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Month: March 2024

The Wildchat: 3/26/24

March 26, 2024

Community Input Needed: Math Intervention and Extension Opportunities for 2024-2025 School Year

Seattle Public Schools does not provide funding or a systematic structure for math intervention. This school year, Whittier has been working with the Math Agency to support scholars in becoming strong, confident and independent math learners. Since the Fall, the Math Agency has been supporting 35 Whittier learners aligned with the Math Agency’s mission to close educational gaps in math in public schools. In January, Whittier began piloting a program in partnership with the Math Agency to support 12 Extension learners as well (students identified as performing above grade level), as the District mandates but does not fund advanced learning support.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Whittier was not charged for Math Agency support. The service has been offered for free to provide the Math Agency with performance data. Going forward, the Whittier PTA is being asked to fund the Math Agency at Whittier.

As we create the 2024-2025 PTA budget, we as a community need to determine if we will continue to fund the Math Agency. The level of funding could be the largest line item in our budget, surpassing the flexible staffing grant Principal Watters uses to close the gap in district funding for Nurse Marissa; our literacy specialist, Ms. Trilby; our Specialists, Mr. Buck, Ms. Steph, and Mr. Pule; and our librarian, Ms. Newcomb.

We are hosting a special community meeting with the Math Agency on April 1st. The purpose of this meeting is to inform the community of the Math Agency’s mission, student support structure, and to-date results at Whittier. Discussion will also include qualitative impressions from the teachers, families, and students that the Math Agency has served. Then, on April 16th, the PTA community at large will vote on Math Agency funding.

Key Dates:

Mark Your Calendars for These Events & Happenings!

Psst–All these dates are included on our Konstella/Google calendars. Click on “Sync my Calendar” on Konstella‘s Calendar page or click the +Google Calendar button on the bottom of our Calendar page. 

School Budget Conversation with Principal Watters

If you missed last month’s budget conversations with Principal Watters, we encourage all members of our community to watch this virtual version to better understand how Whittier’s budget works and the PTA’s role. As SPS’ budget woes continue, we’ll need to be more transparent and proactive in understanding the important role our PTA plays to close funding gaps within SPS’ funding model. If you have any questions, please reach out to Principal Watters and check out the resources we’ve gathered for you here.

Move-a-thon is 4 weeks away!

We’re getting HYPED for this year’s Move-a-thon! On Friday, April 26th, all wildcat scholar-athletes will have 30 minutes to shake and groove their way around the course on 13th Ave NW. This fundraiser asks our Wildcat community to seek donations from family, friends, and community to support their Wildcat as they run, walk, jog, dance, or move around Whittier! Here’s how to participate:

Learn more about Move-a-thon, including this year’s run map (we’re headed outside the playground this year!), here.

Volunteer Opportunities!

It’s a great time to get involved! Support our amazing community (and meet some great people while you’re at it). We have lots of opportunities at all commitment levels for both this and next year!

  • We’re looking for 1-2 volunteers to help our Yearbook Chair to put together this year’s all-school yearbook. If you’re interested, please email us.
  • Look out for future Move-a-thon and Spring Fling volunteer sign-up links!

We need two rockstar volunteers to fill Board Positions for next year – EDI Co Chair and Treasurer – and you could be the perfect fit! 

  • EDI co-chair: Co-leads the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee which helps support, create, and promote a respectful culture of inclusivity so that members of our community feel welcome and able to engage. Examples of task roles include arranging community education and annual reviews and guidance for the PTA standing rules. 
  • Treasurer: This essential position requires someone with accounting or bookkeeping experience who can manage the financial books and records, track the budget, prepare reports, and prepare necessary tax forms. Without volunteer support, Whittier PTA will have to pay an outside bookkeeper, which means less funds going towards staff, services, and programs for our Wildcats.

If these skills and interests match yours, please consider volunteering for our wonderful community. Email us for more information. Thank you!

Get ready to Follow the Call of the Disco Ball at Whittier PTA’s Spring Fling Block Party and Fundraiser on Saturday, May 18th.

We’re hard at work planning class art and buckets, decorations, food, and more for our final fundraiser of the 2023-2024 school year. We’re aiming to raise $60,000 at this year’s event to support essential staff and services at Whittier Elementary.

Details
Date: Saturday, May 18 from 5:00-9:00pm
Location: Whittier Elementary Block Party (13th Ave NW)
Theme: Follow the Call of the Disco Ball!
Come dressed to shine in sequins and silver, or disco glitz and glam to get you in the groove! No sparkles? No problem! Come join the party as you are.
Auction: All bidding will be done online again this year.
More Fun: Once again you can expect to see live music, food trucks, drinks, and new this year-a dance floor!

Want to help make this year’s event a success?

  • Buy Tickets Here! 
  • Sign Up to Host a Party Here!
  • Donate a pair of season tickets or a weekend at your vacation home! Email us!
  • Or, Donate Here!

To learn more about the event or ways to contribute, please contact us.

Whittier Winner in the National PTA Reflections Art Contest

Whittier Wildcat, Vivienne Robertson, was selected as a city winner in the National PTA Reflections are contest for her film production “Bob and the Awards.” This year’s theme was “I am hopeful because…” and you can learn more about this annual contest here. Congratulations and amazing work, Vivienne!

Thank you, Whittier PTA and Volunteers, for making the Gaga Ball Pit Happen!

Our Wildcats have been loving the new Gaga Ball Pit! Thank you to the Whittier PTA for co-funding this equipment in partnership with Whittier. Special shout-out to our 5th grade crew that saw this project through from initial proposal to unloading the truck to installing the mats. And a huge thank you to our caregiver volunteers: James Grandin, Sasha Wadsack, Erin Lancione, Jess Twardzik, Melissa Ivancevich, JP Herscher, David Curran, and Pete Austin for helping with the build and install!

Thank You, Families, For Our March Staff Appreciation!

Thank you to our 1st grade families for helping the PTA Hospitality team celebrate our staff this month! And thanks to Kathleen and Emily, our Hospitality team, for coordinating these appreciation opportunities each month!

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Thank you, Whittier Kids!

A huge thank you to our amazing partner, Whittier Kids, for providing free childcare for our Workshop (Supporting and Raising Mixed-Race Children) earlier this month. We appreciate you facilitating this important event!

Whittier Wildcat Evening at the Ballpark: 5/31

Order tickets here. To receive your tickets, please include contact name, email address, and number of tickets purchased. Tickets will be emailed in May to the email address provided. All orders due by April 19th!

Please contact Katie with questions!

Great Job Wildcats! Let's Keep Up Those Donations!

Paws Up for Wildcats!

Thank you to our Whittier families who have already donated clothes to our Big Blue Bin.

With spring starting to bloom, if you have any clothing donations, please bag them, and place them in the bin.

They also accept small toys and books. Your old clothes go a long way for children with disabilities.

Save the Date: Staff Appreciation Week (May 6-10)

We love our Whittier teachers and staff! In addition to our on-going appreciation activities, we participate in a full week of appreciation hosted by the Whittier PTA. 

Whittier PTA hosts most of these appreciation events, but students are invited to participate for two activities during this week:

  • Monday (5/6): Bring flowers to morning drop-off! A Room Rep or PTA volunteer will collect flowers to make arrangements for staff.
  • Friday (5/10): Dress like a staff member day! Don glasses, specialty shoes, a lanyard–whatever reminds your student of a Whittier staff member!
We’ll send reminders as Staff Appreciation draws closer. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact the Hospitality team. Go Wildcats!

From Our Community

Summer Camp Opportunities

  • Camp Read-a-rama: Singing, dancing, hands-on activities (that can be a bit messy) and more encourage a love for reading and curiosity. And at the end of each Read-a-Rama, every child chooses a free book for building their very own at-home library. These are literacy-immersion programs for children ages 4 – 11. Learn more and register >>
  • UW is offering 10 different youth programs for 4-5th graders, including block programming, photography, writing workshops, musical theater, engineering, and 3D design. A few are offered remote and the rest on-campus. Learn more and register >>

Age-appropriate strength and conditioning classes at CrossFit Phinney Ridge

CFPR’s Youth classes teach kids fundamental CrossFit movements, but with a focus on form and fun! Our age-appropriate strength and conditioning classes can help your already sporty child be stronger, faster and more agile. And it can help build confidence and body awareness in children who just want to have fun moving their bodies. Every movement will be scaled to each person’s ability, and we’ll play games that will be fun but also fitness-oriented! Ongoing classes every Wednesday (SPS early-dismissal day): 

  • Ages 7-11
    • 2:30-3:05 p.m.
    • $170+tax for a 10-class punch card
  • Ages 11-15
    • 3:15-4 p.m. 
    • $215+tax for a 10-class punch card

For more information or to purchase a 10-class punch card, email info@crossfitphinneyridge.com.

Thank you, Wildcats!

PTA Meeting Minutes: 2/13/24

Whittier PTA Board Meeting

February 13, 2024

7:00pm In Person & Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3911 8250
Passcode: wildcats

Meeting link

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Renee Hartnett – Co-President
  • Courtney Sievers – Co-President
  • Jess Templeton – Vice President (running reflections contest) 
  • Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
  • Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary
  • Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
  • Meg Herscher – Communications chair (zoom)
  • Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat)
  • Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
  • Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
  • Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
  • Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
  • Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory (zoom)
  • Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large
  • David Peabody – Move-a-thon Chair
  • Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Kellie Pecoraro
  • Anika Anand
  • Maureen Nothum
  • Katie Stiver (zoom)
  • Bonnie (zoom)
  • Rachel Wold (zoom) 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM

WELCOME

  • Ice Breaker
  • Core Values and goals

APPRECIATIONS

  • David Peabody – Move-a-Thon
  • Brie Gardner – Spring Fling kicked off
  • Laura Zingg & Jennifer Foreman – Programs for Winter
  • Kate Scher – Gaga Ball
  • Kathleen & Emily – ongoing Staff Appreciation!

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES

  • PTA Roles & Descriptions
    • Done by 2/16 if possible
    • Goal of having smooth transitions
  • Survey to community on budget

BUSINESS

  • Yearbook
    • Annika Anand looking for a partner to help
  • PTA Table at Family Dance & Game Night
    • Need volunteers to be involved at PTA table 
  • Potential Shift with Move-A-Thon to 13th Ave NW
    • Location shift because of bike week
    • Need stanchions, flags, cones
    • Freezer pops Town & Country 
    • Frankie and Joe’s for volunteers 
  • Wildcats Wonder (instead of career day)
    • What problems do you want to solve? 
    • Crowdsourcing / engaging community / parents on what problems they’re working on 
    • April / May 
    • Moments of failure along the way / perseverance 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES

  • VP – Jess Templeton –
    • Reflections Updates
    • Nom Com
      • Survey Assistant Treasurer – Stacy not returning 
      • EDI co-chair, ideally someone representing communities not currently 
      • Volunteer co-chair recently vacated – going into a busy time 
      • Fundraiser co-chair 
      • More to come 
  • Kiana Swearingen EDI
    • Supporting & Raising Mixed-Race Children – think of someone that can go with you
      • Childcare will be provided
      • Neighborhood schools have been contacted

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH)

  • January 2024 Financial Report
    • $7,277 income from annual give
    • $3,936 gaga ball expense
    • -$372 for month 
    • $265,276 overall balance
  • Budget Committee
    • Need 5 volunteers

KATE SCHER 

  • Gaga Ball – Lots of volunteers 
  • STEAM lab – grant opportunity with WA Arts
    • $5000 materials equip, $5000 training etc
    • Must be non-profit, so funneled through the PTA 
    • Grant submission due by Feb 23
      • If instated, would be housed in a pre-identified room in the building, staffed by volunteers, and potentially rolled out and
        • Need a state wide vendor number
        • Unique entity ID – may be washington state UBI 

ASHLEY SCHIAVONE

  • School Party scheduled March 29th
    • Activities, dance party in the cafeteria 
    • Unicycling in the gym with Mr. Pule 
    • Gaga ball, 4-square
    • Popcorn for all
    • Will need volunteers

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE 

  • Entering budget time and it’s terrible
    • $10,000 – $12,000 for this year for supplies (vs. $20,000 – $22,000 last year)
    • Enrollment projections within 6-8 of what office staff thinks
    • Next year we will likely have (2) 5th grades, (2) 4th grades, (3) 3rd grades next year (most covid impacted cohort – current 2nd graders), (2) 2nd grades, (3) 1st grades, (3) kindergarten classes
    • Won’t know about staffing until August 
    • Split-level grade level classes aren’t good generally
  • Partnership with the Math Agency in grades 3 and 4 going well
    • On track for kids to grow 1.5 grade levels
    • Scaling back intervention from 4 days a week to 3 days a week
    • Pilot with 3rd graders 1 day x week to focus on task complexity 
    • High numbers of HC kids in 3rd grade 
  • 5th Grade trip next year might be Island Wood
    • Should be in the Fall for bonding
  • Prides of March
    • Food Pantry 
    • Hygiene kits for high schoolers
  • Pints with the Principal / Coffee – to talk budget 
  • Looking for new school board member for our area 
  • Highly Capable Services / Advanced Learning Program (unfunded mandate)
    • Got rid of HC / Advanced learning opportunities for 5th graders going into 6th grade (everybody still gets to same place at the same time) 

FINAL WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

  • NA

Meeting Adjourned 8:14  pm

Note for March meeting agenda: Mariner’s Game update

PTA Meeting Minutes: 1/9/24

Whittier PTA Board Meeting

January 9, 2024

7:00pm Zoom
Meeting ID: 817 3911 8250
Passcode: wildcats

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Renee Hartnett – Co-President
  • Courtney Sievers – Co-President
  • Jess Templeton – Vice President (running reflections contest) 
  • Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
  • Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (attended vida Zoom) 
  • Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
  • Meg Herscher (New communications chair)
  • Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat)
  • Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
  • Glenda Elley – Fundraising Co-Chair
  • Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair
  • Meg Pietz – Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair
  • Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
  • Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
  • Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory
  • Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary) (attended via Zoom) 
  • Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary)
  • Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large
  • John Shaw – Tech Support
  • David Peabody – Move-a-thon
  • Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear
  • Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Kellie Pecoraro
  • Brianna Mercker 
  • Suman Pradhan
  • Andrea Pungoti
  • Tanya Cunningham
  • Rachel Wold
  • Meena Lenn
  • Lana Sturmer

WELCOME

  • Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at 7:01 PM
  • Intros – fave book or movie and PTA role, kids and grades
  • Vote to approve November PTA meeting minutes
    • Jess Templeton motioned to approve 
    • Emily Grosse seconded
    • Approved

APPRECIATION

  • Thank you’s:
    • Kraken Ice Skating Event
    • Literacy night 
    • Helping Hands/Mittens
    • Anjean – membership education & communication.
      • Now have around 136 members up from 70 something at beginning of year 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATE

  • Board Update
    • Meg Herscher – Communications Chair
    • Brie Gardner – Spring Fling co-chair (needs second)
      • Date: May 18th. 
      • Theme: Follow the call to the disco ball. 
      • First meeting this Thursday, 1/11. 3 responses to volunteer asks. Still looking for procurement team. 
      • Same format as last year minus wine wall and aviator photos
  • Surveying for preferences 
  • Budget
    • Budget conversations starting in February 29th 8am coffee, Feb 29th pints with principal, zoom option on March 7th.
  • Mariners Event in spring – date TBD

BUSINESS

  • Land Acknowledgement update from Kiana
    • Current practice
    • Why does SPS have different language than Whittier? 
    • Evolution
    • Land acknowledgements can be token, not meaningful
    • Still relevant if doing a specific call to action. Generally not recommended for standing meetings, etc. Only if relevant to actual meeting, possibly with local tribal members present
    • The monthly PTA meetings do not meet the parameters of when a land acknowledgment should be used. So we should not use land acknowledgements at every board meeting. 
    • We should use an acknowledgment if there is clear connection in the meeting activities or actions toward native sovereignty or the native land back movement
    • Recommendation for policy to be reviewed annually as part of EDI role.
      • Renee recommending we vote on recommendations from EDI
        • Glenda motioned to approve EDI recommendations
        • Jen Foreman seconded
  • Approved
  • Standing Rules
    • Renee motioned to approve standing rules as revised
    • Second Glenda
    • Approved
  • Update on Gaga Ball
    • Estimated delivery Feb 20th
    • Working on getting donated lumber
    • Octagon 20-30 kids
    • ADA door 
    • 5th grade fundraiser, co-creation of rules 
  • Lana Sturmer – whittier parent. Idea for what to do with lost and found
    • Non-profit that creates inclusive communities for kids with disabilities.
    • Northwest Center – The Big Blue Truck – Value Village
    • Cindy is a big supporter of this. Wants the big blue bin inside Whittier with signage explaining what it means. Lana will help manage program. Not throwing things away but giving things new life. Strategically find place for it.
      • Renee motions to approve implementation of program. 
      • Melissa seconds 
      • Approved. New program to implement 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES

  • VP – Jess Templeton – Reflections Updates
    • Lessons learned 
    • Next year directing messaging to kids, maybe through Mr. Buck
  • VP – Jess Templeton – Nom Com
    • End of Jan. let folks know if continuing to next year
    • Mendy – reminder: nom com process is supposed to be confidential. Notes should not be open to board. Internal discussions should not be made public etc. 
  • Events – Meg Pietz
    • Family Dance and Game Night – Michelle Nemeth helping. Friday the 1st of March – DJ Ms. Steph 
  • Spirit Gear – Mendy
    • Now that we have a communications chair, we should keep sending out link about ordering spirit gear on-demand. 
    • Haven’t updated many designs recently – classic and modern. Can create new things! Survey to see what people want/need.
  • Move-a-thon Chair David Peabody
    • Sponsorship Trader Joe’s, Swansons, Brook’s, Fred Meyer
    • Stuff – fidgets, water bottles, stickers
    • General note that sweat bands are a good option for swag

TREASURER’S REPORT (Michelle Nemeth) 

  • Review of Financial Reports from 2023
    • November
      • Income: $38,375.35
      • Expenses: $635.53 (fall festival) 
    • December
      • Income $14,079.32 income
      • Expense $27,828.80 expense
    • Fundraising $82,766 annual give 
    • Reports weren’t sent out yet 
    • Huge shout out for annual give! 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

  • Thank you for land acknowledgement update
  • How do we bring people into the PTA? 
  • Mike Clay – old school sweatshirt design “Whittier Established 1908” second bld added 1929. Both demo’d 1998. New building opened in 1999. 
  • Staff love gear gifts
  • Thank you for support of Fragile Families
  • Annual Give in school party – keepin’ it simple. Fun, different. Popcorn party?
  • Massive Monkeys in March

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Sped classroom rep
  • Spring Fling Co-Chair
  • Tax person

Meeting Adjourned 8:39 PM

Learn More: School Budgets Discussion with Principal Watters

If you missed last month’s budget conversations with Principal Watters, we encourage all members of our community to watch this virtual version to better understand how Whittier’s budget works and the PTA’s role. As SPS’ budget woes continue, we’ll need to be more transparent and proactive in understanding the important role our PTA plays to close funding gaps within SPS’ funding model. If you have any questions about Whittier’s budget, please reach out to Principal Watters. If you’d like more information about how Whittier PTA funding and fundraising works, please contact us.

Looking for even more information? Here’s a little more about SPS’ budget and funding:

Want to share your voice? You can always reach out directly to SPS using their “Let’s Talk!” feature (see the menu in the bottom right here). Our district is currently waiting for a school board director appointment, but you are always encouraged to share your voice during school board meetings (learn more about how to participate here) and by reaching out to the board as a whole using the form on this page.

2024 Prides of March Community Drive

During the month of March, the Whittier encourages its Wildcats to support community organizations seeking donations. All families are encouraged to participate by providing any of the supplies listed below between 3/4-3/29. Donations can be given to Principal Watters at drop-off or dropped in the main office. 4th and 5th graders will also help sort donations to final delivery. This year, we are again supporting the Luther Memorial Church Food Pantry and Ballard High School’s Teen Health Center.

Luther Memorial Church Food Pantry

This food pantry is located directly across from Broadview-Thomson K8 on Greenwood Avenue. The church collaborates with a Boy Scout troop to serve individuals in the immediate area with food and other resources. Many of the resources to stock the pantry come directly from the congregation members (a small but committed group) and the church budget.

Because the pantry is available 24/7, it is impossible to know exactly how many people are served, but we know for sure that we have several people who use the pantry regularly. The pantry is stocked every day and it is almost always empty when it is time to be restocked the next day.

Unlike other food pantries, our main focus is on providing nutritious and ready to eat items, focusing especially on those in our community who do not always have ways to cook food. And, we also know that people enjoy treats like Oreos and Rice Krispie bars too!

In addition to food, our pantry provides some basic toiletry items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and individually wrapped toilet paper. The following items are the most needed at this current time (note: please look for pop-tops for all canned food as many pantry visitors do not have access to can openers):

  • Mandarin oranges* (either cans or individual cups)
  • Applesauce (either cups or the pouches)
  • Peaches* (either cans or individual cups)
  • Canned chicken
  • Canned tuna
  • Chili
  • Beef jerky sticks
  • Soup*
  • Sardines
  • Trail mix (individual packets)
  • Nuts (individual packets)
  • Granola bars
  • Protein bars
  • Shelf-stable milk cartons
  • Individual bags of chips
  • Pudding cups
  • Raisins
  • Rice Krispie treats
  • Individual packets of Oreos
  • Peanut butter crackers
  • Cheese filled crackers
  • Bottled water
  • Granola bars
  • Cup-o-Noodle

Ballard High School Teen Health Center

We are fortunate that all SPS high schools have a Teen Health Center where students can receive free health care and mental health therapy. Through the health center students can receive sports physicals, reproductive health care, treatment for illness (including chronic illness), immunizations and more.

In addition to providing care, the health center also provides food resources from the Ballard Food Bank and hygiene resources for students who may be experiencing house insecurity or other challenges.

We would like to gather hygiene resources for students at Ballard High School. These include:

  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrushes (individually packaged)
  • Toothpaste
  • Dental Floss
  • Shampoo/Conditioner (small or travel size)
  • Soap/Body wash (small or travel size)
  • Lotion (small or travel size)
  • Hair Brushes/Combs (individually packaged)
  • Tampons/ Pads
  • New drawstring backpacks
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