Viewlands Elementary

Principal Wheeler’s Weekly Update 11-08-24

Hello Viewlands Families!

This week students were asking questions and sharing their thoughts about the election this week. Through some of these questions and thoughts shared by students, there were opportunities to discuss the election process, voting, and the history of voting rights in this country. It was also a time to share that with any election, there will be people that are content or excited with the outcome and others that are disappointed and worried about the outcome. Children will process this and express ideas that come from hearing discussions that happen at home with families or in the community and with friends. There will be different opinions. That is ok. At Viewlands, we will continue to focus on learning about the process of elections, the importance of voting, the history of voting rights, and how to be an advocate for your own beliefs in a peaceful and respectful way as they engage in academic content.

At Viewlands and in Seattle Public Schools, every student has a right to express their identity in the way that feels authentic; every student has a right to feel welcomed and included in their school; and we will continue to advocate for all of our students and support their academic and social emotional learning. This will not change.

The big highlight was the Dia de los Meurtos assembly Thursday. It truly was a beautiful all-school assembly highlighting how to honor and celebrate the life of a loved one that continues to be with us in our hearts and celebrate this tradition at Viewlands all together, which we have never done before. A few other highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week: making play dough creations and reading the leaf book with kindergarteners and listening to a few students talk about the Green Team and why they want to participate.

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.

As a reminder there is no school on Monday in honor of Veterans Day. Thank you to family members that have served in the military past and present!

In Partnership,

Carrie Wheeler | Viewlands Principal

Dia de Los Muertos All-School Assembly

On Thursday morning, we had our all-school Dia de los Muertos assembly. Thank you to Mr. B, our art teacher, Mr. Hector, our Bilingual Instructional Assistant, and family volunteer, Peter Orr, for leading the work for this assembly. The ofrenda and reflections students shared will be on display through November. Families will have the opportunity to see this when they come to school for family-teacher conferences later this month. 

We are hopeful to share some of the videos created for our assembly with you next week. 

Student and Family Handbook

The Viewlands Student and Family Handbook is currently available in English on the Viewlands website. We are working on getting this translated in Spanish currently. The student and family handbook published last year was updated with current staff and is linked on the website. This includes information about staff, how to report absences, social emotional learning supports, polices in Seattle Public Schools, how to become an approved volunteer, school-specific rules at Viewlands, and more.

To get to the linked handbook: (1) Go to the School Website, (2) click on About, and (3) Scroll down and select ‘About Viewlands’ on the drop down menu, and (4) scroll down to the Student and Family Handbook link.

Website: https://viewlandses.seattleschools.org/about/

Direct Link to Handbook: https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/97/2024/09/Handbook-ADA.pdf

If you need a printed copy for reference, please e-mail Ms. Lin in the office at lkmccormick@seattleschools.org  We do not print for the whole school to reduce paper use where we can and reduce costs. If you need a paper copy, we will print one for you.

VEPTSA

Updates and Messages from our VEPTSA Partners:

Spiritwear Exchange

Do you have Viewlands gear that doesn’t fit your family anymore? Bring it to Movie Night and swap it for something else from another family.

Despicable Me 4 Movie Night 

Join us for the fall movie night with pizza, popcorn, and other light snacks. All grades welcome!

Bring the whole family – this is not a drop off event. Friday, November 8th at 5:30PM! 

Volunteers: We need your help – Signup here

Salmon Celebration and Walk – Saturday, Nov 23 – Save the date!

Join us for our annual salmon celebration at Carkeek park. This year we will visit with the Carkeek Salmon Stewards on Saturday, November 23. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Important Upcoming School Calendar Dates

  • Monday November 11th – NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day
  • Thursday November 14th – Picture RETAKE day
  • Saturday November 23rd Salmon Celebration and Walk
  • Monday November 25th-Tuesday November 26th -NO SCHOOL, Family Teacher Conferences
  • Wednesday November 27th-Friday November 29th – NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Holiday