We were able to raise $281,232 (18% above this year’s goal) thanks to our community and, in large part, to 35 board members who ran this $400k non-profit as volunteers. 156 unique volunteers also completed 273 volunteer shifts to make 13 events and key opportunities happen.

Community Events & Fundraisers

• Back to Business (September 2025) — Back-to-school welcome event with class photos, photo booth, and family welcome activities.
• Fall Carnival (October 2025) — All-school evening carnival with games (glow bowling, gaga ball, hole-in-one, candy corn toss, fish pond), face painting, pumpkin decorating, popcorn, cotton candy, concessions, and a raffle.
• Book Fair (November 2025) — Multi-day in-library book fair open to all grade levels, with checkout staffing, a teacher wish list board, and an evening family shopping session.
• Ice Skating at Kraken Community Iceplex (November 2025) — All-school skating event at the Kraken Community Iceplex; PTA coordinated sign-in and volunteer staffing. Funded in part through membership income (budget line 3150).
• Spring Fling Adults-Only Fundraiser (March 2026) — Annual signature fundraiser at Stone Way Auto, including a live/silent auction, class art pieces, class buckets, dessert dash, hosted parties, golden ticket raffle, and catering. Raised approximately $106K against a $75K budget.
• Move-A-Thon (April 2026) — All-school fitness fundraiser with per-lap pledges, classroom escorts, popsicles, fruit, and swag bags. Raised ~$11K.
• Whittier Night at the Ballpark (May 2026) — Community group outing to T-Mobile Park for a Mariners game with discounted family tickets.
• Spring Fling Art Preview (February 2026) — Public preview of class-made auction art on the blacktop at school pickup.
• 5th Grade Promotion (June 2026)

📚 After-School Enrichment Programs

The PTA coordinated K–5 enrichment clubs via the 6crickets platform, running fall, winter, and spring sessions (~8 weeks each). Spring 2026 clubs included:

• Chess Wizards (K–5, Mondays) — Chess instruction for all skill levels including lessons, tournaments, and variation games.
• CraftLab: Crazy for Crafting (Grades 1–5, Mondays) — Weekly craft projects using diverse materials (glitter, paint, fabric, beads, foam, etc.).
• Machine Sewing – Little Hands Creations (Grades 2–5, Mondays) — Student-led machine sewing for all skill levels; projects include bags, clothing, stuffed animals, and more.
• Machine Sewing – Spring Styles (Grades 2–5, Tuesdays) — Fashion-focused machine sewing class.
• Gamer Group with Mr. Buck (Grades K–2 Tuesdays; Grades 3–5 Thursdays) — Board games, social skills, and fun.
• Kong Academy: Soccer Stars (Grades K–2, Tuesdays) — Soccer skills, teamwork, and confidence through drills and games.
• LEGO Robotics – Rovers with BEAM Experiences (Grades 3–5, Tuesdays) — Build functioning robots using motors and sensors; culminates in a battle-bot tournament.
• Video Game Design with Lando Learning (Grades 1–5, Thursdays) — Scratch-based coding to design mini-games; covers variables, conditionals, and events.
• 1ON1 Sports: Floor Hockey & Kickball (Grades 3–5, Thursdays) — Team sports on the blacktop.
• Bricks 4 Kidz (Grades K–2, Thursdays) — Motorized LEGO Technic builds with guided instruction and free build.
• Spring Musical: “The Most Epic Birthday Party Ever” (Grades 4–5, Mondays & Tuesdays) — Full youth musical production directed by Ms. Steph, with public performances May 14–15, 2026. This program ran across both winter and spring sessions.
• Scholarship support for after-school programs was available for families with financial need.

🔬 In-School Programs & Resources

• Whittier STEAM Lab — PTA-funded hands-on learning space accessible to all classrooms for building, experimenting, and creating; coordinated by school Enrichment Coordinator Mr. Habib. Supplies, equipment, and coordination funded by PTA.
• Whittier Staffing Grant — The PTA’s largest single expenditure: direct funding to Seattle Public Schools to support essential school staff positions, including a literacy specialist, daily specialist schedule, additional nurse hours, and an enrichment coordinator (STEAM Lab)
• Instructional Supports — Supplemental instructional materials and supports.
• Curriculum Enrichment — Enrichment materials aligned with classroom curriculum.
• Enrichment Residencies — In-school artist/performer residencies; Massive Monkees (professional hip-hop/breaking dance company) performed in March 2026 as a confirmed residency. Referenced multiple times in meeting agendas as a community highlight.
• Maker Space in Library — Library-based making and tinkering space.
• Enrichment Assemblies
• Safety Patrol end of year party

🌱 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Programs

Belonging Groups (new in 2025–26) — Three identity-based caregiver community groups launched by the EDI committee:

• Multicultural Families Group — For caregivers navigating raising kids in a culture new to them.
• Caregivers of Neurodivergent Kids — Support and resource-sharing for families of neurodiverse students.
• Caregivers of Gender Diverse Kids — Community for caregivers of trans, non-binary, genderfluid, or questioning youth.

EDI Parent Education — Organized parent education sessions on equity topics.

🍎 Family Support & Hospitality

• Staff Appreciation Events — Monthly lunches for Whittier staff organized by grade-level families.
  • October 2025: Mediterranean grain bowls – 5th grades
  • November 2025: Chili bar – 4th grades
  • January 2026: Staff lounge restock – 3rd and 2nd grades
  • March 2026: Pie lunch – K & 1st grade reps
  • May 2026 Appreciation Week
• Snack Pantry (budget line 9260, ~$1.99K expended) — Ongoing in-school snack pantry for students in need.
• Family Support & Scholarships — Direct financial assistance to families, including scholarships for programs and other support. Coordinated in part through payments to Rebecca Adamson.
• Staff Discretionary Fund — Discretionary funds available to teachers and staff for classroom and student needs
• Helping Hands Gift Card Drive (fall/winter) — Seasonal drive organized by Outreach Chair to support families in need.
• Flash Gift Card Drive (November) — Coordinated with a community member

🎨 Arts & Culture

• Reflections Art Contest — National PTA-affiliated student art competition; coordinated by VP.
• Global Reading Challenge — Reading competition/program.
• Wildcats READ! — Reading support and encouragement program.
• Spring Fling Class Art — Each classroom creates an original piece of art auctioned at Spring Fling; organized by class art parent volunteers.

🏫 Family & Community Engagement

• Monthly PTA Meetings — Open monthly meetings (hybrid in-person/Zoom) covering school updates from Principal Watters, treasurer reports, chair updates, and community discussion. Followed by optional social gathering at Phinney Station.
• The Wildchat — Regular community newsletter distributed via email and website with school news, event updates, lunch menus, and community announcements.
• Back to School / Kindercat Welcome Events — Summer/early fall orientation for incoming kindergarteners and new families, coordinated by Outreach Chair.
• Building Leadership Team (BLT) Parent Representation — Two PTA-appointed parent reps to the school’s governance committee, meeting monthly to discuss curriculum, budget, and school-wide strategy.
• Golden Acorn Award for outstanding volunteer
• Field Day — All-school physical activity celebration.
• Art Walk — Community art display event.
• Advocacy — The PTA engaged in active SPS budget and policy advocacy in 2025–26, including organizing a “Budget & Brews” community education event (March 2026), sharing WA State PTA Advocacy messages, and attending the WA State Legislative Assembly

Paws up!