Whittier WildChat
October 11, 2017
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
Upcoming Events
Whittier Annual Give
The Whittier Annual Give campaign ends soon but we aren't even halfway there. Yikes! Only 30% of Wildcat families have participated in this year's drive...  we need your support this week to make this a success!

You received a blue Response Card on Curriculum Night or via KidMail. (Missing your card? No problem, we have extras in the office - or save time... give online !)  Please return that card to the big box in the school office as soon as you can (whether you choose to contribute financially or not.)

Why? Because the class with the highest participation rate gets to host the giant Wildcat stuffie for the week. (And if you ask the kids in Ms. Free's class, it's kind of a big deal!)

And... by contributing financially, you make Whittier awesome. Your contributions help fund programs, services, and staff positions that your kids love and rely upon. Your help brings more books to our library and funds more days with our librarian. (As well as funding for assemblies, safety initiatives, and ... so much more. )

Our goal is to raise $140 per student this year, but we have a special reward for parents who donate $250 per student or more... a Whittier Wildcat Zip-up Hoodie (in adult sizes for the first time at last!) Make your contribution now to stay toasty while you rock that Wildcat spirit!

RULER Family Night THIS October 12, 6:00-7:30!
RULER Family Night is this Thursday, October 12, 6:00-7:30pm. Please join us for our first RULER Family Night of the school year. The Whittier PTA (you!) has generously offered to provide pizza and water for the event. If you are able to join us, please RSVP with the number of adults and children who will be attending the event. We want to be sure to have enough food! We hope to see you there!

Great Washington ShakeOut Happening on October 19th
On October 19 at 10:19am, Whittier will be participating in The Great Washington ShakeOut for the second year in a row. 

This is an annual statewide earthquake drill and everyone is encouraged to participate! Click here for more information.

FALL CARNIVAL
Only 17 Days Away!
Friday, October 27, 6:00pm - 9:00pm 
(food trucks begin serving at 5:00pm)

Food trucks, games, prizes, Light Up Store, popcorn & candy, and the inaugural "Hogwarts Experience: Snape's Potions Class" - join us for Whittier's biggest community event of the year!
  • Tickets on sale in the lobby before and after school the week of Monday, Oct. 23
  • Food trucks begin food service on the playground at 5:00pm - Dante's Inferno Dogs, Veraci and Rancho Bravo
  • School doors, carnival games open at 6:00pm
  • Dippin' Dots serving ice cream in the cafeteria (cash only)
175 volunteers still needed! If you have high school kiddos, sign them up and have them bring a friend-they receive service hours for their effort!

Week before:
  • 7 open day-time slots the week of Oct. 23

On Carnival day (Oct. 27):
  • 21 cake bakers (or buyers!) still needed - drop off before 5:30pm
  • 5 to help stage games and decor, 10am - Noon
  • 16 to help set up games and decor, 2pm - 6pm
  • 30 game runners and floaters, 5:45pm - 7:00pm
  • 38 game runners and floaters, 6:45pm - 8:00pm
  • 44 game runners and floaters, 7:45pm - 9:00pm
  • 14 to help clean up, 9pm - 11pm
Sign up  here!

For more information:

We look forward to seeing you there!


Seattle Kids Marathon 2017
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.   The 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. 25th.  Wildcat Running Club miles at school count towards marathon miles. Along the way, runners earn incentives in the form of foot tokens and certificates.  When they cross the finish line November 25th and finish their last 1.2 miles at the Seattle Center, they will be   given a shirt   and a goodie bag. Of course, Mr. Pule will be there to run that final 1.2 miles with you. 

Whittier has had 40-60 participants each year.  Let's keep in up! 
Registration forms are now available outside gym. Return your form to Mr. Pule and he will take are of the rest or (much easier)  register on-line with our Whittier Elementary team (password: Wildcats). http://www.seattlemarathon.org/seattle-childrens-kids-marathon/The fee is $25. Deadline is Nov. 3rd for Whittier Team sign-up. 
PTA Information
2017-2018 PTA Community Meeting Schedule
The Whittier PTA has released a 3-meeting schedule for this school year:
  • Thursday, November 9, 2017
    • Goals for the 17-18 school year and discussion with Representative Noel Frame and SPS Board Member Rick Burke.
  • Thursday, March 8, 2018
    • Budget information and votes regarding staffing allocations for 2018-19; date subject to change.
  • Thursday, May 10, 2018
    • Review of 17-18 year, budget vote.
Meetings will be held in the Whittier Library and will begin with social half hour at 6:30, and business starting at 7:00pm. Look for first meeting details in the WildChat in late October.

General Auction Information Sessions
Help to up the stakes of the auction by popping by and visiting with an auction representative on Tuesday, October 17 from 7:45 am - 8:10 am and Friday, October 20 from 2:15pm - 2:45pm. Drop off donation forms or ask questions about donations needs.

Auction News
Hey all you fillies and geldings don't miss out on the opportunity for great auction outfits at your local thrift shops during this Halloween season. Big hats, fascinators, pretty dresses for the ladies; Straw hats, bow ties, fun suites for the gents. Who are among you will be the winning jockey?
School News
October is Whittier's Walk and Wheel Commute Challenge
How do you get to and from school? October is our traditional Walk and Wheel Commute Challenge. Walk, bike, unicycle, skate, take the school bus, or after school program vans... try not to be simply dropped off at the school by private vehicle. You can even park 2-3 blocks away and walk the rest of the distance.   

You can find your personal commute calendar on Schoology. Print it out and tally up your alternative commutes to earn incentives. Then, continue to stay out of the car throughout the year.  

*ARTS NOTICE FOR 5th GRADE FAMILIES*
As part of the yearly Cornerstone Arts assessment required for all 5th graders, students are asked to bring in 3-5 items that represent their interests for a self-portrait still life. Please remind your students to bring items no larger than a fist if they wish to have something personal to draw. They are able to store their items in my classroom but please avoid bringing things of huge sentimental or physical value or things that could be considered inappropriate/distracting for a school setting.

Thanks for your help in reminding our young artists,
Mr. Buck

Enrichment Update: Chess Classes
Chess4Life is an after-school program that teaches life skills through the game of chess. All grades (K to 5th) and skill levels are welcome. Lessons will be tailored to the students' knowledge.
Classes are on Wednesday from 1:15 to 2:15 PM  (5 min buffer after bell rings) and start on 10/25 to 12/13, no class on 11/23 Thanksgiving week. To register go to:  chess4life.com

Enrichment Update: Spanish Classes:
Language Links is offering after school enrichment classes for K to 5th graders on Mondays and Fridays from 2:30 to 3:30 starting 10/16. To register for the classes email  jessica.pierard@thelanguagelinkllc.com

This is a fun and energetic full immersion class. By the end of this school year, these students will, at a minimum, be able to understand familiar words and basic phrases and follow commands. They can also use short learned phrases about themselves, their families and their surroundings. This is a pre-literacy class. Students are advancing to answering questions about topics that are familiar to them and are beginning to use the language more spontaneously.
District News
SPS Annual LGBT Families Dinner - Nov. 2nd
The annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Families Dinner will be held Thursday, November 2nd from 6-8pm at Meany Middle School. Members of the school board will be there to welcome LGBT families and their friends.  All SPS students, families and staff are welcome to attend! This donation-funded event is brought to you by the Health Education Office. Dinner and entertainment will be provided. To reserve space at this popular event, please RSVP with the number of people in your party to Lisa Love in the Health Education Office at 252-0982 or  llove@seattleschools.org

2017-18 District Calendar 
Community News & Events
Parent's Night Out at the Barking Dog Alehouse
Barking Dog Alehouse is inviting local families to our Parent's Night Out! Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, starting TONIGHT October 11th from 5-9pm! We have certified babysitters looking after your kids and entertaining them with crafts, toys, movies and a meal, while the parents can enjoy a meal and a conversation! 1st kiddo is $15 and siblings are $5. See you soon!' 

Birds + Bees + Kids at the Ballard Church
Pacific Northwest Parent Education is having Amy Lang speak at Ballard Church on Monday, 10/23. This is open to the public and is FREE!!! 

Amy Lang:  Birds + Bees + Kids
Monday, October 23rd at 7pm  
Ballard Church - 1460 NW 73rd St., Ballard, WA 98117


PNW Parent Education is on a mission to host completely free, high quality, parent education events that are social and provide some food for thought to our community. 

Leave your kids at home (babies in arms are welcome) and grab a friend or 10 and join us to sip, socialize and spend some time together focused on how to navigate thought provoking parenting challenges in the great Pacific Northwest!

Our kick off event is with the famous Amy Lang, who speaks about bodies, boundaries and baby making. 

"Most preschoolers are super-curious about bodies and love to talk about and even look at them! Their curiosity is normal. This class will prepare you to tackle their questions about bodies, boundaries and baby-making before they have them.

YOU WILL LEARN:
Gentle ways to talk to preschoolers about bodies and boundaries
The ideal age to start talking about making babies
How to get really ready to start the birds and the bees talks!
Lunch Menu
View the October lunch menus  here.

Calendar
Thurs., Oct 12
RULER Family Night
6:00-7:30
Whittier Cafeteria

Fri., Oct. 13 
State in-service day; No School

Thurs., Oct. 19
Earthquake Drill

Fri., Oct. 27
Fall Carnival

Thurs., Nov. 9
PTA Community Meeting
6:30-8:30
Whittier Library

Email us with upcoming event details.

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