the Orca Splash
Viewlands Community Principal Wheeler Update
Hello Viewlands Families!
Winter Break has arrived. Today there were many celebrations of writing and fun activities! Christa's 2nd grade, Ms. Norma's 2nd grade, and Mr. Brandon/Ms. Riley's 1st/2nd grade classrooms hosted a community potluck and writing celebration. Ms. Veliz's 1st graders hosted a writing celebration and a cookie extravaganza! There were many pajama and stuffy celebrations! Mr. W's 1st graders took home their animal creations, which were showcased in our hallway. The 4th and 5th graders in Mr. Thorpe's class had a surprise with the chairs at their desks, imagine 4th and 5th graders in kindergarten sized chairs! There were many ways classroom communities celebrated and showcased learning together! Thank you to all the families that were able to come to these celebrations and publishing parties today! We also hosted a dance party at the lunch recesses, which is always a lot of fun! We danced, we smiled, we laughed. There was a lot of joy!
We hope your family has a safe winter break and find little moments of joy in time spent together! We will welcome students back to school on Monday, January 5. Creative Kids will be open Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23. The school will be closed during winter break. The playground will be open this weekend and then the evening of Tuesday the 23rd through the rest of the winter break.
On December 7, the Viewlands Killer Whales Lego Robotics team of 10 -5th grade students competed with 28 other elementary and middle school teams. This was the first year Viewlands had a Lego Robotics Team. Thanks to an opportunity offered to Viewlands with grant funding for the start up equipment, we had a team this year. The team placed 6th of the 29 teams in the robot programming challenge and received the Rising Star award for their combined efforts in the robot programming and their presentation about an engineering solution to a problem. Congrats to the team, Aman, Bertram, Callum, Asher, Oliver, Rory, Rachel, Peter, Aniyah, and Sylvia! Last week we celebrated the team during their lunch. This year Mr. Thorpe served as their team advisor. We would love to continue this in the future. In order to continue it we will need a couple family or community volunteers that would be willing to support the team. The commitment is primarily in the fall, one day a week after school Late September through early December, communications with families, and supporting students at the competition day, which is an all day event one weekend day in early December. If you are interested or know a community member that might be interested in this for next fall, please reach out to Ms. Wheeler.
Today, the 3rd issue of the Viewlands Chatter, a student-led newspaper was published (this is the first issue this year). That is always a highlight. When we return from winter break the newsletter will be printed and distributed to our 3rd-5th grade students. You will see a link to it as a feature in this update. We hope all families enjoy reading the newsletter that is student-led, with Editor in Chief 5th grade student, Bertram Tracey.
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.
We hope all in our community have a safe winter break. We will welcome all back in 2026.
In Partnership,
Carrie Wheeler | Viewlands Principal
Thank you to everyone who donated to Give Big at Chuck’s and Winter Drive!
We raised $13,095 with Chuck’s generous match for Give Big for Viewlands! Additionally, our community donated $1,975 in grocery store gift cards for our Winter Drive which goes to support Viewlands families in need over winter break. Your contributions make a real difference for the students, staff, and families at Viewlands. Thank you!
Winter After-School Enrichment classes - last day to register is Today, Friday, December 19, 11:59 p.m.
Sign up for scientific fun with Kodely’s Wacky Science Lab, learn new moves in Chess Club, unleash your creativity in this season’s Adventures in Art: Mixed Media class, find your rhythm in Hip Hop: Mini Movers, or shine on stage with Illumination Learning Studio’s Elements of Drama course! Classes run after-school on Tuesdays, 1/13/26 – 3/10/26.
Family Math Night & Resource Fair - Save the date! Thursday, January 22, 5:30-7 p.m.
Bring the whole family to Family Math Night and Resource Fair on Thursday, January 22, 5:30-7 p.m. Viewlands is partnering with Zeno, local middle and high school math clubs, and local organizations for an evening of fun math activities and family resources. We need many volunteers to support this event, please consider sharing with a community member to support.