Week of January 28, 2024

January 31 - General Membership Meeting

January 31 - RHS and Northwest Education Access Financial Aid Night

January 31 - Scholarship Deadlines

February 1 - CWU Application Workshop

February 7 - Parent Chat - Validating Emotions

February 15-16 - Mid-winter Break - No School

February 19 - Presidents Day - No School

February 26 - Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sale Deadline

March 1 - Remlinger Farms Pie Sale Deadline

End of Semester Celebration 

Your RHS PTSA helped staff celebrate the end of first semester with some cake and cupcakes. The typical chocolate and vanilla flavors were offered and many enjoyed a bit of both.

Delicious Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!

Doughnuts for a great cause! 

RHS PTSA is giving you the best reason to indulge in a dozen (or two) Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Until Monday, February 26, 2024, 50% of your order will be donated back to RHS PTSA when you purchase via our fundraising sales page! 

Use the link below, purchase your voucher, and you can redeem it anytime!

Simply buy online, visit your local store & redeem using your code. Treat yourself or even gift them to friends and family here.

It's time to order your Pi Day Pies!

Pies for You!

Pi Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious Remlinger Farms Pie? No need to worry about dessert this year, just place your order today and your pie will be ready for pick-up on Wednesday, March 13 between 11am-2pm!

Pies for Staff!

And guess who else loves pie? Our awesome RHS staff! You can order one for you and order another to donate to a RHS staff member. Show our teachers and staff just how much they are appreciated!

Choose from Bumbleberry Pie, Cherry Pie, Granny Smith Apple Pie, or Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie! Each 9" pie is handmade and frozen to keep it fresh. And this year, we have a limited supply of Gluten-Free options, too! These pies are smaller but just as delicious.

Pie sales close on Friday, March 1, so don't delay! Order at this link.

Arts Fair 2024!

The Redmond HS PTSA is hosting a Spring Arts Fair on Saturday, May 4, 2024 and we are looking for local artisans to be a part of this exciting event. If you are an artist or know an artist who would like to be a vendor at this year's event, please email ArtsFair1@redmondhsptsa.org. Student artists are welcome too! For more details, visit our Arts Fair page.

This a wonderful, outdoor family event with lots of local artists, live music, and food trucks! Mark your calendar today!

Please join us for our rescheduled January Membership Meeting.

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

6:00-8:00pm

RHS Library

Hear updates from the Principal, the ASB President and the PTSA President. We'll be electing this year's Nominating Committee. Everyone is welcome, PTSA members and non-members alike!

*SPECIAL ACTIVITY* Principal Jill Vanderveer will be giving a personal tour of Redmond High School to show us what’s happening in the building. The tour will also include a visit to the school store which will be open for a short time for you to purchase your RHS merchandise. This is happening at the start of the meeting so don’t be late!

How to enter the building: Please use the entrance directly in front of the RHS library. Walk up the front steps, turn right at the commons/cafeteria, pass through the courtyard to get to the entrance. The front entrance near the main office will not be open.

Does your student need practice for the SAT or ACT? The PTSA aims to help our students do their best on college entrance exams and holds independent "just for practice" SAT and ACT tests. These full-length practice tests, administered by Princeton Review, offer students the opportunity to practice test taking strategies and determine baseline scores prior to taking the official SAT and ACT college entrance exams. Students in any grade can take these tests and scores are not reported to anyone other than the student.

Students can choose to take the tests online from home or in-person at RHS. There will be no time flexibility provided for in-person tests. Online tests offer accommodation for time and can be taken up to 4 weeks from test date.

Spring practice tests are coming up soon and it is not too late to register. Last call to sign up for the Practice Spring digital SAT exam. This will be the last opportunity to take this practice exam for this academic year.

• Spring Practice Test SAT - Digital Format (online or in-person) - Saturday, February 3, 2024 - 8:30-11:00am. Last day to register: Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

• Spring Practice Test ACT (online or in-person) - Saturday, March 16, 2024 - 8:30am-12:30pm. Registration deadline: Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

For more information and to register, please visit our website.

We don’t want financial circumstances to be a factor in considering whether or not your child will take these practice tests. If there are financial concerns, please send an email to testprep@redmondhsptsa.org. We can work with you if you need financial help.

Join the Scholarship Committee!

Calling all members of the Redmond High School community! We invite you to become a vital part of our Scholarship Committee by volunteering to review applications from our senior students. Note that parents of seniors are unable to serve on this committee. If you're eager to contribute and make a meaningful impact, please express your interest by reaching out to us via email at volunteers@redmondhsptsa.org. Let's work together to support our students in reaching new heights!

Volunteers Needed for Practice SAT and ACT Exams

RHS PTSA is looking for 2-3 parent volunteers for the Spring Practice SAT and ACT exams at RHS. Volunteering duration will be up to 2 hours, between 8:30am-12:30pm at RHS Library. These exams cannot take place without parent help and support.

Volunteering dates - Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 and Saturday, March 16, 2024

Duties includes being on site while students take the exam and helping the proctor or students if required.

Email testprep@redmondhsptsa.org if you are interested in volunteering for a few hours. All volunteers must be LWSD approved.

Where to Find CCC Information and Resources

Check the College and Career Center webpage for updates, information and resources for College and Non-College exploration, Financial Aid and Scholarships, College and Career Center Events and Community Events Calendar, Career-related Programs and Student Opportunities such as Jobs, Volunteering, Internships, Apprenticeships and more!  

Connect with us on Instagram! Get college app tips, scholarships, career info and more!

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations

The mission of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations is to identify and recognize high school students who, through action and service, have demonstrated leadership in advancing racial equity, promoting racial understanding, or eliminating racial bias and prejudice in their schools and communities.

Prize recipients receive a cash prize of $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid weekend to a Symposium on Race at Princeton University, where they will meet and engage with other Prize recipients from across the country. Prize recipients are recognized at ceremonies in their local regions by Princeton alumni. Deadline: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 EST

For more information and to apply online: https://pprize.princeton.edu/

This and more opportunities can be found on the College and Career Center webpage.

Scholarship Spotlight: Richard Pizzo Honorary Scholarship

The Richard Pizzo Honorary Scholarship Program supports the philanthropic mission of the Knights of Columbus with the objective of investing in the future of our community and making the dream of higher education a reality for our youth. 

We aim to empower them through learning and knowledge to be the next generation of leaders for our community. The program is open to all graduating seniors from our local area, regardless of their race, religion, or gender. 

The main criteria for qualification include community involvement (extracurricular activities), financial need, and exceptional academic achievement.

Two $2,000 awards for students attending an accredited U.S. university, community college, or trade school. Renewable for another year so $4,000 total!

Deadline to apply: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

See attached file for more information and application instructions. 

More scholarship opportunities are posted on the College and Career Center webpage under the Scholarship Calendar.

Are you looking for money to help fund your college or training after high school? Here is a list of scholarships that are due on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. The only way to be considered for any scholarships is for you to apply. Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements so check and see which ones you qualify for and APPLY TODAY! Scholarships are stackable and they do not affect your federal/state financial aid. 

Amtrak Academic Scholarship Program

InspirASIAN Scholarship

The Richard Pizzo Honorary Scholarship

WA State Fair's Blue Ribbon Scholarships

WSU Scholarships

Check the College and Career Center (CCC) webpage and the Scholarship bulletin board across the hall from the CCC for more scholarships! Questions about scholarships? Reach out to College and Career Guidance Specialist Ms. Wu at rwu@lwsd.org and please let Ms. Wu know when you have been awarded a scholarship that was shared by the CCC.

Everyone is welcome - student and parents. Join us on Wednesday, January 31 at 5pm to learn what financial aid is, who is eligible and how to apply. We will have a FAFSA/WASFA walkthrough, so come with your questions! Please see the attached checklist for items you need to have to complete the financial aid forms. In order to complete your FAFSA/WASFA, you must have setup your FSA ID prior to this workshop and bring your charged laptop (if possible).

Questions? Email College and Career Guidance Specialist Rose Wu at rwu@lwsd.org.

RSVP here.

Workshop will be in English with support in Spanish.

NEW DATE: CWU Application Workshop on February 1

The CWU Application Workshop has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 1st during HERD Support. Meet with Mr. Jacob Crowell, Admissions Counselor at Central Washington University to get help on your application and get your $60 application fee waived. Students whose GPA is below 3.0 will need to complete their personal statement. This workshop is for seniors who are graduating this June and are considering to attend CWU.

To reserve your spot, sign up in FlexiSched under "College and Career Center" or email Ms. Wu at rwu@lwsd.org.

Simpler, more generous 2024-25 financial aid applications now available! A family of four making up to $120,500 may be eligible for aid.

Financial aid applications for this year’s graduating seniors are now available, although students and families should expect some technical issues for the time being. And it will take longer than usual for colleges to get and process applications and respond with financial aid awards.

Applications were delayed this year as updates were made to improve the FAFSA and WASFA forms and increase aid eligibility. In Washington, there are two ways to apply for financial aid. You should only complete one application - the FAFSA or the WASFA:

• FAFSA: Most people should complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is used by U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens to apply for both state and federal financial aid. The new 2024-25 FAFSA has been released in a “soft launch.” Families may experience technical issues with the form over the next few weeks, but there’s no need to rush to apply—there is no deadline for state or federal financial aid.
• WASFA: The WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) is an application for state financial aid. The WASFA is for people who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, defaulted federal loans, or other issues with federal aid. The new 2024-25 WASFA is now available.

Applying for financial aid is a crucial first step toward college or job training. Many families assume they won’t qualify, but there’s more help available than ever before. This year, a family of four making up to $120,500 can qualify for financial aid in Washington. The only way to know for sure if you’re eligible is to apply.

Learn more, get support, and apply for financial aid on WSAC's Apply Page. Need Help? Sign up to attend the Financial Aid Workshop on Wednesday, January 31 at 5pm.

LW Institute of Technology Webinar

LWTech is a wonderful community resource that many people aren’t aware of. Join us to learn about:

• Stackable programs including certificates, associate degrees, and 4-year degrees.
• A wide range of academic programs in business, design, education, engineering, health sciences, IT and more.
• The focus on employment and student outcomes.
• Hands-on learning and small cohorts.
• Direct Transfer Agreements (DTA) to complete a 4-year degree.

Thursday, February 1 from 7:00-8:00pm over Zoom.

Register here.

Cost: $10 per family (scholarships available; please contact findyourfit@lwsf.org). All proceeds from this webinar go to supporting the work of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. No refunds will be given.

Parent Chat - Validating Emotions

Why it’s so important to validate our kids’ emotions and how to do it.

Unlock the key to nurturing your child’s emotional well-being in our upcoming webinar, where we delve into why validating your kids’ emotions is essential and provide expert guidance on mastering this crucial parenting skill.

Register here.

Wednesday, February 7 from 7:00-8:00pm over Zoom.