What's Up Westside

• September 5 - New Transfer Student (Grade 10-12) Q&A Session (Room 131, 12-1pm)
  
• September 6 - First Day of School
  
• September 19 - School Picture Day
  
• September 19 - PTSA Presents: Meet Your Administrators (School Library, 6-8pm)
  
• September 22 - Yearbook Presale Deadline
• September 26 - SPS Well-Resourced Schools Online Community Meeting (5:30pm)

Start of school is right around the corner. We are getting excited. We had a great welcome event for our incoming 9th graders on Thursday night. The positive energy was noticeable. A few more things to get us prepared:

• Admin Team: We now have three assistant principals, and we are excited to kick off the school year. Welcome to Ms. Megan Claus.

- Ron Knight: Students last names A-Ga

- Megan Claus: Students last names Gi-N

- Nancy Carroll: Students last names O-Z

• Parking: Along with the portables, comes a decrease in the number of available parking spaces. I cannot emphasize enough to have students carpool, take public transportation, walk, ride a bike, etc. We do not have the capacity to reserve spaces or have other major restrictions on who can or cannot park. The few spaces available in the North Parking lot will be strictly reserved for staff. So, again, please think about an alternative plan, especially if your student was thinking about just driving themselves to school.
• Dress Policy Reminders: I am including a link to the district dress policy: https://www.seattleschools.org/about/school-board/policies/3224-student-dress/. The actual policy is very broad. However, one thing to highlight is that students are not supposed to wear items that promote/advertise drugs or alcohol. We try to be discreet when informing students of this and to turn inside-out or cover-up items like this. But any help in heading that off before they get to school, would be greatly appreciated.

• Schedule: We are going to be using the same schedule as last year. You can see it below.
• One Lunch: We are continuing with our one lunch for the 2023-2024 school year. Benefits: There are several benefits for students and staff including time for clubs to meet during lunch, not worrying about not having lunch with classmates or friends, teachers time to collaborate, and a pace to eating lunch that is reasonable. Challenges: There are also challenges and we will need your help in preparing students for the responsibility of some additional time. Please discuss with your student about being a responsible and positive influence in the community and treating our neighboring businesses with respect. All grade levels are allowed off campus for lunch.
• Wednesday and Homeroom: We will still have early dismissals for students on Wednesdays. The other difference on Wednesdays is the extended period 5 called Homeroom. Students will stay in their period 5 class for an additional 30 minutes on Wednesday for the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, class meetings, and career/college programming.
• Portables: Well, good news, bad news here. The good news is that we have four temporary classrooms in our north parking lot. The bad news is that they will not be ready to use until maybe mid-October. We are in the process of trying to figure out how to adjust and pack the additional students projected to be at WSHS (over 1400 right now) into existing spaces. We have a plan, but there may be some classes that will feel very crowded.

This school year's theme is INCLUSION. We will be focused on building systems and interventions and activities that allow everyone in our community to be engaged. There are three big pillars wrapped around this theme of INCLUSION. They are Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and Restorative Practices. Over the school year, I can share resources and more information about each of these areas and what we are focusing on in each one.

We cannot do any of this alone. Go Wildcats!

Principal Vance

9TH GRADE SCHEDULE

8:15-8:50am 9th graders arrive; breakfast in the cafeteria.

8:50am-12:10pm Link Crew Orientation; start in the main gym.

12:10-12:40pm 9th grade lunch.

12:45-1:15pm Closing assembly in the theatre.

10th-12th GRADE SCHEDULE

11:35am-12:40pm Orientation for NEW 10th-12th grade students only in the library.

(Building CLOSED to all continuing 10th-12th grade students until 12:40pm)

12:45-1:15pm 10th-12th grade lunch.

AFTERNOON (for all grades 9-12)

Period 1 class lists will be posted around the school. Students will receive their full class schedule and locker assignment during Period 1.

Period 1: 1:20-2:00pm

Period 2: 2:05-2:20pm

Period 3: 2:25-2:40pm

Period 4: 2:45-3:00pm

Period 5: 3:05-3:20pm

Period 6: 3:25-3:40pm

CLASS SCHEDULES

Students will not receive their official class schedules until the first day of school. Any schedule you may see online in advance should not be considered final. We are still balancing and adjusting classes.

SUPPLY LIST

Given the wide range and diversity of courses, we do not have a supply list. Students should have a pen or pencil, notebooks, and folders or a binder in order to take notes and store handouts. Individual classes may require additional supplies.

NEW STUDENT (GRADES 10-12) Q&A SESSION

Counselors will be hosting an in-person Q&A session for new 10th-12th graders on September 5 from 12-1pm in Room 131. This is an opportunity for students and parents to meet counselors, discuss classes and ask any questions you may have about WSHS. Students will also have a chance to tour the building. If you’d like to attend this session, please RSVP now.

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY

September 19 is school picture day. The school is looking a few volunteers to make it go smoothly. If you are interested in volunteering contact Amy Huber at: aahuber1@seattleschools.org

PTSA PRESENTS: MEET YOUR ADMINISTRATORS

Join us on September 19 at 6pm in the library for the first PTSA event of the year. The administrative team and counselors will introduce themselves and answer your questions as we gear up for a successful academic year. If you would like to submit a question in advance, please send to president@wshsptsa.org. All are welcome! You do not have to be a PTSA member to attend.

YEARBOOK PRESALE

The 2023-2024 yearbook presale is open through September 22. There will be other windows of opportunity to buy a yearbook throughout the year, but now is a great time because they sometimes sell out. Visit https://www.schoolpay.com/link/2024YearbookOrder.

SPS WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOLS ONLINE COMMUNITY MEETING

We hope you will join us for this online meeting on September 26 at 5:30pm. SPS is trying to reimagine a system of well-resourced schools that is safe and equitable. Come be a part of the community conversation!

CURRICULUM NIGHT

Save the date for Curriculum Night on October 12. This is a chance for parents and guardians to go through your student’s class schedule. During each period, teachers will introduce their course and share classroom expectations.

SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD STUDENT MEMBERS

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Seattle School Board student members, including Lola van der Neut, a senior at West Seattle High School!

FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

All families are encouraged to complete the Family Income Survey and/or the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch form, if applicable. In addition to meals, students may also be eligible to receive reduced fees for events, field trips, pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT), Advanced Placement tests, ASB fees, yearbook fees, Running Start books, and more.

VOLUNTEER PAPERWORK

If you are interested in volunteering in the school, you must go through the SPS Volunteer Application process. Visit: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/volunteer/

STAYING CONNECTED

There's a lot going on at WSHS and we want you to be a part of it!

• TalkingPoints: The district uses TalkingPoints to send text messages to families. Families are automatically signed up to receive district and school text messages through the phone number(s) provided to SPS when their student(s) enrolled. If you are not receiving messages, please follow the steps in the getting started guide or visit the TalkingPoints help center for more information. TalkingPoints is a multilingual communication tool; translations are available in over 100 languages!
• What's Up Westside: Our weekly newsletter is automatically delivered through TalkingPoints.
• School Website: westseattlehs.seattleschools.org
• ASB Instagram Posts: @wshasb
• The Olympian, our student newspaper: https://wshsolympian.com/
• WSHS PTSA Website: http://wshsptsa.org/
• Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama: friends-of-west-seattle-music-and-drama.square.site

UPDATE YOUR COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES

• Make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information. During September 6-30, parents and guardians can update family contact information on the Student Verification Form in the Source. Visit ps.seattleschools.org to log in to the Source.
• Manage your Messages. Want phone calls for some messages, but only email or text messages for others? You can manage your communication preferences online at go.schoolmessenger.com. Log in with the email on file at your child’s school.

WESTSIDE HEALTHY EMPOWERED YOUTH (HEY) COALITION

Please take the time to fill out the “2023 Community Survey” and help the Westside HEY Coalition address youth substance use in our community.

• Online Survey (English): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KIWEEN2023
• Online Survey (Spanish): https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/KIWESP2023

The start of a new year is always stressful as we sort out schedules. Please be patient and remember there are four counselors for over 1400 students.

COUNSELOR CASELOADS

Last Names A-Fer, Erica Nguyen etnguyen@seattleschools.org

Last Names Fin-Mari, Kinsey Hedeen krhedeen@seattleschools.org

Last Names Mari-Pie Mallory Neuman mlneuman@seattleschools.org

Last Names Pig-Z, Christine Nutters canutters@seattleschools.org

SCHEDULE CHANGES

Counselors will not accept requests for changes to a schedule prior to the start of school. We will share the official schedule change request process at a later date. Counselors will be in the library on the first day of school prioritizing new students and students without a schedule.

JOIN THE PTSA

The WSHS PTSA advocates for our students, supports school staff, and builds community. It takes members like you to do this well! Become a member of the PTSA at http://wshsptsa.org/. You’ll have a direct impact on PTSA planning, action, and advocacy; you’ll be in the know with what’s happening in school; and you’ll receive exclusive membership discounts. The WSHS PTSA offers membership scholarships to those who are unable to afford our membership fees. Be a part of making WSHS the school community you want!

FALL COMMUNITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES

We are looking forward to opportunities to come together this fall. Please plan to join us for:

• September 19 - PTSA Presents: Meet Your Administrators (WSHS Library, 6-8pm)
  
• October 3 - First Tuesdays at Larry’s Tavern (3405 California Ave SW, 6-8pm)
• October 24 - PTSA Presents: Planning for Life After High School (WSHS Library, 6-8 pm)
  
• November 4 - The Tailgate Auction (Dakota Place Park, 5-10pm)
  

You do not have to be a PTSA member to participate in these events. We can’t wait to see you!

STAYING CONNECTED

The WSHS PTSA aims to be your most reliable source of up-to-date information. Please bookmark our website and like and follow us on social media.

• WSHS PTSA Website: http://wshsptsa.org/
• WSHS PTSA Facebook Page: facebook.com/westseattlehsptsa
  
• WSHS PTSA Instagram Page: instagram.com/westseattlehsptsa
• Email questions to: communications@wshsptsa.org

THEATRE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION MEETING

Students, if you're interested in participating in the theatre department, either on stage or behind the scenes, please come to the general information meeting in the theatre after school on September 7.

BAND CAMP

Our annual band camp will be held at West Seattle High School the weekend of September 8-10 (September 8: 4-7pm, September 9: 9am-4pm, and September 10: 9am-2pm). The cost for camp is $35 per student and financial aid is available.

JAZZ AUDITIONS

Jazz auditions will be held the week of September 11-15 before and after school. Check in the Music Room (#271) for audition requirements and schedule. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the first day of school.

This week’s sports schedule:

• September 1 - Football vs. Columbia River (Southwest Athletic Complex, 6pm)
• September 5 - Girls Soccer vs. Thomas Jefferson (Walt Hundley Playfield, 4pm)
  
• September 6 - Girls Volleyball vs. Holy Names Academy (WSHS, 7pm)
  
• September 7 - Girls Soccer vs. Holy Names Academy (Walt Hundley Playfield, 4pm)

View complete WSHS sports schedules at: https://www.metroleaguewa.org/?pid=2.8.85.0.300

ATHLETIC REGISTRATION

For all the details visit: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/student-life/athletics/fall-sports/. All forms need to be completed and current physicals updated on FinalForms.

DIGITAL ATHLETIC TICKETS

SPS high school athletic ticketed events will be available on Metro League’s HomeTown Ticketing digital box office. This includes all regular season games for football and basketball. It also includes post-season games for volleyball, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, baseball, soccer, softball (slowpitch and fastpitch), and track/field.

PLEASE NOTE: Tonight's football game (9/1/23) is a pre-season game, so no digital tickets are available. This is a cash-only game! Football ticket prices for 2023-2024:

• Adults- $10
• Students- $7
• Seniors- $7

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/

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