the Orca Splash

Hello Viewlands Families!

This Monday one of our Viewlands alumni student representing Rising Sons, 6th grader, Josiah, spoke in front of thousands gathered for the MLK Jr. march organized by the Seattle MLK Coalition. The voice of our students is powerful. The message is strong, kindness and showing up for each other.

"I believe we keep showing up even though negative things happen in the world. There is so much good. Take a look around you. We are standing in a real moment of Matin Luther King's dream. Where we go from here is to keep being kind and keep doing good. And most important keep showing up." - Josiah Moran, 6th Grader, RESMS, Viewlands Alum Student

On Thursday this week, the school and VEPTSA co-hosted our Math Night and Community Resource Fair. It was great to see our Viewlands families there. If you weren't able to make it, we hope you can make it next year. It is a fun event of math games and a great connection to both community organizations and middle and high school programs! Thank you to the community organizations that were here at our Community Resource Fair, Seattle Metro, Seattle Public Library, Neighborcare, and FamilyWorks! Thank you to the VEPTSA Volunteer that helped lead and coordinate the event, Sam Orr! Thank you to staff members, Breanne Kutch, Norma Andrade, and Alex Gorohoff who were on this event planning team. Thank you to the RESMS math club, Lincoln High School math club, Ingraham High School math club, and our Viewlands alumni middle and high school students that volunteered to support math night. It was wonderful to see so many Viewlands alumni students.

A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week include: listening to 4th and 5th graders explain paraphrasing and why credible sources are important; playing a game with a kindergartener; talking with 3rd graders about traits and variations as they collect evidence and discuss why one type of snail has a lower survival rate than another type of snail; and seeing families, students, and alumni students at our math night and community resource fair event this week.

Your children are bright, inquisitive, and creative thinkers. We will continue to seek ways to make every student feel known, valued, and empowered through the year.

In Partnership,

Carrie Wheeler | Viewlands Principal

Our salmon eggs have hatched. We are excited to observe them in the next stage of alevin. Our 4th and 5th graders are creating posters and other learning materials to teach other students and community members!

The posters created by our 4th graders will be put up in the hallways, stairs, and around the tank in the coming weeks to teach others about the salmon. Our 5th graders are creating other learning tools that they will use when they visit K-3 classrooms to teach students about the salmon. Students teaching students is a great way to support student leadership, embrace what it means to be part of a community, and support learning for all students.

Practices: Tuesdays 2:30-4 p.m. at Viewlands starting February 24

Games: at Magnuson Park on Saturdays from March 7th until May 16

Cost: Pay what you can, from $0 to $95.

If interested -

Sign up for Ultimate Frisbee - English

Sign up for Ultimate Frisbee - Spanish

Questions? Contact Coach Valentine cjdeweyvalen@seattleschools.org

There are many changes that have occurred this school year in the identification categories, pathway options, math progression options, timelines, and more in the Highly Capable services in Seattle Public Schools.

There are important dates / timelines regarding notification for newly identified students and enrollment. The enrollment considerations are for students that qualify for highly capable services and are entering 2nd through 6th grade next year.

Below are a few of those important dates and timelines. I have also attached an "Understanding Highly Capable Services" document for Viewlands and the website link to the Highly Capable department page on the Seattle Public School site.

Important Dates:

• Newly identified highly capable eligibility notifications will be available on the source on February 7. Highly Capable is now the only designation.
• Appeals: Families can appeal eligibility decisions. The appeal window is Feb 7 through Feb 20. Families must submit appeals in that window. Final appeal decisions will be available in the Source on February 27.
• Enrollment Dates: Open Choice enrollment is required for students identified for highly capable services that plan to enroll in the cohort model option school (Cascadia for 2nd through 5th) AND for the Highly Capable pathway middle school (Robert Eagle Staff Middle School) for 6th grade. It is recommended that families with 5th grade students that are eligible for highly capable services review the math pathway options carefully in the attached document. The open choice priority enrollment window is January 5 through February 28. Late applications will be accepted through March 31st, but submitting open choice applications in the priority window is recommended. No enrollment forms are needed to stay in your neighborhood option.

Robert Eagle Staff Middle School PTSA Musical Theater presents Shrek, The Musical Jr. This a great opportunity to support RESMS and see a musical!

• Shows on January 23 and 31, 7 p.m.
• Shows on January 25 and February 1 at 3 p.m.
• Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students (non RESMS students)
• RESMS students and Kids under 5 are free
• Shows are at RESMS
• Purchase Robert Eagle Staff PTSA Musical Shrek, the Musical

The Broadview Branch Library of Seattle Public Libraries is having a 50th Anniversary Celebration. There are music and board game activities Thursday Jan 22 from 5-7:30 p.m. and Indigenous Storytelling with Siobhan Kekoa on Saturday Jan 24 at 11 a.m., following by a celebration at 1 p.m..

Winter General Meeting - Next Tuesday

Join us for the VEPTSA Winter General Meeting on Tuesday, January 27, from 6:30–8 p.m. in the school library. If you’ve never attended a PTA meeting before, this is a great place to start.

We’ll share how our fundraising is making an impact, gather your input on the budget, and discuss advocacy initiatives—along with ways to get involved even if you have very limited time. You’ll also have a chance to meet other parents and help shape our priorities for the 2025–2026 school year.

• Winter PTSA General Meeting Agenda.
• Free onsite childcare will be provided by Creative Kids, Viewlands’ afterschool care and preschool provider.

Seeking Volunteers for VEPTSA’s Nominating Committee

The PTA is seeking 3–4 volunteers to serve on our VEPTSA Officer Nominating Committee. This small group will help recruit and recommend PTA Officers for the 2026–27 school year.We especially encourage families who are newer to Viewlands, or who are interested in getting more involved in shaping our school community, to consider joining.

• To learn more, please contact vicepresident@viewlandsptsa.org or reach out to your classroom’s Family Ambassador.

Ticket Box Opens on Monday, 2/2 for Blockbuster-Themed PTSA Spring Auction

Get ready for a night of fun, community, and great vibes at Old Stove Brewing Co. Gardens in Ballard on March 28! 🎟️ Tickets will go Live on Monday, February 2.

· We’re also still on the lookout for fun auction items!

• Have a great idea, a connection, or something to contribute? Contact fundraising@viewlandsptsa.org.

• January 27 6:30-8 p.m. VEPTSA Winter General Membership Meeting
• February 16- February 20 - No School, Mid-Winter Break
• April 13-April 17 - No School, Spring Break
• Wednesday, April 29, 5-7 p.m.- Viewlands Evening of the Arts and Culture