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Upcoming Events
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Spring Book Drive Starts March 13
The goal of our book drive is to inspire reading by supplying engaging elementary books for the students at Bailey Gatzert Elementary (our SPS sister school) to read over Spring Break. We are collecting gently used or new books (K through 5th grade) as well as money (check made out to Whittier PTA) to purchase books for the drive. Drop the books off in the box outside the office (labeled Book Drive); checks can be turned in to the PTA folder in the office. Please no outdated, holiday or religious themed books. The drive runs through March 24.
Here are some suggestions (think about the books our kids like to read):
- Graphic Novels
- Easy Chapter books
- Early Readers
- Non-fiction Books
- Dairy of a Wimpy Kid
- Magic Tree House
- Captain Underpants
- Step Into Reading
- Picture Books
- "I Survived" Series
- How to Draw Books
Seattle's St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sat., Mar. 11, 12:30pm
Wildcat Unicyclists will once again participate in Seattle's St. Patrick's Day Parade along 4th Ave. This is our 5th year of participation and promises to be a wonderful opportunity once again. All unicyclists and serious learners (padawans) are invited to participate. Parade starts at City Hall and runs along 4th Ave. Dispersal is at Westlake Center.
Unicyclists will meet at City Hall Park at 11:30am. For those who might be in the city center, come and cheer your Wildcats on!
SAVE THE DATE: PTA Community Meeting, Wed., Mar. 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.
SAVE THE DATE: Inaugural "Spring Fling" FUN
raiser
Mark your calendars! You are invited to Whittier's first "Spring Fling" FUNraiser on Saturday, May 6, 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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Have You Taken The Whittier PTA Budget Survey?
If not, you still have a chance! Please take the short
survey to share your
input regarding the values and priorities for supporting our Wildcats.
Find general information about the PTA Budget here, including an update on the funding projects approved at the November 2016 PTA Community Meeting.
2018 Whittier PTA Auction Meeting, Thur., Mar. 30
Yes, you read that correctly - we are already planning for the 2018 Whittier PTA Auction and we need your help!
Please join us on Thursday, March 30 at 7:30pm at The Barking Dog Alehouse (705 NW 70th St.) for an informational meeting.
It takes a village to pull off our biennial auction and we would love for you to hear about the variety of volunteer opportunities. We have something for everyone: writing, editing, photography, procurement, website maintenance, PR, decorating, and so much more! There are perfect positions for stay-at-home parents and working parents alike.
If you are interested in learning more, please click
here to sign up. This will help ensure adequate space at the meeting.
We hope to see you there!
Sandra Klay and Karen Gustafson, Auction co-chairs
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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STEM Fair
By now your child should have picked out what they want to build or the discovery they want to make and projects should be under way.
Dr. Dom will be holding his last set of "office hours" on Tuesday and Thursday of next week during lunch recess. If your student is struggling with how to capture and analyze their data or needs help with their display, please have them stop by.
We could still use a parent or two to help! Sign up
here.
BLT Update
The BLT continues to meet 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; the next meeting is Monday, Mar. 13.
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Volunteer Information
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Save the date: Fall Carnival Kick-Off, April 6th
Is Halloween your favorite holiday and you cannot wait to celebrate it in communal style? Do you relish in long-standing traditions? Are you creative? Would you like to organize something more than just your kids' schedule? Would you like to meet some new people?
If you answered 'YES' to any of these questions, then joining the Whittier Fall Carnival Team is the way to go!
We will be holding a FALL CARNIVAL KICK-OFF meeting on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00pm at Tarasco's (1542 NW 70th Street).
Fun fact: the Fall Carnival is a 22+-year tradition. It has been generously led the last few years by parents who are "graduating" to middle school. We are looking to identify a team by May 1 to help run the 2017 event; without a team in place, the event will be cancelled.
Bring a friend, we hope to see you there!
Volunteer for Lunch and/or Recess Duty
Lunch and recess provide important social, emotional and physical breaks for our students. We can use your help in the lunchroom and on the playground to:
Open 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:
- Fall Carnival Co-Chair(s) for 2017
- Movie Nights Co-Chair(s): 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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Seattle Public Schools Face $74 Million Budget Shortfall
Due to the state's delay in fully funding education, Seattle Public Schools face a $74 million budget shortfall for 2017-2018. Read Dr. Nyland's letter to families
here.
RULER Plays Integral Role in Eliminating
Opportunity Gaps in SPS
Whittier is in its second year implementing RULER, a social-emotional curriculum designed to integrate social and emotional learning into schools. Read how RULER is being implemented in 60 elementary and middle schools across SPS, and its important role in eliminating opportunity gaps.
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Community News & Information
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Upcoming Whitman Music Performance
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 March lunch menu
here.
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Calendar
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Mon., Mar. 13
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Spring Book Drive Begins
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., Mar. 23
STEM Fair
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Fri., Mar. 24
Spring Book Drive Ends
Thurs., Mar. 30
PTA Auction Meeting
7:30pm,
Barking Dog Alehouse
705 NW 70th St.
Thurs., Apr. 6
Fall Carnival Kick-Off Meeting
7:00pm, Tarasco's
1542 NW 70th St.
Mon., Apr. 10 - Fri., Apr. 14
NO SCHOOL
Spring Break
Sat., May 6
Spring Fling
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Ballard Elks Lodge
6411 Seaview Ave NW
PCP Schedule
Weds, March 8
A
= Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
Thurs, March 9 / Fri, March 10
A = PE, B = Art C = Perf Arts
Mon, March 13/ Tues, March 14
A = Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
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Contact Us
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Contact the WildChat Editor with questions about or submissions to this newsletter.
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