Stay in the Know with Whittier PTO!
The Scholastic Book Fair is This Week! Mon 10/19 - Thurs 10/22
The Whittier Book fair will be open in the auditorium from Monday, October 19 through Thursday, October 22, but you can get ready now to make shopping super simple.
Sign up to volunteer!
First and foremost, the Book Fair needs helpers to set up, serve as cashiers, and pack up at the end of the day. This is a fun way to support the school and watch the kids get excited about reading.
Create your student’s eWallet!
The eWallet allows your student to shop the fair without worrying about losing cash or a physical card. Set up an account and add funds on the Scholastic site, and the funds will be ready for them at the fair.
Contribute to your classroom’s “wish list” eWallet
Each classroom will also have an eWallet, which teachers can use to shop the fair to refresh their classroom libraries. You can find your teacher’s eWallet link in your teacher's weekly communication.
Teacher Conferences Dinner
The PTO is buying dinner for our hard working staff during the Teacher/Family conference night on Thursday, October 22. We would love your help to supplement the main entrée with chips, dips, fruits, veggies, desserts or drinks on Thursday, 10/22. Our Wildcat Team looks forward to dinner and treats during long conferences. Sign up with your donation below.
Scientists, Start Investigating!
Calling all Whittier Scientists!
Whittier Science Fair Night is 11/17 (5:00pm- 6:30pm) and we'd love to have you there! If you're ready, register today. Not sure where to start? Sign-up for some support, click the link below to see a project idea generator, or check out our FAQs.
On Tuesday, 10/20 Whittier volunteers will be available at the Dole Library multipurpose room (second floor) from 6:00-7:30pm for families to drop-in for Science Fair help! Many more options for “office hours” help will be added soon. Sign up to attend here!
Family Night at Urban Air!
Join your fellow Whittier Wildcats and friends from other D97 schools for a fun evening of trampolines, games, and connecting with other families! We'll be joined by friends from Hatch, Holmes, and Lincoln schools and will have the whole place to ourselves! For the cost of $30 per child your child gets admission to the space and all play structures, two slices of pizza and a soft drink, and of course a pair of Urban Air socks. Save time in the line and sign the required waivers now. See more info on the ticket sales page. This will likely sell out, so get tickets now!
Calling All Helping Paws: PAW Place Needs You!
Got a little time? Want to make a BIG difference? PAW Place needs our school community to lend a hand! 💙
Can’t volunteer? You can still help! Shop our Amazon Wish List and send a much-needed item our way. Every volunteer hour, donation, and purchase helps make PAW Place an even more welcoming and fun place for our students. 🐾
🙋 Ready to Help?
Sign Up for a Volunteer Shift
Shop the PAW Place Amazon Wish List
Every paw makes a difference! 🐾
Check Out Next Year’s Events Calendar!
Subscribe and Sign Up to Help!
We’ve got next year’s PTO calendar ready to roll and couldn’t wait to share it with you all ASAP! Not only did we want to give you all the chance to save the dates early, we also wanted to call out a few events in particular that we’ll need some help with planning. Want to step up and help with (or lead!) an event? Click the button below. And don’t forget to subscribe to the calendar (available in Google, Apple, or Outlook format) so you don’t miss anything—note you’ll need a Membership Toolkit account in order to access the calendar subscription. This calendar will update automatically with any changes and new additions. Note that we don’t yet have start times set for all events, so these will show up as all-day events on your calendar for now.
Top News
Save the Date: 11/17 - Science Fair Night!
We are so excited to announce our first Whittier Science Fair Night! All students and families are invited to join us for an evening of curiosity, creativity, and discovery as our students showcase (optional) science projects. Look for a flyer and more information to come. For now, please save the Date for 11/17/26 from 5:00-6:30pm. Questions: Enrichment@WhittierPTO.org
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 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 2026-27 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.
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