The Wildchat: 3/12/2025
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
What's Happening This Month:
- 3/13 – Class Group Photos and FINAL Make-up Portraits
- 3/17 – Registration for Spring After School Programs Begins
- 3/18 – March Staff Appreciation (Gift of Time)
- 3/20 – Family Dance & Game Night (6-8pm)
- 3/21 – Community Coffee at Drop-off (Hosted by the PTA)
- 3/22 – Running of the Beavers 5K
- 3/28 – Wildcat Dance Off with Massive Monkees. Doors Open at 1 pm.
- 4/03 – Spring After School Programs Begin
- 4/03 – Drag Queen Bingo & Storytime
- 4/04 – Whittier PTA Move-a-Thon
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Staff Appreciation: The Gift of Time
Give our teachers the gift of time!
A national poll of teachers found the #1 thing they wanted- was TIME to work, and that is how we want to thank them this month.
Volunteers Needed, March 18 – 20th.
We are looking for volunteers to come into the school for ONE HOUR – you’ll get a glimpse of the day to day life of your kiddo, and help show your appreciation. Along with the hour off, MET MARKET has generously donated gift cards so our staff can enjoy a treat during their time off.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A8A729A0FAC61-55567864-staff#/
Seeking Volunteers for the PTA Budget Committee
The PTA is looking for 4-5 volunteers to meet one evening, for 3-5 hours, to discuss each line item on our current budget and decide on our budget for 2025-26.
I will have input to share from our current budget line item owners and from our PTA board. We will likely meet in late March/early April.
Please email Michelle Nemeth at treasurer@whittierptaseattle.org if interested.
Move-a-thon is in THREE WEEKS! Create (and share) Your Wildcat's Student Donation Page Today!
Our Move-a-thon annual fundraiser asks our Wildcat scholars to run, walk, or move to help raise funds for the Whittier PTA. Students ask their community for donations; this year’s fundraising goal is $20,000!
To participate, families are asked to create a page for their Wildcat student to share with friends, family, and community members to pledge their support. If every Wildcat receives at least $60 in pledges, we’ll reach our Move-a-thon fundraising goal!
Then, on April 4th, Whittier students will be sure to wear comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water bottles so they can walk, run, or move on 13th Ave NW during their grade’s in-school Move-a-thon session. Visit the Move-a-thon page to learn how you can volunteer during this event! Paws up!
Hype Video #2 - Yellow Bandanas
Thanks to those who joined in for filming!
Put Friday, April 4th on your calendar to come watch the Move a Thon. Your Wildcat and their grade level will have a 30 minute slot where they will be on 13th ave (closed to traffic) moving for fun – and to collect pledges to help support Whittier School.
More info to come on times, how to start collecting pledges, and how to volunteer for this epic event!
Move-a-thon Logo Contest Finalists Announced!
Mr. Buck has also incorporated a Move-a-thon logo design challenge for each grade. Adults, ask your Wildcat about their creation in Mr. Buck’s class!
Mr. Buck and the selection committee have identified three student-created Move-a-Thon logos from each grade as finalists for the logo challenge.
Watch this video to see these eighteen incredible ideas.
One from each grade will be chosen as the official logo for the Move-a-Thon which all students will have on their bandana on April 4th.
Your Wildcat can now start to collect donations for the Move a Thon – click here to sign up!
Spring Fling: Classroom Art & Buckets Volunteers Needed
Sign up to coordinate class art/buckets for Spring Fling! Our Spring Fling event is coming May 31st, and it’s a flurry of fun to prep for the fundraiser.
We’re looking for volunteers to help coordinate CLASSROOM ART and BUCKETS, which will be auctioned off during Spring Fling. Classroom art and buckets are a fun short-term opportunity to get involved and help the school raise crucial funds.
We need 1-2 people in the following classrooms to lead their class in making a collaborative piece of art that will be auctioned at the event:
- Keener
- Mayo
We will help you brainstorm crafty ideas, source supplies, and coordinate with your homeroom teacher to lead your class in making art—usually one or two sessions working with the kids. You do not have to be an artist to volunteer! Check out last year’s projects and some inspiration to help you get started! (Multiple smaller pieces also tend to do well on auction day, in case you’re feeling intimidated by creating one big masterpiece).
Sign up to lead a classroom art project!
Laura Zingg-Wadsack & Emily Schweiger, Class Art Coordinators (elzingg@gmail.com, emily.schweiger@gmail.com)
CLASSROOM BUCKETS:
We are looking for one volunteer from the following classrooms to coordinate a themed bucket to be auctioned off at the Spring Fling:
- Keener
- O’Rourke
- Hansen
- Shellenberger
- Mayo
The volunteer will pick the theme and recruit other parents from the classroom to contribute items and/or money. Ideas for buckets could be anything! (ex: Family Game Night, The Art of Lego, Ballard Beer, Backyard Pizza Night.) We are also happy to provide ideas for buckets that have worked well in the past.
Sign up to coordinate a class bucket!
Mendy Minjarez & Rebecca Grandin, Class Buckets Coordinators (mendy.boettcher@gmail.com, rebeccakf@gmail.com)
Get Ready for Spring After-School Programs! Registration March 17th
Whittier PTA is excited to continue offering after-school enrichment this Spring! We’ve got arts and crafts, LEGOS, parkour, dance, and more! View the schedule and class info here.
Save These Dates!
- Registration opens on March 17 at 3:30 p.m.
- Classes are held weekly after school from March 31 – June 2.
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, hang out in the school building during club time, and ensure dismissal goes smoothly.
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.
Family Dance & Game Night, March 20th
Thursday, March 20th
6:00-8:30PM
Put on your dancing shoes for the Whittier Dance & Game Night Thursday, March 20th.The party begins at 6:00pm and will wrap up at 8:30pm. So grab an early dinner and come ready to play, twist, shake & party with your Whittier family & friends!
Volunteers Needed for Family Dance & Game Night!
We’re gearing up for an unforgettable Family Dance & Game Night on Wednesday, March 20, and we need YOUR help to make it happen! Whether you can lend a hand with setup, games, refreshments, or cleanup, every bit of support makes a big difference.
This is a fantastic way to get involved, meet other families, and be part of a fun-filled night for our school community! Sign up here: Volunteer Sign-Up
Thank you for helping us make this event a success!
Community Morning Coffee (Hosted by the PTA), March 21st
Enjoy coffee with our community at drop-off (outside the gates) hosted by the Whittier PTA. It’s a great opportunity to connect with one another and ask questions about Spring activities!
Date: March 21st
Time: 7:40 – 8:30
Location: Whittier Elementary
Outside the gates on 13th Ave NW
Drag Queen Bingo & Storytime, April 3rd
Whittier PTA EDI Committee presents Drag Queen Bingo & Storytime
Sylvia O’Stayformore will host an evening of bingo and stories. This event is focused on love, acceptance, and inclusion while offering kids glamourous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.
This evening will inspire kids to imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Event is free. All ages are welcome!
Date: Thursday, April 3
Time: 6 PM- 7:30 PM
Location: Whittier Elementary
Questions: edi@whittierptaseattle.org
From Our Community
BHS 5k Fun Run/ Walk on March 22nd
Please visit https://runningofthebeavers5k.com/ for registration and event information.
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.