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Upcoming Events
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Whittier Jog-A-Thon: Stride to Show Your Wildcat Pride!
Whittier's first Jog-A-Thon is just over two weeks away, on Friday, June 2. Every student is invited to run/walk during a 30-minute period of the school day and will earn a great Whittier running theme prize!
Students ca
n raise personal sponsorships online or in person (think family, friends and neighbors!) as flat donations or per lap pledges. Help your Wildcat create their online profile today or collect cash pledges in the pledge envelop that went home with your student(s) last Friday.
We need many day-of adult volunteers. I
f you have the time and interest, sign up here. 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!
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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!
Syttende Mai (17th of May) Parade TODAY!
Wednesday, May 17 at 6:00pm, is the annual Ballard parade celebrating Norway's Constitution Day. Come on down and check out Whittier's unicycle group. These Wildcats have made the extra effort by spending their lunch recess learning and improving their skills. It will be grrreat! We hope to have 90-100 of our riders participate. One Wheel To Rule Them All!
Unicyclists ... we meet at Adams Elementary at 5:10pm. We will run through our routines if possible. Waivers due to Mr. Pule as soon as possible. Come in to decorate helmets and unicycles. Use your own unicycle or check a school unicycle out.
We will ride with aloha and show our Wildcat spirit!
Willy Wonka Jr. is Here!
The time has come to view a world of pure
imagination!
The WhittierWildcat Players invite you to see the musical of the year, Willy Wonka Jr. There are two shows - Thursday and Friday evening beginning at 7:00pm.
Tickets will be on sale in the mornings and afternoons the rest of this week, plus at the door the night of each performance.
The show runs approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes with a 10-minute intermission. There will also be a bake sale before each performance.
Raised seating was investigated, but due to the SPS insurance policy, we were not able to bring in additional seating for the show. Please feel free to bring a cushion for your child to sit on so they will be able to enjoy the show.
Parents Have Spoken: "Beach Party" for May Spirit Day
Encourage your kiddos to dig out their sandals, board shorts and rash guards or other appropriately themed "Beach Party" gear for the final Spirit Day of the year on Friday, May 19. Please note that students are expected to abide by the
dress code (page 5) including covered shoulders/midriff and no flip flops.
A big thank you to the nearly 60 parents who voted!
SAVE THE DATE: Spring Instrumental Music Concert
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!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Final Community Mtg. May 24
We hope many families will join us for the final PTA Community Meeting of the year next Wednesday, May 24 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
- Principal Update
- Vote on March Meeting Minutes
- 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
- Playground Update
- 2017-18 Officer Recommendation by Nominating Committee; Floor Nominations; Vote
- Opportunities to Get Involved:
- Formation of a Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Volunteer Call to Action
- Upcoming Events
- 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 the May 24 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.
Whittier Summer Physical Education Enrichment Camp
Mr. Bryan Pule, Whittier's PE specialist, and Ms. Barbara Bruecher, Olympic View's PE specialist, will offer a 4-day (Mon., Wed. - Fri.) program at Whittier this summer.
Who: Students currently enrolled at Whittier (K-5th grade in 2016-17)
Where: Whittier Elementary School Gym / Playground
When: Mon., July 3 and Wed., July 5 - Fri., July 7 (no class July 4)
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Cost:
$60.00; a l
imited number of half/full scholarships available
Camp Objectives:
The program will provide a "success-oriented" experience with emphasis on individual skills building, small and large group activities, and the creation of a safe, cooperative environment where students will explore new challenges, improve skills, and participate in various healthy activities. It is our goal to build confidence, ability, and a true love of physical activity that will develop into a life-long habit.
Camp activities include:
Circus arts, health / fitness education, roller skating, jump rope skills, racquet sports, bonker ball, playground activities / games, team handball, pedometer use, bicycle safety / skills unit (B.Y.O. bike or use one provided), archery, and much more.
Want to sign up? Download the registration form 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:
- Lunchroom and recess volunteers, regular or once in a while; sign up online
- 2017-18 Movie Nights Co-Chair(s), shadow in 2016-17
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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Lunch Menu
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View the May lunch menu
here
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Calendar
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Syttende Mai Parade
Thurs., May 18
Whittier Wildcat Players Present:
"Willy Wonka Jr.!"
7:00pm
Fri., May 19
Spirit Day: Beach Party!
Whittier Wildcat Players Present:
"Willy Wonka Jr.!"
7:00pm
Mon., May 22
BLT Meeting
2:25pm, Library
Weds., May 24
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
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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