Whittier WildChat
November 29, 2017
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
Upcoming Events
**For information about the bus strike scheduled for today (Wednesday), Nov. 29th, see "District News" below.**

Helping Hands is underway!  
Our annual Helping Hands Gift Drive is on its way to being a great success f or  Whittier and Bailey- Gatzert  Elementary families - in - need  --  extend a "Helping Hand"  this holiday season  by  providing gifts and g rocery  g ift cards for these families.  Your generosity is sure to brighten their holidays !  
 
Here's how can you help:
  • Select a large "gift" mitten from the Helping Hands trees in the lobby - on the sign-out sheet, find your mitten number and fill-in your name and email address so we can keep track of mittens and donors.
  • Or, select a small "SCRIP" grocery gift card mitten from the Helping Hands trees in the school lobb- these do not need to be signed out. 
  • Return your new, unwrapped gift or grocery gift card (with dollar amount indicated) with mitten attachedto the Helping Hands boxes in the lobby by Friday, December 8thRemember that purchasing a SCRIP gift card for Helping Hands not only helps families-in-need but also benefits Whittier PTA. 

Thank you for your "Helping Hand"!  

Contact Dawn Eggerts ( dawn.eggerts@gmail.com) or Katie Dahlen ( saddlefeathers1@gmail.comfor information or to help with this very important event!



Book Fair
When:  November 30th, 2017
Where:  School Library
Time:  2:30-6:30pm

Mark your calendars for this year's Book Fair at the Whittier Library. Once again, Phinney Books has graciously offered to host the Book Fair and 25% of the purchase proceeds will come right back to the Whittier Library Fund for purchase of books and supplies for the library. This is a great opportunity to do some gift shopping, buy books for your child's classroom, donate some books to our sister school, Bailey Gatzert, and even catch up with friends.

What a fun way to support literacy and your school! There will be a kids corner with activities from 2:45-3:45 pm. Baked goods will be available for purchase in the lobby to benefit the 5th grade NatureBridge field trip. There is truly something for everyone. We hope to see you at the Library, but if you are unable to make it, stop by Phinney Books December 1-8th and mention Whittier and 25% of your purchase will still go to the Whittier Library Fund. 
 
Should you have any questions, please feel free email events.whittierpta@gmail.com .

Whittier Wildcat Musical
Like Seuss???
Like to sing, dance and create something great with friends???
Then you'll love
Whittier Wildcat Player's

Join us to learn all about this year's musical
Tuesday December 5
From 2:35-3:10
Room 203 (Ms. Steph's room)
"oh, the thinks you can think!"
PTA Information
Spirit Gear
Spirit Gear will be on sale during the Book Fair, this Thursday, November 30, 2:30-6:30. If you'd like to pre-order/reserve an item, feel free to send Jen Sullivan an email ( jeriggs@spu.edu). Available items include t-shirts, hoodies, scarves, and cinch packs.  P re-orders need to be in by Monday, December 4th, in order to receive the items before Winter Break

Catucky Derby
Wondering what's all the talk about the Catucky Derby?  What's this 'auction' thing I'm hearing so much about?  Come learn more about the fun, the fundraising, donations and the Mint Juleps! 

Pop by the school lobby and get more information with an auction representative on:
-Monday, Dec. 4th, 7:45am - 810am
-Thursday, Dec. 7th, 2:15pm - 2:45pm

Drop off donation forms or ask questions about donations needs or donation forms. We would love to collect as many donations as possible! No donation is too small!
 
The Whittier PTA auction takes place every other year, and provides necessary funding for important school-related programs such as outreach, safety patrol, extra nurse time for our children, school day enrichment programs, and scholarships for students.

December 5th PTA Meetings 
Diversity and Inclusion Committee Meeting; Discussion with Rep Noel Frame and SPS Director Rick Burke; Special Playground PTA Member Meeting and Vote!

Whittier's Diversity & Inclusion Committee (DANDI) will be having our next meeting on Tuesday, December 5th from 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Whittier Library. Please note that this meeting will be shorter than usual. Please contact co-chairs Kristin Wiggins and Donna Chavis at  dandi.whittierpta@gmail.com to join (so we can ensure you're on the email list) or if you have any questions.

At 7:00 pm in the Whittier Library, State Representative Noel Frame and Seattle Public Schools Director (District II) Rick Burke will join us to discuss the upcoming state and district budget seasons, and their impact on schools. All are welcome!

Then, stay after for a special PTA member meeting to vote on next steps for the playground improvement project, including financial and other commitments that will be required to receive an $87,000 grant from the city. This portion of the meeting will start once the prior meeting ends, at approx. 8:15 p.m., Tuesday evening in the Whittier Library.
School News
Staff Wish Lists
The holidays are here and you might have wondered about ideas for presents for staff at Whittier. Or you just wanted to show the staff that you appreciate their hard work, day in and day out. At the beginning of each school year, we ask the Whittier staff to fill out a questionnaire to help us find out what they like and what they might appreciate and need for their classrooms. You'll find the answers to these "Wish List Questionnaires" in the front office by the PTA files.

Coaches Needed for Girls on the Run!!
Girls on the Run empowers girls to reach their full potential. Through an intentional curriculum led by volunteer coaches, our girls learn about self-esteem, healthy relationships, and contributing to their community! Coaches lead practices twice a week for ten weeks and receive a full training before the season begins. Coach applications due January 12th.

Please contact  Julie Childers  by email or phone (206.252.1684) for more information!
District News
Bus Strike Update

Whittier Families:

Some of you may have heard of a potential strike by First Student employees (School bus drivers). As of this communication, there is expected to be a one day strike tomorrow (Wednesday 11/29/17). We know this causes additional stress on families and are working closely with the district to monitor this situation and support you as best we can.

Some of our afterschool partners have contingency plans in place to transport students to their programs. Small Faces plan on picking the kids up at school.  ILS will bring a van but it may take up to an hour before they can arrive.  They will send two staff members to wait with the kids until the van arrives.

Please arrange for contingency plans to drop off and pick up your child (neighbors, other family members or friends).  If your family is in need of assistance, please let us know by replying to this email. We will implement "walking buses" for students who do not have anyone available for pick up or drop off.

For families who will be dropping students off, there are adult monitors on the playground by 7:35 am and you can drop students off. In addition, if you are available to volunteer and help with our walking buses please let us know.  

Thank you,

2017-18 District Calendar 
Notes From the Front Office
Whittier Wonderland
Please take a snowflake from the folder on the bulletin board, cut it out and return it to the office so we can add it to the Whittier Wonderland! You can use the design that is provided on the template or create your own. Do not worry if your snowflake doesn't look exactly like the design on the template. All snowflakes are different, that's what makes them unique! It will be fun to see all the unique snowflake designs that are created by our wonderful Wildcat community!


Thank You
Thank you to the 5th Grade families for the fabulous staff lunch on November 8th! The taco bar was delicious. We appreciate all you do!

Help Wanted: Lunch & Recess Volunteers
Lunch and recess times provide important social, emotional and physical breaks for our students. We are at lunch and on the playground with your children everyday but can always use extra help to:

·  Monitor play to ensure safety
·  Help students with playground equipment
·  Assist students who are learning new games and social settings
·  Referee sports games on the playground
·  Encourage kids to eat
·  Remind students to stay in their seats
·  Open food containers
·  Assist students with cleaning up and putting away their lunches
·  Grant bathroom permissions

Volunteering at lunch and/or recess is a fun way to help out, and a great way to be involved in your child's school day!

~~~~~IT'S GREAT TO BE A WILDCAT~~~~~

-Miss Monica & Miss Rebecca
   
Community News & Events
Whittier Kids Preschool - T/TH openings
Whittier Kids Preschool is located onsite at Whittier Elementary and offers a play-based program for 3-5 year olds. Our program focuses on dynamic curriculum, building social emotional skills and instilling a love of learning. We have openings Tuesday/Thursday and our program runs from 8am-2pm during the school year. More info online:  https://www.phinneycenter.org/whittierkids/preschool-enrollment/
Email  whittierkids@phinneycenter.org  for more information or to schedule a tour.

Join Cub Scouts NOW!
Ballard Elks Lodge 
6411 Seaview Ave.  

Do you have a son or daughter in the first through fifth grades, 7-10 years of age, or friends with kids? Get the adventure started. Whittier's First Grade Parent, Alex Osenar, is our Tiger (1st Grade Level) parent leader. Contact Alex at: 206-313-6948 or email  alexosenar@gmail.com  for more information. 

Monthly Pack meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the Month.
Visit the BSA Website for more information:  https://beascout.scouting.org

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps 
Due to popular demand, the Ballard High School Gymnastics team is hosting 2 more Kids Camps!! 

BHS Gymnastics Kids Camps for Grades K-5 will be held on the following dates at the Ballard High School gym. Tickets are $45 per date, per camper (additional campers from the same family are $40 per date). No gymnastics experience is needed!
  • Camp 1: Saturday, December 2nd from 9am to 12pm
  • Camp 2: Saturday, January 27th from 1pm to 4pm
Please follow this link to make registration and payment easy:
Feel free to contact Kimball Mullins (Kids Camp coordinator) at  kimball_mullins@yahoo.com  with questions.

Thanks,
Stephanie Gundel
Ballard High School Gymnastics Head Coach

BHS 2017 Winter Concert Series


BHS Dance Team Student Dance Workshops

Seattle Celtic Soccer Club
Spring Season registration is now open for Seattle Celtic Soccer Club 

"Seattle Celtic will be holding Spring  season tryouts the week  of  January 8. Celtic have teams at all levels for players born between 2002 and 2011 and a coaching staff with the perfect mix  of energy, passion and expertise to help players develop and excel in a fun environment. 

Tryouts are free to attend and details can be found at  www.seattleceltic.com  

Questions? Contact us at  info@seattleceltic.com for further information."
Thank You!!
Wow, our school community is so generous! The director of Ballard  Food Bank called with a personal "Thank You" for our school's   donation. Whittier families gave 1400 lbs of food for the second year in a row. Thank you for making this year's food drive a success and for helping those in need in our community!

And an extra big THANK YOU to Donna Chavis for chairing this years Food Drive!!
   
Lunch Menu
View the November lunch menu  here.

View the December lunch menu here.
Calendar
Mon., Nov. 27 to Fri.,Dec. 8th
-Helping Hands Gift Drive

Thurs., Nov. 30
-Book Fair, 2:30-6:30pm

Mon., Dec. 4th
-Catucky Derby Q&A, 7:45-8:10am

Tues. Dec. 5th
-Whittier Wildcat Musical Mtg., 2:35-3:10pm
-DANDI Meeting, 6:30pm

Thurs., Dec. 7th
- Catucky Derby Q&A,  2:15-2:45pm

Fri., Dec. 15th
-1 hour early dismissal

Mon., Dec. 18th- Mon., Jan. 1st
-Winter Break, No School

Email us with upcoming event details.
Free Money Corner
Holiday Shopping For Whittier!
Still working through that gift list? Buying a present for someone on the Helping Hands tree in the school lobby? Planning on making holiday cookies or cooking a feast? Support our Wildcats by shopping! (Really!) These retailers donate a % of your purchases to Whittier...
 

-AmazonSmile - Select "Whittier PTA Seattle Council" during the easy set-up at smile.amazon.com. Bookmark it and click it every time you shop! (Tech support tip: Amazon Smile only works on browsers, not the Amazon app.)


-Fred Meyer - 
Link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Whittier PTA (NPO# 85919). You keep your Rewards points!


-Ballard Market - 
Look for the jar labeled Ballard Market receipts on the table in the lobby and stuff your collected receipts inside.

Get Involved
WildChat Editor STILL Needed!!
The PTA Communications Team is currently seeking an Editor for the WildChat. The position requires a weekly time commitment of 2-3 hours, all done from the comfort of your own home, and will work closely with the PTA Communications Chair and the Website Editor. If you have strong writing and organizational skills, and an interest in volunteering, we'd love to hear from you. Experience with Constant Contact a big bonus, though basic training is available. Email  April Musick  with  questions or to express interest.
Contact Us
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