 |
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
|
Whittier Helping Hands Campaign is Underway
Our annual Helping Hands Gift Drive is an opportunity to assist Whittier and Bailey-Gatzert Elementary
families
in need. Extend a "Helping Hand" this holiday season by providing gifts and scrip gift cards.
In the school lobby there is a display of requests; each "mitten tag" lists an age-appropriate gift that you can donate, such as books or a toy, or a scrip gift card for a family (e.g. Safeway, Fred Meyer/QFC).
Choose a tag and then
return a new, unwrapped gift or gift card by Friday, Dec. 9.
Safeway and Fred Meyer/QFC scrip gift cards can be purchased in the lobby before and after school. Remember that purchasing a scrip gift card for a Helping Hands recipient helps someone in need and benefits the PTA.
For more information or if you can help with this project, contact
Katie Dahlen.
If your family is in need of support this holiday season, please contact Head Teacher, Sara Dowsing (206.252.1650). All requests will be kept confidential.
Whittier Book Fair THIS Thursday, Dec. 1
Mark your calendars for Whittier's annual Book Fair THIS Thursday, Dec. 1, located in the Whittier library from 2:00pm - 7:00pm. Once again, Phinney Books has graciously offered to host the Book Fair and 25% of purchase proceeds will come right back to the Whittier Library Fund for purchase of books/supplies.
This is a great opportunity to do some gift shopping (teacher wish lists will be posted!) and catch up with friends. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. What a fun way to support literacy and your school!
There will be a kids corner with activities (hosted by Ms. Nygard and Mr. Buck) from 2:30pm-3:30pm. Baked goods and cider will be available for purchase in the lobby to benefit the 5th Grade NatureBridge field trip. There is truly something for everyone!
We hope to see you there, but if you are unable to make it, stop by Phinney Books December 1-8 and 25% of your purchase will still go to the Whittier Library Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
PTA Information
|
|
|
Staff Wish Lists
Want to include your favorite Whittier Staff member(s) in your gift-giving plans this year but don't know what to get? No worries! Our holiday
elves have collected all sorts of helpful suggestions.
View a list of favorite things (PDF) here. (Not everyone has completed a survey; late-coming lists will be posted
if/when they are submitted.)
Scrip Gift Cards On Sale Before, After School NOW - Dec. 9
Scrip gift cards are available for purchase every day before and after school through Friday, Dec. 9, in support of Helping Hands and holiday gift purchases. Need a teacher gift? Something for your co-workers or in-laws? Consider a gift card!
iTunes, Starbucks, Amazon, Target, Macy's, Land's End, Barnes & Noble, QFC, Majestic Bay, Safeway and California Pizza Kitchen are available. Questions? Contact
Cara.
Shop for Whittier
Don't forget these simple ways to support Whittier with your everyday shopping, at no additional cost to you!
|
|
|
|
|
School News
|
|
|
Skate Unit!
The annual skate unit has started in PE and will continue for the next three weeks. Students need to bring a labeled bike helmet. Whittier has quad skates, wrist guards (mandatory), and knee and elbow pads (optional). Wildcats may use their own quad or in-line skates. All personal equipment must be labeled with the student's name and stored in an unbreakable bag in the student's classroom cubby (there is no storage option in the gym).
Schedule by PCP Rotation:
- A: Mon., 11/28; Tue., 11/29; Tue., 12/6; Wed., 12/7; Wed., 12/14
- B: Wed., 11/30; Thu., 12/1; Thu., 12/8; Fri., 12/9; Thu., 12/15
- C: Fri., 12/2; Mon., 12/5; Mon., 12/12; Tues., 12/13; Fri., 12/16
Fifth Grade NatureBridge Fundraiser Happening Now!
Our 5th graders are selling Brown Bear Car Wash tickets to offset the costs of transportation and tuition for their spring NatureBridge science camp at Olympic National Park. The more tickets they sell, the lower the total costs for 5th grade families. Tickets can be used at any participating Brown Bear Car Wash (from Seattle to Tacoma!) and are being sold for $7 per ticket; $20 for a set of 3 tickets; or $100 for 20 tickets (a $40 savings!).
Please consider purchasing tickets from your favorite 5th grader today! You can also purchase them at the Book Fair this Thursday, Dec. 1, and at the SCRIP table in the lobby on Friday, Dec. 2 (before and after school); Monday, Dec. 5 (after school); and Wednesday, Dec. 7 (after school). These make great stocking stuffers or gifts for co-workers.
Patxi's Pizza Fundraiser Tuesday, December 6
Please consider eating at Patxi's Pizza (5323 Ballard Ave NW,
206-946-1512) on Tuesday, Dec. 6, to help raise money for 5th graders attending NatureBridge in the Spring. NatureBridge is an annual two-night trip that supports 5th grade classroom science curriculum.
10% of lunch and dinner proceeds go directly to Whittier. Join friends and neighbors at the restaurant, have it delivered to your home, or order a delicious deep-dish pizza to go. Let's show our support for the current 5th grade class!
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Information
|
|
|
Lunch Recess Needs Your Help!
We need your help! We are l
ooking for lunchroom and recess volunteers every day to ensure the safety of all our kids.
It is also a great way to get to know your child's
friends and classmates!
Sign up here; scroll down and sign up for whatever day works for your schedule (volunteer regularly or just once in a
while). Every volunteer slot filled helps. We particularly need help on Fridays during the 2
nd
and 3
rd
grade lunch/recess, from 10:35-11:15.
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:
- *NEW* STEM Fair (mid-Dec. / early Jan. through March)
Seeking Co-Chair
- Movie Nights (Fall, Winter and Spring)
Seeking Co-Chair to shadow in 2016-17, lead in 2017-18
- 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.
|
|
|
|
|
District News
|
|
|
Early Registration for Kindergarten Begins
SPS 2017-18 Boundaries Approved
The Seattle School Board approved changes to the 2013 Growth Boundaries Plan (i.e., attendance area boundaries) for the 2017-18 school year:
- Whittier Attendance Area section 128 (the NE corner of our current attendance area), slated for transition to Viewlands, will NOT be implemented. Families living in section 128, including current and future students, will continue to attend Whittier.
- West Woodland Attendance Area section 126, slated for transition to Whittier, WILL be implemented for NEW students only. Current West Woodland students will be grandfathered at West Woodland.
Here is a final attendance area map for 2017-18.
SPS 2017-18 HCC Pathway Recommendations
Modifications to the district's Student Assignment Plan, including Highly Capable Cohort (HCC) pathways, will be introduced to the School Board on
Wednesday, Dec. 7. The School Board anticipates voting on the Student Assignment Plan at the
January 4 board meeting. The current recommended HCC pathway for the Whitman attendance area (affecting Whittier elementary students matriculating to Whitman) is Robert Eagle Staff, which will open for the 2017-18 school year.
Community meetings to share information about these updates are scheduled (all from
6:30pm - 7:30pm):
- Wed., Nov. 30 @ Nathan Hale High School Library
- Thur., Dec. 1 @ Ingraham High School Lunchroom
- Mon., Dec. 5 @ John Stanford Center Auditorium
SPS Schedule Recommendations for 2017-18
Twenty (20) minutes of core instructional time will be added to the school day in the 2017-18 school year, and one hour of teacher collaboration time will be implemented each week to support common planning and improved student outcomes. More than 11,000 family members, teachers, principals and community partners responded to last month's SPS survey on how to implement these changes. The following SPS recommendations were informed by survey feedback:
- The additional 20 minutes per day will be split between the morning and afternoon (school will start 10 minutes earlier and end 10 minutes later).
- Students will be dismissed one hour early on Wednesdays in support of teacher collaboration.
The split schedule for the additional 20 minutes assumes a continuation of the 3-tier bus system (i.e., three school start times). Decisions regarding the number of start times and associated transportation standards will be influenced by the School Board's budgeting process. The 2017-18 bell schedules will be finalized and communicated in January.
Find the SPS announcement
here. To provide additional feedback to staff and the School Board, email
arrivaltimes@seattleschools.org.
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Community Meetings
Several upcoming community meetings have been scheduled for the
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School community. Robert Eagle Staff is the recommended HCC pathway middle school for the Whitman attendance area. At these meetings, join Principal Campbell and the Robert Eagle Staff community to learn about the new school and share your ideas.
- Sat., Dec. 3, 11:00am - 12:30pm @ Location TBD
- Thur., Dec. 8, 6:00pm - 7:30pm @ Loyal Heights Elem. at Marshall (520 NE Ravenna Blvd)
- Thur., Jan. 5, 6:00pm - 7:30pm @ Broadview Branch Library (12755 Greenwood Ave N)
|
|
|
|
|
Community News & Information
|
|
|
Upcoming Whitman Music Performances
Winter Orchestra and Choir Concert
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 7:00pm
Featuring: 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Orchestras and 6th Grade Choir
Orchestra conducted by Lauren Hepburn
All concerts are FREE OF CHARGE
Location: Whitman Middle School Auditorium (9201 15th Ave NW)
Ballard High School Lil' Beavs Cheerleading Camp - December 4
The 2016-17 Ballard High School Lil' Beavs Cheerleading Camp is back by popular demand!
When:
Sunday, Dec. 4, 9:30am - Noon
Where: Ballard High School
For Who: All K-6 students
Spend the morning with the BHS Varsity Cheerleading Squad learning cheers, chants and dances. Each camper will receive a t-shirt, set of poms, a picture with the squad, and an invitation to perform at halftime during the Ballard Girl's Basketball game on
Wednesday, Dec. 7!
Seattle Celtic Soccer Club Spring Season Registration Now Open
Seattle Celtic will be holding Spring season tryouts the week of January 9. Celtic have teams at all levels for players born between 2002 and 2010 and a coaching staff with the perfect mix of energy, passion and expertise to help players develop and excel in a fun environment.
Tryouts are free to attend and details can be found at
www.seattleceltic.com
.
Questions? Contact us at
info@seattleceltic.com
for further information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar
|
|
|
Now through Fri., Dec 9
Helping Hands Campaign
Wed., Nov. 30
6:30pm - 7:30pm
SPS Student Assignment Plan Comm. Mtg.
Nathan Hale HS Library
Thur., Dec 1
2:00pm - 7:00pm
Whittier Book Fair
Library
6:30pm - 7:30pm
SPS Student Assignment Plan Comm. Mtg.
Ingraham HS Lunchroom
Sat., Dec. 3
11:00am - 12:30pm
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Comm. Mtg.
Location TBD
Mon., Dec. 5
6:30pm - 7:30pm
SPS Student Assignment Plan Comm. Mtg.
John Stanford Ctr. Auditorium
Tues., Dec. 6
Patxi's Pizza Fundraiser
Supports 5th Grade NatureBridge Trip
Thur., Dec. 8
Staff Luncheon
Hosted by 4th Grade Families
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Comm. Mtg.
Loyal Heights Elem. @ Marshall
Mon., Dec. 12
BLT Meeting
2:25pm-4:25pm
Library
Fri., Dec. 16
Spirit Day: "Ugly Sweater Day"
1-hr Early Dismissal (
1:05pm
)
Mon., Dec. 19 - Fri., Dec. 30
Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
Mon., Jan. 2, 2017
New year's Day Observed - NO SCHOOL
Thur., Jan. 5, 2017
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Robert Eagle Staff Middle School Comm. Mtg.
Broadview Branch Library
Mon., Jan. 16, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
PCP Schedule
Weds, Nov 30 /
Thurs, Dec 1
A = Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
Fri, Dec 2 / Mon, Dec 5
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
Tues, Dec 6 / Weds, Dec 7
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
|
|
|
|
|
Thank You!
|
|
|
Wow,
Whittier Families
really came out in support of the Annual Food Drive! We delivered 1,492.2 lbs of food to the Ballard Food Bank, a four-fold increase over last year. Your generous donations will help provide for many in our community.
THANK YOU
for making the food drive a big success!
We would specifically like to thank the following people for their event support: Food Drive Chair
Donna Chavis, PTA Outreach Co-Chair
Tracy Yetter,
Karen Gustafson,
Sascha Demerjian,
Kristin Wiggins and
Ashley Martin. A special thank you to
Ms. Dowsing for coordinating student help and arranging to have someone from the Ballard Food Bank speak with students before the Food Drive began.
If you have someone you want to thank or give a virtual high-five, please email us.
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Us
|
|
|
Contact the WildChat Editor with questions about or submissions to this newsletter.
WildChat content should be submitted via email no later than Mondays at noon for Wednesday publication.
Please use the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this message if you do not wish to receive further issues of the WildChat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
