Welcome Back, Students and Families!

By now you're starting to settle into the Gibson Ek groove. Our new class of 2026 has lost that deer-in-the-headlights look of trepidation following our action-packed Week of Welcome! We take the culture and climate of our school very seriously and work hard to create a school culture of dignity and belonging built on inclusion, perseverance, collaboration, respect and community. You can be you here! I love seeing our returning students reaching out to mentor our new students, in advisory, in the Commons, at lunch, and through a student-led mentorship program. Our culture and climate are the wheels that make Gibson Ek go. We are glad you are here!

New this year:

Gibson Ek now has Xello! Formerly Career Cruising, Xello is powerful tool for career exploration and college search that connects the dots in career education with our Learning Through Interest program. All students have access to Xello as well as dedicated time to learn it!

We have Pickleball! Not one to miss out of the fastest growing sport in America, Gibson Ek has a prototype (because that's how we roll here) Pickleball court.

We have redesigned our approach to mathematics with ALEKS, aligning the essential content with our learning cycles to help students stay on track. Our Dean of Students, Tonja, has done a lot of heavy lifting with the ALEKS curricula to ensure that students are mastering the essential content without getting lost in the weeds. Thank you, Tonja!

Some terrific new staff! Welcome Phil and Marjorie!

A message from Principal Julia Bamba:

KCLS Life After High School Programs May & June 2022

Life After High School online events provide teens and families the information they need to plan for the future.

Free programs in May and June:

Job Interviewing for Teens, Saturday, May 14, 11am

Get interview tips for a teen’s first job or internship.

Starting a Career in the Trades, Tuesday, May 17, 6pm. Presented by Reckoning Trade Project.

Join a panel discussion with people working in different trade careers. Part of the discussion will focus on how women, POC and LGBTQ+ are a fast-growing demographic in the trades.

Pathways to Hot Careers in IT, Wednesday, June 1, 6:30pm. Presented by Computing for All.

Learn about training pathways, apprenticeships and alternatives to college. An industry professional will talk about their career journey and answer your questions.

These free programs are hosted on Zoom. Teens can register for these and other career and college events at 1.kcls.org/LAHS Please share this information with any students you think might be interested. Follow @kclsteens on Instagram to learn more about library programs and services.

WANIC Summer Semester Open Enrollment

WANIC is now accepting applications for Summer Semester!  Don’t delay; apply online at wanic.org by April 28.

Summer Semester: June 28 – July 15, 2022

Class time 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Check each class description for specifics regarding In Person and Remote schedule.

Find out more: https://wanic.lwsd.org/academics/summer-courses 

No tuition or supply fees!

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Computing Exploration 
• Biosystems, Genetic Research & Ethics
• Computer Science & Engineering
• Computer Science Intro
• Culinary Arts Intro
• DigiPen 3D Modeling    
• DigiPen Art & Animation Intro
• DigiPen Computer Science Intro
• DigiPen Music & Sound Design Intro
• DigiPen Video Game Development
• DigiPen Video Game Programming Intro
• Fire & EMS Careers Intro
• Freelance Art and Ceramics 
• Guitar Building
• Health
• Mobile Electronics
• Personal Finance
• Photo Video Fusion
• Photography 1
• Systems Thinking for Health and Wellness
• Welding

KCLS and Life After High School

King County Library System’s Life After High School online events provide teens and families the information they need to plan for the future. 

 

Free Programs for April and May:

 The Reality of Game Development, Wednesday, April 20, 6pm. Presented by Josh Bycer of Game Wisdom. 

Explore what it’s like to enter the game industry in today’s market. Examine public game software and studio vs independent work. Discover sites for learning more about games and networking.

 

Job Searching for Teens, Saturday, April 30, 11am 

Want a job but not sure how to search? Start here for tips and strategies to find your first job!

 

Resume Help for Teens, Saturday, May 7, 11am 

Get resume and job application tips for teens looking for their first job or internship.

 

Job Interviewing for Teens, Saturday, May 14, 11am 

Get interview tips for a teens’ first job or internship.

 

Starting a Career in the Trades, Tuesday, May 17, 6pm. Presented by Reckoning Trade Project. 

Join a panel discussion with people working in different trade careers. Part of the discussion will focus on how women, POC and LGBTQ+ are a fast-growing demographic in the trades. 

These free programs are hosted on Zoom. Teens can register for these and other career and college events at 1.kcls.org/LAHS

Career and Technical Programs Can Help You Get the Job You Want

Do you enjoy hands-on learning? Are you hoping to join the workforce somewhat soon? You may want to consider a technical college or career program.

Career and technical education programs vary widely in subject, length, cost, and other aspects. But they have one thing in common: an emphasis on training for a specific career, such as medical assistant, computer specialist, automotive technician, hairstylist, and many more.

There are a lot of job training options. Before selecting a program, you’ll want to do your homework:

• Learn more about fields you are interested in. Check out these online tools to connect your interests to potential careers and find related training programs: 

o College and Career Compass

o Washington Career Bridge

o Career Connect Washington

• Consider Washington’s outstanding public community and technical colleges. Students at community and technical colleges can train to enter into a job directly, take classes that will transfer to a four-year college, or pursue an applied bachelor's degree in a specific career field.

• Research any schools or programs you are considering. For private career schools in particular, confirm the school’s licensure status and look into its reputation.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that Washington College Grant can help pay for job training and approved apprenticeships. Explore your options and plan your future on the WSAC website.

Life After High School at the King County Library System: November & December

Life After High School online events provide teens and families the information they need to plan for the future. 

Join the King County Library in November and December for free college and career prep programs:

Demystifying the College Common App Essay Questions, Saturday, November 20, 3pm.  Presented by Poojha Daryanani, Yale Alumna and College Coach.

The Scholarship Market, Tuesday, December 28, 2pm. Presented by Doug Breithaupt, College Planning Network.

All KCLS programs are hosted on Zoom. Teens can register for these and other career and college events at 1.kcls.org/LAHS Please share this information with any students you think might be interested. Follow @kclsteens on Instagram to learn more about library programs and services.

Don’t Let Financial Aid Myths Limit Options for the Future

 Think you can’t afford college or training? Financial aid helps many students pay for education beyond high school, and more families in Washington are now eligible. Even if you didn’t qualify before, you might now!

Myth #1: My parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for financial aid. 

Fact: Applying for financial aid is the only way to know for sure whether you qualify. With Washington College Grant, an eligible student from a family of four making up to around $102,000 per year can receive some money for college or training.

Myth #2: Financial aid only pays for universities. That takes four years—I need to start working now. 

Fact: Financial aid can be used for many types of full-time or part-time education or training, including career and technical schools, community colleges, some apprenticeships, and yes, universities too. You have options!

Myth #3: I can’t apply for financial aid because I don’t know what I’m going to do after high school. 

Fact: You can complete a FAFSA or WASFA financial aid application before applying for college or training. You can make your final choice about whether and where to go later, and you’ll know more about what you can afford.

Applications are now available for fall 2022! Learn more and apply for financial aid on the Washington Student Achievement Council website.