The Wildcat Word

Whitney Families,

Spring is in the air! It seems that after spring break the rest of the school year goes by rather quickly. When we come back from spring break, make it a point to continue to reinforce routines to support school success such as arriving to school on time (between 8:00 and 8:40), getting plenty of sleep, and home practice of key academic skills. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following amount of sleep by age:

• Ages 4-12 months: 12-16 hours (including naps)

• Ages 1-2 years: 11-14 hours (including naps)

• Ages 3-5 years: 10-13 hours (including naps)

• Age 6-12 years: 9-12 hours

• Age 13-18 years: 8-10 hours

State Testing is coming up! Smarter Balanced state testing season is upon us for our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students (please see schedule below). We have been preparing at school to ensure that materials are ready, that students know how to navigate the system and that schedules and support staff are available and ready to help support both teachers and students.

Here are some ways that you can support your student at home:

• Ensure your student is present at school and arrives to school on time on testing days
• Ensure that your student gets a good night's sleep
• Encourage your student to do their best work and take their time
• Celebrate the accomplishment of a job well done!

Thank you for your partnership in supporting our students to thrive in school.

Mr. Hunt

Principal

March 30th - April 3rd - Conference Week - Noon Release

April 6th - 10th - Spring Break

April 29th - Noon Release - Teacher Professional Development

May 4th - 8th - Teacher Appreciation Week

May 25th - Memorial Day NO SCHOOL

May 29th - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

June 5th - Treaty Day - No School

June 8th - Kinder Graduation

June 9th - Field Day

June 10th - Last day of School - Noon Release

Please check out the Events section of ParentSquare to see the most updated information.

We currently have $15,822.14 reminaing in our booster club accounts.

Please consider and vote on the following proposals which will close on April 3rd:

Coffee Proposal for Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 - 8. Each day of teacher appreciation week we are honoring the work that our teachers do to support our students. In the past our booster club has purchased coffee for our teachers for one of the appreciation days. If approved we would allocate $275 to purchase coffee for our teachers.

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with Hyundai of Yakima to support and encourage strong student attendance. For the remainder of the school year, Hyundai of Yakima will generously donate one bicycle each month. All students who earn perfect attendance during a given month will be entered into that month’s raffle for a chance to win the bike. Perfect attendance means coming to school every day, on time, and not checking out early!

Kindergarten enrollment opens on March 2, 2026. Please enroll your kindergartner in their neighborhood boundary school.

Four Steps To Registration

1. Complete the enrollment packet in print or register online.
The print packet can be picked up at any school (when schools are open/in session) or at the central administration building, 104 N 4th Avenue.

2. Submit proof of address
A utility bill within one month (cable, internet, water/sewer/garbage, lease agreement, gas, power).

3. Provide age documentation
Birth certificate or hospital/physician certificate.

4. Submit immunization records
A doctor's office prints a medically verified immunization record.

On November 18, 2025, the Yakima School District Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 04.25.26, placing a bond measure on the April 28, 2026 Special Election ballot.

Click here for more factual information contained in the Board-adopted resolution and supporting financial documents.

Proposition No. 1 – Yakima School District No. 7
General Obligation Bonds – $200,000,000

The Board of Directors of Yakima School District No. 7 adopted Resolution No. 04.25.26 approving a proposition for bonds. This proposition would authorize the District to rebuild and refurnish Hoover and Garfield Elementary Schools; modernize buildings, upgrade District facilities for energy efficiency and replace roofs and, make improvements and additions to athletic facilities and playgrounds throughout the District, and make other capital improvements; to issue $200,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within a maximum of 20 years, and to collect excess property taxes annually to repay the bonds, as provided in Resolution No. 04.25.26.

PARENT - TEACHER CONFERENCES MARCH 30TH - April 3RD

Parents are a child's first and most important teacher. As partners in the educational process, both you and your child's school have something in common: For your child to learn! When you meet with the teacher, you can each share important information about the talents and needs of your student, as well as have meaningful discussion on how your child can continue to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong success.

What to Expect

As you prepare for your parent-teacher conference, here is what you can expect:

A Two-Way Conversation

Like all good conversations, parent-teacher conferences are best when both people talk and listen. The conference is time to learn about your child's progress in school:

• Ask to see data about your child's attendance, grades, and test scores.
• Find out if your child is meeting school expectations and academic standards.
• Talk with your child's teacher about what your child is like at home.
• Share information about your child's skills, interests, needs, and goals, so you and the teacher can work together to help your student succeed.

Emphasis on Learning

Parent-teacher conferences focus on how well your child is doing in school. They also emphasize how your student can do even better. To prepare for this dialogue:

• Look over your student's homework, tests and notices.
• Bring a list of questions to ask the teacher.

Opportunities and Challenges

Teachers want your child to succeed. It is important to hear positive feedback about your child's progress, as well as be receptive to discussion for areas of improvement.

• Think about your child's strengths and challenges before the conference.
• Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her challenges.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR

We will be having our Book Fair this year during conference week in the STEAM Room.

Check out additional information on getting an eWallet set up and preview books from the fair here.

Be Here, Win Big!

Whitney is celebrating families of students who show up and shine with raffle prizes the whole family can enjoy - gift cards to your favorite restaurants and shops, board games/family activities, and other cool surprises.

Why:

• Every day that a student is in class means more learning more friends, and more fun!

• Win cool prizes for the whole family.

How to enter:

• Come to school on time everyday

• Miss no more than 1 school day per month

When is the raffle drawing?

• Winners will be drawn on the last school day of every month.

Parents and families:

Help your child get to school on time every day - attendance adds up to success!

Good attendance = better grades + strong habits + more opportunities + more smiles + prizes!

As a PBIS school, we honor our students' great behaviors with PBIS points which they can then cash in for prizes from our Wildcat Store. Students have reported that the store is a big motivator. We would love your support to keep our store stocked with items our students are excited to earn. Please review our Amazon wishlist if you would like to make a donation.

Our Attendance Goal this year is that 85% of Whitney students have less than 18 abscences. Please help us make this goal a reality by bringing your child to school every day! Below is a report of our current attendance data which shows that we are not trending towards our goal of 85%. Please help us make attendance a priority by bringing your students to school every day unless they have a fever of over 100 degrees, vomiting, or diarrhea. Last year we had 69% of our students had less than 18 absences.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday life, from homework help to creative play. This Beyond the Bell: Family and Caregiver Resource offers practical strategies to support healthy habits that help kids explore AI safely and responsibly. Share it with your school families.

• Click HERE for English

• Click HERE for Spanish

Click here to check out Whitney Wildcat custom tees, hoodies, and accessories. Don’t forget to use the discount code at checkout. New discount codes are displayed across the top of our apparel page.

Visitors

Please check in at the office if you would like to join your child for lunch.

Volunteers

If you would like to volunteer in your child's class you must have an application on file with the Yakima School District. The application requires a background check. You can pick up a Volunteer applications from the office or attached below.