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
Volunteers Needed for the STEM Fair!
By now, you all hopefully read about the changes to the STEM Fair this year. We can only implement all the changes with your help! Please sign up to help at the event on 3/22 or to help with projects in the classrooms! We really need your help to make it happen!

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

Kid-Friendly Trivia Night at the Dane
5th graders will be selling car wash tickets and raising money for NatureBridge. Join the fun on Tuesday, February 20th, 6:30-8 pm. See event page for more details.

Parent Education Night- Positive Discipline
Are You Feeling Challenged as a Parent? Join our first Parent Education Night in many years sponsored by the PTA. February 28th 6:30PM in the Library

Join us for a conversation about Positive Discipline led by Sound Discipline facilitator, Deneen Bowen. This is a great opportunity to learn how to teach kids important social and life skills based on encouragement and mutual respect. Deneen is a certified Positive Discipline parent educator and has over 20 years experience working in public schools across the country. She is currently a facilitator with Sound Discipline, a nonprofit organization bringing Positive Discipline and trauma-informed strategies into school communities throughout Washington.

PTA Information
PTA Budget Survey
Please take a moment to fill out the PTA Budget Survey. The PTA Board is in the process of creating the budget for 2018-19 and they would like your feedback on what is important to you. Here is the link
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MRP5DHF

Catucky Derby
We are in the FINAL approach Catderby Wildcats!
February 28th is our FINAL FINAL day for donations!

Wondering how you can help out? Here are a couple ideas ....

We have a donated wine & chocolate tasting in Hoodsport...Do you or someone you know in that area be willing to donate their cabin, vacation rental or timeshare? Perhaps you can score us a room at Alderbrook Resort to go along with the wine tasting?

How about donating 2 hours of your day to run an important errand for someone? Do you know someone who would be willing to do this? Let us know!

Donation forms can be found in the Whittier front office or filled out online at www.whittierauction.org

We know a TON of you have donations to offer so let's GET THESE IN! Let's make it to the final dash. Away we GO. Thank you so much for all of your support.
Sandra and Karen, Auction Co-Chairs

Wildcat Gear Sale
Outgrowing your Wildcat gear? Or just tired of doing laundry? Spirit Gear merchandise returns for one day only - this Friday, February 16th. Grab a new t-shirt or hoodie - for your kiddo or for you. And be sure to check out the new scarves... perfect for showing Wildcat spirit during soccer season or chilly days. Credit cards now accepted! See you in the lobby, before AND after school on the 16th.
 
School News
Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team 
The WUF Gang (Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team) is back this year for 4th and 5th graders. Ultimate practices are on Wednesdays beginning Feb. 28 at Loyal Heights from 3:30-5. Games are on Saturdays all over the city. If you your 4th or 5th grader is interested, contact the coach Bill Penrose email: bpenrose@gmail.com
The coach is also looking for help with coaching and parent volunteers, so let him know if you are interested. There is also may be need for a parent volunteer to walk students from Whittier over to Loyal Heights.

District News
2017-18 District Calendar 

Open Enrollment Ends Friday, February 16
Reminder that open enrollment for school choice ends Friday, February 16th. See website for forms and details. http://www.seattleschools.org/admissions/school_choice/

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!

Crossing Guard Needed for 8th & 75th
Whittier is looking for a crossing guard for the crosswalk at 8th & 75th! Below is information provided by Seattle Public Schools:
Seattle Public Schools Transportation Department
Excellent Employment Opportunities for retirees, college students, and those interested in part-time work.
Hourly Adult Crossing Guards / Starting at $15.00
2 hours per day / 10 hours per week
Essential Functions: Safely crossing students to and from school at assorted locations. Standing for extended periods of time (in all types of weather) at intersections and roads.
Qualifications:
High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Criminal Justice Fingerprint and Background Check
Candidate must be 18 years of age, mature, caring, and safety minded.
Interested Applicants please contact:
Yvonne Carpenter
Field Staff Lead
206-252-0907
ylcarpenter@seattleschools.org

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
Now Playing at Ballard Girls Basketball...
MID-WINTER BREAK CAMP
Tuesday through Thursday, February 20-22 from 9am-3pm at Ballard High School. Choose from a 1, 2, or 3-day option! Led by Sara Wetstone and the Ballard Girls Basketball staff, this camp is for beginners through experienced players who want to improve their skills and confidence on the court. Register at
http:///www.ballardgirlsbasketball.com

SPRING/SUMMER SELECT TEAM TRYOUTS
Ballard Girls Basketball is looking for players who want to play beyond the school or rec season. If you make a team, you are guaranteed a spot for the Spring/Summer season that runs Feb 26 to July 8 with two practices per week and 16-24 games. While our players tend to draw mostly from the Ballard-area (due to our Ballard practice locations), we won't turn a player away if they are a good fit for the team but live outside of Ballard. Visit http:///www.ballardgirlsbasketball.com for more information and to register for tryouts.

SPRING IN HOUSE LEAGUE AND TRAINING
If you'd like to play more basketball, but don't have the desire or availability for a select team, our training and in house league might be good for you. Trainings focus on individual skills while our In House League focuses on game play. Visit http:///www.ballardgirlsbasketball.com for more information and to register.

If you have any questions, please contact Sara Wetstone, Club Director, at wetstonesara@yahoo.com

KEEP HOOPIN'!




Send us your community news!

Thank You!!
Thank you to all the lovely volunteers that spent their evening touring around potential future wildcats, Tracy Yetter, Kate Mathews, Jennifer Rose, Kelsey Toppenberg, Shelley Geiss and Melissa Schweitzer, thank you, to you gals ROCK!

Thank you to 2nd Grade Families for the delicious picnic lunch last week!

Thanks everyone for coming out to the Barking Dog last Wednesday to show your support for the STEM Fair! A special thank you to Scott Fogle, Julie Childers, and Nina O'Leary for running this event!
And thank you for everyone that helped with this year's STEM presentations at Whittier! Thank you to all the presenters, especially our "own" Whittier parents (Marie Bentsen, Brian Capobianco, Scott Fogle, Gary Geiss, Demian Minjarez and Sanjay Ray). And a big thank you to the volunteers that made donations (Kristin Ford and Kristin Gilmore) and helped to support the presenters (Donna Chavis, Kristin Gilmore, Greg Musick and Yura Vracko). And of course a big thank you to Emily Clark for organizing this event.

   
Lunch Menu
View the February lunch menu here.
Calendar
Thursday, Feb. 15th
Sports Spirit Day

February 19-23
Mid-Winter Break- No School

Tuesday, Feb. 20th 6:30-8 pm
Kids Trivia Night at the Dane with Fundraiser for NatureBridge

Wednesday, Feb. 28th 6:30 pm
Parent Education Night

Thursday, March 8th
Ruler Night

Thursday, March 15th
PTA Community Meeting

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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