the Orca Splash

Hello Viewlands Families!

Viewlands staff observed a coyote walking on the trail outside of the playground fences mid-day on Wednesday this week. We wanted to let the community know to be on alert as you use the trail. We don't frequently see them out on the trail in the more public spaces of Carkeek at that time, mid-day.

Next week, Feb 2 through Feb 6, is Black Lives Matter at school. The theme this year is Local to Global: Loving Engagement in the Age of Change.

On Tuesday this week VEPTSA hosted their winter general membership meeting. Thank you to the families that were able to attend. We appreciate the partnership we have with VEPTSA. This partnership helps our school community thrive, learn with joy, and supports every student at Viewlands. Thank you to VEPTSA for being our partners and supporting our school community!

On Wednesday this week, we had our first Wiffle Ball Wednesday at lunch recess with interested 4th and 5th graders. This is the end result of a project from two 5th graders, Leo and Stella from Mr. Thorpe's class. They wrote their own proposal with a power point presentation, made sure there were other students interested and the equipment needed, completed all the steps required to plan for this over the past month, and taught the rules to other students interested. This Wednesday Stella supported the first two groups to play and kept track of statistics.

A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week include: using different math strategies to solve mathematical problems and how to turn a story into an equation with kindergarteners and 1st graders; our first wiffle ball Wednesday with some 4th and 5th grade students at lunch recess; and listening to a 3rd grade give an impromptu book talk encouraging others to read a book they recently finished.

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

There have been questions from families about protecting and maintaining privacy about immigration status. We do not need documentation and will not be requesting information about immigration status. Immigration status is private information. We know and understand the deep and real far families are facing with the political climate and the operations of immigration enforcement . We understand. We care deeply about every Viewlands student and family. The policy and our protocols for Immigration Enforcement at schools are shared below.

Seattle Public Schools established a policy in January of 2025 regarding Immigration Enforcement at Schools. The schools have a designated protocol we would follow if immigration enforcement came to our school.

Protocol:

• Deny Immediate Building Access following SPS established process and visitors policy for a safe and non-disruptive school environment
• The principal or administrative designee (if principal not on site) would meet with them outside
• We would call for SPS security presence if needed
• No information about an individual student, family member, or SPS employee would be shared
• The principal or designee would collect the credentials of the officer and copies of any court orders or judicial warrants
• The principal or designee would then send all documentation to the SPS legal office to review
• The principal or designee would request immigration enforcement to leave campus while we await legal guidance for the SPS General Counsel's office
• SPS General Counsel would review the credentials and legal documentation to determine next steps
• The family would be contacted unless advised otherwise by SPS General Counsel

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Ace (FERPA) prohibits the disclosure of student identifying information without the prior written consent of the parent/guardian. SPS staff will not disclose personal information without a court order, subpoena, or judicial warrant requiring the information's disclosure.

If you see immigration enforcement activity in the community, please call the school to report this with specifics of what you observed and the location. The school phone number is 206-252-4400. We will then alert SPS security and central office for additional guidance.

Additional Resources:

• Immigrant Students and Family Support
• City of Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Affairs
• City of Seattle Immigration Legal Defense
• City of Seattle Immigration Legal Assistance Resources and Know Your Rights Information

Families have also reached out regarding how to support families that have concerns regarding immigration enforcement. VEPTSA is working with the school to develop a list of community outreach organizations supporting families and ways families can share information. This will be shared once we have this information. If you have information about this to provide, please e-mail VEPTSA at veptsa@viewlandsptsa.org

Around the Viewlands campus students will be discussing and learning about the tradition of Lunar New Year and the cultural significance that it has within the Asian community. This topic has sparked powerful conversations while also providing a deeper understanding of how other cultures honor family and community through celebration. In art class, students will be using their personal connections, stories, and inspirations to create bright paper lanterns that represent good fortune and joy for the entire Viewlands community. This unit will allow students to learn about color, symbolism, and pattern in their work and has created opportunities to highlight the importance of collaboration.

As an extension to our classroom learning, we are inviting students to share their knowledge and experiences of the Lunar New Year. Here are a few ideas If you wish to participate

1. Bring in a photo, writing or drawing of how you and your family celebrate Lunar New Year.

2. Reflect on a wish or goal you have for the Year of the Horse.

3. Unleash your creativity by making a drawing or decoration that represents the qualities of a horse; energetic, independent, and intelligent.

This work will be on display along with our lanterns. Please write your name and classroom teacher’s name on your work. You can turn this into the office or your teacher (they will make sure it gets to Ms. B, our art teacher). This project is optional; Viewlands Elementary School respects the traditions and beliefs of all cultures.

If you would like to help hang the lanterns, please email Ms. Buschmann at kbbuschmann@seattlepublicschools.org.

Sui Sui Ping An or may you have peace and safety year after year!

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.

VEPTSA and the Viewlands Office Team host a Viewlands cover art contest annually. The cover art contest is open the whole month of February. This could be a great activity now or over mid-winter break. Every submission will be featured in a small way in the yearbook as borders and will be displayed in the main office. The winning entry will be our yearbook cover for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Paper: 8.5” x 11” portrait (only portrait oriented artwork can be considered)
• Details: Artwork must include an orca. Write the student’s full name and teacher's name on the back in pencil.

Students can submit their cover art to Ms. Lin in the office. The last day to submit an entry is Friday, February 27!

There are many different viewpoints, opinions, and preferences from our families on how February 14th Valentines Day is or is not recognized at school. At Viewlands, Feb 14th, or the school day closest when it is on a weekend, is referred to as a "Friendship Day". The exact way teachers decide to celebrate 'Friendship Day" varies. Valentines Day does not have historical context that connects to elementary learning in core subjects, but can be a way to connect to our social-emotional learning centered around friendship or a way to acknowledge our classmates/peers.

• If a classroom teacher chooses to do something to celebrate “Friendship Day”, it is something handled in the classroom so all students can participate (i.e. friendship cards, pictures, compliments for every student). I encourage teachers to communicate ahead of time of their plan for this day. We want this day to feel successful for all students.
• We do not want candy or high sugar treats from home as part of any friendship day celebrations. This is because families have different opinions and preferences around candy/high sugar treats and those types of snacks/treats can impact the emotional regulation and social behavior responses for some students, as well as how students respond to each other.
• When classrooms do something to honor or celebrate Friendship Day, the goal is to connect to classroom community building that our educators are working to cultivate throughout the year and social-emotional learning around friendships and how to be a kind, positive, and productive member of a community.

I appreciate your understanding and flexibility. If you have specific questions about what is happening in your child's classroom, please reach out to the classroom teacher.

Practices: Tuesdays 2:30-4:00 at Viewlands starting February 24

Games: at Magnuson Park on Saturdays from March 7 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

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 28th! 🎟️ Auction 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.

Curriculum Change Feedback

SPS is choosing a new English Language Arts Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction program that would apply to all K-5 schools. They have narrowed it to 3 finalists and are seeking feedback from the community via a survey.

The survey is open until Wed. Feb 4th. They have video overviews of the 3 options as well as sample lessons. Materials and survey

VEPTSA General Meeting recap

21 members, Mr. W, and Ms. Wheeler joined the winter General Meeting this past Tuesday. MVEPTSA General Meeting minutes.. Thanks to all who participated. Come join us at the spring General Meeting on May 19!

• 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