News

The Wildchat: 5/14/2025

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

5/14 – Seattle School Board Meeting
5/15 – 16: Whittier Wildcat Players Presents Finding Nemo Jr.
5/20 – Math Night
5/22 – Seattle One Rezone Plan Community Meeting
5/26 – NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
5/31 – Whittier PTA’s Spring Fling
6/04 – Spring Sing and Art Walk
6/04 – Seattle School Board Meeting
6/13 – Field Day
6/16 – 5th Grade Adventure
6/17 – 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
6/18 – Last Day of School! (1-Hour Early Dismissal)

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

Spring Fling 2 Week Countdown!

Anchors Away in 2 Weeks! Visit the Spring Fling website Buy Tickets, book childcare, and for more details! Sign up to volunteer the day and/or night of the event!

Details: Raise $75,000 at this year’s event to support essential staff and services at Whittier Elementary.

Date: Saturday, May 31 – 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Sunset Hill Community Hall (3003 NW 66th Street)
Theme: Cruise for a Cause!
Dress: Come as you are (and feel free to wear your favorite boating hat/shoes/whatever!)
Music: Enjoy an all-vinyl yacht rock set by Whittier parent DJ Pool Party
Food: Curated selection of heavy apps (donate to fund the food at the event!)
Auction: Goods and services from community businesses, class-made art, and themed bucket auctions; tickets for community-hosted events
Reminder: This is a kid-free event, so get your babysitter booked! Psst–Illumination Learning Studios is offering childcare for Whittier families during this event! Learn more and register >>

Exciting Changes for Spring Fling!

We have an exciting update about this year’s Cruise for a Cause: Whittier PTA Spring Fling Auction & Fundraiser! While we originally planned for a lively block party on 13th Ave NW, updated guidance from the City of Seattle means we’re changing course—and we’re thrilled about our new destination!

New Location, Same Great Vibes 🎉

This year’s event will now be held at the historic Sunset Hill Community Hall (3003 NW 66th Street)—a beloved neighborhood gem that recently earned landmark status. This welcoming, indoor venue offers the perfect space for dancing, mingling, bidding, and celebrating all things Whittier. We can’t wait to fill it with the spirit of our amazing school community! Psst – We have 135 tickets left–be sure to grab your ticket today!

Two Floors of Fun from 6-9pm 🍾🎶

Arrive at 6pm when the upper level of Sunset Hill Hall will come alive with music, dancing, and social time, while the lower level will feature auction tables, dining, our signature bar, and more. It’s a new layout, but the same community energy you know and love!

Same Great Drinks, Updated Food Options 🍽️

Due to space constraints, our traditional food trucks won’t be part of this year’s Spring Fling. Instead, we’re offering a curated selection of heavy appetizers throughout the evening to complement our same great bar (buy extra drink tickets at checkout!). Attendees will have the opportunity to donate their planned food-truck-bucks to help fund the food during Spring Fling.

Childcare Reminder! 🧸

Don’t forget—this is an adults-only evening, but Illumination Learning Studios is offering a childcare option exclusively for Whittier families. Make your plans and enjoy a well-deserved night out for a great cause!

Seattle One Rezone Plan Community Meeting on 5/22

Join community member and former Whittier Elementary parent, Bridget Perry, on Thurs., May 22, 6:30-8pm in the Whittier Elementary School Library to learn more about the One Seattle Plan and the implications for the Whittier neighborhood. Come learn about the proposed plan and how you can join your Whittier neighbors to provide input to the City Council. Contact Bridget Perry (brperry3@hotmail.com) if you have questions.

Embroidery Volunteer Needed for Special Project!

We are seeking one volunteer to help us with a special project (re: Konstella post).

The project concept includes embroidering 3-5 roughly 2×2″ pieces on a prefabricated (high quality/dense) button-down shirt. Embroidery materials would be reimbursed up to $30 and project would need to be completed by 6/3/25.

If you’re interested and would like to learn more, please contact president@whittierptaseattle.org.

Volunteers Needed for M.P.S.C End-of-Year Blacktop Party
(6/6 from 5-7pm)

We’re hosting an end-of-year party to celebrate fun times on our blacktop before it’s closed for the summer–and we are seeking volunteers to help us make this awesome event happen! Most shifts are 1-hour long. Alumni student and family volunteers are welcome!

Learn more and sign-up here.

Questions about the event? Please check Konstella for an announcement or email president@whittierptaseattle.org.

Let's Help Teachers Prepare Their New Classrooms for Next School Year!

Join a crew of volunteers to help our Whittier staff!

On 6/7 from 9am-12pm, help us prepare classroom spaces for teachers to move into next year. Please bring gloves, cleaning products, and rags to help make the work as fast as possible.

Learn more and sign-up here.

Whittier STEAM Lab Seeks Volunteers to Shape & Create the Program!

Whittier STEAM Lab Program Team: Are you excited about shaping a brand-new educational space?

Whittier Elementary and the Whittier PTA are looking for community members to join a STEAM Lab task force this summer! This group of leaders will collaborate on designing the new STEAM Lab space, plan how teachers and volunteers will use it, and help prepare the space and program for launch.

Volunteers will attend a kickoff meeting in June, meet periodically over the summer, and participate in hands-on work sessions in late August and early September.

No science background is required—just a passion for creating a valuable resource for the Wildcat community!

To learn more, contact: president@whittierptaseattle.org.

Whittier STEAM Lab Experience Team: Do you enjoy brainstorming creative ideas and helping shape educational experiences?

Whittier Elementary and the Whittier PTA are seeking community volunteers to help develop a yearlong set of science-focused activities—including demonstrations, invention projects, and games—that will support classroom instruction and engage K–5 students in hands-on learning.

Volunteers will work independently and remotely from June through July 2025 to design these activities, with opportunities in early September to finalize plans and collaborate with fellow community members who will bring the ideas to life in the school’s new STEAM Lab.

No teaching or science background is needed—we’ll support you every step of the way!

To learn more, contact: president@whittierptaseattle.org.

Camp Invention at Hazel Wolf K-8

Dates: July 21–25, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Hazel Wolf K-8
Learn more / register: invent.org/camp

What Is Camp Invention?

Camp Invention® is a nationally acclaimed K–6 summer enrichment program that has brought hands-on invention education to children for over 30 years. Each year, a brand-new curriculum is developed to give students high-energy, engaging experiences that:

Spark creativity through open-ended, hands-on STEM challenges
Encourage problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and persistence
Get kids moving and exploring through interactive activities
Are aligned with state standards, Common Core, and NGSS

This year’s curriculum features four exciting themed modules, packed with projects where students become confident creators and solution-seekers. The experience is designed to inspire kids to think like real inventors—and have a blast doing it!

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.

Rising Whitman Wildcat? Plan Ahead for the First Day of School!

Wildcats Walk to Whitman!

Date: September 3rd
Time: 8:15 am

Meet at the corner of NW 92nd St & 8th Ave NW

Hello Whittier Wildcats class of 2025 scholars and caregivers!

Corinne Kostis would like to invite you all to a “Wildcats Walk to Whitman” on the first day of school.

We are planning to walk from NW 92nd Street and 8th Ave NW. She wants to get to school a little early so we are thinking of meeting and heading out at 8:15.

We are going to walk up NW 92nd to the overpass by Dick’s, through Crown Hill Park, and directly to Whitman. They should arrive by 8:40 giving them some time to chat and get their first day jitters slightly calmed before the bell. Can’t believe they’re going to be in 6th grade!!!

We hope to see you for the walk!

-Jerrica, Mike, and Corinne Kostis (text me, Jerrica, at 206-355-1254 with any questions)

The Wildchat: 5/07/2025

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

5/05 – 5/09: Staff Appreciation Week 2025
5/08 – 09: Performing Arts of Whitman 3rd Annual Musical Variety Show
5/13 – PTA Annual Meeting: Budget & Board Vote
5/14 – Seattle School Board Meeting
5/15 – 16: Whittier Wildcat Players Presents Finding Nemo Jr.
5/20 – Math Night
5/26 – NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
5/31 – Whittier PTA’s Spring Fling

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

Help Out with Finding Nemo!

Looking for 2-3 parents of kids that are not performing in the school musical to help with running concessions before the shows and during intermission on Thursday and/or Friday, May 15-16th. This is a fun and easy volunteer opportunity to do with a friend!

If you are interested in helping out, please email rbishman@gmail.com.

Next week (May 6-10) is Staff Appreciation Week at Whittier!

We have planned some special ways for families to show their support for our amazing Whittier staff and would love your participation!

Monday, May 6 – Messages in a Bottle (Notes of Appreciation)

Please have your child bring a note or notes for their favorite Whittier staff members.

Students can deliver these notes to the blacktop in the morning, where Room Reps will collect and distribute them as “messages in a bottle” to our staff. Something small that can be folded up into a bottle!

Friday, May 10 – Dress Like Your Favorite Staff Member

Help your student dress like their favorite staff member if they’d like! This is a fun way to show appreciation and bring smiles to our staff’s faces.

Tickets for Spring Fling Are On Sale Now!

Spring Fling Tickets on Sale Now! There are about 50 tickets left, so grab yours today—$35 each or $60 for a pair! You can also sponsor a Whittier staff member and pre-purchase discounted drink tickets to skip the line. Don’t miss out!

Get ready to Cruise for a Cause at this year’s Spring Fling Party and Fundraiser on May 31st! Our final fundraiser of the year, this annual tradition includes Class Art and Bucket auctions, tickets for hosted parties, and more to raise $75,000 at this year’s event to support essential staff and services at Whittier Elementary.

Details

Date: Saturday, May 31 – 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Sunset Hill Community Hall (3003 NW 66th Street)
Theme: Cruise for a Cause!
Dress: Come as you are (and feel free to wear your favorite boating hat/shoes/whatever!)
Music: Enjoy an all-vinyl yacht rock set by Whittier parent DJ Pool Party
Food: Curated selection of heavy apps (donate to fund the food at the event!)
Auction: Goods and services from community businesses, class-made art, and themed bucket auctions; tickets for community-hosted events
Reminder: This is a kid-free event, so get your babysitter booked! Psst–Illumination Learning Studios is offering childcare for Whittier families during this event! Learn more and register >>

Exciting Changes for Spring Fling!

New Location, Same Great Vibes 🎉

Two Floors of Fun from 6-9pm 🍾🎶

Same Great Drinks, Updated Food Options 🍽️

Childcare Reminder! 🧸

PTA Annual Meeting, May 13th

Join the Whittier PTA: Make a Lasting Impact on Our Children's Education

Are you looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in the Whittier community?

The PTA is seeking passionate individuals like you to get involved and support our school. Your contributions can have a lasting impact on the educational experience of our children.

Join us in shaping the future — the PTA needs your support!

These positions are a great way to get to know other caregivers and help influence the activities our PTA focuses on.

The majority of our volunteers are working full-time and each role is truly what you can make of it, in the constraints of your time. PTA meetings are typically one evening per month.

Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, there are a number of open volunteer roles on the PTA.

Please see the following list and feel free to message vp@whittierptaseattle.org with any questions or if you are interested in taking on a particular role.

Co-President – Oversee and manage the Whittier PTA
Communications Chair – Oversee PTA communications
Events Chair – Facilitate PTA presence at school events, support individual event chairs, plan grade level happy hours
Membership Chair – Manage PTA membership, mainly consists of data entry and one big Fall membership drive
Volunteer Coordinator – Organize volunteer data and engage volunteers as needed
Programs Co-Chair – Coordinate after school programs at Whittier
Tech Co-Chair – Maintain and help with PTA software applications
Wildchat Editor – Compile weekly care-giver communication about the happenings at Whittier
Yearbook Editor – Work with students and office staff to create yearbook
Student Directory Editor – Consists of compiling caregiver contact information per classroom and putting that into a directory format

We are also looking for leads for the following events next year.

Back to Business (typically held the week school starts)
Fall Festival (held around Halloween)
Book Fair (held around Thanksgiving)
Move-a-Thon (held in April)
Spring Fling (held in May)

Thank you in advance for considering taking on one of these important roles. Your school community thanks you!

Performing Arts of Whitman Presents:

Come check out your middle school and join us for a night of songs, skits, dancing and comedy!

Whitman Middle School Auditorium

Thursday May 8 and Friday May 9
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30.

Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for children, $20 for entire family including Aunts, Uncles.
Show is appropriate for ages 6 + and is 60 minutes with no intermission.

Songs include: Look for the Silver Lining, traditional English and Irish Folk songs, Rockin Robin, Itty Bitty Pretty One, Let Me Sing and I’m Happy

Ticket Link here. Please keep confirmation email to show at the door.

Rising Whitman Wildcat? Plan Ahead for the First Day of School!

Wildcats Walk to Whitman!

Date: September 3rd
Time: 8:15 am

Meet at the corner of NW 92nd St & 8th Ave NW

Hello Whittier Wildcats class of 2025 scholars and caregivers!

Corinne Kostis would like to invite you all to a “Wildcats Walk to Whitman” on the first day of school.

We are planning to walk from NW 92nd Street and 8th Ave NW. She wants to get to school a little early so we are thinking of meeting and heading out at 8:15.

We hope to see you for the walk!

-Jerrica, Mike, and Corinne Kostis (text me, Jerrica, at 206-355-1254 with any questions)

Camp Invention at Hazel Wolf K-8

Dates: July 21–25, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Hazel Wolf K-8
Learn more / register: invent.org/camp

What Is Camp Invention?

Spark creativity through open-ended, hands-on STEM challenges
Encourage problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, and persistence
Get kids moving and exploring through interactive activities
Are aligned with state standards, Common Core, and NGSS

PNA Whittier Kids Afterschool Camp Enrollment Open for Fall 2025!

Licensed onsite child care for Whittier students K-5^th

For more info and to register see https://www.phinneycenter.org/kids/wk/wk-afterschool/

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: 4/30/2025

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

5/05 – 5/09: Staff Appreciation Week 2025
5/06 – PTA Work Session
5/08 – 09: Performing Arts of Whitman 3rd Annual Musical Variety Show
5/13 – PTA Annual Meeting: Budget & Board Vote
5/14 – Seattle School Board Meeting
5/15 – 16: Whittier Wildcat Players Presents Finding Nemo Jr.
5/20 – Math Night
5/26 – NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
5/31 – Whittier PTA’s Spring Fling

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

Help Out with Finding Nemo!

If you are interested in helping out, please email rbishman@gmail.com.

Next week (May 6-10) is Staff Appreciation Week at Whittier!

We have planned some special ways for families to show their support for our amazing Whittier staff and would love your participation!

Monday, May 6 – Messages in a Bottle (Notes of Appreciation)

Please have your child bring a note or notes for their favorite Whittier staff members.

Friday, May 10 – Dress Like Your Favorite Staff Member

Help your student dress like their favorite staff member if they’d like! This is a fun way to show appreciation and bring smiles to our staff’s faces.

Tickets for Spring Fling Are On Sale Now!

Details

Date: Saturday, May 31 – 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Sunset Hill Community Hall (3003 NW 66th Street)
Theme: Cruise for a Cause!
Dress: Come as you are (and feel free to wear your favorite boating hat/shoes/whatever!)
Music: Enjoy an all-vinyl yacht rock set by Whittier parent DJ Pool Party
Food: Curated selection of heavy apps (donate to fund the food at the event!)
Auction: Goods and services from community businesses, class-made art, and themed bucket auctions; tickets for community-hosted events
Reminder: This is a kid-free event, so get your babysitter booked! Psst–Illumination Learning Studios is offering childcare for Whittier families during this event! Learn more and register >>

Exciting Changes for Spring Fling!

New Location, Same Great Vibes 🎉

Two Floors of Fun from 6-9pm 🍾🎶

Same Great Drinks, Updated Food Options 🍽️

Childcare Reminder! 🧸

Help Staff Prepare for New Classrooms Next Year at Next Week's PTA Work Session!

Whittier PTA is hosting their last work session of the year on Tuesday, May 6 from 7-9pm in the Whittier Library. During this work session, we need HANDS-ON help to support our staff! We’ll help move tables and deep clean upstairs rooms in advance of some big classroom changes for next year. If moving furniture isn’t your bag, you can also help us inventory the PTA closet to support events and potential STEAM projects next year. Questions? Please contact us.

Seeking Golden Acorn Nominees!

A Golden Acorn Award is presented by a local PTA to a school or community volunteer in recognition of her or his dedication and service to children and youth. Since the beginning of this program in the 1930s, more than 54,000 Golden Acorn Awards have been presented to volunteers throughout Washington state.

Can you think of someone in the Whittier community who has gone above and beyond in their service to our school? If so, please send in a nomination including that individual’s name, along with why you are nominating them.

Send nominations to vp@whittierptaseattle.org. All nominations due by April 30th.

PTA Annual Meeting, May 13th

Do you have access to a laser engraver?

As part of the national Golden Acorn program, Whittier PTA budgets to engrave our Golden Acorn winners name on an award each year. Do you have free or low-cost access to a laser engraver that could help us accomplish this task? If so, please reach out to president@whittierptaseattle.org. Thank you!