Principal Wheeler’s Weekly Update 10-11-24

Hello Viewlands Families!

We started the week with the Move-a-thon. Students were excited to participate in the move-a-thon. It was a fun event. We haven’t had a move-a-thon for a few years. It was wonderful to bring back this event. This is a fun event, that is both the VEPTSA fall fundraiser and an event to focus on health and fitness by moving our bodies! VEPTSA fundraises to support the school. We are greatly appreciative of the VEPTSA supports, which are critical to our school community, including but not limited to playground and lunch hourly supervision support, fieldtrip costs, assemblies, reading supplemental digital programs for 1st and 2nd graders, and basic supplies. Thank you to parent and volunteer and VEPTSA board member, Mike Grigg, for helping plan the event, along with Coach Lauren and Mr. B!

On Wednesday we had many students and families participate in the Fall Walk, Bike, and Roll to school event on Wednesday. Thank you to the Viewlands Bike Bus Team for leading this event! Our bike parking was fuller than it ever has been, which was very exciting. Our enclosed bike parking was finally complete this summer, so it was exciting to see it so full. The enclosed bike parking is open before school, closed during the school day, and then opened at the end of the school day during dismissal through the next morning. If your child wants to ride their bike and needs a lock, please reach out to the Viewlands Bike Bus Team at bikebus@viewlandsptsa.org

Last night we had our fall Multilingual and Latinx family night. Thank you to the families that were able to attend. It is wonderful to gather, commune, and get to know one another, while also learning more about some of the services at the school. Thank you to Ms. Kutch, Ms. Gray, Mr. Hector, and Ms. Norma for planning and attending the event. Thank you also to other staff that supporting the night of the event, Ms. Lin, Ms. Leandra, Teacher Nelson, Mr. B, and Ms. Shafaq and her daughter!

A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week: hearing from a few of Mr. Arango and Mr. Thorpe’s 4th and 5th graders about their classroom marble tournament (congrats to JJ and Iker who were in the final, with JJ taking the edge); listening to 3^rd graders describe what they loved about reading and what type of books were the ones that made them fall in love with reading; and  helping students during K-2 lunch end the intense soccer games in a more productive and sportsmanship way with the support of Mr. Lenny and Mr. Brandon.

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 Annual All-School Zoo Fieldtrip

It is an annual tradition to go to the Woodland Park Zoo on or near the last day of October. This is our tradition. We do not do Halloween celebrations or costumes, instead we focus on a fun fall activity, by visiting the zoo.  We need volunteers for this fieldtrip. You have to be an approved volunteer to chaperone. We have a minimum number of volunteers required on sign up lists on Konstella. The teacher has shared those links. If your child’s classroom already has the minimum number of volunteers needed and you are interested, please send an e-mail to your child’s teacher. As we determine how many additional volunteers we can take and cover the costs, we will add additional volunteers. You do need to be an approved volunteer (completed the registration and background check process).

• If you haven’t returned your child’s permission slip, please do so ASAP. We need all fieldtrip permission slips returned.
• If you have a zoo pass, and are willing to share that for use, please photo copy and send to your child’s teacher.

LGBTQ+ Families Dinner

The Health Educator Office will be hosting the 25th annual Seattle Public Schools LGBTQ+ Families Dinner on Thursday November 14th from 5-7PM at Meany Middle School. This event brings together LGBTQ+ parents/guardians and parents of LGBTQ+ or gender-expansive students in SPS. They offer a communal dinner, a resource fair, time for community and connection, family-friendly entertainment, and fun activities for kids.

Interested families should RSVP. RSVP for LGBTQ+ Families Dinner

Families can also join the Rainbow Families Mailing list for future updates. Rainbow Families Newsletter Request

VEPTSA

Updates and Messages from our VEPTSA Partners:

Volunteer opportunities:

Oct 31: All School Halloween Field Trip – classroom links available from the classroom teacher

Important Upcoming School Calendar Dates

• Tuesday October 22nd – VEPTSA General Fall Membership Meeting  6:30-8:00PM
• Thursday, October 31st – All School Zoo Fieldtrip, lots of approved SPS family volunteers needed during the school day to support this field trip
• Friday, November 8th – VEPTSA Sponsored Fall Family Movie Night