What's Up Westside

• Jan 19, 20, 21 - School Play "The Nerd" - live stream
• Jan 22 - Saturday Study Hall
• Jan 25, 26, 27 - First Semester Final Exams - modified schedule
• Jan 28 - Start of Second Semester
• Feb 8 - Seattle School Levy Ballots Due

Stay positive, Test negative. I was hoping to stop using that phrase a long time ago. This is as relevant now as it was in 2020. So, in staying positive, I am encouraged by our recent trend in reduced numbers of staff and student absences at WSHS. I do not want to speak too soon, but as of the writing of this on Wednesday, our attendance rate of over 85% for students is in line with numbers back in early December and November. So, I will hold onto hope. Although our winter performances and winter sports audiences have been shut down for the past couple of weeks, I am again optimistic that some of our current no audience protocols will change in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, please support our students by watching through our youtube live for basketball games and streaming for our student directed play, The Nerd. Details for both of those are in the newsletter below. We are also heading towards the end of the semester next week. Please encourage your student to double check with their teachers and on The Source and Schoology to make sure they are caught up. We are hosting a Saturday study hall this weekend and next week we have a modified finals schedule for January 25-27. Let's finish off the semester strong and in good health! Go Wildcats!

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.

And reference the district website for more information: https://www.seattleschools.org/news/responding-to-cases-or-symptoms/

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

The West Seattle Teen Health Center is open for appointments! The Health Center is located in West Seattle High School and offers medical appointments including: vaccines, sports physicals, check ups, injury care, and more! We're able to serve any Seattle Public School student and no bill will ever come back to the student or family. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. You can call us at 206-658-8048, email us at hannas@neighborcare.org or text us at 206-471-6263.

SATURDAY STUDY HALL January 22nd, 9am-12pm in the WSHS Library

We'll be hosting Saturday School to help students finish out the first semester on a high note. Check grades on the Source. If your student has a D, E, or I in any subject, encourage them to take advantage of this resource. For questions about Saturday Study Hall contact Sandi Whiton, Academic Intervention Specialist at sswhiton@seattleschools.org

For questions about specific classes contact teachers directly. All teacher emails can be found on the school website https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/staff/

SCHOOL January 27th

The day between semesters will be used as a make up day. Classes will be in session January 27th rather than a day off.

MODIFIED FINALS SCHEDULE

Semester 1 Finals will follow a modified schedule Tues., Wed., Thurs., Jan. 25th, 26th, 27th. To see the schedule: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/news/2022-january-wshs-finals-schedule/

SEATTLE SCHOOLS LEVY VOTE

PLEASE VOTE ON THE UPCOMING CAPITAL LEVY BY FEBRUARY 8, 2022

Seattle voters will soon consider renewing two levies that continue funding for our students, staff, and schools. Ballots will be mailed this week for the February 8 election.

Propositions 1 and 2 replace current levies that expire later this year. These levies help bridge the gap between what the state funds for our schools and what it actually costs to support our SPS students.

On the ballot:

· Proposition 1: Educational Programs & Operations Levy Renewal continues funding for day-to-day operations, staffing positions, academic programs and student opportunities that are not fully funded by the state.

· Proposition 2: Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics Levy Renewal continues our investment in school buildings and technology, so every SPS student has access to a safe, welcoming learning environment.

LEARN HOW THESE LEVIES HELP MEET SPS GOALS

Please remember to vote!

DRAMA DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENTS

The Student Directed Show - "The Nerd" - running January 19th, 20th, and 21st - Livestream

Due to COVID restrictions, we cannot have a live in-person audience for this show. The good news is you can catch "The Nerd" from virtually from anywhere via a multi-camera livestream. To purchase your ticket and enjoy the final show visit: https://westsidedramalive.anywhereseat.com/channel.php?ludus=1

For more general information and an opportunity to make a donation, please visit our website at: https://sites.google.com/westsidedrama.com/wshsdrama/home

Rescheduled Concert and Symphonic Band Winter Concert:

Prior to the Winter Break the Concert and Symphonic Band Winter Concert was postponed. We are hoping to reschedule for sometime in February (date TBD), but went ahead and recorded our concert in the theater during class on Friday, January 7th. We wanted to give you an opportunity to hear what we have been working on, and present to you our Holiday pieces that we will not be performing at our rescheduled concert.

Link to our Recorded Concert and Symphonic Band Winter Concert: https://youtu.be/r5jBSyqvrmg

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

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!

PARENTING SUPPORT and MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

ICYMI: At our Jan 19th meeting, "Parenting in a Pandemic: Reestablishing Parenting Foundations" Jen Giomi shared Sound Discipline parenting resources and our counseling team shared mental health support resources. Those resources, as well as a recording of Jen's presentation can be found on our website: http://wshsptsa.org/mental-health-resources

WSPTA GAME DEVELOPMENT COMPETITION

The WSPTA Game Development Competition is a STEM-based program designed to encourage and support student success. Students may participate and share their knowledge and creativity based on this year’s theme: Changing the World. The deadline date for submissions is March 1, 2022. For rules and information, see the WSPTA webpage at https://wastatepta.org/events-programs/game-competition/https://wastatepta.org/events-programs/game-competition/.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be a part of making WSHS the school community you want! Become a Member of the PTSA and make a PTSA Direct Give Donation that 100% directly supports our staff and students at: http://wshsptsa.org/

Counselor Caseload Shift

Counselor caseloads are shifting a bit at the start of the new semester, to accommodate increased enrollment at WSHS this year. Alpha assignments will be as follows:

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

2022-2023 Registration

During the week of January 10th, all 9th-11th grade students reviewed their transcripts and progress toward graduation in their social studies classes. Registration will go live on Wednesday, February 2nd and continue through the month of February with students completing registration activities through their advisory classes.

Special for Seniors

• Did you hear the news? The service learning requirement for graduation has been WAIVED for this year’s senior class. If you’re volunteering, you can continue to log your hours for college applications and scholarships but you will not be required to turn them in for graduation.

• The deadline for the Seattle Promise Scholarship application has been EXTENDED to March 1st! The Seattle Promise will cover 90 credits’ worth of tuition at any of the Seattle Colleges (South, Central or North Seattle). Learn more about the scholarship and apply online here: https://www.seattlecolleges.edu/promise

No Spectators

All sporting events are being livestreamed

For more information go to our website: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/student-life/athletics/wshs-winter-sports-2021-2022/

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

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