Whittier WildChat
November 15, 2017
Whittier School photo
We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems. It's what Wildcats do!
Upcoming Events
Annual Food Drive
Our Annual Food Drive will end this  Thursday, November 16th. We are collecting non-perishable food items to benefit Ballard Food Bank. Donation boxes will be in your child's classroom and in the Whittier Lobby. Thanks to all who have already contributed!
Last year our generous school community gave over 1,400 lbs. of food during the drive! Thank you for helping those in need in our wonderful community!

Kindergarten and First Grade Performance!!
Don't forget, this Friday, November 17th, the kindergarten and first grade Wildcats are going to WOW you with an annual Veteran's Day/ Thanksgiving performance. The performance will start at 1:15 and will be in the cafeteria/gym. There will also be a cameo appearance by some 5th grade rapping helpers. All songs and lyrics are posted on Ms. Steph's Schoology page for extra practice.  

Please contact Ms. Steph with any questions.

Whittier Ice Skating Party!
Bring your family and join your friends for the annual Whittier Ice Skating Party at Highland Ice Arena, 18005 Aurora Avenue North, in Shoreline.  This annual event will take place onTuesday, November 21st from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Spend a few hours having some good old fashioned fun. Whether you are just learning to skate or you are perfecting your triple salchow, we want to see your skills. You can bring your own skates or rent them for $4. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress in warm layers and long socks are advised.

Should you have any questions, please email events.whittierpta@gmail.com.

UW Volleyball Game!!
Come cheer on the UW Women's Volleyball team as they take on Arizona State. 

When: Wednesday, November 22nd at 4:00PM
Where: Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on UW campus. 
Cost: $5 per ticket. 

The Whittier PTA has arranged for discounted ticket prices to the November 22nd match, just $5 per ticket.  Order your tickets by calling the UW ticket office at 206-543-2200. Select the option for single game tickets and reference Whittier Elementary account # 141870. Tickets will be available at Will Call at the arena the day of the event. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Should you have any questions please email James Goldsmith at jamesgoldsmith7041@gmail.com.

Seattle Kids Marathon 2017
Wildcats! Put your sneakers on. It's marathon time! The Seattle Kids Marathon is a great way to get you on your way to being physically fit. W ildcat runners will have to run/walk most days and keep track of their miles as they work towards their goal of 25 miles before Nov. 25th. Wildcat Running Club miles at school count towards marathon miles. Along the way, runners earn incentives in the form of foot tokens and certificates. When they cross the finish line November 25th and finish their last 1.2 miles at the Seattle Center, they will be   given a shirt   and a goodie bag. Of course, Mr. Pule will be there to run that final 1.2 miles with you. 

Whittier has had 40-60 participants each year. Let's keep it up! 
Registration forms are now available outside gym. Return your form to Mr. Pule and he will take care of the rest or register on-line with our Whittier Elementary team (password: Wildcats).  The fee is $25. Deadline is Nov. 3rd for Whittier Team sign-up. 

Helping Hands Gift Drive!!
Our annual Helping Hands Gift Drive will begin after Thanksgiving.  This event is an opportunity to assist Whittier and Bailey-Gatzert Elementary families in need this holiday season and extend a "Helping Hand" by providing gifts and scrip gift cards. 

Beginning the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 27th, there will be a display of requests in the school lobby.  Each "mitten tag" will list an educational gift that you can donate, such as books or a toy for an age-specific child or a scrip gift card for a family (Fred Meyer/QFC).  

*If you are in need of support, please contact Rebecca Adamson at 206-252-1650 or at  rnadamson@seattleschools.org.  All requests will be kept confidential.

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 .
PTA Information
Catucky Derby
What's the Catucky Derby? Well....it's the Whittier PTA Auction! Get ready for a night of fun with pretty hats, seersucker suits and mint juleps!

Help to up the stakes of the auction by popping by and visiting with an auction representative on:

- Friday November 17 - General Info Session 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!
 
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.
School News
De Whittier a Puerto Rico, Con Amor 
(From Whittier To Puerto Rico, With Love)
A big Wildcat cheer to the second grade classes of Ms. McGrath and Ms. Freemantle. They've written letters to the students at Francisco Felicié Martínez school in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico to help welcome them back as they finally start school, post-Maria. (Schools in Puerto Rico were unable to reopen until the second week of November!) Our Wildcats have really shown that they care about community and their fellow students.

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
2017-18 District Calendar 
Notes From the Front Office
Mustache Day!   
Our first spirit day is tomorrow, Thursday, November 16th. We are excited to see all the kids wearing their impressive mustaches. Happy Movember!

PCP Schedule
Below is our PCP schedule until December 4th.
Day    PE    Art    Performing Arts
11/13   A      B         C
11/14   B      C         A
11/15   B      C         A
11/16   C      A         B
11/17   C      A         B

CONFERENCES & THANKSGIVING BREAK

Day    PE     Art     Performing Arts
11/27   A      B        C
11/28   A      B        C
11/29   B      C        A
11/30   B      C        A
11/31   C      A        B

Wall of Honor
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Wall of Honor. It's always so neat to see how many veterans are honored in our Wildcat community.

Moby Max
We have a new literacy & math program available to all Whittier students. Please check in with your teacher for log-in information.

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 - All day camps during Thanksgiving Break/Conferences
Join us at Whittier Kids Nov 20-22 for all day camps focusing on community and harvest themes.
Camps are for kids K-5th grades from 9-3pm, with the option of adding am (6:45-9am) and/or pm care(3-6pm).

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 Dance Team Student Dance Workshops
Lunch Menu
View the November lunch menus  here.
Calendar
Thurs., Nov 16
-Annual Food Drive Ends
-Mustache Day (spirit day)

Fri., Nov. 17
-Kinder & 1st GrPerformance
1:15pm
Whittier Cafeteria/Gym

Mon., Nov. 20 - Wed., Nov. 22
-NO SCHOOL
Parent Teacher Conferences

Tues., Nov. 21
-Whittier Ice Skating
10:00am-12:00pm
Highland Ice Arena

Wed., Nov. 22
-UW Volleyball Game
4:00-6:00

Thur., Nov. 23 - Fri., Nov. 24
-NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break

Mon., Nov. 27
-Helping Hands Gift Drive Begins

Thurs., Nov. 30
-Book Fair

Email us with upcoming event details.
Free Money Corner
Did you know that the shopping you do everyday can benefit Whittier?  You can turn your routine purchases (Amazon, Ballard Market, Fred Meyer) into funds for Whittier!

-To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to  smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device.  Select  "Whittier PTA Seattle Council" as your charity of choice and a portion of your future purchases will support Whittier.  You may also want to add a bookmark
to  smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile.

- Heading to Fred Meyer for your Thanksgiving dinner to-do list?  Link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to Whittier PTA (NPO# 85919). Best of all, you keep your Rewards points! Win-win! 
Get Involved
WildChat Editor 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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