A Message from the Wilshire Park Art Specialist

During this last week of our Spring Giving Campaign, we wanted to share one more testimonial that came in, speaking to the direct impact that WPPA funds have on our students' learning environment, and the opportunities these funds help open up:

"As the Art Specialist at Wilshire Park I have the privilege of watching first-through fifth-grade students grow both as artists and members of a global community. I am continually thankful for the opportunity to work with such a wonderful, diverse, creative, and caring group of young people. Every year the Wilshire Park Parents Association has provided start-up funds that help cover the rising cost of art supplies that the art budget does not. Supplies are purchased with these funds that are used directly by students such as pencils, pens, clay, specialized papers, visual aids, and art education materials. WPPA has also purchased art display boards that have not only been used to exhibit art, but also used multi-functionally, as they are now providing room display space for the classroom on the stage.

I am amazed at the support of WPPA which has demonstrated their belief in the development of Wilshire Park students by addressing special requests, such as the year the Art Department and The Gifted/Talented Department designed a Beyond-The-Studio event hosted at Silver Wood Park and requested funds to cover bus transportation to and from the site. You are such an important piece of your child’s education and experiences. Thank you! -- Mrs. Frudden, Art Specialist"

It's not to to late to give! You can send cash or a check (payable to WPPA) to the school office, or give on-line. Thank you for your support!

Spring Giving Campaign 2014!

We are excited to launch our second annual Spring Giving Campaign! Brochures were sent home with students this week. Please look over it to hear directly from school staff and school board members on the positive impact that WPPA funds have on Wilshire Park.

Our goal is to raise $15k. Over the years, WPPA has funded a wide range of things that support our children's learning community -- from playground equipment and field trips -- to STEM programming and teacher start-up funds -- and much, much more. 

You can give to this year's campaign on-line, or send your donation in (donation cards included in the Spring Giving Brochure that was sent home with students this week). 

Thank you for your wonderful support!

September Meeting Minutes

Thanks to everyone who came to the first meeting of the year! If you missed it, here are the minutes.

Vote for Wilshire Park NOW!

Have you voted in the Give With Target promotion? It only takes a second and it helps bring in valuable dollars to support our school. 

Meeting Minutes: May 2013

Here are the minutes from the May 2013 meeting.

Staff Appreciation

Dear Wilshire Park Families,

It is once again time to show our appreciation for our wonderful Wilshire Park staff. Please consider participating in one of the following ways.

First, as a way to thank staff members for all of their hard work, we ask that families write personal notes of thanks to teachers and staff members. You may do this at home or you will have the opportunity to do this at the Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, May 7 (6-7 pm) in Mrs. Tronsgard’s room (#118 – across from Multi-Purpose Room). The note could be a picture made by your student, a note of thanks from you as a parent or other creative note of thanks. Your student's teacher, a favorite specialist, and a custodian or office member would all love this! Please have your notes handed in by Wednesday May 8th to the school office. We plan to gather the thank you notes, and package them to give to each staff member on Friday, May 10th.

Secondly, instead of the big appreciation breakfast offered in the past, the committee decided to try something different by giving the staff several smaller treats throughout the week. If you would like to contribute food, you can sign up to donate online , or indicate your first and second choice on the slip here and have your child turn it in to the office. We ask that you bring your food on either disposable plates/platters or label them with your name and pick them up in the staff lounge the following day. Please deliver food items to the staff lounge by 7:30 am on the day you are scheduled.

We appreciate you considering this volunteer opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer at 612-554-8519 or Keri at 612-789-1370.

Gratefully,

The Staff Appreciation Committee

Keri Skinner, Erin Gunselman-Burns, Jennifer Rosha, and Brenda Neimi

Giving Campaign Total = $13,000!!

Thank you to those that organized our first ever Giving Campaign: Shiela Grand, Tara & Sierra Halverson, Lani Gabatino, Grace Jones, Pam Metcalf, Melissa Nelson, Kari Page, Cindy Ridge, Susan Schenkenberg, Helen Siggelkow, Mrs. Burba’s First Grade Class, and most importantly the wonderful teachers and staff of Wilshire Park!!

Thank you to Sir Speedy in Northeast Minneapolis for generously providing the printing of our booklet.

Thanks to those who turned out for Family Fun Night to help celebrate our successful Giving Campaign! A great time was had by all.

A special thank you to DJ, Bob Martinez and Tara Halverson for their talents!!

Thanks to the volunteers that night: Scott Springman, Erin Gunselman, Kevin Burns, Trent & Melissa Nelson, Dustin Halverson, Dave & Tessie Rodkewich, Teresa Turner, Susan Schenkenberg, Jeff & Shiela Grand, Marianne Richmond, Katie Gillard, Pam Metcalf, Johnna Rodgers, Bob Jones, Beckie Schmitz, Mary Guiterrez, Natalie Dougherty, Bob Martinez, Wendy Webster and those of you that jumped in to help when it got crazy!!

Upcoming Events

Last WPPA Meeting of the school year:  Monday, May 6 at 7 pm in the staff lounge.

Staff Appreciation is May 6-10:  Look for information about how you can participate in your students’ backpack next week.

Ice Cream Social:  Save the date for Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for one of our kids’ favorite nights at Wilshire Park.  Free ice cream and so much great art work to check out!!  

Giving Campaign Update

As we end the second week of the Giving Campaign we thought you might enjoy seeing the Giving Campaign  commercial that the students saw on morning announcements the first week.  Thank you to Mrs. Burba's class for singing with such pride and thanks to Sierra Halverson, Mr. Gabatino, Grace Jones & Melissa Chmielewski for helping out!

Thank you to the families that have given!!  There is one week left - still time to give if you haven't yet.  Please send a check (with the voucher from the booklet) with your student or you can give with a credit card here.

Enjoy the video!

2013 Giving Campaign

The Giving Campaign is our spring fundraiser, replacing Spring To It.  A booklet went home in your students’ backpack this week.  The booklet contains information about the campaign as well as testimonials from teachers and staff as to how they use the funds provided by WPPA.  Please take time to read through, it is very enlightening. 

You will be able to check the progress of the campaign by watching the Panda in the hallway by the Main Office.  As funds are raised, the Panda will climb the tree.  It’s a fun way for our students to check on the progress of the campaign.  If we are able to raise $7,500 by Friday, March 22^nd, a Family Fun Night will be held at Wilshire on Thursday, April 4^th.  We will have use of the gym and multi-purpose room, popcorn and lemonade and Bingo in the cafeteria for families.

It’s easy to give, simply either send a check in with your student with the tear off voucher from the booklet or you can give online through this blog, just click here (link is also on the top right).

Please let me know if you would like to help organize the Family Fun Night.  We need a couple of people to oversee Bingo and make popcorn.  Contact Julie Pierce at jlpiercemn@comcast.net to help out or for any questions.

Let’s all give it what we can!