Author: Communications

The Wildchat: 1/22/2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

1/23 – Staff Appreciation (Hosted by 3rd Grade)
1/24: Registration for After School Programs Closes
1/27: Winter After School Programs Begin
2/03 – 2/07: Black Lives Matter at School Week
2/04 – PTA Hosted Work Session
2/11 – New & Prospective Family Information Session
2/11 – PTA Meeting
2/17 – 2/21: NO SCHOOL (Mid-Winter Break)
2/27 – Staff Appreciation (Hosted by the 2nd Grade)

No More Manual Entry of Events!

Subscribe to Our Calendar
Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar

Final Days to Register for Winter After-School Programs!

Whittier PTA is excited to continue offering after-school enrichment this winter! We’ve got arts and crafts, LEGOS, parkour, dance, and more! View the full schedule and class info here.

Save These Dates!

Registration closes on January 24 or until classes fill
Classes are held weekly after school from January 27 – March 27

Set up your 6crickets account. We are using the 6crickets platform to make registration easier for families. Families MUST set up an account prior to registering. Set up only takes five minutes.

Scholarships are available! Please reach out to programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

Volunteers needed! After-school programs at Whittier can’t happen without your help.

Volunteers commit to one hour a week for eight weeks. Volunteers help unlock classrooms, take attendance, and hang out in the school building during club time. It’s one of the easiest jobs, and you get to know so many amazing Wildcats!

Tuition discounts are available for volunteers. Please contact programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

Get Your Tickets Today!

Seeking Volunteers for 4th - 5th Grade Lunch Clubs

Get Active with Community Sports!

Join the Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team!

The Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team is seeking active, team-oriented 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to join the “WUF Gang” for the Spring 2025 season. No experience is necessary to play. The all-gender, non-contact sport prioritizes mutual respect, fair play, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.

3rd and 4th grade Wildcats are especially encouraged to participate so we will be able to field at least one gender-balanced team for this age group.

The team will practice on Wednesday afternoons at Loyal Heights Playfield beginning February 26.

Coaches will organize a “walking bus” from the Whittier courtyard (with an option for pick up and drop off at Whittier Kids). The season runs from March 8 through May 10, with an optional three-game tournament on May 17.

Learn more and register here.

Youth Lacrosse (Pssst…. Mr. Buck is One of the Coaches!)

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

The 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory is now available for download! Many thanks to all the families and Wildcat artists who participated. We recommend bookmarking this link to access the most current version, as the PTA makes updates throughout the year.

To protect families’ privacy, we will only share the directory through internal channels (i.e. Konstella).

The PTA compiles the student directory each school year in coordination with families who wish to opt in. Families can use the directory to plan playdates, birthdays, and other fun! Opting in is voluntary. We only share the information you provide.

If you need to add or update your student’s contact info, it’s not too late! Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

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 Wildchat: 1/15/2025

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

1/13: Registration for After School Programs Opened
1/20: NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
1/21: PTA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Meeting
1/23 – Staff Appreciation (Hosted by 3rd Grade)
1/24: Registration for After School Programs Closes
1/27: Winter After School Programs Begin

No More Manual Entry of Events!

Subscribe to Our Calendar
Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee Meeting - January 21st!

Interested in learning about what the EDI Committee does?

Have some ideas, concerns, questions to share?

Want to eat snacks and talk about how to make Whittier an even more inclusive and welcoming community?

Come check out our January meeting!

When: January 21st
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Ballard

(Please email edi@whittierptaseattle.org for meeting location.)

Here is some of what the EDI Committee works on throughout the year:

Researches and arranges student, parent, and/or staff education opportunities around diversity/race/inclusion
Maintains relationships and mutual support with EDI PTA chairs across the district
Shares relevant community events with the Whittier community
Works with school leadership to support activities in conjunction with Black Lives Matter at school week, Pride, etc.
Annually reviews and provides recommended updates to relevant PTA EDI guidance such as the EDI Communication Rubric, Land Acknowledgement guidance and the Anti-Harassment policy (in standing rules)

Registration for Winter After-School Programs is Open!

Whittier PTA is excited to continue offering after-school enrichment this winter! We’ve got arts and crafts, LEGOS, parkour, dance, and more! View the full schedule and class info here.

Save These Dates!

Registration closes on January 24 or until classes fill
Classes are held weekly after school from January 27 – March 27

Set up your 6crickets account. We are using the 6crickets platform to make registration easier for families. Families MUST set up an account prior to registering. Set up only takes five minutes.

Scholarships are available! Please reach out to programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

Volunteers needed! After-school programs at Whittier can’t happen without your help.

Tuition discounts are available for volunteers. Please contact programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Seeking Volunteers for 4th - 5th Grade Lunch Clubs

Community Camps and Activities

Join the Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team!

3rd and 4th grade Wildcats are especially encouraged to participate so we will be able to field at least one gender-balanced team for this age group.

The team will practice on Wednesday afternoons at Loyal Heights Playfield beginning February 26.

Learn more and register here.

Youth Lacrosse (Pssst…. Mr. Buck is One of the Coaches!)

Field-Trip Based Spanish Language Exposure Summer Camp

Our K- 5 Summer Camp is field trip-based, meaning each day will be an adventure! Campers will explore exciting new destinations around Seattle, including a variety of parks, museums, playgrounds, pools, indoor play zones, interactive activity spaces, and more.

Each day brings a new adventure, offering opportunities for fun, exploration, and Spanish exposure in a wide range of engaging environments!

Learn more!

Fantasy Parkour Adventure Camps

Use Code “CBsummer25” for an additional $25 off. Register Today!

Seattle Young Engineers Lego-Themed Camps

Summer Camp 2025 Registration opens January 20th, 2025 at 9:00 AM PST

This years camp will be run at Daniel Bagley Elementary School

We will have 3 Programs to choose from. In addition to our flagship Lego Engineering program, on popular demand we are introducing Lego Robotics program for Students of Grades 4-7.

Find out more here!

Gymnastics Camp on 2/1

The Ballard High School Gymnastics team will host an afternoon gymnastics camp for elementary school-age kids on Saturday, February 1st from Noon – 3 p.m. The proceeds from the camp will help support the Gymnastics program at BHS. Find more details and purchase tickets here.

Summer Camp Planning Resource

Looking for summer camps or other extracurricular activities? OneStopCamp.com is a free tool created by fellow Seattle-area parents to help you find relevant camps in your area. Check it out today: www.onestopcamp.com.

Age-appropriate strength and conditioning classes in Phinney Ridge

The 12-week Winter series runs Jan. 15 – April 9 (no class Feb. 19), every Wednesday (Seattle Public Schools’ early-dismissal day) at CFPR Functional Fitness, 7601 Greenwood Ave. N., Suite 100:

Kids class (ages 7-11): 2:30-3:05 p.m.
Teens class (ages 12-15): 3:15-4 p.m.

Pricing for the Kids series is $165+tax for 12 weeks, $100+tax for 6 weeks, or $20+tax for single classes. The Teens series is $210+tax for 12 weeks, $120+tax for 6 weeks, or single classes for $25+tax.

CFPR’s Youth classes teach kids functional fitness 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.

We’ll work on bodyweight movements like squats, planks, burpees, pull-ups, and handstands, plus cardio with rowers, scooters and more. Older children will begin weighted movements like deadlifts and overhead presses (starting extremely light and moving up in weight as they establish good form). Every movement will be scaled to each person’s ability, and we’ll play games that will be fun but also fitness-oriented!

Email info@crossfitphinneyridge.com to learn more or sign up!

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

To protect families’ privacy, we will only share the directory through internal channels (i.e. Konstella).

If you need to add or update your student’s contact info, it’s not too late! Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

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.

Advocacy Update: 1/13/25

We’re running this January in advance of WA State’s legislative sessions! For more news, please check out last month’s advocacy update. For today, here’s a list of advocacy activity we’re currently focusing on:

We’re contacting our State reps to demand they fully fund education. Using engagement templates from the Billion Dollar Bake Sale, a grassroots, parent-led advocacy campaign, we’re sending postcards and emailing State reps in advance of funding-specific advocacy action in Olympia on January 30th.
- Look for a Billion Dollar Bake Sale postcard and letter in your students’ folder on January 21st
- Download and print your own postcards to send to all three State Reps
- Send an email to State Reps today!
- Learn more about participating in the Billion Dollar Bake Sale’s day of Advocacy on January 30th
Make your Special Election voting plan for both the BEX and EP&O Levies on February 11th. Passing both levies is vital to ensure Seattle schools maintain its current (insufficient) funding.
SPS’ proposed spending for its BEX levy includes building new, large-scale elementary buildings in neighborhoods that are already dense with school buildings. Its BEX plan also spends way more on far fewer construction projects than past plans and continues its practice of tying Technology operations funding to this capital levy (effectively forcing residents to pass it or risk SPS’ operations budget altogether). SPS is not required to follow its proposed plan for Levy spending if levies pass; families can share their vote to try to influence change. Contact all School Board directors and contact Seattle Public Schools.
SPS is developing their new 5-year strategic plan. Learn more about the Goals and Guardrails in this plan here. Share your voice about this proposed strategic plan by contacting all School Board directors and Seattle Public Schools before the School Board votes to approve the plan at their meeting on January 22nd.
School Board Meetings are an amazing opportunity to share your voice and learn more about the district’s work and priorities. Learn more about upcoming meetings, how to watch or attend, and how to sign-up for public testimony.
On the horizon, we anticipate the following issues that will require advocacy efforts to surface:
- THREE BELLS: The District has mentioned (but not shared specifics) moving from “two bells” (or school start/end times) to “three bells.” The last “3 Bell” proposal in 2022 moved neighboring elementary schools to either 7:25am or 9:25am start times. It was disbanded following public outcry as it created unsolvable childcare challenges and unsafe conditions for families.
- REDUCE ALL LIBRARIANS TO .5 FTE: The District has mentioned reducing all librarians to .5 FTE. While this wouldn’t reduce Whittier’s library time, it does impact middle and high school librarians (currently 1.0 FTE) and functionally eliminate student library access for half the school year, including using the library space for clubs and other student activities.
- NEW SCHOOL BOARD LEADERSHIP: The School Board voted Gina Topp at their new President, Evan Briggs as Vice President, Joe Mizrahi as Member-at-Large, and (D2 Director) Sarah Clark as Chair of a Financial Oversight and Short-Term Strategic Planning Committee. School Board Elections are slated for Nov 4, 2025. Our community will want to express support for this year’s school board directors that act and vote in alignment with our voices to help build a coalition of directors that can vote in agreement with our values.
- CLOSURES WILL COME BACK: Director Rankin, Director Briggs, and others have remarked that they believe school closures are the only way out of SPS’ operational deficit. Without a majority coalition at the school board level, we should anticipate the possibility of being impacted by future school closure proposals and the need to organize and advocate for proposals that have the best outcomes for our students.

PTA Meeting Agenda (1/14/2025)

Whittier PTA Monthly Meeting

January 14, 2025
Whittier Library & Zoom (passcode: wildcats)
7:00pm

Agenda

7-7:05pm – Welcome & Call To Order

Call to Order
Table & Zoom Chat Informal Introductions

7:15-7:25pm – President Update

Goals and Meetings Review
Dashboard Review
Budget Priorities survey results
Levy Overview
Advocacy Work Session update

7:25-7:40pm – Principal Watters’ Report

7:40-8pm – Chair & Lead Updates

VP:
- Nominating Committee
- Reflections
Hospitality
Treasurer Report
Events:
- Wildcats Ice Skate Report (Bonnie)
- Whittier Mariners game (Fri April 25th)
  - Tickets secure; should be announced/available this week!
- Co-Chairs needed for Family Dance & Game Night (Thurs, March 20th)
- Book Fair and Winter Performance Report (Anjean)
  - Book fair was a success!
  - Total raised at Book Fair: $6,865 (up from last year’s $6,019)
  - Waiting for Phinney Books total sales
  - Seeking feedback for next year’s planning
Volunteers (all open positions):
- Winter After School Programs Assistant (1/27 – 3/28)
- Lunch Club Advisors
- Family Dance & Game Night Co-Chairs
- Volunteer requests for January-March activities
Advocacy
- Reports: “What to Expect in the 2025 Legislative Session” and “2025 Legislative Session Preview: Legislator Panel”
- Other Updates
Secretary: November meeting minutes
Communications
Programs
- Winter Program update
- Coordinator help update
Outreach: Helping Hands Report
EDI: Winter/Spring programs plan

8-8:15pm – Belonging Practice

8:15-8:20pm – Voting

November Meeting Minutes

8:15-8:20pm – Kudos & Thank Yous

8:20-8:30pm – Open Floor for Community

8:30pm – Adjourn

Post-Meeting Gathering at Phinney Station

Resources

Advocacy Update: 12/13/24

Lots happened on the advocacy front in November and early December. Here's a wrap-up:

D2 Director Sarah Clark visited the Whittier in November to learn more about the Whittier community and let us get to know her a bit more
- We shared this presentation as introduction
- Sarah Clark expanded on her opinion on school closures, sharing:
  - Supportive of continued PTA funding
  - Supportive of daily PCP schedule
  - Believes the standard of education (minimum floor) that our community defined is the bare minimum–we should be aiming higher
  - Advocacy efforts at the State level are vital
  - D2 community sharing our voices with the rest of the directors to help build a like-minded coalition is key
  - Aligning advocacy efforts with other PTAs, within D2 and across other districts, will also help build a coalition across the school board
Superintendent Jones has pulled closures and consolidation plans off the table for the 2025-2026 school year
While school closures are off table for 2025-2026, President of the Seattle School Board, Dir Rankin, is signaling that closures are still on the table for the future
An attempt to recall Director Rankin has failed
A Seattle parent has published an Op-Ed admonishing some of the existing school board
SPS has said they’ll need to make deep budget cuts, but haven’t provided a revised proposal that addresses a closure-less budget. From what they have shared, they’ll push a change to three bells and reduce library access for middle and high school students so they’re only served 2.5 days per week (instead of 5 days)
Fund SPS has collected some info breaking down how bills pass in WA State in advance of the January legislative session
- How a bill becomes law
- Basic Legislative process overview
An article covering what Trump’s education policy could mean for WA State
Two Seattle-area parents have shared interesting presentations about the current state of SPS
- Seattle parent Albert Wong shares a deep dive in district financials in an effort to motivate district families to call for more financial oversight as a next first step in the budget deficit process
- Seattle parent Alex Wakeman Rouse on the podcast Rainy Day Recess to talk about the Billion Dollar Bake Sale and state-level advocacy around fully funding education
Washington State’s expected deficit as risen, making it more important than ever that we message education must be a financial priority
Seattle-area parents have formed a PAC to support candidates for next year’s School Board election campaigns
“One Seattle” Rezone plan could have significant impact to Whittier and its surrounding neighborhood
- Streets surrounding Whittier (and other local schools) are to receive an up zone allowing 5-story buildings (without designated parking) including 14th Ave NW (video of community neighborhood group discussing the plan)
- Neighborhood groups are raising flags that “School Streets” and “Safe Streets” do not have unique considerations in these plans
- Lack of designated parking and lack of public transportation services have generated concern about increased car traffic and unsustainable street parking
- Plans require a small minimum square footage per unit, raising concerns that families will be developed out of the neighborhood, impacting future enrollment
- Local community councils are generating a targeted list of suggested revisions, including asking to establish a perimeter around schools where rezones cannot increase traffic patterns or reduce family-appropriate density
- Share your voice:
  - View the plan and make comments within the plan map here (the public comment on the plan closes 12/20)
  - City Council will be reviewing plans Jan-Mar before the planned April vote; stay tuned for opportunities to join in advocacy efforts

What Should I Do Now?

We’re hosting an advocacy-centered work session on Tuesday, January 7th from 7-9pm. We’ll do hands-on advocacy work sending postcards to state reps demanding they fully fund eduction, learn about planned state advocacy days in late January and February, and brainstorm how we can engage locally with directors, SPS, and other PTAs to maximize our voice.

The Wildchat: 12/11/2024

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

12/13: Last Day to Return “Helping Hands” Gift Cards
12/23 – 1/06: NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
1/06: PTA Strategic Planning Survey Due
1/07: PTA Work Session
1/13: Registration for After School Programs Begins
1/14: PTA Meeting
1/17: PTA Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Meeting
1/20: NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
1/23 – Staff Appreciation (Hosted by 3rd Grade)
1/27: Winter After School Programs Begin

No More Manual Entry of Events!

Subscribe to Our Calendar
Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar

Last Day to Contribute is Friday, December 13th - Thank You for Your Support!

A Very Warren Dunes Christmas @ FREMONT ABBEY

Looking for sources of light this December?

Consider Ms. Julia’s band Warren Dunes and their second annual holiday show at the Fremont Abbey!

Friday, December 13th

7:00 – 10:00 pm

ALL AGES! Sliding scale tickets! FREE for kids 10 and under!

Featuring a bunch of local artists, this ALL AGES event is a fundraiser for the Many Hands Project Seattle, which raises money for childcare for Seattle area parent performers!

For tickets and more details click here!

Get Ready for Winter After-School Programs!

Whittier PTA is excited to continue offering after-school enrichment this winter! We’ve got arts and crafts, LEGOS, parkour, dance, and more! View the full schedule and class info here.

Save These Dates!

Registration opens on January 13 at 3:30 p.m.
Classes are held weekly after school from January 27 – March 27

Set up your 6crickets account. We are using the 6crickets platform to make registration easier for families. Families MUST set up an account prior to registering. Set up only takes five minutes.

Scholarships are available! Please reach out to programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

Volunteers needed! After-school programs at Whittier can’t happen without your help.

Tuition discounts are available for volunteers. Please contact programs@whittierptaseattle.org for more info.

PTA Strategic Planning Survey

Whittier PTA begins budget and program planning for next the 2025-2026 school year in February.

Caregivers and PTA members drive where the PTA’s investments of money and volunteer time are spent. In addition, we would like to continue to gather information about when and how we meet for our PTA meetings, how we fundraise and your preferred mechanism for communication.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to fill out this survey and for sharing your feedback! This survey will close on January 6, 2025.

Access the survey here.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee Meeting - January 17th!

Interested in learning about what the EDI Committee does?

Have some ideas, concerns, questions to share?

Want to eat snacks and talk about how to make Whittier an even more inclusive and welcoming community?

Come check out our January meeting!

When: January 17th
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Ballard

(Please email edi@whittierptaseattle.org for meeting location.)

Here is some of what the EDI Committee works on throughout the year:

Researches and arranges student, parent, and/or staff education opportunities around diversity/race/inclusion
Maintains relationships and mutual support with EDI PTA chairs across the district
Shares relevant community events with the Whittier community
Works with school leadership to support activities in conjunction with Black Lives Matter at school week, Pride, etc.
Annually reviews and provides recommended updates to relevant PTA EDI guidance such as the EDI Communication Rubric, Land Acknowledgement guidance and the Anti-Harassment policy (in standing rules)

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

To protect families’ privacy, we will only share the directory through internal channels (i.e. Konstella).

If you need to add or update your student’s contact info, it’s not too late! Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

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 Wildchat: 12/04/2024

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

12/05: Book Fair and Winter Concert
12/09 – 12/12: 5th Grade Field Trip
12/13: Last Day to Return “Helping Hands” Gift Cards
12/23 – 1/06: NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)
1/07: PTA Work Session
1/13: Registration for After School Programs Begins!
1/14: PTA Meeting
1/20: NO SCHOOL (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
1/27: Winter After School Programs Begin

No More Manual Entry of Events!

Subscribe to Our Calendar
Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar

Tomorrow Night! The Book Fair and Winter Concert is December 5th!

It is time again for Whittier’s annual Book Fair! This year it is combined with a Winter Concert from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Wildcats to make for a wonderful Whittier community event with books, music, and a show of support for our library and Wildcat choristers.

The Book Fair is in partnership again with the fabulous Phinney Books! There are three ways to shop:

In-person at the event in our own Whittier library, December 5th from 2:30 – 7:30 pm
Online at Whittier Elementary (Phinney Books) Bookshop
In-person at Phinney Books (7405 Greenwood Ave N) – tell them that you are shopping for the Whittier Book Fair.

The online and Phinney Books book fair is live! You can shop in store or at Phinney Books from now until December 8th and a portion of proceeds will go directly to our Whittier Library. Use this link for shopping and additional details:

Twenty-five percent of all proceeds from the online and in-person Book Fair go towards purchasing books for our library. This fair brings more new and engaging books to our Wildcats!

The Winter Concert will feature 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade performances while all families are invited to attend to support their fellow Wildcats, get cozy in their pajamas, and enjoy hot chocolate after the concert.

Date: December 5th
Time: Singers arrive to the Cafeteria at 5:50 pm,
Concert Starts at 6pm
Where: Whittier Cafeteria

Who: Grades 3-5 will perform. All wildcats are invited to attend!

Attire for All: Pajamas! And, bring a small stuffy if you’d like!

Stick around after the concert for hot cocoa and Book Fair shopping in the library!

Here is a link to the songs 3-5 are singing:
https://tinyurl.com/muhn6xuy

We need a few helpers to volunteer to set up the book fair, chaperone performing students, prepare and hand out hot chocolate, and clean up at the end of the night. Please sign up here.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Newcomb or Ms. Steph.

Thank you so much for supporting the Whittier Library and our student performers!

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

To protect families’ privacy, we will only share the directory through internal channels (i.e. Konstella).

If you need to add or update your student’s contact info, it’s not too late! Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

A Very Warren Dunes Christmas @ FREMONT ABBEY

Looking for sources of light this December?

Consider Ms. Julia’s band Warren Dunes and their second annual holiday show at the Fremont Abbey!

Friday, December 13th

7:00 – 10:00 pm

For tickets and more details click here!

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 Wildchat: 11/20/2024

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

11/20: Helping Hands Drive Begins!
11/20: November Staff Appreciation (4th Grade)
11/22: All School Party (During the School Day)
11/25 – 11/29: NO SCHOOL
11/26: Wildcats Ice Skate at Kraken Community Iceplex
12/05: Book Fair and Winter Concert
12/09 – 12/12: 5th Grade Field Trip
12/13: Last Day to Return “Helping Hands” Gift Cards
12/23 – 1/06: NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

No More Manual Entry of Events!

Subscribe to Our Calendar
Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar

LAST CALL! Reflections Art Contest Entries Due November 22nd

Whittier is excited to be taking part in the Reflections Art program this year! Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students pre-K through grade 12:

Explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas
Develop artistic literacy (by describing how their art relates to a theme)
Increase confidence
Find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school but in life

Students create original works of art in response to a theme. Finalists from local PTAs will move on to their council PTA, then finalists from councils will advance to the state round. Washington State PTA finalists who receive an “Outstanding Interpretation award will advance to the National PTA round.

Students may enter in one or more of the available arts categories (literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film/video, choreography/dance).

The theme for 2024-2025 is “Accepting Imperfection.”
To learn more, watch this short video.

All entries will be due by Friday, November 22nd (end of day) to vp@whittierptaseattle.org. For physical entries, please contact this email address to coordinate a drop off.

Access the entry form here.

Questions? Contact Renee Hartnett at vp@whittierptaseattle.org.

Wildcats Ice Skate at the Kraken Community Iceplex

Join us for fun on the ice with our family ice skating event at the Kraken Community Iceplex during Thanksgiving break!

Date: November 26th, 2024
2:00 to 3:00 pm

To reserve your spot, please pay through the PayPal link. Make sure you arrive ~30 minutes early to get your bracelet and skates before hitting the ice! The Iceplex will provide some skate aids for our group.

Cost: $12 per skater, which includes skate rental.

Payment: Visit paypal.me/WhittierPTASeattle.
Please add a message and indicate payment is for the ice skating event. Include your name and number of skaters.

Waivers: Download here. One waiver is required per skater each year.

What to bring: Waiver and helmet.

We are looking for volunteers to sign in skaters at the beginning of the event. Please sign up here if you are interested.

Can’t wait to see you on the ice!

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

To protect families’ privacy, we will only share the directory through internal channels (i.e. Konstella).

If you need to add or update your student’s contact info, it’s not too late! Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

Mrs. Mayo's Second Grade Class is Collecting Blankets

Mrs. Mayo’s second grade class is collecting blankets for the Ballard Food Bank over the month of November!

New or gently used clean blankets are greatly appreciated. We collected over two hundred blankets last year. Can we match or better that this November?!

Bins will be outside the office and by room 212.

Thank you for helping to keep others warm this winter.

Book Fair and Winter Concert is December 5th!

It is time again for Whittier’s annual Book Fair! This year it is combined with a Winter Concert from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Wildcats to make for a wonderful Whittier community event with books, music, and a show of support for our library and Wildcat choristers.

Book Fair
December 5th
2:30 – 7:30 pm
Whittier Library, online, and at Phinney Books

Winter Concert
Also December 5th
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Whittier Cafeteria

The Book Fair is in partnership again with the fabulous Phinney Books and will run from 2:30pm – 7:30pm. There are three ways to shop:

In-person at the event in our own Whittier library
Online at Whittier Elementary (Phinney Books) Bookshop
In-person at Phinney Books (7405 Greenwood Ave N) – tell them that you are shopping for the Whittier Book Fair.

Twenty-five percent of all proceeds from the online and in-person Book Fair go towards purchasing books for our library. This fair brings more new and engaging books to our Wildcats!

The Winter Concert will be at 6pm in the Whittier cafeteria and will feature 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade performances. All families are invited to attend to support their fellow Wildcats, get cozy in their pajamas, and enjoy hot chocolate after the concert.

We need a few helpers to volunteer to set up the book fair, chaperone performing students, prepare and hand out hot chocolate, and clean up at the end of the night. Please sign up here.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Newcomb or Ms. Steph.

Thank you so much for supporting the Whittier Library and our student performers!

A Very Warren Dunes Christmas @ FREMONT ABBEY

Looking for sources of light this December?

Consider Ms. Julia’s band Warren Dunes and their second annual holiday show at the Fremont Abbey!

Friday, December 13th

7:00 – 10:00 pm

For tickets and more details click here!

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.

PTA Meeting Minutes: 10/8/24

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President
Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President
Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear (zoom)
Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary
Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary
Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer
Meg Herscher – Communications Chair
Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
Jess Templeton – Fundraising Co-Chair
Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair
Jess Twardzik – Hospitality Co-Chair
Meg Pietz – Events Chair
Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement
Outreach Chair Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory
Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
Jon Overman – Legislative Representative
Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair
Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair
Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair
John Shaw – Tech Support
Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair
Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair
Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair
David Peabody – Move-a-thon
Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair
Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator
Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large
Courtney Sievers – Member at Large

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

Principal Watters
Collin Provence – 5th grade teacher
Julia Massey – IA
Ms. Steph – specialist
Lauren – Social worker
Brianna Mercker (PTA member)
Ashley Sullivan
Dafna Amster Kahn (PTA member)
Aisling McCarron (PTA member)
Therese Miranda-Blackney (PTA member; a Math Agency coach)
Rena Giannoulakis
Haydee Wali
Tanya C
Gustavo Franco
Melissa Caviezel (PTA member)
Katie Stiver (PTA member)
Gretchen Snoey (PTA member)
Rachel Wold (PTA member)
Brian Wold (PTA member)
Lindsay Murphy

Meeting Called to Order at 7:03 PM

WELCOME

Welcome and Call to Order
Link to Agenda
Link to meeting presentation
Belonging Practice (EDI led) Belonging & Othering

“The More You Know” Panel + Q&A with Principal Watters, Ms. Lauren, Mr. Collin, and More

Communication: be clear in the purpose of the communication
Teachers & staff have a commitment to respond in 24-72 business hours
Important communications (i.e. change in pick up that day) should go to the front office as well because they are monitoring those communications throughout the day
Life events should be shared in terms of letting staff know about how these things may impact the child at school. Cc Lauren if you would like some assistance. Again, caregivers should indicate the desired results – what are they looking for as far as actions and next steps.
Important to let the front office know if your child comes home and shares that they were hurt at school and didn’t notify staff, want children to know that they should go to the front office – it’s a safe space. Smart devices should be used after school (students shouldn’t be communicating with parents about being sick and needing to get picked up, etc.)

Q: Playground incidents – how do we handle them? Try to connect with the other parent if you know them?

A: We’re in a community, and if you know them, yes you can start there. Also, sometimes it’s good just to let the staff know about the story that came home, just as an FYI for the staff. Ask your kid, “how would you like me to help you solve this?”

Q: So, should I be asking my teacher what extension my scholar is getting who tested advanced learning for reading?

A: Ask your student, “how are you feeling challenged at school?” Then communicate with the teacher about areas your child might need more of a challenge. Curricula is good at differentiating. Please advocate for more funding to support advanced learning.

Q: Coming (election) season – what kind of age appropriate conversations might be happening at the school to prepare for that and support kids?

A: We want to promote dialogue not discussion. Allowing multiple perspectives to live in the same space. We’re going to bring core values into the classroom about respect, responsibility and safety. We have opportunities to practice democracy in the classroom. Expression without harming others.

Q: How can we better support teachers?

A: Whiteboard markers. Having respectful dialogue is the best way. The more information “team wildcat” has, the better they can support students. Say hello to staff and acknowledge them. Write your legislatures (engage in advocacy, stay engaged). Tell the school board that making budget cut decisions on the backs of schools that already don’t have enough is not an acceptable solution. What is the “minimum floor” for education?

PRESIDENT UPDATES

Overview of what happens at PTA meetings
Dashboard Review
- Have raised 43.7% of overall fundraising goal so far
- 161 members today
Standing Rules
Math Agency update
- Approved funding for 30 students, 50 students identified as needing intervention/extension
- The Math Agency providing the services to the extra 20 students for $0
- scholarships
Well-Resourced Schools Update & Advocacy Opportunities
- Advocacy page on the Whittier PTA website
Book Fair update
Annual Give party check-in/opportunity
November 22nd – will the PTA help?
- Need an event lead, volunteers day of
10/1 Work Session results + 11/5 poll

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

Words of affirmation and kindness important for teachers and staff
Any questions about well resourced schools, Cindy is happy to answer questions
Would like advocacy to include Principals in discussion about well resourced schools

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

Fundraising
- Annual Give has raised $99K, but goal is $140K
- Campaign extended to 10/14 – should we extend further?
- Class-specific messaging planned next
- Possible that the potential school closures/redistricting is impacting families participating in annual give
Advocacy
- Lots of good information on the Advocacy webpage of our PTA website on Well Resourced Schools (thanks, Kate!)
- Jon will be attending the WSTPA Legislative Assembly at the end of October. At the 10/8 meeting he’ll update the PTA on the state PTA’s legislative agenda
Events
- Chucks happy hour for 4th and 5th Room Reps
Communications
- Weekly Wildchats are in effect! Quick, easy to digest information allowing us to proactively communicate and rely less on constant Konstella blasts.
- Weekly format allows content to run multiple times and can be updated with more relevant info as we get closer.
- Please submit publish-ready content and images using the Submission Form 10 days in advance.
Volunteer opportunities
Treasurer
- Will send an email with financial information
- Financial review committee update will also be sent out via email
Fall Carnival (10/25 from 5-7pm)
Working on the ability to pre-purchase concessions tickets

VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

Revised Standing Rules
- Sara Lukas Motioned to Approve
- Rachel Wold Seconded
- Approved
September Meeting Minutes
- Anjean Vanden Bosch Motioned to Approve
- Ashley Schiavane Seconded
- Approved
Revised 2024-2025 Budget – accounts for paying bookkeeper
- Meg Pietz Motioned to Approve
- Renee Hartnett Seconded
- Approved

Meeting Adjourned 9:01 pm

The Wildchat: 11/13/2024

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

11/05 – 11/08: In-School Hearing & Vision Screening
11/12: Community Meeting with Sarah Clark, District 2 School Board Director
11/12: PTA Meeting
11/14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
11/20: Helping Hands Drive Begins!
11/20: November Staff Appreciation (4th Grade)
11/22: All School Party (During the School Day)
11/25 – 11/29: NO SCHOOL
11/26: Wildcats Ice Skate at Kraken Community Iceplex
12/05: Book Fair and Winter Concert
12/09 – 12/12: 5th Grade Field Trip

No More Manual Entry of Events!

Subscribe to Our Calendar
Select “Sync to My Calendar” to subscribe to our Konstella calendar. Or, subscribe to our Google Calendar

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer to Sign In Skaters at Ice Skating Event
November 26, arrive by 1:25 pm
Kraken Community Iceplex
Sign up here!

Helping Hands Assistant
November through December, especially 12/16 – 12/20
Primarily remote, self-paced
Learn more and sign up here!

Spring Fling Committee
Many roles from procurement to decor to logistics!
Work kicks off in January
Learn more and 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

PTA Nominating Committee Needs You!

The Whittier PTA needs one more volunteer who is interested in helping the PTA Nominating Committee fill open PTA positions for the 2025-26 school year.

The Nominating Committee will kick off in the January/February timeframe and consist of a couple meetings (potential for in-person or virtual, based on group availability.) Much of the work is done independently.

Please email Renee Hartnett at vp@whittierptaseattle.org if interested in helping out with this committee.

Mrs. Mayo's Second Grade Class is Collecting Blankets

Mrs. Mayo’s second grade class is collecting blankets for the Ballard Food Bank over the month of November!

New or gently used clean blankets are greatly appreciated. We collected over two hundred blankets last year. Can we match or better that this November?!

Bins will be outside the office and by room 212.

Thank you for helping to keep others warm this winter.

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

To protect families’ privacy, we will only share the directory through internal channels (i.e. Konstella).

If you need to add or update your student’s contact info, it’s not too late! Please contact elzingg@gmail.com.

Reflections Art Contest: Entries Due November 22nd

Whittier is excited to be taking part in the Reflections Art program this year! Reflections is a National PTA arts recognition program that helps students pre-K through grade 12:

Explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas
Develop artistic literacy (by describing how their art relates to a theme)
Increase confidence
Find a love for learning that will help them become more successful not only in school but in life

Students may enter in one or more of the available arts categories (literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film/video, choreography/dance).

The theme for 2024-2025 is “Accepting Imperfection.”
To learn more, watch this short video.

All entries will be due by Friday, November 22nd (end of day) to vp@whittierptaseattle.org. For physical entries, please contact this email address to coordinate a drop off.

Access the entry form here.

Questions? Contact Renee Hartnett at vp@whittierptaseattle.org.

Wildcats Ice Skate at the Kraken Community Iceplex

Join us for fun on the ice with our family ice skating event at the Kraken Community Iceplex during Thanksgiving break!

Date: November 26th, 2024
2:00 to 3:00 pm

Cost: $12 per skater, which includes skate rental.

Payment: Visit paypal.me/WhittierPTASeattle.
Please add a message and indicate payment is for the ice skating event. Include your name and number of skaters.

Waivers: Download here. One waiver is required per skater each year.

What to bring: Waiver and helmet.

We are looking for volunteers to sign in skaters at the beginning of the event. Please sign up here if you are interested.

Can’t wait to see you on the ice!

Book Fair and Winter Concert is December 5th!

Book Fair
December 5th
2:30 – 7:30 pm
Whittier Library, online, and at Phinney Books

Winter Concert
Also December 5th
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Whittier Cafeteria

The Book Fair is in partnership again with the fabulous Phinney Books and will run from 2:30pm – 7:30pm. There are three ways to shop:

In-person at the event in our own Whittier library
Online at Whittier Elementary (Phinney Books) Bookshop
In-person at Phinney Books (7405 Greenwood Ave N) – tell them that you are shopping for the Whittier Book Fair.

Twenty-five percent of all proceeds from the online and in-person Book Fair go towards purchasing books for our library. This fair brings more new and engaging books to our Wildcats!

We need a few helpers to volunteer to set up the book fair, chaperone performing students, prepare and hand out hot chocolate, and clean up at the end of the night. Please sign up here.

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Newcomb or Ms. Steph.

Thank you so much for supporting the Whittier Library and our student performers!

A Very Warren Dunes Christmas @ FREMONT ABBEY

Looking for sources of light this December?

Consider Ms. Julia’s band Warren Dunes and their second annual holiday show at the Fremont Abbey!

Friday, December 13th

7:00 – 10:00 pm

For tickets and more details click here!

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.