Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
Thank You All for an Amazing Fun Run!
THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the volunteers who helped make the Fun Run a success! Thank you to all the parents and families who came to cheer and bring the energy! Thank you to everyone near and far who donated to our annual fundraiser! We had such a beautiful day, and the kids had a blast! Special thanks to our pals at KidStrong for running a great fitness course and to both Pete’s and Trader Joe’s for refueling our kids with donated bananas!
An extra special thanks to Lisa Edelman Karp for doing an amazing job as always with organizing the event and running the show on her final Fun Run day! And also to Courtney Tyler for making quite the mark on her first time running the fundraising side of the event! Speaking of which…
We are blown away by our community’s generosity! Thanks to you all, we are only $205 away from meeting our $30,000 stretch goal! Reminder that donations are accepted until 10/10! Stay tuned for a separate email announcing the Fun Run prize winners later this week.
Call for Volunteers: Harvest Day Help!
Please consider volunteering for Harvest Day! Help with harvesting veggies and cleaning up the garden beds on Mon 10/13 from 2pm to 5pm.
If interested, sign up to volunteer in the link below! And if you’re planning to help with the harvest, you may just want to hang around for…
Oct. 9 Adult Ed Workshop is POSTPONED
Unfortunately, we need to reschedule the community meeting and adult ed workshop that was planned for this Thursday Oct. 9. Stay tuned for the rescheduled date!
Monday Night Football Bears Game Watch and Potluck on the Blacktop on 10/13!
What better way to shake off the memory of the last time the Bears played Washington than with an outdoor game watch and chili cook-off with friends on the Whittier blacktop? We’ll get started at 6:00 with a potluck dinner and we’ll have the game projected on a screen near the playground. Bring a snack, drink, or your best CHILI to be judged in our chili cook-off! Stay tuned for more details in the liaison emails and next week’s Rundown, but for now you can RSVP with your potluck contribution at the link below. BEAR DOWN
Do-Rite Donuts Fundraiser on 10/23
Our next fundraiser is on 10/23! Pre-order using the link below and pick up during parent teacher conferences on 10/23 between 3p - 7p. Be sure to order by 10p on 10/22!
Come to our First Adults’ Night Out
We’ll be gathering at One Lake Brewing to hang out and raise a glass together, but the best part is childcare is available just a short walk away! The GRC is hosting their monthly “Parents’ Night Out” down the street, where you can drop your child(ren) off at 6:30 and for $30 they get three hours of fun, games, and PIZZA in the open gym. Register now as spots do fill up!
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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