Home
Whittier Weekly: October 18, 2016

Whittier Weekly: October 18, 2016

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

-Nelson Mandela

 

       Upcoming Dates:

  • TONIGHT! Tuesday 10/18 – General PTA Meeting in the LRC – 7pm (stay after the meeting for instruction on the SECRET Flash Mob dance for the Variety Show! See #4 below for more info)
  • Wednesday 10/19 – Walking Club and Store (during lunch recess)
  • Friday 10/21 – Whittier Spirit Day! Wear Whittier Spirit Wear or blue/gold
  • Friday 10/21 – FUN LUNCH – Great American Bagel
  • Friday 10/21 – Variety Show Rehearsal (optional) @ Whittier in your assigned room, 3pm
 ______________________________________________________________________
  1. Order Whittier Spirit Wear
  2. It’s Time For WRECK!
  3. Mom’s Night Out @ SPENGA
  4. Variety Show
  5. Book Fair Volunteer Request
  6. Hospitality Committee Needs Your Help!  
  7. Reading Games
  8. Walking Club Donation Request
  9. LRC Subscriptions
  10. Reflections Fine Arts Competition

 

 1. Order Whittier Spirit Wear

Check out the link below to order this year’s Whittier Spirit Wear.  Order your “Be inspired by who you are!” t-shirt for Spirit Days all year long, as well as for Field Day at the end of the school year.  Each grade-level has a different color.  There are other options, as well.  Check out the website below to place your order.  The store is open now through November 4.  Happy Shopping!
https://www.promoplace.com/putitoutthere/stores/whittier

 2. It’s Time For WRECK!

What is WRECK? It is Whittier Robotics and Engineering Club for Kids, a unique free class sponsored by the PTA. Each week we build a Lego model using a motor, gears, and sensors, then we program it with Lego WEDO software to bring the model to life. WRECK is open to 3rd and 4th grade students — both boys and girls — and will meet on Wednesdayevenings, from 6:30-7:30 in the Whittier Activity Room (the old kindergarten room). The fall session classes will meet on 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 12/7 and 12/14, with additional classes in the new year. We have new kits this year, so it won’t be a repeat for returning students.

Please e-mail Andy Knudsen at andyknudsen@gmail.com to sign up.

 

3. Mom’s Night Out @ SPENGA

Hey everyone! Join us for a Mom’s Night Out!

SPENGA invited Whittier moms to enjoy a free class on Tuesday, November 1st at 8pm. 

SPENGA is an hour workout that combines spin, strength, and yoga.  

To book your reservation call the studio at 630.395.9585

SPENGA is located at 5216 Main St in Downers Grove

Space is limited to 22 people so make sure to call soon to get in! 

Now is your time to try it with our Whittier friends!

There will be a raffle and specials on buying memberships for us that night. 

We can follow up to rehydrate at a local establishment after! 

Join in the fun!

CLICK HERE for more information on the SPENGA experience!

 

4. Variety Show 

Dress rehearsal is just 3 short weeks away!  Hopefully things are starting to take shape!  Please visit the VShow PTA page (https://whittierschoolpta.org/special-events/variety-show/) for details about upcoming rehearsals, information about putting messages and advertisements in the playbill, and for the DVD/BluRay order form.  Please note, if you have already ordered a DVD and would like to change your order to BluRay (new option) there is a $5 up charge.  Just contact Rebecca Adelman and let her know of the change, beckdotcom@yahoo.com

And don’t forget to join in the TO SECRET flash mob!  Come to tonight’s PTA meeting and stay a few extra minutes to learn the moves OR come to practice 10/17 @ 7pm-8pm – Whittier & 11/4 @ 7pm – 9pm – DG Moose Lodge (drop in any time).  Check out the moves here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYbPB_4SBi8

Questions?  Contact Melissa Rausch – whittiervarietyshow@gmail.com

 

 5. Book Fair Volunteer Request

November Bookfair – There are still a few slots needed to be filled!

From Monday, November 14 all the way through the end of Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, November 18, the LRC will be paved with books. New books your children have never even thought about rejecting! Books their friends have read…and are talking about! Books selected by our friends at Anderson’s and by our hip and knowledgeable LRC staff….chosen to delight and enrapture even the ficklest of readers! Funny books…serious books…books that are part of a series!

We could use your help selling these wonderful books.  Please sign up through the Sign up Genius link below.

Thanks!
Kelly Coleman and Denise Lazar

6. Hospitality Committee needs your help!

Please sign up to bring food for the November 16th and November 17th conferences. The sign up is listed under “Hospitality Committee” on the PTA website. This is a great way to help say “Thank you for all you do!” to our teachers.  Each volunteer spot has a break down of  exactly what to bring to Whittier each day.  We will be sending an email confirming your help and items the week before conferences.  Thanks so much in advance to all of our volunteers! If you have any questions please send Carla (carla3374@sbcglobal.net) or Mindy (minwerner4@gmail.com) an email.

 

7. Reading Games

The book list is here!  Mr. Krugman is announcing the book titles in the announcements this morning for the students to have first look!  Students will have the opportunity to learn more about the program at Kids Council next week.  This program is open for grades 3-6.  Even for children not participating in the games, this is sure to be a great list of books to pull from!
Also, mark your calendar, as registration for the 2017 Reading Games will open at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 3. Spots are limited and will fill up quickly! This year’s book lists and more information about The Reading Games can be found on The Reading Games website at https://sites.google.com/site/dg58thereadinggames/.
If you have any questions, please contact Rita Brezina at erbrezina@gmail.com.
CLICK HERE for the book list!

8. Walking Club Donation Request

Walking Club is looking for donations for their Walking Club store. For those that aren’t familiar with Walking Club, every Wednesday during the fall and spring seasons, students are invited (and challenged!) to walk or run laps around the school building during recess. With every lap completed, students earn “Cat Cash” to spend at the Walking Club Store. The store could use things like pencils, rubber balls, trading cards, games, erasers, stuffed animals, cars, figurines, pads of paper, etc. Think about things you might be able to “purchase” at Chuck-e-Cheese or might get in a birthday party goodie bag. Please no candy/food or toy weapons.

If you have anything you think the Walking Club might be able to use, please contact Debbi Andrews at deachick1@yahoo.com

9. LRC Subscriptions

We are looking for some families to make a worthwhile contribution to the LRC at Whittier by sponsoring a magazine subscription. Magazines provide a unique opportunity to get children interested in reading while developing the critical academic skills they will need in the years to come.  The selection of magazines is wide ranging and will certainly appeal to boys and girls of all ages and interests.

With parent contributions we will receive a full year of issues in the LRC.  Your help is making this valuable resource a part of our kids’ education and is greatly appreciated.  Interested families can review the list of magazines and subscription rates here and send a check (payable to Whittier PTA) to Carla Giannelli via backpack mail.

10. Reflections Fine Arts Competition

http://www.illinoispta.org/reflections.html

Is this chilly autumn weather keeping your kids inside with nothing to do?  Why not get their creative juices flowing and start a Reflections Project?

The theme this year is “What is Your Story?”

And don’t limit your littles (or bigs) to drawing a picture, although that’s completely acceptable, because there are 6 different categories!!

Dance choreography

Film Production

Literature

Music Composition

Photography

Visual Arts

 

Just be sure to follow the link above for specific rules for each category, or contact me and I’ll be happy to help!  Student entry forms went home on Monday.  Entry deadline is Friday, October 30.

Wendy Carter at wendlycarter@att.net

 

LRCSubscriptions2016.pdf

 

Upcoming RSVPs