the Orca Splash
Viewlands Community Principal Wheeler Update
Hello Viewlands Families!
On Thursday this week we were supposed to have an assembly with a guest artist and storyteller. Unfortunately, the guest artist had to cancel due to Seattle traffic gridlock and the tunnel closing as he was trying to travel between John Muir elementary and Viewlands. This was disappointing. We still listened to the Coast Salish Salmon Boy story at lunch. While that was not the same as an assembly with Roger Fernandes, we still wanted to honor this and create excitement around the Viewlands Community Salmon Gathering event tomorrow at Carkeek.
Tomorrow, Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., is the Viewlands Community Salmon Gathering event that happens during the Pipers Creek Salmon Celebration in Carkeek Park. We hope you can attend. Viewlands will have a booth, led by student leaders and volunteers. There is more information below.
A reminder that next week there is no school for students. We are hosting family-teacher conferences Monday and Tuesday next week. The book fair will also be open during conferences on Monday and Tuesday.
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.
A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week include: writing celebration with Ms. Meagher's 3rd grade community; singing Run Salmon Run with kindergarteners and 1st graders; celebrating reading successes with 3rd graders; and breaking apart numbers as kindergarten students shared their mathematical thinking.
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
Salmon Celebration - This Saturday! November 22 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Carkeek Park
Bring the whole family and join our annual Salmon Celebration at Pipers Creek! Look for spawning salmon and learn new things from the Carkeek Salmon Stewards and other park friends. Viewlands will have an event table showcasing student salmon artwork and 5th grade student leaders will provide information about the salmon in schools program. Ollie the Viewlands Orca is set to make an appearance, too. This is a popular community event and parking will be limited. A walking group will gather at Viewlands at 10:30am to walk to the event. If you drive, we recommend arriving 30 minutes earlier and try to carpool. Volunteers are needed - signup to volunteer at the Salmon Celebration.
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.