What's Up Westside
December 13, 2024
At A Glance
- December 13: Key Club Spaghetti Night Fundraiser (WSHS Commons, 6:30pm)
- December 14: Saturday Study Hall (WSHS Library, 9am–12pm)
- December 15: Cap and Gown Orders Due (Via National Achiever)
- December 16–20: Winter Spirit Week
- December 17: Jazz Ensembles Concert (WSHS Theater, 7pm)
- December 18: Orchestra and Choir Concert (WSHS Theater, 7pm)
- December 19: Band and Percussion Concert (WSHS Theater, 7pm)
- December 20: One Hour Early Dismissal
- December 23–January 3, 2025: NO SCHOOL, Winter Break
Giving Opportunities
Red Cross Club Winter Necessities Drive
Through Wednesday, December 18
The WSHS Red Cross Club gathering essential clothing and toiletries that will be packaged into kits and donated to the PorchLight Men's Shelter. They are collecting warm hats, socks, and blankets, as well personal hygiene products (see complete list below). Donations can be dropped off in the bin located at the Historic Entrance.
ASB Toy Drive
Through Friday, December 20
The ASB is collecting new and lightly used toys to be donated to Seattle Children's Hospital. The donation box is outside the Student Store.
For WSHS Families
Winter Concerts
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
- Wednesday, December 18 – Orchestra and Choir
- Thursday, December 19 – Bands and Percussion
Keep Up the Routine of Attendance!
We are grateful to families for helping to maintain a routine for showing up to school. We appreciate everyone’s efforts to avoid taking extra time off around the winter break. As long as your child is healthy, please encourage showing up to class when school is in session. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to develop personally, socially and academically.
If your family or your child needs support, please reach out to Care Coordinator Eseosa Orhuozee at eeorhuozee@seattleschools.org. May these days off be restful and healing. We appreciate each one of you and we look forward to seeing you again when school resumes on January 6, 2025!
Request Accommodations for AP Exams
Deadline is January 24, 2025
Students wanting to take an AP Exam with accommodations must be approved for each accommodation by the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. Each student must work with our AP Coordinator, Amy Doll, to ensure their request for accommodations has been accurately submitted to the College Board. Please visit the College Board 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 new request must be submitted by the family and our AP Coordinator. For questions, please contact Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org.
Incoming Student Open House
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.
Student Life
Saturday Study Hall
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 Study Hall. 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? Contact Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org.
Cap and Gown Orders Due
Deadline is Sunday, December 15, Order Now
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.
Winter Spirit Week
Monday, December 16–Friday, December 20
- Monday: Summer in December (dress in summer clothes)
- Tuesday: “Chill Guy” day (all-school twin day based off the chill guy meme)
- Wednesday: Ugly Sweater Day
- Thursday: Candy Cane Day (wear red & white)
- Friday: ‘Twas the night before break (PJ day)
Class of 2025 Yearbook Deadlines
Seniors, be a part of the Kimtah Yearbook (Details and Links):
- Senior quotes are past due but seniors can still submit a quote over Winter Break
- January 10, 2025: Senior Portrait and Baby Photo Due
- January 31, 2025: Senior Shoutout Due
Save the Date for Winter Formal
Saturday, February 1, 2025
PTSA Presents
The PTSA Thanks YOU!
Thank you all for the outstanding community response for our Cookies and Cocoa event on Wednesday afternoon. The staff was so grateful for your donations of sweet treats and savory snacks!
What to Expect in the 2025 Legislative Session
Tuesday, December 17, Via Zoom, 7–8pm, Sign Up Now
Join WSPTA Legislative Consultant Marie Sullivan for an overview of what to expect in the 2025 legislative session, including post-election changes in the legislature, known session protocols, and how to best engage with the 2025 legislature during this long session. Sign up to attend the session.
Public School Funding Teach-In and Advocacy Training
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.
WSPTA Student Scholarship
Application Due February 13, 2025, 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.
Join the PTSA!
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!
Counseling Corner
Seattle Gap year Fair
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.
Seattle Promise Scholarship
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.
Book an Appointment with Your School Counselor
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
Athletic Announcements
This Week's Varsity Sports Schedule
- 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)
- December 14: Girls Flag Football vs. Ballard (Seattle Center, 11am)
- December 14: Girls Flag Football vs. Rainier Beach (Seattle Center, 12pm)
- December 14: Boys Basketball vs. Foster (WSHS, 7pm)
- December 16: Bowling vs. Ballard (West Seattle Bowl, 3pm)
- December 16: Boys Basketball vs. Eastside Catholic (WSHS, 7:30pm)
- December 18: Wrestling vs. Ingraham (Bishop Blanchet HS, 6pm)
- December 18: Girls Basketball vs. Eastside Catholic (WSHS, 7:30pm)
- December 18: Wrestling vs. Bishop Blanchet (Bishop Blanchet HS, 7:30pm)
- December 20: Boys Swim vs. Cleveland and Franklin (SW Pool, 4pm)
- December 20: Girls Basketball vs. Holy Names (WSHS, 5:30pm)
- December 20: Gymnastics Meet (Roosevelt HS, 7pm)
- December 20: Boys Basketball vs. O'Dea (WSHS, 8:30pm)
Seattle Public Schools News
School Board Regular Meeting
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.
Black College Expo
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.
World Language Credit Testing
Students who are proficient in another language may be able to earn high school credit! Seattle Public Schools offers World Language Credit Testing in many languages on the following dates:
- January 18, 2025
- February 15, 2025
Find out more information about World Language Credit Testing, including languages offered and eligibility criteria.
Helpful Links
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.