Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
Don’t Miss the Fun — Order your Throwback Bash Tickets Today!
Tickets are selling fast for our annual adults-only fundraiser event! Join us for Retro Rewind: A Throwback Bash at the Cheney Mansion on April 26 from 6:00 — 10:00 PM.
Join us for an evening of classic hits, era fashion, and all-inclusive food and drinks. Bid on silent auction items including weekends away, local date nights, original artwork and more! Visit the photo booth, hit the dance floor, and score points with your trivia team. You don’t want to miss this fun-filled event with Whittier friends new and old.
Need more convincing? All proceeds go to support year-round programs, enrichment, and advocacy for Whittier students. This event funds a large portion of our budget. So, don’t wait — buy your tickets now!
Spring Sale - Save 20% Sitewide!
The Whittier Spring Sale has begun, featuring 20% savings across the entire site! Shop for tees, hoodies and jackets, including over 25 new designs! Shop Now!
Purchase a T-Shirt to Support the WILDCARE FUND!
The PTO's Wildcare Fund is used to support all Whittier students and families in need, inclusive of but not limited to the FRL family population. These funds can be used for a variety of needs (i.e. field trip costs, WISE scholarships, school supplies, basic necessities) with the main goal being to increase equity amongst our students as well as reducing barriers to participate in school activities.
In 2022, a gracious donor in Oak Park anonymously committed to making a large donation to District 97 schools each year over the course of three years to be used for students and families in need on which we have now received over $4,000 per year. With the money our PTO received, we established our Wildcare Fund, but as the current school year is the last in which we will receive this donation, we are now faced with funding it ourselves.
With this in mind, we have partnered with, Whittier mom, Claire Frieling, who has designed a special t-shirt specifically to help raise funds for our Wildcare Fund. We think you and your wildcats are going to love this fun and adorable "Where the Wildcats Are" design! This website will continue to stock several different designs of Whittier Wear (including our OG faves from years past!) where a percentage of the proceeds will stream a continuous flow into the Wildcare Fund for years to come.
Because we are hoping to garner charity funds with this website we have added a tipping feature. Please use this entirely optional contribution feature if you want to donate further, but know that your purchase is already helping the cause.
Coffee on the Blacktop is Back!
PTO is hosting Coffee on the Blacktop every other Tuesday beginning April 8. Come talk with us!
Find out more about upcoming PTO events and volunteer opportunities and how you can help make a difference. Or just come socialize and connect with some free coffee in hand.
Bring your own cup, or use one of ours. We'll be there after drop off by the playground, see you there!
Save the (NEW) Date: Family Bingo Night
Family Bingo Night has been rescheduled to Friday May 2. All other details remain the same. See you there from 6-8pm (doors open at 5:30pm) in the gym!
Create your 2 free custom yearbook pages through Treering!
Order your book now and take your time with the custom pages if you choose to use them.
April 30th is the deadline for custom pages so that we can ensure the books are delivered by May 23rd
Go to treering.com/validate and use passcode: 1014163242633998
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
Student Council Hot Chocolate Stand
The Whittier Student Council is hosting their popular Hot Chocolate stand after school on April 4.
Hot chocolate and lots of toppings will be available for purchase.
How did they know that it would be hot chocolate weather all through Spring Break?!
Registration for SMART Hephzibah open now until April 7
SMART Hephzibah offers weekly supplemental instruction in math over Zoom outside of school hours for students in 2nd – 6th grade and is facilitated by teachers from Oak Park School District 97. New for 2024 is the addition of 6th grade math! This program offers both regular and advanced levels, depending on your child’s needs.
The 2025 spring session will run April 14th – May 22nd.
Registration for the 2025 spring session will open on Tuesday, March 18th and remain open until Monday, April 7! The cost for fall SMART is $84 for seven sessions. Scholarships are available. To register your child(ren), please visit the link below.
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 MOREFollow-Up Survey on Navigating the Impact of Devices on Youth
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 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!
Follow Us! Special Events, Updates and More!
