Oct. 27: Outdoor Program Day Hike

Oct. 28: Environmental Sustainability Gathering/Farm and Garden Work Party

Oct. 30: Head of School Coffee for Upper School Parents/Guardians

Oct. 31: Former Board of Trustees Member Breakfast

Nov. 3: Bistro Night

Nov. 4: Middle School Open House

Nov. 7: Middle School Parent/Guardian and School Counselor Coffee

Nov. 7: College Application Work Party

Nov. 7: Alumni Forum: Presenting Our Strategic Framework

Nov. 7: 10th/11th Grade Parent/College/Learning Resources Program

Nov. 9: 9th Grade Parent Rep Meeting

Nov. 9: Dance Department Showcase

On Oct. 26, 4:00-7:30 pm, in the Upper Hall, The Humanity Outreach Interest Group will be teaming up with other interest groups to host a game and movie night to raise money for Mary’s Place. Mary’s Place is an organization that focuses on helping families who are experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet. During the night, there will be karaoke, board games, balloons, Halloween-themed games, and maybe some face painting or henna. There will be a variety of fun and scary movies shown. All ages are welcome!

We invite all parents and guardians to a division-level coffee each trimester. These coffees, attended by Head of School Mike McGill, the division director, and other school leaders, will offer an informal opportunity to ask questions about all things Northwest: mission, philosophy, culture, pedagogy, academics, and co-curriculars—just about anything, really.

The Trimester 1 coffee for Upper School will take place in the Dining Hall, at 8:15-9:30 am, on Oct. 30.

For a variety of reason the earthquake drill and thus the emergency message system test was postponed. We'll be rescheduling the test in near future, and in the meantime, you can ready yourself to receive emergency notifications via text (as well as email and voice mail) by following these directions.

Come learn more about the many exciting ways that The Northwest School is engaged in environmental sustainability.

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 28
• Time:  10:00 am-1:00 pm

Join us in our Urban Farm and Garden to help put things to bed for the winter and to learn more about the Environmental Sustainability programs and initiatives at Northwest. Help with fun projects like planting shallots and garlic, putting up hoop houses, tending the compost, and planting cover crops. No experience necessary; dress for mess. Apple cider and a light lunch will be served.

We hope to see you at this engaging and hands-on event! Please RSVP to Jenny Cooper so that we can get an accurate head count. If you can’t make it this time but you are interested in learning more, let Jenny know that you would like to be added to the new NWS Environmental Sustainability mailing list so that we can keep you in the loop.

The Northwest School dorm will hold its annual In-Dorm Trick or Treat at 2:30-4:00 pm, on Sunday, Oct. 28. Northwest School families with younger siblings aged 12 or younger are welcome to come traipse through a decorated and lightly haunted dorm and Trick or Treat at the rooms of participating dorm students. All are invited to the dorm lounge for refreshments, conversation, and comparison of loot following their trip through the dorm. To attend, please RSVP to Justin Peters.

The Northwest School will soon host Open Houses for prospective Middle Schooll families. The Admissions Office needs student and parent volunteers. New and returning parents are encouraged to volunteer and fill vital roles such as Greeter or Ask a Current Parent Representativer. A PowerPoint training will be sent to you before the event with some helpful information.

We also need student volunteers to participate in various aspects of the event. We appreciate supporting your children's contributions to this exciting event for prospective families.

• Sunday, Nov. 4: Middle School Open House, 12:00-2:30 pm - Volunteers needed from 11:00 am-2:30 pm

If you would like to volunteer, please review the dates and time commitments above and contact Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management Michele Sanchez.

Girls' varsity volleyball finished the regular season in third place in the Emerald City League (ECL), earning a first-round home game in the ECL Tournament against Seattle Academy, on Monday, Oct. 29, at 4:30 pm. The winner advances to play Bush on Oct. 31.

Varsity boys' ultimate qualified for the state playoffs, beginning on Oct. 30. We will either face Nathan Hale or Lakeside (time/location is to be determined).

Varsity boys' and girls' cross country teams will race in the Bi-District Meet on Saturday, Oct. 27, at South Whidbey High School, to qualify for the State Meet on Nov. 3, in Pasco.

The Northwest School Dance Department Showcase

• Nov. 9, 7:00 pm, Broadway Performance Hall
• Tickets for this event are free and can be claimed here.

Northwest School Dance students from 6th through 12th grade invite you to a delightful evening of contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and social dance at Broadway Performance Hall.

The 2018 Dance Department Showcase features choreography by Northwest School Dance Faculty Ellie Sandstrom, Maya Soto, and Elvin Jones, as well as select student choreographers.

Says Ellie: "This show reflects the amazing talents, skills, and commitment of our students as well as our dedication to offer a well-rounded dance education here at The Northwest School."

Important note: We are still in need of faculty or parent volunteers to help us with activities such as ticket collecting, program handling, and greeting. Please email Ellie Sandstrom if interested.

Ninth grade parents are off to strong start with a 29 percent participation rate. Thanks to all the 9th grade families who already made a gift to get us to this level!

If you haven’t yet participated, we hope you’ll join others in your child’s grade with a commitment today. Remember, you can pledge now, and pay later–simply communicate your intended gift amount and spread the payment out between now and June 30.

Our goal is 100 percent parent participation. Questions? Contact Julie Lombardo (206-816-6208).

Softshell jackets and gray zip-up hoodies are the new highlights in the store for 2019. We also have re-stocked sizes for many of our most popular items. Check out the store here, or come to Haus West during office hours on Wednesdays to shop in person.

Personalized duffel bags orders for basketball season must be made by Nov. 2 for delivery by Nov 16. Save money while shopping by choosing “pick up” on the cart page. Items can be picked up at Haus West.

It's not too late for Northwest Upper School students to sign up for Bistro Night! On Saturday, Nov. 3, Northwest families welcome domestic and international students (including those visiting from France and Spain) to their homes for a casual evening of food and fun activities. Your student received a sign-up link from Kiara Littlejohn on Oct. 11--please remind them that the deadline to RSVP is Oct 30!

Bistro Night is one of the most direct ways Northwest families can support the "vibrant international school community and global network" called out in the 2018 Strategic Framework. Whether you're hosting a party, ferrying dorm students to parties, or simply encouraging your child to take the Bistro Night plunge, you're showing our students that Northwest's commitment to community and inclusion reaches far beyond the House. Want to help? Contact the grade-level organizers: 12th - Susan Foley and Mollie Alworth; 11th - LeeAnn McMillen; 10th - Adam Levin-Delson; 9th - C.Y. Lee). You can support this great tradition by volunteering as party hosts and drivers for our international dorm students.

Bloodworks Northwest will bring its mobile collection van to the south parking lot on Tuesday, Nov. 13, for our first blood drive of the year. Anyone in the Northwest School community is welcome to participate. Donors must be 16 or older; students ages 16 or 17 need to bring a parent-signed permission form (available here or at the front desk) to their donation appointment. More information and specifics about donor restrictions can be found on the Bloodworks Northwest website. Each pint donated can help three patients in need, so please give! The sign-up board is located outside the main office. If you have questions, please contact Heather Hall or Herb Bergamini.

Fall break is coming up the week of Nov. 19, and the dorm will be closed for the second half of the week. We are seeking hosts for dorm students for the duration of the dorm closure, from Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 6:00 pm, through Sunday, Nov. 25, at 9:00 am. This timeline includes the Thanksgiving holiday and the two days and nights following. Host families are encouraged to include their student visitors in whatever this time of year means for your family. It is great opportunity to create cross-cultural connections and lasting memories for our international students. Families interested in hosting should contact Justin Peters.

Over 100 colleges visit The Northwest School in the fall trimester to meet with prospective students. In addition to coordinating these visits, the College Counseling Office offers resources and events to support 12th graders in the college application process and 11th graders as they begin the college search. Please click here to view college counseling announcements, upcoming events, and the college visits schedule.

About E-News: The weekly E-News covers a two-week period of upcoming events, parent reminders, and campus news. For a complete listing of events and important dates, please visit the all school calendar.