Welcome to Whittier PTO!
Please register or login so that you can access all parts of our website and use the awesome features of our new communications platform.
If you already have a Membership Toolkit account with another organization,
you can use the same log-in here.
Whittier April Parent Newsletter
Please read Principal Robinson’s April Parent Newsletter.
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT APRIL 17
Come out and socialize with fellow Whittier parents at Maya del Sol on Thursday, April 17, starting at 7:30 pm. The PTO will provide light snacks. Please RSVP to WhittierParentEngagementPTO@gmail.com
Order Your Whittier Yearbook by April 26!
Tick tock... the clock is winding down on Yearbook orders! You only have until April 26! You have the option of creating two customized pages with your own photos in it as well. To purchase and customize your book, go to http://www.treering.com/
Then enter this passcode: 1014163242633998
Cost: $17.49
All yearbook orders are online this year. The deadline is April 26!!
And as you're working on your yearbook....flip your best Whittier photos to marefur24@gmail.com or upload them to our dropbox -- we have many great Fun Run and Halloween parade photos that were uploaded to PTO Dropbox, but could use others -- thank you!
Whittier at the Movies - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse on April 26th!
Join us Friday, April 26 for the last after school movie of the year Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. After dismissal, students will make their way to the auditorium where they will be able to purchase tickets for $2 and snacks/goodies for $1 each. Pickup is from the auditorium at 5:15. Please note, an Online Permission Form must be submitted in order for your unaccompanied child(ren) to attend the movie. Permission Forms must be submitted by Thursday, April 25. This is a super fun event for students that depends solely on volunteers so please sign up to volunteer here. If you have any questions, contact Shannon Kazyak at preston_shannon@hotmail.com or Christine Diedrich at christinediedrich@yahoo.com.
Congrats Whittier Chess Team!
Congratulations to the Whittier Wildcat Chess Team for taking THIRD PLACE in the 2019 D97 Chess Tournament! Despite being absent the previous two years, Whittier finished on the podium in the very tournament started 16 years ago by retired Whittier teacher Mr. Patterson. It was truly a team effort as every player recorded at least one win in their three matches, with some winning two and three. Whittier captured third in dramatic fashion as it tied on points with Lincoln but won in tiebreaker rules because its alternate won all three matches. Team members included Kaiden Taylor, Zeke Limberg, Gavin O’Shaughnessey, Noah Prokop, Luke Carrier, Aiden Hargrove, Cameron Taylor, Sorabh Ghandi, Graham Templeton, Mike Hamer, Alejandro Barrera, Elliot Engebretson and Henry Kephart.
If your child did not get a chance to participate but you are interested in joining future team activities (including next school year), please contact Whittier parent Chris Carrier at mrchriscarrier@gmail.com.
For the month of April, Whittier School Student Council will help Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry fight hunger in a friendly competition with other Oak Park schools to see who can raise the most points (earned through donated food, dollars, and volunteer hours). You can support Team Whittier by contributing online here , bringing canned goods to school, and volunteering at the Food Pantry (just be sure to make sure you tell them you are from Whittier School!). Please see flyer for details.
Register for Whittier PTO Membership Toolkit Today!
Our new website will help you keep it all together, but you need to register first! It’s easy—just go to https://whittierpto.
Save the Date for Whittier End of School Pizza Party
Make a plan to join your Whittier community at the annual End of Year Pizza Party on May 17, 5 PM- 7 PM. Featuring the sounds of DJ Andrew Hart, pizza, and a delicious spread of potluck side dishes and desserts, this is a Whittier tradition you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned for details about what to bring, how to volunteer, and how to RSVP.
Whittier Diversity Committee Podcast Club
Time: Wednesday, April 17 from 7-9 pm
Location: Dole Library Meeting room.
Topic of discussion: Brief article that we can read together at the meeting.
Whittier Diversity Committee General Meeting
Time: Monday, May 13 from 7-9 pm
Location: Whittier Elementary Media Center (the library on the 2nd floor)
We truly welcome all interested individuals to join us, share your thoughts and ideas, or just be present. Any further questions can be directed to Munirah Curtis at munirahcurtis@gmail.com or Kate Cares at kate.cares@gmail.com.
PTO Leadership Vacancies for 2019-2020 School Year
Join the leadership team and help make a difference in your school community! Whittier PTO is looking for a few parents/guardians to lend their time and talent to the following offices:
Treasurer
VP of Teacher Enrichment Grants
Wellness Chair
Back to School Picnic Intern
Fun Fair Co-VPs (2)
If you are interested, or would like to learn more, please contact Sofia at sofiavillafuerte@gmail.com.
Buy Tickets for Brooks / BRAVO Spring Blockbuster Musical
You will not want to miss BRAVO's special pilot workshop production of Wicked, Jr., happening April 26 through May 5. BRAVO is one of three programs in the country selected to perform this pilot production. Many Whittier grads are in the cast. These shows are a great way to introduce kids to the magic of live theater! Flyer is here. Buy your tickets today at http://www.
Green Team Update
Our Soft Plastics Collection has begun. See attached flyers for what can and cannot be dropped off in the school Vestibule collection boxes. Here are more activities planned for upcoming Earth Week 4/22-28:
- 4/22-26 Soft Plastics Collection Continues in Vestibule
- Seed Exchange Basket available (drop yours off labeled and select some new ones for your garden or containers.
- Video selection on what happens to OP garbage and recycling made available to Teachers, used at their discretion.
- Environmental Library Books on Display in Library including new books purchased by Green Team
- Library Worms at work vermicomposting; available for teachers to check out to classrooms
- Student-made posters on Joey FineRhyme Presentation on display in hallway to lunchroom.
- Garden Visits begin: Classrooms prep garden and begin planting.
- Friday 4/26 Soft Plastic Collection Ends: Total Collection announced asap.
- Sunday 4/28 Service Day 9-1pm; See attached flyer.
Questions or to get involved: wardcathi@gmail.com
Whittier School Supply Kits – Coming Soon!
Save yourself some back-to-school stress and let Whittier PTO do your school supply
shopping for you next year! Order school supplies for the 2019-2020 school year during
our sales period (April 17 through June 7) and your child’s school supply kit will be
waiting in the classroom that first day of school. Please note that not all items (such as
headphones/earbuds, backpacks and water bottles) will be included in the kits, so if you
do choose to order a kit, please plan to check your child’s supply list just to make sure
you have everything. The ordering link will go live on the PTO website whittierpto.orgstarting April 17. Questions? Please contact Rekha Rajkumar at schoolkits@whittierpto.org
Come on Out for Earth Day Service Day on 4/28 from 9am to 1pm
The Green Team needs 15-20 volunteers on Sunday, April 28th to help make the grounds beautiful AND help prepare the Whittier Greanleaf Garden for our next growing season. We'd love any time that you can give - 1 hour or 4 hours! Bring your shovels, rakes, and garden tools and let's have some fun! SignUp here: https://signup.com/go/
Calling All Wildcat Photographers!
We are looking for photos for the Whitter Yearbook. Please upload your favorites from the Fun Fair, Black History Literacy Night, Trivia Night, or any other Whittier event! Our link to the dropbox can be found here or on our website.
Thank you!
Brooks / BRAVO Spring Blockbuster Musical
You will not want to miss BRAVO's special pilot workshop production of Wicked, Jr., happening April 26 through May 5. BRAVO is one of three programs in the country selected to perform this pilot production. Many Whittier grads are in the cast. These shows are a great way to introduce kids to the magic of live theater! Flyer is here. Buy your tickets today at http://www.
District 97 Adventure Fun Run on May 4
The Physical Education Department will be hosting a District 97 Adventure Run on Saturday, May 4th at Lindberg Park. The Adventure Run is free of charge and open to all Kindergarten through 5th grade students in District 97. This is a culminating event to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Week. If your child wants to participate, please fill out the following form.
Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee Meeting
The first meeting of the Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee will be a Parent Café, on Saturday, April 27, 2:30-4:30, at Oak Park Main Library. Community Engagement Space on the 1st Floor. Dinner and childcare provided, as well as interpreters (must request in advance). Please RSVP—see flyer for more information.
D97 Kindergarten Registration is Coming!
Please see the attached flyer for dates and required documents.
April Greenleaf
The April Greenleaf is here! PTO Updates, student submissions, and more!
CURRENT VOLUNTEER SIGNUPS
Wondering how you can lend a hand? Check out our Current Volunteer Signups.
If you already have a Membership Toolkit account with another organization,
you can use the same log-in here.
Upcoming Events
- Friday, April 19
- Tuesday, April 30
- Friday, May 3
- Saturday, May 4
- Tuesday, May 7
- Monday, May 13
Support
You can support Whittier with the Box Tops for Education program, that donates 10¢ for each qualifying box top you collect!
Bring your Box Tops to the school lobby or drop them off with your child's teacher.
You can also signup and do your shopping online through the Box Tops Marketplace and Whittier will receive eBoxTops for every $10 in qualifying purchases.
Do you shop on-line with Amazon? You can support Whittier by using the Amazon Smile Program.
Just use this link to sign up for the program. Choose Whittier School PTO in Oak Park for your charity, and click on the link before each Amazon purchase to raise money for the PTO!
Note: All of your purchasing information stays private with Amazon.
Here's an easy way to help Whittier and be green at the same time! Just bring in your empty printer cartridges (inkjet and toner) and used cell phones to the recycling center in Whittier's lobby and we’ll take it from there. We will recycle the cartridges and cell phones through FundingFactory to earn new technology and/or recreational equipment or cash. Click here for more information and to learn about how you can get your employer or business to help too!
Find us on Facebook!
Submit Photos!
