We are very pleased to announce that the Reflections entries created by seven LWHS students are moving on to the State level of the competition. Congratulations to:
Aidan Toomre won Award of Merit (3rd) for "Transform" in the category of Visual Arts.
Nicole Carpenter won Award of Merit (3rd) for "Ms. Blue Sky" in the category of Visual Arts.
Qijun Lou won Award of Merit (3rd) for "Road of Hope" in the category of Visual Arts.
Julia Anderson won Honorable Mention (4th) for "Tranquil Resurgence" in the category of Visual Arts.
Madison Lewis won Honorable Mention (4th) for "Cluttered in a Shutter" in the category of Visual Arts.
Chloe Good won Outstanding Interpretation (1st) for "Within Reach" in the Special Artist Division/Visual Arts.
Halli Young won Award of Merit (3rd) for "Halli Climbing a Castle" in the Special Artist Division/Visual Arts.
Stay tuned this spring when we report on how the above seven students compete at state.
Please mark Wednesday, January 17 on your calendar. The Lake Washington School District will present information about the February bond and levy measures to the entire Lake Washington learning community (elementary and middle schools which feed into LWHS) at 6:30 in the LWHS theater.
The 2018 Bond maintains the current rate with no tax rate increase. The district now enrolls over 29,000 students and is the third largest district in the state. As we grow at over 700 students per year, our schools have become overcrowded, with 14% of the total district classroom capacity in portables. Solutions include cost-conscious bond measures, to include the upcoming one, to fund additional classroom space, to include at LWHS, and building new schools.
The 2018 Capital Projects Levy is a separate funding measure, designed to ensure our students have safe school facilities and access to technology not funded by the state. This levy replaces the expiring levy with no tax rate increase. Funds are being sought for items such as building and system improvements (heating, roofing, etc.), site improvements (walkways, parking, drainage, etc.), school & program improvements (learning space configuration, etc.), and code, compliance, health & safety (fire alarms, lock-down hardware, ADA access, etc.), and in the technology portion, network security, operating systems, student and staff computers, security cameras, library databases, professional training, etc.
The 2018 Educational Programs & Operations Levy actually decreases the tax rate and includes funding for items such as certificated and classified staff for Special Education, Highly Capable and English Learner programs, health room staff, new teacher support program, athletic directors, coaches, activity advisers, summer learning program, 7-period high school day, Head Start, Ready Start and Special Education preschool.
Following the 6:30 meeting, please convene to the LWHS Library at 7:30 for a General meeting. The featured presentation will be by Principal Christina Thomas. She will discuss the proposed Capstone program, a rigorous learning course which will be available for LWHS students starting in Fall 2018, beginning with the Class of 2020.
Magic: The Gathering is 25 years old this year. It has been a fan favorite and worldwide phenomenon that few other games can boast. Wizards of the Coast is bringing this game to life in a digital, PC-based free-to-play format - Magic: The Gathering Arena. The grand prize-winning team will get to meet the game designers who have wrestled with the challenge of bringing this beloved game to life in a new expression and learn how they did it.
The grand prize individual winnerwill receive a free summer class at DigiPen, the university dedicated to computer science and game design. In addition, each team member of a winning category (Grand Prize, Arts & Animation, Coding, Game Theory, and Sound) will receive a cash prize of at least $50.
If you have a student planning to participate please email lwhsptsaVPPrograms@gmail.com so we can support their efforts and assist with submission.
Dread. Anxiety. Fear. Many students experience one or a combination of these emotions when they think about semester finals. With careful planning, though, these emotions can be lessened. Preparation is the key.
Students should know what is going to be tested and how the test will be formatted. For instance, will the semester exam cover the entire semester? Will the exam be essay questions or multiple guess? If there is anything that a student doesn't understand, meeting with the teacher early is critical.
This translates into reviewing for the final early and consistently. Research has shown that cramming the night before simply doesn't work. Besides, who is there at 2 am to answer questions? Review textbook notes, homework assignments, the textbook, and the teacher's lecture notes. Sometimes forming a study group is helpful.
Of course, it goes without saying that students think more clearly when they eat a good breakfast and have a good night's sleep. And, finally, it's important to remember that while that semester final is important, it is the process of learning that is most important.
LWHS Students were asked to anonymously share a secret. From this collection, drama students choose eight which spoke to them. Each then wrote a short play involving or featuring that secret. After a few rounds of reviews and re-writes, students were chosen to direct the vignettes and LWHS students were cast in the various roles. Playwrights could not direct their own scripts.
Come and join us to free some secrets on January 19 at the Lake Washington High School Theater, starting at 7 PM.
Be surprised, shocked, or touched. Perhaps all three.
Tickets sold at theatre.
Cash and Checks, no credit cards.
$3 Students w/asb (any age or school), over 55, under 12, military w/ID.
$5 General admission and students without ASB.
LWSD Values Your Feedback
Each year, the district invites parents and community members to provide feedback on general school and district questions. The survey is anonymous. Schools and the district use this information in planning for the future and in continuous improvement processes. As a school, we are interested in parent feedback to help guide our future directions.
LWHS PTSA is partnering with Princeton Review to give students an opportunity to take a low-cost, practice SAT or ACT in a real test environment at school. These practice tests are available for all students but Juniors and interested Sophomores are highly encouraged to attend.
Upcoming test dates:
SAT on Sat February 10
--> SAT Registration Deadline: Tue 2/6
ACT on Sat March 24
--> ACT Registration Deadline: Tue 3/20
All tests are taken in the library from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and will give you the complete testing simulation.
WSPTA Student Essay Contest: Men Making a Difference
The Washington State PTA holds a yearly statewide essay contest that explores the important and varied contributions that men make in the lives and education of children -- from the child's perspective. All men involved in a child's life -- fathers, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, step-fathers, mentors, neighbors, pastors, coaches and friends -- impact the children they care about. Research clearly shows that male involvement positively influences academic success at all levels of schooling -- preschool through college.
Click here for contest guidelines, divisions, and to read last year's winning entries. Deadline is March 1, 2018.
Washington State PTA
Still need a yearbook?
We sell out every year!
Our final sales window will be open from January 22 to February 11th. The cost is $65 and can be purchased in person at the ASB cashier office (closes at the end of lunch), or online through Parent Access. Be sure to check your purchase history to ensure you haven't already purchases one in the fall. Contact Mandi McChesney if you need help with your account.
The only way to guarantee that you get a copy is to make sure you purchase a yearbook before the final order is placed on February 11th.
2018 Louise Sheeley Scholarship: Applications Available
Each year, the LWHS PTSA is pleased to award the Louise Sheeley Scholarship to graduating Seniors in honor of Ms. Sheeley, a former counselor. This year, the PTSA will offer four $1,000 scholarships to LWHS Seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, involvement and service to the school and community, and a vision toward their future goals.
Students are required to submit a response that details their qualifications, along with two letters of recommendation and a current transcript. Scholarships can be used for books, tuition, or room and board at a vocational, 2-year, or 4-year college or university. If you are a graduating LWHS Senior and plan to pursue further education after high school, we encourage you to apply.
The selection process is blind. All applications are due in the Career Center by Friday, March 16, 2018. Seniors can pick up an application in the Career Center or on the LWHS PTSA website.
It's that time of year for high school seniors: applying for college and figuring out how to pay for college. To help with college costs, the Washington State PTA offers three $3,000 scholarships and one $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from Washington state high schools (with active PTSAs)who will be starting 2-year or 4-year college in the fall of 2018.
There is still time for essay support! Encourage your student to come visit us for any last minute help they may need:
Wednesdays after school in the College and Career Center AND every Thursday ROO Time in the Bistro (aka Outside the Library, Upstairs Commons and 2nd Floor Commons).
Pizza. Snacks. Chocolate. Support. All free of charge!