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Advocacy Opportunity: Send Letters to our Representatives

Advocacy Opportunity: Send Letters to our Reps

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Sincerely, [Your Name]”

    Spread the Word

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

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

    Latest "Well-Resourced School" Updates

    Recent Updates and Advocacy Calls to Action

    September 12, 2024

    Hello Incredible Whittier Community, 

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Individual Action

    Coordinated Action

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

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

    Thank you!

    Your Whittier PTA

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

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

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

    Individual Action

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

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

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

    EXAMPLE LANGUAGE

    Introducing Yourself

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

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

    Coordinated Action

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

    Attend Meetings to Learn More and Share Your Voice

    Do you have an advocacy idea?

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

    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!

    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!