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Author: Communications

PTA Meeting Agenda (9/10/24)

  • September 10, 2024
  • Whittier Library & Zoom (passcode: wildcats)
  • 7:30pm (time changed due to Presidential Debate)

Agenda

7:30pm

  • Welcome and Call to Order
  • Board & Member Introductions

7:45pm – President Updates

7:55pm – Team and Chair Updates

  • Dashboard Review 
  • Chair Updates
    • Membership:
      • Dues Transfer Process
      • Reminder: PTA Board Members complete membership
      • More members this year vs. last year at this time!
    • Hospitality report on pre-school start activities and upcoming (tears and cheers, curriculum night staff dinner, 5th grade staff appreciation sign-up)
    • Room Rep Coordinator:
      • 4 Room Reps signed up so far! 
      • Training & Get Together scheduled for 9/17
    • Yearbook:
      • Process is in progress for submitting photos for the Yearbook throughout the year. More to come!
      • Principal Watters is exploring starting a Photography Club (with photos possibly used in the Yearbook)
    • Communications
      • Support family participation in Whittier and PTA activities by providing relevant information through accessible channels at a sustainable frequency.
        • Monday: (Community Update – Watters)
        • Tuesday: Take Home Tuesday – PTA Channel / (Infrequent Konstella)
        • Wednesday: WildChat – PTA Channel
        • Thursday: Konstella – PTA Channel
        • Friday: (Teacher Weekly Newsletters)
      • Submit all requests through the Submission Form 10 days in advance
      • Plan Your Communications
      •  Meg Traveling 9/9 – 9/13; first Wildchat will be 9/18 or 9/25
    • Fundraising – Annual Give update
    • Programs
      • We’re adding a Lego robotics club to our fall lineup for grades 4-5!
      • View all fall programs here: https://bit.ly/whittier-after-school-programs
      • Registration opens 9/23
      • Clubs begin week of 10/7
      • Clubs conclude 12/9
      • Various promos going out over the coming weeks (thank you, Meg!)
    • Events
      • Grade Level Happy Hours:
        • Two grades per evening.
        • Tuesdays at Chuck’s Oct 8th/15th/22nd
      • Kraken Ice Skating: Tuesday Nov 26th – Bonnie chairing again & already locking details & deposit with arena.

8:05pm – Kudos & Thank Yous

  • Brie and Leah – Back to Business Chairs
  • Ashley and Jess – Annual Give Kickoff
  • Laura and Jennifer – Programs Planning and flyers
  • Emily – Popsicle Playdates, Kinder Pizza and Shirts
  • Campus Clean-up Volunteers
  • Back to Business Volunteers
  • Staff Lounge Restock Donors
  • Kathleen and Jess – Staff Lounge, Staff Welcome Treats and Gifts, Kinder Tears & Cheers
  • Anika – Back to Business Info Copyediting
  • John – transition and Google Accounts support
  • Angie – incredible visual design!
  • Laura – Student Directory planning and flyers
  • Megan – Website updates
  • Anjean – Great early membership push!
  • Sara – Great drive for Room Reps!
  • Meg – Working with Bonnie over the summer for Ice Skating, Grade-level Happy Hours

8:15pm – Voting

  • Approval of Executive Committee Addition
  • (Executive Committee) Approval of Board of Directors
  • Approval of May and June 2024 Meeting Minutes

8:20pm – Work Session Round Up

  • Objective, Current Results to Review 
  • Use and Next Steps (Please add to it before 9/29!)

8:30pm – Principal Watters Update

8:45pm – Conversation: EDI & Belonging

9pm – Adjourn

Resources

 

Spare Clothing for Wildcats Needed!

Whittier’s amazing Front Office team is seeking donations of spare clothing for Wildcat students to access throughout the school year. We are specifically seeking donations of clean, great condition:

  • Gender Neutral Socks (sizes XS – XL)
  • Gender Neutral Underwear (sizes XS – XL)
  • Gender Neutral Soft Pants (sizes XS – XL)
We’re also seeking:
  • Gender Neutral Short Sleeve T-Shirts (XS – XL)
  • Gender Neutral Long Sleeve T-Shirts (XS – XL)
  • Wildcat Spirit Gear in any size!
Donations can be dropped off in the Front Office anytime or given to Principal Watters at drop-off. Thank you for supporting our Wildcats!

PTA Meeting Minutes: 3/12/24

PTA Meeting Minutes: 3/12/24

BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Renee Hartnett – Co-President
  • Courtney Sievers – Co-President
  • Jess Templeton – Vice President
  • Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer
  • Melissa Ivancevich – Co-Secretary
  • Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary (attended via Zoom)
  • Kate Scher – Communications (Website/Wildchat)
  • Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
  • Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch – Volunteer Chair & Membership Chair
  • Meg Pietz – Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair
  • Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
  • Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair
  • Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory (zoom)
  • Jon Overman – Legislative Representative (primary) (zoom)
  • 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
  • Jess Twardzik – Fall Festival Chair (shared with Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg)
  • Sara Lukas – Room Parent Coordinator

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

● Gift Wango (zoom)
● Kellie Pecoraro (PTA member)
● Brian W
● JP Emery
● Rachel Wold (PTA member)
● Lana Sturmer
● Therese Miranda-Blackney (PTA member)

Meeting Called to Order at 7:04 PM

WELCOME
● Review Core Values
● Ice Breaker
● Approval of January & February PTA Meeting minutes
○ Sara Lukas motions, Jen Foreman seconds
■ Passed, no objections or abstentions

APPRECIATIONS
● Meg Pietz & Michelle Nemeth – Game night
● EDI Committee – Coordination of event this Thursday
● Kate Scher – gaga ball

TIMELY CHAIR UPDATES
● VP – Jess Templeton – Nom Com & Reflections Updates
○ Reflections Updates
■ No one from Whittier made it to the State level, coming to a close
○ Nom Com
■ Still in need of a Treasurer – anyone know someone with a financial background?
● If we can’t find one we’ll have to pay for this
■ Also need an EDI co-chair – will put it in the Wild Chat
● Hopefully someone from the BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ community

● EDI Committee (Kiana Swearingen)
○ Supporting & Raising Mixed-Race Children – Thursday, March 14th, 6-8pm
■ Sent out to other schools to join as well
■ Planning on doing some additional events this school year to include children as
well
● Move-a-thon (David Peabody)
○ A little less than 6 weeks away – Friday, April 26th, 9am-1pm
○ Will be on 13th instead of the blacktop this year
○ Need volunteers to guide classrooms out to 13th – room reps can at least send out that
request
○ Will need volunteers the week before (fill swag bags, pick up items, etc.)

○ Will need volunteers day of
○ 99 pledges pages in the next 2-3 weeks
● Spring Fling
○ Communications going out tomorrow requesting donations
○ Sara meeting with staff about staff experiences
○ Tickets go on sale on March 18th
○ 2 classes that still need buckets and 2 that need art
● Hospitality – Staff Appreciation
○ Staff Appreciation Week May 6-10
■ #1 priority is low family involvement
● Flowers for teachers on Monday – room rep to collect but otherwise not
collecting funds/gifts/cards
○ Next week granola/breakfast bar
○ School supply drive in April
○ Graduation – PTA will keep organizing/paying, $500 for cookies and water

PRESIDENT’S UPDATES
● PTA Roles & Descriptions
○ Everyone make sure you update your roll/responsibility by end of week
● Survey Update
○ Small sample (50) – maybe 20% of households
○ Programs – in order of importance (1&2 had a big lead over 3-5, 3-5 all very close)
■ 1st – Enrichment (massive monkeys)
■ 2nd – Academic enhancement projects (maker’s space / lego wall in library),
science fairs, student leadership
■ 3rd – Community events (ice skating, fall carnival) (5th in a weighted rankings
analysis??)
■ 4th – field trips for all kids (4th in a weighted rankings analysis??)
■ 5th – EDI events (3rd in a weighted rankings analysis??)
■ Maybe the ranking is skewed – should these be weighted rankings? Some
question about how to interpret results

○ Staffing grant – do people continue to support? Literacy, Specialists, nurse. Currently
spending about 60% of our budget.
■ 88% of people do support
■ 12% of people who did not select yes or no wonder why SPS isn’t funding these
positions

○ Fundraising events – remain the same? One more substantial ask? Multiple small
fundraiser
■ 66% of people would like fundraising events to remain as they are
■ 20% interest in bigger annual give
■ Others – different comments and ideas
■ Not a lot of interest in multiple smaller fundraisers

○ Open ended questions
○ What do we do with the survey feedback? For example last year there was a push to
bring the 5th grade outdoor camp back. Will honor the next class (4th graders) in terms
of asking them about this. Cindy’s priority would be that if they do it, it has to be in the
fall to maximize bonding. No one was denied the opportunity because of cost. Cindy was
able to obtain an outdoor ed grant, so families will have a choice about what to do with
the funds they (over)paid. Costs included stipend/teachers

● Staffing grant request – VOTE
○ Current State of Budget
■ In bank as of 2/29/24: $259,839.19
■ Remaining expenses for 2023-24 school year: $110,457.07
■ Remaining projected income for this school year: $75,000 ($15k from annual
give, $60k from spring fling)
■ Likely going into next school year with ~$230k
○ Staffing Grant Request
■ Request from Cindy is $117,000
● Keep 3 full time (PCP) specialists & Ms. Trilby at 0.8FTE (current level)
● Keeps Nurse Marissa at 2 full days/week (current level)

○ Received an extra 0.1 LAP (Learning Assistance Program) fund which funds Ms. Trilby –
may be getting additional LAP funding in the future.
○ Discussion/Questions for Cindy
■ Q: Is the staffing request comprehensive? A: Yes, for this year (though in a
perfect world the social worker would be full time and there would be more
nurse services). When we use money to pay for staffing with a grant we pay the
actual cost, vs. the average cost.
■ Q: How are we calculating staffing costs ? A: The more experience you have the
more money you make… For example Ms. Trilby is expensive due to her level of
experience. We’re not displacing or losing anyone, and no one has taken a
position elsewhere, so far.
■ Q: There are feelings about PTAs not funding staff positions at all, there is a
tension and a push for revenue at a state level next year, but the question is why
would they do anything when PTA is funding. A: State has reduced budget from
61% to 43% of the state budget (might be more dollars, but equate to fewer
resources). State pays 1⁄4? of teacher salaries, rest is from property taxes. 4th
most regressive tax system in the country. If PTAs don’t fund staff, schools will
implode.
■ Cindy: Needs are greater due to covid
○ Kathleen moves to approve the Staffing Grant Request, Jess Templeton seconds
■ Approved, no objections or abstentions

TREASURER’S REPORT (MICHELLE NEMETH)

● February 2024 Financial Report
○ Income: $1,100 (annual give)
○ Expenses: $541 (outreach – helping hand gift cards)
■ Helping Hands – about 120 gift cards, received all the gift cards that were asked
for

○ Overall balance: $259,839.19 (as of 2/29/24)

PRINCIPAL WATTERS
● Math Agency
○ A few coaches in the room & on zoom
○ This year it was a pilot program / test to see how it went. It has gone “extremely well”
○ In order to keep the Math Agency next year, there would need to be a funding request
○ Looking ahead at (potentially) how to fund the Math Agency Next year
○ Likely there will be a survey put put out
○ Cindy
■ $80K – 150K range
■ Social entrepreneurship – Mike believes in closing math gaps faster and better
than schools typically have
■ Model
● Site coordinator Kate Frost
● Recruit and train volunteers/coaches
● Coaches work with 2-4 students at a time, working with Khan and IXL,
and the align work with curriculum in classrooms
● Encourages at-home practice, use stickers for motivation and other
items like socks for prizes
● See 1-3 years growth in 1 year time
● Incorporate into the school day, no after school tutoring
● 3 days/week of intervention (started with 4, but doing really well, so
decreased to 3)
○ During time that is already set aside for intervention
○ About 45 minutes of intervention 3x week
● School only has to provide the space and supplies
● The extra day is now dedicated to enrichment for about 15 third graders
with high-math skills – same model
● Cindy does meet with the site coordinator regularly and gets consistent
updates
● Bellevue has made significant investments into the Math Agency
● Able to serve about 3x as many kids than reading interventionist

○ Question: any students in K-2 who need math assistance?
■ Answer: we don’t have the data
■ Literacy tends to be more of a K-2 intervention, this allows for intervention in
3-5 when you start seeing the need for math intervention

○ Most of the volunteers are not parents at Whittier
○ Demographically we don’t meet the standards for most grants available
○ If anyone knows a company who would like to donate/fund
○ Suggestion that if we fund the Math Agency to make it clear to parents at the beginning
of the 2024-25 school year on how much it costs
○ Would like to know how much we could increase the fundraising goal for Spring Fling in
order to help secure funding for Math Agency

● Gaga Ball – 5th graders working on “house rules” and will go to each classroom to share out
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
● Yearbook
● Spring Fling

Meeting Adjourned 8:50 pm

The Wildchat: 6/18/2024

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

End of the Year is Here!

  • Great job and congrats to all our 2-minute talent show participants!! Go Wildcats!
  • Thank you to our amazing community volunteers and to Mr. Pule for another amazing Field Day last week!
  • Bookmark this wonderful list of summer programs in our community for the whole family to keep everyone reading this summer!

What’s happening this week:

  • 6/18: 5th Grade Adventure Day and Yearbooks Distributed to 5th grade
  • 6/19: No School  – Juneteenth
  • 6/20: Volunteer Appreciation Coffee at Drop-off
  • 6/20: Yearbooks Distributed to all K-4 Wildcats
  • 6/20: 5th Grade Promotion
  • 6/21: Last Day of School (1-hour early dismissal), Lost & Found will be emptied after school ends

We want to hear from you! How was your experience with after-school programs this year? What clubs would your child be interested in next year? This survey is open to all families, even if your child did not participate in clubs this year. Your feedback will help us plan our program offerings for the next school year!

Returning to Whittier? Help Us Kickoff an Amazing 2024-2025 School Year!

There are so many ways to support Whittier this summer!

Save the Date for these Early Fall Events:

Want to help make this event a success? Volunteer for a day-of shift here!

Thank you, 2023-2024 Whittier PTA Board and Volunteers!

A huge thank you to this year’s amazing cohort of volunteers who supported Whittier this year. We are so grateful for your time, energy, and passion. Extra special congratulations to this year’s Golden Acorn winner, Laura Zingg, for her amazing contributions as Programs Co-Chair, on Fall Festival committee, Student Directory Chair, Classroom Art Coordinator for Spring Fling and so much more. 

Dear Whittier Community, Thank You. From, Move a Thon

Whittier Community, Thank you for supporting this year’s Move a Thon. Almost 200 Whittier Wildcats raised nearly $28,000 through the Move a Thon. A big shout out to the volunteers who brought it together, adults who came to cheer, community sponsors, and Whittier staff who joined the event. Stay active and see you next year!

Thank you, Wildcats! Have a Great Summer!

Help Whittier This Summer!

Want to help Whittier over the summer? Here's how:

Have another idea for how you can get involved? Contact us!

Open Positions for the 2024-2025 School Year

Whittier PTA is seeking community members to volunteer for key volunteer roles for the 2024-2025 school year. These positions have different commitment levels, including some that can be accomplished remotely. Whittier PTA is an all-volunteer run organization that aims to have fun, build community, and support Whittier Elementary’s educational excellence.

Open 2024-2025 PTA Roles

  • Wildchat Editor: Our biweekly newsletter, the Wildchat, is an essential way to keep families informed and connected. But without an editor, we won’t have a newsletter (which can also impact our fundraising effectiveness)! Content inputs are organized by the Communications Chair, so this role primarly inputs prepared content into the existing Wildchat newsletter template on our WordPress-based site. Easy to learn and no website experience necessary! This is a great remote-only role for new families looking to learn more about Whittier! Without a volunteer, we’ll lose this important communication vehicle! Learn more about this role >>
  • Website Editor: The PTA’s website (whittierptaseattle.org) is our community’s main resource for Wildcat information. With SPS’ limited website tools, both PTA and Whittier Elementary resources are housed on this site. Whittier’s website editor is a remote-only position that sees most of its work at the beginning of the year, with smaller tasks after that. The website uses a simple WordPress theme, with guided instructions that anyone can learn! Without a volunteer, we’ll lose this important resource! Learn more about this role >>
  • EDI Co-Chair: This role works with returning EDI Co-Chair, Kiana, to develop important programs focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. K-2 families are strongly encouraged to consider this position to ensure this key work continues. Learn more about this role >>
  • Are you a graphic designer? We’d love your help! We have one-time and on-going graphic design needs to support our PTA activities. These include:
    • Designing Takehome Tuesday flyers (on-going, 2x per month)
    • Designing IG posts (on-going, 2x per month)

Whittier PTA has a Canva pro account, so design can use this tool or any other graphic design software.

Want to learn more or sign-up? Please contact volunteers@whittierptaseattle.org.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

None of these suit your needs but you'd still like to get involved?

The Wildchat: 5/28/24

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

There's 17 school days left! Here's your summary of important upcoming dates:

Thank you, Wildcats and the Spring Fling Team!

Congratulations to our Spring Fling team and community for an amazing event earlier this month! Thanks to our community’s participation and generosity, we raised over $83,500–exceeding our $60,000 fundraising goal! Great job, Wildcats!

And a HUGE thank you to our amazing community volunteers, without which this event couldn’t have happened! A special shout out to Brie Gardner, Spring Fling Chair extraordinaire, along with:

  • John Shaw
  • Laura Zingg
  • Emily Grosse
  • Sara Lukas
  • Joni Larson
  • Jess Twardzik
  • Melissa Ivancevich
  • Jess Templeton
  • Melinda Nett
  • Shannon Luoma
  • Elan Simonson
  • Andrea Pungoti
  • Angie Lundstedt
  • Mendy Minjarez
  • Rebecca Grandin
  • Sarah Okun
  • Meg Herscher
  • Kate Scher
  • Mike Nett
  • Ron Sievers
  • Renee Hartnett
  • Courtney Sievers
  • Jenn Foreman
  • Sandy Hawley
  • Sherry Lawson
  • Chris Wylcinski
  • Josette Jeffery
  • David Peabody
  • Rebecca Adamson
  • Katie Stiver
  • Megan Wildenradt
  • Leah Lansberry
  • Anna Reeve
  • Jill Muscatel
  • Courtney Miller
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch
  • Katie Kreiger
  • Ashley Sullivan
  • Erin Lancione
  • Katie Hambley
  • and of course Danny Adamson and The Late Shift

And it’s not too late to contribute to our Spring Fling fundraising goal! We have some hosted parties (fun, themed events hosted by members of our community–some for adults and some for kids!) with spaces left, including Beauty and Bubbles Workshop, 4th-5th grade Skate Party With Mr Pule, Bootcamp and Brunch, Discovery Park Adventure, Dreaming of Dragons, First Grade Moms Happy Hour, and more! Learn more about these hosted parties and buy your tickets here.

Ms. Rebecca performing in The Late Shift!
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Wildcats showed up dressed to impress!
Local cover band, The Late Shift, inspired disco dance moves.
Amazing volunteers (of all ages) helped set up!
Wildcats answered the call!
Spring Fling decor team brought it with a DISCO light up letter sign
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Seeking 5-6 Volunteers for Financial Review Committee

Seeking volunteers to complete the 2023-24 PTA Financial Review. There is a checklist to divide up and work through. First meeting via zoom and then follow-ups via email. Work on July-Sept and present brief findings at Sept PTA Meeting. To learn more or sign-up, please contact Michelle, PTA Treasurer. Thanks for considering!

After-School Program Survey

We want to hear from you! How was your experience with after-school programs this year? What clubs would your child be interested in next year? This survey is open to all families, even if your child did not participate in clubs this year. Your feedback will help us plan our program offerings for the next school year! Complete the survey >>

Learn more about this year’s Drag Queen Story Hour.

Help Shape SPS' 2025-2030 Strategic Plan

SPS is asking families to share their voice as they develop a new strategic plan to guide the district’s 2025-2030 work. We’re asking all our Whittier families to complete this SPS survey before June 7.

You can also attend special School Board meetings about this strategic plan on May 29 (6-7:30pm) at Robert Eagle Staff, June 5 (6-7:30pm) at Cleveland STEM High School, or June 12 (6-7:30pm) online. Learn more about SPS’ engagement around this strategic planning work here.

Finally, the regular School Board meeting on June 10 is slated to include an update on SPS’ “Well-Resourced Schools,” including a list of closures for the 2025-2026 school year. Learn more about how to watch, attend, or testify during a school board meeting.

Submit Nominations for Volunteer Award!

Do you know someone who has been an exceptional volunteer for the Whittier community over the past year?  If yes, please consider nominating them for the Golden Acorn Award!  This award is given out each year by the PTA  to recognize outstanding dedication to our children and youth, and we know Whittier would not be the special place it is without all the love and energy poured into it by our many volunteers.  Please email nominations to Jess by June 6th.  The recipient does not need to be a PTA member. 

PTA Positions We're looking to Fill for the 24-25 School Year

  • Co-President
  • Assistant Treasurer
  • EDI-Co Chair
  • Comms Website Editor
  • Comms Wildchat Editor
  • Back to Business Chair
  • Fall Festival Chair
  • Spring Fling Chair
  • Student Directory
  • Yearbook
Contact Jess if you’re interested in learning more about any of the roles or have additional questions. 

Great Job, Really Rosie Cast & Volunteers!

Congratulations to the Cast & Crew of this year’s Spring Musical, Really Rosie! Fans and supporters packed Ballard High School’s Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center last Thursday and Friday to catch this exciting, funny performance. This cast and crew of Whittier 4th and 5th graders could only have succeeded thanks to the stewardship of their amazing director team: Ms. Steph (Director), Ada Scales (Assistant Director), and Mr. Collin (Music Director). Click here to check out the musical’s virtual program. This year’s Really Rosie cast includes:

5th graders:
Sydney Hartnett
Reese Pecoraro
Graysen Hawley
Ben Toppenberg
Elsie Smith
Lydia Gaspard
Zoe Johnson
Denali Swearingen
Henry Neuman
Ruby Pope
Isla Herndon-Farnam
Maeve Herndon-Farnam
Henry Gudmastad
Zoe Intawong
Abby Gruber
Vivi Robertson
Myla Gardner
Felicity Foreman
Greta Leuschke
Karolina Makmatova
Margaret Robillard
Rowan Ritchie
Neko Hickey
Hailey Lawson
Michael Mayo
Shoyer Mayo
Madeline Nett
Poppy Tallarico
4th graders:
Aleita Hendricks
Arlo Marshak
Bea Poll
Brook Bahru
Charlie Rust
Claire Chertack
Claire Crockford
Colette Davis
Corrine Kostis
Emersen Rider
Emma Kirschbaum
Everly Grandin
Everly Ringler
Grace Curran
Harlow Hatter
Lauren Egging
Lulu Cook
Leo Wildenradt
Madeleine Gartin
Matilda Boysun
Riley Hammond
Ruby Medina
Ryan Mcdougal
Santi Montesinos Martos
Silas Bendickson
Simone Herten
Sophia Hartnett

And congrats and thank you to Principal Watters for her special guest performances! Finally, thank you to the amazing team of volunteers and crew who helped make this special musical happen:

Aarron Lawson
Angela Buck-Hatter
Angie Bianco
Ashley Ward Gaspard
Ben Peterson
Brie Gardner
Camille Peterson
Chuck Rust
Clark Wildenradt
Diane Clausen
Erin Lancione
Eva Wong
Isaac Hatter
Jennifer Foreman
Jerrica Kostis
Julia Massey
Julie Childers
Julie Vano
Kai Herndon-Farnam
Katherine Abraham
Katie Stiver
Kellie Pecoraro
Kelly Rider
Kendall Scales
Laura Zingg
Lindsay Fasser
Lindsay Robillard
Lisa Davis
Liz Young
Megan Wildenradt
Melinda Nett
Melissa Caviezel
Michelle Nemeth
Mike Boysun
Mike Kostis
Mike Nett
Mindy McGuane
Paul Bianco
Rebecca Grandin
Renee Hartnett
Sandy Hawley
Sarah Bendickson
Sarah Gartin
Scott Ringler
Sherry Lawson
Stacy Tischler
Steve Neuman
Sue Tallarico
Toby Ross
Trisha Kostis
Tyler Gaspard
Valerie Rust
Will Scales

Some pictures of both casts captured by Whittier parent and photographer, Kellie Pecoraro:

Thank you, Wildcats!

The Wildchat: 5/7/24

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Only 31 Get Ups Left in the 2023-2024 School Year!

Here are all the key events remaining this year:

SPRING FLING is 11 days away! Are you ready to follow the call of the disco ball?

It’s already MAY and Spring Fling is less than 3 weeks away! If you haven’t purchased a ticket, you can here! When you purchase your ticket, you will have the option to buy one for a staff member, too.

Remember, this is kid-free event, so get your babysitter booked!  

Some highlights to look forward to at the event include:

  • Food trucks from Delfino’s Chicago Style Pizza (vegetarian options) and Bai Tong on Wheels (vegetarian and gluten free options)
  • Drinks tent with featured cocktail
  • Live music from the Late Shift, a youth cover band from Ballard (returning for its second year)
  • Art gallery with your kiddos’ art
  • Golden ticket- chance to win $$!
  • “Raise the Paddle” opportunity to learn more about why we fundraise and to donate
  • Silent Auction including:
    • A magical evening of dragons with the 1st grade teachers (6/7)
    • A culinary trip through France with dinner and wine pairings (9/21)
    • 2 tickets to the UW Huskies
    • Tickets to Seattle Storm
    • Backyard Pizza party classroom bucket … and more!

We hope to see you there!

Volunteers Needed!

Join our day-of team! We’re seeking volunteers in a variety of shifts and roles. Sign up here!

Spring Fling Art Preview!

Join us on the blacktop after school on Friday, May 10 to preview classroom art for this year’s Spring Fling auction. Art will be displayed from 2:30 – 3:15. Many thanks to our volunteers and Wildcat artists for their amazing work!

We Love our Wildcat Staff!

Thanks to our Wildcat families for bringing flowers and to our Room Reps for providing vases and crafting arrangements for our staff! We continue our Staff Appreciation Week celebration with:

  • Tuesday: Staff Lunch from Barking Dog
  • Wednesday: Custom Smoothie Bar
  • Thursday: Morning Coffee and Donuts
  • Friday: Don’t forget to help your Wildcat dress like a staff member!

THANK YOU, Wildcats! Move-a-thon Raised Over $29,000!

Our Wildcats showed their incredible spirit to our community as they helped raise $ during Move–a-thon on April 26th. We surpassed our $15,000 goal, inching us even closer to this year’s total fundraising goal of $155,000. 

This amazing community accomplishment couldn’t have happened without the participation and support of our Whittier community and volunteers. Huge kudos and shout-outs to the amazing David Peabody, who chaired this event (and made incredible hype videos!), along with a team of volunteers who helped before and during the event: Bonnie Smith, Emily Robertson, Angie Lundstedt, Lauren Zerbey, Silvana Moncayo, Lana Sturmer, Glenda Elley, Michelle Nemeth, Kimberly Gilsdorf, Megan Herscher, Katie Hambley, Sara Lukas, Jon Reckers, Renee Hartnett, Kate Scher, Jess Tuardzik, Kristin Laughlin, Kathleen Donahoe, Megan Wildenradt, Jerrica Kostis, Jessica Milman, Anjean Vanden Bosch, Courtney Miller, April Soliman, Sara Elmore, Natalie Gromoff-Hiatt, Kara Stone, Tricia Schalekamp!

Learn more about this year’s Drag Queen Story Hour.

Click here to join the virtual meeting.

Last Whittier PTA Meeting of the School Year is TONIGHT!

Join the last Whittier PTA Meeting of the school year is TONIGHT (Tuesday, May 7th) only on Zoom! Password: wildcats

PTA Members will vote on next year’s board volunteers and budget, which reflects how the Whittier PTA will raise and invest donated funds for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Updates from the PTA's Advocacy Team

  • We have a new school board director for our district, Sarah Clark, who lives near Whittier and is the Director of Policy at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.  You can read Sarah’s statement of interest here.  
  • There is an important SPS board meeting on May 8th! They will be talking about the plans for “Well Resourced Schools” with potential implications for the 25/26 school year (changes to bell times, transportation, and school consolidation). You can find out more about the meeting here.
    • For a refresher on the district’s budgetary issues, we recommend listening to the Seattle Hall Pass podcast episode 32.  Funding will be a big topic next year so stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved in advocacy.  
  • SPS will be updating their Strategic Plan this year and will be holding community engagement meetings over the next two months. We will let you know when we hear of opportunities to engage!

"1000% Me" Screening = 1000% Success!

Thank you to our EDI team, facilitators, Whitter Kids childcare team, and families who participated in last month’s viewing of the film “1000% Me: Growing up Mixed.”

Looking for Ideas to Support Our Wildcat Staff?

We’ve been updating our Teacher and Staff Wish Lists to guide families interested to support Whittier, especially specialists, the front office, Nurse Marissa, and other staff. As always, families are encouraged to look at Wish Lists for inspiration and purchase items outside of the Amazon site should they choose. Know of a staff wish list that’s not included or needs updating? Please contact us!

Click here to purchase tickets!

From Our Ballard Community

Fundraiser for Take 5 Urban Market after Natural Gas Explosion Damages Building

Take 5 Urban Market, local beloved deli and Whittier Elementary community partner, was damaged after a natural gas explosion occurred Thursday morning. Luckily, there were no injuries. 

From the Seattle Times: Around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the Seattle Fire Department responded to a blaze at Take 5 Urban Market in Ballard. The fire, which only damaged the Take 5 building, was the result of an accidental natural gas explosion, the Fire Department confirmed Thursday afternoon. The building was empty at the time of the explosion and subsequent fire, and nobody was injured. In addition to the building being vacant, “nobody was outside when the windows blew out from the gas leak,” said Take 5 co-owner Rebecca Rouleau. “We’re grateful nobody was hurt at all,” she said, and “right now we’re just trying to process.” 

If you would like to support Take 5 and their rebuilding effort, a fundraiser has been set up here. 

Learn more about this event!

SPS Healthly Schools Seminar at Whitman MS: Fentanyl Awareness Seminar

Please join us on the evening of May 9th for a special seminar on Fentanyl Awareness, provided by SPS Healthy Schools Coordinator, Lynnet Mitchell at Whitman Middle School. This event aims to provide crucial information and insights into the dangers of Fentanyl, an opioid that impacts all Seattle communities. This seminar is geared toward adults. Whitman students will attend a separate seminar during school. 

  • Date: May 9th
  • Time: 6-7:30pm
  • Location: Whitman Cafeteria
  • Some food and snacks will be provided.
  • Ms Mitchell will bring Narcan for participating families.

We would appreciate a head count for this event so we can be prepared. Thank you in advance for emailing your RSVP to Jan Johnson (PTSA President Whitman Middle School).

Thank you, Wildcats!

2024 Staff Appreciation Week: May 6-10

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

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

  • Monday (5/6): Bring flowers to morning drop-off! A Room Rep or PTA volunteer will collect flowers to make arrangements for staff. (Psst–if you have a student teacher, be sure to bring extra flowers for their arrangement!)
  • Friday (5/10): Dress like a staff member day! Don glasses, specialty shoes, a lanyard–whatever reminds your student of a Whittier staff member!

We’ll send reminders as Staff Appreciation draws closer. If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact the Hospitality team. Go Wildcats!

The Wildchat: 4/16/24

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Events!

Tonight's PTA Meeting: Vote on the Math Agency Program (2024-2025)

All are welcome and encouraged to attend tonight’s monthly PTA meeting at the Whittier Library (or join us virtually). Tonight’s meeting agenda includes voting on the PTA Executive Board’s recommendation to allocate $60,000 towards the Math Agency program at Whittier for the 2024-2025 school year. All PTA Members can vote on this recommendation during the meeting. For general questions, please contact president@whittierptaseattle.org. For membership questions, please contact membership@whittierptaseattle.org.

PTA Members can vote during the meeting. Learn more about becoming a PTA member and PTA membership benefits. Click here for virtual attendance information.

Whittier's Community Needs Your Help!

It’s a great time to get involved! The PTA has opportunities at all commitment levels for both this and next year!

  • Check out Move-a-thon volunteer sign-ups and stay tuned for Spring Fling sign-up sheet!
  • 2024-2025 PTA Board: EDI Co-Chair
  • 2024-2025 PTA Board: Treasurer (this vital role is required; if left unfilled, our PTA will have to increase its administrative budget to cover this mandated role!)

Move-a-thon is NEXT WEEK! Are You Ready??

We’re getting HYPED for this year’s Move-a-thon! On Friday, April 26th, all wildcat scholar-athletes will have 30 minutes to shake and groove their way around the course on 13th Ave NW. This fundraiser asks our Wildcat community to seek donations from family, friends, and community to support their Wildcat as they run, walk, jog, dance, or move around Whittier! We’re over HALFWAY to our $15,000 fundraising goal with 10 days to go! Here’s how to participate:

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

Film Screening & Discussion - 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed (for mixed-race children in grades 3-5 with their families)

Questions? Please contact edi@whittierptaseattle.org

1000% Me: Growing up Mixed: Film Screening & Discussion

This event is for mixed-race children (in grades 3 and above) and their families.

  • Tuesday, April 30th 6pm-7:45pm
  • Whittier Elementary School

Join mixed-race children and their families for a screening of the film 1000% Me: Growing up Mixed followed by a child-centered facilitated discussion. In the film, W. Kamau Bell tackles the joys and challenges of growing up mixed-race through conversations with kids and families. Bell explores how young people navigate issues of identity in a world that can ask them to pick a side and reveals the many joys and complexities of what it means to raise multiracial children.

Attention KinderCat Families!

WILDCATS STICK TOGETHER! 

Each month a different grade provides goodies for Staff Appreciation. Kindergarten families are up for April. This month, we are helping the staff by purchasing all of the GLUE STICKS the school needs for next year! It might not seem like a lot, but your donations will go a long way! In addition to collecting glue sticks, let’s thank the staff for STICKING around by providing a few themed goodies! Some snacks skewered on sticks, sticks of gum, lollipops, honey sticks, and all things STICK-Y! 

Sign Up Here! Please label all items “Staff Appreciation 4/18” and drop off at the main office by 8am on Thursday the 18th. Email hospitality@whittierptaseattle.org if you have any questions. Thank you!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whittier Wildcat Evening at the Ballpark: 5/31

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

Please contact Katie with questions!

Start Planning Now: Staff Appreciation Week (May 6-10)

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

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

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

Thank You, Wildcats!