TOMORROW, September 14, 7:00 pm

Immediately following LWHS Open House/Curriculum Night

Our first general membership meeting will be tomorrow, September 14 at 7:00 pm in the LWHS Theatre. Following a brief review to approve the budget and standing rules, we'll present "Welcome to LWHS - A High School Primer For Parents, From Parents". Designed for families new to LWHS, we will cover information about the high school experience, both district-wide and specific to LWHS, and answer common questions, including:

• What is different between middle and high school?
• Parent-to-school communication
• What to expect: keeping track of student work, assignments, grades and fees
• Academics and tests during the school year
• Counseling Office Services
• After school clubs and competitions
• Sports and social activities
• Parent volunteering
• And much more!

Principal Christine Bell and several members of her admin team, as well as some experienced parents, will be joining us. We look forward to seeing you there!

LWHS PTSA Board positions available

There are still open board positions for the 2022-2023 school year. Job descriptions can be found here. Available board positions include:

• President
• EVP
• VP, School Support
• Senior Party

LWHS PTSA committees and chairs make things happen! We are looking for chairs and committee members, specifically at this time:

• Social Media Chair
• Hospitality Co-Chair

Visit our website to learn more about these positions. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact us. 

Thursday, September 15, 8:30-9:30 am

LWHS College & Career Center

The first PTSA-sponsored “Coffee with Christine” of the 2022-23 school year will be Thursday, September 15 at 8:30 am in the LWHS College & Career Center. Come join other LWHS parents and community members for an open Q&A discussion with LWHS Principal Christine Bell. This in-person meeting lasts about an hour and we are looking forward to seeing you!

Please be sure to read Principal Bell's letter in the "School" section below.

LWHS PTSA is an active part of the Kang community. We spend nearly $20,000 each year to support our students, teachers/staff, and community in various ways:

• Students: over $14,000 in grants for classroom and club activities, enrichment programs (such as College Prep workshops, College Application support, practice SAT and ACT tests), scholarships and classroom grants requested by teachers
• Teachers/staff: Nearly $3,000 in teaching staff appreciation events
• And so much more!!

But we can’t do it without you! Annual memberships and donations are our main source of funding and our “Pass the Pouch” request for donations is our only fundraiser of the year. Anyone – parents, grandparents, students, teachers – can join and donate. To become a member, go to lwhsptsa.org and select “Join PTSA/Donate”. To contribute donations, continue to Step 3: “Pass the Pouch”.

Thank you for your support!

Registration Deadline is September 15

LWHS PTSA is partnering with Princeton Review to give students the opportunity to take SAT and ACT tests just “for practice” at no cost. Students' scores on these practice tests do not go on their record. Students take the tests online at a date and time that is convenient for them within the SAT and ACT Practice Online window (September 20 to October 15). Registration deadline is September 15.

Don’t let your student miss this opportunity to take the test for free! Click here to register. A few days prior to the test date, students and parents will receive instructions from Princeton Review.

Questions? Email satactpractice@lwhsptsa.org

Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school, but in life.

Reflections is an opportunity for students to showcase their creative expression and/or gain creative experience in the field of arts. The 2022-2023 theme is "Show Your Voice!". All grades and abilities are encouraged to participate. Submissions are due in early November.

For more information please check https://www.wastatepta.org/events-programs/reflections/

Questions? Contact Rachel Pai, LWHS PTSA Reflections Chair

The Kang Crier Newsletter is the primary communication method used by LWHS PTSA to communicate with LWHS families. The district distribution lists are not updated and available until late October, meaning families new to LWHS are missing out on the information we distribute.

If you know of a family who is new to LWHS, please forward this newsletter to them so they can click here to subscribe.

Danelle Mathews

LWHS PTSA Kang Crier Editor

Dear Kang Families, 

The first week of school was an exciting one! We had four full days of all seven classes and homeroom and on Friday we finished with a Welcome Back Assembly. Our teachers commented all week on exactly what I was feeling myself: students came back this year with an energy we have not seen before. They have enthusiasm for learning, yes, but more than that they are happy to be back with their friends and are eager for clubs and sports to get into full swing. We felt this on LINK Day as we met our freshmen, and we felt it again when our upper classmen returned. The start to the school year was better than any of us imagined. 

Now that we are entering our first full week of school we will get used to our new schedule. On Mondays we have all seven classes, and Tuesday through Friday we will have an alternating block schedule. Wednesdays each week will be early release for staff development. I heard from students this week that they were feeling nervous about longer classes and the possibility of more homework. I shared this with our staff and they are committed to regular check-ins with students and are ready to adjust. Our staff also formed a committee to focus on best practices when teaching on a block schedule and they will provide professional development throughout the year. I firmly believe that the change in schedule will allow for deeper learning opportunities and that it will provide for less transition throughout the day and fewer classes to focus on each day. 

Thank you to those of you who have encouraged your students to remember their student IDs as they leave for school each morning. It has made a real difference. Our teachers have been awarding "Kang Kudos" tickets to students who show that they embody our "Kang Commitments," including those who regularly wear their lanyards as they move about outside of class. These Kudos are entered into drawings and students win prizes--including Kang gear and the ability to park in the principal's parking spot for a week. Lake Washington High School is a strong community and we wear our Kang spirit with pride. 

Speaking of pride, this year one of our goals is to increase feelings of belonging for our students. We know that belonging is not about fitting in, it is about pride in who you are as an individual. In our community, students and families live lives that are diverse in culture, in languages, in religions and in activities. We want Lake Washington High School to be a place students see themselves, and ultimately where they feel that they belong and are celebrated. To that end, we will continue to seek out new ways to get input from our students and families throughout the year on how we can improve representing our community in our school. You can provide input by reaching out to me directly (either you or your student), by attending Coffees with Christine, and by encouraging your student to participate in the student-led Principal Advisory Panel. The Principal Advisory Panel will begin meeting again the first week of October and it will take place during homeroom classes. Any student can sign up to participate through Flexisched (our Homeroom program). 

As I write this submission, I am gearing up to attend our first football game and tailgate. I want to give a shout-out to our fall coaches, athletes and families. So many of our students participate in sports and activities and it is a lot of work! Our band and our dance and cheer team are awesome, and we got to see them perform at our Welcome Back Assembly. 

Coming up this week we have Open House/Curriculum Night (9/14), Coffee with Christine (9/15) and the Club Fair (9/16). Homecoming Week will follow from September 19-23 . Please consider joining for the first two parent events and talk with your Kangs about signing up for clubs and participating in Homecoming activities. On behalf of the staff at LWHS, I want to thank all of you for your support. We are proud to represent Kirkland and are so excited about this year. 

Go Kangs!

Christine Bell  

LWHS Principal

Looking for a way to support the wonderful LWHS teaching and support staff?

There are eight staff lounges throughout the building and they can always use donations of coffee pods, snacks, and supplies. If you would like to make a donation to help feed our hard-working staff, please drop items off in the main office (Mon-Fri, 7:30 am-3:00 pm) and designate that they are for staff.

Thank you SO MUCH for your support!

LWSD is committed to keeping our families and staff up-to-date by communicating important information as it happens. That is why LWSD is moving to a new communication platform that will make staying engaged and informed with our schools even easier. 

LWSD selected ParentSquare after reviewing potential options. One of the key reasons ParentSquare was selected is that we are able to provide translatable text messaging for our community. This was seen as a need both by families in our community as well as staff members and teachers across our district. ParentSquare will likely replace many other communications tools for LWSD, allowing us to focus on one solution for multiple methods of communicating – phone, text and email. The platform comes with an application (app) that will allow families to have a “hub” for information about their students. Families will be able to self-select how they receive messages from teachers, the school and the district. It also allows for two-way communication. 

Visit the ParentSquare page on the LWSD website for more information. 

Attention Juniors and Seniors

The Kirkland Rotary Club is taking applications for Rotary Student of the Month. This is a great way to be recognized for your participation at school and in the community. LWHS has so many students who bring something special to our school and our community. Apply today and tell your story! This is not based on GPA. Several students will be selected. Applications close October 7.

Click here for more information and to apply

College Visits are Back!

The College & Career Center will be hosting in person college visits this fall! The first few are listed below. Find dates and participating colleges on the LWHS College & Career Center calendar.

Colleges presenting this week and next:

• Today, September 13, 3:00 pm: Willamette University
• September 14, 1:00 pm: University of Redlands
• September 20, 3:00 pm: University of San Diego
• September 21, 1:00 pm: Whitman College

Colleges are also providing on-campus tours and preview events. Check the website of the specific school for more information. A few local options include:

• WSU Fall Preview Day on September 10 or October 29.
• University of Washington Husky Preview is a live virtual event from October 10-14. Students can also visit the UW Campus in person by registering for tours here.
• Oregon State Beavers Open House Days are Oct 8 and 14, and Nov 5 and 18.
• Seattle University Fall Preview Day is October 29.
• University of Oregon School Tours

Questions? Contact Nichole Swanger, LWHS College and Career Specialist

Do you have a student who LOVES to travel? Do they enjoy seeing things from a scientific perspective? Then they should join us on our trip to Greece and Italy for Spring Break 2023 (April 6-17)!

Here are just some of the things they'll get to see on this amazing Trip:

• Tour Athens
• The Acropolis
• Temple of Apollo
• Mozzarella making
• Pompeii
• Tour Rome
• Colosseum
• The Accademia
• The Galileo Museum

Come to the Information Session to learn more details and how your student can join us!

When: September 19 at 6:00 pm

Where: LWHS Room N162

For questions, please contact us at palmersciencetravel@gmail.com

Ryan Palmer, Ronica Wilson, and Ashley Zydel

LWHS Science Teachers who love travel! 

The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is very happy to welcome volunteers back into our schools. All volunteers should complete a volunteer application and be approved before beginning a volunteer assignment.

Governor Inslee’s vaccination mandate regarding K-12 volunteers is still in effect. All volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated (both doses of a two-dose series or one dose of a single-dose shot) or request an exemption from the vaccination mandate. The process to show proof of vaccination or to request an exemption can be found on the volunteer page of the district website. If you have already shown proof of vaccination and the information was recorded by district staff, you do not have to do it again.

Parents, relatives and community members can complete an online application quickly through Raptor. Contact Chris Robison with questions.

Check the Senior page on the LWHS website for Senior related updates throughout the year.

2023 Graduate Information | We have a date! Mark your calendars!

Date and Time: Thursday, June 15, 2022, 12:30-2:30 pm

Where: UW Alaska Airlines Arena

Cap and Gown Sales will be open soon  

• Senior Week will be October 31-November 6, 2022
• Jostens Lake Washington High School Store

Questions regarding graduation items? Please contact Jostens directly. They are happy to help! Email Jostenspnw@jostens.com or call 360-653-9102. 

Senior Pictures & Ads for Yearbook - Deadline December 11, 2022

Senior Baby Ads: Attention Parents! Jostens offers a special way for you to recognize your senior student. This is a COMPLETELY optional opportunity, but details are below if you are interested in purchasing an ad. Click here to submit a Senior Ad.

Senior Portrait Submissions: Your student can use their own senior photo instead of the traditional school photo taken at the beginning of the year. Click here to submit a senior photo. 

Do you have a Senior applying to college? Beginning on Wednesday, September 28, College Application Workshop will provide trained volunteers to work one-on-one with your student to edit and review their college application essays and personal statements. Encourage your student to join us for support and a snack! All for FREE!

The workshops will meet at 12:55 pm outside the College and Career Center on Wednesdays.

Questions? Email collegeapp@lwhsptsa.org

In the LINKS Lunch Buddy Program (Looking Into the Needs of Kids in Schools), we bring students together with caring adults. Mentors come during school hours once a week and spend the lunch hour in a pre-assigned area to eat, play games, make crafts, talk, and do other agreed-upon activities. Mentors provide social-emotional support to students who need a little extra one-on-one attention.

LINKS Lunch Buddy mentors help students feel engaged, supported and challenged, which can improve students' confidence and help students acquire the skills needed for lifelong success, in school and beyond. Studies have shown that children with mentors are more likely to succeed.

The Lunch Buddy program is currently in 15 elementary schools: Clara Barton, Einstein, Ella Baker, Franklin, Juanita, Keller, Lakeview, Mead, Muir, Redmond, Rush, Sandburg, Smith, Thoreau and Twain.

For more information, please contact the LINKS program coordinator, Victoria Goetze-Nelson at lunchbuddy@lwsd.org.