Month: May 2023

Mission Complete: Thank You for an Amazing Spring Fling!

Thank you to everyone is our community that so generously supported our Spring Fling Block Party and Auction. Our goal was to raise $80,000 and, so far, we’ve raised over $100,000 to support essential staff and services at Whittier Elementary! We are so grateful to have such an engaged, welcoming community to enrich our Wildcats.

If you weren’t able to purchase your Wildcat’s aviator photo, there is one printed photo available per student. To purchase yours, select your preferred package from the online Aviator Photo purchase page, checkout, and show the front office your receipt when you pick up photos from Monica and Rebecca. Photos will be available until Friday, June 2nd.

There are also a handful of hosted party tickets and items still available for purchase. And if you didn’t get a chance to participate in our Fund the Need campaign, it’s not too late! You can still contribute here.

Please also consider amplifying any donation, including Fund the Need and financial contributions above an item’s designated retail value, to any corporate matching programs (Whittier PTA’s 501(c)3 Federal ID is Federal ID #91-1479413). Please reach out if you need any help submitting your corporate match.

Thank you so much for choosing to support Whittier Elementary and the Whittier PTA during this year’s Spring Fling! Would you like to help make next year’s Spring Fling a success? Please contact volunteers@whittierptaseattle.org to learn more about how you can help!

Upcoming Happenings

• 5/31: Spring Sing @ 6pm
• 5/31: Last chance to submit your contact info for the Whittier Family Directory
• 6/2: First Friday Fun (after school)
• 6/7-9: Spring Art Walk
• 6/8-9: Whittier’s School Musical (Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
• 6/13: New Family Welcome
• 6/13: Final PTA Board Meeting of ’22-23 School Year
• 6/16: Field Day
• 6/19: No School (Juneteenth)
• 6/20: 5th Grade Adventure Day
• 6/22: 5th Grade Promotion
• 6/22: Drag Queen Story Time
• 6/23: Blacktop Painting Day
• 6/30: Last Day of School

Keep your calendar up-to-date! Sync using Konstella (Visit “Calendar” and click on “Sync to My Calendar”)

Reel by Kellie Pecoraro

Thank You, Spring Fling Committee Volunteers!

Thank you to our incredible Spring Fling Committee for their generous donation of time, talent, and commitment to make this event a reality:

• Anjean Vanden Bosch
• Ashley Cannon
• Ashley Schiavone
• Brie Gardner
• Courtney Sievers
• Elliot Scher
• Emi Matsumoto
• Emily Gross
• Emily Robertson
• Glenda Elley
• Gwen Weed
• Jess Templeton
• Jess Twardzik
• Joa Pope
• John Shaw
• Joni Larson
• Kellie Pecoraro
• Laura Zingg
• Liz Young
• Melissa Ivancevich
• Mendy Minjarez
• Rebecca Grandin
• Renee Hartnett
• Sara Lukas
• Shannon Louma
• Tina Lilley

Mark Your Calendars for Drag Queen Story Time!

Come join us for a special story time on Thursday June 22nd at 6pm. Popular Seattle drag queen, Aleksa Manila will be stopping by Whittier to spend an evening with us to read stories and have some fun! Drag Queen story time is all about love, acceptance, inclusion and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models! During story times like this one, kids will be able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves! Come join in the fun!

Last Chance to Opt-in to the Family Directory! Info Due 5/31

Whittier PTA is developing a Family Directory for students and families to use this summer. The Family Directory is an OPT-IN print directory providing family contact information. It is intended to foster communication within the Whittier community (e.g., arranging playdates, childcare swaps, family get-togethers, birthday party invitations, etc.) It’s a great way to stay in touch with families you met at Spring Fling!

The directory can only be compiled with the information YOU PROVIDE. The PTA cannot access the contact information you’ve provided to the school. If you would like your contact information included in the directory, please see below:

• New to Whittier this year? Change in contact info? Complete the Google form. (Versión en español)
• Is your contact info the same as last year? No action needed!
• Call for Student Artists! Students are invited to submit artwork for the Family Directory cover. The form was sent home in last week’s KidMail and can be downloaded for at-home printing

Directory information and artwork submissions are due by Wednesday, May 31. Questions? Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed for Field Day!

Join the team and volunteer on June 16 between 11:10am-2:10pm! (Please note you must be an approved SPS volunteer.)
Sign-up here!

2023-2024 PTA Board Seeking Volunteers for Essential Position!

We are seeking two volunteers to act as Co-Secretary for next year’s board. This role primarily records meeting minutes and is perfect for a family new to Whittier or just getting involved in the PTA. For more information or to volunteer, please contact volunteers@whittierptaseattle.org.

Make Your Class Your Wingman!

Has your class gotten Spring Fling tickets? It’s not too late! Buy your tickets today and plan a pre-funk, after party, or designated meeting spot with your class!

It’s a pretty tight race among the grades, but we can still fight for 75% participation! Come celebrate your community and support the PTA’s final fundraiser of this school year this Saturday, May 20th!

Don’t Forget: We Fling Rain or Shine (but hopefully shine)

Come dressed in your best aviators and be ready to rock this outdoor Block Party Top Gun-style!

Thanks to PTA Hospitality and our Wildcat Community for an Amazing Staff Appreciation Week!

We flew high with our Staff Appreciation celebration! A big thank you to Kathleen Donahoe and Emily Grosse, and the rest of the Whittier PTA Hospitality team for coordinating a week of amazing events to match the awesomeness of our Wildcat staff. Go Wildcats!

What is Drag Queen Story Time?

Drag queen story time is just what it sounds like—drag queens reading stories to children. A drag queen generally reads 3-4 children’s books and may sing songs or lead kids in a craft activity. Through a fun and fabulous literary experience drag queen story time celebrates learning and play, encouraging kids to celebrate gender diversity and all kinds of difference, while building confidence in expressing themselves.

People of all ages should be free to express themselves however they want, free from the constraints of prescribed gender roles. In other words, there’s no such thing as “girl clothes” and “boy clothes,” or “girl toys” and “boy toys.” Drag queen story times teach children that there are many ways to express themselves and their gender, and they are all OK! Drag is an art form that is rooted in diverse LGBTQ communities, which support equality, justice, and respect for all people. Given that LGBTQ people are present in every community, it’s important that children are exposed to these aspects of our shared history and culture, in age appropriate ways.

Why is Drag Queen story time necessary?

Drag queen story times help children develop empathy, learn about gender diversity and difference, and tap into their own creativity. These story times can also be life-changing and ultimately life-saving for LGBTQ kids and teens, kids with LGBTQ parents or family members, and anyone who feels different because of their identity or interests or who may not otherwise see themselves reflected in the broader culture. Come experience a fun, inclusive, creative, and unique story time with us!!

Drag Queen Story Time with Aleksa Manila!

Come join us for a special story time on Thursday June 22nd at 6pm at Whittier. Popular Seattle drag queen, Aleksa Manila will be stopping by Whittier to spend an evening with us to read stories and have some fun! Drag Queen story time is all about love, acceptance, inclusion and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models! Come join in the fun!