Weekly Wildcat

February:

16: No School - President's Day

19: 3:30pm-5:00pm - STEAM Fair. Families Welcome!

23: 6pm - 8pm - PTA Family Literacy Night/Book Fair Preview

23 - 26: PTA Spring Book Fair

25: TK/Kinder Prospective Parent Tour: Sign up Below

27: Read Across America Day

March:

6: No School - Student Free Day

Each Newsletter, we will proudly spotlight Wildcats who brings Portrait of a Graduate to life. This week, we spotlight Noor Raza, 5th grade student, for exemplifying Leadership & Character through her inspiring presentation to the PTA. Noor shared her vision for a lunchtime friendship club designed to bring more connection, belonging, and kindness on campus. Her initiative reflects the heart of what it means to be a Wildcat.

February’s trait is Sportsmanship — being fair, respectful, and kind whether we win or lose. Families can model this during games at home. Try asking: “How can we be a good sport when things don’t go our way?”

At the end of the month, one student from each classroom will be recognized at our school assembly for showing good sportsmanship.

Walteria loves to celebrate students for making good choices. This includes classroom rewards, WOW tickets, raffles, and character awards! And we’re excited to share that Fridays are about to get even better!

Students will also be able to celebrate their excellent behavior during Wildcat WOW Time on Friday afternoons! Special equipment and jamming music will reward our Wildcats for being respectful, responsible, and safe. If students do not follow Walteria’s PBIS matrix, they may receive a Think Time Slip and may need time to reflect on making better choices. Let’s strive to be leaders, have fun, and do our best the Wildcat Way—every day!

We’re celebrating Kindness Week from February 17–20 with fun dress‑up days and simple acts of kindness all around campus. Students can join Leadership and our Counselor during snack recess for special kindness activities.

Dress‑Up Days:

• Tue 2/17 – Tie It Together: Wear your favorite tie‑dye

• Wed 2/18 – Team Kindness: Sports jersey or hat

• Thu 2/19 – Kindness Is Comfy: Pajama Day

• Fri 2/20 – Kindness Rocks: Dress like a rockstar

Let’s spread kindness and show our Walteria spirit all week long.

Join us on Friday, February 27, 2026, for a special Read Across America celebration! Families are invited to share their love of reading—and a cozy picnic lunch—with their child(ren) on campus.

🕒 Schedule

11:45–12:00 – Welcome & PTA Association Meeting
12:00–1:00 – Picnic Time

Bring a blanket, a favorite book, and lunch for you and your child. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate reading and enjoy time together as a community.

Walteria’s Idea STEAM Fair is coming Thursday, February 19, 2026! From inventive problem-solving to dazzling collections and hands-on experiments, students TK–5th grade will showcase their creativity and curiosity. Whether it’s engineering a new invention, sorting a favorite collection, or diving into the scientific method—there’s something for every young thinker.

Stop by the Walteria Front Office to pick up your STEAM Fair Packets.

🔗 More info & workshop support at bit.ly/tusdsteamfair

Please help spread the word! Walteria Elementary is hosting TK/Kindergarten School Tours for families who are curious about joining our school community. Tour sign ups can be found here.

Tours will be held on February 25, March 25, April 29, and May 27, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and lasting approximately one hour. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore classrooms, learn about our programs and routines, and see learning in action.

A valid photo ID is required for campus entry, and for the best experience, we kindly discourage children from attending. Space is limited, so advance registration is encouraged.

Feel free to share this opportunity with friends, neighbors, or family members who may be interested in starting their child’s school journey at Walteria! 🌟

Walteria Elementary is proud to recognize our multilingual 5th graders with the Pathway to Biliteracy Award! This honor celebrates students who show proficiency in English and another language—including American Sign Language—and promotes cultural appreciation and global readiness.

📅 Applications and reading logs are due by February 27, 2026.

🎉 Let’s celebrate language, diversity, and the power of communication! 🎉

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) on campus, beginning February 23. ELOP is an afterschool program that provides enrichment, academic support, and healthy play for students from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. daily.

This year, ELOP enrollment is limited to qualifying students, with invitations sent directly to eligible families. We look forward to expanding the program next year, when ELOP will be open to additional students through a fee-based option. More information about ELOP can be found on the TUSD website.

South High School is hosting a fun 2‑week cheer clinic for students in grades K–8 (ages 5–13)!

🗓 March 10–20

🕒 3:30–5:00 PM

📍 South High Cafeteria

Campers should come dressed in shorts, a T‑shirt, and tennis shoes. The clinic wraps up with a Parent Showcase on March 20.

💲 $120 per camper (includes 2 tickets to the showcase)

Registration and payment links are available on the flyer.

For questions, email shsspartancheer@gmail.com.

Get ready for some friendly competition! The South Area Elementary Basketball Tournament takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the South High Main Gym. Games begin at 9:00 AM, with the Championship at 12:00 PM.

Students interested in joining their school team can attend tryouts on March 24 (3:15–4:30 PM). Each school will also hold three practices in April (dates TBD), coached by South High basketball players.

Walteria Elementary is gearing up for our 2nd Annual Career Day on Friday, March 20, 2026, and we need YOU! Share your expertise, inspire young minds, and show students how learning connects to the real world.

Interested? Scan the QR code or sign up at bit.ly/46tK7cD.

In the event of an incident affecting the Walteria Campus—such as an earthquake, fire, medical emergency, or security threat—TUSD uses a dedicated webpage to communicate with families. During an emergency, school site personnel may be focused on securing the campus and coordinating with city officials. For real-time updates and notifications, families should visit the TUSD Alert Page website.

Taking Time: South Bay is offering a FREE 8-week bereavement support group for children and families who have experienced the loss of a family member. The program provides a safe, caring space for children to grieve, connect with others their age, and learn ways to navigate loss alongside their parents or caregivers.

Program Details:

Who: Children ages 5–11 and their parents/guardians/caregivers

Eligibility: Families who have experienced the death of a family member within the last two years

Dates: February 17–April 14, 2026 (no group on April 7)

Day & Time: Tuesdays, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Location: Beach Cities Health District Building

514 N. Prospect Ave., Suite L6, Redondo Beach

Cost: Free (pre-registration required)

To Register or Learn More:

📞 424-634-1956 ✉️ info@takingtime.org 🌐www.takingtime.org

Our 3rd–5th graders are invited to take part in Walteria’s annual Bike Rodeo on Wednesday, March 11, 2026! Students will complete a written bike‑safety test and ride through six fun skill stations. The top two boys and girls in each grade will move on to the District Bike Rodeo.

Riders must bring their own bike and helmet, and a signed permission slip must be on file. (No e‑bikes allowed.) The event begins at 2:30 PM — meet at the basketball courts. Officer Scott will be on campus to demonstrate bike safety.

Permission slips are available in the Walteria School Front Office.

Walteria is turning 100, and we want your art on the cover! Create a colorful design on vertical 8½×11 white paper that includes our school name, school year (2025–26), and school colors. Put your name and teacher on the back, then turn it in to the office by February 27.

Walteria Yearbook is looking for your photos from Holiday Spirit Week! Lets see those pajamas, ugly sweaters and winter gear! 📸 ⛄

Photos from Fall events are also still being accepted.

📧 Send your photos to:

yearbook@walteriaelementary.org

✅ Be sure to include:

Student’s name

Grade

Teacher’s name

Thank you for helping us make this year’s yearbook unforgettable!

Virtual Workshop January 28, 2026 at Noon

Scan the QR code to register

You’re invited to join the Building Bridges Community Collaborative, a space to connect, coordinate, and catalyze community efforts. Meetings take place every other month on Thursdays, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM at Levy Adult School, Torrance.

📅 Upcoming dates:

Sept. 18, 2025 (Rm. 20)

Nov. 19, 2025 (Rm. 20)

Jan. 22, 2026 (Rm. 11)

Mar. 19, 2026 (Rm. 20)

May 28, 2026 (Mental Health Awareness Month, Rm. 20)

For more information, contact gutierrez.nancy@tusd.org.