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Upcoming Events
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SAVE THE DATE: 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: 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 Survey
Please take this 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.
You can also read an overview of the Whittier Budget Town Hall here, where you will find links to presentations by Principal Schweitzer and the PTA.
2018 Whittier PTA Auction Meeting
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
Your student(s) should have chosen a project idea. Now is the time to work on the project and start the approach to completing the investigation or design.
Thank you to Kate Avneri for painting this amazing STEM poster!
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. The BLT is 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; the next meeting is Monday, Mar. 6.
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Volunteer Information
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Fall Carnival Team Kick-Off!
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!
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
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) 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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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.
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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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 March lunch menu
here.
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Calendar
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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., Mar. 23
STEM Fair
6:00pm - 8:00pm
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
Fri., May 5
Spring Fling
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Ballard Elks Lodge
6411 Seaview Ave NW
PCP Schedule
Weds, March 1 / Thurs, March 2
A
= PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
Fri, March 3 / Mon, March 6
A = Perf Art, B = PE C = Art
Tues, March 7
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
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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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