What's Up Westside

• November 2: Saturday Study Hall (WSHS Library, 9am–12pm)
  

• November 4: WSHS Booster Club Meeting (West Seattle Realty, 7–8pm)

• November 5: First Tuesdays Parent Social (Larry's Tavern, 7pm)

• November 6: AP Exam Registration and Payment Due

• November 11: No School (Veterans Day)

• November 12: Parent to Parent Night (WSHS Care Center, 6–7:30pm)

• November 14–16 and 20–22: Ophelia (WSHS Theater, 7:30pm)

• November 15: PTSA Fall Fundraiser (WSHS Commons, 5–7pm, $20 Tickets)

Fall back this weekend. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep. We will all need it as we keep up this high pace through the first semester. We are almost to the end of the first quarter, so be sure to log into the Source and check in on your student's progress. Please reach out to teachers if you have any questions or concerns. Tomorrow is one of our Saturday Study Halls from 9am–12pm, in the Library. This is a very supportive environment (with treats). Make up a test, get tutoring support, work on a group project with classmates. Come check it out and boost your grades. Our fall sports are moving into the post season, so be sure to get out and support our student athletes. Check out West Seattle | Metro League for schedules and scores. Winter sports will be starting up over the next few weeks. Be sure to check out the upcoming Fall Production of Ophelia and our PTSA sponsored fundraiser night out on November 15th.

Go, Wildcats!

Saturday, November 9, Sun Willows Golf Course (Pasco)

Girls 1pm, Unified 2pm, Boys 2:30pm

It was a great day at Districts for the West Seattle Cross Country runners. This was the first time in program history that a full boys' and girls' team qualified for Districts! Congrats to Aran Connolly, Lukas Doig, Clara Peak, and Daisy Pierson, who qualified for the State 3A Cross Country Championship. Doig, Peak, and Pierson all ran PRs on the tough Lower Woodland course. The WSHS Boys and Girls teams finished 10th overall. Our two Unified runners: Elliott Weinmann and Garrison Etheridge also qualified for State. They and their partners Liam Baier and Ryan Wade will compete in the first ever State Unified Cross Country race!

Friday, November 15, WSHS Commons, 5–7pm, $20 Tickets

We're kicking off our Direct Give donation drive with a "happy hour" celebration of West Seattle High! Explore student art, music, and drama. Your ticket includes appetizers prepared by our culinary arts students and one mocktail. Come celebrate, while raising money to fund grant requests from staff and students. Bid on generously donated auction items and raise your paddle for our school!

• Donations Needed: Please consider a donation for our auction.
• Sponsor This Event: Check out our sponsorship packages.
• Volunteers Needed: Sign up here for set-up, clean-up, and everything in between.

• Can't Make the Party? Make a gift directly on the PTSA website.

Now Through Friday, November 8

Please help us collect food, hygiene products, and clothes for WSHS students and families. Drop off during school hours at the bins in front of the ASB Store (Room 131).

Monday, November 4, West Seattle Realty (2715 California Ave SW), 7pm

Parents, alumni, and passionate fans are all welcome to learn how you can support the West Seattle High School athletic program.

Tuesday, November 5, Larry's Tavern (3405 California Ave SW), 7pm

Come play bingo with friends to get your mind off the election for a couple of hours! Every first Tuesday of the month, Larry’s Tavern donates partial proceeds to the WSHS PTSA. Bingo starts at 7:30pm. All are welcome! You do not have to be a PTSA member.

Due Wednesday, November 6, Click here for full details

The registration and payment window for AP Exams is now open.

• Students must Register for the AP Exam(s) via CollegeBoard. Teachers will provide a join code for each AP course.
• Students must Pay for the AP Exam(s) via SchoolPay. The standard exam fee is $120.00 plus a 3.99% SchoolPay transaction fee. Payments can also be made via check or exact cash in the main office to avoid the processing fee. You may qualify for an AP test fee reduction or waiver.

Tuesday, November 12, WSHS Care Center, Room 129, 6–7:30pm

Join other parents and caregivers as we create a safe space to support one another during this important and often challenging time in your teen’s life. Facilitated by school social worker and adolescent therapist Crissa Parsley, LICSW, this monthly meeting brings together parents/guardians to discuss the issues facing you and your teen: friendships, mental health, substance use, setting boundaries, discipline, and more.

November 14–16 and 20–22, WSHS Theater, 7:30pm, Tickets

Support our Drama students in the Fall Production of Ophelia! This play imagines a world where, rather than being relegated to an unceremonious offstage death, Ophelia takes center stage in the story of Shakespeare's famous brooding prince. Join us for a night of swords, vengeful ghosts, and perhaps more than one person hiding in the curtains....

Get one free student ticket with code WILDCAT.

Opt In by Sunday, November 24, Complete this consent form.

Parents, we need your consent to administer the JED High School Student Survey. The survey will inform our school's delivery of JED High School by Forefront, a 3-year program designed to address teen mental health tailored to our community's specific needs. Student input is critical and student responses will be kept confidential. Click here for more information.

Saturday, November 2, WSHS Library, 9am–12pm

Saturday Study Hall is available for all WSHS students to finish the first quarter strong with a tutor's support. Tutors will be available to assist with test prep, test corrections, late assignments, and missing assignments. Students should connect with their teachers in advance to get missing work/projects and arrange test retakes. We provide breakfast; students bring their laptop and a desire to learn!

Mark your calendars for future scheduled Saturday Study Hall dates:

• December 14, 2024
• January 25, 2025

• November 20: Senior Quotes Due
• January 10, 2025: Senior Portrait and Baby Photo Due
• January 31, 2025: Senior Shoutout Due

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!

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

Did you take high school level courses while you were in middle school? Students can request to have these courses removed from the high school transcript, and can also request that the letter grade be removed from the transcript and replaced with a “pass” mark for credit only. To remove a course from the transcript, please pick up a form in the school counseling office. The deadline is June 1 of your 11th Grade year.

• November 6: San Diego State University (Library)
  
• November 6: California Polytechnic State University (Library)

Questions? Contact your school counselor.

Wednesday, November 6, Seattle Central Library, 5:30–7:30pm

Are you interested in getting an early start on the FAFSA? College Success Foundation is holding a Beta FAFSA before the FAFSA officially opens.

• In order to participate and complete the FAFSA early, students and parent/guardians (contributors) must create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID by October 25. Note: this process may take 1–3 days.

• Complete the FAFSA Beta Sign Up Form by October 28.

• Bring student & contributor info to complete the FAFSA.
• Bring a laptop as a back-up.

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.

• November 1–2: Girls Swim/Dive 3A Metro Championship (Snohomish Aquatic Center)
  
• November 1: Football vs. Bishop Blanchet (SWAC, 7:30pm)
  
• November 6: Volleyball vs. TBD (WSHS, 7pm, Tickets)
• November 7: Girls Dive 3A District Championship (Lindbergh Pool, Renton, 2:45pm)
• November 7: Football vs. Ballard (SWAC, 4:30pm)
• November 8–9: Girls Swim 3A District Championship (Mary Wayte Pool, Mercer Island, 5:45pm)

Due Friday, November 22, Apply Today

We invite you to be part of our sponsorship program! As you may know, Seattle Public Schools allocates very limited funds to high school sports. It really takes our West Seattle village to secure much-needed resources like training equipment, tournament fees, uniforms, and gear. As a sponsor of the WSHS Boys Basketball program, your business will contribute to an important cause while gaining exposure and recognition as a champion of local youth and education.

Every three years, SPS asks voters to consider renewing two levies that support our students, staff, and schools. While SPS receives funding, based on enrollment, from state and federal sources, the district also relies on local levies to fund our schools. Levies help bridge the gap between what we need for students, staff, and schools and what we receive from the state.

Join SPS online to learn about the proposals to renew two educational levies: the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy and the Building Excellence (BEX) Capital Levy.

• Thursday, November 7, 6:30–7:30pm, Click here for more information and link.

Stay up to date with vaccines including boosters at vaccination clinics for children and adults. Find a Vaccination Clinic date and location that is convenient for you and your family. These are regional clinics open to all in the SPS community. School-based health centers also offer free vaccinations for students including COVID-19, flu, and required childhood vaccines.

Thursday, November 7, 7pm, via Zoom

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

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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.