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Upcoming Events
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Whittier Budget Town Hall THIS Thursday at 6:30pm
Join us Thursday for a "town hall" presentation on Whi
ttier's budget process. The event will begin at 6:30 in the Whittier Library. Principal Schweitzer will share information with families regarding the priorities and values that guide the building's decision-making process; the how and why of the current staff structure; the expected cuts to Whittier's budget for the 2017-18 school year; and explain current thinking on how to maintain our current structure in the face of these potential cuts.
The PTA will present background information on their own budget process, and will explain how the two efforts work independently while relying on strong communication between the school and the parent community to best meet the needs of all Wildcats.
This discussion does not require previous knowledge of the budget or budget process - this information impacts all Whittier's students. Please join if you can to benefit from a deeper understanding of this information.
SAVE THE DATE: Whittier PTA Community Meeting March 15
Please mark your calendars for the next PTA Community Meeting on Wednesday, March 15. Important school and PTA budget information for the 2017-18 school year will be discussed, and the PTA membership will vote on school requests for financial support. The full agenda will be published in the WildChat at least one week in advance of the meeting.
In the meantime, please contact the PTA Co-Presidents or another board member as soon as possible if you have an issue or opportunity that you would like the PTA Board or general membership to consider. In order to bring your idea or issue to the table, please review this Member-Raised Issues & Opportunities form to help the PTA board evaluate the idea and determine next steps.
SAVE THE DATE: Whittier's Inaugural "Spring Fling" FUNraiser
Mark your calendars! You are invited to Whittier's first "Spring Fling" FUNraiser on Friday, May 5, from 7:00pm - 11:00pm at the Ballard Elks Lodge. This spring community event will feature music from Ms. Steph, dancing, a small silent auction, bites to eat, beer/wine for purchase, and plenty of adult-only time to socialize. Tickets will go on sale around Spring Break; venue capacity is limited to 200 adults, so keep your eye out!
We are seeking a parent from each classroom to coordinate filling a themed bucket for the silent auction. Sign up here to
Build a Bucket.
We are also seeking hosts for "sign-up" parties for the silent auction. Popular sign up themes in the past include: school's out barbecue, margarita night, back-to-school brunch, coffee or wine tastings, etc. Sign up here to
host a party.
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PTA Information
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Whittier PTA Budget Update
The Whittier PTA distributed a budget update letter via KidMail on Tuesday. You can read that document here. Please take a short survey to share your input regarding the values and priorities for supporting our Wildcats
Shop for Whittier - Scrip Cards
Gift cards (also known as scrip) from nearly 30 popular retailers including QFC/Fred Meyer, Safeway, Amazon, iTunes, Starbucks and more, are available for purchase at Whittier and benefit the PTA. MANY more options are available online. Please consider turning your routine or special purchases (e.g., gifts, furniture, technology, etc.) into funds for Whittier:
- Purchase gift cards in the Whittier lobby before and after school on Fridays (selection limited to cards on hand).
- Print a Scrip Order Form and submit your order via KidMail (anytime!).
- Order gift cards online; find instructions here.
Other Ways to Shop for Whittier!
Don't forget these other simple ways to support Whittier with your everyday shopping, at no additional cost to you!
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School News
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BLT Update
During the fall, the Whittier Building Leadership Team (BLT) worked to update Whittier's
Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP), gathering staff feedback along the way. The CSIP is a guiding document that sets out goals and strategies for Whittier over a two-year time horizon, but is reviewed and updated annually.
Whittier faces a significant budget reduction next year due to a district-wide budget shortfall. In late February / early March, the BLT will begin meeting weekly to work with the currently available budget details on options for the 2017-18 school year, with the main goal of preserving staffing as much as possible. The BLT will also construct a plan for restoring programs and/or staff if further funds are released this summer to our school. The PTA Budget Committee is working closely with the BLT to strategize next year's budget. We will post notes from our upcoming budget-related meetings to the
BLT page on the Whittier website.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments or concerns. We reserve time at the beginning of each meeting for questions or comments, and guests are free to stay and observe the rest of the discussion.
All meetings are held at 2:30pm in the Whittier library; upcoming dates include Monday, Feb. 27, and Monday, Mar. 6.
STEM Fair
Does your student still need ideas for the STEM fair?
Dr. Don's last set of office hours for February are this Thursday during lunch recess. As a parent are you interested in helping out during future office hours? Please check out the
Sign Up Genius.
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Volunteer Information
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Chair Needed for Bailey Gatzert Book Drive
Each year in late March / early April, Whittier collects books to donate to students at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School in advance of Spring Break. The Book Drive Chair is responsible for event communications, donation coordination and delivery. Please contact
outreach.whittierpta@gmail.com if you have some time and energy to put toward this important annual outreach effort, or to request more information about the opportunity.
Volunteer for Lunch and/or Recess duty here.
Seeking Guest Scientists!
Are you in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math? Do you have skills to demonstrate to aspiring Wildcat minds?
There are spots remaining for guest scientists to demonstrate their craft at this year's STEM Fair on Thursday, Mar. 23, 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Interactive demonstrations, allowing students to see and touch real applications of science, have been popular in the past and we welcome and encourage you to be creative with your expertise.
So, just for a moment put down your circuit, set aside that lab equipment, stop writing that code, and email
Gina Alvino or
Julie Kennedy to sign up and inspire young Wildcat scientists today!
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 the following PTA positions:
- Movie Nights
Seeking Co-Chair(s) to shadow in 2016-17, lead in 2017-18
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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District News
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Open Enrollment February 13 - 24
If you would like to request a different assignment for your student, you must submit a school choice form.
School choice forms are now available on the
School Choice webpage
. All forms received during Open Enrollment are
processed at the same time and are eligible for applicable tiebreakers.
Forms submitted after Feb. 24 are late, do not receive tiebreaker priorities
, and are much less likely to result in your student being assigned to the
school (or program) of your choice.
To check your student's current assignment,
use our Assignment Lookup Tool
.
Heads Up: Last Day of School Now Monday, June 26
The last day of school was changed from Friday, June 23 to Monday, June 26 due to the snow day on Feb. 6. There is a 1-hour early dismissal on the last day.
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Community News & Information
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Middle School Mania! What Parents Need to Know.
Savvy Parents, Safe Kids is hosting a workshop for parents of students entering or enrolled in middle school. Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at Ballard Homestead (6541 Jones Ave NW).
See the event
flyer
for more details.
Girls on the Run - Spring 2017
5th Grade Teacher and Whittier parent Julie Childers coaches Girls on the Run, an after-school program that uses the power of running to give girls the tools recognize their gifts and activate their power! Girls on the Run is for 3rd - 5th grade girls of ALL fitness and ability levels. The only requirement is to believe in GIRL POWER!
Dates: March 6 - May 23
Days & Time: Tuesdays / Thursdays, 2:15pm - 3:45pm
Cost: Fees based on a sliding scale; scholarships available
Contact
Julie Childers
for more information or visit
Girls on the Run
to register. Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 17.
Attention 4th and 5th Grade Musicians: Jazzcats Jazz Band
Are you inspired by Miles Davis? Do you want to learn how to do a jazzy groove? Then the NW Region "Jazzcats" Jazz Band is your calling. Whether you are a beginner or advanced musician, we hope you will join us. Interested? Contact
Heidi Wachter or click
here for the flyer.
Weekly practice sessions take place on Thursday afternoons from 3:30pm - 4:30 pm in the Salmon Bay School music room. Jazz Band Session 2 starts on Thursday, Mar. 2.
Upcoming Whitman Music Performances
Junior Spring Concert, March 7, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Featuring: Junior Jazz, Beginning/Intermediate Bands, Concert Band, Intermediate Orchestra, and Beginning Orchestra
Senior Spring Concert, March 8, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Featuring: Senior Jazz, Choir, Symphonic Band, and Senior Orchestra
All concerts are performed at the Whitman Middle School Auditorium (9201 15th Ave NW) and are FREE OF CHARGE. All bands conducted by Joel Orsen; Orchestra and Choir conducted by Lauren Hepburn.
Whittier Kids Preschool - Enroll now for 2017-18 School Year!
Come learn more about Whittier Kids preschool! Our onsite, play-based preschool focuses on dynamic curriculum that fosters creativity, instills a love for learning, builds social skills, and raises awareness of the community. We are beginning to enroll for next school year and invite you to come learn more about our preschool program!
- Preschool hours: 8am - 2pm
- Mixed-age classroom for 3-5 year olds
Upcoming preschool tours will be offered on March 8, March 22 and April 5 at 9:15am.
Email for more info or visit us online.
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Lunch Menu
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View the February lunch menu
here.
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Calendar
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Thurs., Feb 16
Whittier Budget Town Hall
6:30 - 7:30pm,
Library
Fri., Feb. 17
Spirit Day: "Crazy T-Shirts"
Mon., Feb. 20
Presidents Day
NO SCHOOL
Tues., Feb. 21 - Fri., Feb. 24
Mid-Winter Break
NO SCHOOL
Fri., Feb. 24
School Choice Open Enrollment ends
Salmon Bay Middle School Tour
9:20am - 10:50am
1810 NW 65th St.
Mon., Feb. 27
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Mon., Mar. 6
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Mon., Mar. 13
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Weds., Mar. 15
Staff Luncheon
Hosted by 1st Grade Families
PTA Community Meeting
7:00pm,
Library
Fri., Mar. 17
Spirit Day: Crazy Socks
Mon., Mar. 20
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Weds., Mar. 22
2-hr Early Dismissal
Thurs., March 23
STEM Fair
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Mon., Apr. 10 - Fri., Apr. 14
NO SCHOOL
Spring Break
Fri. May 5
Spring Fling
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Ballard Elks Lodge
PCP Schedule
Weds, Feb 15
A
= PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
Thurs, Feb 16 / Fri, Feb 17
A = Perf Art, B = PE C = Art
Mon, Feb 27 / Tues, Feb 28
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
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Thank You
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We feel so loved! Whittier staff would like to give a BIG thank you shout out to our
Second Grade Families
for last week's extra-delicious luncheon. We really appreciate all of the time it takes for you to prepare such a wonderful treat for us!
A special Wildcat thank you to
Jennifer Mannheim for coordinating last week's Whittier school tour for prospective families, and the evening's volunteers who provided building tours:
Chantelle Moran, Kelsey Toppenberg, Kate Mathews, Becky Dobbins, Sascha Demerjian, and
Karen Gustafson
.
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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 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.
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