What's Up Westside

• December 6: AAPI Club Fundraiser: "Moana" (WSHS Theater, 6:30pm)
• December 7: Fundraiser for WSHS Music (WS Eagles, 5pm)
• December 9: FOWSMD Meeting (7pm, Via Zoom)
• December 10: Yearbook Presale Ends (Via SchoolPay)
• December 10: Parent 2 Parent Night (Room 129, 6–7:30pm)
• December 11: Cookies & Cocoa for WSHS Staff (Volunteer Sign Up)
• December 14: Saturday School (WSHS Library, 9am–12pm)
• December 15: Cap and Gown Orders Due (Via National Achiever)
• December 17: Jazz Ensembles I and II Concert (WSHS Theater, 7pm)
• December 18: School Board Regular Meeting (JSCEE 4:15pm)
• December 18: Orchestra and Choir Concert (WSHS Theater, 7pm)
• December 19: Band and Percussion Concert (WSHS Theater, 7pm)

Friday, December 6, WSHS Theater, 6:30pm, Tickets

WSHS families are invited to a screening of "Moana ." All proceeds benefit the AAPI Club. Bring cash for concessions!

Saturday, December 7, West Seattle Eagles, 4426 California Ave SW, 5pm

Enjoy a garden lasagna meal and live music performed by WSHS music ensembles. The price is $14 per person, and all proceeds will be donated directly to the WSHS Music program. No Eagles membership is necessary to attend; all in the community are welcome!

Monday, December 9, 7pm, Via Zoom

Friends of West Seattle Music and Drama is a non-profit organization supporting the WSHS Music and Drama departments through volunteer efforts and fundraising. Please consider becoming part of our vibrant arts community. We'd love you to join us! We are in the middle of our fall fund drive. We are almost entirely funded through donations so we can use all the help we can get. Visit www.wsmusicanddrama.org for more information.

Through December 10, $55.00 via SchoolPay

Purchase your yearbook in advance as availability is limited! The 2024–2025 Kimtah Yearbook will be on sale for three weeks. Purchase online via SchoolPay or bring $55 in cash, check (payable to WSHS), debit card or credit card to the Fiscal Office during lunch or before and after school. Questions? Email Maria Penner, Fiscal Specialist, mpenner@seattleschools.org.

Tuesday, December 10, Room 129, 6–7:30pm

Please join us in The Care Center to sip on some warm beverages and meet other WSHS parents and guardians. Enter through the Historical entrance. Questions? Please email School Social Worker Crissa Parsley or Westside HEY Coalition Coordinator Amy DeWolf.

Wednesday, December 11, Drop Off 7–10am, Sign Up

The PTSA is hosting a holiday Cookies & Cocoa Bar to shower some much deserved love and appreciation on our WSHS staff before we head into winter break. Please sign up to donate festive holiday treats to fill the bellies and buckets of our hardworking WSHS teachers and staff! We also need a couple of volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up. Thank you for helping us to spread some holiday cheer to these amazing humans who nurture and care for our students every day!

All Concerts are in the WSHS Theater, 7pm

WSHS Music is excited to present the results of their hard work

• Tuesday, December 17 – Jazz Ensembles I and II
• Wednesday, December 18 – Orchestra and Choir
• Thursday, December 19 – Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble

Your student may qualify for free or reduced-price meals at WSHS! Visit MySchoolApps to complete the online application. Qualification is based on household income, and families must reapply every year. Students who qualify receive additional benefits including reduced fees for the following programs:

• Event Fees
• Field Trips
• Advanced Placement Tests
• Running Start Books
• Associated Student Body (ASB) Fees
• Pre-College Exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT)
• College Application Fees

Deadline is January 24 , 2025

To take an AP Exam with accommodations, a student must be approved for each accommodation by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Each student must work with their high school’s AP or SSD Coordinator to ensure their request for accommodations has been accurately submitted to the College Board. Please visit the College Board’s website to learn more about accommodations for students with existing 504 or IEP plans.

Note that if a student has previously been approved for an accommodation for any of the other College Board exams (e.g., PSAT/SAT, CLEP, etc.), then the student automatically qualifies for the same accommodation for all AP exams and no further action is required. If a student recently qualified for new accommodations, a request must be submitted by the family and the high school’s SSD Coordinator to the College Board.

For questions, please contact your high school’s AP Coordinator, Amy Doll, at asdoll@seattleschools.org.

Saturday, December 14, WSHS Library, 9am–12pm

Students, don't spend winter break worrying about grades and class projects! Contact your teachers and get missing or late assignments, then come to Saturday School. Additional support will be available for students who are currently facing academic challenges in core classes. Bring your laptop, missing work, and a desire to learn. Breakfast is provided! Questions about Saturday School? Contact Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org.

Deadline is Sunday, December 15

Seniors, it's time to place your order with National Achiever for your cap and gown, graduation announcements, and other senior swag. If you miss this deadline, there will be a delay in receiving your cap and gown and other graduation items and you may incur an expedited processing fee. Please call National Achiever Services with any questions at (425) 357-1338.

Seniors, be a part of the Kimtah Yearbook (Details and Links):

• January 10, 2025: Senior Portrait and Baby Photo Due
• January 31, 2025: Senior Shoutout Due

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Thursday, January 23, 2025, WSHS Library, 6–8pm

The WSHS PTSA is hosting an teach-in for families that will include an overview of how Seattle Public Schools are funded, where that funding fails to meet Washington State’s constitutional obligations, and what our community can do to help create sufficient and consistent sources of public school funding. Topics covered will include the 2025 state legislative session and school levies, the People’s Big 5 funding proposal, and advocacy opportunities such as the Billion Dollar Bakesale and the Olympia lobbying days on January 30 and February 17. Speaker information and further details to follow, as they are confirmed. Please direct questions and suggestions to Paul Bugala at legistlative@wshsptsa.org.

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 WSHS PTSA today. The WSHS PTSA offers membership scholarships to those who are unable to afford membership dues; please email membership@wshsptsa.org. Be a part of making WSHS the school community you want!

Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Roosevelt HS, 6–8:30pm, Register Now

Connect with gap year program providers, counselors, alumni, and college admissions representatives to learn about taking a gap year, including applying for gap year scholarships.

Applications Due Friday, February 14, 2025, Apply Now

The Seattle Promise scholarship provides up to two years or 90 credits of tuition at one of the three Seattle Colleges. All SPS graduates from the Class of 2025 are eligible for Seattle Promise, regardless of GPA, income, or country of birth.

The WSHS Counseling Office prioritizes student meetings. Students can book an appointment with their assigned school counselor below:

• Last Names A–Et, Book an appointment with Erica Nguyen

• Last Names Ev–Mad, Book an appointment with Kinsey Hedeen

• Last Names Mah–Pet, Book an appointment with Mallory Neuman

• Last Names Ph–Z, Book an appointment with Christine Nutters

Parents/caregivers who would like to speak with a counselor should please email wshscounseling@seattleschools.org

• December 6: Bowling vs. Nathan Hale (West Seattle Bowl 3pm)
• December 6: Gymnastics Meet (WSHS 7pm)
• December 7: Wrestling Tournament (Chief Sealth HS 10am)
• December 7: Flag Football vs. Seattle Academy (Seattle Center 12pm)
• December 7: Flag Football vs. Lakeside (Seattle Center 1pm)
• December 9: Bowling vs. Roosevelt (West Seattle Bowl 3pm)
• December 10: Boys Basketball vs. Garfield (Garfield HS 7:30pm)
• December 11: Girls Basketball vs. Garfield (Garfield HS 7:30pm)
• December 12: Wrestling vs. Garfield (Chief Sealth HS 6pm)
• December 12: Wrestling vs. Ballard (Chief Sealth HS 7:30pm)
• December 13: Bowling vs. Ingraham (West Seattle Bowl 3pm)
• December 13: Girls Basketball vs. Lincoln (WSHS 5:30pm)
• December 13: Gymnastics Meet (Roosevelt HS 7pm)
• December 13: Boys Basketball vs. Rainier Beach (WSHS 8:30pm)

Wednesday, December 18, JSCEE, 4:15 pm

The Seattle School Board welcomes members of the public to the Regular meetings of the Board. Meeting agendas and relevant materials are posted at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. This meeting will be live streamed on SPSTV.

Saturday, January 18, 2025, Rainier Beach HS, 10am–3pm, Register Now

The FREE expo is open to students of all ages. Everyone is welcome! Meet with representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), other colleges, universities and educational programs. More than 50 colleges will be there, ready to waive application fees, accept students on the spot, and award scholarships. High school juniors and seniors should bring their transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.

Students are also invited to participate in an essay writing contest for a chance to win scholarship money. The topic is “Why is a college education important to me.” Submit your 500-word essay by Monday, January 6, 2025.

Tuesday, December 10, 7pm, Via Zoom

Join a a FREE college planning webinar to learn about the latest changes to college admissions. Find out how these changes might impact your high school student on their path to college.

• Teri Thompson, of Thompson College Consulting, will discuss the latest from the UW, including the role of extracurricular activities in the college process. She will also discuss merit scholarships and surprisingly affordable international options.
• Greg Smith, of Northwest Educational Services will discuss the test-optional landscape and how students can prepare for tests, including the new Digital SAT and updates to the ACT.
• Finally, financial planner Albert Israel will talk about the updated FAFSA, how college aid is quantified, and what you can do to prepare when it comes to planning for paying for college.

WSHS Website * WSHS PTSA * ASB Instagram

Bell Schedule * Calendar * Volunteering

Athletics * Attendance * Counseling Center * Library * Teen Health Center

Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama * West Seattle Booster Club * Westside HEY Coalition

Read past issues of this newsletter

Update your communications preferences

If you would like to share news or publicize an event or opportunity relevant to the West Seattle High School community, please contact us at communications@wshsptsa.org.