the Orca Splash

Hello Viewlands Families!

Today was our annual all school zoo fieldtrip. Our trip to the zoo was even dry! The rain didn't start until we returned to school! The all-school zoo fieldtrip has been a tradition at Viewlands for many years. It was greatly missed the few years during the pandemic. Annual traditions, like the zoo fieldtrip and our Dia De Los Muertos Ofrenda, are important parts of our community. The zoo fieldtrip was lots of fun. There is always a little chaos at the end especially when two different schools were ending fieldtrips and the same time. Thank You to all of the volunteer chaperones that attended the zoo with us this year. Thank You to VEPTSA for helping support this fieldtrip. Thank You for everyone's patience in that chaos at the end while we waited for the school from Kent to board their busses. Back at school, the classroom and hallway was a buzz with the stories. Those small moments are beautiful! It is a great way to celebrate and honor the season together as a community.

The zoo trip and spending time with students at the zoo is the big highlight of the week. A few other highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week centered around students supporting students. Our 1st and 2nd grade students in Mr. Brandon's class read their writing to the preschoolers in Head Start. Mr. Thorpe's 4th and 5th grade class spent time with younger students talking about the zoo and planning routes to see the animals they wanted to see with zoo maps. A few volunteer 4th and 5th grade students supported our younger students going to after school enrichment classes on Tuesday. Ms. Meagher's 3rd grade class read books and did buddy activities with Mr. D and Team's mixed age classroom. Students learning from and with each other as buddies and mentors is truly beautiful.

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

Viewlands will host family-teacher fall conferences in November. The teachers have shared sign-ups via Konstella with families last week. Some families already have conferences scheduled by our multilingual team or Ms. McVay. Conferences will be hosted:

• Thursday, November 20 after school
• Monday November 24 all day and in the evening
• Tuesday November 25 during the day

We prefer and highly encourage in-person conferences at the school, but if in-person doesn't work, you can reach out to the classroom teacher and request a virtual meeting.

We want to host a conference for every student. Please schedule a time. If you need help scheduling, reach out to the classroom teacher for support. These conferences are an important part of our partnership with families. This is when we can share more about your child's learning profile, where their learning is on the continuum of learning standards, and their strengths and needs at school. This is also a time for you to share more about your child, ask questions, and create a shared plan of supporting their learning at home and school.

Elementary school progress reports are provided 3 times each school year. You will receive the first progress report before these conferences. The teacher can answer questions about the progress report at your conference. The next progress report will be in March. The end of year progress report will be in June. Elementary school in Seattle Public Schools uses a number system (1 to 4), not traditional letter grades. In secondary school (middle and high school), students will receive traditional letter grades. Please review the attached documents (English or Spanish) that explains the number system on elementary progress reports.

Connecting our community with the Woodland Park Zoo community through the ofrendas.

Fall Movie Night – Next Friday, November 7 | 5–7:30 p.m.
Join us for our annual Fall Movie Night featuring Lilo & Stitch! We’ll have pizza, snacks, popcorn, and drinks—bring blankets, stuffies, and pillows for a cozy evening with friends and family. Note: This is not a drop-off event; children must be accompanied by an adult.

We’ll also host a Spiritwear Exchange—bring gently used Viewlands gear to swap, or pick up a new piece to show your school pride.

Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. Sign up here.

Save the Dates

Nov 22 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Salmon Celebration -community event at Carkeek Park!

Dec 10 | 5–8 p.m.: “Give Big” Winter Fundraising Event at Chuck’s Hop Shop (stay tuned for more details!)

Mar 28 | 2026: Blockbuster Bash – Spring Party & Auction at Old Stove Brewing Co: Get ready for an evening supporting our school with a blockbuster-themed party and auction at Old Stove Brewing Co - Gardens in Ballard! Mark your calendars for March 28th and stay tuned for more details.

Join Viewlands PTSA!

Have a voice, a vote, and access to fun perks—like ticket and retail discounts. Your membership supports playground supervision, literacy tools, field trips, teacher grants, and the events that make Viewlands shine. There is no time commitment required.

• October 31 All School Zoo Field Trip (MANY volunteers needed)
• November 7 VEPTSA Sponsored Fall Movie Night, time TBD
• November 11 No School – Veterans Day holiday
• Nov 24-Nov 25 No School, Family-Teacher Conferences
• Nov 26-Nov 28 No School - Holiday
• December 4 Picture Retake/Make Up Day
• December 10 - VEPTSA Winter Fundraiser, Give BIG for Viewlands at Chucks
• Dec 22-Jan 2 No School - Winter Break