What's Up Westside

• October 21: Homecoming Dance (8–11pm, WSHS Gym)
• October 23–27: School Day PSAT (11th grade only, WSHS Library)
• October 24: Drama Club Winter Play Information Meeting (11:45am, Mr. Wiener's Room)
• October 24: PTSA Presents: Planning for Life After High School (6–8pm, WSHS Library)
  
• October 30: WSHS Fall Fest (4:30–7pm, WSHS Courtyard)
• November 2: Counseling Center College 101 (6:30–7:30pm, WSHS Library)
• November 2: First Thursdays Parent Group (6:30–8pm, Room 105)
• November 4: Saturday Study Hall (9am–12pm, WSHS Library)
• November 4: PTSA Tailgate Auction (Get your tickets now!)
• November 8: AP Exam Registration and Payment Due
• November 10: No School, Veterans Day

College Board announced that West Seattle High School has been named to the Advanced Placement Program School Honor Roll, earning silver distinction. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that are committed to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.

In 2022-2023, a total of 800 students were enrolled in 17 AP courses offered at WSHS. In 2023, WSHS students took a total of 683 AP exams, with 75% earning a score of 3 or higher. The graduating class of 2023 took 267 AP exams. Out of the seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school, 72% earned a score of 3 or higher, and 35 seniors scored a perfect score of 5!

Tuesday, October 24, 6–8pm, WSHS Library

No matter where your student is in the process—just starting out as a freshman or getting ready to launch as a senior—setting them up for success is our common goal. Come hear from our school counselors about graduation requirements and the many options available after high school. You'll learn about career and college readiness programs offered at Seattle schools as well as community resources. Parents who have been through the process will share what they learned along the way.

Monday, October 30, 4:30–7pm, WSHS Courtyard

Fun for the whole family! Halloween-themed carnival games, food, and a movie. Entry is free, but bring money for game tickets and concessions. All funds support the sophomore class of 2026.

Thursday, November 2, 6:30–7:30pm, WSHS Library or Join via Microsoft Teams

Counselors will dive into the college selection and application process.

Thursday, November 2, 6:30–8pm, Room 105

Parents and guardians are welcome to drop in occasionally or come every month. We are tackling the tough topics as we prepare for the holidays that celebrate family. Join us in building a community of caring, supportive parents. Guided by Crissa Parsley, WSHS Social Worker. Register by emailing Donna Kelly.

Saturday, November 4, 6–9pm, Dakota Place Park

Enjoy a fun night out while supporting your favorite team—the Wildcats! We have a wide array of items for you to bid on. Check out the catalog and get your tickets to The Tailgate auction today! All funds raised will go towards academic supports for students and staff that are not covered by state funding.

Saturday, October 21, 8–11pm (no entry after 9:30pm), WSHS Gym

Join your peers for a night of ghoulish dancing to celebrate our annual Homecoming week. Get creative with your costumes, but be sure to follow the school dress code (no masks and no fake weapons).

October 23–27, WSHS Library

WSHS is offering the PSAT to all Juniors through their ELA classes beginning next week. If you do not have an ELA class at WSHS, we have rescheduled your test date to Friday, October 27. This test is completely optional. Please read the document below for details; email testing coordinator Amy Doll with further questions.

Do you want to support students with finding a career they love? WSHS is committed to expanding access to work-based learning opportunities. We are looking for partners in the community who can:

• participate in career fairs
• visit a classroom or schools as a career speaker
• open work locations for workplace tours or field trips
  
• offer a job shadow experience
• offer an internship, a registered apprenticeship, or a clinical experience

We are seeking representatives from all jobs, careers, and industries! Please complete the interest form. For more information, email Brian Fitzgerald, Career Connected Learning Coordinator.

Saturday, November 4, 9am-12pm, WSHS Library

The first quarter ends on November 8! Please check your student’s grades on The Source; if they have a D or E in any subject, encourage them to attend Saturday Study Hall. Tutors will be available to help, and students can retake tests or complete missing work. Breakfast will be served.

If you have any questions about Saturday Study Hall, please email Amy Doll. If you have questions about a specific class, current grade, missing work, or incomplete assignment, please contact the teacher directly.

Due Wednesday, November 8

Students who are currently enrolled in AP courses at WSHS and who wish to take the AP exam in May must register with the College Board, join the class section, and pay for the exam via SchoolPay. Please visit the SPS webpage on AP Exams Schedule and Registration for details. Email Amy Doll with registration and payment questions.

Through Friday, November 17

The WSHS Feminist Club and Red Cross Club are teaming up to collect tampons, pads, menstrual cups, panty liners, and wipes to be donated to Mary's Place. Drop off locations are in Rooms 105, 240, and 260.

• Counselor Letter of Recommendation Packet due three weeks before your college deadline. Your counselor needs time to review your academic record, collect teacher evaluation forms, and write a thoughtful letter of recommendation.
• Senior Quote due November 15. Log in with your Seattle Schools email address. Choose your words wisely!
• Cap & Gown Order due December 15. Required to participate in the graduation ceremony! If you have access to an old cap and gown, you are welcome to wear it; you only need to order the 2024 tassel and stole. If finances are an issue, please email Stacey Fernandez, our Care Coordinator, to see about options to borrow or get a new gown ordered.
• Senior Portrait and Baby Photo due January 15 (Enter School Code "west seattle")
• Adult Shoutout due January 31. Leave a brief message for your Senior!

Due Friday, December 1

The WSHS PTSA is pleased to fund mini-grants to support teaching and learning at WSHS. Funding priority is given to projects, tools, or materials that:

1. Have a lasting impact on teaching and learning;
2. Are likely to positively impact the school’s Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) goals (including the school’s equity goals);
3. Benefit a greater number of WSHS students;
4. Solve a problem or meet a need not currently met, and receive little or no funding from Seattle Public Schools or other sources.

Grants are available to teachers, students, school employees (including support staff), and school volunteers. Grants can be used to fund the purchase of equipment, supplies or other tangible goods (excluding stipends, hourly pay for staff, or transportation). Please see the application below for details. Questions? Please email Amy Doll.

• Legislative Chair: Are you a passionate advocate for kids? Help the Washington State PTA build its priority list to take to the state legislature and help keep our members informed about local issues.

• Racial Equity Team Representative: Are you a concerned voice for diversity, equity and inclusion? Support the work of the staff's Racial Equity Team.

• Secretary: Are you looking for an easy way to get involved? Attend and keep minutes at all membership and board meetings.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Save the date for the annual West Seattle 5K! We are currently forming a committee to help plan this year's event with co-chairs Kelley O’Connor, Athena Frederick, and Amy Huey. Interested? Please email westseattle5k@westseattle5k.com.

Thank you to the Class of 2026 representatives who attended the PTSA Board's November meeting!

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

The following schools will be visiting WSHS:

• Willamette University, October 24 at 11:45am
  
• Vassar College, October 25 at 1pm
  
• Knox College, October 27 at 11:45am

Interested students, please email Ms. Stacey at stfernandez@seattleschools.org. Sign-up sheets are also located outside the counselors' offices.

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.

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

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

The Westside Healthy Youth Empowered (HEY) Coalition is a community partner of West Seattle High School to address and prevent substance abuse.

If you missed the recent parent education night, here are some tips to help you talk with your teens about making healthy choices.

• Ask who, what, where, and when: Know the evening's plan and have a clear back-up.
• Set clear, specific, and consistent expectations, including the use of drugs and alcohol.
• Use "PRIUS" for tough conversations: P–start with a positive. R–recognize effort. I–use "I" statements to exress concern. U–offer understanding. S - share responsibility (work together to make a plan).

October 23–31

• Use Red Ribbon Week as an opportunity to continue talking to your kids about drugs.
• Secure and take inventory of your medicine cabinet to prevent prescription drug abuse.
• Get to know the parents of your children's friends. Work together to set boundaries and monitor behavior.
  

Saturday, October 28, 10am–2pm, Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster)

Dispose of your unneeded prescription drugs in a safe, convenient, and responsible way!

We are interested in your opinions about youth substance use in our community. Please take the time to fill out the 2023 Community Survey. Your responses will help inform and improve prevention programs for youth in our community.

• Community Survey in English
• Community Survey in Spanish

Good luck to all of our Fall sports teams as they enter the post season!

• October 20: Boys Golf Metro Championship (Jefferson Park, 8am)
• October 20: Girls Swim and Dive vs. Chief Sealth (Southwest Community Pool, 4pm)
  
• October 20: Football vs. Nathan Hale (SWAC, 7pm)
• October 23: Volleyball vs. Eastside Catholic (WSHS, 7pm)
• October 24: Girls Soccer Metro 3A Playoffs vs. Ingraham (Walt Hundley, 4pm)
• October 25: Girls Golf Metro Championship (West Seattle Golf Co., 9:30am)
• October 25: Volleyball vs. Bishop Blanchet (Bishop Blanchet HS, 7pm)
• October 26: Cross Country District Championship (Marymoor Park, 2pm)
• October 27: Girls Dive Metro Prelims (Snohomish Aquatic Center, 9:30am)
• October 27: Girls Swim Metro Prelims (Snohomish Aquatic Center, 4pm)
• October 28: Girls Swim and Dive Metro Finals (Snohomish Aquatic Center, 3:30pm)

View complete WSHS sports schedules.

Due before start of season on Monday, November 13

Athletic registration for the following winter sports is now open:

• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Girls Bowling
• Gymnastics (co-ed)
• Boys Swim and Dive
• Wrestling (co-ed)

Registration is via FinalForms. Student athletes are required to purchase an ASB sticker. Visit the WSHS Athletic Registration page for details.

The West Seattle Lacrosse Club welcomes any West Seattle High School student! No experience necessary to play. Learn a new sport and get involved in our community. Register now: Girls / Boys

Westside Ultimate welcomes any West Seattle High School student! Email wshsfrisbee@gmail.com to get started.

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

Stay up to date with vaccines, including boosters, at SPS vaccination clinics for children and adults. Pre-enrolling for an appointment is required; however, people who walk up may use their cell phone to enroll. These are regional clinics open to all in the SPS community. You do not have to be a student of staff of a particular school to make an appointment.

Find a date and location that is convenient for you and your family or check out these upcoming clinics in West Seattle:

• October 21: Chief Sealth High School, 9am–3pm, registration page.
  

• October 29: Madison Middle School, 9am–3pm, registration page.

Wednesday October 25, 4:15–8:30pm, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

The Seattle School Board welcomes members of the public to the Regular meetings of the Board and dedicates time at these meetings to hear from the public on agenda items and other issues of concern. To sign up for public testimony, members of the public should do one of the following:

• Sign up online starting at 8am on the Monday before the meeting until 4:15pm the day of the meeting or

• Call (206) 252-0040 during that time

Saturday, November 4, 10am–4pm, Rainier Beach High School

Seniors and Juniors, meet one-on-one with HBCUs, other colleges, universities, and educational programs. Bring your transcripts and test scores to get acceptances and scholarships on the spot! Participate in informative seminars and workshops. Access jobs, internships, and career information. This event is free. Register now.

Saturday, November 4, 5–7pm, Meany Middle School

This event is open to LGBTQ+ parents/guardians and their students who attend Seattle Public Schools, as well as LGBTQ+/gender-expansive kids in SPS and their parents/guardians. Expect food, connection, activities for kids, and opportunities to learn about community resources for families. RSVP today!

If you would like to receive more content for SPS LGBTQ+ families, sign up for the mailing list.

Sunday, October 22, 10am-12pm, Lincoln Park

Gain some student service hours while you connect with nature! Help remove invasive plants and make room for native trees and plants. Register and complete the Youth Waiver Form.

Winter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, December 19

This winter quarter, high school students can enroll in the following evening online classes:

• Coding in Java
• Introduction to Data Visualization
• Sharpen Your Writing Skills
• Winter Concert Season: Expanding Your Musical Palate

• WSHS Website
• ASB Instagram
• Athletics
• Attendance
• Bell Schedule
• Calendar
• Counseling Center
• Library
• Teen Health Center
• Volunteering
• Friends of Washington Music & Drama
• West Seattle Booster Club
• Westside HEY Coalition
• WSHS PTSA

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/

Update your communicatons preferences at: http://go.schoolmessenger.com/