What's Up Westside
August 25, 2023
At A Glance
- August 21st - Fall Sports Begin
August 30 and Sept. 5 - New Student Q&A Sessions (ONLY FOR NEW STUDENTS GRADE 10-12)
August 31st - New Student Welcome/Ice Cream Social (incoming grade 9) 6 -7:30pm WSHS Courtyard
September 6th - First Day of School 8:50am start time
September 19th - PTSA Meeting: Meet Your Administrators 7-8:30pm School Library
From Principal Vance's Desk
- Admin Team: We now have 3 assistant principals and we are excited to kick off the school year. Welcome to Ms. Megan Claus.
- Ron Knight: Students last names A-Ga
- Megan Claus: Students last names Gi-N
- Nancy Carroll: Students last names O-Z
- New Staff We have been busy hiring several incredible new staff members for our WSHS Team. We will be welcoming 16 new staff members this year. Many of these hires are the result of an increase in enrollment and a change to the staffing model for special education support. We have a great mix of brand-new and experienced teachers and support staff. I look forward to you meeting them and you will see why I am so excited.
- Schedule: We are going to be using the same schedule as last year. You can see it below.
- One Lunch: We are continuing with our 1 lunch for the 23-24 school year. Benefits: There are several benefits for students and staff including time for clubs to meet during lunch, not worrying about not having lunch with classmates or friends, teachers time to collaborate, and a pace to eating lunch that is reasonable. Challenges: There are also challenges and we will need your help in preparing students for the responsibility of some additional time. Please discuss with your student about being a responsible and positive influence in the community and treating our neighboring businesses with respect. All grade levels are allowed off campus for lunch.
- Wednesday and Homeroom: We will still have early dismissals for students on Wednesdays. The other difference on Wednesdays is the extended period 5 called Homeroom. Students will stay in their period 5 class for an additional 30 minutes on Wednesday for the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, class meetings, and career/college programming.
- Portables: Well, good news, bad news here. The good news is that we have 4 temporary classrooms in our north parking lot. The bad news is that they will not be ready to use until maybe mid-October. We are in the process of trying to figure out how to adjust and pack the additional students projected to be at WSHS (over 1400 right now) into existing spaces. We have a plan, but there may be some classes that will feel very crowded.
- Parking: Along with the portables, comes a decrease in the number of available parking spaces. I cannot emphasize enough to have students carpool, take public transportation, walk, ride a bike, etc. We do not have the capacity to reserve spaces or have other major restrictions on who can or cannot park. The few spaces available in the North Parking lot will be strictly reserved for staff. So, again, please think about an alternative plan, especially if your student was thinking about just driving themselves to school.
- Fields: It is my understanding the Hiawatha field project will be completed and the field open for use starting on Sept. 1. That is great news and it is looking nice. The south practice field is scheduled for completion on Sept. 8 and will be available for our use during the school day for PE and after-school practices.
This school year's theme is INCLUSION. We will be focused on building systems and interventions and activities that allow everyone in our community to be engaged. There are three big pillars wrapped around this theme of INCLUSION. They are Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and Restorative Practices. Over the school year, I can share resources and more information about each of these areas and what we are focusing on in each one.
We cannot do any of this alone. The start of the school year is an anxious time for students and parents. We will do everything we can to make that transition from summer to school as smooth as possible. Continue to reach out with any questions and we will keep putting out information to help prepare for Sept. 6 and beyond. Go Wildcats! Principal Vance
New Student Welcome Event, 8/31 6pm-7:30pm
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, Sept. 6 SCHEDULE
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023
SUPPLY LIST: Given the wide range and diversity of courses, we do not have a supply list. It will make sense for students to have a notebook and a couple of folders or a binder to start, to capture any notes or materials handed out. From there, each class may have other items that will make sense or be needed.
9th GRADE SCHEDULE
8:15-8:50 9th Graders arrive, breakfast available in the cafeteria.
8:50-12:10 Link Crew Orientation. Start in the main gym.
12:10-12:40 9th Grade LUNCH
12:45-1:15 Closing assembly. In the Theatre
10th-12th GRADE SCHEDULE:
Building CLOSED to 10th-12th Grade students until 12:40 pm
(except Link Leaders, ASB, and New 10th-12th grade)
11:35-12:40: Orientation for new 10th-12th grade students in the library
12:45-1:15: 10th-12th grade lunch
AFTERNOON (for all grades 9-12)
Period 1 Class lists are posted around the school for students to find their period 1 class for schedule and locker distribution, welcome back information, etc. Then 15 15-minute classes to touch base and take attendance counts.
Period 1: 1:20-2:00 (Handout Schedules, Lockers, Video Welcome)
Period 2: 2:05-2:20
Period 3: 2:25-2:40
Period 4: 2:45-3:00
Period 5: 3:05-3:20
Period 6: 3:25-3:40
In Other News
SCHEDULES
Students will not get their official schedules until the first day of school. Anything a student may find and think is there schedule prior to that should understand that we are still balancing and adjusting classes. So, every schedule is still subject to change. Counselors are not acting upon any request for a change to a schedule prior to the start of school. We will share the official schedule change request process in next week's What's Up Westside edition.
NEW STUDENT(GRADES 10-12) Q&A SIGN UP
We will be hosting in person orientation sessions at the school on August 30th and September 5th starting at 12 pm. Students will learn basics of WSHS as well as have a chance to see the building. If you’d like to attend one of these sessions, please RSVP here:
NEW STUDENT FAQ
- Schedules will be available to families on The Source September 6th - first day of classes.
- Because of varying content and learning styles, there is no "supply list". You can't go wrong with a folder to organize your classwork, a composition book for notes in each class, and your favorite writing tool, but on the first day of classes teachers will go over their syllabuses and necessary material lists with students.
INCOMING GRADE 9 STUDENT ORIENTATION
- All grade 9 students will participate in an orientation on the first day of school, Sept. 6. More details will come out next week. Incoming 9th grade students will start school at the regular school time of 8:50am on Sept. 6. and will participate in a 1/2 day orientation prior to the remaining students grades 10-12 arriving. There is also an ice cream social for all new students and families on August 31st. See below for details.
BELL TIMES
School Hours: 8:50 a.m. – 3:40 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8:50 a.m. – 2:25 p.m.
1st period: 8:50-9:45 a.m.
2nd period: 9:50-10:45 a.m.
3rd period: 10:50-11:45 a.m.
Lunch and Club Block: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
4th period: 12:45-1:40 p.m.
5th period: 1:45-2:40 p.m.
6th period: 2:45-3:40 p.m.
There's a lot going on at WSHS and we want you to be a part of it!
Here are the ways to stay connected:
- Talking Points Messages: you are automatically enrolled and will receive text messages sent by the school and district. Translations are available in over 100 languages!
- What's Up Westside: bi-monthly newsletter automatically delivered through the Talking Points App.
- School Website: westseattlehs.seattleschools.org
- ASB Instagram Posts: @wshasb
- Music Program: wshsmusic.org
- Drama Club: sites.google.com/westsidedrama.com/wshsdrama/home
UPDATE COMMUNICATION PREFERANCES
Update Your Contact Information
Make sure we have your most up-to-date contact information. During the month of September, parents and guardians can update family contact information on the Student Verification Form in the Source. After September, families should contact their student’s school to update contact information. Visit ps.seattleschools.org to log in to the Source.
Manage your Messages
Want phone calls for some messages, but only email or text messages for others? You can manage your communication preferences online.
- Visit go.schoolmessenger.com
- Log in with the email on file at your child’s school
- After you log in, select ‘Preferences’ in the menu and update how we connect best with you!
PICTURE DAY
September 19th is picture day! The school is looking a few volunteers to make it go smoothly. If you are interested in volunteering contact Amy Huber at: aahuber1@seattleschools.org
VOLUNTEER PAPERWORK
In order to volunteer with Seattle Public Schools, you must go through an application process. For all volunteer resources and application instructions visit: https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/volunteer/
SAVE THE DATE - OCTOBER 12TH: CURRICULUM NIGHT
WESTSIDE HEY
Please take the time to fill out the “2023 Community Survey” and help the Westside HEY Coalition address youth substance use in our community. Thank you!
ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISH
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KIWEEN2023
ONLINE SURVEY SPANISH
Counseling Center Contribution
The start of a new year is always stressful as we sort out schedules. Please be patient and remember there are 3 counselors for roughly 1300 students.
Counselor Caseloads:
Last Names A-Fer, Erica Nguyen etnguyen@seattleschools.org
Last Names Fin-Mari, Kinsey Hedeen krhedeen@seattleschools.org
Last Names Mari-Pie Mallory Neuman mlneuman@seattleschools.org
Last Names Pig-Z, Christine Nutters canutters@seattleschools.org
New Student Orientation
Counselors are hosting new student orientations for any 10th-12th graders new to WSHS, on the following dates:
Wednesday, August 30th from 12-1 pm
Tuesday, September 5th from 12-1 pm
These orientations will provide an opportunity for students and parents to meet counselors, discuss classes and ask any questions you may have about WSHS. Counselors are unable to meet individually with students and parents outside of these times so please plan to attend if you'd like to meet with a counselor in person.
The presentation portion will run 12-12:30 and there will be an opportunity for tours and Q&A with counselors from 12:30-1.
Counselors will be located in Room 131, to the left as soon as you walk into the historical entrance to the building. Historical entrance is located on the north side of the school, directly across from Hiawatha park. We look forward to meeting you!
Note: these sessions are intended for students new to WSHS in grades 10-12. Rising freshman should plan to attend our ice cream social on Thursday, August 31st at 6 pm. Our WSHS Link Crew leaders will also provide a separate freshman orientation on the first day of school.
Schedules:
Student schedules will be distributed on the first day of school. We know students can access their schedules via The Source ahead of this date; please do not consider those schedules final. Counselors are hard at work balancing class sizes and enrolling students up until the first day of school.
If students need to make a change to the schedule they receive on the first day, a QR code will be made available to complete an official schedule change request online. Counselors will be in the library on the first day of school prioritizing new students and students without a schedule.
PTSA Presents
JOIN THE PTSA
The WSHS PTSA advocates for our students, supports school staff, and builds community. It takes members like you to do this well! Become a member of the PTSA at http://wshsptsa.org/. You’ll have a direct impact on PTSA planning, action, and advocacy; you’ll be in the know with what’s happening in school; and you’ll receive exclusive membership discounts. The WSHS PTSA offers membership scholarships to those who are unable to afford our membership fees. Be a part of making WSHS the school community you want!
FALL COMMUNITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking forward to opportunities to come together this fall. Please plan to join us for:
- August 31 - New Families Ice Cream Social in the WSHS Courtyard 6-7:30pm
- September 26 - PTSA Meeting: Meet Your Administrators in the WSHS Library 7-8:30pm
- October 3 - First Tuesdays at Larry’s Tavern (3405 California Ave SW) 6-8pm
- November 4 - The Tailgate Auction at Dakota Place Park 5-10pm
STAYING CONNECTED
The WSHS PTSA aims to be your most reliable source of up-to-date information. Please bookmark our website and like and follow us on social media.
- WSHS PTSA Website: http://wshsptsa.org/
- WSHS PTSA Facebook Page: facebook.com/westseattlehsptsa
- WSHS PTSA Instagram Page: instagram.com/westseattlehsptsa
- Email questions to: wshsptsacommunications1@gmail.com
Athletic Announcements
Fall Sports Start Up
For all the details visit: https://westseattlehs.seattleschools.org/student-life/athletics/fall-sports/
Current physicals need to be updated on FinalForms
WSHS Sports Schedules: https://www.metroleaguewa.org/?pid=2.8.85.0.300
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
Please remind your students to conduct themselves in a way that makes our whole school community proud! When students are off campus - at Safeway, PCC, or in Hiawatha Park during lunch and afterschool - they represent WSHS.
The Building is Open!
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