Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
–Helen Keller
Can you believe all that our students, our PTA, and our school have accomplished this year? Countless PTA programs and activities have been a success because of so many willing parents, Mr. Krugman, and teachers working together. Thank you to all of our committee chairs and to our PTA Co-Presidents, Deb Loughman and Lisa Geiger, for leading such a successful year. At tonight’s meeting, the torch will be passed to our new executive board lead by Val Hardy and Rita Brezina, the new Co-Presidents.
We are so fortunate to have a wonderful Whittier Community. Thank you!
Whittier School PTA Executive Board
info@whittierschoolpta.org
whittierschoolpta.org
PTA Meeting Tonight, 7:00 p.m.
Mark your calendar and plan to attend this year’s final PTA meeting TONIGHT at 7:00! The meeting will be held in the Jaguar Jungle and – as always – FREE BABYSITTING will be available in the art room. The meeting will begin with Mrs. Gergits and Mrs. Krygeris talking about “Summer Slide” and how to prevent this seasonal academic decline in children. Following this parent education segment will be a brief general meeting. There are items to be voted on, so the more members in attendance the better!
As this year winds down, plans for next year’s PTA are ramping up. Be on the lookout for the 2014-2015 PTA packet tomorrow!
Have you been thinking about getting more involved in the PTA? If so, now’s your chance! Check out the following open committee chair positions for next year, and contact Rita Brezina and/or Valerie Hardy if you’re interested in one of these important roles or if you have questions about them.
Green Team: This student organization currently leads Whittier in protecting our planet through recycling drives, weekly “waste-free” lunches, and other projects. Green Team currently meets the last Tuesday of every month during lunch recess (but meeting times can be determined by the new committee chair). The Green Team chair works with Whittier students to determine ways to raise awareness about environmental issues and to encourage Whittier’s students to take small steps toward living a “greener” lifestyle.
Chess: This role acts as a liaison between chess scholars (outside vendor) and the school. The Chess chair would review class meeting dates at the beginning of the school year, check in with the instructors on the first day of each session and trouble-shoot as needed.
We hope to see you tonight!
Goodbye Summer Slide
Whittier Parents! Come hear a special presentation from Whittier’s Reading Specialist Christy Gergits and classroom teacher Debbie Krygeris on Goodbye Summer Slide. The presentation will be at tonight’s PTA meeting prior to other PTA business. All parents/caregivers are invited to attend and learn about the reality of the summer slide in reading, math, and writing, and hopefully gather some creative ideas to keep your children engaged in literacy and math activities throughout the summer months.
LRC Books Due Tomorrow!
All Whittier LRC books are due May 21. The LRC is getting new carpeting this summer, and we need to have everything boxed up before the school year ends. We appreciate your support in returning things early.
Playground Committee Meeting This Thursday
Interested in participating on the Playground Committee? Meet at Papa Passeros on Cass Ave. in Westmont this Thursday, May 22, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. We will keep it to an hour.
Want to learn more before the meeting? Not sure if you can make it? Contact Pamela McGinn. Hope to see you there!
Run for Heart (and Ms. Smith) This Friday
Henry Puffer Student Council is sponsoring a Run for Heart in honor of Ms. Jeanne Smith and The American Heart Association this Friday, May 23, 3:00 p.m. at Puffer Elementary. A $5 donation earns you a camo duck and lanyard, and $10 donation earns you a “Get Fired Up” t-shirt plus the camo duck and lanyard. All proceeds benefit the American Heart Association.
Whittier, let’s show our support of Ms. Smith as she prepares for retirement this year and support her favorite charity, The American Heart Association!
2-Liter Bottles Needed for Field Day
Field Day is June 3, and like last year, we need at least 40 2 -liter pop bottles. Please send them with your child over the next two weeks!
Language Stars Early Enrollment
Enrollment is under way for Foreign Language next year. Sign up now and receive 10% off! View the Language Stars early enrollment 2014-15.
30-week season, beginning September 8, 2014
Spanish for K-2nd Mondays, 7:40-8:20
Spanish for 3rd-5th Mondays, 7:40-8:20
Any questions, please contact Jen Watts.
Family Fun End-of-Year Picnic
Save the date and mark your calendars! The Family Fun committee is hosting an end-of-the-year picnic at McCollum Park on Sunday, June 8, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
You should have received an Evite about this event. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Quinn.
Thank you to everyone who attended the last few Family Fun Nights. We raised $400 at Panda Express, $272 at Potbelly, $515 at McDonald’s, and a whopping $1,904 at Chipotle!
Jaguar Jog 2014
Save the date and mark your calendars now! The 2014 Jaguar Jog will be held Sunday, September 28!
Would you like to help plan this fun community event? Please join us for the first committee meeting on Wednesday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Corinne Potter’s house. All are welcome!
Questions? Please contact Chie Nicholson and Corinne Potter, whittierjaguarjog@gmail.com.
Green News
Remember that Waste Free Wednesdays will continue for the rest of the school year (three weeks to go!). Please pack lunches with reusable containers and nothing to throw away. (Yogurt tubes and string cheese are NOT waste-free.)
Are your children missing jackets, gloves, or other items? Don’t spend money and resources replacing them until you check out the Lost and Found bin inside the front doors of school. There are countless items in there! Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the year.
Spring Walking Club
Get the kids in their walking shoes every Wednesday for the rest of the school year so they can participate in the Walking Club again at lunch recess (weather permitting). As before, they will earn Jaguar Bucks ($1/two laps) to buy fun prizes at the Walking Club store that will be open twice more this year. The next Walking Club Store will be open this Wednesday, May 7, so make sure they are keeping track of those Jaguar Bucks!
Variety Show Date Set for Next Year
Mark your calendars: the 2014-2015 Whittier Variety Show will be Saturday, November 15, at the Tivoli Theater. Don’t worry, more details will come with plenty of time to get our little stars ready!
Mark Your Calendars
- Today: PTA Meeting & Good-bye Summer Slide presentation
- Tomorrow: All LRC books due
- Thursday, May 22: Playground Committee Meeting
- Friday, May 23: Fun Lunch – Brown’s Chicken
- Friday, May 23: Run for Heart and Ms. Smith – Puffer 3:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 26: No School – Memorial Day
- Wednesday, May 28: Last Walking Club Store
- Tuesday, June 3: Field Day
- Thursday, June 4: Jaguar Jog Committee Meeting
- Sunday, June 8: Family Fun End-of-Year Picnic
- Wednesday, June 11: Last Day of School – dismissal at 11:40
- Monday, August 25: First Day of School
- Sunday, September 28: Jaguar Jog
- Saturday, November 15: Whittier Variety Show – Tivoli Theater
