Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO

Statement on ICE Activity

We continue to receive reports of increased ICE activity throughout the D97 area. If parents or caregivers are comfortable doing so, we are asking you to be as present as possible at morning drop off and afternoon dismissal and to follow the SALUTE steps in the graphic provided.

While there were no reports directly on Whittier grounds, we wanted to share with you a few ways we can support one another and get more involved. There are lots of ways we can support each other during this time. Please choose what works best for you!

Mutual Aid and Support

If you or your family are in need during this time please feel free to reach out to school social workers, front office staff, or Sarah at Safety@WhittierPTO.org
Donate funds to ICIRR.

Awareness and Walking Patrols

Continue to report verified information and limit the spread of rumors. Add the ICIRR Family Support Network to your phone right now (855-435-7693).
Ask to be added to our Whittier Rapid Response chat on Signal (Safety@WhittierPTO.org)
Walk outside to patrol and report suspicious activity. Sign up for a shift here.
If nannies or babysitters are uncomfortable, please reach out to PTO to help them find a buddy to walk with. Lots of folks are willing to help!

Attend Rapid Response Training

ICIRR is offering their rapid response training on Wednesdays at 6pm for the next several weeks. Register here to attend via Zoom.

Build Community

Join others in the community for a Whistle Kit Making Party this Wednesday, October 29 at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 744 Fair Oaks Ave from 7:00 - 9:00pm. Space is limited so please RSVP at this link.
Sign up for one of our winter Book Club discussions and read Efren Divided with your family.
Talk to your kids about ICE in direct, developmentally appropriate ways. Here are some links you might find helpful for that:
- How to Talk to Your Child about Immigration: Recommendations for Parents (InfoAboutKids.org)
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Immigration (Global Refuge)
- Talking to Kids About Immigration Enforcement in Their Communities (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and concerns. We appreciate everyone’s willingness to come together to make sure our students can learn and play without disruptions.

The Whittier PTO

Reminder from D97:

Staying Grounded in Safety and Care

We know that immigration enforcement activity in and around our community has created fear and anxiety for many families, students, and staff. The difficult and frustrating reality is that we do not have control over these actions, nor do we know when they will end. We recognize that living with this uncertainty is stressful and challenging.

Please know that as a school district, we remain deeply focused on what we can control—maintaining safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for our students and workplaces for our staff. We continue to review our safety and communication procedures and work closely with community partners to ensure we are as prepared as possible.

Book Clubs

Save the Date: First Kids’ Book Club on 12/2!

Teacher Conference

Thanks to our Conference Dinner Volunteers!

The teachers were SO thrilled at the lovely setup and amazing spread you all provided them with on conference night! Thanks to Lauren Castro, Melanie Chapman, Marlene De Jesus Veach, Julie Donahoe, Anne Douglas, Clay Ewing, Ilana Feld, Michaelia Vuong, Betsy Hart, Kayla Hays, Livia Kenney, Martha McGee, Chris Murray, Lauren Pandel, Aditi Panosh, Heather Peterson, Sophie Reeds, Julia Rivers, Eddie Rock, Laura Rogers, Carrie Schwarz, Katie Stipanovich, and Jerome Yaffe for bringing food, drink, and supplies.

Extra special thanks to Erin Woods and Noemi Mata for doing an amazing job organizing another fantastic dinner, our pals at Taco Pros for pulling together a last minute order after our original delivery from another restaurant was suddenly scrapped by Doordash (!!!), Mark Manalli for swooping in to pick up the food as soon as it was ready, and to our amazing teachers for being so patient while we scrambled to get Plan B together! You all are awesome!

Fun-run

Final Fun Run Numbers and Prize Winners

Hoo boy, things have been so busy at PTO HQ that we completely forgot to announce the winners of our Fun Run prizes and our fundraising totals! First the numbers: Thanks to your incredible support, we ended up raising just under $31,000, netting the PTO $28,200 after expenses and fees. We are are still astonished by the generosity of this community and are so grateful! One more time: THANK YOU!!

We are excited to finally announce the winners of our individual and classroom prizes for most funds raised and most minutes of physical activity logged. Here they are:

Most Physically Active

EC-2nd Grade Individual: 1 month KidStrong Gift Card - Reagan L. (1st)
3-5 Grade Individual: 1 month KidStrong Gift Card - CJ Z. (3rd)
EC-2nd Grade Class: Foam Party - Mrs. Nelson (1st)
3rd-5th Grade Class: Foam Party - Mrs. Kula (3rd)

Most Funds Raised

1st Place: $300 Gift Card to Urban Air - Sofie L. (1st)
2nd Place: $200 Gift Card to OPEF Base Camp - Grant D. (3rd)
3rd Place: $100 Gift Card to Dave & Buster's - Emmie T. (K)
Most Donations: Gift Card for 4 Lessons @ School of Rock - Will M. (K)
EC-2nd Grade Class: Silly String Party - Baker/Grant (1st)
3rd-5th Grade Class: Silly String Party - Kula (3rd)

Thanks to all of your for being so engaged with this year’s Fun Run!!

Help Reward Kids at the PAWs Store on November 21st!

Wildcats need help spending hard-earned PAW Bucks!

PAW Bucks are earned at school for exceeding the Wildcat standard: Be Respectful, Be Responsible & Be Safe.

The PAWs Store is where your kids can shop with their Bucks!

There are three ways you can help reward our kids through the PAWs Store:

Be at the PAWs Store in person. Click here is the signup link!
Replenish the goods! The kids LOVE fresh merch. Here is a link to the PAWs Store wish list!
Join the PAWs Store team. It's fun!

A background check is required for volunteering at the school or field trips, so schedule a quick appointment today: https://www.op97.org/parents/background-checks

Whittier Student Council: Socktober

Socktober

More News

Volunteer

Did you know when you registered at Whittier you became part of the PTO!

There are many ways to support the Wildcat pack! Whether that is contributing to the PTO financially, attending a PTO meeting, or donating your time and talent. All help support the mission and positively impact you, your scholar and family. Find an opportunity below!

LEARN MORE

Volunteer Information Station

What is the PTO?
The Whittier Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer team made up of teachers, staff, parents, and guardians of students attending Whittier Elementary School. The Whittier PTO requires no membership dues. By enrolling in Whittier, you are already part of the PTO!

Our mission is to build connections between families, the school, and the Oak Park community. We are dedicated to promoting academic success and social and emotional growth for all children at Whittier.

In order to fulfill our mission of engagement, enrichment, and advocacy, we fundraise as transparently as possible. Your participation and feedback make that possible! Be sure to keep in touch and tell us what you think!

It’s Nice to Meet You!

Meet the 2025-26 PTO Leadership Team! Be sure to say hello when you see us on the blacktop! We are still looking for few more leads to join the fun. If you’d like to learn more, check out some the open positions for the school year.

Open PTO Leadership Roles

Volunteers Make it Possible

Volunteers are the key to making the school year enriching, engaging, and excellent for our Whittier students. If you plan on volunteering in a classroom, on field trips, or at special events, be sure to sign up for your District 97 background check now, as appointments are limited. Click the link below for more information and to make an appointment.

Background checks remain in the D97 system, so if you’ve already been cleared, you should be ready to volunteer this year!

The PTO is 100% run on volunteer power! Many hands make light work. We are seeking people who can take on any portion of any event in order to lighten to the load and bring fresh energy and ideas.

Please check out all the areas we need volunteer support. Even if you only have an hour to spare, it helps! Check the boxes with your interests, and we will contact you next year when planning the event.

Background Checks Volunteer Opportunities