What's Up Westside
June 29, 2023
At A Glance
- June 30th - Last Day of School - 1hour early dismissal
- August 1st - Athletic Registration opens (Final Forms)
- August 21st - Fall Athletics Begin
- August 31st - New Student Welcome Night
- September 6th - First Day of School
- November 4th - PTSA Tailgate Auction
From Principal Vance's Desk
Wildcat Families, this last newsletter of the 2022-2023 school year is coming right after our graduation on Tuesday night. Always a good reminder of the hard work and dedication from the students, our staff and families.
I want to share information on a couple of project around campus before closing out my update. As you know Hiawatha field is being re-turfed and scheduled for completion by September. Also, on the south side of campus you may notice some construction as SPS is building out a turf practice field that our teams and PE classes can use for drills and conditioning. Lastly, we are scheduled to have 4 portables on campus to start the school year. These will be located in the north side of our parking lot and will take up many parking spaces. We will keep you updated as we go.
In closing, I want to thank you for supporting your students and our school. We cannot do this work alone and our students need us more than ever to help guide them through this complex and ever-changing world. I hope that your student has a chance to re-center and re-fresh over the summer and is ready to start the 2023-2024 school year on the right foot. School is out for summer after Friday (finally). Go Wildcats!
Congratulations Class of 2023!
In Other News
NEW STUDENT WELCOME & ICE CREAM SOCIAL - AUGUST 31st
Help spread the word to incoming families that the school will be offering a welcome presentation, tours, and ice cream (complements of the PTSA) just before school starts in the fall.
SUMMER SKILLS CENTER CLASSES
The application for the Seattle Skills Center’s summer program is now available.
Summer Skills Center Application
The Seattle Skills Center prepares students for college, career, and life through advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.
- Summer Skills Center courses are open to all incoming 9th – 12th grade SPS students
- Skills Center classes are free
- Students can earn 0.5 high school CTE credit for all summer Skills Center classes
- All summer courses are in-person but also include asynchronous work that will require a laptop or other device
- Students must attend class regularly and participate to earn credit
- Maritime Vessel Operations aboard the schooner Adventuress has a different schedule and other requirements (see application for details)
- Transportation is not provided, but we can help you get an Orca card if you do not already have one
Learn more and apply at on the Skills Center website
Check out our website for all the course offerings.
Watch a video about Seattle Skills Center
Email skillscenterinfo@seattleschools.org with questions.
AP AMERICAN HISTORY PREP COURSES
Will you—or someone you know—be taking the AP US History and/or AP Government and Politics tests in the coming year?
Register now for our free Summer 2023 History School offerings.
This year Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History is offering two AP prep courses for high school students. Each course will consist of 6 one-hour-long classes held weekly, via Zoom, beginning in July.
Please find course descriptions and registration information below—and learn more here. The deadline to register is Friday, June 30.
FALL LANGUAGE FLUENCY TESTING
Families of students that are FLUENT AND LITERATE in another language - and aren't doing a CIEE language summer program - be aware that district testing for a seal of biliteracy happens in the fall. You can monitor the website for possible testing dates and sign up to test for the seal of biliteracy (special cords to be worn at graduation!)
https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/international-education/world-language-credit-testing/
CHECK OUT THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER - THE OLYMPIAN
CHECK OUT STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS - Wildcat Wednesday
CHECK OUT THE ASB INSTAGRAM PAGE - @wshsasb
PTSA Presents
2022/23 HIGHLIGHTS
PTSA is about supporting our community of parents, teachers, and students.
This year we:
- Funded Saturday School
- Hosted parent education on college and career planning and student mental health support
- Funded mini-grant awards for teacher and student needs ranging from a Feminist Club self-defense class, to books for the Chinese classroom, and PE equipment
- Celebrated the first year anniversary of the What's Up Westside Newsletter
- Presented a screening of the film "Race To Be Human" with a student panel moderated by the District Racial Equity Advancement Team
- Heard from WSHS student leaders
- Showed our appreciation for our teachers and staff
- Started a regularly scheduled parent social opportunity - First Tuesdays at Larry's
- Brought back the ever popular West Seattle 5K
We are looking forward to continuing to support and build our community with you ~
Stay Cool! See you next year!!
Please Save the Date for our first community builder since Covid, November 4, 2023, at the Dakota. Tickets will go on sale the week before school starts.
We are now accepting in-kind donations for the auction items and gift baskets.
Click here to learn more: https://wshs.schoolauction.net/social2023 or email wshsptsaauction@gmail.com.
COMMUNICATIONS
To stay informed: Check out, like and follow the West Seattle High School PTSA!
- Website: http://wshsptsa.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westseattlehsptsa
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westseattlehsptsa/
Athletic Announcements
Summer Planning Heads up for Fall Sports Families
Fall Sports Start Dates:
August 16th for Football.
August 21st for Cross Country, Girls Swim, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball
Current physicals need to be updated on FinalForms before tryouts