What's Up, Westside!

• September 2: Fall Sports Family Night (7–8:30 p.m., WSHS Gym)
• September 3: First Day of School (First day of school Special Bell Schedule)
• September 8: Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama Meeting (7 p.m., Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama Meeting via Zoom)
• September 8: WSHS Booster Club Meeting (7–8 p.m., West Seattle Realty)
• September 16: Picture Day (Preorder Portraits)
• September 18: PTSA General Meeting: How to High School (6–8 pm, WSHS Library)
• September 18: Yearbook Presale Ends (Purchase yearbook $55 via SchoolPay)

• 9th grade students arrive by 8:15 a.m. for breakfast in the cafeteria followed by orientation in the main gym.
• New 10th–12th grade students arrive by 11:35 a.m. for orientation in the library.
• All other students arrive by 12:45 p.m. for lunch and time to find 1st period class.
• The first day of school ends at 3:40 p.m. (this is not an early-release Wednesday).

We’re excited to kick off the 2025–2026 school year! Our staff has been working hard over the past week to ensure a smooth and successful start, and we can’t wait to welcome students back to campus.

This year’s theme is “Belong, Connect, Become.” It reflects the work we’ve done over the past few years to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment where every student feels like they belong, where families and students are connected to the life of the school, and where students are empowered to become their future selves.

A key part of this vision is the rollout of our Profile of a Graduate. With input from students, staff, and families, we’ve identified six core competencies we want every WSHS graduate to develop:

• Global and Cultural Awareness: Understanding diverse histories, cultures, languages, art, and global events.
• Technological Proficiency: Demonstrating digital literacy and responsible use of technology.
• Personal Growth and Health: Fostering self-awareness, mental and physical well-being, and lifelong personal development.
• Effective Communication and Collaboration: Excelling in writing, speaking, and teamwork.
• Ethical and Responsible Behavior: Practicing integrity, empathy, accountability, and ethical decision-making.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Thinking analytically, questioning thoughtfully, and solving problems creatively.

As we continue to refine our curriculum and instructional practices, these competencies will guide our work and ensure students are prepared for life beyond high school.

Another exciting update this year is our Advisory class. We’re trying a new approach—holding Advisory once a week on Fridays, but for a longer period. This time will be dedicated to community building, academic support, and future planning. Students will be paired with an advisor for a two-year cycle (grades 9–10 and 11–12), and lessons will include both schoolwide and grade-specific content.

We’re also launching a cohort model for all 9th-grade students. Incoming freshmen will be grouped into cohorts for their Science and ELA classes, helping to build stronger connections, foster community, and provide consistent support during this important transition into high school.

I’m incredibly proud of where we are as a school and the positive direction we’re heading. I look forward to welcoming all of our students and families to WSHS for what promises to be an exciting and fulfilling school year.

Go Wildcats!
Brian Vance
Principal, West Seattle High School

All school volunteers must complete an application and be approved to volunteer. Please do not sign up until you have confirmed your eligibility via the SPS Volunteer Portal.

September 4 and 5, Sign Up to be a Library Volunteers

Amy Vattuone, our school librarian, is seeking parent volunteers to help distribute laptops to students.

Tuesday, September 16

The school is looking a few volunteers to make Picture Day go smoothly. Please contact Amy Huber at aahuber1@seattleschools.org.

Monday September 8th, 7 p.m., Join Friends of West Seattle Music & Drama Meeting via Zoom

FOWSMD supports the WSHS Music and Drama departments through volunteer efforts and fundraising. Please consider becoming part of our vibrant arts community!

Monday, September 8, 7–8 p.m., West Seattle Realty (2715 California Ave SW)

Parents, alumni, and passionate fans are all welcome to learn how you can support the West Seattle High School athletic program.

Tuesday, September 16, Preorder Portraits

Students will have their picture taken during their Language Arts class. Questions? Call the Main Office at 206-252-8800.

Purchase yearbook via SchoolPay ($55)

The 2025-2026 Kimtah Yearbook will be on sale through September 18. Reserve your yearbook now, because they do sell out! Please note that online credit and debit card payments will incur a 3.75% transaction fee. To avoid this fee, bring cash or check (payable to WSHS) to Ms. Penner in the Fiscal Office before school or during lunch.

Purchase via SchoolPay ($50)

The ASB Activity Card provides students with discounts on ASB events, yearbook purchases, and spirit gear. Purchasing an ASB Activity Card is a mandatory requirement for students who want to participate in WIAA-sanctioned sports. Please note that online credit and debit card payments will incur a 3.75% transaction fee. To avoid this fee, bring cash or check (payable to WSHS) to Ms. Penner in the Fiscal Office before school or during lunch.

• Last Names A–Et: Book an appointment with Erica Nguyen
• Last Names Ev–Marg: Book an appointment with Kinsey Hedeen
• Last Names Mari–Pig: Book an appointment with Mallory Neuman
• Last Names Pin–Z: Book an appointment with Christine Nutters
• Seattle Promise: Book an appointment with Bradly Lewellen

Please note that class schedules will not be finalized until the first day of school. Any courses that students might view on the Source up to that point are subject to change. Students will receive their class schedules during 1st period. A QR code will be provided for students who need to request a schedule change. Schedules will only be changed for the following reasons:

1. Course is at the wrong level (ex: student needs Algebra 1 instead of Geometry)
2. Duplicate courses (ex: ceramics scheduled twice)
3. Course already taken (in previous years or in summer school)
4. Student is missing a course

• Register via FinalForms.
• Medical insurance is required to participate in high school athletics. If you do not have medical insurance, coverage is available through Myers-Stevens & Toohey, Inc.
• A current Sports Physical is also required.

SPS has introduced a new voluntary fee for high school sports to help cover growing costs like transportation and officials. The fee is $200 per student per sport, with a maximum of $400 per year for students who participate in more than one sport. Pay online via SchoolPay; the item is named “District–Fall Sports Fee (Optional)". A student can still participate in sports even if a family chooses not to pay.

Tuesday, September 2, 7–8:30 p.m., WSHS Gym

Is your student playing a fall sport at WSHS? Parents/guardians are required to attend this pre-season meeting. You will receive important information about the upcoming sports season, including district and school policies and expectations for athletes, as well as team specific information. Questions? Contact Athletic Director Corey Sorenson at cjsorenson@seattleschools.org.

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.

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

After you become a member, take this survey to let us know how you’d like to get involved.

Thursday, September 18, 6–8 pm, WSHS Library and Online

Join us for a fun and informative panel discussion with students, administrators, support staff, and parents about how to navigate high school successfully. PTSA General Meetings are open to the entire WSHS community; you do not have to be a current PTSA member to participate.

Please mark your calendars for the remainder of our PTSA General Membership Meetings this school year:

• January 22, 2026
• April 10, 2026
• June 4, 2026

All meetings are 6–8 pm in the WSHS Library and online.

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

Friday, November 14, WSHS Commons, 5–7:30 p.m.

This annual dinner and auction is an evening to celebrate with each other as well as raise money to fund mini-grants for faculty, students, and staff. Email wshsptsapresident@gmail.com to help us plan the party!

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

SPS has created a back-to-school webpage for essential resources.

• Complete the Student Data Verification form September 3-30. Update important student health information, emergency and family contact information, and much more. To access, log in to your Source account and select Student Data Verification form from the navigation menu.

• Opt out of the release of directory information about your student. SPS may disclose appropriately designated “directory information,” unless you notify SPS in writing that you do not want the information released. If a parent/guardian would like to exclude a student’s information under FERPA, they must complete and submit the FERPA form to their student’s school by October 1.

• Apply for Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefits. Students approved for free and reduced-price meals may also be eligible to receive reduced fees for events, field trips, Running Start books, Associated Student Body (ASB) fees, pre-college exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT), college application fees, and yearbook fees. Apply for Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefits online or submit the paper application.

Ensure a healthy start to the school year by reviewing the district’s health services reminders for the start of school. If your student has a life-threatening health condition (e.g., Diabetes, Asthma), they must have medication and healthcare orders on file by the first day.

If you received a letter from Health Services about vaccines your student needs for school, please make sure they receive the immunization. Read more about immunizations required for students.

Wednesday, September 17, 4:15 p.m., JSCEE

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 .

Tuesday, September 30, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Chief Sealth High School

This gathering is a chance for families, staff, students, and community members to come together, share ideas, and help shape the future of Highly Capable services in SPS. View the complete series of engagement sessions this fall.

Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Franklin HS Gym (3013 S. Mt. Baker Blvd.)

Join educators, childcare providers, families, students, legislators, and other community members to learn about the state of education funding. We’ll talk about how funding is essential to build the education system our students and families deserve and what we can all do to push for these investments. The event will include a panel discussion, breakout sessions, and time to talk with legislators.

WSHS Website * WSHS PTSA *

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

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.