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** 2016 ANNUAL GIVE CAMPAIGN **
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There are 8 school days remaining in our Annual Give Campaign. The current school-wide participation rate is 28%; help us reach our goal of 100% participation by returning your child's Annual Give (blue) Confidential Response Card ASAP, regardless of contribution.
- If you are missing your Confidential Response Card, pick one up in the office or email the PTA Fundraising Chairs.
- Please write checks to Whittier PTA, give online or set up monthly recurring payments.
- Then, be sure to join us at Chucks Hop Shop on Thur., Oct. 27, to celebrate!
Participation as of Monday morning, Oct. 17:
The kiddos are starting to ask about that popcorn party...let's make it happen! Questions? Contact Justin Fenton or Kris Dillin.
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Upcoming Events
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Only 10 days
until the F
AL
L C
AR
NI
VA
L...
MANY volunteer spots are still HORRIFYINGLY VACANT! Don't be afraid,
sign up
today!
Got a few hours to spare over the next 2 weeks?
We need help:
- building the Haunted House,
- bringing Mad Science back to life,
- revitalizing Gross Golf, and
- creating game signs and instructions.
Save the Date: RULER Family Night Nov. 3
Whittier is hosting its first
RULER
family night on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the cafeteria. A group of teachers will each share their family Charter. Afterward, they will lead a training session to
guide each family in designing a Charter of their own. Children are encouraged to attend.
The PTA will provide refreshments. More event details to come.
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PTA Information
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Whittier Elementary Family Directory
The PTA is looking forward to publishing the annual Whittier Elementary Family Directory. A draft PTA Directory page should be coming home for your child's class no later than today (Tuesday). Please correct or add any missing information on the page and return it to school via KidMail no later than Wednesday, Oct. 19. Contact
Monica Ganyard with questions.
Reflections Arts Contest: Entries Due Friday, Oct. 28
A reminder that entries to the Reflections Arts Contest are due Friday, Oct. 28. This year's theme is "What's Your Story?", and entries from
all grade levels and abilities are encouraged. Find general information here.
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School & District News
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Seattle Kids Marathon 2016...Now Until November 26th
Wildcats! Put your sneakers on. It's marathon time! The Seattle Kids Marathon is a great way to get you on your way to being physically fit.
Wildcat runners will have to run/walk most days and keep track of their miles as they work towards their goal of 25 miles before Nov. 26th. Along the way, runners earn incentives in the
form of foot tokens and certificates. When they complete their last 1.2 miles and cross the finish line on Nov. 26th, they will be
given a shirt and goodie bag. You need not be there for the
final 1.2 miles; Mr. Pule will collect your shirt.
Whittier has had 40-60 participants each year. Let's keep it up!
Registration forms are available outside the gym.
Return your form to Mr. Pule
and he will take care of the rest, or
register online with our Whittier Elementary team
(password: Wildcats).
The fee is $25. Deadline is Nov. 4th for Whittier Team sign-up.
SPS Seeking Input on 2017-2018 Schedule Changes
SPS is adding 20 minutes to the school day in the 2017-2018 school year, and providing one hour per week of teacher collaboration time (i.e., this will affect the start or end time of school by one hour on one day each week). The district is requesting input from families and stakeholders on how additional time should be added, and when to schedule collaboration time. Learn more and provide input via an online survey
here. Online surveys must be completed by Friday, Oct. 21.
SPS Budget Planning Sessions
Seattle Public Schools will be hosting two budget work sessions this fall for parents and community members. Parents will learn budget background information, and SPS will ask parents for recommendations in case the district receives additional funds or has funding reductions in the 2017-2018 school year.
Tues., Oct. 25, 6:00pm-8:00pm
John Stanford Center (auditorium, 2445 3rd Ave S)
Thurs., Nov. 3, 6:00pm-8:00pm
South Shore K-8 School (cafeteria, 4800 S Henderson St)
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Volunteer Information
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Volunteers Needed: Fall Carnival, Haunted House, Lunch/Recess
Volunteers are needed for the Fall Carnival (Oct. 28) and during Lunch & Recess (one time or ongoing). Please consider sharing your time with us!
Hosts Needed: Staff Appreciation Luncheons
It is Whittier tradition that each grade hosts one staff lunch during the school year to express our appreciation for all they do. Parent volunteers are needed to "host" each of the following grade-level luncheons:
 5th Grade - Weds., Nov. 9
4th Grade - Thurs., Dec. 8
3rd Grade - Thurs., Jan. 26, 2017
2nd Grade - Weds., Feb. 8, 2017
1st Grade - Weds., Mar. 15, 2017
Host duties: pick a theme (sandwich bar, taco bar, etc); create/edit a SignUp Genius (a template is available); and follow up to make sure the lunch is well-stocked. You do not need not be in attendance the day of the lunch. If you (and/or a friend) are interested in hosting a staff appreciation lunch, sign up here.
Questions? Please contact the PTA Event Chair.
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
- 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)
Contact the PTA Volunteer Coordinator to express interest; visit the Current Volunteer Openings page for more details.
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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Thank you to the many parents who stepped up to volunteer for last week's Health & Vision Screening: April Musick, Ann Ilgen, Elizabeth Clousing, Femeke Cabernard, Heidi Bischoff, Jeanne Portelance, Judy Shoji, Karen Gustafson, Katie Dahlen, Kirsten Blair, Robin Lor, Sarah Bendickson, Shelley Curtis and Tamsin Sarich, and to Heidi Wachter for coordinating. Nurse Joan couldn't do it without you!
If you have someone you want to thank or give a virtual high-five, please email us.
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Calendar
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Tues., Oct. 25
6:00pm-8:00pm
SPS Budget Planning Session
John Stanford Center
Wed., Oct. 26
2-hr Early Dismissal (12:05pm)
Fri., Oct. 28
Reflections Art Contest
Submissions Due
Fri., Oct. 28
6:00pm-9:00pm
Fall Carnival
Thurs., Nov. 3
6:00pm-7:30pm
RULER Family Night
Thurs., Nov. 3
6:00pm-8:00pm
SPS Budget Planning Session
South Shore K-8 School
Tues., Nov. 8
Election Day
Don't forget to vote!
Tues., Nov. 8
Individual School Photos
(Retakes)
Weds., Nov. 9
Staff Luncheon
Hosted by 5th Grade Families
Fri., Nov. 11
Veterans Day - NO SCHOOL
Mon., Nov. 14 - Fri., Nov. 18
**NEW DATE**
Food Drive
(Benefitting Ballard Food Bank)
Weds., Nov. 16
2-hr Early Dismissal (12:05pm)
Mon., Nov. 21 - Weds., Nov. 23
NO SCHOOL
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thur., Nov. 24 - Fri., Nov. 25
NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Holiday
PCP Schedule
Tues, Oct 18
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
Weds, Oct 19 / Thurs, Oct 20
A = Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
Fri, Oct 21 / Mon, Oct 24
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.
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