What's Up Westside

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. But Native American Heritage is more than a month. This is a time to educate our school community about tribes, raise awareness about their many contributions, and highlight how tribal citizens and Nations work to improve the lives of all people, both tribal and nontribal. Read more.

• November 4: Saturday Study Hall (9am–12pm, WSHS Library)
  
• November 4: PTSA Tailgate Auction (6–9pm, Dakota Place Park)
• November 7: PTSA First Tuesdays Parent Social (6–8pm, Larry's Tavern)
• November 8: AP Exam Registration and Payment Due
  
• November 8: End of First Quarter
• November 9: The Laramie Project Opening Night (7:30pm, WSHS Theater, Tickets)
• November 10: No School, Veterans Day
• November 14: West Seattle Booster Club Meeting (7–8pm, WSHS Library)
• November 15: Senior Quote Due
• November 16: Racial Equity Team Meeting (4–5:30pm, WSHS Library)

• November 17: Key Club Spaghetti Night Fundraiser (6pm, WSHS Commons)

Remember to fall back this weekend as we continue to move forward as a school community. There have been so many great things happening this past month. Our fall sports teams are into the post-season with several teams and individuals performing at high levels in league and district tournaments. Our drama program is gearing up for opening night of the Laramie Project this Thursday. Our band played at the junction during the fall farmers market last weekend. Also, you can read the story below of our Unified Athletics Ambassadors, something we are very proud of as well. Everyday I have the opportunity to find joy in our students and their achievements as scholars and as citizens. So, let's keep the good times rolling into November. Get out and support our students! Go Wildcats!

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. With your help, we will offer comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging to an inclusive learning community that welcomes and cares for ALL of our students. No donation is too small. Give today!

SPS students are required to take Visual and Performing Art credits to graduate but there is no additional funding provided from the District for art supplies! WSHS needs to fund art supplies—such as canvas, acrylic and watercolor paint, graphite pencils, drawing paper, clay, glazes, and replacing our old pottery wheels and kilns—through donations from our families and the community. Any amount will help. Give today!

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

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at this fun evening of raising money to support our students and staff. Wear your favorite sports jersey, bid on amazing items, savor food by our culinary students, and enjoy a night out with friends old and new!

Tuesday, November 7, 6–8pm, 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 6–8pm to greet you. All are welcome! You do not have to be a PTSA member to attend.

November 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17, 7:30pm, WSHS Theater

Come 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 the final three performances.

Tuesday, November 14, 7–8pm, WSHS Library

West Seattle Booster Club is a nonprofit organization that supports all athletic programs at WSHS. Come learn how you can help support our student athletes.

Thursday, November 16, 4–5:30pm, WSHS Library

The Racial Equity Team is a working group comprised of staff, administrators, and family members that works towards improving the culture at WSHS and ensuring that racial equity is at the forefront of decisions being made on campus. Parents and guardians are invited to attend RET meetings to provide feedback on concerns they have surrounding racial equity.

WSHS sophomores Lizzy Greene and Izzy McKamey were selected as a Unified Pair for Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassadors. They are working with Special Olympics North America and 10 other pairs of Youth Ambassadors to help promote inclusion in schools throughout the U.S. The two recently spent four days in Washington, D.C., learning from previous youth leaders and developing connections for the next two years of work. Read more.

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.

Due Wednesday, November 15

Submit your quote by logging in with your SPS email address. Choose your words wisely! No profanity or inappropriate content. Read all the details at Yearbook Senior Deadlines.

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.

Friday, November 17, 6pm, WSHS Commons

Mark your calendars for a safari-themed evening of food, games, and bingo to support the Key Club. Tickets ($10) may be purchased in advance via SchoolPay, during lunch at school beginning November 13, and at the door.

Application Due February 15, 2024

Washington State PTA (WSPTA) offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools with an active PTA, who will be starting college (either two-year or four-year) in the fall. Read detailed program requirements and submit a scholarship application through the online form.

Application Due February 15, 2024

The objective of this contest is for students of all ages and abilities to write an essay about an influential role model that has had a profound impact on their life. The influential role model must be a real person that the student has interacted with, not a fictional character. These essays, from the students’ perspectives, will serve to inspire and acknowledge amazing individuals. Get detailed contest guidelines and apply online.

• 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.

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)

Wednesday, December 6, 6:30–8pm, Location TBD 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
• Senior Recommendation Packet

Good luck to all of our Fall sports teams in the post season!

• November 3: Girls Swim District Finals (6pm, Mary Wayte Pool, Tickets)
  
• November 4: Girls Dive District Championship (9:30am, Juanita High School, Tickets)
• November 4: Volleyball vs. Eastside Catholic (10:15am, Chief Sealth HS, Tickets)
• November 4: Cross Country State Championship (Sun Willows Golf Course)
• November 4: Football vs. Mt. Tahoma (7pm, Mount Tahoma HS)

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

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.

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.

Students can learn how to apply for the Seattle Promise scholarship by attending an interpreted Zoom workshop:

• Amharic and English, Wednesday, November 8, 5:30–7:30pm
• Cantonese and English, Thursday, November 9, 5:30–7:30pm
• Somali and English, Monday, November 13, 5:30–7:30pm
• Spanish and English, Tuesday, November 14, 5:30–7:30pm

• Vietnamese and English, Wednesday, November 15, 5:30–7:30pm
• Tigrinya and English, Thursday, November 16, 5:30–7:30pm

Applications Due Sunday, November 5, 11:45pm

The Seattle Youth Commission is a group of 15 youth who live or go to school in Seattle. Members are appointed by the City Council and meet twice a month to explore the issues affecting Seattle youth. Commissioners learn about issues affecting young people through research and conversations with community members and elected officials. They can then make recommendations regarding these issues to City leaders. BIPOC youth are especially encouraged to apply. Apply now!

Now Through January 15, 2024

All Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status, are able to purchase health and dental insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder. Navigators can answer your questions and get you enrolled; call (800) 756-5437.

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/

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