What's Up Westside
April 20, 2023
At A Glance
April 17th-21st - Sophomore Smarter Balanced ELA Testing
April 20th - PTSA Presents: Mental Health Discussion with Dr. Doug Judge 7pm WSHS Library and in person WS5K Registration
April 22nd - Saturday Study Hall 9am-12pm WSHS Library
April 22nd - Intro to Pickleball Session 1: 9:30am, Session 2: 11:30am
April 26th - 3rd Quarter Ends
May 2nd - PTSA First Tuesday Parent Social at Larry's
May 21st - WS5K on Alki
New Newsletter Schedule
Please watch for it as a Talking Points text and an email from School Messenger.
To update your communication preferences:
https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/communications/communication-preferences/
If you would like to share something with the West Seattle High School community, please contact wshsptsacommunications1@gmail.com
Past newsletters can be found on the school website:
https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/calendar-and-news/whats-up-westside/
From Principal Vance's Desk
Wildcat Families-
In years past, post-spring break signifies an acceleration to the end of the school year. This year may feel a little bit different with the last day of school being June 30. So, we will lean into this and enjoy the additional time we have with students this spring. Many things happening over the next few weeks with testing. With the Smarter Balanced State testing happening with grade 10 and AP testing coming up in the beginning of May, we will be making adjustments to accommodate. I want to also share some great news in that we have our new Assistant Principal starting with us, Mr. Ron Knight. Mr. Knight is an experienced Seattle Schools educator who has already made big strides in connecting with students, staff and our community. He will be the point person for families last names beginning with A-K. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Knight to WSHS! Lastly, I want to continue to encourage you to stay engaged with your student's school life through tracking academic progress through the SOURCE and by supporting our schoolwide community by attending upcoming events like parent education, games, plays, concerts and the West Seattle 5K. More details on all of that are below.
Go Wildcats!!
Principal Vance
In Other News
APRIL 17-21 SOPHOMORE SMARTER BALANCED ASSESSMENTS
Sophomores will report directly to the Library with their SPS issued laptop, during their ELA class, April 17-21st.
Smarter Balanced Assessments
State assessments are required for federal accountability and also provide a common measure of student progress at the school, district and state levels.
Our educators examine the results and use them to help determine which resources and supports are needed to close achievement gaps.
Visit the district Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) page to learn more about the testing. In addition, the district Smarter Balanced FAQ & Resources page may help to answer any questions you may have as well.
Seattle Public Schools recognizes the right of parents/guardians to be notified of all state and district mandated student assessments. A formal right of refusal procedure for state assessments must be completed online
Questions ? Contact Amy Doll asdoll@seattleschools.org
APRIL 22 - SATURDAY STUDY HALL
Please encourage your students to take advantage of this opportunity April 22nd, in the school library from 9am-12pm. Everyone is welcome!
The 3rd Quarter ends on April 26th. We are hoping to give all our students this extra time so they can achieve at a higher level than they thought possible.
If you have any questions about Saturday Study Hall, please email Amy Doll asdoll@seattleschools.org
If you have specific questions about a class or current grade, please contact that teacher directly. All Teacher emails can be found on our School Website and on the Source.
If your student needs to makeup an exam/assignment, ask your students to speak to their teacher this week.
STUDENT ART EXHIBIT AT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM
Naramore Art Show 2023
Celebrate WSHS artists featured in the Naramore Art Show!
The Naramore Art Show celebrates over 200 artworks by our middle and high school students at the Seattle Art Museum’s Community Gallery.
Seattle Public Schools has held the Naramore Art Show since 1985 to celebrate the brilliance of our emerging artists and share their creativity with the greater Seattle community. We are also hosting a virtual exhibition on the Visual and Performing Arts webpage. Having live and virtual exhibitions gives more opportunities for more students and allows friends and family near and far to see these great works of art. Enjoy!
Location: Seattle Art Museum, Community Gallery first floor corridor, 1300 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Cost: FREE
Live Exhibition Runs: April 8 – May 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only
Celebration and Teen Night Out: May 5, 6 – 7 p.m.
Virtual Exhibition Runs: April 17 to the end of the school year.
Naramore on the Seattle Art Museum website.
CHECK OUT THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER - THE OLYMPIAN
CHECK OUT STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS - Wildcat Wednesday
PTSA Presents
The Parent Teacher Student Association is working hard to support our whole community. We are a powerful voice for all children when we come together.
We are a relevant resource for families offering parent ed, community building events, and communications (this newsletter!) intended to bring us together.
Add your voice and help make WSHS the community you want to be a part of!
JOIN US - YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE. ALL ARE WELCOME!
TONIGHT, April 20th, 7-8:30pm in the WSHS Library
Join us for a night of community support and encouragement with speaker Doug Judge, PhD. Doug has experience as a special education teacher, school administrator and SEL director. He supports Washington high schools as a 9th Grade Success Coach with Stand for Children’s Center for High School Success. As we emerge from the COVID pandemic and all the disruptions to typical schooling over the last few years, it is helpful to talk about how schools, communities and families can best utilize our resources and time with teenagers to promote healthy adaptive skills as they navigate high school. This talk will focus on practical, non-clinical supports to protect our youth and ourselves.
Members will also vote on the PTSA budget for next year, plus have the opportunity to register in person for the West Seattle 5K.
Introduction to Pickleball
Pickleball has been named Washington State’s official sport and is taking over tennis courts and gyms everywhere!
Join the craze by learning how to play at one of our 3 Introduction to Pickleball sessions with an experienced Pickleball instructor from the Westside Pickleball League!
Members of the community can sign up through Westside Pickleball League.
April 22 (full), May 20, and June 10 the first session from 9:30AM-11AM and the second session 11:30AM-1PM.
We are holding slots for WHSH students to learn for free. Student spots are still available for April 22nd.
Already know how to play? The lead instructor is looking for volunteers to help cover the 5 courts of learners. This will be a great way to meet people you can play with in the future! Please sign up to support this community event and help support WSHS students.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044BA4AD2EA02-wshs1
PTSA Outreach Information Sessions
Are you looking for new ways to be involved with your high schooler?
Want to know what's happening inside the doors of WSHS and have an impact on decision making?
The WSHS PTSA has opportunities for everyone to find their niche and get involved! We are looking to fill next year's board positions. Come talk to us to find out what we do, how we do it, why we do it, and what's involved Tuesday, May 2nd at 6pm First Tuesday at Larry's
If that doesn't work for you, please reach out to Melissa Rysemus at mmrysemus@gmail.com, Susan Goplen at susangoplen@gmail.com, or Gina Allen at rdgina10@gmail.com. We want to hear from you!
WS5K - registration is open!
The West Seattle 5K returns May 21, 2023!
The West Seattle 5K Run/Walk is an annual fundraiser, benefiting the tutoring program at West Seattle High School.
Visit the 5K website to learn about the event and register!
Questions? Want to sponsor the event? Contact event co-chairs Kelley O’Connor and Athena Frederick at westseattle5k@westseattle5k.com.
If you’d like to pay for your 5K sponsorship, or donate directly to WSHS PTSA, please click this PayPal link.
NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AND A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER
Fill out the nomination form.
Each year PTSA gives out awards to outstanding individuals who have served the school community.
The Golden Apple award is for an outstanding educator who has gone beyond the normal expectations of their job to make the learning environment fun, beneficial and challenging.
The Golden Acorn Award is presented to a volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth.
Nominations are due May 8th
Questions? Please contact:
PTSA President: wshsptsapresident@gmail.com or Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org
Athletic Announcements
Follow Wildcat schedules and scores at:
https://www.metroleaguewa.org/
Spring Sports
- Boys Baseball
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Softball (Fastpitch and Slowpitch)
- Tennis (co-ed)
- Track and Field (co-ed)
Club Sports
- Girls Ultimate Frisbee - Contact: wshsfrisbee@gmail.com
For more team details check these Athletic Department links:
- https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/student-life/athletics/winter-sports/
- https://twitter.com/WSHSAthletics1
- https://www.instagram.com/westseattle.athletics/
- https://www.facebook.com/WSHSAthletics1
WSHS Boosters Club works to defray equipment and transportation costs. To make a donation or purchase spirit wear visit: https://westseattleboosterclub.org/
Senior Note - MenB Vaccine
Learn more about the extra protective optional MenB vaccine series.
The Teen Health Center can help!
Chances are that your student has received their standard meningococcal vaccinations by this point. The MenACWY vaccine is typically given at age 12 with a booster at age 16 and works to protect against 4 out of 5 of the bacteria serogroups that cause potentially deadly disease.
But what about the 5th serogroup? Serogroup B is not covered in the standard vaccine and has been responsible in recent years for several outbreaks and isolated meningitis cases on college campuses in the United States.
Good news! There is an optional vaccine, MenB, that covers this additional strain and is recommended for persons at higher risk, including those that live in university or other communal housing. MenB vaccines provided short-term protection with immune effects lasting approximately 1-2 years, which is why senior year is the perfect time to be vaccinated. If your child has not yet received the MenB vaccine series (with 2 doses 4 weeks apart), there is still time.
The West Seattle High School Neighborcare Teen Health Center can provide this service, along with primary medical care and mental health care, to students free of cost. Please call, e-mail, or have your student stop by the clinic to schedule.
Phone: 206-471-6263
Email: HannaS@neighborcare.org
References
Immunization Action Coalition. Meningococcal B Vaccine: What You Need to Know. https://www.immunize.org/vis/meningococcal_b.pdf
National Foundation for Infectious Disease. Meningococcal Serogroup B Cases and Outbreaks on US College Campuses. https://www.nfid.org/infectious-diseases/meningococcal-serogroup-b-cases-and-outbreaks-on-us-college-campuses/
Successful Internship Fair
THANK YOU to the organizations that participated in our job and internship fair on Wednesday, April 5th!
Thanks to their participation, students were able to learn more about opportunities available to them, practice networking, and how to navigate a job fair!
Take a moment to check-out these community focused businesses:
1. Seattle Public Utilities - https://www.seattle.gov/utilities
2. Seattle Parks and Rec - https://www.seattle.gov/parks
3. Seattle HappyFeet - https://www.seattlehappyfeet.com/
4. YMCA - https://www.seattleymca.org/
5. Seattle Skill Center - https://skillscenter.seattleschools.org/
6. Amazon Career Quest206 - Career Quest206
7. Girls Rock Math - https://girlsrockmath.org/
8. UW Dinning - https://hfs.uw.edu/Home
9. Southwest Youth and Family Services, Young Writers Workshop - https://www.swyfs.org/what-we-do/education/
10. Domino’s on SW California Ave & SW Hanford St. - https://www.dominos.com/
11. Laborer’s International Union of America - https://www.liuna.org/
12. AJAC - https://www.ajactraining.org/programs/
13. Sharetea Jefferson Square - https://www.instagram.com/sharetea.westseattle/?hl=en
14. Chipotle Alaska Junction - https://locations.chipotle.com/wa/seattle/4730-california-ave-sw
15. Tilly’s Southcenter Mall – https://www.tillys.com/
16. Wheel Fun Rentals - https://wheelfunrentals.com/wa/seattle/alki-beach/
17. Honda and Toyota of Seattle
18. NW Kidney Center - https://www.nwkidney.org/
19. City Year - https://www.cityyear.org/
20. SH Worldwide - https://shworldwide.com/
21. WCP Solutions - https://www.wcpsolutions.com/
22. Wildwood Market - https://wildwoodwestseattle.com/
Something we should know?
If you would like to share something with the West Seattle High School community, please contact wshsptsacommunications1@gmail.com
Find past issues of the newsletter here:
Westside Pride
Bell Times
School Hours:
8:50am – 3:40pm
Wednesdays:
8:50am – 2:25pm
1st period: 8:50-9:45am
2nd period: 9:50-10:45am
3rd period: 10:50-11:45am
Lunch and Club Block:
11:45am – 12:45pm
4th period: 12:45-1:40pm
5th period: 1:45-2:40pm
6th period: 2:45-3:40pm
Attendance Office Info
Attendance Office
Room 122F
Erin Dolan
Attendance Specialist
206-252-8804
https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/resources/attendance-office/
West Seattle High School
Email: wshsptsacommunications1@gmail.com
Website: westseattlehs.seattleschools.org
Location: 3000 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116, USA
Phone: 206-252-8800