News from Principal Watters

Dear Whittier Community,

You can feel students and classrooms settling into the school year. Routines are established, classroom charters have been written, KinderCats are walking confidently to their lines almost every morning, and cafeteria conversations are settling into familiarity with old and new friends.

Today we had our first assembly, as the Taproot Theatre Road Company visited and performed their new show, Detectives! A fourth-grade Detective Club unravels a series of school mysteries — an escaped hamster, a missing magic kit, and a classmate's bullying — teaching kids to Recognize, Report, and Refuse bullying while becoming Upstanders for one another.

As you talk with your student today, ask them: Which parts of the play did you like best? Was there anything that surprised you? Which characters did you like best — and which didn't you like, and why? Who did you identify with? Should any of the characters have made different choices?

I'm grateful for our PTA partnership, which lets us bring in Taproot Theatre every fall to help ground us in our core values and our commitment to ensuring every student at Whittier feels safe, seen, welcome, and known!

I hope you'll join us for Curriculum Night on Thursday from 5–7 p.m. This is a drop-in event, and your student will be your guide. I look forward to seeing you there!

Go Wildcats!

Cindy

Curriculum Night — September 24, 5–7 p.m. Your student will be your guide for the evening as you meet their classroom teacher, chat with our specialists, and connect with the PTA.

Join Principal Watters to learn more about Whittier:

• Session 1: 5:15-5:45 p.m.
• Session 2: 6-6:30 p.m.
• Both sessions will be the same presentation and will take place in the Cafeteria.

You'll also have the chance to meet Nurse Marissa, Ms. Lauren (our social worker), and other important members of our school community. We look forward to seeing you there!

We know after school plans will sometimes change on short notice. If plans for your student ever change during the school day (or even close to the start) please call the Whittier Main Office.

Teachers don't have time during the day to check emails or TalkingPoints messages. We want to make sure your Wildcat gets where they need to be without confusion.

The Office is always happy to help ensure your student and the adults get the message. 206-252-1650

Annual Give is a great way to support Whittier Elementary’s funding gaps. To ensure we can have many of our programs, specialists, and fun we need YOUR help. This year, we’re asking every Wildcat family to complete the Annual Give form online by 10/2. By filling out the form your student (s) will be entered into the weekly raffle for a squishmallow!

So, fill it out early to get the most opportunities to win.

To fill out your form (with any donation amount)

More information is also located in your packet from Back to Business or visit the link above to learn more about why we need fundraise!

If you have any questions, please email fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org.

Back by popular demand—it’s Whittier Evening at the Ballpark! Let’s ring in the school year, build community, and welcome our new Kindercat families to Whittier as we cheer on the M’s, eat all the snacks, and dance our way onto the Jumbotron. The fun begins Friday, September 25 at 7:10 p.m. as the Mariners take on the Angels. Stay after the game for an extra bonus—fireworks night! Purchase your discounted Mariners tickets. Hope to see you there ⚾️

Whittier's PTA has a Multicultural Belonging Group for families with international, immigrant, multilingual, or multicultural backgrounds.

The group is a welcoming space to connect with other families who share experiences like navigating a new school system, raising children across cultures, or being far from the culture and community you grew up with. We meet informally a few times a year to connect, share experiences and ideas, and talk about how to help multicultural families feel at home at Whittier.

Whether you're new to Whittier or have been part of our community for years, we'd love to have you join us. Interested? Sign up for the Whittier PTA

• Makeup Portraits: Students who missed picture day should plan on getting a portrait. Families can preorder portraits here: 2026-27 Whittier Elementary Make-up/ Retake Pre-payments 10/6. Print orders will be shipped to the school in 3-4 weeks after makeup/retake day; digital orders will be sent via email from no-reply@imagequix.com.
• Retake Portraits: Anyone is welcome to get a retake. Students who return portrait packages to the photographer on 10/6 will receive a complimentary package of the retake portrait. Please note that retake portraits replace the original portrait in PowerSchool and the yearbook. If your student had a photo taken on September 1, you can view it here (the online code is the student's SPS ID number): 2026-27 Whittier Elementary - Online Code = SPS Student ID #
• Contact Yuen Lui Studio with any questions. Thank you!