What's Up Westside

• October 19: Homecoming Dance (The Shop Club, 8–11pm)
  

• October 21–25: PSAT (11th Graders)

• October 21: Friends of WS Music and Drama Volunteer Meeting (7pm, via Zoom)

• October 22: Picture Make-Up/Retake Day

• November 1: PTSA Mini-Grant Proposals Due (Apply Now)
  

• 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 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)

Monday, October 21, 7pm, via Zoom

Tuesday, October 22

• Make-up portraits: Students who missed the September picture day can preorder make-up portraits from Yuen Li.
• Retake portraits: Students who wish to retake their September picture can return their photo package to the photographer in exchange for a free retake.
• View and order portraits: Families can view and order portraits from the September and October picture days. The online code is your student's SPS ID number.

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

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

• Students must Register for the AP Exam(s) via CollegeBoard by November 6. Teachers will provide a join code for each AP course.
• Students must Pay for the AP Exam(s) via SchoolPay by November 6. Registrations that are not paid by November 6 will be cancelled and exams will not be ordered.
• Students must be currently enrolled in an AP Class at WSHS to register for the corresponding AP test. Students who wish to take an AP Exam for a course not offered at WSHS must fill out the Cross-District Registration Form by November 1.
• 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. Please complete the Free or Reduced-Price Meal Application by October 31, and be sure to opt into other benefits including pre-college exams. Qualified students need to notify our exam coordinator, Amy Doll to receive exam fee reductions or waivers.

• Students who are unable to take the AP exam(s) after their exam has been ordered for any reason are eligible for a partial refund of $78 per exam.

• AP Exams will be administered May 5–16, 2025. Visit the College Board website for the 2025 AP Exam Dates. Late-testing dates will not be available this year due to budget constraints.
  

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. This is not a class, but rather a space where parents share wisdom and understanding, creating community around the shared experience of parenting.

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

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for ticket information.

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!

Join us for a showcase of student talent and an opportunity to meet other WSHS parents and staff.

A ticket gets you appetizers prepared by our culinary arts students and a drink ticket.

This annual event is an evening to celebrate with each other as well as raise money to fund requests from staff and students. Bid on generously donated auction items and raise your paddle for our school!

Fall Fundraiser Sponsorships and Donations Needed

Season tickets to share? Cabin in the woods? Ski or sea weekend away to offer?

If you own a business, work for a business, or frequent a business, please consider a donation for our auction. If you would like to expand your reach within our community, check out our sponsorship packages. Please email Fred Northup at fred@frednorthup.com with any questions.

Can't Make the Party?

You can still help bridge the funding gap for our students by making a gift directly on the PTSA website.

Sign Up to Help Throw the Party

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4BAFA92DA46-52486485-fall

Opt In by Sunday, November 24, Consent Form

Seattle Public Schools has partnered with Forefront Suicide Prevention and The Jed Foundation to support the mental health and well-being of our students. WSHS is participating in JED High School delivered by Forefront, a 3-year program that provides expert support, evidence-based best practices, and data-driven guidance to protect student mental health and prevent suicide.

Students and staff at WSHS are being surveyed to inform our school's strategic planning process and subsequent actions. Student input is critical to improving student well-being, academic success, and social connectedness. We hope that families will choose to opt their students in to this assessment by completing this consent form by November 24. Student responses will be kept confidential and secure, and will not be connected with their name, email, or any other information that identifies them.

2024–2025 Club List

See the full list of clubs at WSHS. Follow them on social media or send an email to connect.

Join your peers for our first ever off-campus Homecoming Dance!

October 21–25, PSAT (11th Grade, WSHS Library)

West Seattle HS will offer a free school-day PSAT for 11th graders next week. All 11th graders have been registered for the exam. Test sessions are assigned based on ELA class; please reference the schedule below. The exams have transitioned to a digital platform and students are required to use their SPS-issued device. Students must arrive on time; late arrivals will not be admitted to the exam.

Students will be taking the School Climate Survey in their advisory classes next week. This survey will provide our school with data and insight about school conditions across key climate areas.

We know that a safe and supportive school environment—where students have positive social relationships, are respected and engaged in their work, and feel competent—matters. How students experience the overall climate of their schools impacts their achievement and success. Our Building Leadership Team will use the data from this survey to set goals for the Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) and Racial Equity Team (RET).

Questions or concerns about the survey can be directed to the Department of Research and Evaluation. research@seattleschools.org.

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!

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

Applications Due Friday, November 1, Apply Now

WSHS PTSA is pleased to fund mini-grants to support teaching and learning at WSHS. Grants are available to teachers, student groups, and school volunteers. Grants can be used to purchase equipment, supplies or other tangible goods. We prioritize projects that have a lasting impact, improve equity, benefit a greater number of students, and receive no funding from SPS.

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!

• Erica Nguyen, Student Last Names A-Et, etnguyen@seattleschools.org, 206-252-8909
• Kinsey Hedeen, Student Last Names Ev-Mad, krhedeen@seattleschools.org, 206-252-8769
• Mallory Neuman, Student Last Names Mah-Pet, mlneuman@seattleschools.org, 206-252-8779
• Christine Nutters, Student Last Names Ph-Z, canutters@seattleschools.org, 206-252-8819

The PowerSchool mobile app enables parents to see all of their students' grades, assignments, scores, attendance, schedules, and school bulletins. The SPS district code is: KDND.

• October 21: US Army/US Army Reserve (Commons)
  

• October 24: Oregon State (Career Center)

• October 29: University of Portland (Library)
• 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.

• October 18: Girls Swim vs. Ingraham (SW Community Pool, 4pm)
  
• October 18: Football vs. Ingraham (SWAC, 4:30pm)
  
• October 21: Girls Soccer vs. Lakeside (Lakeside HS, 4pm)
• October 22: Volleyball vs. Lincoln (WSHS, 7pm)
• October 23: Girls Soccer vs. Roosevelt (Roosevelt HS, 7pm)
  
• October 24: Cross Country Metro Championship (Lower Woodland, 1pm)
  
• October 24: Volleyball vs. Seattle Prep (Seattle Prep HS, 7pm)
  
• October 25: Girls Soccer vs. Ballard (Walt Hundley, 4pm)
  
• October 25: Girls Swim vs. Bishop Blanchet (Meadowbrook, 4pm)
  
• October 25: Football vs. Nathan Hale (NEAC, 5:30pm)
  

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.

Saturday, October 26, Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster St), 10am–2pm

This is a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs.

Sunday, November 3, UW Campus, 8:30am–2pm, FREE, Register Now

This event aims to help high school students explore STEM majors and careers. This free admission fair will exhibit UW STEM departments, student organizations, and research. It will also include informational sessions to help attendees navigate college decision-making and opportunities to explore STEM careers with STEM professionals.

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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