What's Up Westside
February 17, 2023
At A Glance
February 20-24 - NO SCHOOL - Mid-winter Break
February 27th - Spring Sports Start
March 3rd - Music Department Big Band Dinner and Dance 6-9pm WSHS Commons
March 7th - PTSA First Tuesday at Larry's Tavern
From Principal Vance's Desk
I hope that all our students and staff had an opportunity to enjoy a little downtime during out mid-winter break. Emphasis on Winter given the current state of the weather. Even just 50degrees would work for me right now.
Anyway, despite the cold temps, things are heating up at WSHS. We are closing out Black History month on Tuesday with an all school assembly led by students in our Black Student Union(BSU). Our winter sports teams are closing out their seasons with our bowling team coming in 8th in the State, our Cheerleaders-2nd in State, one of our wrestlers, Jazzy Scoggins, making into the State tournament, one of our divers, Giovanni Slye, making it to the State meet. Both of our basketball teams are still making their way through the State tournament with the girls playing Saturday, 12pm at Arlington HS versus Lynnwood HS. The boys play Saturday, 8pm at Bellevue College versus North Thurston HS. Just loving the excitement around the school with all that is happening. The spring musical rehearsals are also up and running right now and I look forward to checking out "Little Shop of Horrors" that will open up on March 23. Our spring sports kick off on Monday, February 27th as we go into another season with high expectations for our teams.
When we return from this break we will also be jumping right into planning for budget and staffing for the 23-24 school year. As you may have heard, SPS is anticipating budget reductions across the system. We are hoping they are minimum here at WSHS, but we will keep everyone updated as we move through that process.
In closing, I want to put out a huge thank the PTSA, the SPS Department of Racial Equity Advancement and Chau Pho Tung for organizing our evening showing of "Race to Be Human" and the student panel afterwards. This is not a one time event and see the information below on how to continue to engage with us around racial equity and what that means for us here at WSHS. Events and discussions like these are critical in helping us build and sustain an inclusive community where everyone is valued and heard. Our strength is our community!
Go Wildcats!
Counseling Center Contribution
2023-2024 Registration for 9th/10th/11th Grade Students
The counseling department is excited to announce that registration for the 2023-2024 school year is underway!
February 15th Academic Review
Students completed academic history reviews in homeroom on Wednesday, February 15th. During this lesson students received a copy of their academic history report, listing the credits they've earned in high school thus far organized by credit type (LA, Math, World Language, Fine Art, etc). They also received a copy of the four year plan, listing all of the graduation requirements by credit type. In the homeroom lesson students worked through their graduation progress, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding courses to sign up for in the 2023-2024 school year.
March 1st Class Selection
Registration officially kicks off on Wednesday, March 1st. On this day, students will receive copies of their paper option sheets in homeroom as well as learn about course offerings for next year. The online registration portal on the Source will also open on this date. We ask students to sign up for classes both online and to also complete the paper option sheet. The paper option sheet serves as a backup in case something goes wrong with the online request; it also provides a place for parent signature.
Parents play a key role in registration and we encourage you to have conversations with your student at home about classes they choose for next year. Please also sign off on the paper option sheet that they bring home.
March 8th Student Advice Panel
The next week, on Wednesday, March 8th, students will have the opportunity to hear from their peers through a Teams Live broadcast in homeroom. A student panel will speak on advice they have for underclassmen in course selection, some of their favorite classes to take, experiences with Running Start, and other relevant topics.
March 15th Final Class Selection Deadline
Finally, on March 15th, registration will close. Homeroom teachers will collect paper option sheets in homeroom on this day, and the online portal will close at midnight.
Please note that students can access the portal and make changes at any time during the two week window (March 1st-March 15th). It is imperative that students make their choices before the deadline. If not, counselors will choose courses for students based on their credits needed for graduation and students will have limited ability to make changes.
Completing registration in an accurate, timely matter is important for both students and staff. For students, making their course requests ensures they get into courses of their choice and that they stay on track for graduation. We build our comprehensive school schedule from scratch every year based on student requests, and those requests drive section numbers, class sizes and ultimately staffing at WSHS.
Have Questions?
For additional resources and information about registration, please visit the registration section of the counseling website. There you will find copies of registration materials, homeroom lessons, the WSHS course catalog, and how-to videos: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/resources/counseling-center/registration/
If students have questions or need help choosing classes, school counselors will be available during lunch the entire two week window that registration is live. Counselors will have a table set up on the south end of the Commons and will be available for drop in support.
Counselor Caseloads:
Last Names A- Fa, Erica Nguyen etnguyen@seattleschools.org
Last Names Fe-Mar, Kinsey Hedeen krhedeen@seattleschools.org
Last Names Mas-Po, Mallory Neuman mlneuman@seattleschools.org
Last Names Pr-Z, Christine Nutters canutters@seattleschools.org
TEEN LINK RESOURCE
Where to Turn For Teens - Teen Link
Teen Link is a program of Crisis Connections that serves youth in Washington State. Teen volunteers are trained to listen to concerns and talk about whatever's is on your teen's mind – bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, depression or any other issues your teen may be facing.
If a teen or an adult concerned about a teen or has questions or concerns about drug use, they can now call, chat, or text to www.teenlink.org
PTSA Presents
The PTSA is a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Add your voice and help make WSHS the community you want to be a part of.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Send your interest and questions to wshsptsapresident@gmail.com!
Please consider adding your talents to already established committees:
We have a number of committees of one (or two) and are looking for more people to help push forward our great ideas.
- Communications - we need help with social media, the newsletter, our website, member communication
- Fundraising - you know it takes a village
- Legislative/ Advocacy - so many issues to address from national to classroom
- Future Board Nomination - help find candidates for pres and treasurer (not filling the role just finding the people)
- 2023-2024 Budget Builders - come to a couple meetings to set us up for next year
- Community Recognition Awards (Golden Apple and Golden Acorn) - make some nominations.
Lead Spring Sports Coordinator: If you have found yourself frustrated about sports logistics and are looking for a solution, this is the position for you! We are looking for someone to help coordinate "team parents".
Spring Team Parents: We are looking for a representative from each sport's team to act as a liaison between the coach and team parents. This person will help facilitate team communications and carpooling when transportation is not provided.
JOIN US
First Tuesdays Parent Social at Larry's Tavern
March 7th is First Tuesday at Larry's!
Take the opportunity to socialize AND benefit WSHS students!
While partial proceeds from the whole night (4pm to close) will go towards our fundraising efforts, 7pm is the "prime time" to meet other WSHS community members.
IN CASE YOU MISSED THE SCREENING OF RACE TO BE HUMAN
RACE To Be Human is now available for free, on demand viewing for the rest of February! Log in to the PTSA Dashboard to watch the film (on your own or as a family) in the comfort of your own home (note: you need to create an account but your information will only be used for internal purposes). Afterwards, don't forget to check out the useful post-screening resources - a downloadable Tip Sheet & Discussion Guide; Learning Bursts, Q&A Panel Discussion, and Courageous Conversations videos; Definitions, Common Questions, and more!
Also, make sure not to miss the powerful student film made by junior Gaia Corvino for Black History Month on the experience and challenges of black students at WSHS.
WHAT'S NEXT - Be a part of continuing the conversation
Share your feedback: Please complete a short survey to share your feedback with the filmmakers.
Join a discussion group: To support and encourage continuing conversations about race in our school community, the PTSA will be facilitating both in-person and virtual discussion groups to give viewers multiple opportunities to
reflect on what they saw in the film and to share connections to their own lived experience. Stay tuned for dates and details!
Volunteer: Join us at the March 16th PTSA Meeting to connect with other parents passionate about racial equity and join our family Racial Equity Team to help plan more events to increase community engagement and inspire collective anti-racist action.
Share your ideas: Email us with any questions and to share ideas about what the PTSA can do to promote racial equity in our school community.
Donate: Want more events like this screening? Please donate to our Direct Give Campaign to support the PTSA's racial equity work.
February 9th Screening and Student Panel
Music Notes
Friday, March 3, from 6-9 pm
West Seattle High School Commons
Dinner Tickets: $30 presale | $35 at the door | $20 student or staff
Dance Only Tickets: $10
Performance by our Special Guest - The West Seattle Big Band!
Performances by all our music groups - Jazz I & II, Band, Choir, Orchestra and Percussion
Dinner provided by the West Seattle High School Culinary Department.
Silent Auction, Raise the Paddle, and all Donations gratefully accepted!
Thank you to our wonderful sponsor, West Side Music Academy!
More info at http://www.wshsmusic.org/big-band-dinner-dance-2023.html
Still have questions? Contact: westseattle.musicboosters@gmail.com
Athletic Announcements
Congratulations to our winter sport athletes on their spectacular seasons! Go Wildcats!
- Cheer - Took 2nd in the State Championship Competition
- Bowling - Competed in the State Championship Tournament
- Wrestling - Sent two competitors to the State Championship Tournament
- Boys Swimming and Diving - Competing in the District Championship Meet
- Girls Basketball - District Tournament Playoffs vs. Holy Names tonight at Bellevue College 8 pm.
- Boys Basketball - District Tournament Playoffs vs. Liberty tonight at Bellevue College at 6:30 pm.
Follow Wildcat schedules and scores at:
https://www.metroleaguewa.org/
Spring Sports - Starting February 27th
- 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
To participate, complete online registration, fees, and physical forms to get final athletic clearance with the Athletic Department. You can schedule a physical at the Teen Health Center at 206-658-8048 or email our Health Center Coordinator at hannas@neighborcare.org
- 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/
Community Opportunities
LOOKING TO HIRE TEENS?
Hey business owners, hiring managers and community organizers! West Seattle High School will be hosting a Job and Internship Fair on April 5, 2023 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. If you’re hiring teens for any summer or long-term positions, reach out to Katie Meyer at kemeyer@seattleschools.org
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