Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
Thank You Whittier Community!
A huge thank you to everyone who reached out, shared information, and asked how they could support to help our community know their rights! Your enthusiasm, kindness, and willingness to lend a hand will make a tremendous difference!
On Thursday, we quickly assembled and distributed over 300 whistle kits to the community. If you didn’t get the chance to join us at our kit making party, stay tuned for future opportunities. If you would like to become involved in our community’s rapid response team or volunteer to support families in need of escorts to/from school, please email safety@whittierpto.org
If you’d like to know more on how D97 supports students’ rights, visit: https://www.op97.org/parents/student-immigration-status
Join Us for Whittier Book Clubs on 12/2!
Pick your book and start reading for our next round of student Book Clubs at Whittier! Sign up is now open.
Books are on hold and ready for you to check out at Dole. We’ll meet for discussions and fun on 12/2 at 6pm.
Adults can join the PTO adult panel and discussion about fostering independent play or opt to join a book club. We are looking for book discussion facilitators, and support will be provided. Food will be provided! We hope to see you there!
Thank You to our 4th Grade Families!
A huge Thank You to our wonderful 4th grade families - Sheri Dahl, Stefanie Morrison & Candice Tipton- for hosting October’s Sunshine drop!
They set up a delicious Trail Mix Bar & Apple Cider drinks for our amazing Whittier Staff. Their creativity, warmth and generosity made everyone feel so appreciated!
Whittier PTO Candy Collection for Whittier At The Movies Night
Whittier Community, if you have any unwanted or leftover Halloween candy, please consider donating it to Whittier’s PTO! All candy donations will help raise funds during our first Whittier At The Movies night to help support future school events.
Please drop off candy donations at Whittier’s front office.
Thank you for your sweet support! 
Help Reward Kids at the PAWs Store on November 21st!
Wildcats need help spending hard-earned PAW Bucks!
PAW Bucks are earned at school for exceeding the Wildcat standard: Be Respectful, Be Responsible & Be Safe.
The PAWs Store is where your kids can shop with their Bucks!
There are three ways you can help reward our kids through the PAWs Store:
- Be at the PAWs Store in person. Click here is the signup link!
- Replenish the goods! The kids LOVE fresh merch. Here is a link to the PAWs Store wish list!
- Join the PAWs Store team. It's fun!
A background check is required for volunteering at the school or field trips, so schedule a quick appointment today: https://www.op97.org/parents/background-checks
Statement on ICE Activity
We continue to receive reports of increased ICE activity throughout the D97 area. If parents or caregivers are comfortable doing so, we are asking you to be as present as possible at morning drop off and afternoon dismissal and to follow the SALUTE steps in the graphic provided.
While there were no reports directly on Whittier grounds, we wanted to share with you a few ways we can support one another and get more involved. There are lots of ways we can support each other during this time. Please choose what works best for you!
Mutual Aid and Support
- If you or your family are in need during this time please feel free to reach out to school social workers, front office staff, or Safety@WhittierPTO.org
- Donate funds to ICIRR.
Awareness and Walking Patrols
- Continue to report verified information and limit the spread of rumors. Add the ICIRR Family Support Network to your phone right now (855-435-7693).
- Ask to be added to our Whittier Rapid Response chat on Signal (Safety@WhittierPTO.org)
- Walk outside to patrol and report suspicious activity. Sign up for a shift here.
- If nannies or babysitters are uncomfortable, please reach out to PTO to help them find a buddy to walk with. Lots of folks are willing to help!
Attend Rapid Response Training
- ICIRR is offering their rapid response training on Wednesdays at 6pm for the next several weeks. Register here to attend via Zoom.
Build Community
- Sign up for one of our winter Book Club discussions and read Efren Divided with your family.
- Talk to your kids about ICE in direct, developmentally appropriate ways. Here are some links you might find helpful for that:
- How to Talk to Your Child about Immigration: Recommendations for Parents (InfoAboutKids.org)
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Immigration (Global Refuge)
- Talking to Kids About Immigration Enforcement in Their Communities (Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles)
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and concerns. We appreciate everyone’s willingness to come together to make sure our students can learn and play without disruptions.
The Whittier PTO
Reminder from D97:
Staying Grounded in Safety and Care
We know that immigration enforcement activity in and around our community has created fear and anxiety for many families, students, and staff. The difficult and frustrating reality is that we do not have control over these actions, nor do we know when they will end. We recognize that living with this uncertainty is stressful and challenging.
Please know that as a school district, we remain deeply focused on what we can control—maintaining safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments for our students and workplaces for our staff. We continue to review our safety and communication procedures and work closely with community partners to ensure we are as prepared as possible.
Top News
Wildcat Clothing Drive Nov. 17-21
Did you know? Nurse Hilary gives out 3-4 pairs of pants every day! Let's help her re-stock her clothing stash with new and gently used clothes!
Bring your donations to the bin outside the Main Entrance anytime during the week of Nov. 17-21. And, don't forget to leave extra clothes at school in your kiddo's locker! Even older kids need a spare sometimes. Questions? Contact Jaci at advocacy@whittierpto.org.
Neighborhood Bridge Nonprofit
If you’re looking for a way to help our neighbors with SNAP benefits ending, consider donating to a newer non-profit, Neighborhood Bridge. It’s based in the former St. Catherine–St. Lucy Rectory (same building as Housing Forward) that provides SNAP and non SNAP essentials and connects people to other local nonprofits for counseling, legal aid, housing, or job training. If you have the time, they’re also seeking volunteers (5–7 hrs/month) to help individuals with errands like grocery pickups or appointments.
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 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 2025-26 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.
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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