Whittier WildChat
November 8, 2017
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
Upcoming Events
Annual Food Drive
Our food drive has begun and will run through Thursday, Nov 16th.   We are collecting non-perishable food items to benefit Ballard Food Bank.   Donations boxes will be in your child's classroom and in the Whittier Lobby.

Last year our generous school community gave over 1,400 lbs. of food during the drive! Thank you helping those in need in our wonderful community!

Kindergarten and First Grade Performance!!
Mark your calendars for Friday, November 17th. The kindergarten and first grade wildcats are going to WOW you with an annual Veteran's Day/ Thanksgiving performance. The performance will start at 1:15 and will be in the cafeteria/gym. Please contact Ms. Steph with any questions.

Whittier Ice Skating Party!
Bring your family and join your friends for the annual Whittier Ice Skating Party at Highland Ice Arena, 18005 Aurora Avenue North, in Shoreline.  This annual event will take place onTuesday, November 21st from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Spend a few hours having some good old fashioned fun. Whether you are just learning to skate or you are perfecting your triple salchow, we want to see your skills. You can bring your own skates or rent them for $4. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress in warm layers and long socks are advised.

Should you have any questions, please email events.whittierpta@gmail.com.

UW Volleyball Game!!
Come cheer on the UW Women's Volleyball team as they take on Arizona State. 

When: Wednesday, November 22nd at 4:00PM
Where: Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on UW campus. 
Cost: $5 per ticket. 

The Whittier PTA has arranged for discounted ticket prices to the November 22nd match, just $5 per ticket.  Order your tickets by calling the UW ticket office at 206-543-2200. Select the option for single game tickets and reference Whittier Elementary account # 141870. Tickets will be available at Will Call at the arena the day of the event. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Should you have any questions please email James Goldsmith at jamesgoldsmith7041@gmail.com.

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. W ildcat 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 it up! 
Registration forms are now available outside gym. Return your form to Mr. Pule and he will take care of the rest or register on-line with our Whittier Elementary team (password: Wildcats).  The fee is $25. Deadline is Nov. 3rd for Whittier Team sign-up. 

Helping Hands Gift Drive!!
Our annual Helping Hands Gift Drive will begin after Thanksgiving.  This event is an opportunity to assist Whittier and Bailey-Gatzert Elementary families in need this holiday season and extend a "Helping Hand" by providing gifts and scrip gift cards. 

Beginning the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 27th, there will be a display of requests in the school lobby.  Each "mitten tag" will list an educational gift that you can donate, such as books or a toy for an age-specific child or a scrip gift card for a family (Fred Meyer/QFC).  

*If you are in need of support, please contact Rebecca Adamson at 206-252-1650 or at  rnadamson@seattleschools.org.  All requests will be kept confidential.

Contact Dawn Eggerts ( dawn.eggerts@gmail.com) or Katie Dahlen ( saddlefeathers1@gmail.comfor information or to help with this very important event!
PTA Information
PTA Community Meeting-TOMORROW!!
We hope you can join us for the first PTA Community Meeting of the 2017-2018 School year! The meeting will be in the
library,
 this Thursday, November 9th at 7pm  (6:30 light refreshments served). 

Highlights include a visit from School Board Director Jill Geary, our Annual Give success and a playground update.
  • Welcome 
  • Approval of May Community Meeting minutes
  • Introduction of invited guests
    • SPS Board Director Jill Geary
  • Introduction of 2017-18 PTA Board members 
  • Treasurer Report
  • Annual Give Recap
  • 2018 Auction Update
  • Playground Update and Vote
  • Upcoming School & Outreach Events 
  • Principal Update
  • Building and Leadership Team Update
  • PTA Financial Review Summary
  • PTA Standing Rules Revision
  • PTA Nominating Committee Vote
  • Looking ahead
Co-Chair for the STEM Fair Needed!
We are looking for a science-minded volunteer to co-chair the STEM fair in 2018! Do you have ideas how to improve our annual STEM fair? Or just feel like you would like to be part of this tradition at Whittier? Please contact the PTA Volunteer Coordinators and thanks for being a part of the wonderful Whittier volunteer community.

Classroom Art Organizers Needed
Planning is well underway for one of the biggest events of the year -- Whittier's biennial auction. This year's theme is the Catucky Derby -- horse-races, big hats, mint juleps - all with Wildcat style! 

In addition to online and live bidding on donated goods and services from families, friends and local businesses, one of the most anticipated components of the auction is the CLASSROOM ART. 

Each room will produce a single work of art with participation from each student. We need at least one parent from each classroom to coordinate the art project. There will be a simple timeline for idea proposals, execution and delivery.

If you are interested in heading up your child's classroom art project, please email the Art Coordinator, Emily Grosse, at  emily.a.grosse@gmail.com
School News
Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run!!
Girls on the Run empowers girls to reach their full potential. Through an intentional curriculum led by volunteer coaches, our girls learn about self-esteem, healthy relationships, and contributing to their community! Coaches lead practices twice a week for ten weeks and receive a full training before the season begins. Coach applications due January 12th.

Please contact  Julie Childers  by email or phone (206.252.1684) for more information!

New Books Have Arrived in the Whittier Library!!
Ask your students about all the new books that have arrived in the library. There are new series books! New non-fiction! New picture books! And new graphic novels!  Younger students can look forward to Ms. Nygard reading aloud the Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award nominees for 2018. Students will join in the state-wide vote for their favorite.   See examples  of these new additions to the book collection.
District News
State of the District
You are invited to join Seattle Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Nyland, for the annual State of the District. 
  • Tuesday, November 14, 2017
  • Reception: 5-5:30pm, Program: 5:30-7pm
  • West Seattle High School Theater, 3000 California Ave. SW
You are invited to learn about the district's vision for preparing students for success, our progress and our focus for the school year.  Hear from students, school leaders and community partners and leave committed to our collective work.

Every Student.  Every Classroom.  Every Day.  

2017-18 District Calendar 
Community News & Events
PNO Tonight!!
Barking Dog Alehouse is inviting local families to a Parent's Night Out! Every 2nd Wednesday of the month.              
Their next one is TONIGHT, November 8th, from 5-9pm! They will 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! Parents must stay on-site and enjoy their kid free evening.

First kiddo is $15 and siblings are $5. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow ni ght!

Whittier Kids - All day camps during Thanksgiving Break/Conferences
Join us at Whittier Kids Nov 20-22 for all day camps focusing on community and harvest themes.
Camps are for kids K-5th grades from 9-3pm, with the option of adding am (6:45-9am) and/or pm care(3-6pm).

Whittier Kids Preschool - T/TH openings
Whittier Kids Preschool is located onsite at Whittier Elementary and offers a play-based program for 3-5 year olds. Our program focuses on dynamic curriculum, building social emotional skills and instilling a love of learning. We have openings Tuesday/Thursday and our program runs from 8am-2pm during the school year. More info online:  https://www.phinneycenter.org/whittierkids/preschool-enrollment/
Email  whittierkids@phinneycenter.org for more information or to schedule a tour.

Join Cub Scouts NOW!
Ballard Elks Lodge 
6411 Seaview Ave.  

Do you have a son or daughter in the first through fifth grades, 7-10 years of age, or friends with kids? Get the adventure started. Whittier's First Grade Parent, Alex Osenar, is our Tiger (1st Grade Level) parent leader. Contact Alex at: 206-313-6948 or email  alexosenar@gmail.com for more information. 

Monthly Pack meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the Month.
Visit the BSA Website for more information:  https://beascout.scouting.org

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps
Due to popular demand, the Ballard High School Gymnastics team is hosting 2 more Kids Camps!! 

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps for Grades K-5 will be held on the following dates at the Ballard High School gym. Tickets are $45 per date, per camper (additional campers from the same family are $40 per date). No gymnastics experience is needed!
  • Camp 1: Saturday, December 2nd from 9am to 12pm
  • Camp 2: Saturday, January 27th from 1pm to 4pm
Feel free to contact Kimball Mullins (Kids Camp coordinator) at  kimball_mullins@yahoo.com with questions.

Thanks,
Stephanie Gundel
Ballard High School Gymnastics Head Coach

2017 Seattle Public Safety Survey
Seattle University is administering the 3rd annual citywide Seattle Public Safety Survey! The purpose of the survey is to solicit feedback on public safety and security concerns from those who live and/or work in Seattle. A report on the survey results will be provided to the Seattle Police Department to assist them with making your neighborhood safer and more secure.
   
Notes from the Front Office
Help Wan ted: 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!

Picture Retake Day
REMINDER: Picture retakes are this Thursday, November 9th. Students who were absent on Picture Day will get pulled from class to get their photo taken. Students that would like a retake should return their original picture packages so the photographers can access their original order to process their complimentary retakes.

If you plan on having your child get a retake, please fill out this Google sign-up form in the link below. It will help us to know which students will need to be pulled from class.
Here is the link to the form:  https://goo.gl/forms/L8n9VwN2RrOPrS4p1

Parents, if you wish to purchase additional pictures, you may order online here:  https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000585362#login

Please have your order placed on or before November 9th as the online ordering expires the day after retake day.

~~~~~IT'S GREAT TO BE A WILDCAT~~~~~

-Miss Monica & Miss Rebecca
Thank You
A big thank you to Femeke Cabernard & Ann Ilgen for filling emergency water containers for each classroom in the building.
   
Lunch Menu
View the November lunch menus  here.
Calendar
Nov. 6-Nov. 16th
-Annual Food Drive

Wed., Nov. 8th
-Parents Night Out
5:00-9:00
Barking Dog Alehouse

Thurs., Nov. 9
-Student Picture Retake Day

-PTA Community Meeting
6:30-8:30
Whittier Library

Fri., Nov. 10
-NO SCHOOL
Veterans' Day

Tues., Nov. 14
-State of the District
5:00-7:00
W. Seattle High School Theater

Thurs., Nov 16
-Annual Food Drive Ends

Fri., Nov. 17
-Kinder & 1st GrPerformance
1:15pm
Whittier Cafeteria/Gym

Mon., Nov. 20 - Wed., Nov. 22
-NO SCHOOL
Parent Teacher Conferences

Tues., Nov. 21
-Whittier Ice Skating
10:00am-12:00pm
Highland Ice Arena

Wed., Nov. 22
-UW Volleyball Game
4:00-6:00

Thur., Nov. 23 - Fri., Nov. 24
-NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break

Email us with upcoming event details.
Free Money Corner
Did you know that the shopping you do everyday can benefit Whittier?  You can turn your routine purchases (Amazon, Ballard Market, Fred Meyer) into funds for Whittier!
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to  smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device.  Select  "Whittier PTA Seattle Council" as your charity of choice and a portion of your future purchases will support Whittier.
You may also want to add a bookmark
to  smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.
Get Involved
WildChat Editor Needed!!
The PTA Communications Team is currently seeking an Editor for the WildChat. The position requires a weekly time commitment of 2-3 hours, all done from the comfort of your own home, and will work closely with the PTA Communications Chair and the Website Editor. If you have strong writing and organizational skills, and an interest in volunteering, we'd love to hear from you. Experience with Constant Contact a big bonus, though basic training is available. Email  April Musick  with  questions or to express interest. 

Spanish Language Translator Needed
The PTA Communications Team is currently seeking a volunteer to translate occasional PTA communications from English to Spanish.  This position requires a monthly commitment of 2-3 hours, all done from the comfort of your own home, and would work closely with the PTA Communications Chair.  If you have strong  Spanish and English speaking/writing skills, and an interest in volunteering, we'd love to hear from you!  Please email  April Musick  with questions or to express interest.
Contact Us
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