Whittier WildChat
December 6th, 2017
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
Upcoming Events
Helping Hands... we're almost there!  
Our annual Helping Hands Gift Drive is well on its way to being a great success for Whittier and Bailey-Gatzert Elementary families-in-need.  Thanks to all of you who have so generously donated gifts or grocery gift cards.
If you haven't picked up a mitten, it's not too late! There are still plenty of grocery card mittens on the trees in the lobby. Simply pick a small mitten and stop by the SCRIP table before or after school this week to purchase and donate a grocery SCRIP card for Helping Hands.

Friendly reminder... if you have a large mitten, please don't forget to drop off your unwrapped gift donation by the Friday, December 9th to the Helping Hands donation box located in the lobby.

Thank you for your "Helping Hand"!  

Contact Dawn Eggerts ( dawn.eggerts@gmail.com) or Katie Dahlen ( saddlefeathers1@gmail.comfor information or to help with this very important event!




Whittier Wildcat Musical Auditions
Like Seuss???
Like to sing, dance and create something great with friends???
Then you'll love
Whittier Wildcat Player's

Auditions for Seussical Jr. are open to all 4th and 5th
 grade students.  These auditions will be held Monday 12/11 and Tuesday 12/12 from 2:35- 3:30 in the performing arts room. Looking forward to seeing you shine!
"oh, the thinks you can think!"
PTA Information
Catucky Derby
Wondering what's all the talk about the Catucky Derby?  What's this 'auction' thing I'm hearing so much about?  Come learn more about the fun, the fundraising, donations and the Mint Juleps! 

Pop by the school lobby and get more information with an auction representative on:
-Thursday, Dec. 7th, 2:15pm - 2:45pm

Drop off donation forms or ask questions about donations needs or donation forms. We would love to collect as many donations as possible! No donation is too small!
 
The Whittier PTA auction takes place every other year, and provides necessary funding for important school-related programs such as outreach, safety patrol, extra nurse time for our children, school day enrichment programs, and scholarships for students.

Book Fair
Did you miss the Book Fair on Thursday, but still wish to support literacy and the Whittier Library? Not to worry, you can still help! Stop by Phinney Books ( 7405 Greenwood Ave. N)  through  December 8th, mention Whittier when you check out, and 25% of your purchase will still go to the Whittier Library Fund. 
School News
Staff Wish Lists
The holidays are here and you might have wondered about ideas for presents for staff at Whittier. Or you just wanted to show the staff that you appreciate their hard work, day in and day out. At the beginning of each school year, we ask the Whittier staff to fill out a questionnaire to help us find out what they like and what they might appreciate and need for their classrooms. You'll find the answers to these "Wish List Questionnaires" in the front office by the PTA files.

Enrichment Class-  Chess 4 Life
Register at  https://chess4life.com/
Ages- ALL GRADES

This class is for any student interested in learning or increasing his or her knowledge of chess. They cover principles of chess, both basic and advanced for players of all levels. The classes are taught by experienced CHess4Life chess coaches. All of the coaches work closely with National Master Elliott Neff and follow the Chess4Life curriculum designed by Elliott.

Location: Whittier Elementary School
Wednesdays 1:15 to 2:15
Starts 1/10 to 3/10 (no classes on 1/31 or 2/21)
Cost $159 (10 classes)

Enrichment Class- Playwell TEKnologies

Intro to STEM with LEGO® Materials. Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Build engineer-designed projects such as: Trains, Helicopters, Treehouses, and Beam Bridges. Design and build as never before, and explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. There are no prerequisites for this course. 

- Intro to STEM with LEGO® Materials
Winter ID: 64032
Grades: K to 1
Wednesdays, 1/17/18 - 3/28/18
No Class: Jan 31st, and  Feb 21st
9 Sessions 
1:10pm - 2:45pm
Cost: $153.00

STEM Challenge with LEGO® Materials. Level up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO® parts! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects such as: Gear Cars, Gondolas, Merry-Go-Rounds, and Scissor Lifts. Design and build as never before, and explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. There are no prerequisites for this course. 

- STEM Challenge with LEGO® Materials
Winter ID: 64033
Grades: 2 to 5
Fridays, 1/19/18 - 3/30/18 
No Class: Feb 23rd
10 Sessions
2:25pm - 4:00pm
Cost: $170.00

Enrichment Class- Machine Sewing
Register on SPARC, https://class.seattle.gov/parks/Start/Start.asp 
Ages 7-12
Students are invited to learn a skill they will use for a lifetime
and a hobby they will forever enjoy, sewing! No experience
necessary for boys and girls to learn the basics and beyond.
Beginning students will learn machine safety and beginner
sewing techniques, while the more experienced students
can expand on skills they already have. Student will advance
at their own pace to more exciting and challenging projects
throughout the session. Projects, which are constantly rotating
during the quarter, include backpacks, phone cases, clothing,
accessories, bags, games, stuffed animal and more! All sewing
classes are supervised by Chelsea Cook, owner of Little Hands
Creations. 

-Mondays, 1/8/18 to 2/26/18
No Class- 1/15/18 and 2/19/18
2:30pm-4:00pm
Cost- $180
Location- Whittier Elementary School
Instructor- Little Hands Sewing

-Mondays, 3/5/18 to 4/2/18
2:30pm-4:00pm
Cost- $150
Location- Whittier Elementary School
Instructor- Little Hands Sewing

Enrichment Class- Hip Hop
Ages 5-12
Learn the creative and energetic dance steps of Hip Hop for fun or
fitness. Hip Hop classes are designed for students to learn all facets,
foundations and fundamentals of hip hop. Students will leave class
refreshed, with confidence and ready to strut their stuff.

Tuesdays, 1/9/18 to 3/20/18
2:30pm-4:00pm
Cost- $180
Location- Whittier Elementary School
Instructor: Anna Nagy

Enrichment Class- Coding
Ages 7-12
Creative Coding teaches your child to code by helping them
make their own custom video games! Our project based,
multilevel classes are amazingly fun yet very effective in
teaching creative problem solving AND emotional resilience.
As your creative girl or boy has fun bringing their ideas to
life, they iterate through the emotional cycle of Coding
(idea>excitement> effort>frustration>more effort>triumph!)
With our support and positive encouragement. Repeating
this cycle not only builds great coders, but more importantly,
develops emotional persistence that will help students enjoy
taking on new challenges in all aspects of their lives. Students
new to coding will participate in the Creative Coding core
curriculum, learning the fundamental elements of coding using
MIT's Scratch to create their very own computer games! 

Mondays, 1/8/18 to 2/26/18
No Class- 1/15/18 or 2/9/18
2:30pm-4:30pm
Cost- $330
Location- Whittier Elementary School
Instructor- Creative Coding for Kids

Mondays, 3/5/18 to 4/2/18
2:30pm-4:30pm
Cost- $275
Location- Whittier Elementary School
Instructor- Creative Coding for Kids

Winter After School Recreation Program
When-  Starts Jan. 9th (K-2nd) and Jan.11th (2nd-5th) for 10 sessions
Time-  2:40 pm-3:40 pm 
Cost- $35

K-2nd Grade: Tuesdays
2nd-5th Grade: Thursdays

This is an hour's extension of our physical education program once a week that will build on the variety of activities enjoyed in Whittier's gym program.  Program will include individual skills building, small and larger group activities, etc.  We may also include skating, archery, bowling, circus arts and other interests over the 10 classes.

Registration forms can be found on the table outside of the gym.  Please contact Mr. Pule with any questions.  

After School Program with Mr. Buck to start Mid January!
Tuesday Comic Club, All Ages- Come and develop skills in comic design and illustration and learn how to create characters, scenes and comic strips.

Thursday Gamers Group, Grade 3-5- Bring your favorite board/tabletop/card games to share and play with friends or learn and play new games with Mr. Buck.

Stay tuned for more information.  Registration will begin after the holiday break. Feel free to contact Mr. Buck with any questions or comments.

Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run!!
Girls on the Run empowers girls to reach their full potential. Through an intentional curriculum led by volunteer coaches, our girls learn about self-esteem, healthy relationships, and contributing to their community! Coaches lead practices twice a week for ten weeks and receive a full training before the season begins. Coach applications due January 12th.

Please contact  Julie Childers  by email or phone (206.252.1684) for more information!
District News
Student Data Verification Form
The student data verification form, which is typically sent out at the start of the school year, is now online. Parents and Guardians will use The Source to access this form.

For more information, please visit the District Website.

Registration for 2018-19 Begins January 8th
Enrollment for the 2018-19 school year is just around the corner! If your child will be five by August 31, it is time to get ready to enroll for kindergarten.

For more information, please visit the  District Website .

Snow and Winter Weather Notification Information
Snowflake graphic
From time to time, winter weather may change the normal schedule at your student's school.
As winter approaches, now is a good time to review how you will receive urgent weather information from Seattle Public Schools and how to manage your communication preferences.

For more information, please visit the  District Website .

2017-18 District Calendar 
Notes From the Front Office
Whittier Wonderland
Please take a snowflake from the folder on the bulletin board, cut it out and return it to the office so we can add it to the Whittier Wonderland! You can use the design that is provided on the template or create your own. Do not worry if your snowflake doesn't look exactly like the design on the template. All snowflakes are different, that's what makes them unique! It will be fun to see all the unique snowflake designs that are created by our wonderful Wildcat community!
 

Help Wanted: Lunch & Recess Volunteers
Lunch and recess times provide important social, emotional and physical breaks for our students. We are at lunch and on the playground with your children everyday but can always use extra help to:

·  Monitor play to ensure safety
·  Help students with playground equipment
·  Assist students who are learning new games and social settings
·  Referee sports games on the playground
·  Encourage kids to eat
·  Remind students to stay in their seats
·  Open food containers
·  Assist students with cleaning up and putting away their lunches
·  Grant bathroom permissions

Volunteering at lunch and/or recess is a fun way to help out, and a great way to be involved in your child's school day!

~~~~~IT'S GREAT TO BE A WILDCAT~~~~~

-Miss Monica & Miss Rebecca
   
Community News & Events
Seattle Public Theater Winter Session 
Now that our days are getting darker and brisker, I look forward to sharing our  Winter Session classes with you all. Students can discover the mysterious  True History of the City Luz directed by Steven Sterne (only 7 spots left!), find one's super powers in  The Anxious Avengers, or fuel one's creativity in  Imagination Exploration: Winter Break Camp led by Jasmine Sims . I eagerly look forward to seeing our young students ignited with curiosity, collaboration, and joy this winter. 

I am more than happy to discuss our programs further with you and your students. Our registration is open and one can register for classes  here . I am here to answer any questions or concerns that anyone may have (we do have scholarships available). 

Wishing you all much joy, discovery, and creativity this holiday season.

Best,
Ana Maria Campoy

Ballard Little League
2018 Ballard Little League Registration Now Open!
Spring Baseball & Softball registration is now open. Sign up your player today and get a free T shirt while they last.

Click here to register!!

Join Cub Scouts NOW!
Ballard Elks Lodge 
6411 Seaview Ave.  

Do you have a son or daughter in the first through fifth grades, 7-10 years of age, or friends with kids? Get the adventure started. Whittier's First Grade Parent, Alex Osenar, is our Tiger (1st Grade Level) parent leader. Contact Alex at: 206-313-6948 or email  alexosenar@gmail.com  for more information. 

Monthly Pack meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the Month.
Visit the BSA Website for more information:  https://beascout.scouting.org

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps 
Due to popular demand, the Ballard High School Gymnastics team is hosting 1 more Kids Camps!! 

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps for Grades K-5 will be held on the following dates at the Ballard High School gym. Tickets are $45 per date, per camper (additional campers from the same family are $40 per date). No gymnastics experience is needed!
  • Camp 2: Saturday, January 27th from 1pm to 4pm
Please follow this link to make registration and payment easy:
Feel free to contact Kimball Mullins (Kids Camp coordinator) at  kimball_mullins@yahoo.com  with questions.

Thanks,
Stephanie Gundel
Ballard High School Gymnastics Head Coach

BHS 2017 Winter Concert Series


BHS Dance Team Student Dance Workshops

Seattle Celtic Soccer Club
Spring Season registration is now open for Seattle Celtic Soccer Club 

"Seattle Celtic will be holding Spring  season tryouts the week  of  January 8. Celtic have teams at all levels for players born between 2002 and 2011 and a coaching staff with the perfect mix  of energy, passion and expertise to help players develop and excel in a fun environment. 

Tryouts are free to attend and details can be found at  www.seattleceltic.com  

Questions? Contact us at  info@seattleceltic.com for further information."
Thank You!!
Big thanks to Danny Adamson for his continued support of Whittier. Every Whittier family that works with Danny on a real estate transaction results in a generous $500 donation to our PTA. Thank you Danny for your donation last month!  http://www.dannyadamson.com/  
   
Lunch Menu
View the December lunch menu here.
Calendar

Thurs., Dec. 7th
- Catucky Derby Q&A
2:15-2:45pm

Fri., Dec. 8th
-Helping Hands Gift Drive Ends

Mon., Dec. 11th
-Seussical Jr. Auditions
2:35-3:30pm

Tues., Dec. 12th
-Seussical Jr. Auditions
2:35-3:30pm

Fri., Dec. 15th
-1 hour early dismissal

Mon., Dec. 18th- Mon., Jan. 1st
-Winter Break, No School

Email us with upcoming event details.
Free Money Corner
Holiday Shopping For Whittier!
Still working through that gift list? Buying a present for someone on the Helping Hands tree in the school lobby? Planning on making holiday cookies or cooking a feast? Support our Wildcats by shopping! (Really!) These retailers donate a % of your purchases to Whittier...
 

-AmazonSmile - Select "Whittier PTA Seattle Council" during the easy set-up at smile.amazon.com. Bookmark it and click it every time you shop! (Tech support tip: Amazon Smile only works on browsers, not the Amazon app.)


-Fred Meyer - 
Link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Whittier PTA (NPO# 85919). You keep your Rewards points!


-Ballard Market - 
Look for the jar labeled Ballard Market receipts on the table in the lobby and stuff your collected receipts inside.

Get Involved
WildChat Editor STILL Needed!!
The PTA Communications Team is currently seeking an Editor for the WildChat. The position requires a weekly time commitment of 2-3 hours, all done from the comfort of your own home, and will work closely with the PTA Communications Chair and the Website Editor. If you have strong writing and organizational skills, and an interest in volunteering, we'd love to hear from you. Experience with Constant Contact a big bonus, though basic training is available. Email  April Musick  with  questions or to express interest.
Contact Us
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