the Orca Splash

Hello Viewlands Families!

Thank you for partnering with us during conferences. If your family was not able to attend a learning conference during our conference week schedule, please reach out to your child’s classroom teacher to reschedule. This is an important part of our partnership. We want families to know how their children are doing at school as a learner, and we want to learn from you so we can best work together to help your child feel known, valued, and empowered at school!

VEPTSA is helping us with a gift card drive. The Kroger gift cards will support Viewlands families directly for use over the winter break. If you are able, we appreciate your participation and donation. There is more information about the gift card drive below. We are collecting gift cards for one more week through Friday, December 12.

A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week include: learning from 1st graders about what they want to be when they grow up and why; diving into research on animals with 2nd graders and learning more about the reasons they chose specific animals, like an anglerfish and a black widow spider; listening to 4th and 5th graders share their evidence to support their thinking about why we don't see stars at night; and watching a small group of 3rd graders support one another while they were reading new text.

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

Thank you to our student leaders that supported the Viewlands booth at the Community Salmon Gathering at Carkeek Saturday November 22, sharing information about the Salmon in Schools. Thank you, also, to the students that created art for the booth.

Thank you to Sam Orr for being the VEPTSA lead, along with staff, Lora Nelson, Norma Andrade, and Kirsten Erickson. Thank you to the volunteers that supporting this event! It was a wonderful event. We had many Viewlands families attend past and present. We were the only booth sharing more about the salmon in schools project!

Donate to the Gift Card Drive Now through Friday, December 12

VEPTSA is partnering with us in a Kroger gift card drive. VEPTSA is collecting $25 Kroger gift cards. The gift cards will support Viewlands families during Winter Break.

How to Support?

• You can purchase $25 Kroger gift cards (e-gift cards) to donate to this gift card drive. You can do this online. The link is below to purchase online.
• Once you log on, you can select e-gift.
• Next, you will enter the $25 amount, select for a friend, put Viewlands as the recipient name, and this e-mail for the recipient e-mail: president@viewlandsptsa.org
• VEPTSA will print all e-gift cards donated.
• E-gift cards are preferred. If for some reason you are not able to do the e-gift card and have a physical gift card, please bring them to the office, so they can be added to the gift card drive.

Give Big is a crucial fundraising effort, supporting programs and positions vital to the school's success. From classroom initiatives to essential lunchroom and recess staffing, your contributions directly shape the experience for our students at Viewlands.

Our annual Give Big at Chuck’s fundraiser is Wednesday, December 10, 5-8pm. Chuck’s Hop Shop Greenwood will be giving a $5k match for donations made between 5-8pm. There will be a food truck (details to come) and special guest, Ollie the Viewlands Orca! Come enjoy an evening of fun and fundraising for Viewlands Elementary. This event is open to everyone—please share with your family, friends, and neighbors.

Join Viewlands PTSA!

Have a voice, a vote, and access to 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.

Save the Date! Blockbuster-Themed PTSA Spring Auction

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 28 and stay tuned for more details.

• December 10 - VEPTSA Winter Fundraiser, Give BIG for Viewlands at Chucks
• December 19 - Friday before Winter Break, early dismissal at 1:25 p.m.
• Dec 22-Jan 2 No School - Winter Break
• January 5 - First day back to school after winter break
• January 19 - No School, MLK Day
• February 16- February 20 - No School, Mid-Winter Break