What's Up Westside

• November 17: Key Club Spaghetti Night Fundraiser (6–8pm, WSHS Commons)
• November 17: "The Laramie Project" Closing Night (7:30pm, WSHS Theater, Tickets)
• November 19: Community Meeting with SPS Director Leslie Harris (2–5pm, High Point Library)
• November 21: Winter Production Information Meeting (3:45pm, WSHS Theater)
• November 23: No School, Thanksgiving
• November 24: No School, Native American Heritage Day
• November 27: Yearbook Sales Reopening
• December 6: Counseling Center Financial Aid Night (6:30–8pm, WSHS Library or Join via Microsoft Teams)
  

Friday, November 17, 6–8pm, WSHS Commons

Join Key Club for a safari-themed evening of food, games, and bingo. Tickets ($10) may be purchased at the door.

Friday, November 17, 7:30pm, WSHS Theater

Last chance to see the WSHS production of "The Laramie Project," a deeply complex portrait of a community’s response to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man living in Laramie, Wyoming. Get your tickets now! Can't make it in person? Virtual tickets are available for this performance.

Donate new or gently-used coats, hats, and other cold weather clothes for Wildcats and their families in need. Donation bins are located in front of the school store. The homeroom with the most donations wins a donut party for their class!

Our Care Coordinator, Stacey Fernandez, is organizing a Thanksgiving Gift Card Fund. Your donations will go directly towards providing WSHS students and families with items to meet their basic needs, including food, warm clothing, and personal hygiene supplies. No donation is too small. Give today!

Wednesday, December 6, 6:30–8pm, WSHS Library or Join via Microsoft Teams

Counselors will walk families through paying for college and completing the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are lots of changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, so even if you’ve submitted one before, you will want to hear about the updates.

Yes, the WSHS PTSA board still needs a secretary, legislative chair, and Racial Equity Team representative. What's holding you back?

• Time commitment? It's only 1 or 2 meetings per month with a fun, dedicated group.
• Don't feel qualified? We are all parents doing our best, and there's training available.
• Not sure you can take it on alone? Co-sharing of positions is allowed!
• You've been burned by PTA before? High school PTA is a different experience, and parental involvement is still necessary.

Join us at our next board meeting on Tuesday, December 5, at 6pm in the WSHS Library to see what you're missing! If interested, please email president@wshsptsa.org.

December 13, 7–8:30pm, via Zoom

Join key leaders of the Washington State Legislature for a preview of priorities for the 2024 Legislative Session.

Monday, January 15, 2024

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 Action Network.

Tuesday, November 21, 3:45pm, WSHS Theater

The drama department's winter production is "Almost, Maine," a series of nine vignettes about love and loss in a remote town of Maine, with a touch of magic realism. If you are interested in participating on stage or behind the scenes, please come to the information meeting!

Our band, orchestra, jazz ensembles, drumline, and choir are all growing! We raise funds to purchase new instruments, repair worn-out equipment, update our music library, and fund field trips. In addition, we are planning to replace the acoustic sound shells in our theater. Help support the growth of our music program, provide unforgettable opportunities for students, and ensure that our program is equitable for every student! Donate today!

Tuesday, December 12, 7pm, WSHS Theater

Come hear Jazz Ensembles I and II in concert under the direction of Mr. Ethan Thomas.

Wednesday, December 13, 7pm, WSHS Theater

Come hear the Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Choir in concert under the direction of Mr. Taylor Fritts.

Thursday, December 14, 7pm, WSHS Theater

Come hear the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble in concert under the direction of Mr. Ethan Thomas.

• November 17: Bowling vs. Chief Sealth (3pm, West Seattle Bowl)
  
• November 20: Bowling vs. Garfield (3pm, West Seattle Bowl)
  

Congratulations to the WSHS Volleyball team, which earned the #6 rank in the State 3A tournament! Unfortunately, the team lost two games to Shorewood and Peninsula on Friday, ending a fantastic season.

Saturday, December 2, 6–9pm, Easy Street Records

Celebrate and support the boys basketball players and program with dinner, music, and a silent auction. Get your tickets now!

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

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

• 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
• Senior Recommendation Packet

Sunday, November 19, 2–5pm, High Point Library

Join School Board Director Leslie Harris (District 6) for her final community meeting. Lasagna will be provided.

Applications Due February 16, 2024

The Seattle Promise Scholarship is open to all SPS graduates and provides up to two years or 90 credits of tuition at Seattle Central College, North Seattle College, or South Seattle College. All SPS graduates are eligible to apply for the Seattle Promise Scholarship, regardless of GPA, income, ability, or country of birth. Apply now!

Wednesday, November 22, 5–8pm, SafeFutures Youth Center (6337 35th Avenue SW)

Enjoy a night of fun, food, and games. Sign up now!

November 24–26, 10am–7pm, Duwamish Longhouse

Visit the Duwamish Longhouse, enjoy Duwamish foods, and buy work from local Native artists.

Seattle JazzED is your home for excellent music education. Students in grades 8 to 12 can sign up for Exploration ensembles, including Drumline and New Works. No auditions are required. Seattle JazzED is committed to their programs being financially accessible for ALL families. Sliding scale tuition is offered. Learn more and register.

Due Monday, March 4, 2024

Teens in Public Service is a nonprofit dedicated to developing young leaders committed to their communities. TIPS hires teen leaders for paid community service internships and pairs them with nonprofit organizations over the summer. Apply now!

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.

Find past issues of the newsletter at:

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

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