Hello Viewlands Families!

This week the Viewlands staff hosted a secret staff spirit week. We wondered how long it would take students to notice the trends. It only took half a day! By lunch time on Monday a group of 4th and 5th graders and 2nd graders were already suspicious, asking questions about why teachers were wearing jeans and lots of denim! They are observant! By Wednesday, hat day, many students had identified the trends and were very curious why so many staff members were all wearing hats. Thursday, twin day, was a big hit. Many students excitedly shared when they noticed staff members that dressed the same. A group of 3 -1st graders in Ms. Veliz’s class didn’t even receive the secret staff spirit week memo, but arrived dressed alike without even planning it! Thank you Archie, Joy, and Ronin for participating in the secret staff spirit week! On Friday, there were many staff creatively carrying "anything but a cup" objects for their coffee, tea, and water! This one many students thought was strange but still laughed with us. It was a fun addition to the week before spring break. The observations, curiosity, comments, and questions from students made for a fun week! A few students in Ms. Schilke’s4th and 5th class are planning a student spirit week in June.

On Thursday, our 4th and 5th graders took the salmon to Carkeek Park imprint pond. Our salmon fry will spend a few weeks in the imprint pond before being released into Piper’s Creek. It is tradition for the kindergarteners to sing the 4th and 5th graders out as they take our salmon on the next part of their journey. All of our kindergarteners were in the outdoor classroom to sing to the 4th and 5th graders as they headed to Carkeek Park! We love being part of the Salmon in Schools project every year. Thank you to Mr. Arango who leads this project, the 4th and 5th graders who were stewards of the salmon and taught other students about the salmon, Mr. Hector who supported this project and was cleaning the tank, and the parent volunteers who helped along the way.

A few other highlights from my visits in classroom and with students this week include: playing roll and read with a few kindergarteners and 1st graders; talking books and book recommendations with some 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade reading enthusiasts; and reading through Teacher Norma’s 2nd graders science conclusions. Friday recess dance party is always a highlight, but today on the Friday before spring break, students and teachers were all enjoying the music and the sunshine!

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.

Next week is spring break. There is no school. We will welcome all students back to school on Monday, April 20th.

In Partnership,

Carrie Wheeler | Viewlands Principal

Expression of Joy!

Viewlands Evening of Arts and Culture 2026

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 29th 5-7PM

Open House Style

This joyful evening will transform our school into a gallery and creative studio, featuring hands-on art experiences for students, families, and staff, including:

🎨 Rainbow Art
🌌 Constellation Creations
💧 Watercolor Exploration
🛠 Makerspace Activities

🎵 DJ Music

🥁VamoLa Brazilian Drum Performance at 6pm

🖤 Featured Black Art in partnership with Onyx Fine Art Collective

🫶 Displayed student art

Throughout the school, we will proudly showcase student and staff artwork, honoring the creativity that lives within our community every day.

We are especially excited to partner with Onyx Fine Arts Collective https://www.onyxarts.org/, bringing a powerful community arts connection to this event. Their exhibition will feature PNW Black artists!

Expressions of Joy is more than an art night—it’s an opportunity to celebrate identity, imagination, community, and the joy that creative expression brings to us all. We truly hope every family will join us for this evening of celebration and community and creativity!

Today a form went home with students in their red folders about student art. If your child has an art piece they want to showcase for this event, please return that form completed after spring break by Wednesday, April 22nd! They can return the form to their teacher.

Our Makers Space is complete. We no longer need any donations!

We need to know if your child has a different plan (not Viewlands) for next school year. It it vital we know if your child will be attending a different school because of a move or other reason as we begin planning for next school year. If your child is transferring to the Highly Capable cohort model school, Cascadia, we already have that information so no additional steps are needed.

If your child will not be at Viewlands next school year due to a family move or for any other reason, we need to know. You have two options:

• You can complete this Not Attending Next Year (NANY) form linked below.
• You can send our office team or the classroom teacher a talking points text or e-mail sharing that your child will not return to Viewlands and the reason (a move out of state, a move to a different location in Washington, private school, or homeschooling). The office team will then complete the NANY form for you.

Again, it is really important for us to collect this information. It helps the school have accurate enrollment information, which is critical for planning for next school year.

LINK to the NANY form:

Every spring students 3rd-8th grade and again in 10th grade take a state testing in English Language Arts (reading and writing) and Math. This is sometimes referred to as the "state test". These tests are benchmark assessments to show how students perform grade level standards in those content areas. This starts in 3rd grade. Students will take them every year between 3rd and 8th, and then once again in 10th grade. All students are allowed as much time as they need to complete these assessments. They are not timed.

These tests are scheduled in May with make-ups extending to the first few days of June. It is important students attend school as most prefer to take these tests at the same time as their peers. Please do not schedule appointments or trips during the tests. The schedule is available on the website.

The science test for 5th grade is scheduled for April 29th. It is important students attend school as most prefer to take these tests at the same time as their peers. Please do not schedule appointments or trips during the tests. The schedule is available on the website.

Viewlands Orca Cup Soccer – Saturday, April 25, 2-4pm (Sandel Park, 9053 1st Ave NW)

This annual Orca Cup Soccer event is all about having fun together as a community. Students will get to engage in enjoyable warm up, fun field games, and friendly soccer matches. We will have energetic music, a photo op with a custom Orca Cup trophy, stickers, snacks, and special guest … Ollie the Viewlands Orca. For students who want something else the playground will be open to enjoy while also hanging out with friends. This community building event is free. Note, it is not a drop off event, adults must accompany their children. For more details check out the Konstella event. Reach out to events@viewlandsptsa.org with questions.

Volunteers are needed, signup here >

🚶 🚲 🛼 Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day – Wednesday, May 6, before school

Lace up your shoes, and walk or roll into the school day again with our second Walk, Bike, & Roll to school day event of the year! This is a bi-annual event where we enjoy active transportation and build a stronger community spirit as we make our way to school together. All students, parents, and family members are welcome to join! Join a bike or walk/roll group around 7:10am and visit the celebration table at school between 7:30-7:55am. We also welcome students who carpool with their family or take the bus to stop by the table as well to celebrate with us as you also reduce your environmental footprint. For more details please visit Konstella event. Reach out to bikebus@viewlandsptsa.org with questions.

Volunteers are needed, signup here >

• April 13th-April 17th – NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
• Wednesday, April 29th, 5-7PM- Viewlands Evening of the Arts and Culture