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Upcoming Events
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NEW DATES
Spring Book Drive Ends THIS Friday!
Phinney Books
is offering Whittier families a 20% discount on any book purchases that will be donated to the book drive. Please mention Bailey Gatzert at check out. Visit o
ur
SignUp Genius
to see the titles in highest demand, or donate your favorite elementary-appropriate graphic novels, picture books, chapter books and non-fiction (animals, biographies, "how to", folk tales, science).
Books (new or gently used) can be dropped off in the box outside the office labeled "Book Drive".
Don't have much time? You can also drop off a check written to Whittier PTA and leave it in the PTA folder in the office for us to purchase in-demand books for the book drive.
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 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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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:
PTA Approves Funding of 2017-18 Staff Positions
Nearly 60 parents attended last Wednesday's PTA Community Meeting - thank you for sharing your time, asking important questions and voting on time-sensitive budget issues.
Parents heard detailed presentations from the PTA and Principal Schweitzer regarding the difficult school budget for the 2017-18 school
year. PTA members voted overwhelmingly to support the recommendations of the PTA Board and fund all positions requested by the school:
- Full-Time Head Teacher ($106,248)
- 1/2-Time PCP Teacher ($39,356); 3 PCP teachers total
- 1 extra day of Nurse ($24,140); 3 days total
- 1/2 extra day of Literacy Specialist ($8,243); 2 days total
Approved staff funding: $177,987
Meeting attendees also voted to reallocate Playground Upgrade funds (up to $10,000; approved in November) to support staffing grants and improve the PTA's anticipated cash position in Fall 2017. More details
and links to presentations by the PTA and Principal Schweitzer available here.
A big thank you to PTA Budget Committee members and the BLT for their long hours and dedication in developing responsible recommendations for staff and PTA member consideration. Mark your calendars for the final PTA Community Meeting of the year on Wednesday, May 24.
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
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' 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 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 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!
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School News
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Whittier STEM Fair - THIS THURSDAY!
Whittier's STEM Fair is this Thursday! If your child is not participating this year, we still encourage you to attend. We have some great guest scientists who will demonstrate some really cool...SCIENCE, such as atmospheric pressure and glacial movement, 3D modeling, and acoustics.
We still need parent volunteers to help! If you are interested, please sign up
here.
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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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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 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 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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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.
Fri., Mar. 31
Spirit Day: Crazy Socks
Thurs., Apr. 6
RULER Family Night
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Whittier Library
Mon., Apr. 10 - Fri., Apr. 14
NO SCHOOL
Spring Break
Thurs., Apr. 27
Fall Carnival Kick-Off Meeting
7:00pm, Tarasco's
1542 NW 70th St.
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
PCP Schedule
Weds, Mar 22
A
= Perf Arts, B = PE, C = Art
Thur, Mar 23 / Fri, Mar 24
A = Art, B = Perf Arts, C = PE
Mon, Mar 27 / Tues, Mar 28
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Arts
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Contact Us
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