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The Wildchat: 10/18/22

Annual Give is Taking Off!

We’ve just closed Annual Give’s second week–and we’ve raised over $16,000 so far, bringing our Fall Fundraising total to $39,000 (or 43% of our $90,000 goal). We’re aiming to raise $250 per student through direct donations before 10/28 (and to amplify those donations through Employer Matching when possible). As a 501(c)3 donation, all Annual Give Drive donations are tax-deductible.

And as a thank you, our Fundraising team has coordinated a collection of eco-friendly and, when possible, locally sourced thank you gifts at four donation tiers:

A pair of swedish dish cloths, Wildcat MIIR tumbler, Kavu fleece-lined outdoor blanket are part of our thank you gift collection!

Why should you consider donating to the Whittier PTA? In addition to organizing and funding events and services that benefit the entire Whittier community, the Whittier PTA also plays a key role in funding essential staff and services through flexible staffing grants, funding requests, and other discretionary funding. For an amazing overview from Principal Watters of how Whittier’s budgets and funding are structured, both year over year and in comparison to other SPS schools, we encourage you to watch this recording of last week’s Community Meeting (skip to 12:08 – 35:53).

Have you donated in the past and set-up recurring donations? Please contact fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org and we’ll help transition you to our new payment platform.

Learn more about our Annual Give Drive and donate. Donations of all sizes support funding for essential services, staff, and programs. Thank you for supporting Whittier!

Thank You for Making Move-a-thon a Success, Wildcats!

A HUGE thank you to our Move-a-thon Chair, Katie Lyden, and all our Move-a-thon volunteers who helped make Move-a-thon happen this year. We are thrilled our Whittier community was able to participate in so many ways:

  • As volunteers
  • As scholars running, skipping, and hopping down the track
  • As supportive students, cheering others classes on
  • As donors pledging funds

Thanks to our amazing community, we were able to raise over $22,000 towards our $90,000 Fall Fundraising goal, or almost 25% of our total goal! Didn’t get a chance to donate? Please join our fundraising effort with our Annual Give.

Reminder: Volunteers Needed!

We’re seeking volunteers for two important upcoming events:

Want to help the Vaccine Clinic but aren’t free to volunteer? Help us gather supplies by purchasing items from our Wish List and, if your student is participating, please submit insurance information here.

Tips for selecting culturally sensitive Halloween costumes

Whether you’re putting the finishing touches on an epic homemade creation or scouring the aisles of Target for ideas, Halloween season brings up important questions and discussion around costumes that could be offensive.  Check out these helpful tips for selecting costumes this year. 

Are you Registered to Vote?

The midterms are coming up on November 8th! YOUR voice matters. Visit the link below by 10/31 to register online!

https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/voters/

Call for Entries! Reflections Art Contest

Does your Wildcat enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections! Find more information and submissions guidelines here. Contact Laura Zingg-Wadsack at elzingg@gmail.com for any questions/more info. Submissions are due 11/4.

For inspiration, visit the Reflections virtual art gallery and learn more about prizes and scholarships. 

Interested in volunteering to judge final submissions? Sign up here!

Update: Revised SPS ’22-23 School Year Calendar Finalized

On Wednesday, October 12, the School Board approved the following additions to the current school calendar:

  • February 2: Regular School Day (formerly “Day Between Semesters,” No School)
  • June 26: Regular School Day (formerly one-hour early dismissal, last day of school)
  • June 27 – 29: Regular School Day
  • June 30: Last Day of School (One-hour early dismissal)
  • July 3, 5, and 6: Potential Snow Make-up Dates

Principal Watters has confirmed that planned events, like 5th Grade graduation celebrations and field day, will not be changed to reflect this change. If you have a question about this revised calendar, please contact Principal Watters.

Taproot Theatre Comes to Whittier!

Whittier welcomed Taproot Theatre to present “Allies from Outer Space” on Thursday, October 13. Across two assemblies, Taproot was able to share a message of acceptance with our Wildcats. Special thanks to the PTA for helping make this experience happen.

Fall is in the air on Friday, October 28 from 4:30-7pm on the Whittier blacktop. We’re calling this “Fall Festival” because it’s taking a bit of a departure from Fall Carnivals in the past. Like past years, all community members (including graduated Wildcats) are welcomed. Unlike past years, there will be less emphasis on traditional, carnival-style games. Instead, the focus will be on activities, spending time with friends, music, food, and dancing.

  • No tickets necessary–just show up and join in on the fun! All children must be supervised by their grown-up during the event.
  • Games and activities including pumpkin decorating, apple toss, face painting, candy corn toss, pumpkin run, cake walk, and photo booth.
  • Move inside after dark for the Monster Mash DJ’d by our very own Ms. Steph!
  • Food available for sale: Corn dog combo meals, popcorn, and cotton candy.
  • Costumes are welcome (but not required!). Wear weather appropriate gear! Most of the event is outdoors.

Questions? Contact event co-chairs Jess Twardzik (jesstwardzik@gmail.com) and Tina Lilley (tina.lilley@gmail.com). 

Thank you, Wildcats!

Upcoming Vaccine Clinic at Whittier!

The clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 19 between 8:30am – 1pm. We will be giving flu shots and hopefully the new, pediatric bivalent COVID booster (as long as it is released in time). Children are eligible for the booster as long as it has been 2 months since their last booster and they have had both of their initial doses of the vaccine. (We may be able to provide more adult COVID vaccines depending on demand. Individuals who are interested should reach out to Nurse Marissa for more info).

To participate, students must be registered! Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=WNEx1HRgMkiHg1Hqb23SJ1_bx7bdx7lCvA2NX9k6vjVUNDNZN1ZPR0c0RTc4TlVLWjA2VVlGMjFVVC4u

To make this clinic a success, we’re seeking volunteers and supplies! Volunteers must have completed their SPS volunteer application.

For more info, visit https://schoolnursenews.com/ or contact Nurse Marissa.

The Wildchat: 10/4/22

Fall Fundraising Takes Off!

This week we start racing down the runway to reach our $90,000 Fall Fundraising goal! If you feel like you’re encountering turbulence with the details, here’s what you need to know:

  • Pints for Purpose (10/5): Chat with friends (and make some new ones) at this social event with a fundraising bent at Wheelie Pop Brewing. Pop by anytime between 3-10pm and Wheelie Pop will donate $1 per pint to the Whittier PTA.
  • Annual Give (10/5-10/28): Traditionally our biggest fundraiser of the year, this fundraiser acts family and community members to directly donate funds to support the Whittier PTA’s annual budget. Receive thank you gifts at certain donation levels and don’t forget to accelerate your donation by using any employer match opportunities. Look for a flyer in your scholar’s Takehome folder with more information!
  • Move-a-thon (10/7): This fun event during the school day asks Wildcat scholars to walk, jog, run, unicycle, or move any way they’d like around the school blacktop. Family, friends, and community can sponsor Wildcat scholars with per lap or flat donations to help the Whittier PTA fund essential staff and services this year. All students participate, regardless of donation, and we’re seeking volunteers to help make the event a success. Be sure to set-up your Wildcat’s donation page and share it today! Donations can be collected through 10/14. If you’d like to submit a cash or check donation, grab an envelope from the Front Office. (Psst – Want to add your Wildcat’s photo to their donation page? Check your email for a confirmation from 99 Pledges–a link to edit your page is included.)

We’re aiming to raise $250 per student through Annual Give and Move-a-thon to reach our Fall Fundraising goals and ensure our operating budget for this year. Learn more about the PTA and what we fund.

Embrace and Engage in Diversity Learning at Home

Are your children ready to be part of the global community? Want to help the kids in your life embrace diversity and learn to welcome everyone? True inclusion is a lifelong process. Here’s how to get started.

  1. Investigate your own biases and privileges. Getting acquainted with our personal blind spots is the first step to helping the kids in our lives grow up with wider eyes. If you catch yourself acting out of ignorance, fear, prejudice or unacknowledged privilege in front of younger people (or they point it out for you!), apologize and talk about what you’re can do to learn and change.  
  1. Get curious! Create opportunities for kids to interact with many different kinds of people. Intentionally cultivate friends from different cultures. Offer to share one of your own traditions; ask if they can share one with you. Visit museums, galleries and restaurants with cross-cultural perspectives. Seek out diverse neighborhoods, schools, organizations and youth programs. We will help publicize family friendly events around Seattle.
  1. Keep it simple! Tailor conversations to kids’ age and ability. Listen to what the child is actually asking and give simple, straight-forward answers. You may have a whole presentation on cerebral palsy ready, but they may only want to know how their friend is going to get her wheelchair up your front steps for their play date. If they need more detail than you can give, you can offer to help them find more complex answers from books, experts or knowledgable friends. Which brings us to…
  1. Be open to not knowing. Kids can ask hard (and blunt) questions! It’s ok to say you don’t know an answer and offer to find out together. Or to ask for some time to think before answering. Or to come back later and say you didn’t like how you answered a question and you want to try again. Model an open mind and a growth mindset, which leads to…
  1. Seek out multicultural media. Want the kids in your life to more about other people, cultures, and ways of living? Check your media influences: Whose stories are you seeking out? If you put your playlist on shuffle, are there tracks from lots of different perspectives or only people with backgrounds similar to yours? Diversify the books, movies, podcasts, shows, and music you share with kids so they are exposed to different stories, artists and ways of viewing the world.
  2. Talk about differences and similarities. And celebrate both! Make it a game to brainstorm a connection for every distinction.
  1. Get cultured! Encourage the kids in your life to learn about their own heritage(s). Ask questions, aid their explorations, support their journeys of self-discovery. Respecting their own cultures can lead to respecting others’. Kids who are confident of themselves and their stories don’t need to exclude or put down others.
  1. Stop it! Intervene when you see prejudice, discrimination and unkindness happening. It sends a clear message to kids: Intolerance will not be tolerated.

It’s Walk & Wheel Month!

Don’t forget to join Mr. Pule in our Walk & Wheel Month-long Challenge! Be sure to fill out your calendar for every day you choose to avoid your car and walk, bike, bus, unicycle, park/walk to school! Be sure to turn in your calendar by 11/4/22!

Fall Carnival is back!

Get your Wildcats ready for the return of FALL CARNIVAL!

A dedicated group of volunteers has been working since this summer to help make this year’s Fall Carnival a fun, community gathering event. And we need YOUR help to make this event a reality!

We’re seeking volunteers to help leading up to, setting up, during, and cleaning up the event. For day-of event volunteer opportunities, please sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040C4FA8AC2BA57-whittier

Questions? Contact event co-chairs Jess Twardzik (jesstwardzik@gmail.com) and Tina Lilley (tina.lilley@gmail.com). 

Want to donate supplies? Click here for the vaccine clinic’s Amazon Wishlist!

Calling All 5th Grade Families!

Let’s thank the Whittier staff with a fall-themed breakfast spread. Each month a different grade will provide goodies for Staff Appreciation. 5th Grade families are up first this year.

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius to help us put together a lovely morning – https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e44a8a729a0fac61-october

Please drop off items to the office by 12pm on Wednesday, Oct. 19th. – look for a Staff Appreciation collection box. Let the office know if your items need to be refrigerated. Email hospitality@whittierptaseattle.org if you have any questions. THANK YOU!

From the Community: Ballard’s Oldest Cub Scout Pack Now Recruiting

Cub Scout Pack 100, operating since 1938 and chartered by Ballard’s Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, is now recruiting K-5 boys, girls, and parents for 2022-2023. Become a Cub Scout now!

All boys and girls from K-5 are invited to join Pack 100 and begin their quest to build the world’s fastest Pinewood Derby car, to have fun outside, to participate in service opportunities, and to earn special recognitions and awards.

Cub Scouting means “doing.” Everything in Cub Scouting is designed to have the Cub Scouts participating in fun activities used to achieve the aims of Scouting—character development, leadership development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. When asked what she enjoys about scouting, one of our 1st grade Cub Scouts said “I love to go on adventures and be in nature!”

For more information, visit http://www.pack100ballard.com/, or send an email to join@pack100ballard.com.

Thank you, Wildcats!

’23-24 Specialist Schedule

At Whittier, students rotate which Specialist they visit every two days (AA/BB/CC). Classes visit the same Specialist class two days in a row before rotating to the next. Holidays are skipped over (resuming wherever classes left off in the rotation) so no classroom misses specialist instruction. Classes start the school year rotation with the Specialists below. If you’re looking for more specific direction on where your classroom is in their rotation, teachers often provide Specialist schedules to their classroom families.

When preparing for your rotations, please be sure students have gym shoes for their PE rotation and masks for Performing Arts (for singing).

TIMEA (PE)B (Art)C (Performing Arts)
8-8:40am
(Wed: 8-8:35am)		Childers (5th)PCPProvence (5th)
8:45-9:25am
(Wed: 8:40-9:15am)		Shellenberger (1st)Hansen (1st)Worotikan (1st)
9:30-10:10am
(Wed: 9:20-9:55am)		PCPOgle (4th)Richmond (4th)
12:10-12:50pm
(Wed: 10-10:35am)		DiTullio (K)Keener (K)O’Rourke (K)
12:55-1:35pm
(Wed: 11:50am-12:25pm)		Baldi (3rd)Peterson (3rd)Focus
1:40-2:20pm
(Wed: 12:30-1:05pm)		Parekh (2nd)Leming (2nd)Mayo (2nd)
(This rotation began on Monday, September 11, 2023).

Join the Whittier PTA for Pints for Purpose

Join the Whittier PTA for tasty drinks while supporting Whittier! Between 3-10pm on Wednesday, October 5, Wheelie Pop Brewing will donate $1 per pint or tasting tray purchased at their brewery (1110 NW 50th Street) to the Whittier PTA. Wheelie Pop has indoor and outdoor seating, is family friendly, and they’ll have Burger Planet on-site (and Trailbend next door) if you want to grab food while you’re there. Let’s come together and celebrate as a community!

The Wildchat: 9/20/22

Welcome Back, Wildcats!

Important To Dos for New & Returning Wildcats

  • Create your Paypams account to pay for lunch, if needed. (You’ll need a Student ID number to set-up an account; you can find your student’s ID number on The Source. Learn more about meals at Whittier this year.)
  • Breakfast and lunch menus will be posted regularly here. Check out September’s menu and this year’s a la carte menu.
  • Lost items? Lost & Found rack can be found outside the gym doors daily (for students). Parents can also check out the rack on Fridays at pick-up (sometimes outside the main entrance).
  • Class Communication – In addition to emails from teachers, each class has 1-2 Room Reps to help share class news and info. Want to become a Room Rep? Email volunteers@whittierptaseattle.org with your name and classroom teacher to sign-up or learn more.
  • Join Konstella and/or make sure your child has been added to their classroom. Yes, yes sign-up or login to this platform that’s basically announcements/event info/family directory. Use default notification settings so all important announcements, news, messages, and events are emailed to you (so you can avoid logging in, if that’s your style). And visit the “Calendar” page to subscribe so all event information is connected to your native Calendar system. Then you can just check in if you want to reference the digital family directory or social forums. Learn more about Konstella, including step by step instructions for adding them to their classroom.
  • Become an approved SPS volunteer (if you’re not already) so you’re ready to volunteer during school hours. If you’ve been an approved SPS volunteer in the past, you’re usually approved for two years. Sign into the SPS volunteer portal to see your current status and contact Monica with any questions.
  • Look for emails from teachers with links to Amazon Wish Lists for helpful items to support your classroom or shop these Wish Lists to support Nurse Marissa and the Front Office.

Fall’s Main Events

(Want to automatically add these events to your digital calendar? Subscribe on Konstella or our website.)

We Need Volunteers!

Our incredible work can’t be accomplished without Whittier volunteers. We have several key PTA positions and committees seeking volunteers in order to make this year’s planned events and support schedule a reality, including:

  • Co-President
  • Vice President
  • Programs Chair
  • Communications Co-Chair
  • Reflections Art Contest Chair
  • Classroom/Room Reps (2 per class)
  • Reflections committee members
  • Fall Carnival committee members
  • Membership committee members

Volunteering can span any level of commitment or skill set; we have all kinds of positions available. If you’ve submitted a volunteer interest survey in the past, please contact us to let us know you’re still interested and, if so, what kind of volunteer position or commitment you’re looking for. WE NEED YOU, WILDCATS!

Renew Your PTA Membership (or Join for the First Time!)

All PTA members have to renew their memberships at the beginning of each school year! PTA members can vote during board meetings which impacts PTA budgets, priorities, and more. Learn more about membership and renewals. Questions? Contact membership@whittierptaseattle.org.

Announcing Our Fall Fundraising Drives: Annual Give & Move-a-thon

It’s time to kick off another year of FUNdraising! The Whittier PTA aims to raise $130,000 this year to support its operating budget that provides essential staff and services, community events, and more for the Whittier community. As a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, the Whittier PTA aims to only raise what’s needed to fund its budgeted commitments, including flexible staffing grants we commit to the prior school year.

This year, fundraising is split into two main funding periods: Fall (Annual Give, Move-a-thon), where we’ll aim to raise $90,000, and Spring (Spring Fling Block Party & Auction) with a $40,000 fundraising goal. Annual Give is an opportunity for families to directly donate while Move-a-thon’s per lap donations are easily made on behalf of families by their supportive community.

Annual Give, kicking off 10/5 alongside our Pints for Purpose event, is an opportunity for each family to give donations of any size to help support your Whittier community. Help meet our $250 per student Fall Fundraising goal through online donations and employer matching. Families can receive thank you gifts for their donations. Learn more about Annual Give, thank you gifts, and make donations on our Annual Give page.

We know there are a lot of opportunities to give your family might be considering this Fall. Learn more about what the PTA funds and why you might want to choose the Whittier PTA for your gifting. If you’d like to have a voice in the PTA’s budget priorities, please join us and attend upcoming PTA board meetings to make your voice heard. We’d love to have you!

What does the Whittier PTA do?

Through fundraising and the help of parent volunteers, the PTA provides school grants, outreach, organizes special events and activities, hosts parent education events, plans and coordinates teacher appreciation activities, and supports enrichment opportunities for all students. This means our scholars have more time with specialists, our community can be more connected, and we can support the needs of our students and community in ways we couldn’t otherwise. The Whittier PTA is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit (Federal ID #91-1479413).

Your contributions fund many programs and services THIS YEAR:

  • Essential Staff Positions & Support (60%)
    • Time with Key Support Staff and Specialists
    • Professional Development
    • Staff Appreciation
  • Enrichment (23%)
    • Grade-Level Curriculum Enrichment
    • Library Books and Supplies
    • Guest Artists and Authors
    • Funding Proposals
    • Reflections Art Contest
    • Global Reading Challenge
  • Family Events and Resources (13%)
    • Community Engagement
    • Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee 
    • Scholarships
    • Family Communications Platform
    • Family Support Services
    • Safety
  • Operations Costs (4%)
    • Insurance
    • Bank and Licensing Fees
    • General Supplies and Printing
    • Accounting Software

Teachers’ Lounge Makeover

A million thanks and kudos to the F.A.C.E. (Family and Community Engagement) committee for their incredible work to makeover the Teacher’s Lounge to benefit our teachers and staff.

The PTA hospitality team extends special thanks to: Cindy, Rebecca and Monica, Mr. Chris and the custodial team, Lisa Rivera Smith, Elliot S, Tina L, Kellie P, Jess Twardzik, Jess Templeton, Melinda N, Julie O., Ron S., Peter A., Will G., and Laura Z. Extra shout-out/thank you to this project’s leads: Courtney Sievers, Kathleen Donahoe, Leah Lansberry-Austin, Emily Grosse, and Kate Scher.

Paws Up for a Cooler Fence!

After months of planning and ordering and hours of pushing, hammering, and installing, both the 13th and 14th Ave NW fences have been beautified! We hope families enjoy the colorful cup design as much as we do!

Special thanks to Tina Lilley, Jess Twardzik, Megan Wildenradt, Kate Scher, and others who contributed to this project.

Curious about the cups?

“Undoing Racism and Teaching Equity to Our Children”

On Tuesday evening September 13th the Whittier PTA attending a training led by Families of Color Seattle (FOCS) entitled, “Undoing Racism and Teaching Equity to Our Children.”

The training focused on the history of systemic racism and discussed how it affects our lives today. Participants had a chance to learn, discuss and reflect on race, systemic racism, privilege, and how our own upbringings have shaped our views around racism. The Whittier PTA will continue to learn about and discuss the topic of racial inequity and how it shows up in our community, continue to work to address specific goals that pertain to this topic, and hope to offer more workshops and trainings for the community this school year. Some takeaways we’d like to share from this training:

Want to get involved? Contact our EDI (Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion) Committee!

How Communication Works at Whittier

Whether you’re a seasoned Whittier veteran or a new family navigating the wheres, how’s, and what’s of school communication channels, it can be challenging. Here’s a summary of where to get updates and how to make sure you’re subscribed in the right spots.

WHITTIER NEWS

Whittier families, students, teachers, and staff stay connected and build community through a network of communication channels:

  • Whittier Elementary Website – evergreen info and official school calendar
  • Whittier PTA Website – upcoming events, announcements, meal menus, and more
  • Texts from the Front Office – time-sensitive announcements and reminders
  • Emails from Principal Watters – generally on Mondays, these are important sources of official school info and happenings
  • Wildchat Newsletter – emailed every other Tuesday, this newsletter wraps up SPS, Whittier official, PTA, and community info
  • Takehome Tuesday/KidMail flyers – paper flyers placed in take-home folders occasionally
  • Konstella – online community forum (see “Primer” article for more)
  • Whittier PTA Instagram/Facebook – this info overlaps with Konstella content, but can be helpful as a place for reminders (if you need them)
  • Grade-level Facebook Groups – informal community discussions specific to your Whittier student’s grade level
  • Updates from the Nurse Marissa – website with evergreen and health-related updates specific to our school nurse and community

FROM YOUR TEACHER(S)

  • Email and/or text messages – Teachers will identify their preferred communication method, but some use email and experiment with a new platform allowing them to text directly
  • The Source – SPS’ platform to share student attendance, assessment scores, Elementary Progress Reports, Schoology Access Codes and other information.
  • Schoology – a place for teacher’s to share and receive assignments and communicate about classwork

FROM SPS

  • Emails, phone calls, and text messages – all caregivers of registered students receive emails (generally from publicaffairs@seattleschools.org) and phone calls/texts using contact info provided at registration
  • SPS social media – urgent and not-so-urgent news is offered on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
  • SPS website – evergreen district-wide info, including information about school meal accounts
  • Covid-19 updates – SPS is currently updating its dashboard platform, but says it will be available soon
  • District School Board Directors can be great sources of news and information. Ours is Lisa Rivera Smith and another useful member to follow is Vivian Song Maritz.

What is this thing? A Konstella Primer

Konstella is the platform we use to create classroom-specific forums, an opt-in digital family directory, an events calendar, and circulate announcements to the Whittier community. It’s available on desktop or a mobile app, which you can choose to visit never (and sign up for email notifications and subscribe to our calendar) or whenever. If you’re new to Konstella (or signed up for it years ago and haven’t used it since), here are some basics:

  • Classrooms: When you sign-up for Konstella, you’re asked to join a classroom. If you’ve signed up in the past, you’ll need to add your child to their classroom this year. Once you’re part of a Classroom, you can message other families in your classroom. This might be where your Classroom Reps message you about volunteer opportunities, teacher gifts, and other stuff.
  • Calendar: This is updated to contain the most current event set for the year. It’s linked to the PTA Google Calendar, so if you subscribe to either calendar, you won’t miss out on anything.
  • Announcements: Both event listings and general announcements will show up on your “Feed.” When you sign-up, you can choose to have these announcements sent to your inbox so you don’t have to login to see what you’ve missed.
  • Directory: Search for a specific user or browse family info by classrooms. This is the info you’ve allowed to be visible when you signed up for Konstella (and can always be modified in your settings).

Want more help? Check out our full Konstella guide.

Whittier Community Events & Happenings

Have an event or activity you’d like included in an upcoming Wildchat? Submit requests for future PTA communications or contact communications@whittierptaseattle.org.

Thank You, Wildcats!

Important Strike-Related Resources

Whether you’ve been clued in or you’re feeling a little lost, the Whittier PTA has assembled some important information to help you understand (and make it through) this strike.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?

Channels of direct communications from stakeholder groups:

SEA:

SPS:


School Board Directors:


Seattle Council PTSA:


Seattle Special Education PTSA:

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

  • Contact your School Board representative (our rep is Lisa Rivera Smith). She is your voice, so let her know what you think is the best path forward. Here’s a letter template/sample.
  • Whittier teachers and staff will be picketing outside of Whittier starting at 7:30am on Wednesday.
  • Whittier teachers and staff, along with SEA, are organizing a food drive to benefit the Ballard Food Bank from 11am-3pm on Friday, September 9, in front of Whittier. High demand items include: non-perishable food items and hygiene products (dry shampoo, tampons, etc). Gift cards to Fred Meyer are also being requested to be provided to Whittier families in need of support (to be distributed by Ms. Monica and Ms. Rebecca). Learn more on Konstella.
  • There is a district-wide Facebook group organizing community efforts as they relate to the strike.

I’M LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT

CHILDCARE

SCHOOL DAY MEALS

SPS Culinary Services is offering free sack lunch meals beginning Wednesday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for pick-up at Whittier near the main office. This is available for all students. Parents, and guardians may pick up meals for students. Students do not need to be in attendance. Looking for help picking up meals? Want to offer to help drop-off meals to a Whittier family? Contact outreach@whittierptaseattle.org.

OTHER SUPPORTS

  • Mental Health Supports 
    • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources 
    • Crisis Text Line – free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. 
    • The Trevor Project–Crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people ages 13-24; 24/7 opportunities to chat online, text or call 
    • The GLBT National Youth Talkline–Youth serving youth through age 25; Provides telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support. 
  • Domestic Violence Support 
    • ADWAS – Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services empowers Deaf and DeafBlind survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment to transform their lives, while striving to change the beliefs and behaviors that foster and perpetuate violence. We provide comprehensive services to individuals and families, community education, and advocacy on systems and policy issues. 
    • DAWN–protects women and children from domestic abuse, providing shelter, support and empowerment  https://www.dawnrising.org/get-help/ 
    • The National Domestic Violence Hotline–A general 24-hour domestic violence hotline 
    • New Beginnings–One-on-one advocacy, counseling, legal support, youth and parent groups, educational training/prevention. 
    • Northwest Network–Offers support to LGBTQ survivors, as well as youth programming, community education, and professional development for youth-serving providers 

Move-a-thon 2022

Move-a-thon 2022

Support our Fall fundraising with a Fall Move-a-thon, “Wildcats on the Runway,” on Friday, October 7th! This annual, community favorite fundraising event asks families for per lap donations from friends, family, and community to raise funds for essential staff and services, community programs, and more. In conjunction with our Annual Give campaign, we’re aiming to raise $90,000 this Fall.

Create your Wildcat’s Fundraising Page

Putting the FUN in FUNdraising

This event supports the 2022-23 Whittier PTA budget–student enrichment, staffing support, equipment upgrades, and community events. Students raise personal sponsorships from family, friends and/or neighbors (see details below).

Our overall fundraising goal this fall is $90,000 or $250/student between participation in our Annual Give and Move-a-thon. Donations are NOT required to participate but will support all students, staff and community members.

Running Schedule

3rd8:45 – 9:15am
K9:25 – 9:55am
2nd12:05 – 12:35pm
4th12:40 – 1:10pm
1st1:15 – 1:45pm
5th1:50 – 2:20pm

How does the fundraising work?

Students can raise Move-a-Thon sponsorships online or in person as flat donations or per lap pledges.

  1. Set up an online donation profile for your Wildcat today to send an easy link to friends and family for credit card donations.
  2. Wildcats can pick-up cash/check pledge collection envelopes in the Front Office if they’d like to submit donations that way.

All donations are due by 10/14!

How can parents participate at the event?

We need MANY event and classroom volunteers to make the Move-a-Thon run smoothly: Volunteer sign-up sheet

Volunteers MUST complete the SPS Volunteer Application OR Renewal process in order to participate (see details below). Please allow one week for application approval. Your application will be valid for two years.

Questions? Contact Katie (lydenkatie@gmail.com)

SPS Volunteer Application Process

Before you begin, please have the following items ready:

  • Two references, including one personal or family reference.
  • Emergency contact name and phone number.
  • A digital copy of your government issued photo ID (e.g., a clear photo taken with a smartphone).

NOTE: All volunteers are required to complete an online Health & Safety Course (23 minutes) and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. 

Meet the ’22-23 PTA Board

Meet the Board 

The Whittier PTA is powered by dozens of parents and staff members who do everything from helping to organize and run events, raising funds, planning parent education events, shaping our school’s EDI efforts, and coordinating community outreach. Leading their efforts are the members of the Whittier PTA board, who each oversee a different facet of the PTA’s work. We’re such a fun bunch, you might just be tempted to join us next year. (You’ve been warned. Just kidding, but only kind of. We’re always on the hunt for more parents who want to help make Whittier even better for everyone.) And if you see us at school or around the neighborhood, come say hi! We love getting to know the families in our community.

PTA Board

President
Leah Lansberry Austin

Co-President
Seeking Volunteer!

Vice President
TBA

Co-Secretaries
Jess Templeton and Jared Cortese

Treasurer
Renee Hartnett

Assistant Treasurer
Stacy Rose

Communications Chair
Kate Scher 

Communications Co-Chair
Seeking Volunteer! 

Fundraising Co-Chairs
Ashley Schiavone and Glenda Elley

Family and Community Engagement Co-Chairs
Kathleen Donahoe and Courtney Sievers

Family and Community Engagement – Events Chair
Emily Grosse

Programs Chair
Seeking Volunteer!

Legislative Reps
Emily Barbee and Megan Wildenradt

Membership Chair
Tricia Schalekamp

Family and Community Engagement – Outreach Chair
Sara Lukas

Volunteer Chair
Mendy Minjarez

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee Co-Chairs
Susan Hernandez and Melissa O’Keefe

PTA Non-board Positions 

Website Editor
Seeking Volunteer! 

WildChat Editor
Kate Scher 

Spring Fling Chair
Courtney Sievers and Renee Hartnett 

Move-a-thon
Katie Lyden 

Spirit Gear
Tina Lilley

What do all these people do? See our Board Position Descriptions for a detailed description of job duties.