Hello Viewlands Families!

This week was a full week of learning and gathering.

On Wednesday we hosted an open house for potential incoming families next school year. It was well attended, and families were excited to see Viewlands!

On Thursday we hosted Latinx Family night for our Spanish-speaking families. It was a beautiful evening! Thank you to 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Norma, and Multilingual Instructional Assistant, Mr. Hector for their hard work planning and cultivating this amazing night of community building and learning. Thank you to all of the families that were able to attend this event, sharing food, building community with one another, and learning more about ways to support their students. It was an amazing night!

Today we had an assembly for our 2nd through 5th graders by Seattle JazzED. Thank you to our VEPTSA partners for helping coordinate this assembly. The assembly helped launch February Black History month. Seattle JazzED shared about the history of jazz music, black jazz artists, the birthplace in New Orleans, jazz roots, and the influence of jazz on other music genres.  Our students were respectful and excited audience members. The music was wonderful! We hope to have another assembly soon that will include our kindergarteners and 1st graders.

There are always highlights when listening and learning with and from our students. This week listening to students teach each other about our salmon alevin; listening to 1st graders practice their reading decoding skills and reading aloud to each other; welcoming in potential new families at open house; and greeting, gathering, and being in community with our Spanish-speaking families were the highlights! 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

Salmon In Schools at Viewlands: Our Salmon Eggs

Our salmon eggs have all hatched! The salmon alevin are mostly hiding in and around the rocks. Students have loved observing them in the tank. Our 5th grade stewards, along with Mr. Arango, are taking good care of the tank!

Lunar New Year Learning in Art

In art students are learning about Lunar New Year. Students have talked in art class about some of the traditions that bring good luck and good fortune, such as the color red, dragons, round shapes, and even polka dots are commonly worn as the circles represent coins, which are symbolic of a prosperous year. Students have also talked about how some of these traditions are meant to ward away bad luck, such as fireworks and loud noises. Students are making dragon-themed Chinese drums, which will be decorated with lucky colors and feature a dragon. The drum is a round shape and will make noise. This integration of learning and creation in art helps students learn about Lunar New Year, while honoring those traditions to bring good luck!

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Supply Donations Needed:

We are incredibly appreciative of the support from families and community members when we need donated items for our health room, Orca Cares closet, or classrooms. We still have a need currently for our health room to support students when they need a change of clothing.   

• Youth XL Sweatpants and T-shirts – We have clothing in other smaller sizes, we still need more XL sizes only. If you are able to donate any youth XL or Adult Small-Medium elastic-waist or drawstring sweatpants and t-shirts, gently used or new, we would greatly appreciate it. Any donations can be brought to the office.
• Socks – We are also in need of socks, all kid sizes! We need donations of new or gently used socks.

VEPTSA Update:

Message from VEPSTA Partners

Click the header for links and more details on each topic.

2023-2024 Yearbook cover art contest due Friday, February 16

All students are encouraged to submit artwork for this year’s yearbook cover art. Details: include the school Orca mascot, on 8.5” x 11” piece of paper, portrait, student’s full name and teacher’s name on the back in pencil, due to the front office by Friday, February 16. 

Staff Appreciation Valentine’s Day Wednesday, February 14
Please sign up to help set up or bring in treats for our amazing staff.

Important School Calendar Dates

• Monday February 19th – Friday February 23rd –Mid-Winter Break, no school