The Wildcat Word
October 2022
Whitney Families,
At Whitney, we have over 400 students. Our number one goal is to make sure students are safe and feel safe at school. When an incident is reported to an adult most times we can handle it in the moment. For more serious reports, we do a full investigation which includes speaking to all students and staff involved. We strongly encourage students and parents to let us know if there is a concern so it can be handled. If you have a concern and would like to speak or meet with Mrs. Nalley or Mr. Hunt here is the process:
- Talk or message the classroom teacher with your concerns as the first line of communication
- Call the office at 573-1900 and leave a message and we will return your call
- Call the office at 573-1900 and schedule a meeting
Mr. Hunt
Principal
October 27th - Movie Night at 6:00 pm in the Gym
October 31st - Halloween (See information below)
October 31st - November 4th - Conference week / Noon Release
October 31st - November 4th - Scholastic Book Fair in the library!
November 9th - Veteran's Day Assembly at 10:00 am
November 9th - Whitney Booster Club Meeting at 5:30
November 11th - No School (Veteran's Day)
November 21st - 25th No School (Thanksgiving Break)
K-2 Student of the Month Winners
K-2 Character of the Month Winners
3-5 Student of the Month Winners
Movie Night
Where: Whitney Elementary Gym
When: 10/27/22
Time: 6:00 pm
Cost: FREE!!!
Bring your blankets and pillows to the showing of Hocus Pocus 2!
Snacks and Drinks will be available to purchase by the Whitney Booster Club.
Halloween Costume Information
Parent - Teacher Conferences Oct. 31 - Nov. 4th
What to Expect
As you prepare for your parent-teacher conference, here is what you can expect:
A Two-Way Conversation
Like all good conversations, parent-teacher conferences are best when both people talk and listen. The conference is time to learn about your child's progress in school:
- Ask to see data about your child's attendance, grades, and test scores.
- Find out if your child is meeting school expectations and academic standards.
- Talk with your child's teacher about what your child is like at home.
- Share information about your child's skills, interests, needs, and goals, so you and the teacher can work together to help your student succeed.
Parent-teacher conferences focus on how well your child is doing in school. They also emphasize how your student can do even better. To prepare for this dialogue:
- Look over your student's homework, tests and notices.
- Bring a list of questions to ask the teacher.
Opportunities and Challenges
Teachers want your child to succeed. It is important to hear positive feedback about your child's progress, as well as be receptive to discussion for areas of improvement.
- Think about your child's strengths and challenges before the conference.
- Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her challenges.
Scholastic Book Fair
Check out additional information on getting an eWallet set up and preview books from the fair here.
Halloween Safety Tips and Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating
Be careful with glow sticks. The liquid in glow sticks is generally not toxic, but can cause irritation if swallowed or splashed into the eyes. NEVER put glow sticks in the microwave.
Use dry ice safely:
- Wear gloves and be careful when handling dry ice
- Do not store dry ice in the freezer, and always use it in a well ventilated area
- Swallowing or touching dry ice can cause significant burns and injury
Celebrate safely during COVID-19
Door-to-door trick-or-treating can be risky, as it brings people into close contact:
- If you plan to give out treats, explore ways to do so while staying 6 feet apart, like sliding candy down a wrapping paper tube into trick-or-treat bags, or having individual goodie bags prepared and set out along your driveway.
- Wear a protective mask (a cloth face covering or disposable mask that covers your mouth and nose) if you are giving out candy or going trick-or-treating.
Use hand sanitizer after each interaction (giving OR receiving candy). Only adults should dispense hand sanitizer—do not let children apply hand sanitizer to themselves. Use a dime sized amount and ensure hands are rubbed together until dry.
Do not use disinfectants or cleaning products on candy.
Consider alternatives to trick-or-treating:
- Trick-or-treat inside your home by hiding candy for your kids to find.
- Have a spooky movie night with Halloween-themed treats.
- Have a virtual pumpkin carving and/or costume contest with other families.
- Decorate your yard and house with Halloween-themed items.
Submitted by Washington Poison Center
Whitney Booster Club
Report to Parents: Healthy Habit Tips to Set Your Family Up for Success This Cold and Flu Season
Visitors and Volunteers
Visitors
Please check in at the office if you would like to join your child for lunch.
Volunteers
Title 1 Information
Our Mission: Whitney will prepare all students to be lifelong learners and productive community members through a commitment to high standards.
Whitney Elementary School is a Title 1 School
Whitney Elementary School participates in the Title I Program. Title I, Part A is part of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Its goal is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach proficiency on challenging state academic standards.
As a Title I school, we qualify for federal grant money which we use for additional staffing, parent involvement, staff development, and extended school day opportunities to help us meet that goal. This update is intended to provide you with important information about this law and your child’s education.
You have the right to request regular information or meetings about Title I at Whitney Elementary School. Please contact the principal if you would like more information. Contact information is on the reverse.
Citizen Complaint Procedures
Under Chapter 392-168 WAC Special Services Programs-Citizen Complaint Procedures for Certain Categorical Federal Programs you have the right to file a citizen complaint. Please visit our school website or http://www.k12.wa.us/TitleI/CitizenComplaint.aspx for complaint procedures.
Right to Request Teacher and Paraprofessional Qualifications
All parents and guardians have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher(s) and/or paraprofessional staff. If you request this information, the district or school will provide you with the following as soon as possible:
If the teacher has met state licensing requirements for the grade level and subject in which the teacher is providing instruction;
If the teacher is teaching under an emergency status for which state licensing requirements have been waived;
The type of college degree major of the teacher and the field of discipline for any graduate degree or certificate; and
If your child is receiving Title I services from paraprofessionals, and if so, whether those paraprofessionals meet state/federal requirements of Every Student Succeeds Act.
If you would like to request this information, please contact
Principal, Brandon Hunt at (509) 573-1900
Please visit our new Title I website at:
www.ysd7.org/TitleI for a detailed look at:
Our District Annual Report Card
Parents’ Right to Know: Student Achievement Reports
Parents’ Right to Know: Timely Notice of Limited State Certification and Licensure
Parents’ Right to Know: Information on State and Local Assessments
More Title 1 Information
Parent and Family Engagement Policy/Plan
School Parent & Family Engagement Procedures
Parents and staff will review the previous year's parent and family engagement procedures and the results of the parent survey at the annual Title 1 meeting in the fall.
Procedures will be revised as needed and will be posted in the building and on the building website.
Annual Title 1 Parent and Family Engagement Meeting
The annual meeting was held at our booster club meeting on September 14th 2022. Parents and families received notification via ParentSquare.
The agenda of the meeting included:
An explanation of Title 1 requirements
An opportunity for input into the procedures for parent involvement, the school-parent-student compact and the parent involvement budget and plan.
Notification
Parents are notified of their student's participation in programs that include reading, math and English-language support in the first weeks of school, and through individual planning meetings and conferences.
Parent - teacher conferences are held twice a year, in November and in March.
Literacy and STEAM Nights will provide detailed information about each grade level curriculum, assessments, and levels of expected achievement.
Frequent family events include information about the curriculum.
Report cards are sent home each trimester.
Student academic progress is closely monitored, and interventions are established for students identified in grade-level teams or by the school Student Study Team.
School-Parent Compact
Each Title 1 school shall jointly develop with parents a school-parent-student compact that outlines how parents, the staff, and students will share the responsibilities for improved student academic achievement.
The compact will be discussed with families during fall conferences.
Additional Opportunities for Involvement
Meetings and events will be held throughout the year to increase parents' knowledge about the curriculum and how to better support their child academically.
Parents are encouraged to join the Whitney Booster Club and participate in Booster Club events.
Parents are welcome to volunteer or observe in classrooms.
Office staff disseminate pertinent information about programs for parents and families, such as Head Start and ECEAP, Boys & Girls Club, etc.
The Counselor and Family Support staff communicate with families regarding community resources and resolve situations that impede student progress.
Efforts to Ensure All Parents Are Included
Translation of written materials into the parents' language is provided when practicable.
Interpreters are provided for conferences and events.
Childcare is provided at school events.
School meetings and conferences are offered at a variety of times.
School staff is available by phone and by email.
Teachers make individual phone calls to parents of students not making adequate academic progress.
Parents can schedule meetings with all school staff members at any time to discuss their child's progress.
Yakima School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees at 104 N. 4th Ave. Yakima WA 98902 have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator (Non-Students): Title IX-Gender Equity/ADA – Dr. Robert Darling, Deputy Superintendent, (509) 573-7039, darling.robert@ysd7.org;
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator (Students): Title IX-Gender Equity/ADA/Section 504 – Omar Santoy, Director of Student Services, (509) 573-7004, santoy.omar@ysd7.org.
Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to attend a program or activity sponsored by the Yakima School District should contact one of the ADA Coordinators 24 hours in advance of the event to inquire about reasonable accommodation. Deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and/or speech impaired individuals may access Washington Relay Services by calling 7-1-1- or 1-800-833-6388.