Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
Join us for a PTO Gathering This Thursday
Evening Agenda
Haven’t had time to read all of the emails? Come get caught up at the Whittier PTO Thanksgiving Gathering. We’ll cover fundraising so far, upcoming events, take input on planned spending, and more.
Dr. Villasin will also be there to discuss any questions you have about the D97 English curriculum pilot programs and talk about reading instruction. Hear preliminary teacher feedback, and share your thoughts as well!
Volunteer Drive
Also, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are doing a volunteer sign up drive. If you feel like you want to start a positive ripple and put good into the world, consider donating your time to the PTO. We are asking for volunteers to make just one commitment for one thing. Just a little goes a long way. Help us reach our goal of collecting 50 volunteer commitments to help us fulfill much of our upcoming volunteer needs.
Dinner Details
Mediterranean Dinner from Petra Falafal will be served at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria and there will be supervised childcare with crafts and activities by Jackie during the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Please RSVP even if you aren’t sure so we can estimate how many people to accommodate for. Thanks and see you there!
Give the Gift of Your Child's Art - Order by November 25!
Just in time for the holidays, you can purchase keepsake products customized with your child's art! There are over 50 products to choose from and a percentage of every order goes right back to our school. Search for your child through this link and place orders by November 25th.
Register for WISE Winter Session Now!
Enrollment opened on Saturday, November 9 at 9 a.m. for the WISE Winter Session. WISE is Whittier’s enrichment program and aims to provide students with additional learning opportunities in a fun and engaging environment. Try something new, make friends across grade levels, and expand your interests!
The Winter Session starts after Thanksgiving Break and will run from 12/2/24 through 3/7/25. Check out course descriptions and enrollment details on Homeroom.
- Monday: Ceramics, Chess, Yoga
- Tuesday: Art Explorations
- Wednesday: Ceramics, Mixed Media Art, Cooking
- Thursday: Broadway, Cooking, Robotics
Scholarships
A limited number of need based scholarships are available for WISE. Families can request one scholarship per child, per session by emailing scholarships@whittierpto.org with the student's name and the class they would like to take. An invitation will be provided via email with a discount applied at checkout for 50% off the class or up to $100 off. Please note we are unable to reimburse so requests must be made before you register.
Volunteer for $50 off a class of your choice!
Volunteers are needed to run WISE program. All volunteers receive $50 off a course of their choice. Volunteers are needed to take attendance from 2:50 - 3:15 Mon/Tue/Thurs, and 2:20 - 2:45 Wednesdays. It’s an easy way to be involved and help us run the WISE program. Please consider as we are unable to run the WISE program if we don’t have the volunteers to help. Email wise@whittierpto.org if you are interested.
Register for Whittier at the Movies (K-2)!
Save the date for Friday, November 22 and get ready to send Kindergarteners through Second Graders to the Movies to watch “Jungle Beat” (Grades 3-5 have their movie next month. Please fill out this permission form by Wednesday, November 20th, if your K-2 student would like to attend.
Whittier at the Movies is one of our most popular events with students. Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase. We will need volunteers for the event to help with selling concessions and serving as ushers. Click here to volunteer!
This year, electronics will not be allowed in the audience, so please make sure students leave them at home or in their backpacks.
Wildcare Fund is Available
For the last few years, the Whittier PTO has offered discrete and direct financial support to families in need, through its Wildcare Fund. Our goal is to increase equity for our students and families, and the Wildcare Fund is currently supported by an anonymous donor.
If you need financial assistance for food, winter clothes or school-related equipment, please reach out via this form. Your teacher, or the social work team, will handle requests and distribution. No information is shared with the PTO team about who is making requests.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Sideeka Ryan (sryan@op97.org)
Adult Fundraiser Event Planning Committee
Calling all my party people!
We are looking for a group of people to help plan our annual adult fundraiser event. Last year was a big hit, and we are looking forward to building momentum this year. We divide tasks across many volunteers, so any help you can lend makes a difference.
We need people to help with communications, submitting local business donation requests, event planning and decorating, project timeline management, and more. The fundraiser event is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025. We want to kick off planning soon and start gathering donations in December.
Contact Amy O’Dea at fundraising@whittierpto.org for more information!
Holiday Sale: Gifts for the Whole Wildcat Family!
1st Place Spiritwear has new designs and product lines that will make great gifts for the entire family. Shop for Whittier hats, scarves, backpacks, water bottles, cozy PJ pants, hoodies and more.
All Holiday Sale orders are guaranteed to arrive by December 23rd! Order your Wildcat gear today.
Calling all 5th Grade Baby Pictures!
Don't miss our weekly PTO newsletter, The Rundown! It's filled with important information about upcoming events, school news, and opportunities to get involved at Whittier. Subscribe below, and don't miss a thing!
Top News
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon Visits Whittier to Discuss Civic Engagement
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More NewsVolunteer
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 MOREVolunteer 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 2024-25 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.
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
Paw Store Volunteers are Needed!
WHAT: The PAW store provides fun items for students to "purchase" with their PAWS. PAWS are passed out to students exhibiting responsible, respectful and safe behaviors by Whittier staff.
WHY: The PAW store promotes a sense of belonging and engagement for all students across our school building and provides a direct, positive incentive for demonstrating positive behaviors at school.
WHEN: Students "cash in" their PAWS at the store when they shop with their class on the 2nd Friday of each month. Our first PAW store will take place on October 18th!
HOW: We NEED parent volunteers to make the PAW store happen. Please sign up HERE to volunteer!
Whittier Teachers, Staff, and Administration appreciate your help and support!
Donate
The Whittier PTO runs on the generous donations of our community. Donations are always put to good use and we appreciate your support of our efforts!
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