Funded Projects

Projects Funded by the WSA

The WSA organizes all school fundraisers. Proceeds from the various fundraisers goes to support students, teachers, and events at Whitehills. Specific projects and initiatives that have received full or partial WSA funding are listed below.

The WSA budget is drafted by the board and voted on by the WSA membership at the beginning of the academic year. Other requests are voted on throughout the year as needed, and are approved by the WSA membership for larger requests or by unanimous board vote for smaller requests. Feel free to speak with any board member if you have questions about any of these projects.

Projects Funded in 2018-19

Sponsorship of Reading Month author visit by Johnathan Rand
Purchase of yearbooks for children supported through Part of the Pack program
Supplies for Embrace the World international festival
Fourth grade field trip to Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Financial support of the third grade Big Zoo Lesson ($10 per child plus full scholarships as needed)
Purchase of $20 in books from the Enchanted Forest Book Fair for each child in the "Part of the Pack" program
Wharton Center ticket for every student
Field trip scholarships
Additional $100 in classroom grants for each teacher (using Whole Foods fundraiser "windfall" funds)
STEM Festival supplies
Reflective wristbands for each student as part of Walk to School Day
Balloons for Walk to School Day all-school parade
Matching $1,000 contribution to help launch Jan's Closet initiative
Lansing Symphony Orchestra ticket for each fourth grader
Boring-but-necessary expenses like nonprofit status, renewal, Sign Up Genius subscription, and Weebly subscription
Popcorn Friday supplies
Magazine subscriptions for school library
Whitehills Elementary "staff" shirts for each teacher and staff member
Child care during WSA meetings
Spirit Wear shirts for each student in Part of the Pack program
$100 for each teacher, librarian, school counselor, and interventionist for classroom or office materials
Purchase of prizes for Summer Reading Program
Ice Cream Social treats
Popsicles for Popsicle Playdate
And many more!

Popsicles are a popular part of the Popsicle Playdate, Whitehills 5K, and more!

Reflective "Protecting Our Pack" bracelets were given to each student

The WSA provides free Spirit Wear shirts for Wolves in need through our "Part of the Pack" program

The WSA purchased Act One School Series tickets for every student this year

Projects Funded in 2017-18

New weather-resistant cabinet for playground Little Free Library
Purchase of supplies and decorations for Carnival
Part of the Pack initiative for students in need (provides a Spirit Wear shirt, books from Scholastic book fairs, field trip fees, Carnival wrist band, school yearbook, and other support for Whitehills students)
Purchase of commemorative walkway brick and flowers for Kim Anderson's retirement
Purchase of snacks, food, and supplies to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
Purchase of snacks for Kindergarten Round-Up
Purchase of Mileage Club toe tokens and supplies
Purchase of participation books for Science Fair
Support for Field Day festivities (DJ, Popsicles)
Support for Bucket Filler student assembly concert by the Spartan Dischords
Sponsorship of Reading Month author visit by Paleo Joe
Support for Embrace the World event
$700 from PawPalooza profits for each grade level (and specials) for a grade-specific purchase, such as equipment, a special guest, or a field trip
Magazine subscriptions for school library
Fourth grade field trip to Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Financial support of the third grade Big Zoo Lesson ($10 per child plus full scholarships as needed)
Purchase of Science Club supplies
$100 for each teacher, librarian, school counselor, and interventionist for classroom or office materials
Child care during WSA meetings
Purchase of Bucket Filler prizes
Musical score, costumes, supplies, and refreshments for Winter Musical
Wharton Center ticket for every student
Popcorn Friday supplies
Table for newly arranged front office
Event infrastructure items (e.g., extension cords, step ladder)
Ice Cream Social treats
Popsicles for Popsicle Playdate
Purchase of prizes for Summer Reading Program
And many more!

Popcorn Friday is a huge hit every month

In addition to selling Spirit Wear, the WSA provides free shirts for Wolves in need through our "Part of the Pack" program

All grades visit the Wharton Center in 2017-18!

Book bags for Part of the Pack program

Projects Funded in 2016-17

Purchase of snacks for Kindergarten Round-Up
Purchase of snacks and supplies to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
Further purchases of leveled books for Book Room
Purchase of supplies and decorations for Carnival
Purchase of supplies for Girls on the Run team-building project
Support of $10 per third grader plus several scholarships for the Big Zoo Lesson
Support for Science Fair prize books and supplies
Purchase of refreshments for Spring Music Showcase
Purchase of food for speech pathology end-of-year group party
Purchase of Science Club supplies
Purchase of up to $20 in books from the Bookaneer Book Fair for about a dozen children
Purchase and installation of playground equipment after two years of fundraising!
$100 for each teacher, librarian, school counselor, and reading specialist for classroom materials
Scholarships for Butterfly House field trip
Maps, periodic table poster, and stopwatches for third grade classroom
Walk to School Day balloons
Subscription to "Let's Find Out" readers for all kindergartners
Popcorn Friday supplies
Ice Cream Social treats
Popsicles for DK and K Popsicle Playdate
New chairs, curtains, and table for teacher lunchroom
Purchase of prizes for Summer Reading Program
And many more!

Thank you note for Book Fair books

Spring Music Showcase snacks, April 2017

Playground expansion, August 2016

Big Zoo Lesson, December 2016

Projects Funded in 2015-16

Purchase of industrial popcorn popper and supplies for monthly Popcorn Fridays
Field trip scholarships to cover the cost for students who are not able to contribute to fees
Purchase of Gaga Pit playground equipment
$100 for each teacher for classroom materials
Ice Cream Social treats
Popsicles for DK and K Popsicle Playdate
Purchase of prizes for Summer Reading Program
Signage to help drop-off traffic flow

Bus and scholarships for week-long Big Zoo Lesson
Purchase of 15 sets (15 different titles) of 6 books each for Book Room
Support for Embrace the World international fair
Support for March Science Madness Science Fair & Festival
Purchase of snacks for Kindergarten Round-Up
Purchase of snacks and supplies to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
And many more!

Ice Cream Social treats

Directional signs help traffic flow

The Gaga pit is a popular playground addition

Filling bags for Popcorn Friday

Big Zoo thank-you note

Projects Funded in 2014-15

Offset cost of student field trip transportation
$100 for each teacher for classroom materials
Books for the Book Cart used by all classes
Purchase of Wharton Center tickets for all grades to do theater field trips
Coat cubbies for kindergarten classes
Little Free Library purchase and decorating supplies
Buddy Bench purchase and decorating supplies

Ice Cream Social treats
Support for Embrace the World international fair
Support for Science & Engineering Festival
Purchase of polo shirts for teachers and staff to welcome all to new school
Purchase of flowers to thank retiring secretary Mrs. Lord for her years of service, and welcome flowers for new secretary, Mrs. Ward
And many more!

Putting thumb prints on the new Buddy Bench

Fully stocked Little Free Library

Embrace the World supplies

Little Free Library

Field trip transportation

Kindergarten cubbies