What's Up Westside

Join us as we recognize, honor, and celebrate the incredible contributions and achievements of Black people around the world, nation, in our communities, and in our schools!

• February 2: Food Drive (7pm, WSHS Gym)
  
• February 5: Pan African Flag Raising Ceremony (John Stanford Center)

• February 5–9: Black Lives Matter at School: Week of Action

• February 6: Central Washington University Application Workshop (11:45am, Room 135)

• February 6: Boys Soccer Interest Meeting (6–7:30pm, WSHS Library)

• February 6: First Tuesdays Parent Social (6–7:30 pm, Larry's Tavern)
• February 7: Senior Meeting (1:10pm, WSHS Theater)
• February 7: School Board Meeting (4:15pm, John Stanford Center)
• February 8: Seattle Promise Info Night (6:30pm, WSHS Library)
• February 9: Lunar New Year Celebration (7–8:30pm, WSHS Theater)

In this month's newsletter, I want to take a minute to reflect on the recent death of a Chief Sealth student from gun violence. We all feel the heartbreak around tragedies like this involving our young people. Too many times we have had to send a note with information around how to support students faced with the sudden loss of a peer. Let us continue to lift up, support and bring into community all of our students across West Seattle and across our entire City. I am attaching below some resources to help in those tough conversations. I look forward to the day we no longer will need them.

• When Grief/Loss Hits Close to Home: Tips for Caregivers ·
• SPS Coordinated School Health Mental Health Resources ·
• How to help a grieving teen ·
• Crisis Connections provides a 24-hour crisis line 866-427-4747 or Teen Link 866-833-6546.

Please help us collect non-perishable food items for the WSHS student pantry. Bring your donations to the final home basketball games of the season vs. Chief Sealth.

February 5–9

Classrooms will be decorating their doors highlighting a Black/African American leader. Teachers will be presenting mini-lessons regarding Black History/Black Excellence. Black Student Union will be sharing information and facts about local (WA State) Black Leaders. Staff will also be wearing BLM gear throughout the week to showcase their support of this week of action.

Tuesday, February 6, 11:45am–12:45pm, Room 135

Are you a senior interested in applying to CWU? Stop by the College and Career Office to register for this workshop. Bring your lunch and laptop to work on your application and receive help from a CWU admissions representative.

Wednesday, February 6, 6–7:30pm, WSHS Library
Interested in joining our Spring Boys Soccer team? Players and their families are invited to meet the coaches and get information about the season. In addition, we welcome students who are interested in being student managers, as well as anyone interested in joining Boys and Girls soccer boosters.

Tuesday, February 6, 6–7:30pm, Larry's Tavern (3405 California Ave SW)

Socialize with other WSHS parents while benefitting our students! Every first Tuesday of the month, Larry’s Tavern donates partial proceeds to the WSHS PTSA. Board members will be available to greet you. All are welcome! You do not have to be a PTSA member to attend.

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

Join our WSHS counselors for this valuable event focused on guiding you through the Seattle Promise application and providing insights into the FAFSA/WASFA application process. Seattle Promise provides up to two years (or 90 college credits) of free tuition at North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, or South Seattle College, as well as wraparound support to ensure you succeed. FAFSA and WASFA are the applications for federal and state financial aid. This in-person workshop will offer hands-on assistance to complete these applications. Our team will be there to answer questions and support you throughout.

Friday, February 9, 7–8:30pm, WSHS Theater

All WSHS families are invited to wear your best red (for luck) and join the festivities to welcome the Year of the Dragon! The program includes lion dancing, traditional music, and a student fashion show. There will be a Lunar New Year Fair in the Commons featuring cultural displays, games/activities, and Asian food. Admission is free. This event is presented by students from the WSHS Chinese Program and AAPI Club, with sponsorship by the WSHS and Madison PTSAs.

Friday, March 22, 6–8:30pm

The student-led Multi-Cultural Night Planning Committee needs your help! We are working to stretch our budget for this event. We are looking for members of our community who have connections to culturally representative foods, arts, and crafts. Please contact Stacey Fernandez if you can help. In addition, our decorations committee has compiled a wish list. Please consider purchasing items directly from the list and using "Stacey Fernandez's Gift Registry Address" for shipping.

Deadline is Thursday, February 15.

Washington State PTA (WSPTA) offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools with an active PTSA, who will be starting college (either two-year or four-year) in the fall. Don't miss out on these amazing opportunities for Washington students! View requirements and apply.

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

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.

• 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

• February 2–3: 3A Girls State Bowling Championship (8:45am, Bowlero, Tukwila, Tickets)
  
• February 2: Cheerleading State Championship (3pm, Battle Ground HS, Tickets)
  
• February 2: Gymnastics Meet (7pm, Ballard HS)
• February 2: Girls Basketball vs. Chief Sealth (7pm, WSHS)
  
• February 2: Boys Basketball vs. Chief Sealth (8:30pm, WSHS)
  
• February 3: Gymnastics All-Comers Meet (10am, Ballard HS)
  
• February 3–4: 3A Metro Boys Wrestling Tournament (Chief Sealth HS)
• February 8: District 2 3A Boys Swim Prelims (11:30am, Mary Wayte Pool)
• February 9: Gymnastics Post-Season Meet (4pm, Nathan Hale HS)
• February 9: District 2 3A Boys Swim Championships (6pm, Mary Wayte Pool)
• February 10: District 2 3A Boys Dive Championships (9:30am, Juanita HS)

Sunday, February 5, 9–11:45am, Southwest Athletic Complex, Upper Field

The WSHS softball teams is hosting its annual skills camp with West Seattle Little League. The morning will be split between two groups:

• 9–10:15am: Rookies and Minors (League Age 7-10) for beginners or those newer to softball
• 10:30–11:45am: Majors and Juniors (League Age 11-14) for advanced players or those with 2+ years of experience in softball

Saturday, February 10, 3–5pm, Medgar Evers Pool

West Seattle Water Polo is holding a fundraiser! Come support our players as they attempt to tread water for 100 minutes. Please consider a donation through the West Seattle Booster Club (be sure to put "Water Polo" in the notes!)

[NEW DATE] Monday, February 12, 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.

Thursday, February 15, 2–10pm, Zeek's Pizza and Beer Star

Support the Lacrosse club by visiting Zeek's Pizza and Beer Star in White Center. Be sure to mention West Seattle Lacrosse so that a portion of your purchase goes to the club!

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

Thursday, February 29, 6:30pm, WSHS Theater

Examine the impact of our digital age on teens' decision-making in relation to substances such as vaping, drugs, and alcohol.

Wednesday, February 7, 4:15–8:30pm, John Stanford Center

Beginning at 8am on Monday, February 5, members of the public can sign up to address the board in person or by teleconference. View the agenda. The meeting will also be live streamed on SPSTV.

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!

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!

Next year's school year calendar has been approved, and key dates are now posted to the district website. The first day of school for grades 1–12 will be Wednesday, September 4.

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.

The University of Washington’s Youth & Teen Programs offers the following after-school online classes for 9th to 12th graders:

• Architectural Studies
• Writers Workshop
• Writing Arguments That Matter

For course dates, time and registration details visit the Spring 2024 page.

WSHS Website

WSHS PTSA

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West Seattle Booster Club

Westside HEY Coalition

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

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