Hello Viewlands Families!

With the announcement from Thursday about the latest proposal for school closures and consolidations from Seattle Public Schools, there are many questions and wonders about what this means for Viewlands as a school community. I understand this! I also know it is important that we stay focused on our school year now. We have 267 K-5 students and preschool students to focus on this school year! I am committed to helping Viewlands have a successful school year and to prepare alongside of all of you for any changes that will occur moving forward as best as possible.

A few highlights from my visits in classrooms and with students this week: interacting with 4^th and 5^th graders from Mr. Arango and Mr. Thorpe’s classrooms during an outdoor game learning about ecosystems; hearing the excitement from some of our 4^th and 5^th graders that started instrumental music classes this week; playing with a few kindergarteners at recess treasure hunting and driving the “boat” themed play structure through shark infested waters; listening to students in Mr. W’s 1^st grade students practice talking and listening to each other in their turn and talks; and listening to 2^nd graders share all they were working on and learning about Dia de los Muertos in art class.

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

Next week is our all-school zoo fieldtrip!

Important Information for Families:

• We go to the zoo rain or shine. This means it will be important for students to wear appropriate clothing if it is rainy. We are outside while at the zoo. If your child needs a coat, we have a limited number of sizes at school. Please e-mail Ms. Lin in the office at lkmccormick@seattleschools.org
• We will be outside and walking around and playing while at the zoo. Please make sure your child wears comfortable shoes that are suitable for being outside on our zoo adventure all day.
• Students that bring home lunches, please remember we will be eating outside and will NOT have access to microwaves or silverware or napkins, so they need to have everything they need for a picnic style lunch.
• Student that requested a school lunch, will have a picnic style lunch from the school.
• If your child is feeling sick or has any even light illness symptoms, they should stay home. All students are going to the zoo and will be outside and walking most of the day.
• We go to the zoo on Thursday, October 31^st as our fall celebration. We do not dress in costumes or host Halloween parties at school.
• Students need to arrive on time to school. We will be leaving the school between 9 and 9:15AM. Students that arrive after that will not be able to go on the fieldtrip and there class and teachers will not be here.
• We will not return to school until around 1:30PM. We won’t be able to accommodate early pick-ups until after 1:30.
• Parents/guardians that are chaperoning, can sign their children out at the end of the zoo fieldtrip. There will be a sign out at our bus pick up zone at the zoo if you want to leave with your child from the zoo. There will be a sign out at the school if you return on the bus, but want to leave with your child at that time.

Reminders for Chaperones:

• If you are one of the approved chaperones, please make sure the teacher knows 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.
• Chaperones meeting us at the zoo, we will be arriving at the north entrance by the bear parking lot. The teachers will send a map with this next week. We will be leaving out of the south exit. Please note the different entrance and exit. The zoo is testing out this new entrance for large field trip groups and we are their first test group. If you are meeting us at the zoo, please meet us at the north entrance (bear lot). Please arrive to the north entrance bear lot area by 9:20AM.
• Chaperones riding the bus, should arrive to school around 8:45AM. You will sign in at the office, pick up your mini first aide (Band Aids) kit from the office, then check in with the classroom to pick up student lunches from your group and support the class in getting ready. Most chaperones will ride the bus with their group assuming there is space.
• A packet will be provided to you with a zoo map, chaperone details, your student group, and specific times. This will be provided by the classroom teacher either in the classroom before we leave or at the zoo entrance when we arrive.
• Please dress to be outside all day, you will be chaperoning a small group of kids exploring the zoo, so be prepared to be outside and for the weather.
• Please bring a backpack as you will be carrying a small bag of first aide (band aids) and may be carrying the student lunches from your group.
• Ms. Wheeler, Mr. Thorpe, and Ms. Leandra will be there to help hand out chaperone stickers.

Dia De Los Muertos

Ms. B, our Art teacher, and Mr. Velez, our Multilingual Instructional Assistant are supported learning about Dia De Los Muertos during art this month. Thank you to Mr. B and Mr. Velez for collaborating on this art integrated learning opportunity at Viewlands. This is our 7^th year of this integrated art learning project around Dia de los Muertos.

Message from Mr. B and Mr. Velez:

In art this month students have been discussing and learning about the traditions of El Dia De Los Muertos and the cultural significance that it has within the Hispanic community.  Students have been using their personal connections, stories, and inspirations to create different art projects. This topic has sparked powerful conversations while also providing a deeper understanding of how other cultures honor family through celebration rather than mourning.  This unit has allowed students to learn about symbolism and symmetry in their work.  The day-to-day work has created numerous opportunities to highlight the importance of both patience and practice as it relates to learning new skills and techniques. In November we will have a Viewlands Ofrenda. Families will have the opportunity to see the Ofrenda during November family conferences.  

Donations Needed for Nurse Office Clothing Supply:

We need some specific items of clothing for our nurse office. This is for students that need to change their clothes when at school for a variety of reasons. Sometimes we get these back from families and sometimes we don’t as they are needed at home. VEPTSA is going to also support this need, but we always appreciate any family donations as well. Right now we need the following:

• Small and medium youth size elastic waisted sweatpants (preferred plain colors of black, gray, red, blue, or green). If you can donate any of these, please bring them to the office. Thank you in advance.

VEPTSA

Updates and Messages from our VEPTSA Partners:

Inside Out 2 Movie Night – Friday Nov 8 5:30pm – 7:30pm – Save the date!

Join us for a cozy Fall Movie Night at the school. Enjoy VEPTSA sponsored snacks including popcorn, drinks, and more. The event will take place in the school cafeteria. Volunteer support will also be needed. Note, this is not a drop off event. Go to the Konstella app > Calendar section for more details.

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

• Thursday, October 31^st – All School Zoo Fieldtrip, lots of approved SPS family volunteers needed during the school day to support this field trip
• Friday, November 8^th – VEPTSA Sponsored Fall Family Movie Night 5:30-7:30PM
• Monday November 11^th – NO SCHOOL, Veterans Day
• Thursday November 14^th – Picture RETAKE day
• Saturday November 23^rd Salmon Celebration and Walk