Viewlands Elementary

Principal Wheeler’s Weekly Update 10-18-24

Principal Wheeler’s Weekly Update 10-18-24

Hello Viewlands Families!

This week was a full week of learning. Students are settling more into their learning routines, small group instruction to support learners is beginning, and fieldtrips are starting to happen. This week was also the launch of the VEPTSA-sponsored after school enrichment. It was a busy and full week!

The fall weather has arrived! That means the crisp air and changing leaves. It also means the rain. As a reminder at Viewlands we go outside for recess even in the rain! In the PNW, there are plenty of rainy days, so at Viewlands we believe it is important to still go outside! We go outside unless there are unsafe conditions with extreme wind, thunder/lightening, icy conditions, or what would be considered torrential rain. Please make sure you are sending your children to school with coats and shoes that are ready for play outside, as well as something they are comfortable wearing and easily able to move around in and get on and off. This week we had a few rainy wet recesses. With our playground, there is a covered outdoor area available for children that prefer that on rainy days.

A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week: spending time with a few kindergarteners telling me about their favorite parts of school and their excitement about their “first big walk in Carkeek Park”; helping 1st graders learn some new strategies for the after lunch recess transition to the classroom; and talking adjectives with 2nd graders.

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 must 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).

We go to the zoo rain or shine. Please make sure your child is dressed to be outside the whole day comfortably! This is not a good day for uncomfortable clothes or shoes! They should wear shoes they can comfortably walk in as there is a lot of walking on this trip. If your child needs a coat, please reach out to the office and we can check out Orca Cares closet supply to see if we have one that might work.

  • If you are planning to chaperone please make sure to let the teacher know if you plan to ride one of the school busses to and from the zoo with students and staff OR meet us at the zoo.
  • In preparation, if you are chaperoning, we go to the zoo rain or shine. We are outside the whole time at the zoo so be prepared for the weather. Chaperones also will need to help students with lunches and water bottles so bringing a backpack is best.

Viewlands Playground and Parking Lot Access for Neighborhood

The Viewlands large playground is open to the community and neighborhood for play Fridays after school around 2:30/3PM through the weekend until Monday morning at around 6AM. The gate on the south end of the parking lot is the one that is unlocked for community access over the weekends. The playground will also be open for community access during school breaks. Monday-Thursday afterschool the playground remains locked for safe access for school-based activities, including the onsite childcare provider, Creative Kids and VEPTSA-sponsored enrichment classes on Tuesday and Thursday.

The parking lot is for staff parking, accessible family parking for students and families that need it, and district transportation during the school day. It has been open and accessible to the neighborhood outside of school hours. The gate was installed on the parking lot in the spring. There has been a neighborhood request to lock the gate on weekends and evenings due to potential concerns outside of specific community requests to keep the parking lot open for community events, like the one in early October at Carkeek. We are working with our facilities and safety and security team about developing a plan for locking the parking lot. Please be aware that in the coming weeks, the parking lot may be locked and not accessible to cars at night and one the weekends.

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 updatesRainbow Families Newsletter Request

VEPTSA

Updates and Messages from our VEPTSA Partners:

Save the date: VEPTSA Fall General Meeting

Join us next week on Tuesday, October 22, 6:30pm – 8pm for VEPTSA’s Fall General Meeting. Childcare is provided onsite by Creative Kids. Find meeting information and agenda in the Konstella app under the Calendar. If you haven’t already joined Konstella, please join. Don’t forget to sign your kiddo(s) up for their classroom. 

Bike supplies & Viewlands bike bus

It was wonderful having many students and families participate in Walk, Bike, & Roll to school day last week! Every Wednesday the Viewlands bike bus rides to school from two locations download the route flyer. Students that would like to join the bike bus can ride without a parent after the first ride. If your student needs a helmet, lock, bell, or lights, please reach out to bikebus@viewlandsptsa.org

Our Walk n Roll event sponsor – Wombi – is offering all Viewlands staff and families 50% off their first month subscription by apply for Wombi discount. Input your information using the link and Wombi will follow up about what’s needed and then apply the discount. Reach out to bikebus@viewlandsptsa.org with any questions.

Volunteer opportunities:

Oct 31: All School Halloween Field Trip – sign up in Konstella (go to the Calendar)!

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
  • Monday November 11th – No School, Veterans Day
  • Thursday November 14th – Picture retake day