Welcome to the Orca Digest
...the newsletter from Viewlands Elementary Parent Teacher Student Association (VEPTSA), striving to keep our families in the know. For real time updates, please visit our school
website.
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Enrichment activity registration begins - Fri, Sept 20
A variety of after-school classes and activities are available at Viewlands, coordinated by the VEPTSA. From keyboard, chess and sewing to art, cooking and coding!
Click Here
to see the full line up! The start dates of classes will be finalized by September 20.
- WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
- If you are able to volunteer your time once a week, please email enrichment@viewlands.org.
- Volunteers may be eligible for a discount.
VEPTSA Back to School Pot Luck - Fri, Sept 27 @ 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a family friendly back to school potluck in the Viewlands court yard on Friday, Sept 27! Kids and adults alike can socialize, eat, and be merry. VETPSA will provide pizza and beverages. Families are encouraged to bring a side dish to share. As a reminder, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
VEPTSA General Meeting - Tues, Oct 1 @ 6:30 p.m.
The first Viewlands Elementary Parent Teacher Student Association meeting of 2019/20 will kick off this month! Please join us in the auditorium to discuss the upcoming school year, events, programs, and volunteer opportunities. This is a great opportunity to meet and connect with other Viewlands families and see how you can help out at the school! Complimentary child care is available via Creative Kids by RSVPing via
email
.
- VEPTSA 2019/2020 membership drive will kick-off in the next few weeks. Washington State PTSA recently moved membership management to a new system.
- Stay tuned for flyers in kid mail with links to our brand new online membership page where you will be able to join VEPTSA!
- Membership dues go towards helping Viewlands participate in special programs like Music with Mary K, additional recess supervision, classroom and technology grants, scholarships for after-school enrichment, and contributions towards 5th grade camp.
Bring Your Family to School Night - Thurs, Oct 10 @ 6 p.m.
This is an opportunity for families to meet staff, learn about our curriculum and have students share their learning experiences. In addition, there will be a Flu Clinic set up from 5-7 p.m. where students can get the flu shot during the event. We look forward to seeing you on October 10th!
Family Movie Night - Fri, Oct 18 @ 6:30 p.m.
Wear your pajamas and bring your blanket to watch a family friendly movie in the Viewlands Auditorium!
- Admission is free!
- Snacks will be available for purchase.
- Doors open at 6 p.m.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult
Stay tuned for more details on events in the "Calendar at a Glance" that take place between mid-October through the end of November!
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Calendar at a Glance
Fri, Sept 20
- Enrichment reg. starts
Fri, Sept 27
-
VEPTSA Potluck @ 6:30 p.m.
Tues, Oct 1
- VEPTSA General mtg @ 6:30 p.m.
Thurs, Oct 10
- Bring your family to school night @ 6 p.m.
Fri, Oct 11
- No school
(state wide teacher in service day)
Tues, Oct 15
- Individual school picture day!
Fri, Oct 18
- Family movie night @ Viewlands in gym 6:30 p.m.
Thurs, Oct 31
- All school zoo field trip
Mon, Nov 11
- No School Veterans Day
Week of Nov 18
- V-CATS begins!
Week of Nov 25
- 11/25 - 27 No School Parent Teacher Conferences
- 11/28 - 29 Thanksgiving holiday
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- With any questions or topics you would like to see included in future newsletters.
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How you can get involved at Viewlands!
There are many ways you can help out this school year. Even a small amount of time can make a big difference.
PTSA committees
Events Committee
-
Join us in planning and executing events benefiting Viewlands such as quarterly family movie nights, the Valentines family dance, or our Spring auction (pictured at right)!
Communication committee
- help engage and inform the Viewlands community.
Fundraising committee
- help plan and execute fundraisers to ensure we meet our financial goals for the school this year.
Lunchroom*
Help out in the lunch room with things ranging from serving food to helping kids open tricky containers and figure out the best place to put compostables vs. trash. If you would like to sign up to help in the lunch room, please
email us
and we will connect you with the Lunchroom Manager.
Library*
Ms. Myles always needs help sorting and shelving books! Reach out to
Ms Myles
and schedule time to lend a hand.
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V-CATS*
V-CATS is the Viewlands Circus Arts and Tumbling Squad (pictured at left). All students are invited to join when the program starts back up in late November. Coach Gray is always looking for help managing the kids and flow of V-CATS practice!
Reach out to
Coach Gray
if you'd like to volunteer.
Classroom*
Viewlands teachers welcome help in the classroom reading with students, playing math games, making copies and preparing materials. Most teachers like to wait until October before inviting volunteers into the classroom in order to get the class in a rhythm and routine. Feel free to reach out directly to your child's teacher to see how he/she would like support form you!
***As a reminder, if you want to volunteer at the school or chaperone field trips, you need to complete your Volunteer paperwork that was provided in the welcome packets sent home earlier this week - or new this year, you can also register
online
!
Volunteer contributions of time and talent strengthen the school community and benefit all students. Email Communications@viewlands.org to sign up for a committee or get more information. Join us to help build a better Viewlands!
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School
News
P.E. Updates
We are excited to announce that Ms. Rausch is joining us this year in P.E. She is doing her student teaching at Viewlands through Central Washington University. She grew up in Ballard and has heard a lot of great things about Viewlands. She is very excited to get started.
News from the Nurse's office
Our school nurse, Liz Barr, needs volunteers on October 7, 14, 21, and 28 to help with vision and hearing tests. Volunteers are needed from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. If you are able to provide help on one of these dates, please
email us.
Please return signed forms from welcome packets
You should have received a packet of information and forms in your child's communications folder this week. Please remember to review the information, complete the forms, and return the necessary forms as soon as possible. If you didn't receive a welcome packet in your child's folder, please email us at communications@viewlands.org.
Volunteer for field trips or in class!
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PTA Updates
VEPTSA Meetings
General Meeting
Tues Oct 1, 6:30 p.m. @ Viewlands auditorium
Join VEPTSA
Stay tuned for flyers in kid mail with links to our brand new membership page where you will be able to join VEPTSA!
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Community News and Events
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Join the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) and Seattle CityClub for free and public moderated debates. Space is limited. Register early via the
PNA website
.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 12-1:30 pm (
District 5
); 2-3:30 pm (
District 6
) | Greenwood Senior Center | Free
Bite of Broadview September 27,28, and 29th!
Bite of Broadview Neighborhood Festival offers a weekend filled with mouth-watering food and entertainment—including carnival rides, live music, a beer and wine garden, marketplace booths, a kids’ zone, a car show, and more! Learn more at
http://www.biteofbroadview.com
.
Ballard Preschool Co-op's Gently Used Kid's Sale - Sat, Sept 28 - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This is your opportunity to snag some fantastic deals or to unload all that gear piling up in your closets and make a little money for yourself and
Ballard Preschool Co-op
.
The sale offers amazing deals on quality, gently used clothes (newborn-size 8), shoes, toys and gear—including pack and plays, cribs, car seats, strollers, maternity wear and more! The entry line typically starts forming before 9 am. Bring your own bags to haul all your great finds, and please park your stroller at the door.
You don’t have to be a Ballard Preschool Co-op member to sell! To sign up to sell, email
bpcgentlyusedsale@gmail.com
. A portion of proceeds supports Ballard Preschool Co-op.
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