What's Up Westside
December 15, 2023
At a Glance
- December 15: Cap and Gown Orders Due (Order Here)
- December 17: Yearbook Pre-Orders Due (Order Here)
- December 18–January 1, 2024: No School, Winter Break
- January 4: First Thursdays Parent Group (6:30–8pm, Room 105)
- January 18: AP Exam Accommodations Requests Due
- January 18: Incoming Student Open House (6:30–8pm, WSHS Commons)
- January 20: Winter Formal: Midnight Masquerade (7:30-10:30p, Fisher Pavilion)
- January 23: PTSA General Meeting (6:30pm, WSHS Library)
- January 25: Westside HEY Youth Cannabis Prevention (6:30–8pm, WSHS Library)
Upcoming Events
Class of 2024 Important Deadlines
- 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, 2024 (Enter School Code "west seattle")
- Adult Shoutout due January 31, 2024. Leave a brief message for your Senior!
- Graduation will be on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 8pm in Memorial Stadium.
Yearbook Pre-Orders
Due Sunday, December 17
The 2023-2024 Kimtah Yearbook is now available for pre-order at the cost of $55. You can order online via SchoolPay.
Donate to Our Food Drive
Please help us collect non-perishable food items for WSHS students. Bring your donation to the home basketball games vs. Newport!
First Thursdays Parent Group
Thursday, January 4, 6:30–8pm, Room 105
Parents building a community of support with our school social worker, Crissa Parsley. RSVP by emailing Donna Kelly.
Incoming Student Open House
Thursday, January 18, 2024, 6:30–8pm, WSHS Commons
Welcome, prospective Wildcats! You are invited to our Open House to meet staff, learn about clubs and sports, get a tour of the building, and more!
Accommodations for AP Exams
Due January 18, 2024
To take an AP Exam with accommodations, a student must be approved for accommodations by the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. WSHS students with an existing 504 or IEP who wish to test with accommodations must complete the signed consent form below and return it to Amy Doll, our SSD Coordinator. Most accommodations included in a student’s IEP or 504 plan are approved upon request; some may require additional documentation.
PTSA Presents
Staff Appreciation Breakfast Was a Great Success!
We so deeply appreciate our teachers and staff for their dedication to nurturing and caring for our students every day. Thank you to the many families who brought in food for our staff appreciation breakfast this week, and to the PTSA volunteers who helped set up and clean up. Wishing everyone a wonderful winter break and a happy new year!
Washington State PTA Focus on Advocacy Day
Monday, January 15, 2024
Registration is now open for Focus on Advocacy Day, which will take place at the Capitol Building in Olympia. You can help make PTA’s grassroots advocacy a success by connecting with legislators about our priorities. If interested, please email president@wshsptsa.org.
Advocacy is not a one-day event; it is an everyday action. We encourage members to continue to stay informed and engaged throughout the year, keeping our efforts focused on the mission. Subscribe to WSPTA Action Network.
PTSA General Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 6–8pm, WSHS Library
Come hear from our student leaders about the amazing clubs and activities at WSHS. Learn about how your PTSA donations allow us to fund grants and co-sponsor events that benefit the entire student body.
We Need You! (Yes, YOU!)
- Time commitment? It's only 1 or 2 meetings per month with a fun, dedicated group.
- Don't feel qualified? We are all parents doing our best, and there's training available.
- Not sure you can take it on alone? Co-sharing of positions is allowed!
- You've been burned by PTA before? High school PTA is a different experience, and parental involvement is still necessary.
Westside HEY
Parent Education Night: Youth Cannabis Prevention
Learn about the social and mental impact of youth cannabis use. Register by emailing Donna Kelly.
Counseling Center
Visit the Counseling Center Website for resources related to academics, college and career, and mental health and wellness.
Book an Appointment with Your Counselor
- Erica Nguyen (Last Names A-Fe)
- Kinsey Hedeen (Last Names Fi-Marg)
- Mallory Neuman (Last Names Mari-Pig)
- Christine Nutters (Last Names Pin-Z)
Athletic Announcements
Your Three-Week Varsity Sports Schedule
- December 15: Swim vs. Lincoln (4pm, Queen Anne Pool)
- December 15: Girls Basketball vs. Lakeside (7pm, Lakeside HS)
- December 15: Gymnastics vs. Chief Sealth, Holy Names, and Nathan Hale (7pm, WSHS)
- December 15: Boys Basketball vs. Nathan Hale (7:30pm, Nathan Hale)
- December 16: Ultimate vs. Roosevelt (9a, Magnuson Park)
- December 18: Girls Basketball vs. Newport (7pm, WSHS)
- December 18: Boys Basketball vs. Newport (8:30pm, WSHS)
- December 21: Girls Basketball vs. Silas (7pm, WSHS)
- December 21: Boys Basketball vs. Silas (8:30pm, WSHS)
- December 27: Wrestling Tournament (7a, Mt. Tahoma HS)
- December 29: Girls Basketball vs. Everett (2:45pm, WSHS)
- December 29: Boys Basketball vs. Lincoln (6pm, WSHS)
- January 3: Girls Basketball vs. Eastside Catholic (5:45p, WSHS)
- January 3: Wrestling vs. Eastside Catholic (6p, Eastside Catholic School)
- January 3: Wrestling vs. Garfield (7:30p, Eastside Catholic School)
- January 3: Boys Basketball vs. Eastside Catholic (7:30p, WSHS)
- January 5: Bowling vs. Nathan Hale (3pm, West Seattle Bowl)
Seattle Public Schools News
Learning Center Seattle Resources
The Learning Center Seattle program is free of charge to eligible students who are 16 to 21 years old and have not completed high school but want to earn their GED to go on to college, technical training and/or start a career. Learning Center Seattle provides one-on-one education advocacy and case management services as well as tuition-free college at any of the Seattle colleges up to an AA degree. For more information or to inquire about program details and eligibility, please contact learningcenter@seattlecolleges.edu or text 503-451-5276.
Volunteer with the Youth Tutoring Program
The Youth Tutoring Program is an after-school educational enrichment program for 1st through 12th grade students who live in five low-income and public housing communities in Seattle. The locations include:
- Jackson Park (Lake City)
- High Point (West Seattle)
- New Holly (South Beacon Hill)
- Yesler Terrace (First Hill)
- Rainier Vista (Columbia City)
Community Connections
Winter Roller Skate Night
Thursday, December 21, 5–8pm, Southgate Roller Rink
The Southwest Seattle Youth Alliance in partnership with many SW Seattle and White Center organizations will be hosting a FREE Winter Roller Skating night in White Center. This event is open to all youth and families and will include food, games, crafting, music, and more.
CIEE Free Flight Raffle
Application Due Friday, January 5
CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization. Students can go abroad during high school or after graduation for as little as 3 weeks to a full semester or academic year.
Students who submit their completed applications by January 5, will be automatically entered into the Early Birds Fly Free raffle. One WSHS student just won a free flight to France for her study abroad program with CIEE next summer! Questions? Email the PNW Global Education Specialist, Chris Reyes, or our Volunteer Site Coordinator Meghan Schumacher.
Helpful Links
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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