News and Events

Dear Whittier Community,

It is with a sense of deep gratitude that I write this letter, gratitude for the three years I will have served as your principal when I end my term on June 30. I have made the decision to retire at the end of this school year.

It has been a busy and productive three years and I believe much has been accomplished. Whittier is a vibrant and wonderful community and it has been my privilege and honor to serve you,  your children, and your teachers.
My family is eager to have more of my time and I am eager for time with my husband, my children,  and three grandsons, nine years, nine months, and one on the way. It is precious time I long to share more fully.

One of the reasons for announcing my retirement now is to provide ample opportunity for a process that will help identify characteristics of your next leader.

Marni Campbell, Executive Director for the Northwest Region, will be working with PTA leadership to set parameters for community input. Marni is a trusted colleague who has come to know Whittier well as we have worked together this year. I know she will do her very best for the school during this time of transition. Whittier’s Assistant Principal Christine Helm may choose to join a pool of candidates once the selection process has been defined.

But, I am not leaving yet! There is much work to be done and I plan to remain fully engaged through the end of June.

I look forward to continued conversations and the daily joy of our shared work in the weeks and months ahead.
As always, thank you so very much for your trust and support.

Linda Jambor Robinson
Principal
Whittier Elementary

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The Intermediate Winter Concert is now on Wednesday, February 29th. This is a new schedule change.

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The New Student Assignment Plan Transition Plan for 2012-13 was approved by the School Board on January 25. The complete text of the Plan is now available online. One area that is changing is the assignment of middle school students to Spectrum, which was developed in consultation with middle school principals and the Advanced Learning office.

Spectrum students in fifth grade will be automatically assigned to sixth grade Spectrum at their attendance area middle school beginning for 2012-13 assignments. Other Spectrum-eligible students [including those in the Advanced Learning Opportunities (ALO) program and newly eligible students] entering grades 6-8 who want a middle school Spectrum assignment to their attendance area school must apply (during or after Open Enrollment through September 30), and will be assigned to Spectrum at their attendance area middle school. (Spectrum-eligible students may also apply for a Spectrum program at any other school through school choice; assignment depends on tiebreakers and space available.)

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  For those that haven't seen the front of Whittier yet,
  the reader board is now installed!

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Informatiom about the upcoming 2012 Auction is available on the new Whittier Auction website.

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So much going on!  Here are thoughts in several categories.

Staying Flexible:  Huge thanks to the entire Whittier community for  “riding out the storm” with us last week. Tuesday’s late start followed by an early dismissal created logistical challenges that were cheerfully handled by all. The three days of school closures that followed offered more logistical challenges. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you did to help sweeten the lemonade.

January 24th Furlough Day and Budgets: Tuesday’s three hour early dismissal was surely our last logistical challenge of the season – surely! The furlough day was a direct response to budget shortfalls and cuts that will continue to impact us. Teachers have taken a 1.9% pay reduction this year, administrators a 3% reduction and the furlough hours were unpaid time for teachers.  The school district has pared $80 M from its budget over the past three years and is looking to pare at least another $20 M this year. There is little left to cut and the state legislature, which provides funding to school districts, has a tough task ahead. Whittier’s own budget cycle begins soon with its annual budget allocation expected on February 17th.  Your PTA is gearing up for its budget season and continues to provide critical financial support to many of our most beloved programs.

Capacity Management: All of you received a letter from Pegi McEvoy, Director of Facilities Management at Seattle Public Schools, earlier this week. The letter referenced scenarios related to possible increased enrollment at Whittier.  I want to emphasize that we are working with “what if” scenarios at this time and that no decisions have been made. Your PTA leadership has been active in advocating with elected school board members for consideration of Whittier’s space needs.  Of course, the needs of individual schools must always be balanced with the need of the school district to provide for all students within its boundaries. The good news is that Seattle Public Schools is experiencing significant growth in numbers of students. The challenge is providing enough classrooms and teachers for those students. We will keep you informed as the situation evolves.

Dragon Dreaming: If you haven’t already, please stop by to meet Whittier’s newest resident,  dragon. He/she resides on a prominent perch in the middle breezeway. See if you can find him. Our dragon was enthusiastically welcomed into the community with a parade and lion dancing (see related article). Big thanks to the second grade team, artist-in-residence Jan Harvey-Smith, Lisa Melenyzer, countless parent volunteers, and our PTA for funding support. Dragon will be named in a contest conducted by student council this spring.  Welcome Dragon – may life at Whittier forever treat you well and keep you abundantly entertained as you watch over all.

As always, do keep in touch and take good care.

Linda Robinson

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The Online Volunteer form for the rest of the school year is now ready. Please take a look and volunteer for anything you can help out with.  Click here to access the form.

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When we are expecting snow or inclement weather, a Seattle Public Schools central office team continually monitors conditions across the district.  That includes having staff drive some of the streets that are typically more treacherous in snow and ice.

After consulting with other agencies, a decision is made about whether to delay school by two hours or if a closure is necessary. That decision is typically made by 5:30 a.m.

You can learn if there is a school delay or closure through:

• Local TV and radio stations
• The District website at www.seattleschools.org
• An automated phone call sent to you
• The Public Schools Emergency Communications System at www.SchoolReport.orgwww.SchoolReport.org

Staff and families will receive one of the following four messages:

1. Seattle Public Schools: Schools open on time – buses operating on snow routes. No door-to-door service. No Preschool or Head Start. No A.M. or P.M. Kindergarten.
2. Seattle Public Schools: Two hours late – buses operating on snow routes. No door-to-door service. No Preschool or Head Start. No A.M. or P.M. Kindergarten.
3. Seattle Public Schools: Two hours late – buses operating on regular routes. No door-to-door service. No Preschool or Head Start. No A.M. or P.M. Kindergarten.
4. Seattle Public Schools: Schools closed.

Transportation: “Snow route” means that buses only run on roads that are maintained by the City that receive snow removal. Students who ride buses will receive notice of snow routes in the U.S. mail the week of Nov. 21.

Please note: During winter weather conditions, safety is our top priority. Our buses may run up to an hour late in the afternoon during slick weather conditions. Please make sure your students are dressed warmly.

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