Whittier Weekly
June 5, 2020
Principal's Note
Parents, Families, Guardians:
Thank you to those of you that came out to our student belonging pick up times yesterday or today! It was great to see some of those big smiles!
Even though this was not a typical year, and we aren't wrapping up how we'd like - we can still celebrate some great growth and accomplishments. Be proud of you!
Next week is our celebration and closure week! Check ClassDojo for some 5th grade celebration videos as our 5th graders prepare for middle school!
We are honored to work with YOU and your children everyday.
Brandy Hart
Whittier Principal
Racism and Civil Rights Resources
A lot has happened in our community, in our country, in our world in the past week. Typically, these types of complex, challenging conversations would be ones we have with students at school in their classroom communities. As that is not a possibility at the moment, we know that the responsibility for discussing issues of racism and civil disobedience are falling mainly on families. CNN will be hosting a Sesame Street town hall on Saturday morning at 9 AM to talk to children and their families about racism which can be a start. We will include additional resources for beginning or continuing these conversations with your children here:
Here is a good starting point of guidelines for Talking to Kids about George Floyd
The American Psychological Association has some additional guidelines for Talking to Kids about Discrimination
Sesame Street Resources for Parents and Teachers – Helping Kids Grieve
Here is a short video for parents about how to help your children cope with the media coverage: Helping Your Child Cope with Media Coverage of Community Racial Trauma: Tips for Parents
Here is a second article for helping kids process what they’re seeing in the media What To Say To Kids When The News Is Scary
Here are two lists of children’s books that can help you begin or continue talking to your children about race Embrace Race: children's book list to help foster discussion and Todays Parent: Book List
Here is a compilation of resources geared towards talking to children about race Resource Roundup -talking to kids about Race
As always, our student services team is available as a resource to help students and families. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via ClassDojo or email!
Playworks Ideas for You!
June 1 - June 5 Playground Post: Summer Edition!
Hi Families!
Here are a few of my favorite summer games to play at home.
Games with WATER:
Drip Drip Splash! You need a bucket or cup of water and a few small sponges. Played like Duck Duck Goose.
Liquid Limbo! Use a hose to play limbo
Sponge Bullseye Toss! Toss a sponge at a chalk bullseye
Water Relay! Relay with a sponge to get as much water from one bucket to another
Running Games:
Iron Lung: Take a deep breath, then start running and screaming while you exhale. When you run out of breath, FREEZE! See who can go the farthest in your family
Kick the Can: Use an empty soda can and try and kick the other teams can without being detected
Red Light, Green Light: Move on green, and freeze on red! Make up your own rules for different colors!
Wacky Laps: Run around your house or a field and make each lap a different fun way of moving. For example, run a lap to music, run backwards, in slow motion, we
ave through cones or sticks, jumping over obstacles, etc.
Rainy Day Games:
Independent Blizzard: Play on your own or with family members
I hope you have a safe and fun summer! I miss youall already and can’t wait to see you next year. Stay healthy, have fun, and PLAY!
Coach Maggie
Whittier Mission Statement
Whittier School Hours: 8:30am-3:40pm
Email: bmhart@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Website: https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/WhittierES
Location: 1103 South East Avenue, Waukesha, WI, USA
Phone: 262-970-2800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhittierElementarySchoolPto/
Twitter: @WhittierWire