Whittier WildChat
October 3, 2018
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We show respect. We make good choices. We solve our problems.
It's what Wildcats do.
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It's great to be a Wildcat!
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Annual Give Update – Big Paws Up For Week 2!
The Whittier Annual Give is now underway and Wildcat families have blown us away with a strong early response. We’ve already reached 45% of our $75,000 goal! Thank you and Paws Up! But as we move closer to our deadline, we need to hear from everyone. After a week of change at our school, it’s important to remember that your Annual Give donations help provide stability for students by helping to fund our enrichment teachers, our school nurse, and our librarian. And, of course, there’s increased learning opportunities with math tutors and classrooms - and family-oriented events like the Fall Carnival and Movie and Game Nights.
Learn about the dozens of ways that your contributions help fuel our school – and make your donation online!
Don’t forget – that amazing Wildcat insulated water bottle from Miir is available if you donate at the $250 per student level.
Remember, there’s power in participation – volunteering, PTA membership, and simply turning in your Annual Give Response Card. (No donation needed!) Just ask Ms. Mayo’s class. We’ve already heard from over 60% of her classroom’s parents and they are spending the week with the giant Wildcat Stuffie. Congrats to our first Stuffie Challenge winners! Will your kiddo’s class be next? (Hint… maybe, if you turn your card in!) Extra cards are available in the school office – and you can drop your payment off there too! Keep up the great work, Wildcat families.
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PTA Community Meeting on Oct. 9
Please join us for the first PTA Community Meeting of the year!
Tuesday, October 9, Whittier Library
6:30pm Light refreshments
7:00pm Meeting begins
Agenda includes:
- Recap of 2017-18 efforts, plans for 18-19
- School update from Principal Clark
- Learn about 2018-19 budget reconciliation recommendations, new funding opportunities
- Vote on the 2019-20 Nominating Committee, the 2017-18 Financial Review, and budget proposals
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Fri., October 5
Spirit Day- Pajama Day!
Tues., October 9
Whittier PTA
Community Meeting
6:30 pm
Fri., October 26
Fall Carnival
6-9 pm
Wed., November 14
Flu Shots at Whittier
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The Fall Carnival is Friday, October 26. 6-9 pm.
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Free Flu Shots for Whittier Students- DATE CHANGED
Seattle Public Schools and the school nurses have teamed up with HEALTHY SCHOOLS --the nation’s largest in-school vaccine provider to provide NO-COST, IN-SCHOOL FLU SHOTS to our students.
The date for Whittier Elementary is set for
November 14th 8:15am-Finished.
Forms were sent home with your Student. Please fill out the form completely and returned it to school as soon as possible, if you choose to have a flu shot for your child.
If you have specific questions, go directly to the Healthy Schools website www.healthyschoolsllc.com.
Flu shots protect everyone--your child, your family and our school community!
Email “
Nurse Joan” our School Nurse or call 206-252-1697 with questions.
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Volunteers Needed to Help with Health and Vision Screening on October 11
Nurse Joan needs 4-5 volunteers on October 11th to help out with Health and Vision Screening, 8am-2:30pm. Volunteers can sign up for the whole day or half day.
Previous experience or training is not necessary. She will train you the morning of the screening. Sign up here.
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Fifth Grade NatureBridge Fundraiser – Happening Now!
Our fifth graders are selling Brown Bear Car Wash tickets to offset the costs of their spring NatureBridge science camp at the Olympic National Park. Fifth graders will be selling to their friends, families and neighbors. We hope fifth grade parents will encourage your students to pitch in by selling as many tickets as possible (prizes for our top seller, and treats for the fifth graders if we reach our fundraising goal). Please consider purchasing tickets from your favorite fifth grader today!
Whittier families with K-4 students can also support our fifth graders by looking for the order form coming home in kid mail this week.
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BLT Meeting Minutes for September 2018
The Building Leadership Team (BLT) is a committee of teachers, principal, specialists, parents, and community members that meets monthly to oversee the school’s Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) and professional development program, assist in developing and monitoring the school’s budget, and represent the interests and concerns of staff, students, families, and the community at Whittier. Minutes of the meetings will be shared via the WildChat and posted on the school’s website. Meetings are open to the school community. If you have any questions, contact your BLT Parent Reps,
Tracy Yetter or
Kathleen Durham.
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Share Your Priorities with the PTA, What Issues are Most Important to You?
Take the Whittier PTA
online survey
to help your PTA delegates vote on the TOP 5 issues that are most important to your school. The issues supporting the “Health, Education & Welfare” of our students cover a wide spectrum of policies from school meals and closing to the gaps to pre-school, recess, SEL, teacher shortages, gun safety and more. Helpful Links:
Take the survey to find out what’s on the proposed agenda and share your priorities with your PTA. Your voice matters, please take a few moments and let us know before 10/5 what’s important to you and your family.
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Reflections Art Contest in October
Now that school has started its time to start thinking about this year's Reflection's art contest!
The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Whittier students may submit an original artwork entry in one of the following four art areas: Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. Participation is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels.
Entry forms will be coming home with your child this week, and there are more in the main office. Tables and art supplies will be set up under the covered area outside the gym on several early release Wednesdays (weather permitting) this month after school to help students with they're art pieces. Entries must be turned in by November 2nd to the main office.
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PTA Nominating Committee is looking for people!
Are you a people person? We have a couple spots to fill on the PTA Nominating Committee, and we are looking for an interested PTA member to join us! Both board and non-board PTA members are welcome!
The Nominating Committee helps find PTA Board Members for the following school year (2019-2020). The primary duty of a committee member is to attend a few committee meetings to find out which PTA officers and board members will be returning, figure out what positions are left to fill, and who is best to fill those spots. Then the committee contacts potential candidates to gauge their interest and willingness to join the board.
The committee meets in November or December, and then again in the late winter/early spring, ending with the Board Officers being voted on at our Spring Community meeting in May. Much of the work is done via email and in face-to-face communications with people.
If you are interested in the committee, please send Kellie Pecoraro an email at
vp.whittierpta@gmail.com. Please include why you are interested in participating and any previous volunteer involvement you have had with Whittier (both school and PTA). If you are new to Whittier, that is okay too, we just need someone who likes to talk to people!
If you are looking to get more involved and have an impact on our school, this opportunity is for you!
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Chinook Books are on sale through 10/31!
Chinook Books will be for sale at the PTA Community Meeting on October 9th. Cash or Check are preferred payment methods, but credit cards will also be accepted. Books, including the app is $25; App only is $15. Can't make it to the meeting, but want to make a purchase?
Just download this form and return it to the Whittier office. Books or apps will be sent home via kidmail. If you have any questions, please
contact Karen Gustafson,
gustafson.karen@gmail.com
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SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau's Listening & Learning Tour
Mark you calendars. Our new SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau has launched a Listening & Learning tour during September and October. These community and regional town hall discussions will become the foundation of a revised strategic plan that maps the district's course for the coming years. She plans to be at Ballard High School on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 7-8:30pm.
Here is a link for more info.
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Lil’ Beavs Cheerleading Camp hosted by Ballard High School: October 7, 2018
K-6 students are invited to attend the Lil’ Beavs Cheerleading Camp on Sunday, October 7, from 9:30 to noon at Ballard High School. Participants will spend the morning with the BHS Varsity Cheerleading Squad where they will learn cheers, jumps, and a dance! Each camper will receive a t-shirt, bow, set of poms, temporary tattoo, picture with the squad and admission to the Varsity Football game on 10/12 at Memorial Stadium against Cleveland. Participants are invited to perform with the Ballard Cheerleaders during pre-game and kick-off. Game is currently scheduled for kick-off at 7:45 PM. Game admission is included for the participant only. The registration fee is $40. To register, please go to:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3616111
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Contact Us
- Contact the WildChat Editor with questions about or submissions to this newsletter.
- WildChat content should be submitted via email no later than Tuesdays at12 PM for Wednesday publication.
- Please use the SafeUnsubscribe link at the bottom of this message if you do not wish to receive further issues of the WildChat.
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Shopping for Whittier
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.
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