Welcome to the first edition of Kang Crier for 2025-2026! Kang Crier is a bi-weekly newsletter created by LWHS PTSA to share relevant and valuable information with the LWHS community and will be distributed every other Sunday throughout the school year. New families are not added to our distribution list until mid-October; please forward this newsletter to new families you know, and they can go here to subscribe sooner.

Important Information for the First Week of School - PLEASE READ -

Printed schedules will be given to 9th graders on Link Day, Aug 27th. Grades 10-12 will be expected to check Skyward and print, handwrite, or have their schedule electronically available on their own.

The LWHS schedule is NEW this year: start time 8:35am, dismissal 3:15pm

• Bell schedule: first week (Wednesday is full day)
• Bell schedule: regular



Traffic during the first week will be chaotic!

• Pro-tip: beat traffic congestion by dropping your student off by 8:15am
• Parents, please use the right lane only for drop-off and pick-up. Do not block the left lane as it is used for sports/field trip busses and emergency vehicles. Use the left lane only for passing;
• Please make sure the students have everything ready to exit the car quickly, preferably on the passenger side only;
• Drivers, be patient of each other and be extra aware of cyclists and pedestrians.

I recently noticed the days are getting shorter and the nights cooler...that means it's almost time for school to start again!

Welcome back, Kangs!  

I am sure you all are getting geared up for the first day of the 25/26 school year and many of you have already started with sports and other activities. To all in the community, new and returning, I want to make sure you are aware of the PTSA here at LW.  It is wonderful to belong to a community like ours and I hope many of you will be able to find time to get involved. PTSA is a great resource for our teachers, staff, and students and there are several ways you can engage via the PTSA. I encourage you to consider any of the following opportunities:

• Become a member
• Volunteer for staff appreciation events and staff supported events
• Donate to the PTSA
• Attend general membership meetings
• Become a PTSA committee chair, we have several positions open

Many hands make light work! I encourage you to check out our website and I look forward to seeing you all at LW throughout the year.

Here's to a great year!

Catie Malik

LWHS PTSA President

Dear Kang Community, 

As we open our doors for another school year, I am especially excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to Lake Washington High School. This is the beginning of a four-year journey filled with new opportunities, friendships, challenges, and growth. To our newest Kangs—welcome to the family.

This year, our focus is on elevating excellence. Elevating excellence means challenging our students with rigorous learning experiences that prepare them for success in college, career, and life beyond high school. Whether it’s a classroom breakthrough, a team victory, or an act of kindness in the hallway, these moments of excellence add up to a thriving school culture.

We’re also beginning the year with an exciting change: our new 6-period bell schedule. Students will see each teacher four times per week instead of three, allowing for deeper learning and stronger relationships. With fewer classes overall, students can better focus their energy, and a 10-minute passing period will make it easier to navigate our large campus without feeling rushed. You can view the 2025–2026 official bell schedule here—please encourage your student to bookmark, print, or save it somewhere easily accessible. Our website is updated regularly and remains a reliable resource throughout the year.

There are many ways for families to connect as we start the year. LINK Day is August 27 from 9–11:30 a.m.—our 9th graders will participate in student-led activities while parents join orientation and breakout sessions to learn about the opportunities our school offers. Curriculum Night is September 17 from 6-8 p.m. and it's your once-a-year chance to meet your student’s teachers and visit their classrooms. Watch also for Kang Coffee Hours and Parent and Community Learning Walks, which provide informal ways to engage with our school community.

As you help your students prepare for the return to school, I encourage you to lean on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. These habits are practical tools for helping students make the most of their high school experience:

• Be Proactive – Take ownership of learning and choices.
• Begin with the End in Mind – Envision goals for high school and beyond.
• Put First Things First – Prioritize commitments and balance time.
• Think Win-Win – Collaborate with peers, teachers, and teammates.
• Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – Practice active listening at home.
• Synergize – Work together to achieve more than we could alone.
• Sharpen the Saw – Care for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Together, by reinforcing these habits and our shared commitment to excellence, we can ensure every student starts strong—especially our newest Kangs in the Class of 2029. I’m honored to serve this community and grateful for the trust you place in us to guide and care for your students. Here’s to a year filled with growth, discovery, and celebration.

Go Kangs!

Thank you, 

Dr. Christine Bell

Principal, Lake Washington High School



We want to redefine what PTSA means to you. It's not just a noun; it's a dynamic verb, an action plan dedicated to ensuring your student's success.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to PTSA. However you choose to engage, it's an investment in your child's future. PTSA can mean supporting your child's teachers and educational programs, advocating for issues that affect your child at local, state, and national levels, and fostering a more robust, diverse, and inclusive school community.

We extend an open invitation to every family to get involved with PTSA because together, we can achieve more. 

Join us HERE!

Membership fees and donations are the lifeblood of our organization. Our annual "Pass the Pouch" campaign, which is our sole fundraiser, will officially kick off shortly, but donating when you join is appreciated and simple.

Lake Washington PTSA organizes enrichment and wellness programs, recognition, classroom and club activities, and scholarship assistance that directly benefit our students and are not possible through public funding alone. By becoming a member and donating, you play a pivotal role in turning this year's goals into reality. Also, we welcome your suggestions for use of funds - just attend a meeting or reach out to us at fundrasing@lwhspta.org.

Collaboration between community members, educators, and students is key to student success. Join us now and donate to start making an impact!

For more information about the PTSA, please don't hesitate to contact Shiree Wright, Membership Chair or our PTSA President, Catie Malik.

We eagerly anticipate welcoming YOU as a valued member!



Please click the links below to volunteer and / or donate items for events happening at LW this week!

• Food donations and volunteers are requested for the Welcome Back Staff Appreciation Luncheon Wednesday, August 27th.
• Picture Day volunteers are requested for help at Freshman Orientation on Wednesday, August 27th, as well as on the first day of school, September 2nd.
• Our popular College Essay Workshop is looking for additional parent volunteers during the months of October and November. Please continue reading below for details.

College Essay Workshop (CEW) is heading into our 11th year and we’re proud to share that this will be our 2nd year as a district-wide initiative with continued support from the LWPTSA Council and the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.

This program connects seniors with trained coaches to support them at any stage of their college essay process — whether they’re brainstorming, revising, or ready for a final read-through. Coaches also help guide students to the right resources for any additional support they might need.

Volunteers are needed for the Fall 2025 school year as we continue this award-winning program. Many volunteer coaches are parents of current or past students or members of the broader community, and all bring strong writing skills. Program support volunteers, on the other hand, thrive on the organizational details that keep us running smoothly. Whatever role fits best, we’d love to have you. Most importantly, everyone is willing to share their time, a precious commodity that benefits students. We ask for a once-a-week, 2- to 3-hour commitment for the months of October and November.

Mandatory virtual training (1-½ hrs) is provided Wednesday, September 10th @ 6:30 , with program launch scheduled for September 16th.

If you feel this program is a match for you, we’d love to hear from you - fill out this form and we’ll get in touch. Please note that spots are limited and not everyone is guaranteed a role. Early applicants will be prioritized.

Contact us with any questions.

LWHS PTSA is partnering with Princeton Review to give students the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT just “for practice” at no cost. Students can take this practice test any number of times and the scores from these do not go on their record.

Students take the tests online at a date and time that is convenient, within the time window below:

• Register by September 17th for the test in the "SAT/ACT Practice Tests" section of the lwhsptsa.org/Programs website. Please do not use @lwsd.org email addresses to register for this event. 
• Students take the tests online from September 20th – October 20th, at any convenient time.

Note: If your student has taken an earlier practice test, they can take it again; however, please note that the set of questions will be the same.

Questions? Contact Julie Jiang, LWHS PTSA SAT/ACT Practice Test Chair.

See below for information on registering for the PSAT / SAT that will be administered at LWHS on October 24th.

PSAT / SAT Updates and Registration Information

On Friday, October 24th, LWHS will host the PSAT and SAT College Board exams. This day is called 'Fantastic Friday' and all high schools in LWSD participate.

9th Grade Students / Families: On Fantastic Friday, all 9th grade students will have a three-hour late start. Stay tuned for the Bell Schedule.

10th Grade Students / Families: LWSD pays for all10th grade students to participate; they are automatically signed up and expected (though not required) to attend. Visit the College Board website for more details.

11th Grade Students / Families: 11th grade students can choose to take the PSAT / NMSQT or arrive with the three-hour late start. Students who wish to participate must pay an $18 fee here; students who complete payment will be registered. Visit the College Board website for more details. The deadline to pay for the PSAT is Friday, September 26th at midnight. The SAT is NOT available to 11th grade students.

12th Grade Students / Families: Seniors may elect to take the SAT or arrive with the three-hour late start. The cost to take the test is $60 and students can pay here. Students who complete payment will be considered “registered”. The deadline to register for the SAT is Friday, September 26th at midnight. SAT Practice & Preparation

PLEASE NOTE: There are no exceptions to the payment deadline. Refunds will not be issued if your student cannot take the PSAT or SAT for any reason.

If your student qualifies for free and reduced lunch, the reduced or free cost will display when you make payment here. 

REGARDING ACCOMMODATIONS: All accommodations need to be pre-authorized by College Board. If your student has a 504 Plan or an IEP, you need to apply to College Board for needed accommodations, please take care of this right away by connecting with Cathy McCreary via email. (Please note, deadlines for accommodation requests may have already passed.)

More information will be provided in the weeks leading up to Fantastic Friday.

Avoid First Day Frustration: Student Tech Prep Starts Now!

A message and tech checklist from our LWHS Librarian, Mrs. Courage:

Now is a great time for your student to dive into their room, find their school laptop, dust it off, and charge it up! Please turn it on and perform two restarts with updates, then try logging in.

Reminder: Their login is their student ID, not their email. If they don’t remember their student ID or password, call Family Tech Access at 425-936-1322. Password changes will only be completed over the phone, not via email, due to security protocols. Please take care of this now to avoid tech interruptions or learning during the first week of school.

Incoming freshman will be issued a laptop on 9/3; any necessary updates will be done in class.

If your student is new to LWHS, they’ll receive a laptop on their first day of school, and we’ll walk them through the tech updates together.

We can’t wait to see your student! In the meantime, keep reading!

Every year is a busy year at LWHS, but Senior Year is filled with lots of extra events and celebrations. LWHS PTSA has a Senior Year webpage describing all of these various events to help both parents and students prepare. It's useful for Junior parents too, as a few tasks are ideally started at the end of Junior year.

This webpage will be updated throughout the year as dates firm up, but for now, click here for details.

Senior Party Chair Needed ASAP!

Senior Party is an LW tradition and PTSA is looking for someone to keep this fun tradition going for our Class of 2026! If you are interested and would like more information please contact our PTSA President, Catie Malik.