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Month: September 2024

The Wildchat: 10/02/2024

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

Subscribe to Our Calendar!

Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar – no more manual entry of events! 

Extended Through October 14th!

Annual Give is cruising, but we have not quite hit our goal – We need your participation to keep our awesome programs and services at Whittier!

We are hoping that 100% of our families make a personally significant contribution that will directly impact your child’s education. Donations average from $50 to $2,500 from families.

The Annual Give Fundraiser supports education and enrichment for this 2024-2025 school year for our amazing Whittier scholars:

  • Specialist, Nurse, Library, and Reading Intervention Staffing
  • The Math Agency
  • Field Trips
  • The Massive Monkees Residency
  • Curriculum Supports and School Supplies
  • Community Events Such As Fall Festival
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Events Such As Drag Queen Story Time
  • And More!

It’s easy to participate! Simply donate online here, then return your donation form and yellow envelope to your child’s classroom. Or, include a check in your yellow envelope.

For more information on why we fundraise and what we support, please visit https://whittierptaseattle.org/annual-give-2024/

Space is Still Available in 1st and 2nd Grade Programs -

Now Expanded to Include Our Kindergarten Wildcats!

Register by 10/04 Here!

Does your kiddo love parkour, board games, and building moving contraptions with LEGOs? There are spaces available in these Whittier after-school programs, which have been expanded to include students in K-2.
 

Tuesdays 2:30 – 3:30

Gamer Group with Mr. Buck
Tuesdays 2:30 – 4:00

Brick City Engineers with Bricks 4 Kidz
Thursdays 2:30 – 3:30

Classes are held after school at Whittier, starting on October 7 and running through early December. Open to all kindergarten through 2nd-grade families, including students who participate in Whittier Kids.
 
We need a few more families to enroll to meet the minimum for these classes to run. Learn more and sign up here.
 
Scholarships are available! Please contact programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

Welcome to SOCKTOBER!

Parekh’s Pack is collecting SOCKS for SOCKTOBER!

Room 210 is collecting socks to be donated to The Bridge Care Center in Ballard. All Sizes! All Colors!

We collected 458 pairs last year… this year, we hope to collect at least 500 pairs of socks! Spread the word to family and friends and start collecting as many socks as you can! 

Send your collected socks in with your Wildcat or drop off in the Front Office.

Let’s help everyone in our community get a warm pair of socks (or two) this year! Thank you for helping us make this a successful Socktober!

 

Volunteer Opportunities!

Vaccine Clinic*
October 10th
11:30 am – 5:00 pm
90 minute shifts
Sign up here!

Fall Festival
October 25th
3:30 – 8:00 pm
One hour shifts
Sign up here!

Visit https://whittierptaseattle.org/volunteer/ for more ways to get involved!

*ALL volunteers for classroom or on-campus events during the school day MUST be cleared by Seattle Public Schools prior to volunteering. Your volunteer clearance is good for two years. Learn more here. If you need any help or have any questions, please contact Ms. Monica at maganyard@seattleschools.org 

Submit Your Photos to Whittier's Yearbook Committee!

We’re looking for high-resolution photos that capture our community learning and having fun together!

Submit photos for Whittier’s 2024-2025 yearbook to yearbook@whittierptaseattle.org.

The Whittier PTA is excited to announce that our annual 2024 Fall Carnival is right around the corner!

Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, October 25th from 5-7pm for the biggest Whittier Party of the year!

There will be games, activities, food trucks and plenty of fun for everyone in the family. Halloween Gaga Ball anyone??? Costumes are welcomed but completely optional, and all Wildcat alumni and friends are welcome as well. Our neighborhood is our community!

We can’t wait to celebrate this wonderful Whittier tradition with you all!

As always, this is a completely volunteer run event, so any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

Sign up to volunteer here!

We need a variety of helpers for set up, clean up, and all of the fun activities we have planned. Shifts are short so you can help and still enjoy the party!

 We also welcome older family members, Whittier Alumni, and any high school students looking to fulfill their volunteer requirements!

"Well-Resourced Schools" Updates & Advocacy

With Superintendent Brent Jones’ email rescheduling community meetings, there have been important updates around the Well-Resourced Schools proposals, including:

  • Possible cuts in a closure-less plan
  • “Three Bells” and how it could affect your family
  • Opportunities to advocate more specifically for yourself and your community
Read the latest update here.

And don’t forget to check out our new Advocacy page on the Whittier PTA website that rounds up these updates and advocacy opportunities.

Nurse Marissa is hosting a Free Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic at Whitter Elementary

Students and siblings are welcome!

Pre-Registration is required in order for students to receive vaccines without a parent or guardian present. Please register here.

Nurse Marissa is looking for volunteers! To sign up for a shift, please visit the Sign Up Genius.

Vaccines Available for Children Aged 0-18

October 10, 2024
Time: 12 pm – 5 pm

Whittier Elementary School
1320 NW 75th St., Seattle, WA 98117

Questions?
Contact Nurse Marissa
mrfitzpatric@seattleschools.org

Caregiver Happy Hours at Chuck's are Back!

Calling all Whittier Caregivers! Celebrate the start of the school year with other Whittier Elementary caregivers in your child’s grade over happy hour at Chuck’s.

Time: 6-8pm

Where: Chuck’s Hop Shop
656 NW 85th St, Seattle

When:
Thurs Oct 10: 4th-5th grade
Tues Oct 15: 2nd-3rd grade
Tues Oct 22: K-1st grade

This event is primarily for caregivers of Whittier Elementary scholars. However, if you need to bring your kiddo to make it, no problem. We can all celebrate the school year at Chuck’s over beer & ice cream!

For questions, contact Meg Pietz at events@whittierptaseattle.org

PTA Meeting Minutes: 6/11/24

PTA Meeting Minutes: 6/11/24

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 
  • 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-Wadsack – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
  • Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large 
  • John Shaw – Tech Support 
  • David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
  • Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg)
  • Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
  • Brie Gardner – Spring Fling 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Kristin Laughlin 
  • Kellie Pecoraro 
  • Anika Anand 
  • Allie Thomas
  • Leah Lansberry Austin 
  • Jared Cortese Elan Wang Simonson

Meeting Called to Order at 7:29 PM 

SIGNERS NAMES AND ROLES 

Check signers for this year (2023-2024): 

  • Renee Hartnett, Co-President 
  • Michelle Nemeth, Treasurer 
  • Courtney Siever, Co-President 
  • Jess Templeton, Vice President 

Check signers for next year (2024-25): 

  • Kate Scher, President 
  • Emily Robertson, Co-Secretary 
  • Renee Hartnett, Vice President 
  • Michelle Nemeth, Treasurer 

PRESIDENT UPDATES 

  • May minutes to be approved in August 
  • Highlighted the year’s successes 
  • Anjean volunteered to organize the book fair in 2024-25 
  • David Peabody will do Move-a-Thon next year 
  • Anika will do yearbook next year 

Meeting Adjourned 8:40 pm

PTA Meeting Minutes: 5/7/24

PTA Meeting Minutes: 5/7/24

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Renee Hartnett – Co-President 
  • Courtney Sievers – Co-President 
  • Jess Templeton – Vice President 
  • Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
  • Stacy Rose – Assistant 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 
  • Glenda Elley – Fundraising Co-Chair 
  • Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair (zoom) 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) 
  • Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary) 
  • Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large 
  • John Shaw – Tech Support 
  • David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
  • Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear 
  • Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg) Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 
  • Brie Gardner – Spring Fling (zoom) 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Melinda Nett 
  • Lana Sturmer
  • Kellie Pecoraro 
  • Katie 
  • Yifat 
  • Amaya 
  • Dre
  • Emily

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM (recorded) 

WELCOME

  • Core Values 
  • Approval of April PTA Meeting minutes 
  • Jess Templeton motioned to approve the minutes, Courtney seconded the motion
  • Approved, no objections or abstentions

APPRECIATIONS

  • Move-a-thon – huge thanks for a big draw, hype videos 29K (shout out to communications, Anjean, Ashley helping with volunteer sign ups, Ms. Monica and Rebecca for helping with logistics) 
  • Budget Committee (Renee, Ashley, Kate, Annika, Michelle) 
  • EDI Committee Staff Appreciation Week (Emily and Kathleen)

NOMINATING COMMITTEE 

2024-45 Slate of Executive Officers 

  • Kate Scher will be co-president (need co-president) – Kate does a lot of lifting with comm
  • Renee VP 
  • Secretaries – Melissa and Emily 
  • Treasurer – Michelle will be assistant 
  • Communications – Meg will continue 
  • EDI co-chair needed

Vote: Motion to approve the executive officers (I missed who this was), Courtney seconded the motion 

Results: Approved, no objections or abstentions 

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH) 

Financials 

  • 262K bank Balance end of april 
  • Main income annual 3700 
  • Main expenses about 1200 finishing gaga ball and party for annual give 

Committee – 5 people, 4 hours, line items on budget 

  • Prior to meeting, Michelle asked line item owners about this and next year
  • Majority of line items stayed about the same 
  • Some went up, some went down 

Highlights 

  • Income – biggest numbers were what do we expect for the fundraisers (annual give, spring fling and move-a-thon)? 
    • Spring fling 75K 
    • Move-a-thon 20K 
    • Annual Give a bit of a question mark, but we know we have to go up a bit more to support staffing grant and math agency – around 130K 
    • New line item for programs (a bit extra) 
  • Expenses – 
    • Next year we’re planning to pay for an accountant 4650 for accountant and quickbooks $1100 
    • Line item 4800 Taxes 
    • Line item 7750 Wild Cats Read increased for “Book Break” – has a different author come online every month. Plus some $500 to $1800 
    • Whittier support grant, similar to last year (includes 4th quarter from this year) 
    • Math Agency 
    • Fragile families, item 7150 
    • Massive Monkeys 
    • Author Visits 
    • There’s a number of items that are zeroed out 

Bottom Line – assuming we follow this budget, our net income puts us at around -22K. Last year we thought we’d be at -24K and we were positive 70K. End of year bank should be at around 230K, so we may have to dip into this a bit. 

Budget Proposal 

Vote: Ashley motioned to approve the proposed budget, Jess seconded the motion 

Results: Approved, no objections or abstentions 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES

 Spring Fling 

  • 195 tickets sold so far 
  • Friday, catalog will be available 
  • Art preview Friday 
  • Next week huge communications push – thank you, Meg and Sarah for reaching out
  • Volunteers needed, gaps for clean-up etc. 
  • Push for tickets 
  • People need a bid number 

EDI Committee 

■ Drag Queen Story Time

Hospitality 

  • Showering staff with love and attention – flowers, barking dog lunch, smoothie bar, custom tumblers, donuts, dress like your teacher 
  • Celebrating 5th graders 
  • Microwave broke, Michell helped coordinate replacing it 

Membership 

  • No membership updates, end of school year 
  • Memberplanet platform changing to Giftbags Jun 30, 2024 migrated over. More user friendly, similar to Konstella. Lots of capabilities for coordinating volunteers, spirit gear sales, etc. 
  • Look out for renewal notification in July or August 

Outreach (Emily Schweiger) 

  • New kindercat June 12, 5-6p – going to have a question table 
  • Popsicles 
  • Pizza party 

Jess – Golden Acorn 

  • If anyone has nominations email Jess 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES

  • Transitions 
  • Job Descriptions – will share out document 
  • Trainings

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Spring Fling day/night of help 
  • Kinder welcome event

Meeting Adjourned 8:04 pm

PTA Meeting Minutes: 4/16/24

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE 

Renee Hartnett – Co-President 

Courtney Sievers – Co-President 

Jess Templeton – Vice President 

Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 

Stacy Rose – Assistant Treasurer 

Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary (zoom) 

Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 

Meg Herscher – Communications chair (zoom) 

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 (zoom)

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) 

Molly Firth – Legislative Representative (secondary) 

Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 

Emily Grosse – Hospitality Co-Chair 

Nicole Kaczmarek – Director at Large 

John Shaw – Tech Support 

David Peabody – Move-a-thon 

Mendy Minjarez – Spirit Gear 

Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg) Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator 

Brie Gardner – Spring Fling (zoom) 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE 

● Sarah Hartsfield 

● Katie Stiver

● Kellie Pecoraro 

● Rachel Sidles 

● Melissa Caviezel (zoom) 

● Todd Simonson (zoom) 

● Rachel & Brian Wold, PTA members (zoom) 

● Elan Wang Simonson (zoom) 

● Jamie Dunckley, PTA member (zoom) 

● Megan Wildenradt, PTA member (zoom) 

● D Curran, PTA member (zoom 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:02 PM 

WELCOME 

● Core Values 

● Ice Breaker 

● Approval of March PTA Meeting minutes 

○ Jess motioned, Meg P. seconded 

■ Approved, no objections or abstentions 

APPRECIATIONS 

● Morning coffee – Emily Schweiger 

● Spring Fling Committee 

● Exec Committee 

● Programs – Laura & Jennifer 

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES 

● Spring Fling 

○ 101 tickets sold 

○ Cool items 

○ SignUp Genius coming out 

○ Looking for good donations, vacation home stays, etc. 

● Move-a-thon (David Peabody) 

○ 10 days away!! 

○ Need some cleanup volunteers, water, snack 

○ Need chalk stick 

○ $9,899 raised so far 

○ Transportation permit obtained 

● EDI Committee 

○ Events 

■ 1000% Me Growing Up Mixed film screening 

■ Drag Queen Storytime 

■ 4/18 Racing to Equity Workshop (at Loyal Heights Elementary)

● Hospitality 

○ Lots of events and staff appreciation underway 

○ Supplies, events, hosting graduation (solidifying going forward) 

● Other Events 

○ 209 Mariners tix sold so far 

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES 

● Math Agency recap/discussion if desired 

○ Had a special session April 1st, sent recording 

■ Question from Sarah L: What happens if we don’t meet our fundraising goals? ■ Kate Sher: did we share the treasurer bookkeeper role? Should be about 3K ● Budget committee still needs to come together to establish goals (in the coming weeks) 

○ The following question was put to vote (by paper ballot and online via google forms): Do you approve the Whittier PTA Executive Committee recommendation to fund the Math Agency in the amount of $60,000 for the 2024-2025 school year? 

■ Kathleen motioned, Jennifer seconded 

● Results: Approved (31 yes, 2 no, including votes from Google Forms poll 

sent out through Zoom) 

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH) 

● March 2024 Financial Report 

○ Money Spent 

■ $2500 EDI 

■ $1500 School Celebration 

■ $6200 Massive Monkeys 

○ $259K balance currently 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS 

● Thank you to Ashley and Glenda for the School Celebration – received very positive feedback

● Massive Monkeys – success, working on layout/viewing for next year (maybe in the round?)

● Bike Week starts next week 

● 2 minute talent show coming up in June, no parents: 

○ K/1 

○ 2/3 

○ 4/5 

○ Live or video 

● Wildcats Wonder (in place of a Career Day) – probably a day in June 

○ Ask the kids what problems they want to work on, sort in topics, then source from community/connections people that are working on those problems to come in and talk about it 

○ Needs some co-conspirators

○ Cindy needs another week or so to put thoughts together 

● First Enrollment numbers are in: 340 kids on rolls – missing 8 kinders of incoming families. Will probably land around 350. May 8 school board meeting, they’ll announce plans for closures and consolidations for 2025-26 school year. Cindy’s hope would be that there would be boundary shifting to increase enrollment to around 375. Won’t be getting teachers back no matter what the numbers will be. 

● 5th Grade overnight trip (next year) 

○ Probably going to Islandwood on Bainbridge, in December 

○ It’s closer and they have more purpose-built facilities 

○ 3 nights instead of 2 

○ Need to “accrue points” to get in with them, maybe get a better spot 

○ Accommodates neurodiversity, kids can come out for the day 

● Reimbursement for 5th grade families from this year’s trip 

● 5th Grade Adventure Day 

○ Private movie screening @ Majestic Bay (walk from Whittier) 

○ Popcorn, Soda 

○ Salmon Bay Park 

○ Pizza 

○ Year Book 

○ Specialists come for the last hour 

● Math Agency – thank you for support, we’ll have some great opportunities next year, and likely some extension (advanced learning). 

Meeting Adjourned 7:59 pm

Well-Resourced Schools Update: 9/26/24

Here’s a round-up of what’s been happening with the Well-Resourced Schools proposals since last week:

Plan "Cs" or Alternate Plans to Close the Gap

Two plans have been circulated around how to close the gap outside of savings from school closures. 

  • Note 1: Original Proposal B explicitly included references to staffing cuts, but they were largely unspecified
  • Note 2: When presenting Proposals A and B, SPS included information about how the remaining 70% of the budget deficit would be closed, which included some cuts

Plan C1

  • Published 8/28/24
  • Not included in SPS’ presentation at the September School Board meeting
  • Addresses how a 30% budget gap could be closed via cuts (left side) compared to school closures (right side)
  • This doesn’t address the remaining 70% of the deficit
  • This plan explicitly increases class sizes and reduces Librarian assignments
  • At Whittier, this would likely mean losing at least one homeroom teacher and a reduction in library access. Library access could potentially be recovered using PTA funds, but funding a homeroom teacher would be both cost-prohibitive and likely exceed the maximum dollar amount we can contribute to school staffing
  • Have opinions on this plan? Email Director Sarah Clark and use SPS’ Let’s Talk link to let them know you’re against bigger class sizes and Librarian staff reductions!

Plan C2

  • Presented by SPS during the September Board meeting
  •  This is aimed to address the remaining 70% of the budget deficit, but could be a framework for increasing these cuts to resolve the 30% intended to be closed via school closures
  • Transportation changes refers to a shift to “Three Bells” (learn more below)
  • “School Staffing reductions (est. $0-31.6 million)” likely refers to the cuts detailed in plan C1 but could be different
  • Here’s more info from Save Seattle Schools blog about this slide

What Are "Three Bells"?

“Bell Times” are what SPS refers to as the start/end times for each school in the district. SPS currently uses two bell times (school start times) for all schools in the district: 7:55am (for elementary schools) and 8:55am (for middle and high schools).

In 2022, SPS announced they would be shifting to three bell times starting in the 2023-2024 school year in an effort to save money on transportation. Here’s an article from 2022 that provides an overview of the proposal and the outcome of community pushback that prevented the change from happening. In the 2022 proposal, a shift to three bells would move schools to 7:25am, 8:25am, and 9:25am school starts. Some elementary schools would start at 7:25am (like Whittier) and other nearby schools would start at 9:25am. 

Families pushed back as they were concerned about young children walking to school in the dark, the ability for middle and high school students to participate in after school activities and sports, concern about bus stop schedules shifting far too early for appropriate sleep, and the challenge of providing transportation for families with children at multiple schools. 

Most seriously, the proposal would create a significant childcare challenge for elementary school families. In order for the system to work, nearby schools would have to be at different start times (7:25am and 9:25am). This means some families at 9:25am schools would need before care, but families at nearby schools wouldn’t. If there wasn’t a high enough population needing before care or school buildings weren’t set-up to offer before care in the building, childcare providers couldn’t offer it, leaving families without access to childcare when they need it. In addition, childcare providers would be unlikely to be able to provide both before and after care as workers would have to come for an early morning shift, then have a break, and then return at the end of the school day. In short, it seemed like before care would be too challenging for childcare providers to offer unless all elementary schools participated.

Similarly, schools shifted to an early start (and an earlier pick-up) would likely find a need for more after school care. But neighborhood childcare providers were already at capacity, which was often restricted due to building size. How would they absorb more families to provide this necessary childcare? And how could we ensure all this additional childcare would be affordable for families throughout the district?

Because of these issues, SPS tabled the shift in 2022 (although a few schools–including West Woodland–were informed in May 2022 that their school would still shift to an 8:55am bell time anyway). Then, at the September 18th School Board meeting, part of SPS’ presentation included the reference (see the pie charts above) to shifting to three bell times for the 2025-2026 school year. If school closures are pursued, there will be fewer buildings to host before and after school childcare and longer bus rides for students with transportation, meaning the challenges identified in 2022 would be even worse in 2025.

If you have an opinion about a bell time change, be sure to email Sarah Clark asking her to vote “no” on disruptive district proposals that have boundary line changes dividing established communities, bell time changes that can only provide worse outcomes for students and families, and that don’t preserve continuing assignments through middle school that families count on.

The Wildchat: 9/25/2024

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Welcome Back, Wildcats!

 
What’s happening this month:
 

Have You Joined Your Konstella Classroom Yet?

Konstella is your go-to source for school-wide and grade-level announcements, along with information specific to your classroom. Create an account if you’re new to Whittier or haven’t joined Konstella yet. If you’ve used Konstella in the past, you’ll need to update your classrooms by going to Settings > Your Children > (Child’s Name) > (Last year’s classroom or “Not Assigned to a Classroom” > Select your student’s classroom. 

Psst – While you’re in Konstella, you can subscribe to our Konstella calendar or check out and subscribe to our Google Calendar.

Blue and yellow Whittier after-school programs banner.

Space is Still Available in 1st and 2nd Grade Programs

Parkour Based Movement Games and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
by Kong Academy
Grades 1–2
Tuesdays

Brick City Engineering with LEGO Technic Bricks
by Bricks 4 Kidz Greater Seattle
Grades 1–2
Thursdays

Mr. Buck’s Gamer Group
Grades 1-2
Tuesdays

Classes will be held weekly after school from October 7 – December 9.

Families must set up an account on 6crickets prior to registration. Once you set up an account, you can learn more about each program and view schedules.

Scholarships are available! Please email programs@whittierptaseattle.org if you have any questions.

Click Here to Register Today!

Keep an eye out for Winter Programs later this year!

The Annual Give Fundraiser supports education and enrichment for this 2024-2025 school year for our amazing Whittier scholars:

  • Specialist, Nurse, Library, and Reading Intervention Staffing
  • The Math Agency
  • Field Trips
  • The Massive Monkees Residency
  • Curriculum Supports and School Supplies
  • Community Events Such As Fall Festival
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Events Such As Drag Queen Story Time
  • And More!

It’s easy to participate! Simply donate online here, then return your donation form and yellow envelope to your child’s classroom. Or, include a check in your yellow envelope.

For more information on why we fundraise and what we support, please visit https://whittierptaseattle.org/annual-give-2024/

Nurse Marissa is hosting a Free Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic at Whitter Elementary

Students and siblings are welcome!

Pre-Registration is required in order for students to receive vaccines without a parent or guardian present. Please register here.

Nurse Marissa is looking for volunteers! To sign up for a shift, please visit the Sign Up Genius.

Vaccines Available for Children Aged 0-18

October 10, 2024
Time: 12 pm – 5 pm

Whittier Elementary School
1320 NW 75th St., Seattle, WA 98117

Questions?
Contact Nurse Marissa
mrfitzpatric@seattleschools.org

Caregiver Happy Hours at Chuck's are Back!

Calling all Whittier Caregivers! Celebrate the start of the school year with other Whittier Elementary caregivers in your child’s grade over happy hour at Chuck’s.

Time: 6-8pm

Where: Chuck’s Hop Shop
656 NW 85th St, Seattle

When:
Thurs Oct 10: 4th-5th grade
Tues Oct 15: 2nd-3rd grade
Tues Oct 22: K-1st grade

This event is primarily for caregivers of Whittier Elementary scholars. However, if you need to bring your kiddo to make it, no problem. We can all celebrate the school year at Chuck’s over beer & ice cream!

For questions, contact Meg Pietz at events@whittierptaseattle.org

Join the Whittier PTA Today!

We encourage and invite everyone in the Whittier Elementary School community to join the Whittier Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

This includes parents, teachers, staff, caregivers, and grandparents – all those who have an interest in continuing to make Whittier a place where students can achieve their potential in a safe, loving, and inspiring environment.

Learn more about the Whittier PTA here.

Ready to join the team? Sign up here!

And, Join Us for the October 1st PTA Work Session

PTA Work Sessions are different than PTA meetings.

These open-house style sessions are opportunities for community members to share ideas, ask questions, complete volunteer work, and learn more about Whittier and the PTA in an informal setting.

October 1st
Whittier Elementary Library
7:00 – 9:00 pm

All are welcome to drop-in!

Learn more here.
Questions? Contact the PTA.

Whittier’s Front Office Staff is seeking clothing donations for our Wildcats to access throughout the school year.

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Soft pants
  • Short and long sleeved shirts
  • Whittier Spirit Gear!

Donations can be dropped off at the Front Office or with Principal Watters at drop-off.

Learn more here.

Well-Resourced Schools Updates: 9/18/24

Well-Resourced Schools Update: 9/18/24

There’s been some updates since last week’s Well-Resourced Schools announcement last week. Here’s a summary:

“While acknowledging that this plan only fixes a piece of the budget gap, he said “There is a deeper menu of cuts if we do not consolidate.” And alluded to more closures as this would be more of a first phase of the plan to close the gap. He agreed that is was a “fair question” when asked about WHY families should believe that SPS will start offering these special education and other services in the new schools, he said: “Isn’t it great to think all these services will be available in every neighborhood school?” And acknowledged that historically, this is not was has happened. Even going so far as to say “That would be a lot for even the most competent districts.” Then added: “I’m sensing skepticism in the room, I share that skepticism. The district needs to show their work.” Ultimately, he conceded that “The immediate impact (of these closures) is not a well resourced school.”

You can learn more about this funding request during Chris Reykdal’s news conference on Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. (streamed live on TVW).

Want to share your voice?

Learn about advocacy opportunities here.

Advocacy Opportunity: Send Letters to our Representatives

Advocacy Opportunity: Send Letters to our Reps

Writing to our local representatives today is a great way to share your voice. Our representatives can’t know whether our community agrees with SPS’ Well-Resourced Schools plans unless we contact them. For ease, we’ve drafted sample letters you can customize when contacting representatives.

Click on the links below to email Sarah Clark and Seattle Council PTSA Presidents with a pre-drafted email (all you have to do is sign!):

  1. Email Sarah Clark, D2 School Board Director, and demand she meet with our community, push back on disruptive boundary changes, and require SPS to resolve ambiguity around continuing assignments and middle school boundaries.
  2. Email Seattle Council PTSA Presidents, the district-wide Seattle PTA, and demand they meet with us, help push back on disruptive boundary changes, and help us demand SPS resolve ambiguity in its current plan around continuing assignments and middle school boundaries.

Click on the links below to contact our State reps. You can use the example messages below in these contact forms if you’d like.

“I am writing you today as a member of your legislative district, a member of the Seattle Public Schools community, and a member of the Whittier Elementary community.

Seattle Public Schools recently released two proposed options for their “Well-Resourced Schools” plans starting next year that close 17-21 elementary schools and significantly change the boundaries of almost every elementary school student. These boundaries have been drawn to favor straight lines over student outcomes and the scant cost savings (only 2% of the SPS annual budget) will be negated if a fraction of the affected families leave the district.

The percentage of WA State’s annual budget spent on education has been dropped from 51% pre-Covid to 43% while districts throughout WA face budget crises. SPS claims WA State WILL NOT provide any additional funding to SPS if they don’t pursue these closure plans. In short, the in-fighting between WA State legislators and SPS is making collateral damage of WA state children that were already incredibly impacted and disrupted by Covid. We ask you please work today to:

    • Make public education a priority and return 51% of state spending to education
    • Pressure SPS to stop its plans to disrupt most of its families to save a fraction of its deficit

We can’t keep asking Seattle families to invest in public education across the state while absorbing increasing class sizes, decreasing services and programs, and constant uncertainty and disruption. Please help fund our schools and stop SPS’ proposed “Well-Resourced Schools” plans.

Sincerely, [Your Name]”

Spread the Word

Please share this advocacy opportunity with your community. You don’t have to be a current caregiver or potentially impacted family to share your voice! Public education affects everyone.

A Letter from the PTA Following SPS’ Well-Resourced Schools Update

Latest "Well-Resourced School" Updates

Recent Updates and Advocacy Calls to Action

September 12, 2024

Hello Incredible Whittier Community, 

Amidst the reveal of SPS’ Well-Resourced Schools update yesterday, we as a PTA wanted to reach out as fellow families navigating and processing these options. This ambiguity can be stressful and deeply upsetting–we feel it, too, and are here for you as an organization and as fellow members of your community.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the site and the proposed options, we want to provide a brief summary:

  • SPS has offered two plans (Option A and Option B). Both options close some schools in the district (21 in Option A and 17 in Option B) and redraw boundary lines for nearly all elementary schools, including Whittier. The selected option would go into effect next school year. Option A also closes option schools or changes them into neighborhood schools; Option B maintains one option school per region.
  • You can check your family’s boundary for Option A and Option B using SPS’ interactive map tool. Please note these tools have been overloaded by demand and are sometimes not available. If you’re having trouble loading the tools, try a different browser.
  • “Continuing Assignment” is SPS’ term for continuing at a school you’re already enrolled in/established at, even if it’s outside of your boundary. SPS School Board past policy was to always grant continuing assignments, even if a student moved or no longer lived in the boundary. This new plan does not confirm whether continuing assignments will be available for all rezoned students or what the process would be to request continued assignment.
  • This plan does not clarify if or how middle school or high school zoning may be impacted by these changes. Most elementary school cohorts are not currently divided between middle schools or high schools, so it’s unknown whether families will remain at their currently assigned middle school (which would divide elementary school cohorts) or will follow the middle school boundary for their rezoned elementary school.
  • Both options close a small portion (25-30%) of the estimated budget deficit and will require significant additional funding (likely from the state legislature) to close the remaining 70-75% budget deficit. These plans do not specifically address how the remaining shortfall will be solved.
  • The superintendent will present his recommendation to the School Board in “mid to late October” (so unlikely to be at the October 9th regular school board meeting). The School Board is slated to vote on Option A or Option B at the December 18th regular school board meeting. Between now and then, SPS has said they will hold an online information session on 9/24 and in-person meetings between 9/25-10/8, along with public hearings for each planned closed school in November. No specific details for these meetings and hearings have been publicly announced yet.

The definitive source for all confirmed information regarding these plans is on SPS’ Well-Resourced Schools site. The FAQ section might be particularly helpful (and a little easy to miss). It’s important to also understand that SPS is not allowing principals to communicate with families about this issue outside of formal, district-provided workstreams. 

As part of your community, we wanted to make something very clear: we’re all a part of a neighborhood community—not just a Whittier community—and nothing SPS does will change that.

If you’d like to share your voice about these plans, there are individual and coordinated advocacy opportunities available.

Individual Action

Coordinated Action

We have a great year planned supporting our Wildcat scholars and providing them with the greatest educational experience we can. To that end, we also want to quickly clarify that fundraising dollars (including Annual Give campaign donations) raised this year pay for this year’s programs and services (not next year’s), like March’s Massive Monkees residency and The Math Agency’s intervention and extension programs.

While we’re all learning this information at the same time, PTA Co-President Kate Scher is planning to be on the playground after pick-up today if you’d like to connect, ask questions, or just have someone to process this information with.

Thank you!

Your Whittier PTA

Asking Questions & Sharing Your Voice on the Well-Resourced Schools Plans

Asking Questions & Sharing Your Voice on the Well-Resourced Schools Plans

There are opportunities to ask questions and share your voice about the Well-Resourced Schools Plans. Learn more below:

Individual Action

Contact our local representatives and ask questions, share your concerns, and demand they advocate for your family. 

Click here for direct links with pre-populated or quick talking points. 

If you’d rather draft your own message, use this contact information to reach leaders, legislators, and decision makers in our region:

EXAMPLE LANGUAGE

Introducing Yourself

“As a member of the Whittier Elementary community and D2 family, I want to share…”

Continuing Assignments
  • “School board policy provides continuing assignments for all established students. In the Well-Resourced schools FAQs, it appears SPS is suggesting this policy won’t necessarily be followed. Will SPS update the proposals shortly to confirm the structure for continuing assignments for established elementary students? For example, will an individual student’s continuing assignment be made on a case-by-case basis or will there be an applied standard? Will siblings be kept at the same school if only one sibling is allowed a continuing assignment? Will continuing assignment decisions be made using the open enrollment process or an alternate process? Who is part of the decision-making team for changing the established board policy regarding continuing assignments? Will this policy change be voted on during a school board meeting?”
  • “Our students have endured incredible uncertainty during and after Covid. It is vital we don’t ask children and families to wait to know whether they’ll be able to continue with their friends and community at their established school.”
  • “If families are asked to use the open enrollment process to request continuing assignments, families won’t know their enrollment decision until April or May. Please advocate for an alternative process that will facilitate confirmation for continuing assignments as soon as possible.”
  • “SPS stated that continuing assignments are impacted depending on the selected plan. Can’t continuing assignment policies be drafted for Option A and Option B? Isn’t there existing significant enrollment data to support completing this essential part of the Option plans and provide comfort and certainty to area families?”
Middle & High School Boundary Changes
  •  “Will SPS be providing clarity on how elementary school boundary changes could impact middle and high school boundaries?”
  • “Traditionally, elementary schools fed into one middle school and one high school. Will middle and high school boundaries remain unchanged (meaning elementary schools will be split across multiple upper education schools)? Or will families follow the traditional pathway of their newly zoned elementary school?”
  • “Our 5th grade families cannot wait until next year to start preparing their children for their transition to middle school. We need clarity now for both Option A and Option B scenarios.”
  • “Will current middle school students be asked to change schools if their elementary school school boundary has changed? For example, if a current Whitman 7th grader’s boundary changes from Whittier to West Woodland, will they have to move to Hamilton next year?”
  • “If next year’s incoming 5th graders receive a continuing assignment, will they have to attend the middle school that aligns with their revised elementary school boundary? Or will they be guaranteed the opportunity to stay with their community through middle school (the original argument for aligning middle school assignments with elementary schools vs. geozones)?”
After Care, Before Care, and School Break Care Programs
  • “With many schools closing, it eliminates the aftercare provided out of those buildings and decreases the already limited aftercare that is available in our city. What is SPS’ plan to confirm childcare options will be available either plan?”
  • “Many families do not have the option or flexibility to pick their children up from school. This issue will disproportionally impact more vulnerable families who rely on those services. How is SPS going to ensure their equity analysis addresses the needs of vulnerable, working families?”
  • “Many families concerned about these changes have already contacted aftercare providers in their proposed new schools; these providers have confirmed they will not be able to support the immense need they anticipate next year.”
  • “SPS informed families last year that they plan to also move the district to three bells next year, with elementary schools shifting to 7:25am or 9:25am start times. Partnering this change with either plan will create an even greater deficit of childcare options. Newly 9:25am start schools will require before care; 7:25am start schools will likely need more after care spots than are needed today as many working families can’t leave work 30 minutes earlier.”
Option-specific Advocacy
  • “My family and community feel you need to vote for Option [X] in December, regardless of Superintendent Jones’ recommendation. This option is essential for my family because…”
  • “My family and community feel you need to reject Option [X] in December, regardless of Superintendent Jones’ recommendation. This option harms my family because…”
Requests for Info Sessions or Meetings at Whittier
  • For all: “I am hoping you’d be interested to meet the families you represent in our neighborhood and get to know our priorities and concerns. Our PTA meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month and can be attended in-person or virtually. Alternatively, you can contact our PTA to schedule a special session or meeting around your availability to facilitate a connection with you.”
  • For Sarah Clark: “You are our only voice on the Seattle School Board and we hope your commitment to our school community is as strong as ours is.”
  • For Seattle Council PTSA: “Our school community is a part of your membership; getting to know us will mean you can represent us this school year.”
  • For SPS: “Please consider a specific information session at Whittier Elementary to allow families to ask questions and get the clarity they so need.”

Coordinated Action

There are several area groups putting together a variety of opportunities for advocacy:

Attend Meetings to Learn More and Share Your Voice

Do you have an advocacy idea?

Please let us know by emailing advocacy@whittierptaseattle.org.