What's Up Westside

• Feb 7 - 1st Semester Report Cards Sent Home
• Feb 8 - Seattle School Levy Ballots Due
• Feb 9 - ASB Fundraiser Dine Out at Chipotle
• Feb 12 - Saturday School - Washington State History Make Up
• Feb 21-25 - NO SCHOOL - Mid-Winter Break

With the start of the new semester and the reduction in Covid infections(see comments below), I am feeling hopeful for a strong second half of the school year. The whirlwind from the return from winter break is subsiding as we settle into our classes for semester 2.

With this being the first week of Black History Month, I want to provide resources to families focused on Black Excellence and Black History. Here are a couple:

1. https://www.dcareaeducators4socialjustice.org/black-lives-matter/multilingual-resources;
2. https://www.learningforjustice.org/

Some of the ways we are celebrating are through lessons in our classes and using our "Wildcat Wednesday" broadcasts to highlight Black Excellence. HERE is some framing and a link to our district strategic plan to better understand the work we do each and every day to support our students' success.

In other notes from my end, I want to clarify some of the Covid data that indicated a rise in cases in the latest upload of data on the district dashboard. This jump is representing a lag in data being processed for that particular dashboard. We have been experiencing steady reductions in the number of reported Covid cases for the past 2 weeks.

Big congrats to our Cheer Team and Bowling Team as they both are competing in State level competitions this week. Our other winter sports are heading into their end of season competitions and playoffs, so we wish all our Wildcats the best as they close out the winter seasons.

One last note, with our "What's Up Westside" newsletter up and running, I want to clarify how to access. I will be sending the link to all families via text message(TalkingPoints) every other Friday. We will also post the links for the most recent and past newsletters on our main webpage in the Calendar and News tab. We will not be sending out via email, so if you work best with emails, you can find the link via our website and access that way.

As mentioned above, let's keep positive, safe and hopeful, as we move through February. 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.

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 due February 8.

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!

SATURDAY SCHOOL - WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MAKE UP

February 12th, 9am-12pm, in the WSHS Library, we are hosting Saturday School for students that have not completed Washington State History.

Washington State History is a graduation requirement.

90% of our students completed the course in middle school, but for the students that lived out of state, or attended private school, they must complete our session to meet the state's requirement.

If you have additional questions about the Washington State History requirement, please contact our Academic Intervention Specialist, Sandi Whiton by email at: sswhiton@seattleschools.org

SAT STUDENT/FAMILY SURVEY

SPS leadership would like to hear from students and families in order to best inform decisions about school-day SAT testing. Please add your input by February 9th at midnight. Completing the survey should take approximately 3 minutes.

SAT Student/Family Survey

Your support in facilitating the survey is much appreciated.

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

Registration is underway for the 2022-2023 school year! The window for online registration opened February 2nd and will remain open through February 16th. To access course catalogs, option sheets, and instructions you can visit https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/resources/counseling-center/

New to WSHS, or just looking to make some new friends? Join the “Fun Time Lunch Time” crew in the ASB room (north side of the Commons) to play games, socialize, and meet new people. The room will be open every Thursday during both lunches starting February 10th.

Seniors- the Seattle Promise deadline has been extended to March 1st! By that date, you need to have completed your scholarship application, applied to your campus of choice (South, Central or North Seattle Colleges) as well as submitted your FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov). Contact Seattle Promise liaison Bradly Lewellen with any questions, bradly.lewellen@seattlecolleges.edu

ASB ANNOUNCEMENTS

• February 9th Chipotle fundraiser supporting ASB. Order online using the code WG9TK4K or order in person and just tell them you are with West Seattle. This will be at the Chipotle on California Ave from 5-9 pm.
• A huge thank you to everyone who donated to our reusable water bottle drive. We will be sanitizing and preparing them for distribution to students who need them this week.
• We have been given the green light from district to have our Senior Prom this year. ASB seniors are currently working on securing a venue. More details to follow.
• Senior class meeting February 16th during Advisory. We will have prom announcements, yearbook superlative votes, senior standout nominations, and an attempt at another class photo.

ORDER YOUR 2021-2022 YEARBOOK

Remember to order this year’s yearbook! It’s $55 each and here is the direct link to purchase: https://schoolpay.com/link/2122wshskimtah

DRAMA DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENTS

We have cast our Spring Musical - "The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical" and rehearsals have begun. Mark you calendars for Performances: March 31, April 1, 2, 6, 7, 8

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

Winter sports are winding down. The end of our winter season is February 18th.

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

Get ready for Spring 2022 Season: February 28 – May 27

• Boys Baseball
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Softball (Fastpitch and Slowpitch)
• Tennis (co-ed)
• Track and Field (co-ed)

Athletic Registration for all sports for the 2021-2022 school year is now open.

Please follow the Athletic Registration directions. Complete online Registration, Fees and Physical Forms to get Final Athletic Clearance with the Athletic Department.

Are you a student playing baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, or track this spring? Come to the health center to get your sports physical! A new physical is due every two years and is required to play. Text the Teen Health Center at 206-471-6263 or come by room 127 to schedule your appointment.

Interested in Girls/Gx Ultimate Frisbee?

Westside Ultimate is thrilled to put together a Spring High School Girls/Gx team for the first time in memory! Spring season is a single gendered league, with players that identify as female, or non-binary wishing to play on a female identifying team, and that are in 9th-12th grade.

Visit our website to read all the details and learn how to register - westsideultimate.org.

Please invite any Girls/Gx players from the West Seattle area that would like to see what Westside Ultimate is all about! If you have questions, concerns, etc, please reach us at wshsfrisbee@gmail.com

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!

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/

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

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/

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

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