What's Up Westside

• January 10: Senior Portrait and Baby Photos Due
• January 13: Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama Meeting (via Zoom, 7pm)
• January 14: Dine Out for Boys Basketball (West Wings, 5–8pm)
• January 15: Dine Out for WSHS ASB (Chipotle, 5–9pm)
• January 18: Black College Expo (Rainier Beach HS, 10am–3pm, Register Now)
• January 20: MLK Jr. Day—NO SCHOOL
• January 22: 2025–2026 Course Registration Due (via The Source)
• January 23: PTSA Presents: Understanding Public School Funding and Taking Action (WSHS Library, 6–8pm)
• January 24: Deadline to Request AP Exam Accommodations
• January 25: Saturday Study Hall (WSHS Library, 9am–12pm)
• January 30: Incoming Student Open House (WSHS Commons, 6–7:30pm)
• January 31: Senior Shout-Out Due

The start of a new year reminds us to look forward with intention. As parents and caregivers, we all want to give our children the best possible chance at a happy, healthy, successful future. As staff, we are excited to continue working with students in dynamic and engaging spaces. One daily habit can set your child up for success this year and for years to come: Showing up at school in person as often as possible.

When teens regularly attend school in person, they’re more likely to develop their whole selves—personally, socially, academically, and emotionally. They’re routinely able to connect with friends and adults, collaborate and problem-solve, make decisions, think critically, be creative, and engage in hands on learning.

We look forward to seeing your student at school. Thank you for your partnership because showing up matters. Here is to a year full of joy and learning!

Erin Dolan (she/her/hers), Attendance Specialist, emdolan@seattleschools.org

Saturday, February 1, Seattle Design Center, 8–11pm, Sign Up

ASB is asking for parent volunteers to chaperone the Winter Formal dance. Choose from two short shifts.

Monday, January 13, via Zoom, 7pm

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! Visit www.wsmusicanddrama.org for more information.

Thursday, January 23, 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. Please direct questions and suggestions to Paul Bugala at legislative@wshsptsa.org.

Deadline is January 24

Students wanting to take an AP Exam with accommodations must work with our AP Coordinator, Amy Doll, to seek approval by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Please visit the College Board website to learn more about accommodations for students with existing 504 or IEP plans. For questions, please email Amy Doll.

Saturday, January 25, WSHS Library, 9am–12pm

Students, get ready for semester finals! Contact your teachers and get missing or late assignments, test corrections, and study guides then come to Saturday Study Hall. Tutors 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? Email Amy Doll.

Thursday, January 30, WSHS Commons, 6–7:30pm

Incoming students and their families are invited to meet our staff, visit with each of our academic departments, learn about clubs and sports, and tour the school.

Friday, February 7, WSHS Commons, 7–8:30pm

Save the Date for our 2nd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Join the AAPI Club and Chinese Program for an all-ages community celebration to welcome the Year of the Snake! Experience Lunar New Year traditions, enjoy delicious food and festive music, and try your luck at trivia games and lantern riddles to win fun prizes! Admission is free and open to all WSHS families thanks to a generous grant from the WSHS PTSA. We are currently seeking performers and volunteers for the event, so please reach out via the AAPI Club Instagram (@wshs.aapi) if you have a talent to share or want to help!

Wednesday, January 15, Chipotle, 5–9pm

Support our ASB as they plan dances and school-wide events. WSHS ASB will receive 25% of every order. Show this flyer in the restaurant or pre-order online using code MZDRLZJ.

Course registration for the 2025–2026 school year is just around the corner! Students should already have received their academic history and graduation checklist, which will help determine which credits they still need to fulfill graduation requirements. Please note the following key dates:

• Wednesday, January 15: Students receive their grade-level Option Sheets during advisory and begin considering courses.

• Monday, January 20: Online Registration opens via The Source. Students access the “Class Registration” tab on the left side of the screen and select their courses for the next school year.
• Wednesday, January 22: Students must submit completed Option Sheets to their advisory teacher. Online registration via The Source closes at midnight.

Visit the school website for complete details and additional resources.

Please also note that we will have schedule changes on Wednesdays, January 15 and 22, to support the course registration process:

Monday and Tuesday, January 27–28

Please note that we will have a special schedule for semester finals:

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

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

Saturday, February 1, Seattle Design Center, 8–11pm

Tickets go on sale January 13–17 (online only). $30 per person; $25 with activity sticker. In person sales will begin January 21. Guest forms are due January 29.

Application Due February 13, Apply Now

Washington State PTA offers four $2,500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Washington state public high schools with an active PTA, who will be starting college (either two-year or four-year) in the fall. More information here.

February 10–14

During this week, members can participate in daily email calls to actions. Subscribe to WSPTA Action Alerts

Monday, February 17, Register Now

Join us for Focus Day at the State Capitol in Olympia. Come advocate to close the funding gaps and ensure financial stability for schools and other vital issues that impact students around the state! All WSPTA members are welcome. Bring your children to join in the fun! We need your stories, we need your voice, we need you!

Thousands of scholarships are available to seniors and go unclaimed every year! Here are a few available opportunities for Seattle Public Schools students.

Saturday, January 18, 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.

Tuesday, February 11, 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, 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 through the Counseling Center website. Parents/caregivers who would like to speak with a counselor should please email wshscounseling@seattleschools.org. Counselor assignments are as follows:

• Erica Nguyen: Last Names A–Et
• Kinsey Hedeen: Last Names Ev–Marg
• Mallory Neuman: Last Names Mari–Pig
• Christine Nutters: Last Names Pin–Z

• January 10: Bowling vs. Garfield (West Seattle Bowl, 3pm)
• January 10: Boys Swim vs. Nathan Hale (Southwest Community Pool, 4pm)
• January 10: Girls Basketball vs. Lakeside (Lakeside HS, 7:30pm)
• January 10: Boys Basketball vs. Nathan Hale (Nathan Hale HS, 7:30pm)
• January 11: Flag Football vs. Roosevelt (Seattle Center, 9am)
• January 11: Flag Football vs. Chief Sealth (Seattle Center, 10am)
• January 11: Wresting Tournament (Cleveland HS, 10am)
• January 13: Bowling vs. Ingraham (West Seattle Bowl, 3pm)
• January 13: Boys Basketball vs. Seattle Prep (WSHS, 7:30pm)
• January 15: Bowling vs. Roosevelt (West Seattle Bowl, 3pm)
• January 15: Wrestling vs. Nathan Hale (Chief Sealth HS, 6pm)
• January 15: Girls Basketball vs. Seattle Prep (WSHS, 7:30pm)
• January 15: Wrestling vs. O'Dea (Chief Sealth HS, 7:30pm)
• January 16: Boys Basketball vs. Rainier Beach (Rainier Beach HS, 7:30pm)
• January 17: Bowling vs. Ballard (West Seattle Bowl, 3pm)
• January 17: Boys Swim vs. Ballard (Ballard Pool, 4pm)
• January 17: Gymnastics Meet (Nathan Hale HS, 7pm)

Tuesday, January 14, West Wings, 5–8pm

25% of sales will be donated to the WSHS Boys Basketball program for both dine in and takeout.

Sunday, February 9, SWAC Upper Field, Beginners 8:30–10 am, Advanced 10:15–11:45am

The WSHS Varsity Softball team is hosting a softball skills clinic. Players will learn fundamental skills and will better their understanding of the game.

SPS will be asking voters to consider two expiring levies in the February 11 election. These levies provide continued funding for building safety, school programs, student services and building improvements, ensuring students have safe and supportive learning environments. We invite you to learn more about these levies by attending one of five regional community meetings in January. These in-person meetings offer a chance to ask questions, hear details, and learn how the levies fund our schools. Interpretation services will be available at all meetings.

Levy informational meetings (All meetings are 6:30–7:30pm):

• January 13 at Wing Luke Elementary, 3701 S Kenyon St, Seattle
• January 14 at Viewlands Elementary, 10525 3rd Ave NW, Seattle
• January 16 at Kimball Elementary, 3200 23rd Ave S, Seattle
• January 21 at Olympic Hills Elementary, 13018 20th Ave. NE

For more information including meeting updates and levy details, visit the SPS website at www.seattleschools.org/levies.

Due January 16, Apply Now

Become an advocate for your community! In this program, high school students will learn about the legislative process, write an advocacy letter about an issue you care about, and receive support and mentorship along the way. YCEP will meet once a month on Saturday mornings from February through early summer 2025.

Saturday, January 11, Highland Park Elementary,10am–2pm

Join Public Health's Access and Outreach program along with many community partners for an enrollment health fair with FREE food truck meals, car seats available (call to reserve), and much more:

• Enroll in 2025 health insurance (Apple Health/Medicaid & Qualified Health Plans)
• Apply for driver’s license or ID card
• Receive assistance with EBT (food), cash, and childcare-- and complete your interview
• Receive COVID, Flu, & childhood immunizations

Register Now

WSCO provides community musicians of all ages and abilities with opportunities for performance and growth. WSCO currently serves about 260 musicians, including approximately 90 students. WSCO's large ensembles include the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Debut Orchestra, and Wind Symphony and small classes include Student Beginning Strings, Adult Beginning Strings, and Adult Beginning Band.

Sign up today with keyword: seattle.

City of Seattle is partnering with Talkspace to bring free online therapy for Seattle youth and young adults ages 13–24. Seattle youth also have access to Talkspace Go, a self-guided therapy app tailored for individuals. To get started, simply download the Talkspace Go app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter your organization code: seattle.

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

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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.