Dear Kang Families, 

Lake Washington High School has a fantastic administrative team. As we look to next year, I would like to inform you that we will have a transition. Tim Shultz has been an associate principal at LWHS for six years. He is moving on to new opportunities next year. I appreciate Mr. Shultz and his work with our staff and families. Please join me in thanking him for his commitment to our community.

At LW, we are delighted to commemorate our seniors during the upcoming May activities and June graduation ceremony. This message will focus on one Lake Washington High School tradition: decorated grad caps.

• Seniors will have the opportunity to personalize their graduation caps prior to graduation. Kindly review the following information, which will also be directly communicated with our soon-to-be graduates.
• Cap decoration serves as a meaningful tribute to the individuals who have provided guidance and support throughout one's academic journey. It offers a platform to showcase personal achievements, career aspirations, and cultural affiliations. Many students choose to celebrate their future alma maters as well. For inspiration, you may explore examples of high school graduation cap decorations online to assist your graduate in preparation. For instance, my son adorned his cap with guitar picks to symbolize his love for music.
• It's important to note that not all schools within our district provide this opportunity for customization. When discussing my decision to allow cap decoration with other comprehensive high school principals, I emphasize the significance of tailoring the graduation experience to each student. As families observe the ceremony from the stands, they witness the rich diversity of our student body.
• Please be aware that all caps will be screened for appropriateness upon entry to the arena. Any imagery or text deemed defamatory, related to drugs/alcohol/weapons, or otherwise in violation of school policy will not be permitted. Should your senior have any inquiries regarding their design, they are encouraged to reach out to me directly. It would be unfortunate for a cap to be decorated only to be confiscated prior to the ceremony. I am committed to maintaining this tradition and opportunity as an integral part of our celebrations going forward.
• Seniors also have the option to forego cap decoration and keep their caps plain.

The Kang Crier serves as a valuable resource for important dates and event information spanning from now until the end of the year. I encourage you to utilize it as a planning guide.

Our staff eagerly anticipates celebrating all students as we approach the conclusion of the academic year. With the arrival of warmer weather, there may be a natural inclination to spend time outdoors. Please join me in encouraging your student to remain focused on maximizing their learning experience during these final six weeks of school.

Thank you for your unwavering support of our learning community. Go Kangs!

Christine Bell

Principal, Lake Washington High School

Connect with Mrs. Bell at cbell@lwsd.org

Are you tired of filling your trash can with plastics - that should be recyclable? LW is holding a plastic film recycling drive on now through Friday, May 17th.

Please bring bubble wrap, Amazon mailers, zip-top bags, produce & grocery bags to the bins at the front entrance of LW next week.

If we get 10 people to sign up for a membership for plastic recycling through Ridwell at http://get.ridwell.com/LWHS by May 31st, LW will get plastic film recycling for free all next school year. Click on the flyer for more information.

Upcoming College and Career Events:

5/15/2024 7:00pm, Zoom DigiPen Information Session (RSVP here)

5/17/2024 8:30-11:00am, ASVAB Career Exploration Test in The College and Career Center, Room 180. (students to register here)

High School internships by the Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle is excited to announce that our high school internship application for summer 2024 is now live on their site! You will notice that there are two postings this year – one for Skilled Trades, and one for all other departments. Please apply for both if you are interested. The application guide is also available and is linked in the job description.

College and Career Center

Room 180

College and Career Specialists

• Nichole Swanger: nswanger@lwsd.org
• Alex Clark-McGlenn: aclarkmcglenn@lwsd.org

LWHS PTSA recognizes individuals and volunteers who have given outstanding, continued, and dedicated service to our LWHS community. Nominations can come from parents, teachers, staff members, students, and community members. Nominate a candidate for one or all of the following awards:

• Golden Acorn Award: this award is presented to a volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth.
• Outstanding Educator Award: this award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding educational opportunities for children and youth that are beyond the normal scope of their jobs. These educators make the learning environment fun, beneficial, and challenging.
• Outstanding Advocate Award: this award recognizes and honors adult individuals for their continued and dedicated service to ALL children and a demonstrated commitment to helping create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety, and education of children and youth.
• Outstanding Student Advocate Award: this award recognizes students who have made significant contributions through leadership and service in their schools and community, with an emphasis on their impact at LWHS. 

Please nominate online at https://bit.ly/LWHSPTSAAwards. Information, award criteria and past recipients are available on the nomination form. Feel free to nominate more than one person; note that past recipients cannot be given the same award again but may be nominated for a different one.

Nominations are due by May 20th. Winners will be announced at the Volunteer Tea on June 5th.

Questions? Contact the 2023-2024 Awards Committee at awards@lwhsptsa.org.

LWHS office is requesting boxes of tissues for use in various classrooms. If you can help out, please drop off boxes at the front desk from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

CALLING ALL UNDERCLASSMEN FAMILIES:

It is time to pay it forward; PTSA needs volunteers to help with Senior Farewell! Please contact Colleen Rutherford, if you are interested in throwing a great party for Seniors and their families. PTSA provides a good budget and needs help with coordinating this time-honored event!

Senior Farewell provides an opportunity for all 2024 seniors and families, as well as LWHS staff, to connect and celebrate one final time as LWHS Kangs. Time and space limitations at the graduation ceremony prevent a reception; Senior Farewell provides a chance for seniors and guests to mingle, enjoy light refreshments, and take photos in caps and gowns.

Senior Farewell will be held in the LWHS Commons directly preceding Senior Sunset, on Friday, June 7th, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.

The LWHS Senior Party is a fun-filled all-night party for the Class of 2024! This annual tradition is a chaperoned, drug- and alcohol-free celebration that provides a safe, once-in-a-lifetime evening for our graduates. It is a last chance for graduates to be together after the formality of the ceremony and before they go their separate ways for summer and beyond and relieves the stress of making plans!

The party is held immediately after graduation on June 14th. Selected venues for the party are top secret so as to surprise our Seniors!

Tickets remain at $200 and will now increase on May 23rd to $225.

Additional information including scholarships and the ticket purchase link are available on the Senior Party information page here.

Date: Tuesday, May 21st

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Zoom information session; meeting ID 659 437 5542

Where are we going?

Spring 2025 - New Zealand

Explore LOTS of Biology, beautiful sceneries (including parts of the filming for location for LOTR!), fjords, and end in Sydney Australia!

Contact: PalmerScienceTravel@gmail.com

Spring 2025 - Costa Rica

Want to take your Spanish fluency to the next level? Come join us as we encounter the wildlife, culture and beautiful vistas of Costa Rica. This Spanish immersion trip is open to students enrolled in Spanish 4 or AP for 2024-2025!

Contact: spanishviajes@gmail.com

Summer 2025 - England, France, and Germany

For the history buffs, follow the path of major WWII sites! See battlegrounds, learn about the history of WWII, and learn about the impacts of the War on the local cultures.

Contact: KandGEduTravel@gmail.com

*Please note, these trips are NOT sponsored by LWHS or LWHS PTSA

Attention LWHS parents and students: Do you have siblings, or younger family members, who like basketball are looking for summer camp options this summer? Lake Washington Boys Basketball Association (LWBBA) is excited to announce the return of the Kang Basketball Youth Day Camp on Monday, July 22 to Thursday, July 25 for boys & girls entering 3rd-8th grades. Space is limited, so please act now. Register by completing the form here: https://kangsbasketball.sportngin.com/register/form/761571365. 

The 4-day camp will be run by LWHS Boys Basketball Coaches and LWHS players with fundamentals, games, and fun! Our high school varsity boy players serve as head counselors and other high school players serve as assistant counselors. The camper fee will be $225. Sessions will be divided with incoming 3-5th graders from 9:00am-11:30 am daily, and incoming 6-8th graders from12:30pm-3:00pm daily. The camp will be held at Lake Washington High School.

Please share this information with any friends or family who might have an interested camper. Additional information can be found at: www.kangsbasketball.com.