Events and Programs
The Whittier PTO engages our community through various events and programs throughout the year. This includes our after school programming WISE, events like Whittier at the Movies and Back To School. We host fundraising events and participate in programs throughout the year that help us fund the variety of programming, scholarships, and initiatives we support.
Below is a list of our programs and events!
| CURRENT EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS |
| YEAR ROUND PROGRAMS |
This program allows you to purchase keepsake products such as coffee mugs, magnets, and other items made with reproductions of your child’s artwork. These make great gifts and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school. You can use art from e-learning, choose a piece from earlier in the year, or create something new.
Not just cereal anymore! Box Tops is an easy fundraiser that everyone can help with by downloading the box tops app and scanning products and receipts already purchase
.
Eat and Earn
The Whittier PTO partners with local restaurants in an effort to connect our community. It works when you dine in or order take out from a local restaurant and mention Whittier PTO on the designated night. Then that restaurant donates a percentage of those sales to Whittier PTO.
Whittier at the Movies
Hosting a different movie screening each quarter with snacks and drinks after school on Fridays throughout the school year.
| Fall Programs and Events |
Kindergarten/New Family Meet and Greet (August) New and Kindergarten families gather to mingle and meet the PTO on the Whittier playground before school starts.
(New for 2022/2023) Welcome Back! Chicago Dogs Game on August 21st. Back to school is an exciting time, and we want to welcome our Wildcats back with a fun Chicago Dogs Baseball Game!
Back to School Bash (September) welcomes new and returning families in the early fall. The PTO provides the main course and entertainment. Volunteers will be needed for set up, serving, and clean up.
2023 Back To School Family Event
(New for 2022/2023) Whittier Golf Scramble (September) No matter if you golf regularly, hardly or never the Whittier Golf Scramble is a great way to connect with other Whittier adults.
Whittier 101 Series (October) information lectures that discussion issues related to student learning and behavioral supports for all Whittier students. Free childcare and refreshments provided.
Wildcat Fun Run (October) is our biggest fundraiser of the year—during the school day, we have a walk/run-a-thon, kid style! We need volunteers to help with setting up, breaking down, distributing snacks, and making sure the event runs smoothly.
Fall Book Fair (October) happens during the week of Family-Teacher Conferences. We’ll need many, many volunteers to set up, work registers, and clean up.
Whittier Is Enriched! (WISE) kicks off in the beginning of the year. This is a popular after-school enrichment program; with offerings like YogaKids, Dynamic Chess, Multisport Madness, and Actor’s Garden, we have something for everyone! Fall registration materials are distributed soon after the first day of school; classes begin about two weeks later and run through winter break. Volunteers will be needed to help with weekly attendance and dismissal.
Fall Teacher Dinner (October) is a dinner held for teachers during the week of Family Teacher Conferences. The PTO provides the main dish, and families donate side dishes, drinks, and dessert.
World Language Program (October registration) provides weekly language classes for grades 2-5 during the lunch hour. Last years classes included French, German, and American Sign Language. Classes run from November through April.
Pumpkin Festival (October) is an annual school sponsored event that the PTO contributes to financially. This It is a pumpkin decorating/carving contest that encourages the student’s creativity and imagination.
Halloween Parade (Halloween) is a fun event just after the lunch hour on Halloween, where the children march around the block wearing their costumes.
Turkey Trot (November) is an annual school sponsored mile run around Taylor Park during the week before Thanksgiving. The PTO contributes funds to the turkey prize.
| Winter Program and Events |
Whittier Family Day Event Join us March 12th @ Allstate Arena to watch the Chicago Wolves take on the Iowa Wild.
Whittier Adult Fundraiser (January) More to come on this new and exciting event for 2022-2023 school year!
Fall Teacher Dinner (January/February) is a dinner held for teachers during the week of Family Teacher Conferences. The PTO provides the main dish, and families donate side dishes, drinks, and dessert.
| Spring Program and Events |
Whittier School Supply Kits (May) simplify school supply shopping. Pre-order school supplies and your child's school supplies will be waiting in her classroom on the first day of school. Orders taken from May until the last day of school.
End of Year Bash (May) closes another great year of learning, sharing, and fun! The PTO provides the main dish and entertainment. Volunteers are needed to set up, clean up, and serve food.
Olympic Day (May) is an end of school year day of games including a pizza lunch.
Fun Fair! (May) Almost World Famous Whittier Fun Fair outdoors on the blacktop. Come for the games, stay for the prizes, visit the Book Fair, and be sure to stop by the Spring Auction table. Learn More
Service Day (April) gathers families to help clean up the Greenleaf Garden and the school grounds in the spring. Come volunteer with other families to pick weeds, spread mulch, and spruce up the school grounds!
Whittier Yearbook (April/May) is produced, sold, and distributed by Whittier PTO volunteers each year. Orders are taken in April and yearbooks are distributed in May.
Teacher Appreciation Luncheon (May) is a luncheon held for teachers and staff in the spring. Families sign up to provide food and drink; we also need parent and guardian volunteers to set up, serve food, clean up, and supervise the playground while the teachers and staff enjoy their meal.
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