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Upcoming Events
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Whittier Budget Town Hall, Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6:30
Please save the date for a "town hall" presentation on Whittier's budget process. The event will be Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 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.
STEM Fair Update
Don't let your student wait until the last minute to decide on their STEM Fair project. Now is the time! It is recommended that students should be deciding on their topic this week and running it by their teacher.
Are they having trouble deciding? Let Dr. Dom help flush out some ideas. He will be holding "office hours" Thursday, Feb. 9, during lunch recesses. He will be located on the 2nd floor outside the 5th grade classrooms.
Event details:
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PTA Information
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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.
Questions? Email Cara.
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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Lunch & Recess Volunteers Needed in February!
We are out on the playground and lunchroom with your children every day, but we need your help as well! We could really use 1-2 parents every day to ensure the safety of your children on the playground at lunch recess and to help create a calm environment in the lunchroom. This is also a great way to get to know your child's friends and classmates!
Please volunteer using this
SignUp Genius. 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!
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Volunteer Information
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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,
user our Assignment Lookup Tool
.
Nutrition Services Survey
Seattle Public Schools Nutrition Services Department is working to improve the quality of school-provided meals. Please take roughly 5-10 minutes to
share your feedback.
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Community News & Information
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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 to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, 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.
Middle School Mania! What Parent's Need to Know
Savvy Parents, Safe Kids is hosting a workshop for for parents of students entering or enrolled in middle school. See the flyer for more details. Feb. 16th from 7:00-8:30pm.
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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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Weds., Feb. 8
Staff Luncheon
Hosted by 2nd Grade Families
Thurs., Feb. 9
Prospective Family School Tour
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Salmon Bay Middle School Tour
1810 NW 65th St.
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Mon., Feb. 13
School Choice Open Enrollment begins
BLT Meeting
2:25pm - 4:45pm
Whittier Library
Thurs. Feb 16
Whittier Budget Town Hall
6:30 - 7:30pm
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
1810 NW 65th St.
9:20am - 10:50am
PCP Schedule
Weds, Feb 8 / Thurs, Feb 9
A
= Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
Fri, Feb 10 / Mon, Feb 13
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
Tues, Feb 14 / Weds, Feb 15
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
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Thank You
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The Whittier Staff would like to send a big THANK YOU to our 3rd grade families for providing a fantastic fiesta lunch in January. We are so lucky to have awesome families that treat us so well!
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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.
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