What's Up, Westside!

OCTOBER

• 20: Picture Re-Take Day
• 24: Homecoming

NOVEMBER

• 13: West Seattle High School PTSA Fall Fundraiser

Hi Wildcat Families!

Today we held our PSAT and SAT school day for our 11th and 12th grade students. This is an opportunity that all SPS students have to access the tests, for free, during the school day. While upperclassmen were testing, our 9th grade students participated in a Career Panel, hearing from 8 professionals about their journey to their current careers. After, they returned to their advisory classes to complete their first High School and Beyond lesson focusing on careers they may be interested in. Meanwhile, our 10th grade students participated in a service project supported by A Cleaner Alki. Students spent time cleaning Hiawatha and earned service hours for graduation. After, they also completed a High School and Beyond lesson about careers. Overall, it was a productive day. Any 9th or 10th grade student who was absent will be required to complete the High School and Beyond lesson they missed on their own. They should check in with their advisory teacher about it.

On another note, I'd like to ask families to remind their students about being a good neighbor. I have received an uptick in communication from our surrounding businesses (McDonalds, PCC, Safeway) and community members about student behavior during lunchtime. There has been some theft and general disregard from some students. In addition, community members are noticing trash being left on the field, around the park and in the neighborhood. If you have a moment, please remind your student that they are part of a larger community and we all have to collectively take care of it.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and GO WILDCATS!

Megan

Trash pick up.

It is the season of the cold, and we are asking for donations of kleenex to the main office. Please and thank you.

Tuesday, October 20

2026 Picture Re-Take Day Volunteers needed. All WSHS students can get their pictures taken for student ID's, student pictures, and the yearbook. We are asking for volunteers to make the day run smoothly.

Please review the available slots and click on the button to sign up. Thank you in advance!

Please contact Amy Huber aahuber1@seattleschools.org if you have questions.

Yuen Lui Studio – Makeup/Retake Picture Day at West Seattle High School, Tuesday, October 20

Makeup Portraits

• For students who missed Picture Day — students are responsible for getting a photo
• Preorder makeup portraits here: 2026-27 West Seattle High School Make-up/ Retake Pre-payments 10/20

Retake Portraits

• Anyone is welcome to get a retake — students are responsible for getting a photo
• The retake will replace the original photo for:
• The yearbook
• PowerSchool
• If you preordered a photo package earlier:
• You can return it to the photographer on 10/20 and a new package with your retake photo will be issued at no charge
• ID cards will not be printed for retakes — only the first photo gets an ID card

View or Order Photos

• Previously taken portraits can be accessed online:
  Order School Photos — Yuen Lui School & Sports Photography
• Keyword: West Seattle
• Online Code: Your student’s school ID number

Questions?
Contact Yuen Lui Studio for support

Enter the monthly birthday drawing. See Ms. Wardle, Attendance Specialist, Room 122F.

Homecoming: Midnight in Miami

October 24, 2026

8-11 pm

Embassy Suites Hilton: 255 South King Street, Seattle

Ticket sale window:

Oct. 9-16: $30 with ASB sticker, $35 without

Oct. 19-23: $35 with ASB sticker, $40 without

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.

The registration and payment window for AP Exams is now open. Students will receive exam registration information directly from their AP teachers.

Registration is not complete until:

1. Payment has been submitted, and

2. College Board registration has been finalized.

Payments may be made:

• Online through SchoolPay via your Parent Source Account: 3.99% processing fee added. https://ps.seattleschools.org/public/

• By check or exact cash in the Main Office: do not incur fees.

Payment Deadline: October 30

Exam Fees

• $125.00 Standard

• Online payments made through SchoolPay include a 3.99% transaction processing fee

• Payments made by check or exact cash in the Main Office do not incur the processing fee

• $20.00 Fee waiver application for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) opt into other benefits https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Please see the Advanced Placement webpage for more information.

https://www.seattleschools.org/departments/assessments/exam-schedule-and-registration/

With the addition of 2 more portables, our parking situation will become even more challenging. I cannot emphasize enough that we will not have enough parking for everyone who want to park. It is not a requirement that we provide parking for all of our students, so, I highly encourage students to not drive to school and find alternatives, to carpool, or anything to reduce the need. We are working with SPS legal on what we can actually do to enforce, parking, including ticketing and towing. The parking lot by the portables will be restricted to STAFF parking only. No student parking. and will be subject to tickets or towing. We do not have any flexibility on creating other parking options. So, again, please have a conversation with your student and when possible, coming up with alternative transportation plans would be advisable. During the school day, we will also be implementing a one way flow through the parking lot. Lastly- The Church parking lot is strictly off limits for student parking, they have already communicated that they will be towing unauthorized cars that park in their small lot. See attached document for more transportation information.

Be sure to check out all things L I B R A R Y! https://app.smore.com/n/czd4wn

Huge congrats to all of our girls soccer teams. At this rate, opponents will start asking for autographs mid-game. Keep it up girls!

Fall Sports Standings:

Cross Country (Boys and Girls): 4th

Football: Varsity: 8th (-2) JV: 9th (-1) C-Team: 9th (-1)

Golf (Boys): 6th (-3) Golf (Girls): 15th (-1)

Soccer (Girls): Varsity: 8th (+3) JV: 4th (+2) C-Team: 2nd (-1)

Swive (Girls): 11th

Volleyball: Varsity: 15th (-1) JV: 6th C-Team: 12th (-1)

FALL SPORTS SENIOR NIGHTS:
October 22nd XC @Woodland Park
October 23rd at 4pm: Girls Soccer @ Hiawatha Playfield
October 23rd at 7pm: Football @Bishop Blanchet

October 29th at 7pm: Girls Volleyball @WSHS

WINTER SPORTS:

We are getting more and more sign ups for our Winter Sport season. If your student athlete is interested in participating in any of the following WIAA sports, it’s time to get the sign up process started.
Basketball (Boys and Girls)
Bowling (Girls)
Flag Football (Girls)
Gymnastics (Boys and Girls)

Swive (Boys)
Wresting (Boys and Girls)

How do I sign them up? Great question, here are the steps:
1) Schedule a Sports Physical with your General Practitioner OR Neighborcare located here at West Seattle High
*Sports physicals are valid for 2 years. If you are not sure if your sports physical is out of date, check your Final Forms account.
2) Guardian(s): Login or create your PARENT Final Forms Account and follow these instructions. *Parents, please fill out Final Forms first before the student as the student will need to sign forms after you sign them.
3) Student: Login or create your STUDENT Final Forms Account, Sign all of the forms.
4) Question? Email me

Pro Tip: Get this process started sooner rather than later!
Thanks to all the parents who have been getting their physicals in. A+

Check out Cirkled In for 100's of scholarship options. Starting this month they have a quarterly scholarship that awards $2,500 and features a simple, no-essay application process. There are no minimum GPA or income requirements, making it accessible to a wide range of students.

• 10/19/26 Washington State University

All college representatives will be in the Library during lunch. Please come visit them!

🎓 Senior College Planning & Support

We are excited to support our Class of 2027 as they navigate the college application process!

On Tuesday, September 29, we walked seniors through important steps in the college application process, including how to request transcripts and letters of recommendation and how to download their unofficial transcript. We will continue providing weekly drop-in college advising support during Wednesday Advisory in Room 231. If your student has questions or needs additional support with their college applications or post-high school planning, please encourage them to stop by!

We are also excited to offer two parent nights in partnership with the WSHS PTSA:

📅 Thursday, October 29 | Financial Aid & FAFSA
Join us for an evening focused on financial aid and the FAFSA, with support from Seattle University. We will share important information to help families understand the financial aid process and prepare for the steps ahead.

📅 Thursday, November 5 | College 101 for Families
This evening will walk families through the college application process and the specific steps and resources we are sharing with students at school. Come learn alongside your student, get on the same page about the application process, and get your questions answered.

We look forward to partnering with seniors throughout the year as they explore the many pathways available to them after high school!

• Erica Nguyen: Last Names A–El: etnguyen@seattleschools.org
• Kinsey Hedeen: Last Names Em–Leb: krhedeen@seattleschools.org
• Mallory Neuman: Last Names Lee–Pi: mlneuman@seattleschools.org
• Christine Nutters: Last Names Po–Z: canutters@seattleschools.org
• Seattle Promise: Book an appointment with Rony Nunez-Alvarez

Does your student need volunteer hours?

On Sunday, October 18, from 1:00–4:00 PM at the annual Fauntleroy Fall Festival! The festival will take place at the Fauntleroy Church and YMCA. There are a variety of volunteer needs, have fun, and earn hours. Interested in helping? Volunteers are still needed to make the festival a success!

Admission is free, and there will be food vendors, live music, animals, and lots of free family activities and entertainment. It’s a great opportunity to spend an afternoon together and celebrate fall with our community.

Learn more: fauntleroyfallfestival.com
Volunteer: Sign up to volunteer

StemMed Students, a student-led nonprofit organization dedicated to providing STEM opportunities to underserved high school students. We are currently accepting applications for our general membership program, where students can actively contribute to and support our global STEM initiatives. Below, you'll find the core expectations for this commitment as well as the key benefits and opportunities students will gain from joining.

General Roles & responsibilities:

• REQUIRED: High school student (any grade level)
• Attend general body meetings twice a month
• Provide input on branch lead projects
• Perform weekly assignments
• ~1-2 hours a week of work expected.

• Volunteer hours
• Leadership experience
• Collaboration with professors and other professionals
• Potential to get leadership roles over time

• Deadline: The application deadline is rolling but spots fill up quickly so have your students apply as soon as they can.
• Application link: [click here]
• StemMed Students Website: [click here]

Hiawatha Community Center - Teen Program

Hiawatha Community Center Painting Party

PTSA Membership Drive

West Seattle High School PTSA Fall Fundraiser: November 13, 2026. You can buy your ticket now!

Booster Club "Office Hours"

Join us for our next Booster Club Office Hours!

· Bring your questions

· Get information about programs, fundraising, and volunteering

· Network with parents and supporters

· Learn how the Booster Club supports WSHS student-athletes

· Get prepared for Winter Sports Season

Whether you’re new to West Seattle High School or have been part of the community for years, this is a relaxed way to get involved and learn more. We’d love to see you there!

The WSHS PTSA aims to be your most reliable source of up-to-date information. Please bookmark our website and like and follow us on social media.

• WSHS PTSA Website
• WSHS PTSA Facebook Page
  
• WSHS PTSA Instagram Page
• Email questions to: president@wshsptsa.org

Please also subscribe to our events calendar to stay up-to-date throughout the year.

The WSHS PTSA advocates for our students, supports school staff, and builds community. It takes members like you to do this well! Remember, your PTSA membership needs to be renewed every school year. Become a member of the WSHS PTSA today. After you become a member, take this survey to let us know how you’d like to get involved.

The WSHS PTSA offers membership scholarships to those who are unable to afford our membership fees; please email president@wshsptsa.com. Be a part of making WSHS the school community you want!

• WSHS Website
• WSHS PTSA
• Bell Schedule
• Calendar
• Volunteering
• Athletics
• Attendance
• Counseling
• Library
• Teen Health Center
• Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama
• West Seattle Booster Club
• Westside HEY Coalition

Read past issues of this newsletter

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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.