What's Up Westside
September 15, 2023
At a Glance
- September 19 - School Picture Day: Pre-order photos
- September 19 - The Laramie Project Auditions, 4pm, WSHS Theater
- September 19 - PTSA Presents: Meet Your Administrators, WSHS Library, 6–8pm
- September 22 - Yearbook Presale Deadline: Via SchoolPay
- September 26 - SPS Well-Resourced Schools Online Community Meeting, 5:30pm
- September 29 - Well-Resourced Schools Community Survey Due
- September 30 - Student Data Verification Form Due
Upcoming Events and Deadlines
PTSA PRESENTS: MEET YOUR ADMINISTRATORS
Tuesday, September 19, 6–8pm, WSHS Library
The administrative team and support staff will introduce themselves and answer your questions. Translation service available upon request; please email president@wshsptsa.org. All are welcome! You do not have to be a PTSA member to attend.
SPS WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOLS COMMUNITY MEETING
Tuesday, September 26, 5:30pm, Join Zoom Meeting
SPS is trying to reimagine a system of well-resourced schools that is safe and equitable. Come be a part of the community conversation! (Zoom Meeting ID: 813 4923 6575, Passcode: 105783).
WELL-RESOURCED SCHOOLS COMMUNITY SURVEY
Due Friday, September 29
Please complete the survey in English, Amharic, Chinese, Somali, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
STUDENT DATA VERIFICATION FORM
Due Saturday, September 30
Update your student's health, emergency, and family contact information by logging in to your Source account and selecting Student Data Verification form from the navigation menu.
Student Shout-Outs
National Merit Scholarship Program
Congratulations to WSHS senior Paul Bentler on being named a National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist! Congratulations also to the following seniors who were named Commended Students: Henry Banker, Tim Deppe, Miles Gehrman, Lila Kellison-Miller, Clay Kuran, Benjamin Lewis, Leah Morgan, and Aurielle Ronda.
Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassadors
Congratulations to Lizzy Greene and Izzy McKamey on being named Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassadors! They will serve a two-year term striving to make the nation a more inclusive place for all.
PTSA Presents
Join or Renew Your Membership in the WSHS PTSA
The WSHS PTSA advocates for our students, supports school staff, and builds community. Join or renew your membership at https://wshsptsa.org/membership. Membership scholarships are available; email membership@wshsptsa.org.
PTSA Community-Building Opportunities
All are welcome! You do not have to be a PTSA member to participate in these events.
- 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
Donate to The Tailgate Auction
We are accepting donations for our Tailgate Auction on November 4! Our goal this year is to fund Saturday School, after-school tutoring, and classroom and student club needs. Can you offer gift certificates, sports tickets, theater tickets, vacation home stays, or other unique experiences? Visit The Tailgate Auction to easily donate an item.
Join the PTSA Board
Please consider adding your talents and voice to our Board. We are currently looking to fill the following important positions:
- Secretary: Are you detail-oriented and efficient? Attend and keep minutes at all membership and board meetings. This is an easy way to get involved with PTSA leadership.
- Legislative Chair: Are you passionate about organizing and advocating for kids? Inform and empower members about local issues impacting our students, staff, and community.
- Racial Equity Team Representative: Are you committed to racial equity and social justice? Support the work of the staff's Racial Equity Team.
Support Your PTSA
Donations to the PTSA are always welcome, and always go directly to supporting our community of parents, staff, and students. This year, however, we have a special ask. The school is asking the PTSA for funds to support Saturday School and after-school tutoring. Please consider making a donation toward student academic supports at https://wshsptsa.org/direct-drive-campaign.
Stay Connected
Counseling Center
Book an Appointment with Your Counselor
You can now book a 30-minute appointment with your counselor online! Meetings are held via Microsoft Teams.
- Last Names A-Fe: Book an appointment with Erica Nguyen
- Last Names Fi-Marg: Book an appointment with Kinsey Hedeen
- Last Names Mari-Pig: Book an appointment with Mallory Neuman
- Last Names Pin-Z: Book an appointment with Christine Nutters
Music and Drama Notes
Fall Show: The Laramie Project
Our fall show will be co-directed by Mr. Wiener and Ms. Irvine. Auditions are on Tuesday, September 19, at 4pm in the theater. Callbacks will be on Wednesday, September 20, at 3pm in the theater. Students who wish to be part of the cast and crew must complete the Company Application Form.
Athletic Announcements
This Week’s Varsity Sports Schedule
- September 15 - Swim & Dive vs. Seattle Prep (Southwest Community Pool, 4pm)
- September 18 - Volleyball at Seattle Prep (7pm)
- September 19 - Soccer at Roosevelt HS (7pm)
- September 20 - Golf vs. Franklin (West Seattle Golf Co., 3:30pm)
- September 20 - Cross Country vs. Cleveland (Lower Woodland Park, Girls 3:40pm/Boys 4:10pm)
- September 20 - Volleyball vs. Roosevelt (West Seattle HS, 7pm)
- September 21 - Golf vs. Cleveland (West Seattle Golf Co., 3:30pm)
- September 21 - Soccer vs. Holy Names (Miller Playfield, 3:45pm)
- September 22 - Swim & Dive vs. Franklin (Rainier Beach Pool, 4pm)
- September 22 - Football vs. Chief Sealth (SWAC, 7:00pm)
Varsity Girls took first place in the Kent-Meridian Volleyball Tournament.
Boys Golf has been setting school records.
Lincoln Sitzmann, Savannah Elger, and Esta Margolis were among the top 20 finishers in their races at the Gear Up Northwest XC Preview (not pictured: Gabe Birnie).
Athletic Registration
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 are available on Metro League’s HomeTown Ticketing digital box office.
West Seattle Booster Club
The West Seattle Booster club is taking pre-orders for duffel bags until Sunday, September 17. Visit https://www.wsbooster.com/wsshop/.
Community Notices
Westside HEY (Healthy Empowered Youth) Coalition
COMMUNITY PREVENTION AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE SURVEY
Complete the 2023 community survey in English or Spanish and help the Westside HEY Coalition address youth substance use in our community.
FIRST THURSDAYS
Thursday, October 5, 6:30–8pm, WSHS Room 105
Connect with other WSHS parents and guardians for support in dealing with the teenage years.
SCPTSA Open Discussion on Racial Equity
Monday, September 18, 5pm
Presented by Seattle Council PTSA in collaboration with RARE (Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity)
Learn what programs are in place in several Seattle Public Schools to address racial equity. Spanish and Somali translation provided. Register at https://bit.ly/3OTrWEd.
Something we should know?
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.
Find past issues of the newsletter here:
Bell Schedule
Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri
1st period: 8:50–9:45am
2nd period: 9:50–10:45am
3rd period: 10:50–11:45am
Lunch: 11:45am–12:45pm
4th period: 12:45–1:40pm
5th period: 1:45–2:40pm
6th period: 2:45–3:40pm
Attendance
Attendance is a key indicator of academic success!
Erin Dolan
Attendance Specialist
Room 122F
(206) 252-8804
West Seattle High School
Website: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/
Location: 3000 California Ave. SW, Seattle
Phone: (206) 252-8800