Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
Back to School Bash is This Friday!
Plan to join the entire Whittier Wildcat community on Friday, September 5th for music, activities, food, and fun at our annual Back to School Bash! This pot-luck gathering is a fun way to celebrate a new year with friends.
Come enjoy free fairground concessions like popcorn, hot dogs, and cotton candy. Next, entertain yourself with balloon animals, face paint, and the book bike. Run through the obstacle course hosted by KidStrong, and get some info from our musical friends at PING (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation)! Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite from our potluck meal. Be sure to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chairs to sit and enjoy the music and chat with friends.
We need many volunteers to make this event run smoothly. Please check out volunteer slots and sign up today!
What: Back to School Celebration
Where: The Whittier Blacktop
When: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Who: All our Wildcats and their families
What to Bring: Something to share at the potluck and a picnic blanket or chairs to sit and enjoy your meal
WISE Enrollment Ends This Week!
WISE registration opened yesterday morning, but there’s still plenty of time to enroll your child in our amazing course offerings for the fall session. Check out our full course catalog here, or you can also log in to Homeroom to see all course information including costs. The registration window will be open until September 3rd, and the Fall Session kicks off the week of September 8th!
The Homeroom app makes it easy to sign up. There are just three simple steps to be ready to enroll:
- Create an account on Homeroom
- Add your student(s)
- Sign up for your classes
Please note: Some course costs have changed since last school year. While we do what we can to keep fees as low as possible, course fees are set by the instructors, not Whittier PTO.
We need a few more enrollments to keep the following classes active for this fall session:
- Breakdancing (Thu): Breakdancing is an awesome form of self expression, and is a great way for youth to become more physically active, interact with others and creatively express themselves. This program will focus on beginner dance techniques and choreography of breakdancing, developing balance, coordination, style and technique.
- Young Rembrandts (Mon): Let’s make this back-to-school season a masterpiece! Young Rembrandts’ drawing lessons will ignite your child’s creativity and sharpen their artistic skills. We’ll tackle creative projects like a detailed gumball machine, a mouthwatering sandwich, and a dazzling Egyptian headdress that’ll whisk your artist back in time. Creativity is calling—sign up now! We will provide all class supplies.
- Starlight Yoga (Mon): Come and experience movement, breath and mindfulness as Starlight Studio curates an hour of self discovery. We will explore ways to destress in this busy world and build awareness of what our body needs to thrive. Classes are themed and include yoga games, music and partner poses for fun.
- Legacy Sports - Multi-Sport Madness (Tue): Multi-Sport Madness is Legacy Sports Camp's most popular program. MSM features a handful of traditional gym games like tag, capture the flag, dodgeball, kickball, soccer as well as our popular Legacy games like Hand Hockey, Connect 4, and Battleship.
- Legacy Sports - Flag Football (Fri): Get your touchdown dance ready because Legacy Flag Football is back! Each week, players will face-off on new teams in a non-contact flag football scrimmage. Whether your child is new to the sport, or already a Flag Football Legend, this program is a great way to encourage teamwork, physical activity, and sportsmanship - all while having a blast!
- By Discovery Art Enrichment (Fri): Students will explore a variety of 2-D and 3-D processes, such as drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, fiber/textile art, clay and sculpture. Students may join us for both the Thursday and Friday sessions, as each day offers different art activities.
- Bright Blocks (Thu/Fri): Students explore science and engineering concepts through hands-on building challenges. From designing structures to testing forces and motion, this program fosters creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork while making STEM learning fun and engaging.
Back-to-School Spirit Wear Sale:
Gear Up at our New Store Today!
Our Principal Dr. Mosley wants Whittier students to show school pride by wearing Spirit Wear every Wednesday. We would love to see every student in one of the fresh new designs by Whittier mom Claire Frieling at her new spirit wear store!
Please note that funding from our PTO Wildcare Fund is available to assist with spirit wear purchases. To make a request for these funds, please contact Dr. Mosley at this link.
All orders earn a percentage back to the Whittier PTO and helps us fund programming and support for our students and staff. Order now!
Our 2024-25 Annual Report is Out!
Check it out! Our Annual Report not only spells out how we raised and spent our PTO funds last year, but it provides a great summary of all the various amazing things that our PTO does. Take a look at the year that was and get excited for the year to come!
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 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 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.
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.
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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