Gym)

7:00–7:45pm School Tours Led by National Honor Society Students

7:00-8:00pm Resource Fair: Meet Staff, Coaches, and Parents (Commons)

7:00-8:00pm 9th Grade Curriculum (Various Locations)

Due January 18

To take an AP Exam with accommodations, a student must be approved for accommodations by the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. WSHS students with an existing 504 or IEP who wish to test with accommodations must complete the signed consent form below and return it to Amy Doll, our SSD Coordinator. Most accommodations included in a student’s IEP or 504 plan are approved upon request; some may require additional documentation.

Saturday, January 20, 9am–12pm, WSHS Library

Saturday Study Hall is available for all WSHS students to finish the semester strong with a tutor's support. Students should connect with their teachers in advance to get missing work/projects and to retake tests. Additionally, students who have not met their Washington State History requirement should attend to complete a work packet. Washington State History is a graduation requirement!

Saturday, January 20, 7:30–10:30pm, Fisher Pavilion

Tickets on sale January 15–19: $35 ($30 with activity sticker). See attached document for important details.

The first semester ends on Wednesday, January 31. WSHS will have a modified schedule for finals.

Monday, January 15

Registration is now open for Focus on Advocacy Day, which will take place at the Capitol Building in Olympia. You can help make PTA’s grassroots advocacy a success by connecting with legislators about our priorities. If interested, please email president@wshsptsa.org.

Advocacy is not a one-day event; it is an everyday action. We encourage members to continue to stay informed and engaged throughout the year, keeping our efforts focused on the mission. Subscribe to WSPTA's Action Network.

Tuesday January 16, 7pm, via Zoom

1. Presentation from Seattle Promise staff. Learn how this higher education scholarship program works and how it supports students with disabilities.
2. Legislative Advocacy: 2024 legislative session

Tuesday, January 23, 6–8pm, WSHS Library

Come hear from our student leaders about the exciting clubs and activities at WSHS. Learn about how your PTSA donations allow us to fund grants and co-sponsor events that benefit the entire student body.

Thursday, January 25, 7–8pm, via Zoom

'Sip & Chat' is a community gathering with families of students with disabilities where we come together to:

• Listen to our community needs.
• Support and share resources, provide a sounding board, create a sense of belonging, and develop relationships.
• Share what we learn with the district to advocate for our students.

Monday, January 29, 5:30–7pm, via Zoom

You are invited to an insightful discussion on racial equity, featuring esteemed speakers dedicated to addressing the complex issue of the school-to-prison pipeline within Seattle Public Schools. Register for the Zoom link.

Learn about the social and mental impact of youth cannabis use. Register by emailing Donna Kelly.

Thursday, February 1, 6:30–8pm, Room 105

Join us in building a community of caring, supportive parents. Guided by Crissa Parsley, WSHS Social Worker. RSVP by emailing Donna Kelly.

Visit the Counseling Center Website for resources related to academics, college and career, and mental health and wellness.

Thursday, February 8, 6:30pm, WSHS Library

Join your WSHS counselors to learn about the Seattle Promise program and how to submit an application for Fall 2024.

• Erica Nguyen (Last Names A-Fe)
• Kinsey Hedeen (Last Names Fi-Marg)
• Mallory Neuman (Last Names Mari-Pig)
• Christine Nutters (Last Names Pin-Z)

• Service Learning Form and Reflection
• Physical Education (PE) Waiver Request Form

• January 12: Bowling vs. Holy Names (3pm, West Seattle Bowl)
  
• January 12: Boys Swim vs. Nathan Hale (4pm, Southwest CC)
• January 12: Gymnastics vs. Roosevelt, Chief Sealth, and Ballard (7pm, WSHS)
• January 12: Girls Basketball vs. Garfield (7pm, Garfield HS)
  
• January 12: Boys Basketball vs. Garfield (8:30pm, Garfield HS)
• January 13: Wrestling at King of Beacon Hill Tournament (9am, Cleveland HS)
• January 13: Girls Basketball vs. Arlington (4pm, WSHS)
• January 13: Ultimate vs. Mercer Island (5pm, Magnuson Park)
• January 13: Boys Basketball vs. Sumner (7pm, WSHS)
• January 17: Bowling vs. Seattle Prep (3pm, West Seattle Bowl)
• January 17: Wrestling vs. Cleveland (5pm, Cleveland HS)
  
• January 17: Girls Basketball vs. Roosevelt (5:45pm, WSHS)
• January 17: Wrestling vs. Ingraham (6:30pm, Cleveland HS)
• January 17: Boys Basketball vs. Bishop Blanchet (7:30pm, WSHS)
• January 19: Bowling vs. Ballard (3pm, West Seattle Bowl)
• January 19: Gymnastics vs. Roosevelt and Nathan Hale (4pm, WSHS)
• January 19: Boys Swim vs. Seattle Prep (4pm, Queen Anne Pool)

Monday, January 29, 3–9pm, West Wings (2329 California Ave SW)

West Wings will donate 25% of sales from the Regular Menu back to WSHS Boys Basketball! Donation is not available for items on the Happy Hour Menu.

Please help us collect non-perishable food items for WSHS students. Bring your donation to the home basketball game vs. Chief Sealth!

A group of tenacious WSHS students has long been advocating for a water polo team. Well, it’s officially going to happen and the season starts in late February! However, the team has no funds to cover pool time, equipment, or coaching. Please consider supporting them through the West Seattle Booster Club (be sure to put "Water Polo" in the notes!)

Monday, February 5, 7pm, WSHS Library

West Seattle Booster Club is a 501(c) non-profit organization that supports athletic programs at West Seattle High School. Approximately 80% of WSHS students participate in extracurricular athletic programs. The district supports a very small fraction of the resources necessary to fund these programs. We are seeking more parent involvement. Please reach out to us at hello@wsbooster.org for additional information. We hope to meet you at one of our monthly meetings and upcoming sporting events.

• West Seattle High School Athletics
• FinalForms
• WSHS Spirit Store
• West Seattle Booster Club
• Metro League’s HomeTown Ticketing digital box office

Wednesday, January 17, 4:15–8:30pm, John Stanford Center

View the agenda. Beginning on Monday, January 15, at 8am, members of the public can sign up to address the board in person or by teleconference. The meeting will also be live streamed on SPSTV.

Sunday, January 28, 1:30–2:30pm, High Point Library

Join new School Board Director Gina Topp (District 6) for a community meeting.

Are you interested in furthering racial equity within Seattle Public Schools? ERAC meets virtually once a month on the second Monday from 5–6:30pm. Members discuss current issues within SPS, review data, and make recommendations to the Superintendent. This committee has a rolling deadline for applications. Consider applying today!

Application Due by Friday, February 16

The Seattle Promise scholarship provides up to two years or 90 credits of tuition at Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, or South Seattle College. All Seattle Public School graduates from the Class of 2024 are eligible for Seattle Promise, regardless of GPA, income, or country of birth. Seattle Promise students receive additional year-round support including advising, transfer assistance, and long-term career planning. Our WSHS counselors will be hosting an information night on February 8 (see above). Apply now!

January 13–15

Join the MLK Jr. Coalition for a program that seeks to elevate and give power to black and minority art, music, and culture. The weekend begins with a youth leadership event. It continues with an opportunity fair and workshops and culminates in a rally and march. View the complete schedule of events.

TIPS offers young leaders, ages 15-19 years-old, paid community service internships in local non-profits throughout the Seattle area. The 2024 Internship Application is now open! TIPS is hosting four information sessions via Zoom where you can learn more about the internship experience. The first session is January 10 at 5pm. Register for info sessions.

WSHS Website

WSHS PTSA

ASB Instagram

Athletics * Attendance

Bell Schedule * Calendar

Counseling Center * Library

Teen Health Center

Volunteering

Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama

West Seattle Booster Club

Westside HEY Coalition

If you would like to share news or publicize an event or opportunity relevant to the West Seattle High School community, please contact communications@wshsptsa.org.

https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/calendar-and-news/whats-up-westside/

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