Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO

Whittier Fun Run

The Fun Run Fundraiser is Gaining Speed

Way to go, Wildcats! As of Friday, we have raised about $8,300 — about 33% of our goal.

You can watch that number grow by checking out our School Fundraiser Page. You can also see current classroom and individual leaders. Top earners will win big prizes from Urban Air, Go Ape, and Dave and Busters!

All registered participants are entered for a weekly drawing with chances to win gift cards to Candycopia, Broken Tart, Pumpkin Moon, and 3 Spoons. Congratulations to last week’s winners: Julian A., Will Y., Ronan R., Addison O., and Paisley D.!

Don’t miss your chance to win - register on our Whittier Fun Run Fund Hub page today! Use Whittier’s School Identifier Code: 5d2f47547adff to create your personal page.

Don’t forget, the classroom teachers with the top total donations get money back for their own classroom to spend on supplies, class libraries, class parties, and more! See where your classroom stacks up by checking out our school page.

It's not too late to get started! If every student raises just under $60, we’d reach our goal. Share your fundraising page with family and friends near and far to help reach our $25,000 goal! This is the biggest fundraiser of the year which will support cultural assemblies, Wildcat scholarships, and enrichment resources.

Volunteer Information: We welcome many volunteers to this exciting on-campus event! Check out the classroom participation schedule to see when your scholar will be running the courses! Then, grab your volunteer slot today.

Get Started! Whittier Goal Page Class Schedule Sign Up to Volunteer


Teacher Conference Food

Teacher Conferences Dinner

The PTO is buying tacos for our hard-working teachers and staff during Teacher/Family conferences later this month. We’d love your help to supplement the main entree with chips, dips, fruits, veggies, desserts, or drinks on Thursday, 10/24. Our Wildcat team looks forward to dinner and treats during the long day of conferences. Sign up with your donation below!

Teacher Conference Food Sign Up


2024 Book Fair

Save The Date: Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair is returning October 21 - 24. Students will be visiting the fair with their classes during school hours. Choosing their own books inspires students to become lifelong readers.

Weather permitting, the Book Fair will be set up on the blacktop by the Whittier Garden for you to shop after school, too! Every item purchased benefits our school.

Start setting up your student’s e-wallet today so they are ready when the fair begins.

Book Fair Info Volunteer Here!


Adult's Night Out

We Deserve It: Save the Date for Adults’ Night Out at One Lake Brewing

Join us on Saturday, October 19th for a PTO Adults’ Night Out at One Lake Brewing from 6 - 9:00 p.m. More details to come — but grab a sitter now and plan to pop over for a some fun with this wonderful Whittier community!


Chipotle Eat and Earn

Support Whittier with Chipotle Eat & Earn This month!

Eat at Chipotle on Wednesday, October 23rd from 4-8PM to show your support!

Order online for pickup using the code LG8HLT9 or tell the cashier at checkout that you are there for the Whittier fundraiser before you pay and 25% of all sales from 4-8pm will be donated to the Whittier PTO!


Wildcat Staff

5th Grade Gives Staff Lounge a Glow-up!

In case you missed it, 5th grade families were first up to start off our Monthly Sunshine Drops for the Teachers and Staff at Whittier!

5th grade mom and daughter team, Christine Pan and Emmy Bassett (and big sister alumni, Ainsley) captured the spirit of Fall by providing staff with seasonal fruit, dark chocolate bars, and a Pumpkin Kringle to snack on. They cozied up the lounge with fuzzy pillows, a warm throw blanket, and some fun games and appreciation prompts. Finally, they set out succulent table plants with inspirational quotes to encourage our staff throughout the month.

Pan says, “This was actually such a fun way to bond with my daughters and make a project of it. We walked into Marshall’s and got inspired!”

This is a fun and easy way to give back and help our amazing Whittier team feel the love. If you love shopping with someone else’s money, the PTO has allotted $200 per month to spend on brightening the Whittier Staff’s day! Can it get better than that?

Next up is 4th Grade Families. For some fall and Halloween inspiration, check out these ideas to get you started.

The Grade Level Schedule is as follows, but you don’t have to wait to sign up.

  • September - Grade 5
  • October - Grade 4
  • November - Grade 3
  • December - Grade 2
  • January - Grade 1
  • February - Grade K
  • March - Grade Pre-K

Whether you are adding coziness to the community room, setting up a treat trolley, making a kitchen supplies basket, or just bringing in coffee and donuts, the possibilities are endless and can be as simple or creative as you want it to be. Just have fun with it!

Treat the Staff Sign-up


Pre-K Playdate

Kindergarten Playdate

PTO Playdates Have Been So Fun!

Thank you to all the classroom liaisons, families, and students who came to play at our PTO Playdates. We love to see the smiles on faces! A big shout out to Lisa Edelman Karp for organizing each of these opportunities to play with our Whittier classmates outside of school!


The Rundown: Whittier PTO News

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

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month at OPPL!

Hispanic Heritage books, events, videos & more: your public library is here to connect you with books, events, learning experiences, and online resources that celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can:


Click here for COMMUNITY NEWS

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!

2024-25 PTO

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.

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


Paw Store Volunteers are Needed!

PAW Store Volunteers

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!

 

Full Calendar D97 Calendar

Spirit Wear Store

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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