December’s breakfast offerings are $2.25 and lunch offerings are $3.25. An a la carte menu is also available throughout the year. For more nutrition information and breakfast menus, please view menus at: https://family.titank12.com/menu/LPX5UV
Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at7:05 PM
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
General
Grateful for the strong launch. a lot of fun at the move-a-thon and feels like we have a strong connection with families, especially after a wonky start.
Week 4 of school. Kids are getting into their routines. Continuing to have lunch outside for half the scholars.
Activities
Looking forward to the Taproot Theater Company coming to perform a play this week.
Trying to do many events at school because transportation costs are prohibitive. $250 for school bus and charter is $350/ hour.
Other events- 5th avenue theater coming in april. Talking to the opera for bilingual opera
What about inclusivity for these activities? Two assemblies to limit the number of scholars and make it more accessible for all. Massive monkeys will provide a smaller interaction for specialist groups.
PTA support and how that impacts the school
As a tier 4 school we are funded at a lower rate than a tier 1 school. Perceived needs of the school is different. This year our nurse was reduced from 2 full days to 1.5 days and staff decided to use discretionary dollars to fund the other half day of nurse.
PTA funds a .5 of a specialist so all kids have specialist time every day.
Our kids need reading support which is the bulk of what Cindy asks the PTA to pay for. Whittier also has a grant for reading support
Our PTA will fund Amazon classroom wish lists and other school needs. The PTA is a backup.
Leah- This is also so our teachers have a full time job which is why we try to get all of our specialists to full time or full days.
Questions:
Can we make this information viewable for all families? Glenda Ellen
Kellie P. answered that we typically make recordings available for families to view the meeting.
What is the max enrollment for Whittier? Lauren Carey
Right size enrollment is about 65-75 per grade level which is about 3 classes per grade.
There’s a new social worker, Ms. Lauren, who is at our school 7:30-11 in the morning and then drives to Magnolia for the afternoon. Next ask would be for a full time social worker. Cindy has enough work for (2) full time social workers.
Whittier tries to be super good stewards of all PTA money. Have recently purchased resources for spelling in 3-5th grade and a book series with full curriculum for diversity.
Advocacy- SPS needs to send a minimum a school needs to operate. For example, this year Whittier doesn’t have an AP and should. Then secured Special Ed staffing sept 6th and more IAP staffing (56 kids require IAPs). This should have triggered an AP. Would be extremely helpful to have a minimum amount of funding to resolve issues such as these.
Calendar Updates
The revised calendar has come out and is being voted on tomorrow by the Board. Whittier is not adjusting end of year celebrations, which will occur the week(s) before school gets out. Such as field day, 5th grade promotion and 5th grade
Overview of Building Leadership Team (BLT)– governing body for the school. Meets once a month and talks about school improvement plan, conference schedule, things that need to be voted on contractually, school wide things that are happening, forum for staff input. Collaborative team.
Volunteer training– Everyone please go through it so when something comes up you can do it.
Board Updates: Vote to appoint Co-Secretaries Jared Cortese and Jess Templeton
New Website: subscribe to calendar. Also has the lunch menu and link to Whittier spirit gear.
Teacher’s lounge Makeover: Rallied around sourcing from buy nothing/ Amazon wishlist. Teachers have been so appreciative of it. They actually meet there and eat lunch there and it’s fostered more camaraderie.
Wildcat Spirit Fence: Something that Cindy asked for last summer.
Reflections Art Contest: Nationwide contest. We need someone who can drive this this year. It is all set up but it needs a champion who can organize, then a couple of people who can review submissions.
Have many different categories students could choose from.
Champion would work with Cindy and the office to get the word out.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR UPDATE
Running Volunteer List: Folks that put their names on it at back to business and curriculum nights
Encourage reaching out to others who may be interested.
If you need volunteers Mendy can send names to you.
Mr. Province’s class does not have a room parent. Help find one!
For special education classes it is different this year. Previously there have not been room parents in these classrooms but are trying to best represent and include these classrooms.
Focus and Access are programs and there is a resource classroom. Really depends on the needs of the students and kids. Provides more support for kids that have IAPs and 504 plans.
Cindy has provided a presentation in the past about these programs which may be more helpful. Access to specialists is a big deal.
Ask Cindy to present this slide show at the next meeting.
Room reps allows for representation of these classrooms.
Current Needs:
Reflections art program
Programs chair
Co-President
VP
email volunteer to be put on the list to volunteer or for any other inquiries
Nominating Committee Update: This is a committee that identifies folks for positions next year. This is a formal committee and will be voted on at the end of the meeting. This committee recommends who will be next year’s Executive Board. The Community will vote in next year’s PTA board in May of this year.
Proposed Members: Susan Hernandez, Courtney Sievers, Mendy Minjarez, Joa Pope
TREASURER REPORT
September Budget Reports: $166k in the bank, and we get our money from the fundraisers. A big piece of fundraising is employer matching. Also get passive funding from Amazon Smile, etc.
To date we have income trickling in from annual give and move- a -thon.
Expenses year to date: Insurance processed, quickbooks account, kindergarten pizza party, EDI training for Board members and staff, putting on an assembly later this week.
Proposed updates for 2022-23 budget
This is to right size our budget that need to be added back into our budget post covid.
Update Whittier Support Grant to cover Q4 2021-22 and Q1-3 of 2022-23= $77,299.67
Increase Outreach budget by $710 for incoming Kindergarten pizza event
Increase staff appreciation by $1000 for staff lounge updates
Increase web hosting $20
Increase Konstella budget $350
Increase President’s budget for zoom by $200
Increase hospitality budget by $200
Increase awards budget by $100 to cover plaque/ engraving costs
Total Expenses increase by $4,679.
Lauren Carey asked a question about EDI budget training. It is one of the largest budget items at $4500. There is still $2000 left to spend. Lauren asking if any of the EDI money is restricted.
Process for Money to come out- need invoice to write a check or executed contract.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE (Ashley)
Annual give has 44 donations with a total of 14k so far
Move-a-thon $21k
Goal is $90k between the two.
Support Whittier PTA while you shop
Amazon smile and Fred Meyer
FALL FESTIVAL (Tiina)
Friday, October 28th from 4:30-7
No tickets necessary, just show up
Games and activities: 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 Ms. Steph
Costumes are welcome but not required
Inclusive because it is more relaxed.
Will have some food available for sale: Corn dog combo, Popcorn & Cotton Candy machine
Not meant to be a fundraiser, meant to be a net zero event. Going to make money back by food purchase and a raffle.
VOTES:
Executive Committee:
Leah moved to approve the following:
We, the Whittier General Membership, approve Secretaries, Jared Cortese & Jess Templeton to serve on the PTA Executive Committee for 2022-23.
Renee Seconded the motion.
Passed
2022-23 Budget:
Courtney Sievers, moved to approve the revisions to the 22-23 Whittier PTA budget revisions
Jared seconded the motion.
Passed
Nominating Committee:
Kate moved to approve the individuals listed for the Nom Comm
Anna seconded the motion
Passed
Approval of Standing Rules to include
Leah Motioned to approve.
Courtney Seconded
4.4 Addition of member at large position to the Board
6.2 Updates to fiscal year budgets.
Passed
EDI UPDATE
Melissa O’Keefe & Emily Barbee
Focus this year: community education, engagement, communication and advocacy
Will have an EDI section in the Wildchat every issue.
Currently reviewing an equity assessment that was done a few years ago for the PTA and we will be implementing this year.
CHAIR UPDATES
Communications: Join Konstella & grade-level FB group
Advocacy: Megan Going to the legislative assembly this weekend and will meet up with nearby elementary and middle schools
Working on getting legislators and school board members to visit the PTA throughout the year
Supporting the work of the EDI committee
Outreach (Sarah Lukas): Going to host a kindergarten coffee date soon
Events (Emily Grosse): First fridays. Behind the scenes is third Thursday staff appreciation. Thank you to 5th grade parents for contributing to this month.
Membership: We are at a total of 109 PTA members, 4 staff for a total of 113.
To have afterschool programming we need a chair. If interested, reach out to Kate or Mendy.
Fall Fundraising Final Update: Great Job, Wildcats!
Congratulations, Wildcats! We’ve wrapped up our Fall Fundraising with an amazing $75,885.43 raised through Annual Give and Move-a-thon contributions, reaching 84% of our $90,000 fundraising goal. We’re optimistic that our upcoming Spring Fling Auction and Block Party fundraiser in May will help us reach this year’s total fundraising needs to support the PTA’s budget.
If you contributed and are eligible for Employer Matching–it’s not too late! Let us know if an Employer Match is coming our way so we can include it in our budget.
THANK YOU to our Whittier families and community for participating in our Fall fundraising this year. We’re also excited to congratulate Anne Miller (Mr. Keener’s class) for winning two Seahawks tickets thanks to their participation in Annual Give! For families expecting Annual Give thank you gifts, the Fundraising team is planning to distribute gifts (and donation receipts) the week of 12/12; please stay tuned for details.
Thank you again to our community for your support through our Fall Fundraising campaign; Wildcats are great because of YOU!
12/19-1/2/23: No School (Winter Break, New Years’ Day)
Responding to Last Week’s Local School Gun Violence Incident
After last week’s tragedy at Ingraham, many are reeling that gun violence can happen so close to home. The PTA is working to engage with a local non-profit to learn more about how we can support efforts to end gun violence. In the meantime, SPS Coordinated School Health and Staff Wellness (EAP) are available to help our community process this tragic incident. Below are some resources to help families.
Crisis Connections provides a 24-hour crisis line 866-427-4747 www.crisisconnections.org or Teen Link 866-833-6546
Upcoming Holiday Gifting
As we approach the upcoming holiday season, staff and teacher gifting plans generally come up. Participation is always voluntary. If you’d like to be sure you hear about gifting plans, here’s how they’re organized this year at Whittier:
Room Reps: Your class Room Rep is the primary way teacher gifts will be organized. Not sure how to hear from your Room Rep? Join your classroom on Konstella and you’ll see your “Room Lead” (Konstella for Room Rep). Click on your Room Lead’s name to message them and make sure they have your contact information.
Additional Staff List: Room Reps will provide a list of additional (non-homeroom) staff at Whittier. Families can choose to submit gifts for distribution by the front office.
Helping Hands Drive: Details will be distributed soon about how our PTA Outreach team will organize a gift card drive to support Whittier families in need.
Buddy Bench: What the EDI Committee is thinking about this week!
Why are there pronouns in our email signatures & in our zoom names? You may have noticed something new at the bottom of emails coming from us: Little notes listing our personal pronouns.
She/her/hers/ella
He/him/his/él
They/them/theirs/elle
Ze/Hir/Hirs
These are just a few examples; there are many different personal pronouns in use today. Whittier staff now list their personal pronouns in their email signatures. Why?
Whittier actively welcomes our transgender and non-binary co-workers, young people, volunteers, and community members. Sharing our personal pronouns affirms our belief that every individual has the right to define their own identity. Putting our personal pronouns in our email signatures is an easy way to let recipients know we honor those definitions—and want to know their personal pronouns, too!
This is another small step in Whittier ’s value of inclusivity. Using names our scholars choose for themselves is not new in Whittier or SPS. At Whittier, everyone is welcome.
Including your personal pronouns in introductions and emails is just one way we can make the world—and Whittier —a more friendly place for trans and non-binary people.
As you discuss Thanksgiving with your children, we hope you’ll reflect and use these resources to guide them to a more comprehensive understanding. It’s critical to address the truth and violence surrounding the day while also ensuring your students feel safe and prepared. It’s also critical to uplift the voices of Indigenous people, many of whom mourn the day and the pain that accompanies it.
Children’s Books for Decolonizing History and Sharing Indigenous Perspectives:
When the Shadbush Blooms—Written by Carla Messinger (Turtle Clan Lenape) and illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden (Wolf Clan Mohawk)
We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know and We Are Grateful Written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee)
A Day with Yayah—Written and illustrated by Julie Flett (Cree-Métis)
Native Americans in History: A History Book for Kids—Written by Jimmy Beason (Eagle Clan Osage) and Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids—Edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muskogee Creek) (geared for older elementary students, but good for building background knowledge) Thanksgiving
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, Edited by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Marlena Myles
The PTA budget for this event covers the facility and up to 45 Wildcat skate rentals (any caregiver, friend, family member, or Wildcat can join with an $11 skate rental). Please sign up to reserve a complimentary skate rental for your Wildcat by 11/21: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A8A729A0FAC61-wildcats1
October’s breakfast offerings are $2.25 and lunch offerings are $3.25. An a la carte menu is also available throughout the year. For more nutrition information and breakfast menus, please view menus at: https://family.titank12.com/menu/LPX5UV
DATE
LUNCH ENTREÉ 1
LUNCH ENTREÉ 2
ENTREÉ 3/VEGETABLE
SEASONAL FRUIT
TUES, NOV 1
Cheese pizza
Sunflower Butter and jelly sandwich
Protein salad bar
Red seedless grapes
WED, NOV 2
Hot dog and fries
Yogurt lunchbox
Fiesta salad bar
Banana
THURS, NOV 3
Smoked turkey and sweet potato chili with a whole wheat roll
If you’re new to understanding the complex funding structure of education (and SPS and Washington State public schools in particular), you may be confused about the PTA’s role in “essential staff and services” at Whittier. Learn more about the role PTA funds play in Whittier’s annual operations and budgets:
Whittier is the 16th largest elementary school but its discrete budget is ranked 40th out of 63 SPS elementary schools. Whittier PTA helps cover funding gaps.
SPS reduced Whittier’s nurse allocation to 1.5 days per week this year (from 2 full days that we extended with additional funds last year). Whittier staff voted to use 32% of their school discretionary budget (intended for supplies like paper and activities like field trips) to increase Nurse Marissa’s time another .5 days. Whittier will ask the PTA to help cover discretionary needs this year when they run out of these funds.
Whittier PTA funds and organizes family events and resources, including community events, EDI work, family support services, scholarships, and safety equipment and activities.
SPS funds about 70% of our current Specialist (PE, Performing Arts, Art) schedule. Without additional PTA funding, Wildcats would see Specialists 3-4 days per week instead of daily. Whittier PTA’s flexible staffing grant covers .5 Specialist FTE to ensure this happens, regardless of SPS’ funding.
Whittier receives 25% of its total Reading Intervention budget from outside sources. As a Tier 4 school, we’re ineligible for most SPS or Seattle Levy funding for literacy support beyond our .5 Librarian FTE. PTA Funds allow our Wildcats to work with the incredible Ms. Trilby. Principal Watters uses the PTA’s flexible staffing grant to efficiently spread funding and add the remaining 75% of budget needed to ensure Wildcats receive the learning support they need.
Whittier is still missing crucial supports for our Wildcats. Our current .5 FTE Social Worker assignment means students don’t have social worker assistance available most school days. We are allocated but won’t be assigned a .5 Assistant Principal by SPS, leaving Whittier without a necessary staff member to support special education work, supervision, teacher and staff support needs, and more. PTA offers funding grants to solve year-specific needs to help support our school’s needs in-the-moment.
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). Want to support Whittier PTA’s fundraising efforts this year?
Give donations TODAY (you’ll receive a tax receipt for your tax deductible donation after the campaign ends)
If you’ve already donated, learn more about Employer Matching to see how you can amplify your donation. (If you’ve completed an Employer Match, please email us if you haven’t already so we can count it towards our fundraising goal!)
Want to go above and beyond? If you know a local business that may be interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org
ANNUAL GIVE DRIVE EXTENDED: Help Us Reach our Fall Fundraising Goal!
Thank you, Wildcats for contributing to our Fall Fundraising campaign this year! With both Move-a-thon and Annual Give, we’ve raised over $70,000 towards our $90,000 Fall Fundraising goal. We’re extending our Annual Give Drive through 11/14 and hope to increase family participation to get closer to our goal.
Whittier PTA’s planned expenses this year clock in at $166,118 (almost $20,000 more than the income we’ll raise this year through fundraising). Without the support of our community, we may not be able to fund things to the same levels we have in the past. Your dollars are CRUCIAL to helping support:
School assemblies – The PTA supports a number of these throughout the year (Black Lives Matter, Reptile Man, TapRoot Theater to name a few)
Curriculum supports – The PTA funds a number of applications used in the classroom including IXL Math, Razz Kids and various literacy materials etc
Staffing – A hot button for many, but the simple truth is that without PTA funding our kids would not have access to a specialist (PE, Music or Art) every single day or Ms. Trilby when they need her support
Equity, diversity and inclusion – All of our EDI efforts are 100% PTA funded- Community building events
Give donations TODAY (you’ll receive a tax receipt for your tax deductible donation after the campaign ends)
If you’ve already donated, learn more about Employer Matching to see how you can amplify your donation. (If you’ve completed an Employer Match, please email us if you haven’t already so we can count it towards our fundraising goal!)
Want to go above and beyond? If you know a local business that may be interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org
Thank You for Joining us at Fall Festival! And THANK YOU to our amazing volunteers!
Thank you to our Whittier families, staff, teachers, and community for joining us to celebrate at our Fall Festival! We were so excited to see our Wildcats spending time together, showing off their creative costumes, and laughing with new and old friends.
An ENORMOUS THANK YOU to the incredible volunteers that made this event happen:
Chairs: Jess Twardzick, TIna Lilley, Melissa Ivancevich and Laura Zingg-Wadsack
Special thanks: Principal Waters and Ms. Leming, Custodian Austin, Mr. Pule, Ms. Steph and Ms. Julia
Day of volunteers: Isaac Osborn, Anjean Vanden Bosch, Jon Overman, Rachel Sidles, Ashley Sullivan, Matthew Sullivan, Katie Kreiger, Jared Cortes, Sandy Hawley, Angie Lundstedt, Jeannie Choi, Amber Campbell, Joni Larson, Claudia Gustafson, Lauren Carey, Maddie Tehrani, Kai Herndon-Farnam, Toby Ross, Emma and Avery Kocher, Devon Wiggins, Sijae Byun, Chad Robertson, Travis Elley, Ben Peterson, Courtney Sievers, Leah Lansberry Austin, Emily Schweiger, Lauren and Kyle Zerbey, Kate and WIll Scales, Larishna Catuncan, Matt Reeve, Malaika Hinshaw, Bree Callahan, Cole Herber, Joel Bendickso, Rebecca Grandi, Annika Hoogestraa, Katherine Roll, Kellie Pecoraro
Cake Walk donations: Melissa Ivancevich, Bryana Patmon, Kim Kocher, Brie Gardner, JoAnn McKimpson, Katherine Abraham, Anna Smith, Michelle Nemeth, Emily Geyer, Nina Rohlich, Leah Lansberry Austin, Tamara Cunitz, Megan Wildenradt, Annika Hoogestraat, Lori Tanzen-Hoy, Laura Zingg-Wadsack, Larishna Catuncan
Want to help with more PTA events and activities? We need volunteers! Please contact volunteers@whittierptaseattle.org to be added to our volunteer list and connected to PTA volunteer opportunities.
Reminder:
No School on Friday, 11/11 (Veteran’s Day)
Help Ms. Jo’s Fight for a Sensible, Low-Sugar Breakfast!
Ms. Jo, a part of SPS’ Culinary Services team, services Wildcats a la carte and entrees options established by the SPS Culinary Services central team. When she realized the chocolate milk included in this year’s breakfast included 11 grams of added sugar, she decided to discontinue offering the beverage during breakfast. Unfortunately, this sensible sentiment is not shared by the Culinary Services team; Ms. Jo has been advised she may face disciplinary action if she doesn’t continue serving chocolate milk during the breakfast meal service. She testified at last week’s school board meeting to raise awareness of this issue, but we need to help support both Ms. Jo and healthier breakfast food options for our Wildcats.
We’re asking our Wildcat families to email our school board director (Lisa Rivera Smith), SPS Culinary Services, and use the SPS Let’s Talk Form to ask they support Jo-Nell Simonian’s, Whittier Elementary Kitchen Manager, choice to eliminate chocolate milk from the a la carte breakfast meal this year.
Buddy Bench: What the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is thinking about
Here are some links to content around Latinx Heritage Month and Dia De Los Muertos Events in the community!
NEW Advocacy Priorities for 2022-2024 – Let’s Make Our Voices Heard
Our PTA Advocacy Chairs, Megan Wildenradt and Emily Barbee, were able to attend the WSPTA Legislative Assembly this past weekend. After 9 house of debate, the top 5 WSPTA 2022-2024 Legislative Priorities are as follows:
From the school board, to city council, and the state legislature – work is happening that affects all of us and your voice is needed. We will continue to share information about what is happening that affects children, families, and the school community. View the details of the legislative priorities on the WSPTA website under Focus Areas/Advocacy.
In the meantime, here are two things you can do TODAY:
VOTE – drop or postmark your ballot by November 8th! Visit kingcounty.gov/elections for more information.
Preventing and reducing gun violence and suicide was voted on unanimously by delegates. Find out how candidates measure up for supporting legislation that reduces gun violence by entering your address here.
November Staff Appreciation – by 4th Grade Families
We are so THANKFUL for our staff! Each month a different grade provides goodies for Staff Appreciation. 4th Grade families are up for November – and we are setting up a hearty autumn lunch, to power the staff though conferences and fill their hearts (and stomachs) before break.
Please drop off items to the office by 12pm on Wednesday, Nov. 16th. Let the office know if your items need to be refrigerated. Please clearly label all items “Staff Appreciation for 11/17.” Email hospitality@whittierptaseattle.org if you have any questions. THANK YOU!
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, a national arts recognition program.
WHAT IS THE REFLECTIONS PROGRAM? Reflections is a national arts contest. All students are invited to reflect on this year’s theme, Show Your Voice. Students create an original piece of art to express themselves and the theme. The works will be judged for prizes and awards. At Whittier, pieces will be displayed in the spring.
HOW DOES A STUDENT PARTICIPATE? Students submit work in one of six areas. Each area has specific guidelines and a submission form. Forms can be found online at https://bit.ly/whittier-reflections. Look for flyers and announcements through all of Whittier’s communication channels. Turn in completed submissions to the front office or upload to https://bit.ly/whittier-reflections-entries by Thursday, November 10th.
More from the National PTA Reflections Council The Reflections Program is a National PTA and Washington State PTA cultural arts competition. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Six art areas:
Literature – works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, drama, short stories and lyrics
Music Composition – original musical composition, with or without words
Photography — color or black and white, including techniques: photo-gram, retouched, montage, sandwich and multiple exposure
Visual Arts — drawing, painting in tempera, oil, acrylic, watercolor, and t-shirt paints, computer generated art, two-dimensional collage, printmaking, needlework, and leather tooling
Film/Video — original works, with or without sound, of animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or music video/film
Choreography/Dance — originally choreographed dance composition
Participation is organized by student age and grade levels. Student works are critiqued against others in the same grade division. This allows recognition and judging of artworks by appropriate developmental age and skill levels. Grade divisions:
Primary: Preschool – Grade 2
Intermediate: Grades 3 – 5
Middle/Junior: Grades 6 – 8
Senior: Grades 9 – 12
AWARDS & PRIZES
Each year, 1,000 student submissions are reviewed at the national level by arts and education experts. Our judges look for personal interpretations on the program theme that best exemplify creativity and technical skill.
Outstanding Interpretation Awards — 1 per arts category and special artist division
An expense-paid trip for student honoree and one adult to showcase work at the National Reflections Celebration
$800 Young Artist Scholarship
Gold medal and certificate
Recognition in the traveling art exhibit and online gallery
$200 Outstanding Local PTA Award
Awards of Excellence — 3 per division of each arts category and 1 special artist of each arts area
$200 Young Artist Scholarship
Silver medal and certificate
Recognition in the traveling art exhibit and online gallery
Meeting Called to Order / Land Acknowledgment at7:05 PM
Each attendee introduced themselves, who their children are, their position, and what their favorite karaoke song is.
STAFF MEMBERS PERSPECTIVE – JARED OGLE
Thank you for your support during contract negotiations and for getting students back to school on Wednesday
Thank you for the update on the staff lounge
Excited for more volunteers to have access into the building this year
Excited about the Amazon wish list for teachers
PRINCIPAL UPDATE
Thank you for the updated staff lounge
Many more people are using it this year
We don’t know the calendar yet, due to the missed days from the teacher’s strike
We are going to start with mid-winter break
Ok if students miss days because of vacation, kids will have the opportunity to catch up
Won’t be a lot of work scheduled during added days
We are allowing a lot more volunteers in the school this year
Looking for really specific tasks for volunteers
Ex. 1st Grade and Kindergarten need help to set up Ipads, reach out to teachers if you have time
Great start to the school year
Currently only allowing students to enter the property on 13th Ave. NW
Not enough staff members to have the 14th Ave. NW entrance open right now
Would rather have staff in the building getting ready for the day
Principal Waters will announce any changes as they happen throughout the school year
We’re looking forward to getting back to in-person events
Some families will be experiencing Whittier Events for the first time
Curriculum Night – This Thursday, September 22nd is our first in-person event
Parents will get to find out what their children’s experience is like during the day
Tour of their classroom, introduce to their teacher, see their desk, and see all teachers and staff in scholar’s life
Amazon wish lists for teachers will be up and running soon
Questions for Principal Waters
Q: What is Whittier doing to try and keep students COVID safe?
If a student is ill, please stay home
If a student has been exposed, pleased wear a mask
Continuing having two lunch spaces – one grade level eating indoors, one grade level eating outdoors (continuing through the school year)
Some students are still choosing to use masks and test at home
Many staff are still keeping windows open
Still using HEPA filters
Whittier is in a high vaccine area
Q: Where do we find the Amazon Wishlist?
It will be on the PTA website in the next week
Some teachers are still figuring out what they need
Q: How are we feeling about Move-a-thon being in the fall this year?
Cindy is excited and happy that it is happening early this year. It is a great community-building event. We are ready!
Q: How many staff have keys to the gate on 14th Ave.?
Lots of teachers have keys.
The concern is kids are getting impatient and climbing the fence when the gate is locked
Principal Waters doesn’t like to tell kids what they can’t do, but wants to tell kids what they can do safely to solve the problem
PRESIDENT UPDATE
Jess Templeton and Jared Cortese have been voted in as Co-Secretaries
We are going to try and do some in-person meetings this year
PTA will let people know when
Agendas will be on the Whittier PTA website the Friday before board meetings
Next meeting will be a community meeting on October 11
Vote in exec committee chairs
Vote nominating committee
Vote on standing rules
Slide Show
Examples of how PTA Funds have recently been used
Updates to the teacher’s lounge
Spirit Fence Project – 5000 cups
PTA Website available online
You can link to your google calendar to get updates
Lunch menus
Spirit gear
News links
Spirit Gear
New spirit gear on website
To order go to the website and fill out the form. Orders will be directly shipped to the customer
More designs coming!
Evergreen w/ the original logo
PTA-sponsored designs
Reflections art contest
Each school can participate
Many categories, all students can submit for any category they want
This year’s theme is “Show Your Voice”
PTA still needs to set a deadline for submissions
We currently need volunteers for the art submission committee to choose finalists
If questions, Emily Grosse is happy to be a resource
COMMUNICATION’S REPORT
After School Enrichment Programs
PTAs and other groups are now allowed to access the school again for Programs
More structured than pre-Covid
The Whiitier has communicated a desire for after-school programs, and that they consider these programs are essential
Goals for after school programs
Offer opportunities for student socialization for grade level peers and cross-grade
Offer positive experiences after school
Program Guidelines
Accessible and low barrier
Sustainable budget
Inclusive
We need a volunteer to be Program Chair, Kate Scher can advise and guide
Questions For Kate
Q: Do teachers have a desire for Programs
SPS has provided significant barriers for teachers to participate
If teachers do participate they need a business license
TREASURER’S REPORT
Still getting money from last year’s annual give
We currently have close to $170,000 in our account
Suggested changes for this current year’s fiscal budget
Update Whittier Support Grant to cover Q4 2021-22 and Q1-3 of 2022-23 = $77,299.67
Add $710 to Outreach budget for the incoming Kindergarten pizza event (have had in the past pre-Covid)
$100 to Staff appreciation for staff lounge updates
Increase web hosting to $220 (moved to new platform this year)
Increase Konstella budget to $350 (previous budget was a guesstimate)
Add $200 to President’s budget for Zoom Increase Hospitality budget by $200 for increased expenses
Add $100 to awards to cover plaque/engraving costs
Total expenses increased by $4679.67
Will need to include $25K in staffing for Q4 2022-23 in the 2023-24 budget
Questions For Renee
Q: Could you explain why we need to add the previous years Q4 into the current budget?
When PTA gets invoice from SPS, we can’t pay right away with our staffing grant because our fiscal year is different from SPS’s. PTA has to pay it over two years
Q: Why are we now paying for Konstella when we previously had a free version?
Free version no longer available
Q: Who pays for our Zoom account, and how do different departments use Zoom without having to pay for a separate account?
Connect with Leah, and she will send you a link
Maybe we will migrate the communal Zoom over to the support account
Q: Will Cindy need more money for the 2022-23 staffing grant?
She has already said no
MOTION: Leah motioned to approve changes to 2022-23 budget
VOTE: Yes 17 , No 0, Abstain 0 – motion passed
FUNDRAISING CHAIR’S REPORT
Fall Fundraising Goal ($90k or $250 per student)
Annual Give – 10/05 – 10/31
Upping the award for the next category to $250
Asking each student to give $250
Trying to reach out to employers to match donations
PInts for Purpose
Move-a-thon
Questions For/From Fundraising
Q: To the Board from Glenda (Fundraising) – Are we able to publish where the staffing grant specifically goes?
No, but we can say:
flexible staffing grant and service
Positions such as these are not fully funded and a flexible staffing grant helps us fund positions such as these
Follow up from Glenda:
Any informant will help the fundraising team to educate younger families
A list of the roles that aren’t fully funded would be helpful
CHAIR UPDATES
Communications
Check out the Whittier PTA Website for all information and messages from PTA
Join Konstella: Konstella calendar = Google calendar (on website) – link your calendar using either system
Join grade-level FB group – if you are a new parent go to the connect tab
Get to know the people in your community beyond your grade level
Wildchat will be sent to you
If you have an idea for an event or an article send to Kate
If you want to be a co-communication chair see Kate
Informal discussion about shared drives amongst board members
First step was to make sure everyone was using the Whittier Group Drive instead of personal accounts
Next step is to figure out how to organize all the documents from the different roles
Use Shared Drives instead of My Drives so that other PTA members can view?
Community Access is the only folder that is public-facing
Advocacy
Be one of Whittier’s voting delegates at WSPTA Legislative Assembly (Oct. 23-24)
The district is severely underfunded, so we will be asking the state why is public education so underfunded
EDI
Working with the 1st grade teachers on pilot to helping neuro diverse students
Currently trying to figure out how to continue EDI training, for staff and PTA volunteers
Building affinity group
More to come at next board meeting
Outreach
Popsicle party over the summer
Pizza party, parents couldn’t come but good community building event for Kindergarteners
Had to cancel 1st day of school event, coffee for Kindergarten parents
Coffee event is rescheduled for Friday September 30th
Events
Annual Give
10/5 Pints for Purpose @WheeliePop
10/7 First Friday Fun (Same day as Move-A-Thon
Staff Appreciation every 3rd Thursday – 5th Grade first
10/28 Fall Carnival
Not as Halloween-oriented as years passed
More low key than in the past few years
95% outdoors, bathrooms available indoors
Looking at a 4:30 PM or 5:00 Pm start time
We will have volunteer sign ups at Curriculum night
Membership
Total Memberships: 88
85 PTA Members
3 Staff Members
Let Tricia know if anyone needs to have their membership updated
Volunteer Opportunities
Co President/VP/Communications Co-Chair needed
We really need people to sign up for committees
Nominating Committee (vote to approve @ Oct. 11 Community Meeting)
Fall Carnival Committee
Reflections Art Contest Committee
We need a Programs Chair
Won’t have After School Programs is no one signs up
We need a Support Co-Chair
Can be done from home
Room Reps sign-up going well
Be one of Whittier’s voting delegates at WSPTA Legislative
General volunteer list has been started
Currently 23 people on that list
Mendy will connect with Tina on how best to support and connect volunteers to events
Next meeting: Community Meeting October 18th
Questions for Chairs
Q: To the Board from Susan (EDI) – How can we incorporate EDI into room reps with the training they have, so all events and programming have an EDI lens?
Will consider over coming weeks
Q: To Susan from Mindy (Volunteer) – What is the best approach for Access and Focus class so their families feel included?
Should there be room reps for the access and focus classrooms?
This would be an easy way for families to get involved
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
