Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
Our Teachers & Staff Feel Appreciated!
During Appreciation Week, we recognize our incredible Teachers and Staff who make our Whittier community stronger every single day. Your dedication, patience, kindness, and hard work do not go unnoticed!
Our festivities kicked off Monday morning with Panera bagels, assortment of fruits, treats and Zemi’s coffee. Tuesday, Bernardo’s Tacos kept our staff fueled and smiling. Wednesday, our VP of Enrichment, Erin Woods, brought back her famous traveling snack and drink art to keep everyone energized throughout the day!
A very special THANK YOU to our VP Staff Appreciation Lead, Noemi Mata, for coordinating this week’s festivities and helping make everything come together so beautifully.
A huge thank you to our Volunteers who stepped up and helped make everything run smoothly: Lauren Pandel, Livia Kenney, Katie Stipanovich, Melanie Chapman, Marlene DeJesus-Veach, Laura Rogers, Anne Douglas, Sarah Yaffe, Tamikia Charles, Monique Fernando, Claire Frieling, Mike Smith, Nicki Huels, Lyndsay Legel-Carmody, Dominique Betancourt-Schaap, the Tagle family and the artist that created the beautiful banner, Laurie McKinley. We are so grateful for this amazing community and for all the dedication, kindness and support shown to our Whittier Staff this week!
The Spring Book Fair is Coming 5/18 - 5/22!
The Book Fair is coming 5/18 - 5/22! Get ready for the newest books, bestselling series, and favorite characters students love! Plus, every purchase supports our school
More information in the below link, including setting up an e-wallet for a cash free experience for your kiddo!
We need YOU for the Spring Book Fair!
Did you know that the book fair generates over $20,000 worth of sales per year? We receive money back for the school and book points to share with teachers!
Scholastic Book Fairs empower kids to find the stories that speak to them. It is so fun to help students select books and watch their faces light up when they choose something special to take home. Shifts overlap, so there is always someone to help.
We can not do it without your help! Come join the fun, and sign up for a shift on the link below!
Two Save-the-Dates: Budget Vote & Fun Fair!
Thursday May 21 will be our final in-person PTO community meeting where we’ll review the year as well as our proposed budget for next year! Come to give feedback and exercise YOUR VOTE on our proposed spending priorities for the 2026-27 school year.
Thursday May 28 will be this year’s end-of-year Fun Fair! Our annual sendoff to the summer will be out on the blacktop again after school. Stay tuned for more details!
Whittier Wildcare Funds Available
The Whittier PTO offers discreet and direct financial support to families in need through its Wildcare Fund.
The Wildcare Fund is currently supported by an anonymous donor, and our collective goal is to increase equity for our students and families. If you need financial assistance for food, winter clothes or school-related equipment, please reach out via this form, your teacher, or the social work team, who handle requests and distribution.
No information is shared with the PTO team about who is making requests. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sideeka Ryan at sryan@op97.org.
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.
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 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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