Arts and Education
Whittier School has many curricular and extra-curricular activities to provide our students with a wide array of opportunities for growth. Below are listed some of the in school and after school programs available.
Youth Enrichment Foundation
The goal at the Youth Enrichment Foundation is to provide enriching cultural experiences for youth, with the intent of awakening and sustaining their desires for growth and development. By bring together the community's resources The Youth Enrichment Foundation is able to provide children with hands on experiences in music, art, and literature...opportunities for growth and learning otherwise unavailable to most children today!
Kay Knight Jones is a professor of art at the University of Utah and the visual arts director of YEF. She provides the students at Whittier with a full spectrum of experiences in multicultural and classical arts.
Melanie Paulsen, Colette Call and Ricky Rhinehart are all accomplished musicians with bachelor degrees in music from the University of Utah. Along with piano instruction, general music, singing and music history are also part of the curriculum. Most students attend music classes 2-3 times a week and perform in recitals for parents twice a year.
Extended Learning Program
The Extended Learning Program (ELP) offers educational opportunities for students in grades K through 8 who show high academic abilities regardless of gender, race, culture, or family income. In general, students who may benefit from this program are working well above their age groups in at least reading and mathematics.
Whittier Elementary School is one of two ELP magnet schools and draws students from all of the elementary schools in the District (the other is Hawthorne Elementary) from grades Kindergarten to 6th grade.
Students qualifying for the magnet schools have shown that they need an academic program which allows them to move more quickly and delve more deeply into curriculum.
Students and their families must reside, and continue to reside, within the Salt Lake City School District to participate.
For more information, you may go to the Salt Lake City School District website or contact the District ELP Supervisor Sue Sakashita at 578-8285. Other resources for Gifted Education can be found at the District website or on the NEAG Center Parent Resources website.
Whittier Chess Club
"To
lose is human, to win is divine,
to draw is an art" - Tom Wiswell
Newman Elementary Chess Tournament 3rd Place - 2010 *
West Jordan K-12 Chess Tournament 2nd Place - 2010 **
Utah State Elementary Chess 2nd Place-2007
Utah State Elementary Chess 5th Place - 2006
Utah State Elementary Chess Champions - 2005
* The following students deserve recognition for their achievements during this competition:
- Jacinda Lee, 2nd Grade won 1st Place
- Livia Zhang, 2nd Grade won 3rd Place
- Conrad Morris, 3rd Grade won 3rd Place
- Sonny Jones, 5th Grade won 8th Place
- Gordon Zhang, 6th Grade won 3rd Place
** The following students deserve recognition for their achievements during this competition:
- Jacinda Lee, 2nd Grade won 5th Place
- Conrad Morris, 3rd Grade won 2nd Place
- Mikko Cook, 3rd Grade won 7th Place
- Rodney Tren, 3rd Grade won 8th Place
- Henry Tren, 4th Grade won 8th Place
- Olli Cook, 5th Grade won 6th Place
Studies have proven that chess can increase a student's concentration, improve their study skills, boost their self confidence, and develop logical thinking skills. Kids will tell you that it's a lot of fun!
The Chess Club meets Fridays from 12:35 - 1:30 p.m. in the library, cafeteria, and specified classrooms. Students of every level are welcome to participate. They are divided into groups according to their knowledge of chess, so everyone can enjoy playing and learning more about the game. Students in the Chess Club will learn the basics of chess, progressing toward more advanced tactical and strategic approaches. Students have the opportunity to play in local, regional and state-wide chess tournaments, both as an individual and member of the Whittier Chess Team.
We are very privileged to have Chess Master Vanel Sanchez coaching the Whittier Chess Club. Students will enjoy group lessons along with individual instruction as time allows with our coach.
Whittier Chess Club is solely run by parent volunteers and with limited assistance from Whittier Elementary school personnel. It is not an after-school program, nor a child care agent. Funding for Whittier Chess Club is obtained through donations and fund raising events. Volunteering parents are asked to keep eyes on all chess players and help with club affairs but not required to take responsibility for students who are not interested in playing or learning chess. With that in mind, parents are welcome to stay and observe and are encouraged to help out. For more information contact our parent leader, Hui Hayes at 484-1235 / cell 673-1336, or our school faculty liaison, Librarian Marianne Jones at 481-4846.
Some useful chess links:
http://groups.google.com/group/Whittier-Chess - find out about Whittier Elementary's Chess Club
www.chessfun.org - find out about Utah scholastic tournaments and other fun chess links
www.debry.com/chess.htm - find out about additional Utah scholastic tournaments and rankings
www.utahchess.com - find out about Utah tournaments for kids and adults
www.chesskids.com - learn about the basics of chess
www.professorchess.com - many chess links and fun chess puzzles
www.wholesalechess.com - excellent local source of chess boards, pieces, books and software
www.library.thinkquest.org - a resource for chess players of all skill levels
www.uschess.org - national chess organization with tournaments, education and information
Upcoming chess tournaments:
State Championchips - March 2010
Whittier Elementary School, 1600 South 300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, (801) 481-4846
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