As you might have heard over the last few months, our school district is in a significant budget deficit. As part of that, Seattle Public Schools made several cuts to Whittier’s budget that leaves it at an all time low for this year. The reality of school funding—across the nation and here in Seattle—means communities are having to fill the very real funding gaps to ensure essential staff and services are available to our scholars. In an ideal world, student-required academic intervention support, the arts, and nursing would be fully funded by Washington State and Federal funds. Given our school district’s current budget reality, our community decided to increase PTA investment to ensure our Wildcats don’t feel the burden of an inadequately funded education system.
For Whittier to maintain staff, supports, and programs to serve our scholars, we have to fundraise. The Whittier PTA aims to fundraise $225,000 this year to bridge this gap in funding. Here’s how we’ve budgeted for these funds to be spent on Whittier families this school year (in addition to administrative and fundraising expenses):
- Staffing Grants ($118,250): Whittier has a unique commitment to a daily Specialist schedule (Art, Performing Arts, Physical Education) for our Wildcat scholars. The PTA’s budget funds 50% of our Arts Specialist’s salary. Whittier PTA is also funding 75% of our Reading Interventionist salary so Ms. Trilby can support twice as many students in their literacy journey. This year, Whittier PTA is also funding 25% more time on site for Nurse Marissa.
- Math Agency Program ($60,000): Piloted last year, the Math Agency offers supplemental math instruction and curriculum for students needing more math support or challenge. Whittier PTA fully funds this program.
- Enrichment Programs and Events ($24,400): Instructional Supports, Curriculum Enrichment, Global Reading Challenge, Massive Monkees residency, Maker Space, In-school field trips (like The Reptile Man, author visits), After School Programs, Safety Patrol, Field Day, Wildcats READ!, Book Breaks program, Art Walk, Reflections Art Contest
- School Support ($11,600): Supplies (including school supplies for every student), Staff appreciation, Scholarships and Fragile Family Support, Community-driven funding proposals
- Family Events ($6,575): Fall Festival, Literacy night, Family Dance and Game Night, EDI Education Opportunities, 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony
To meet this financial goal across our 350 Whittier students, Whittier PTA aims to raise $650 per student during our three school-year fundraisers: Annual Give Direct Donation Campaign, Move-a-thon (4/4/25), and Spring Fling (5/31/25). This year’s Annual Give campaign begins on 9/3 with a goal to raise $395 per student. We recognize that many families will give above or below this ask; please donate what works best for your family’s situation.
If your family would like to sponsor a matching program or additional Whittier family during Annual Give, please email fundraising@whittierptaseattle.org.
While we have to ask for support to close funding gaps this year, Whittier PTA is working to identify advocacy opportunities to compel the State to fully fund our children’s basic education and close these gaps. If you’d like to help promote this advocacy work, please email volunteers@whittierptaseattle.org.
We look forward to seeing you at Whittier PTA’s community events and programs this year. We are a special community and we’ll thrive together. Paws up!
Sincerely,
Your Whittier PTA