Whittier WildChat
February 7, 2018
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
 
Upcoming Events
STEM Fair Planning Social at Barking Dog
Come to the Barking Dog to discuss how we can get our Wildcats and Wildcat parents excited and interested in participation in this year's STEM fair. This event is open to all parents who would like to learn more, get involved and bring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to the forefront for the future.

WHERE: Barking Dog Alehouse - 705 NW 70th Street (Owned/operated by a Wildcat parent)

WHEN: February 7th, 5pm - 7pm

DETAILS: Light appetizers provided, great menu available for purchase; STEM Fair Co-Chairs to discuss details on the fair, how to get involved, ideas for projects; get Involved and sign-up for parent volunteers; ideas on getting STEM more ingrained into daily life at home; details on guest presenters coming to Whittier prior to winter break; STEM related trivia and socializing.

Call for volunteers for the STEM Fair 

We are looking for parents to support our STEM presenters (on Tuesday, 2/13/18 and Thursday, 2/15/18 in the afternoon). Also, we are looking for some food and beverage donations. Please use the following link to sign up:

The teachers are asking for help from the parents with creating their STEM Fair engineering projects. They would love help with coming up with ideas, acquiring materials, helping students on the day of the project, and/or helping put together the class display. Please sign up to help a teacher! Feel free to help out in any classroom. Please use the following link to sign up http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094ea4a72eaafe3-parent

We are also reaching out for help for the STEM Fair event on 3/22, 6-8 pm. We are looking for donations for the STEM activities and volunteers to help us with the activities, setting up the tables in the gym, and helping setting up the students' presentations in the gym. Please use the following link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094ea4a72eaafe3-stem2

PTA Information
Catucky Derby
Calling all Catucky Derby Wildcat families!  

We are in the final race to the finish and we NEED those donations!! Let's get those derby hats flying and finish strong! All donation forms are due on February 28th so please get those derby caps a thinkin' and fill them out at www.whittierauction.org or find a form in the lobby and drop it at the front office.

Hot auction items always include:
Weekends away/ vacation homes
Gift Cards
Gift Baskets (put one together or get your class to build one!)
Experiences such as shows, games, tickets, etc.

The Whittier PTA auction takes place every other year so it's essential that we make this event count. It provides necessary funding for important school-related programs such as safety patrol, nurse time, scholarships and enrichment programs. Every child deserves it's support!

When: Saturday, April 28, 2018
Where: Seattle Marriott Waterfront

For additional information or questions, please email  whittierauction@gmail.com

 
School News
Global Reading Challenge! 
The week is here!! The in-school Global Reading Challenge is this Thursday, 2/8 from 12:30-1:30 in the library... we'll have almost 80 4th & 5th graders showing their teamwork & knowledge of the ten books they've been reading! Ms. Erin Moering, Greenwood Seattle Public Children's Librarian, will be leading the challenge & volunteers from the Ballard Rotary will be helping to score. (Ballard Rotary donated the ten copies of each of the ten books that students have been enjoying since November!) Families are welcome to come on Thursday and watch! The winning Whittier team will get to then move onto the semi-final round at the downtown library the first week of March! 

Thanks!
Alicia Nygard
Teacher Librarian

UNICYCLE NIGHT: Thursday, Feb. 8th 6-7:30 PM
All riders and padawans are invited to stop in and ride Thursday night 6-7:30 pm as part of our school tour for possible future Wildcats. Practice skills, challenge skills levels, etc

District News
2017-18 District Calendar 

Seattle Teachers Plan Black Lives Matter at School Week
From Feb. 5th-9th, Seattle teachers invite families to participate in a national movement to discuss race, racism and inequality. Please join together in wearing BLM/Black Shirts on Friday, Feb. 9th.  And please support our teachers by wearing Red Shirts on Wednesday, Feb. 7th for the walkout. You can read about district's race and equity initiatives here, https://www.seattleschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=627&pageId=31737866

Notes From the Front Office
Getting to the Heart of Black History Month
Please take a heart, add the name of someone you'd like to honor in recognition of Black History Month, and turn it into the office to be added to our bulletin board.



Sports Spirit Day!
Our next Spirit Day it coming up on February 15th. Come dressed up in your favorite sports gear and show your sports team pride.
Go Hawks!

Volunteering
Field Trip season is upon us. As a reminder, you need to complete volunteer paperwork every school year before you volunteer at school or chaperone a field trip. You can always stop by the office to check to see if you have filled out paperwork this year. Thanks!

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
Send us your community news!

Thank You!!

Want to thank someone at Whittier? Send your submissions.
   
Lunch Menu
View the February lunch menu here.
Calendar
Thursday, Feb. 8th
-Global Reading In-School Challenge (4th and 5th grade), Whittier Library

Thursday, Feb.8th, 6:30-7:30pm
Whittier Elementary Tour for Prospective Families
Unicycle Night

Thursday, Feb. 15th
Sports Spirit Day

Email us  with upcoming event details.
Shopping for Whittier
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

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