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Upcoming Events
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2018 Whittier PTA Auction Meeting THIS Thursday
Yes, you read that correctly - we are already planning for the 2018 Whittier PTA Auction and we need your help!
Please join us this Thursday 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
Reminder: Yearbook orders are due Friday!
Place your order using the form distributed via KidMail or online. Yearbooks are $22.
If you wish, you can make a donation toward a yearbook scholarship for another Wildcat. Simply add your donation on your order form, or add an extra yearbook
to your online cart. Thank you for considering!
Wildcat Dance Off Next Wednesday - Don't Miss It!
Are you still scratching your head about the "Massive Monkeys" that your kiddos have been talking about at home? Join us in the Gym next Wednesday, April 5, at 8:10am to see your B-boys and B-girls show off their new moves!
YEAHHHH BOYEEEEEEEE!
RULER Family Night #3: Meta Moment, Thur., April 6th
The third and final RULER Family Night this year will be Thursday, April 6, 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Whittier Library. Parents are invited to join staff for an interactive workshop to learn about the Meta Moment, a RULER Anchor tool that helps us to deal more effectively with unpleasant feelings (e.g., anger, frustration, fear). Learn how to use the steps of the Meta Moment to be the parent you want to be - not the one who gets hijacked by stress, acts in haste, and regrets it later.
NOTE: This is a parents-only event.
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 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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Is The PTA Calling Your Name?
It's only March, but Whittier's Nominating Committee has already been hard at work identifying and recruiting people to serve on the 2017-18 PTA board. Our work isn't finished yet! A fabulous board is coming together, but there are still great opportunities available.
If you're a PTA member with enthusiasm, vision, creativity, a collaborative nature, and a desire to contribute to our wonderful Whittier community, there may be a PTA or event position just right for you.
Intrigued? To hear more about Whittier PTA Board opportunites, we warmly encourage you to contact a member of the Nominating Committee:
Mark Your Calendars: Final Community Mtg. May 24
The final PTA Community Meeting of the year will be held on Wednesday, May 24. We will finalize the 2017-18 PTA budget. A full agenda will be posted in mid-May.
Save
the
(NEW!) Date: Fall Carnival Kick-Off, April 27
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' schedules? 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 27, at 7:00pm at Tarasco's (1452 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 15 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!
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School News
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Help Keep Our Kids Safe!
Please make sure you are following the rules when dropping your student(s) off in the morning before school.
We have had many reports of unsafe drop-off activity:
- Cars parked in the bus zones.
- Cars pulling in the driveway and backing up, causing near-misses with students walking/riding bikes on the sidewalk.
- Cars making U-turns in the middle of the street.
- Students being dropped off in the middle of the street and not using the crosswalks.
This page on the Whittier website provides a great overview on "Driving in the School Zone: Moving People and Cars Around Whittier."
Thank you for doing your part to help keep our Wildcats safe!
Spring After-School Recreation with Mr. Pule (8 classes)
This is a 1-hour extension of Whittier's physical education program offered once a week. The program builds on the variety of PE activities at Whittier and will include individual skills building, small and large group activities, and more. We may include skating, scooters, bowling, circus arts and other interests over the 8 classes.
- KINDERGARTEN - 2ND GRADE: Tuesdays starting April 18
2ND GRADE - FIFTH GRADE: Thursdays starting April 20
- COST: $30
- PAYMENT: Please attach a check, payable to WHITTIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, to your student's completed registration form. Registration forms can be downloaded here (K-2nd or 2nd-5th), are available outside the gym, and on the PE Schoology page.
- SNACKS: Snacks are not provided. Please send a small non-messy snack with your student to enjoy before each after-school recreation class. Participants may relax and snack in the gym from 2:05pm - 2:20 pm.
- PICK-UP: Class ends at 3:20pm. Please pick up your child on time at the Whittier gym.
Email
Mr. Pule with questions.
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Volunteer Information
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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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Family Survey Coming in April
The annual Seattle Public School Family Survey
is scheduled to be distributed the week of April
17. Please ensure that your contact information is
up to date with the front office.
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Community News & Information
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LHCC Spring After-School Enrichment Classes
Spring after-school enrichment classes, offered at Whittier and facilitated by staff from Loyal Heights Community Center / Seattle Parks and Recreation, are around the corner. The Spring 2017 Enrichment Catalog is available and registration is open. Programs will cover a wide variety of interests and activities. Programming begins April 17.
Ballard High School Running of the Beavers 5k Fun Run
The Ballard High School Foundation is hosting a 5k Fun Run and Kids Dash on April 1 at Golden Gardens to raise money for BHS. To learn more, visit their website, or click here to register. It should be fun event for all students, and especially those that may be attending Ballard High School in a few years.
Whittier Kids Preschool - Enroll 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
A preschool tour will be offered on April 5 at 9:15am. Email for more info or visit us online.
Whittier Kids Summer Camps - Register Online Now
Students entering Kindergarten - 5th Grade are invited to join us for a summer full of engaging weekly themes, activities and field trips! Learn new skills, explore new friendships and provide your child a chance to grow and learn in a safe, fun environment.
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Lunch Menu
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View the March lunch menu
here.
View the April lunch menu
here.
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Calendar
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Thurs., Mar. 30
PTA Auction Meeting
7:30pm,
Barking Dog Alehouse
705 NW 70th St.
Fri., Mar. 31
- Spirit Day: Crazy Socks
- Yearbook orders DUE!
Wildcat Dance Off!
8:10am, Whittier Gym
Thurs., Apr. 6
RULER Family Night
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Whittier Library
Mon., Apr. 10 - Fri., Apr. 14
NO SCHOOL
Spring Break
Mon., Apr. 17
BLT Meeting
2:25pm,
Library
Weds., Apr. 19
Staff Luncheon, Hosted by Kindergarten Families
Thurs., Apr. 27
Fall Carnival Kick-Off Meeting
7:00pm, Tarasco's
1542 NW 70th St.
Sat., May 6
Spring Fling
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Ballard Elks Lodge
6411 Seaview Ave NW
Weds., May 10
2-hr Early Dismissal
Mon., May 22
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Weds., May 24
PTA Community Meeting
7:00pm, Library
Mon., May 29
NO SCHOOL
Memorial Day
PCP Schedule
Weds, Mar 29
A
= PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
Thur, Mar 30
A
= Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
Fri, Mar 31 / Mon, Apr 3
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
Tues, Apr 4
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
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Thank You!
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We would love to send a HUGE thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who made this year's STEM Fair possible, in particular Event Chair Julie Kennedy for her hours of tireless organization and hands-on effort!
Thank you to Dr. Dom for holding "office hours" to help students with their projects; Gina Alvino for lining up the wonderful guest scientists; Emily Clark, Patrick McCann, Ann Ilgen and
Amanda Taylor for your work
first thing in the morning setting up tables; Doree Armstrong, Emily Clark, Brenda Bourns, Kimberly Harms, Tracy Yetter and Uma Pandit for organizing kids as they set up and checked out
displays during the day;
Cheryl Adams for help getting final set up done before everyone arrived; and
Cherise Gaffney, Sascha Demerjian, Kate Vajda, Ann Ilgen and
Karen
Gustafson for keeping the scavenger hunt and popcorn flowing during the event! Finally, a huge thank you to Spencer Visick and Mark Blair for their awesome work on clean up at the end of the night!
As always, a huge thank you to Mr. Pule for relocating his classes for the day and to Ms. Childers for her awesome organization and inspiration for kids and staff! Huge kudos to all the kids, families
and classes who helped us learn more as we explored the topics you shared!
The STEM Fair had a great feel to it and kids are already starting to talk about project ideas for next year. STEM it up, Wildcats!
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Contact Us
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