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The Wildchat: 1/29/2025

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

No More Manual Entry of Events!

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Reflections Awards Ceremony This Sunday!

Congratulations Wildcats!

We are very excited to announce that two of our very own Wildcats who submitted art, Fjell Swearingen and Ada Herscher, have advanced to the State finals! Both submitted pieces in the Visual Arts category.

Congratulations Fjell & Ada!

This Sunday, Seattle Council PTSA will host an awards ceremony to honor students for their imagination, creativity and interpretation of the theme “Accepting Imperfections” in the 2024-2025 National PTA Reflections program.

Event: Seattle Council PTSA Reflections Art Contest Awards Ceremony
Date: Sunday, 2/02/2025
Time: 2 – 4 pm
Location: Axis Pioneer Square
Address: 308 1st Ave. S., Seattle 98104

During the event, community members will discuss the significance of the arts and the benefits of arts education. The event will also feature music and literary readings by student honorees as well as an exhibit of student artwork.

Whittier is proud to have taken part in the 2024-25 Reflections Art Program this year! The Reflections program, which is a national program, provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Students create and submit original works of art in the areas of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts.

This year we had seven student’s artwork advance to the local Seattle Council PTA as well. We would like to recognize each of those students and congratulate them on their efforts.

All of Whittier’s participants will be honored with certificates at this event!

Congratulations go to:

Visual Arts submissions

Fjell Swearingen, 2nd grade
Niko Robertson, 4th grade
Ada Herscher, 3rd grade
Sophia Hartnett, 5th grade
Brady Deese, 5th grade

Music Composition submissions

Autumn McKimpson, 3rd grade
Graham Larson, 3rd grade

Kudos to these Wildcats!

Seeking Volunteers for 4th - 5th Grade Lunch Clubs

New & Prospective Family Info Session

Adult caregivers are also invited (but not required!) to stay for the Whittier PTA’s monthly meeting (beginning at 7pm).

All are welcome to this session.

Please note children are welcome and many new and prospective families choose to attend this session without children as the presentations are prepared for adult audiences.

Incoming new Whittier students have other opportunities for student-centered school tours.

The 2025 Whittier Move-a-Thon

The 2025 Whittier Move a Thon this year is on Friday, April 1st.

Check out Hype Video #1:
 https://youtu.be/gmp-izzU8P0?si=hFveP68K7nfY_xL3

Get Your Tickets Today!

Get Active with Community Sports!

Join the Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team!

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

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

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

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

Learn more and register here.

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

More Community Camp Opportunities

Seattle Bouldering Project

https://boulderingproject.com/youth-camps/

Illumination Learning Studio

School Year and Summer Camps

https://www.illuminationlearningstudio.com/summer-camps-2025/

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.

PTA Meeting Agenda (2/11/25)

Whittier PTA Monthly Meeting

Agenda

7-7:05pm – Welcome & Call To Order

  • Call to Order
  • Table & Zoom Chat Informal Introductions

7:15-7:25pm – President Update

  • Goals and Meetings Review
  • Dashboard Review
  • Budget updates
  • Investment Work Session update

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

7:40-8pm – Chair & Lead Updates

  • Move-a-thon
    • Swag ideas/leads
    • Run location
  • Spring Fling:
    • Volunteer needs
    • Theme/Logo/Website update
    • Hosted Parties plan
    • Requests for help from other teams
  • VP:
    • Nominating Committee
    • Reflections
  • Hospitality
  • Treasurer Report
  • Events:
  • Volunteers (all open positions):
  • Advocacy – WSPTA Advocacy Week
  • Secretary: January Meeting Minutes
  • Communications
  • Programs
    • Winter Program update
    • Spring Program Preview
    • Coordinator help update
  • EDI: Winter/Spring programs plan

8-8:15pm – Belonging Practice

8:15-8:20pm – Voting

  • January Meeting Minutes

8:15-8:20pm – Kudos & Thank Yous

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

8:30pm – Adjourn

Post-Meeting Gathering at Phinney Station

Resources

PTA Meeting Minutes: 11/12/24

PTA Meeting Minutes: 11/12/24

  • BOARD MEMBERS / CHAIRS IN ATTENDANCE
  • Kate Lindsay Scher – Co-President 
  • Allie DeLong Thomas – Co-President 
  • Renee Hartnett – Vice President / Spirit Gear  
  • Emily Robertson – Co-Secretary 
  • Michelle Nemeth – Treasurer 
  • Meg Herscher – Communications Chair 
  • Ashley Schiavone – Fundraising Co-Chair 
  • Kathleen Donahoe – Hospitality Co-Chair 
  • Meg Pietz – Events Chair 
  • Emily Schweiger – Family and Community Engagement
  • Outreach Chair Laura Zingg – Programs Co-Chair; Student Directory 
  • Jen Foreman – Programs Co-Chair 
  • Jon Overman – Legislative Representative 
  • Anjean Vanden Bosch – Membership Chair 
  • Kristin Laughlin – Volunteer Coordinator 
  • Kiana Swearingen – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Co-Chair 
  • Jill Muscatel – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Co-Chair 
  • Megan Wildenradt – Website Editor 
  • John Shaw – Tech Support 
  • Brie Gardner – Back To Business Co-Chair 
  • Anika Anand – Yearbook Co-Chair 
  • Jared Cortese – Fall Festival Chair 
  • David Peabody – Move-a-thon 
  • Elan Simonson – Spring Fling Chair 
  • Nicole Kaczmarek – Member at Large 

COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

  • Principal Watters 
  • Melissa Caviezel 
  • Mary Ann Rozance 
  • Haydee Wise-Pinson
  • Ashley Sullivan 
  • Brianna Mercker 
  • Rachel Wold 
  • Brian Wold 
  • Katie Stiver 

Meeting Called to Order at 7:06 PM 

WELCOME

Agenda (transition from meeting with Director Clark) 

  • Link to Agenda 
  • Link to Meeting Presentation

Belonging Practice 

PRESIDENT UPDATES

  • Goals and Meetings Reviews 
  • Dashboard Review 
  • Lots of Events November December 
  • Membership is at 166 
  • Budget Priorities survey 

PRINCIPAL WATTERS UPDATE

  • Whittier will benefit from Bex and a grant from the state when we get a new roof
  • School wide celebration 11/22 
  • Conferences 

TEAM AND CHAIR UPDATES

 EDI: 

  • Inclusion and belonging 
  • Creating opportunities for people in marginalized communities to be heard and seen 

Events: 

  • Caregiver Happy Hours report (Meg P)
  • Wildcats Ice Skate (Bonnie) 52 people registered (so far less than last year)
  • Friday April 25th Mariners vs Marlins 
  • Book Fair and Winter Performance grades 3,4,5 (Anjean) in partnership with Phinney Books 12/5

Treasurer Report:

  • October Financials 
  • Income: Annual Give October, Fall Festival 
  • Biggest expense: $20,000 (⅓ payment) to Math Agency 

Hospitality: 

  • Awesome ice cream bar for teachers on 10/17! 
  • Mexican taco bar by 4th grade families on 11/20! 
  • Planning a “gift of time” for teachers in December 
  • Any Rosellini’s connections for discount/gift cards? (or other nearby places- met market?). 
  • Will be planning spring events; please share any fun ideas if you have them.

Financial Review Committee results summary (Elan) 

  • Happens every year 
  • Accountability 
  • Satisfies insurance requirements 
  • No unusual findings 
  • Impressed with accomplishments with a small budget – for example funding specialists, nurse hours, etc. Smart decisions such as no longer carrying inventory for hoodies (not having to manage sales tax collection) 
  • Bumps in the road mostly administrative (for example last year’s budget wasn’t available), google drive posed challenges with permissions and navigating a directory – this may have been solved by getting together earlier in the summer. 
  • Thanks to all the committee members 

VP: 

  • Reflections – no submissions yet (need to get the word out to more parents) Theme is: Accepting Imperfections 

Nominating Committee: 

  • Need volunteers, will be voting tonight on initial members 

Outreach: 

  • Helping Hands Drive details 11/20 – 12/13 (paypal in by 12/12) – grab a mitten on your way to conferences 
  • Helping Hands assistant volunteer 

Fundraising: Annual Give summary (Ashley Schiavone) 

  • Closing out annual give $122,839 (89% of goal) 
  • CatShark Delivery Service 
  • 73% participation 

Fall Carnival (Jared) 

  • John Shaw, Dunca, Lana
  • Big success, getting the community together 300 – 350 students 
  • Met budget of $1500 for expenses (costs offset by concessions sales) 
  • 52 volunteers, including siblings and highschoolers 
  • 16 activities and games 
  • 2 Food trucks, beverages and cotton candy 
  • 2 hrs instead of 2 hrs 30 min years past 
  • 25 families used vouchers to enjoy event without barriers 
  • Make popcorn 1.5 hrs ahead of time next year 
  • Volunteer requests for January-March activities 

Advocacy: 

  • WSTPA Legislative Assembly update 
  • Seattle Rezone update 
  • Legislation is going to be huge this year 

Secretary: 

  • AIM Insurance Renewal 
  • Our policy, which renews annually, expires 11/30 and will be $485 assuming there are no changes. 
  • PDFs are in the Secretary’s shared folder: AIM Insurance Summary and AIM Insurance Expiration Notice 
  • Recommendation would be to renew the policy as-is unless anyone on the board has reason to propose increased limits in any of the categories. For background, last year we added the media liability policy. 
  • Emily can pay/renew by logging into our online account and then will submit a reimbursement form to Michelle. 
  • Once we have the updated insurance certificate, we will need to review to confirm SPS is listed as an additional insured for building rentals, and then 
  • upload the updated certificate to the Master Library reservation system. 

Communications: 

  • PTA Comms Activity 9/02 – 11/15 
  • 25 activities / events / topics 
  • 110+ promotions 
  • 3 Primary Channels: Wildchat, Konstella, Take Home Tuesday 
  • Room Rep support and partnership with Cindy (Community Update) 
  • Average 5 promotions per event 
  • Meetings/Smaller Events: Avg 3 
  • Community Events: Avg 8 
  • Max: 17+ for Annual Give 
  • School Days without Wildchat or Konstella Emails to Families: 22 

Programs: 

  • Winter program line-up 
  • Coordinator help for our Winter Session (1/27 – 3/28)
  • Duties: 
    • Unlocking classrooms 
    • Helping with attendance and pick-up 
    • On-call to support instructors, if needed 
    • Mainly hang out in the school building and read a book, catch-up on work, or just enjoy some quiet time 
    • The Program team will help you complete an additional background check. You will also receive a scholarship to enroll your student(s) in one of our winter programs 
  • Volunteer slots 
  • Monday – 2:10 – 3:30 
  • Tuesday – 2:10 – 4:00 
  • Thursday – 2:10 – 3:30

VOTING FOR PTA MEMBERS

  • Nominating Committee Sarah, Kathleen, Renee 
    • Meg Piets Motioned 
    • Ashley Schiavone Seconded 
    • Approved 
  • October Meeting Minutes 
    • Kathleen D Motioned 
    • Mike Seconded 
    • Approved 
  • Board: Financial Review Results 
    • Anika Motioned 
    • Board member Seconded 
    • Approved

Meeting Adjourned 8:36 pm

The Wildchat: 1/22/2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

No More Manual Entry of Events!

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

Final Days to Register for Winter After-School Programs!

Blue and yellow Whittier after-school programs banner.

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

Save These Dates!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get Your Tickets Today!

Seeking Volunteers for 4th - 5th Grade Lunch Clubs

Get Active with Community Sports!

Join the Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team!

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

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

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

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

Learn more and register here.

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

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

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

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

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

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

Submit Your Photos to Whittier's Yearbook Committee

We’re looking for high-resolution photos that capture our community learning and having fun together!

Submit photos for Whittier’s 2024-2025 yearbook to yearbook@whittierptaseattle.org.

The Wildchat: 1/15/2025

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

What's Happening This Month:

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

No More Manual Entry of Events!

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

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

Interested in learning about what the EDI Committee does?

Have some ideas, concerns, questions to share?

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

Come check out our January meeting!

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

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

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

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

Registration for Winter After-School Programs is Open!

Blue and yellow Whittier after-school programs banner.

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

Save These Dates!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Seeking Volunteers for 4th - 5th Grade Lunch Clubs

Community Camps and Activities

Join the Whittier Ultimate Frisbee Team!

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

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

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

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

Learn more and register here.

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

Field-Trip Based Spanish Language Exposure Summer Camp

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

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

Learn more!

Fantasy Parkour Adventure Camps

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

Seattle Young Engineers Lego-Themed Camps

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

This years camp will be run at Daniel Bagley Elementary School

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

Find out more here!

Gymnastics Camp on 2/1

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

Summer Camp Planning Resource

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

Age-appropriate strength and conditioning classes in Phinney Ridge

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

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

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

CFPR’s Youth classes teach kids functional fitness movements, but with a focus on form and fun!

Our age-appropriate strength and conditioning classes can help your already sporty child be stronger, faster and more agile. And it can help build confidence and body awareness in children who just want to have fun moving their bodies.

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

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

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

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.

Advocacy Update: 1/13/25

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

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

PTA Meeting Agenda (1/14/2025)

Whittier PTA Monthly Meeting

Agenda

7-7:05pm – Welcome & Call To Order

  • Call to Order
  • Table & Zoom Chat Informal Introductions

7:15-7:25pm – President Update

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

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

7:40-8pm – Chair & Lead Updates

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

8-8:15pm – Belonging Practice

8:15-8:20pm – Voting

8:15-8:20pm – Kudos & Thank Yous

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

8:30pm – Adjourn

Post-Meeting Gathering at Phinney Station

Resources

Advocacy Update: 12/13/24

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

What Should I Do Now?

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

The Wildchat: 12/11/2024

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

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

No More Manual Entry of Events!

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

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

A Very Warren Dunes Christmas @ FREMONT ABBEY

Looking for sources of light this December?
 
Consider Ms. Julia’s band Warren Dunes and their second annual holiday show at the Fremont Abbey!
 
Friday, December 13th
7:00 – 10:00 pm
ALL AGES! Sliding scale tickets! FREE for kids 10 and under!

Featuring a bunch of local artists, this ALL AGES event is a fundraiser for the Many Hands Project Seattle, which raises money for childcare for Seattle area parent performers!
 
For tickets and more details click here! 

Get Ready for Winter After-School Programs!

Blue and yellow Whittier after-school programs banner.

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

Save These Dates!

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

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

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

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

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

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

PTA Strategic Planning Survey

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

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

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

Access the survey here.

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

Interested in learning about what the EDI Committee does?

Have some ideas, concerns, questions to share?

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

Come check out our January meeting!

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

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

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

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

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

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

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

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

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

Submit Your Photos to Whittier's Yearbook Committee

We’re looking for high-resolution photos that capture our community learning and having fun together!

Submit photos for Whittier’s 2024-2025 yearbook to yearbook@whittierptaseattle.org.

The Wildchat: 12/04/2024

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

What's Happening This Month:

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

No More Manual Entry of Events!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who: Grades 3-5 will perform. All wildcats are invited to attend!
 
Attire for All:  Pajamas! And, bring a small stuffy if you’d like! 
 
Stick around after the concert for hot cocoa and Book Fair shopping in the library!
 

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

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

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

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

Download the 2024-25 Whittier Student Directory

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.

A Very Warren Dunes Christmas @ FREMONT ABBEY

Looking for sources of light this December?
 
Consider Ms. Julia’s band Warren Dunes and their second annual holiday show at the Fremont Abbey!
 
Friday, December 13th
7:00 – 10:00 pm
ALL AGES! Sliding scale tickets! FREE for kids 10 and under!

Featuring a bunch of local artists, this ALL AGES event is a fundraiser for the Many Hands Project Seattle, which raises money for childcare for Seattle area parent performers!
 
For tickets and more details click here! 

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.