Whittier WildChat
September 13, 2017
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
Upcoming Events
Back to School Potluck / Fall Family Movie Night 
Friday, Sept. 15, 6:00pm - 9:00pm 
Whittier Elementary Playground / Gym & Lunchroom
  • Potluck is from 6:00-7:30pm outside.
  • Bring the whole family and a dish to share (e.g., main dish, side/appetizer). Be sure to label your dishes and remember to take them home with you after the potluck. Potluck ideas: pasta dishes; pizza; cut veggies and hummus; sliced fruit)
  • Please provide your own beverages. (Water will be available; no alcohol permitted.)
  • The Whittier PTA provides plates, napkins, cups and utensils
  • A bake sale to support the 5th grade Nature Bridge trip will be happening during the movie. Cash only!
  • "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" starts @ 7:30.

PTA Information
Wildcat Family Directory - Forms Due FRIDAY
Please be sure to turn in your orange 2017-18 Family Directory form or use the on-line version by THIS FRIDAY to be included in the school directory! Families must complete a form every year to be included. Families who chose not to participate will have only the student's name listed with his or her class. Return your form to your child's teacher or access it HERE .  Kids, turn your directory cover artwork submission in by Friday as well!

Bailey Gatzert School Supply Drive
Bailey Gatzert Elementary is Whittier's sister school. Each year we run a school supplies drive, holiday gift drive and book drive to support their school. Even though you won't need to pick up school supplies for your Whittier students, please consider picking up some supplies (list below) and drop them in the labeled boxes at Fill Us In on Wednesday, Aug. 30 or by the Whittier office once school begins. The drive ends Friday, Sept. 15.
  • Binders (1 inch)
  • Colored Markers
  • Colored Pencils
  • Composition Books
  • Expo Markers
  • Glue Sticks
  • Plastic Homework Folders
  • Kleenex
  • Pencils
  • Pencil Boxes
  • Scissors

Save the Date! Whittier Auction - 
April 28th!
The Whittier PTA's biennial auction is set for Saturday, April 28th, 2018 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront. Plans are moving full steam ahead, but we need a few more people to help us make this a spectacular event. Please stop by the auction table at the Back-to-School Potluck to sign up or find out more information about the following positions:
  • Procurement Lead and Procurement Team
  • Sponsorship Lead
  • Writer
  • MailChimp Lead
  • Photography Lead
  • Communication Team
  • Classroom Art Coordinator
  • Website Administrator
If you have any questions, please contact us at  whittierauction@gmail.com.

The Whittier Playground Needs You!
Whittier parents are working with the Seattle Dept. of Neighborhoods, Seattle Public Schools and local community groups to map out a grant process in support of Whittier playground upgrades to include play structure replacement, entry gates, picnic table(s), art installations and more.

With enough community support (i.e., your volunteer hours!), the cash obligation for this project will be minimal.  Volunteer hours from Whittier families and community members increase our chances for a grant award and minimize fundraising obligations.

A Steering Committee is established and working on the grant proposal, which must demonstrate community volunteer commitments. We are seeking volunteer pledges now through the grant due date, September 25. There are many volunteer opportunities, from planning committees in the fall, winter and/or spring, to actual construction in June. Please make a general volunteer commitment now to help  ensure grant success.

Pledge your support  here  or e mail whittierplayground@gmail.com   with any questions about the process.

Big Wildcat THANKS to the Steering Committee volunteers: Ann Ilgen, Emily Clark, Patrick McCann, Will Scales, Tony Toppenberg, Kimberly Harms, Stephen Ward and Demian Minjarez!

PTA "Reflections" Art Contest
The National PTA "Reflections" art contest welcomes all grades and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Annually, thousands of students reflect on a common theme and create original works of art in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.

This year's theme is "Within Reach". We hope our Wildcats spent some time this summer thinking about entering this year's contest. The deadline will be in late October; more information will be sent home in KidMail once the school year begins. For resources, entry details - including criteria by category - and official rules, visit the  WSPTA Reflections website.

Winners are selected at the school, district, state and national level. 1st place national winners in each catagory win an expense paid trip (with an adult) to the national PTA convention and $800.

C'mon Wildcats, let's get creative!

School News
Whittier Bell Times
REMINDER: Whittier's school day will begin at 7:55am and end at 2:25pm.

Reminder! Every Wednesday, students will be dismissed 75 minutes early (at 1:10pm) to support teacher collaboration and instructional planning. 

Wildcat Recreation Program with Mr. Pule
Mr. Pule's before-school recreation program still has space! Fall session begin during the week of Sept. 18. Information and registration forms can be found  here.

Wildcat Running Club (before school and during recess)
All Wildcats are welcome to jog/walk every day before school as part of the Wildcat Running Club. It is free and open to all. Students record their own distance (it's an honor system, be pono!) and earn a foot token for every 1 mile completed (8 laps around the playground = 1 mile). Other incentives earned upon completion of each marathon distance throughout the year. This is a great way to start a school day, so come on out and start a Running Club card. Walk and talk! Jog with friends! Set your goal! Strive for success!

Reminder - Spirit Gear Order Forms Due Sept 25th!
Remember to turn in your Spirit Gear order to your child's teacher or the school office by Monday, September 25. Orders will also be accepted at the Back to School Potluck on 9/15. We'll have sample sizes and extra forms, if you need one. There are lots of items to show your Whittier pride - shirts, hoodies, soccer scarves, and more! All proceeds support the Whittier PTA. For more info, contact Jen ( jeriggs@spu.edu).

Volunteer Information
STEM Fair Co-Chair Needed
We are looking for one more volunteer to co-chair this traditional event at Whittier Elementary. If you are creative, inquisitive, artistic and scientific-minded, we urge you to considering making this event better  and more amazing! You will be communicating with the school and teachers to continue this tradition and work side by side with another volunteer that has already stepped forward to help save this event. Please contact volunteers.whittierpta@gmail.com to be another amazing volunteer of our Whittier family.

Whittier Elementary PTA Volunteer Form
Volunteers, in support of our teachers and staff, strengthen our school and help provide a rich learning experience for our children. Complete this form and indicate which events and programs catch your interest. Questions? Volunteer coordinators are Kimberly Harms and Elena Aldinger ( volunteers.whittierpta@gmail.com). 
District News
Free and Reduced Price Meals
All students who qualify for free and reduced price meals receive meals for free. Submit an application for free or reduced price meals before the start of the school year to ensure your application will be processed before classes begin. Submit your application on the SPS Nutrition Services webpage . Contact the SPS Nutrition Services Office at 206-252-0675 with questions.

2017-18 District Calendar 

2018-2019 Boundary Changes
Loyal Heights Elementary is currently being expanded, which will provide more elementary capacity in the northwest region. Adams Elementary, Loyal Heights Elementary, and Whittier Elementary have scheduled attendance area boundaries changes related to this capacity expansion. Read more here

There will be a boundary meeting on September 21st-6:30pm at Ballard High School Library. 

Community News & Events
After School Enrichment, Childcare Options
After school enrichment classes will be offered  at  Whittier during the 2017-2018 school year, facilitated by staff from Loyal Heights Community Center / Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Programs will cover a wide variety of interests and activities. Programming will being the week of September 11; registration is now open  at  Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPARC) .

The Loyal Heights programming page will show you a variety of   programs held both at Whittier and at a variety of other locations. Please confirm the location of the class before finalizing your student's   registration. You can contact the community center directly for more information.

Several after school pick-up programs including SPARC, Washington Karate Association, and Illumination Studio, will be at Fill Us In to answer questions about their programs.  More enrichment programs will be available throughout the school year, so please keep an eye out for more information in upcoming class Facebook posts, WildChat newsletters, emails, and on the Whittier website.  

Additional resourc es for before and after school childcare and enrichment can be found under the Resources and Services > Before and After School Childcare and Student Life > Before and After School Enrichment > After School Enrichment at Whittier pages  on the Whittier website.

Lunch Menu
View the September lunch menu here.

Calendar
Weds., Sept. 6 - Fri., Sept. 15
School Supply Drive
(for Bailey Gatzert Elementary)

Weds., Sept. 13
Early-Release Wednesdays Begin

Fri., Sept. 15
6pm - 9pm, Playground & Gym
Back to School Potluck &
Fall Family Movie Night

Fri., Sept. 22
Advance Learning Referral Deadline

Thur., Sept. 28
Curriculum Night

Tues., Oct. 3
Individual school photos

Fri., Oct 27
Fall Carnival

Email us with upcoming event details.

Contact Us
Contact the WildChat Editor with questions about or submissions to this newsletter.

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PCP Schedule
Week of Sept 11

Mon: A = PE, B = Art, C = PA
Tue:  A = PE, B = Art, C = PA
Wed: B = PE, C = Art, A = PA
Thur:  B = PE, C = Art, A = PA
Friday: C = PE, A = Art,  B = PA