 |
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
|
Whittier Wildcat Welcome TODAY!
Tuesday, September 5, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Whittier Elementary Lunchroom
NEW FAMILIES ONLY
- Enjoy light refreshments, meet Principal Melissa Schweitzer
- Kindergarten students meet their teachers, visit classrooms
- Older student Q&A, school tour w/ Principal Schweitzer & staff
First Day Jitters
Monday, Sept. 11, 8:00am - 8:45am
Whittier Elementary Lunchroom
Whittier parents are invited for coffee and treats (provided) after drop off.
Back to School Potluck / Fall Family Movie Night
Friday, Sept. 15, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Whittier Elementary Playground / Gym & Lunchroom
- Bring the whole family and a dish to share (e.g., main dish, side/appetizer, dessert, etc.). Be sure to label your dishes.
- 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
|
|
|
Bailey Gatzert School Supply Drive
Wednesday, Sept. 6 - Friday, Sept. 15
Bailey Gatzert Elementary is Whittier's sister school. Each year we run a school supply drive, holiday gift drive and book drive to support their school. Please consider picking up a few supplies (list below) and drop them in the labeled boxes at by the Whittier office. The drive ends next Friday, Sept. 15.
- Binders (1 inch)
- Colored Markers
- Colored Pencils
- Composition Books
- Expo Markers
- Glue Sticks
- Plastic Homework Folders
- Kleenex
- Pencils
- Pencil Boxes
- Scissors
Spirit Gear
It's time to stock up on new Spirit Gear! Returning this year are fun favorites like t-shirts and hoodies, plus newly designed soccer scarves and cinch packs. An order form was included in your Fill Us In packets.
All proceeds support the Whittier PTA.
For more info, contact Jen
.
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 email [email protected] 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!
|
|
|
|
|
School & District News
|
|
|
Early Release Wednesday
Every Wednesday, students will be dismissed 75 minutes early (at 1:10pm) to support teacher collaboration and instructional planning. This early release
WILL NOT
take place on the first day of school, September 6. First day of Early Release Wednesday will be on September 13.
Back-to-School Paperwork
Back-to-school paperwork packets will be sent home with students by the end of the week for those families who were unable to attend Fill Us In. Please complete and return the required paperwork to the office no later than Friday, Sept. 22.
Emergency Comfort Kits
In the event of a severe earthquake or snowstorm, our children may have to stay at school for a considerable length of time. We would like to be prepared in order to make our children as comfortable as possible. Therefore, parents are being asked to assemble a "comfort kit" containing items necessary for basic survival needs. Please visit the
Whittier website for a list of suggested items and a sample letter to include.
Schoology
Schoology is the learning management system of SPS, providing a way for teachers to communicate with students and families. If a student's teacher chooses to use Schoology, parents and guardians can log in to monitor assignments and view resources. For more information or to sign up for a Schoology account, please visit the
SPS Website.
|
|
|
|
|
Before & After School Student Activities
|
|
|
After School Enrichment Classes @ Whittier
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 (SPARC).
Registration is underway. Programming begins the week of Sept. 11.
We need to fill these classes or they will have to be cancelled, so get a friend to sign their kids up too!
If you have questions, email
Jennifer Mannheim
. Courses include Machine Sewing, Hand Sewing, and Creative Coding.
Several after school programs including SPARC, Washington Karate Association, and Illumination Studio will be offering to pick-up your child from Whittier if they are enrolled in their program. 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.
Wildcat Recreation with Mr. Pule
Mr. Pule will offer both before- and after-school recreation programs during the 2017-2018 school year. Fall session begins the week of Sept. 18. Please contact Mr. Pule with questions about the programs below.
Before-School Recreation - A Wildcat Morning Tradition!
Various activities will be provided and the program will often be an expansion of skills being taught in PE. Students should go to the gym as soon as they arrive at school (including bus riders). For accountability, students must attend the sessions if signed up and at school. Though provided at no cost, this is not a "drop-in" program; however, it is a great way to get the mind and body started in the morning. Wildcats may join later in the year when schedule permits or comfort level increases.
Starts week of Sept. 18, 7:25am - 7:50am, throughout the year
Mondays/Wednesdays, 2nd- 5th Grades
Tuesdays/Thursdays, K- 2nd Grade
Due to normally large K-1st participation, 2nd grade students can choose either the M/W or the T/Th session.
After-School Recreation Program
This is a 1-hour extension of our physical education program once a week that will build on the variety of activities enjoyed in Whittier's gym program. Program will include individual skill building, small and larger group activities, etc. We may also include skating, circus arts, scooters, bowling, and other interests over the 10 classes.
Starts week of Sept. 18th,
2:40pm - 3:40pm (1 hour)
Tuesdays, K- 2
nd
Grade
Sept. 19, 26;
Oct.
3, 10,17, 24, 31;
Nov.
7, 14, 28
Thursdays, 2
nd
- 5
th
Grades
Sept. 21, 28;
Oct.
5, 12, 19, 26;
Nov.
2, 9, 16, 30
COST: $35 (scholarships available), c
heck payable to Whittier Elementary School
Snacks are
not
provided. Please send a small non-messy snack with your student to enjoy before each after school recreation class. Participants may relax and snack in the gym from 2:25pm - 2:40 pm.
Class ends at 3:40pm. Please pick up your child on time at the Whittier Gym.
Find registration forms outside the gym or download them here:
Wildcat Running Club
All Wildcats are welcome to jog/walk every day before school and during recess 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!
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer Information
|
|
|
Required Volunteer Paperwork
To volunteer at Whittier during the 2017-2018 school year, you will need to complete the necessary paperwork. Printed volunteer packets are availabl
e in the office or you can find the information and documents you need here.
|
|
|
|
|
Community News & Events
|
|
|
Whittier Heights Emergency Hub/Outdoor Movie Night
Whittier Heights Community Council and Kirke Park Emergency Communications Hub are showing "The Princess Bride" at Outdoor Movie Night on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Kirke Park (7028 9th Ave NW).
First learn about our Whittier Heights Emergency Hub at 6:30pm. We'll show how the hub can assist our neighborhood during a catastrophic event. Come see our hub equipment!
Our outdoor movie night starts at 7:30pm with an all-ages animated short, followed by "The Princess Bride" at 8 pm. There will be a food truck plus restroom facilities (yes, a Honey Bucket!). Bring: chairs (low-back chairs preferred), blankets, and picnic supplies.
Neighbors, please join us - all ages welcome!
Cub Scouts
Join the Adventure of Cub Scouts in Ballard on Monday, Sept. 11 @ 7:00pm. Pack 827 is a newly formed Cub Scouts group meeting at the Ballard Elks (6411 Seaview Ave NW). Come join us to learn more about scout skills, basic information and registration. Families with boys currently entering 1st- 5th grade are invited to join!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar
|
|
|
2:00pm - 3:00pm, Lunchroom
Whittier Wildcat Welcome
Family Connections Meetings
(for Kindergarten Families)
Wed., Sept. 6 - Fri., Sept. 15
School Supply Drive
(for Bailey Gatzert Elementary)
Monday, Sept. 11
First Day of School
Kindergarten
Monday, Sept. 11
8:00am - 8:45am, Lunchroom
First Day Jitters
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Early Release Wednesdays Begin (
1:10pm)
Friday, Sept. 15
6pm - 9pm, Playground & Gym
Back to School Potluck &
Fall Family Movie Night
Friday, Sept. 22
Advance Learning Referral Deadline
Thursday, Sept. 28
Curriculum Night
Tuesday, Oct. 3
Individual School Photos
Friday, Oct. 27
Fall Carnival
|
|
|
|
|
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 at noon 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
