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Upcoming Events
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Wednesday, August 30, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Whittier Elementary Playground
New families are invited to join veteran Whittier parents and students to learn more about Whittier. Restrooms will not
be available; please plan ac
cordingly.
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Fill Us In is Tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 30, 2:30pm - 6:30pm
Whittier Elementary Gym
2:30pm - 3:30pm NEW FAMILIES ONLY
3:30pm - 6:30pm All families encouraged to attend
- Submit required school and district paperwork
- Receive your child's teacher assignment
(paperwork must be complete)
- Learn about PTA events and opportunities
- Learn about after school enrichment and childcare options
- Drop off donations for the Bailey Gatzert School Supply Drive
Remember to bring your checkbook to:
- Make optional PTA payments for PTA membership, Spirit Gear, and/or to contribute to Whittier's Annual Give campaign (checks should be written to Whittier PTA).
- Make a payment for your child's school supplies (check should be written to Whittier Elementary School).
Paperwork packets will be available at Whittier's entrance on Wednesday.
If you are not able to attend Fill Us In, your child's teacher assignment card will be in the mail to you immediately following the event. Paperwork can be completed in the office once school begins.
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Whittier Wildcat Welcome
Tuesday, September 5, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Whittier Elementary Lunchroom
NEW FAMILIES ONLY
- Enjoy light refreshments, meet Principal Melissa Schweitzer
- Kindergarten students meet their teachers, visit classrooms
- Older students have Q&A, school tour w/ Principal Schweitzer & staff
First Day Jitters
Monday, September 11, 7:55am - 8:45am
Whittier Elementary Lunchroom
Whittier parents are invited for coffee and treats (provided) after drop off.
Back to School Potluck / Fall Family Movie Night
Friday, September 15, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Whittier Elementary Playground / Gym & Lunchroom
Bring the whole family and a dish to share. "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit"
starts @ 7:30.
A bake sale to support the 5th grade Nature Bridge trip will be happening during the movie. Cash only!
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PTA Information
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Bailey Gatzert School Supply Drive
Bailey Gatzert Elementary is Whittier's sister school. Each year we run a school supplies drive, holiday gift drive and book drive to support their school. Even though you won't need to pick up school supplies for your Whittier students, please consider picking up some supplies (list below) and drop them in the labeled boxes at Fill Us In on Wednesday, Aug. 30 or by the Whittier office once school begins. The drive ends Friday, Sept. 15.
- Binders (1 inch)
- Colored Markers
- Colored Pencils
- Composition Books
- Expo Markers
- Glue Sticks
- Plastic Homework Folders
- Kleenex
- Pencils
- Pencil Boxes
- Scissors
FUNdraising Tidbit
The Fundraising Team looks forward to talking with you at Fill Us In on August 30 about YOUR impact on our school. We'll get you signed up as a PTA Member, have you looking stylish in Wildcat Spirit Gear, show you the positive changes you've helped make at Whittier, and share the many ways you can help make this school year awesome.
Pro tip: Bring your checkbook or your credit/debit card!
Spirit Gear
It's time to stock up on new Spirit Gear! Returning this year are fun favorites like t-shirts and hoodies, plus newly designed soccer scarves and cinch packs. An order form is included in Fill Us In packets. Stop by our table at Fill Us In on August 30 to ask questions, turn in forms and see sample sizes.
All proceeds support the Whittier PTA.
For more info, contact Jen
.
The Whittier Playground Needs You!
Whittier parents are working with the Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods, Seattle Public Schools and local community groups to map out a grant process in support of Whittier playground upgrades to include play structure replacement, entry gates, picnic table(s), art installations and more.
With enough community support (i.e., your volunteer hours!), the cash obligation for this project will be minimal. Volunteer hours from Whittier families and community members increase our chances for a grant award and minimize fundraising obligations.
A Steering Committee is established and working on the grant proposal, which must demonstrate community volunteer commitments. We are seeking volunteer pledges now through the grant due date, September 25. There are many volunteer opportunities, from planning committees in the fall, winter and/or spring, to actual construction in June. Please make a general volunteer commitment now to help
ensure grant success.
Big Wildcat THANKS to the Steering Committee volunteers: Ann Ilgen, Emily Clark, Patrick McCann, Will Scales, Tony Toppenberg, Kimberly Harms, Stephen Ward and Demian Minjarez!
PTA "Reflections" Art Contest
The National PTA "Reflections" art contest welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Annually, thousands of students reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.
This year's theme is "Within Reach". We hope our Wildcats spent some time this summer thinking about entering this year's contest. The deadline will be in late October; more information will be sent home in KidMail once the school year begins. For resources, entry details - including criteria by category - and official rules, visit the
WSPTA Reflections website.
Winners are selected at the school, district, state and national level. 1st place national winners in each catagory win an expense paid trip (with an adult) to the national PTA convention and $800.
C'mon Wildcats, let's get creative!
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School & District News
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Whittier Bell Times
REMINDER: Whittier's school day will begin at 7:55am and end at 2:25pm.
NEW THIS YEAR: Every Wednesday, students will be dismissed 75 minutes early (at 1:10pm) to support teacher collaboration and instructional planning. This early release
WILL NOT take place on the first day of school, September 6.
Delayed Kindergarten Start
Seattle Public Schools is offering one-on-one teacher visits to every kindergarten family districtwide. To make time for these one-on-one teacher visits, the first day of school for every kindergartner will be Monday, Sept. 11.
Kindergarten teachers will meet with each family on Sept. 6, 7
or 8. Teachers will contact families in late August/early September to schedule their 30- to 40-minute visit.
Students in grades 1-5 will start on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Free and Reduced Price Meals
All students who qualify for free and reduced price meals receive meals for free. Submit an application for free or reduced price meals before the start of the school year to ensure your application will be processed before classes begin. Submit your application on the SPS Nutrition Services webpage
.
Contact the SPS Nutrition Services Office at 206-252-0675 with questions.
NEW: School Supplies for 2017-18
New this year, families will not have to go shopping for school supplies. Instead, parents will pay $40 per student and Whittier will order bulk supplies based on teacher needs. Checks should be made out to
Whittier Elementary School.
It is still recommended that you send your student with a backpack, lunchbox, water bottle, etc. A flier with all details is included in Fill Us In packets.
2017-18 District Calendar
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Community News & Events
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After School Enrichment, Childcare Options
After school enrichment classes will be offered
at
Whittier during the 2017-2018 school year, facilitated by staff from Loyal Heights Community Center / Seattle Parks and Recreation.
The Loyal Heights programming page will show you a variety of
programs held both at Whittier and at a variety of other locations. Please confirm the location of the class before finalizing your student's
registration. You can contact the community center directly for more information.
Several after school pick-up programs including SPARC, Washington Karate Association, and Illumination Studio, will be at Fill Us In to answer questions about their programs. More enrichment programs will be available throughout the school year, so please keep an eye out for more information in upcoming class Facebook posts, WildChat newsletters, emails, and on the Whittier website.
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Calendar
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7:00am - 7:00pm
Whittier entrance
Fill Us In Packet Pick-up
(final day!)
2:30pm - 6:30pm, Gym
Fill Us In
6:00pm - 7:30pm, Playground
Summer Play Date
Tues., Sept. 5
2:00pm - 3:00pm, Lunchroom
Whittier Wildcat Welcome
Weds., Sept. 6
First Day of School
1st - 5th Grades
Sept. 6, 7 or 8
Family Connections Meetings
(for Kindergarten Families)
Weds., Sept. 6 - Fri., Sept. 15
School Supply Drive
(for Bailey Gatzert Elementary)
Mon., Sept. 11
First Day of School
Kindergarten
7:55am - 8:45am, Lunchroom
First Day Jitters
Weds., Sept. 13
Early-Release Wednesdays Begin
Fri., Sept. 15
6pm - 9pm, Playground & Gym
Back to School Potluck &
Fall Family Movie Night
Fri., Sept. 22
Advance Learning Referral Deadline
Thur., Sept. 28
Curriculum Night
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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 Tuesdays 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.
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