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Upcoming Events
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 The Whittier Jog-A-Thon is THIS
Our Wildcats will be lacing up their sneakers and runn
ing some laps, rain or shine!
Two ways to fundraise:
- Online
- Cash/Checks in JAT pledge envelope
Time to volunteer?
- General volunteer shifts here
- Class-specific shifts, contact Barb Dally to see if/when your child's classroom needs support.
Family fun after the bell!
- 2:05pm - 3:00pm Family laps! Music! Bake sale!
- 3:00pm - 6:00pm After-party at Barking Dog (705 NW 70th St)
Stride to Show Your Wildcat Pride!
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P
opsicle Play Date for New Students / Families, June 6
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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Spring Family Movie Night: Friday, June 9
Join us Friday, June 9, 6:30pm - 8:30pm in the lunchroom for a screening of "Trolls"!
Bring some cash - fourth graders will hold a bake sale to begin fundraising for NatureBridge.
Bring a blanket and pillow or low-back chair for comfort.
We hope to see you there!
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PTA Information
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Whittier parent Demian Minjarez has been working with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and SPS to map out a grant process in support of Whittier playground upgrades including play structure replacement, entry gates, picnic table(s), landscaping and more.
With enough community support (i.e., your volunteer hours!), the cash obligation for this project will be minimal. In advance of the grant application due date (September 26),
we need to establish a Steering Committee and secure volunteer pledges from Whittier families and community members. Volunteer pledges simply indicate your willingness to help in 2018. Please email
Demian to express interest in the committee or to add your name to the volunteer pledge list. He will be in touch with more details.
Final Community Meeting Recap
The final Whittier PTA Community Meeting of the school year was held last Wednesday, May 24.
- A new "Diversity and Inclusion" Committee was announced. The committee is seeking a Co-Chair and members to identify opportunities to make sure all Whittier families feel welcome and included. This committee will work in partnership with Principal Schweitzer and the PTA Board. A short-term goal is to hold a casual meeting over the summer to brainstorm goals, scope of work and potential actions for next school year. Contact Co-Chair Kristin Wiggins at [email protected] to express interest or ask any questions.
- The 2016-17 budget is on track and there are no concerns regarding budget-to-actual figures. Of note, the Spring Fling generated net income of nearly $10,000 - thank you organizers and families! Financial reports are available upon request: [email protected].
- Membership voted in support of the proposed 2017-18 PTA Officers:
Co-Presidents: Sascha Demerjian & James Goldsmith
Vice President: Kellie Pecoraro
Treasurer & Asst. Treasurer: Kate Mathews & Andrew Liese
Co-Secretaries: Cherise Gaffney & Kelsey Toppenberg
- The Whittier playground will receive a fresh "seal coat" courtesy of SPS this weekend (Saturday, June 3). Deloitte Impact Day is scheduled Friday, June 9 and will include new paint on the blacktop, a mural installation, and landscaping. THANK YOU Deloitte and SPS!
- PTA Members voted to support the proposed 2017-18 budget, which included funding for the following positions:
- 0.1 (1/2 day) Elementary Instrumental Music; total: 1 day/wk
- 0.1 (1/2 day) Librarian; total: 3 days/wk
- 0.1 (1/2 day) Literacy Specialist; total: 4 days/wk
- 0.2 (1 day) Nurse; total: 3 days/wk
- 0.5 (2.5 days) Assistant Principal; total: 5 days/wk
In addition, the membership voted to support a Whittier Safety Committee funding proposal for the purchase of (13) 2-way radios, and to support the newly formed Robert Eagle Staff Middle School PTSA with a seed grant of $1000. RESMS is Whittier's HCC middle school pathway.
For additional 2017-18 budget details, contact [email protected].
Finally, the 2016-17 Whittier PTA Board would like to express its gratitude for the tremendous support of the Whittier community.
- 300+ volunteers managed or supported 35+ PTA/school events
- As of May 24, Whittier PTA had raised $75,600, far surpassing its goal of $60,000
Wildcat families are truly generous -
THANK YOU for all you do!
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School News
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Turn in Completed Bike Everywhere Calendars
Completed Bike Everywhere calendars can be turned into the Bike Everywhere box outside the gym by THIS Friday, 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.
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 Field Day: Wear Your COLORS Friday, June 16!
This year Whittier is celebrating COLORS on Field Day - every class has chosen a color to wear. Field Day is a wonderful end-of-year tradition at Whittier, but it takes many (75!) volunteers to make it happen.
Lunch prep volunteers are needed at 8:45am; lunch servers are needed at 9:30am; and a
ctivity / station volunteers are asked to come to the gym at 11:05am for a Field Day 101 wiki-course.
All volunteers are encouraged to wear
the
colors of their Wildcat(s). Old hands or new, everyone is welcome. Sign up and / or learn
more here!
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Volunteer Information
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Want to have fun and meet other parents? Volunteer!
Volunteers make our school strong and provide a rich learning experience for our kids. We want all families to be part of our team, so we offer flexible opportunities for your participation. From ongoing positions, to events and activities, we want to utilize the skills and talents in our community.
Would you like to help shape school-wide decisions? We invite you to...
- Fall Carnival,
- the fall Food Drive,
- Helping Hands campaign, or
- STEM Fair.
If y
ou want to see how your child spends their day at school, you can...
- volunteer in the library,
- help out at lunch or on the playground, or
- lend a hand in your child's classroom.
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.
2017-2018 School Year Schedule Update
District staff are working to build a 2017-18 school year schedule that best serves the 54,000 students enrolled with Seattle Public Schools. Although we have published several key school year dates, such as 2017-18 first and last day of school, the final calendar will be voted on at the June 7 School Board Meeting. The final calendar will reflect the new weekly, early release day for students as well as holidays, and snow make-up days etc. To see key dates now, click
here.
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Community Information
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Congratulations to Whittier's "Girls on the Run" Team!
Congratulations to the Whittier Girls on the Run team for their amazing efforts in their
5K on Sunday, May 21st. Girls on the Run is so
much fun!
Whittier Kids Summer Camps - Space still available!
*More info & Register Online Now*
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.
Open to all kids entering Kindergarten - 5th grade Questions? Email
us.
UW Summer Youth Programs
Limited space has opened up in some of the University of Washington Summer Youth Programs' elementary camps. Visit the
website for up-to-date enrollment information.
Elementary School Programs (limited space)
- Roller Coasters, Carnivals and Circus Life June 27-July 7
- Construction Zone: Hard Hat May Be Required! July 10-21
- Passport to the World July 24-August 4
- Animal Tales August 7-18
Upcoming Whitman Music Performances
June 6, 7:00pm Summer Band Concert featuring the Jazz Band, Combined Beginning/Intermediate Bands, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. Bands conducted by Joel Orsen.
June 7, 7:00pm Summer Orchestra and Choir Concert featuring 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Orchestras and 6th Grade Choir. Orchestra and Choir conducted by Lauren Hepburn.
All concerts are FREE OF CHARGE.
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Lunch Menu
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View the June lunch menu here
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Calendar
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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, "Trolls"
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 31 / Thurs., June 1
A = Art, B = PE, C = Perf Arts
Fri., June 2 / Mon., June 5
A = Perf Arts, B = Art, C = PE
Tues., June 6
A = PE, B = Perf Arts, C = Art
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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 Tuesdays at noon for Wednesday publication.
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