FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – Thursday, August 26th!
First Day of school for students is Thursday, August 26th! Kindergarten OKEEP through 6th grade full day attendance (Hours 8:15AM – 3:00PM). Kindergarten (Morning Only) 8:15AM to 11:20AM
SCHOOL SUPPLY DROP OFF – Tuesday, August 24th
This year, we will be conducting a Meet & Greet and Supply Drop-off for all students, grades Kindergarten through 6. Students and parents will have an opportunity to briefly meet their teacher while dropping their school supplies off if they would like.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 24, from 2:45-3:30pm. More information and specific procedures will be in the next What’s Up at Whittier, but we wanted to give you the date and time for planning purposes.
Back to School – Popsicle Social – Tuesday, August 24th
Come join us for popsicles on the Whittier Playground from 3:00pm – 4:00pm after the school supply drop off! This social is presented by the PTA.
Your PTA Admin “To-Do” List
1) Join the PTA 2021-2022: This is where you can sign up to purchase a paper copy of the directory, advertise in the directory (paper and/or the Directory Spot mobile app), make an Angel Donation, and/or sign up to get more involved in the various Whittier committees and events. If you’d like a paper form or if you have ANY questions, please let me know. https://whittierschoolpta.org/join/
2) Enter/Update your Directory information: If you were already in the directory, I have updated the student grades for 2021-2022. Once I get class lists, the teacher assignments will be updated. If you have no additional updates, you don’t need to do anything. If your contact info has changed, please update it here. To gain access to the directory, you must first join the PTA (step #1 above). If you have already joined the PTA this year or in the past, you should have a DirectorySpot account. You will receive an email from DirectorySpot when your account is first set up, but if you miss it you can go directly to https://www.directoryspot.net and create an account or reset your password. Just be sure to use the same email that you used to register for the PTA. We are still offering the option to purchase a printed directory, available when you register for the PTA. You will need to join the PTA annually. The directory is used for Whittier families only, and can be used to contact classmates and parents and MAY NOT be used for solicitation.
Note: You need to update your info from a PC, not a mobile device. Let me know if you’d rather I do it for you.
3) Join our PTA Facebook page: This is a great way to connect with other Whittier families and send quick messages and get updates. Feel free to let us know of other Whittier families that may want to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/127540600656517/
Contact Ann Russel with any questions! annkherrick@yahoo.com.
Whittier Weekly Submissions
If you would like to submit something to be put in the Whittier Weekly please have your submission in by the Sunday before to be put in our weekly addition on Monday. Please use the link below for any submissions. Questions? Contact Cindy Maquet at cindymaquet@hotmail.com
PTA Committee Positions Open
We have several committee positions open, as listed below. If you are interested, please contact Mandi Torello or Sarah Forillo. acraig1014@gmail.com or sarahforillo@gmail.com
Communication
Responsibilities include keeping the PTA’s website updated, assisting with sign ups as needed, and managing other communication tools such as the PTA’s Facebook page and WhittierDirectory. Volunteers also work with other committee chairs on how to make timely updates on the website. Annually, the person responsible for the directory gathers the information and creates a printable directory. If you are interested and want to learn more, contact Ann Russell
Target Number of Volunteers: one person or a team
Estimated Time Commitment: 2 hours (start of the year) / 1 week thereafter
Required Availability: Flexible
Outside Programs Coordinator (Chess Scholars, Language Labs, Young Rembrandts)
Whittier offers our students several programs on a for-fee basis after school one day per week through external organizations. PTA members help liaise between the school and these external organizations for session scheduling and information distribution purposes. One PTA parent volunteer must also be present each week during chess in order to assist with attendance and overall supervision.
Target Number of Volunteers: 1
Estimated Time Commitment: Minimal (coordinator)
Required Availability: Weekday Afternoons
Math & Science Night
Math Night is an event for 4th-6th graders and their families to explore math concepts in a fun, hands-on way outside of the traditional classroom setting. Science Night is an all-school event for students and their families to interact with science concepts in a tangible and exciting manner. PTA members serving on the Math & Science Night committee plan, prepare for, and lead various sessions at the events.
Target Number of Volunteers: 10-20
Estimated Time Commitment: A few hours (early planning) / Significant (the week of the event)
Required Availability: Flexible (early planning) / Weekday Evening (night of event)
Walking Club
The Walking Club promotes fitness for Whittier’s students. Each student participant can earn one Walking Club “dollar” per lap completed during their recess time on Walking Club dates (Walking Club runs in the fall and spring only). Students can then spend their earned “dollars” in the Walking Club “store” when it is made available to them. Committee member duties may include printing/preparing the Walking Club dollars, buying the prizes for the Walking Club store, keeping inventory of the prizes, and scheduling parent volunteers to help track students’ laps, distribute dollars, encourage the kids to walk, and distribute prizes.
Target Number of Volunteers: 1-5
Estimated Time Commitment: 1 hour per week (when Walking Club is in season)
Required Availability: From 11:25 a.m. – 12:25 p.m. on Wednesdays (Fall and Spring Only)
