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Upcoming Events
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Whittier's Jog-A-Thon is NEXT WEEK!
Friday, June 2
We hope your Wildcats are ready to run (or jog...or walk)! If you haven't done so yet, please h
elp your Wildcat create their online profile today or begin to collect cash pledges in the pledge envelop that went home with your student(s).
We need many day-of adult volunteers. I
f you have the time and interest, sign up here. We also need two parents from each classroom for an hour to help students through event logistics. Interested? Contact Barb Dally to see if / when your child's classroom needs support.
We will continue to run after the bell until 3:00pm with snacks, music, and family laps.
The after party
moves to Barking Dog Ale House (705 NW 70th St), who is
hosting a special fundraising Wildcat menu from 3:00pm - 6:00pm.
GoodHangups
, and the Barking Dog Ale House, for making this event a reality!
Stride to Show Your Wildcat Pride!
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KEEP PEDALING! May is Bike Everywhere Month
BIKE EVERYWHERE Month is here. Your Bike Everywhere 2017
Information and
Calendar can be found outside the gym.
Students can still track and tally their bike minutes each day (to school or somewhere else they need to go). Completed calendars can be turned in to the Bike Everywhere box outside the gym by June 2. Mr. Pule will deliver prizes and add student minutes to the school total for Cascade Bicycle Club's area-wide Bike Everywhere challenge. Please remember to always bike safe and pono!
Spring Instrumental Music Concert THIS THURSDAY!
The spring Whittier Instrumental Music Concert will be held on Thursday, May 25 at 7:00pm. Our musicians have been working hard all year and are excited to show you how far they've come! Performers will include Whittier musicians enrolled in beginning strings, advanced strings, beginning band, and advanced band. All (family, friends, neighbors) are welcome to attend.
Whittier instrumentalists will also perform for the Wildcat student body during a 1:30pm assembly that day.
Popsicle Play Date for New Students and Families
Incoming kindergartners and older new students for the upcoming 2017-18 school year are invited to join us on the playground on Tuesday, June 6 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm to enjoy popsicles, meet Principal Melissa Schweitzer, and learn about Whittier. Spread the word!
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PTA Information
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YOUR INPUT NEEDED: Parent Education Night Speakers
Next year, the PTA has secured funding for a parent education night. Other elementary schools offer these nights, and many parents who have participated in co-op are familiar with the concept. A speaker/expert presents information on a topic, provides a means for facilitated discussion among parents. Presumably, it helps us to be better, more supported parents!
We want your feedback on what topic to select. Speakers book fast so we may be out of the window of booking our top choice. However please provide your input
using this poll. Thank you!
Final Community Meeting TONIGHT!
We hope many families will join us for the final PTA Community Meeting of the year TONIGHT at 7:00pm (6:30pm for light refreshments) in the Library. Of note is a new request by the school to update the 2017-18 Staffing Grants approved in April, and a vote on the complete 2017-18 PTA Budget. See the full agenda below.
- Presidents' Welcome, Vote on March Meeting Minutes
- Get Involved: Opportunities and Events
- Treasurer Report
- Principal Update
- 2017-18 Staffing Grant Change Proposal; Discussion; Vote
- 2017-18 Budget Recommendation; Discussion; Vote
- Safety Committee Funding Proposal Presentation; Vote
- Robert Eagle Staff Middle School PTSA Funding Request; Discussion; Vote
- 2017-18 Officer Recommendation by Nominating Committee; Floor Nominations; Vote
- Playground Update
- Thank You to Volunteers
- Golden Acorn Award Presentation
Recommended PTA Officers for 2017-18
A Nominating Committee elected by the PTA membership in November has developed the following recommended slate of officer positions.
We will vote on these nominations at tonight's PTA Community Meeting.
Co-Presidents: Sascha Demerjian & James Goldsmith
Vice President: Kellie Pecoraro
Treasurer & Asst. Treasurer: Kate Mathews & Andrew Liese
C
o-Secretaries: Cherise Gaffney & Kelsey Toppenberg
The Nominating Committee is also recommending the following candidates for appointment by the incoming Executive Committee:
Fundraising Chair: Justin Fenton
Asst. Fundraising Chair: Mark Butler
Events Co-Chairs: Femeke Cabernard & Katie Dahlen
Outreach Co-Chairs: Tracy Yetter & Kristin Ford
Volunteer Co-Chairs: Rachel Knecht & Kimberly Harms
Communications C
hair: April Musick
Programs Co-Chairs: Amy Patrick & Jennifer Mannheim
Legislative Representative: Amy Bryan
Membership Co-Chair: Barb Dally
Hospitality Co-Chairs: Kristin Wiggins & Gail Olsen Laing
Additional nominations for these positions can be made from the floor during the Community Meeting.
If you would like to be considered for one of these positions or would like to nominate someone, please come on May 24 to make your nomination.
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School News
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Seeking Parent Rep for Building Leadership Team
It's time to think about next year - YOU could be the next Parent Rep on the Whittier Building Leadership Team!
If you are looking for a way to be more involved at Whittier, joining the Building Leadership Team might be for you! We need a parent who is invested in helping to guide the improvement of academic achievement for students, as well as supporting the needs of students and staff.
This year's team updated the Continuous School Improvement Plan, setting goals for the ongoing improvement of learning and culture at Whittier. Next year, the team will work on finding professional development opportunities for staff that help them achieve those goals, as well as working out different plans for staffing during budget season. Meetings for the year are scheduled in August and the work occurs at the meetings, making the BLT a commitment that is easy to plan for. Please consider volunteering for this important committee.
Find more information, including responsibilities and submission details,
here.
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Volunteer Information
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There is still time to help in 2017!
Team up with a friend and contribute your own flavor to the Whittier community. Volunteers are needed ASAP to fill the following school and/or PTA positions:
- Movie Nights - Co-Chair to shadow in 2016 / lead in 2017
- Lunchroom and Recess Volunteers - year long need, regularly or just once in a while -- every volunteer slot filled helps. We particularly need help on Fridays during the 2nd and 3rd grade lunch/recess, from 10:35-11:15. It is a great way to get to know your child's friends and classmates! Sign up online.
- Building Leadership Team Parent Representative - 2-year terms, beginning July 2017
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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Changes to Advanced Learning Referral and Testing Process for 2018-19
Advanced Learning referrals for the 2018-19 school year of students currently in kindergarten through 7th grade are NOW being accepted online.
- The referral window will close Friday, Sept. 22.
- Parents will be able to schedule their child's testing appointment online.
- Current teachers will be able to recommend students for referral.
- Eligibility testing will begin in September and end Saturday, Dec. 9.
- Eligibility decisions will be communicated on January 31, 2018; appeals must be made within 3 weeks of notification.
Find more information
here.
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Community Information
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Whittier Heights Community Council Meeting, May 31
Wildcat friends and families: Hopefully this message and this magnificent turn in the weather find you unwilted and thinking of being back out in the neighborhood a bit more! I was really struck by what a powerful turnout there was for the sensational showing of Willy Wonka last week, and am now asking you to consider an important question-does your interest in community and being a part of one go beyond our kids involvement at Whittier Elementary? Because it seems like it naturally would.
For the past year or so, I and a few other folks in the Whittier neighborhood have been working to revitalize and invigorate the Whittier Heights Community Council (WHCC), and I want to put you on the spot to step up your participation in the community beyond the Wildcat realm. There is a lot happening in the neighborhood, but moreover, there are just a lot of fantastic people who live here. We'd like to see more of you get more connected to one another for reasons that include public safety, socializing, and participating in City policy making that plays a big role in our lives.
It sure would be exciting and cool to a few more Whittier Parents turn out for the WHCC meeting next week as follows.
Please join us on May 31 at Ballard Church @ 7:00 pm. Here are highlights of the agenda:
- Baker Park expansion and redesign is finally underway! A meeting at the park was held on May 20, but Seattle Parks & Rec proj mgr will also be at our meeting to seek your input to the design of this improved park
- Time to elect/reelect officers to the WHCC
- Updates on growth in the area (no slowing down you've noticed)
- Talk of summer event opportunities
- Discuss how to get more neighbors engaged!
Please be a member of the community! Participate! We're only a neighborhood community to the extent that each of us engage in it! Please shoot me a call or an email (
president@whittierheights.us) if you want to hear more about it.
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Lunch Menu
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View the May lunch menu
here
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Calendar
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PTA Community Meeting
7:00pm, Library
Thurs., May 25
Instrumental Music Concert 7:00pm
Mon., May 29
NO SCHOOL
Memorial Day
Fri., June 2
Jog-A-Thon
Tues., June 6
Popsicle Play Date for
New Students and Families
6:00pm - 7:30pm, Playground
Fri., June 9
Family Movie Night
6:30pm - 8:00pm, Lunchroom
Weds., June 14
Spring Sing and Art Walk
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Fri., June 16
Field Day
Fri., June 23
Awards Assembly,
Year-End Slideshow and
5th Grade Promotion
Mon., June 26
Last Day of School
1-hr Early Dismissal (1:05pm)
PCP Schedule
Weds., May 17
A = Art, B = Perf Art, C = PE
Thurs., May 18 / Fri., May 19
A = PE, B = Art, C = Perf Art
Mon., May 22 / Tues., May 23
A = Perf Art, 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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