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Upcoming Events
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Early Release Wednesday, Sept. 28
A reminder that next Wednesday, Sept. 28, is a 2-hr early dismissal (12:05pm student pick up) for staff professional development. Please adjust pick-up plans accordingly!
Picture Day Reminder
Picture Day is Tuesday, Oct. 4th. Keep an eye out for picture order forms going home this week in KidMail. Please return the completed form to your child's teacher by October 4th.
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PTA Information
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2016-2017 PTA Community Meeting Schedule
The Whittier PTA has released a 3-meeting schedule for the 2016-17 school year:
- Wednesday, Nov. 16th, 2016
-
Wednesday, Mar. 15th, 2017
(includes important budget information; date subject to change)
- Wednesday, May 24th, 2017
This schedule follows the Washington State PTA recommendation of 3 meetings per year (with a minimum of 1). In recent years, the Whittier PTA scheduled 5
meetings per year
. The reduced meeting schedule is intended to encourage broader community participation; provide timely, relevant and focused content; serve as a forum for parents to voice their thoughts on PTA and school issues; and further strengthen Whittier's sense of community.
Look for first meeting details in the WildChat in early November. The PTA Board will reassess this meeting schedule in June as it considers the 2017-2018 school year.
Spirit Gear, Chinook Book Sales
The deadline for Spirit Gear purchases is THIS FRIDAY, Sept. 23rd. Find information, including an ord
er form,
here
.
Chinook Book sales in the Whittier lobby will being next Monday, Sept. 26th, and run through Friday, Oct. 7th. Find more information
here.
Help Raise Funds for Whittier - Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Do you have a Fred Meyer Rewards Card? If so, you can help raise funds for Whittier by signing up for the Community Rewards program. Find instructions
here.
NOTE: Even if you signed up last year,
you must RE-ENROLL your account each fall. Please take a fe
w minutes to ensure this continued "Shop for Whittier" support: Go to
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
> Re-enroll or Link Your Rewards Card Now > Whittier's organization number: 85919.
"Snorkel" Drawings for the Family Directory Due THIS FRIDAY
Reminder! Calling all Whittier Artists!
We are looking for drawings of Snorkel, our playground mascot, for possible use on the cover of our school family directory. Turn in your directory cover art drawing by this Friday, Sept. 23rd.
Check your child's KidMail folder for the submission form.
Turn in Completed PTA Forms ASAP
Thank you to everyone who has submitted their PTA paperwork. If you have not yet done so, please submit your forms as soon as possible so that we can get everyone plugged in!
Printed forms may be returned with your child via their KidMail folder, or dropped off in the office (ask for the blue PTA file box).
Reflections Art Contest
The annual Reflections Art Contest is around the corner. This year's theme is "What's Your Story?", and entries from
all grade levels and abilities are encouraged. Find general information here, and keep an
eye out for contest details
in your child's KidMail folder this week.
Help Washington State PTA Speak up for Kids
Every fall, the Washington State PTA selects its legislative priorities, and hearing from you is a valuable step in the process. Your responses will assist voting delegates who attend the Legislative Assembly in setting the 2016-17 legislative platform. Take the survey here. Survey closes Thursday, Oct. 6 at 12:15pm.
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School & District News
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Instrumental Music Update for 4th & 5th Grade Families
Last week, Whittier Elementary Instrumental Music (EIM) instructor, Mr. Randall Davidson, visited with 4th and 5th graders who have submitted EIM enrollment forms. If your 4th or 5th grader is interested in the Whittier EIM program
and
has not submitted an enrollment form
, please submit the form ASAP.
Don't have an enrollment form? Please contact Mr. Davidson
or Heidi Wachter
.
Music lessons will begin on Thursday, Oct. 13th,
and will be held during the school day each Thursday. If
you have already submitted an enrollment form and your student has been assigned an instrument, please do not rent or purchase an instrument until Mr. Davidson has communicated with you. Mr. Davidson will provide information about the instrument type and quality your student will need. For students participating in the SPS instrument loan program, instruments will be distributed to your student on the first day of Whittier EIM (Oct. 13th).
PCP Schedule
As you may know, Whittier's curriculum includes three Specialist (a.k.a., "PCP") classes: Physical Education, Art and Performing Arts. These classes are scheduled on a 2-day rotation (i.e., one cycle = two days of PE, two days of Performing Arts, two days of Art). To manage this schedule, homerooms are divided into A, B and C groups.
Here is the A/B/C homeroom breakdown for the 2016-2017 school year. We will provide a weekly update of the PCP schedule in the WildChat calendar (top right).
Advanced Learning Testing
Seattle Public Schools is now accepting referrals for Advanced Learning Program testing. Information and referral forms are available here
. The deadline for applications is Oct. 6th; no late forms will be accepted.
Growth Boundaries Community Meetings, September & October
Five community meetings will be held this fall to provide information about the upcoming school boundary changes for the 2017-2018 school year.
These changes do affect the attendance areas for Whittier and Whitman.
More information - including meeting locations, dates and times -
can
be found
here
.
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Volunteer Information
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Open 2016-2017 Volunteer Positions
Team up with a friend and contribute your own flavor to the Whittier community. Volunteers are needed ASAP to fill several event and PTA positions. A few urgent positions include:
- Movie Nights (Fall, Winter and Spring)
Seeking Co-Chair to shadow in 2016-17, lead in 2017-18
- PTA Volunteers Co-Chair (year-long position)
This is a PTA Board position for 2016-17
- 2016-17 WildChat Editor (year-long position)
Seeking an Editor for the weekly PTA e-newsletter
- Food Drive (Monday, Oct. 24 - Friday, Oct. 28)
Seeking Co-Chairs to manage communications, food collection
- Fall Carnival (Fri, Oct. 28)
Seeking Co-Chairs to shadow in 2016, lead in 2017
- 2016-17 School Yearbook (year-long position)
Seeking an Editor(s)
Required Volunteer Paperwork
To volunteer at Whittier during the 2016-2017 school year, you will need to complete the necessary paperwork. Printed volunteer packets are available in the office or you can find the information and documents you need
here.
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Thank You!
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T
HANK YOU to PTA Hospitality Co-Chairs
Kellie Pecoraro and Kristin Wiggins
for organizing Whittier's annual Back to School Potluck, and to the fabulous folks who helped with set up and clean up:
Krissie & Drew Dillin, Sarah English & Jay Worth, Justin Fenton, James Goldsmith, Ann Ilgen, and Christopher Wiggins
.
THANK YOU, too, to all of the families that joined us for the Fall Movie Night featuring "Mr. Peabody and Sherman". It was the first of many great community events we have planned for the year. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to the fabulous Heidi Wachter for once again chairing this event. This is Heidi's last year at Whittier (sniff sniff). If you are interested in taking over for 2017, see the Volunteer Information above.
Last but not least, THANK YOU to the Whittier community for once again contributing to a successful Back to School Supply Drive. We sent an SUV full of school supplies to our SPS sister school, Bailey Gatzert.
If you have someone you wish to thank, or to whom you'd like to give a virtual high-five, please email us.
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Community News & Events
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Whittier Kids Seeking Part-Time Preschool Teacher
Whittier Kids is seeking a new part-time preschool teacher. If you are interested or know of someone who is, please view and shar
e this
link
.
Safe N Sound Swimming After School Program
Join us after school to free swim in our indoor heated pool, receive private swim lessons, make crafts, play games and enjoy quiet reading time! Transportation from Whittier Elementary to Safe N Sound Swimming provided. For Grades 1-5 every Wednesday from school dismissal time to 5:30pm. Pick up at Safe N Sound Swimming's Westlake location (2040 Westlake Ave N). Cost to attend once a week is $124 per month, which includes a monthly swim lesson. Weekly private swim lessons available at an additional charge. Visit our website for more information.
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Calendar
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2-hr Early Dismissal (12:05pm)
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Individual School Photos
(retakes Tuesday, Nov. 8)
Thursday, Oct. 6
Advanced Learning App. Due
Thursday, Oct. 6
Curriculum Night
Friday, Oct. 14
No School - Tea
cher Professional Development Day
Mon., Oct. 24 - Fri., Oct. 28
Food Drive
(Benefitting Ballard Food Bank)
Wednesday, Oct. 26
2-hr Early Dismissal (12:05pm)
Friday, Oct. 28
6pm - 9pm
Fall Carnival
PCP Schedule
Tues, Sept. 20 / Weds, Sept. 21
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
Thurs, Sept. 22 / Fri, Sept. 23
A = Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
Mon, Sept. 26 / Tues, Sept. 27
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
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Contact Us
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Contact the
WildChat Editor
with questions about or submissions to this newsletter.
WildChat content should be submitted via email no later than Sundays at noon for Tuesday publication.
Please use the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this message if you do not wish to receive further issues of the WildChat.
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