Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO

Thank You Fun Fair Volunteers!

Big thank you to all of our volunteers at this year’s Fun Fair: Melanie Chapman, Amy Daly, Marlene De Jesus Veach, Jaci Devine, Pamela Euring, Bridget Gavin, Suzanne Griffin, Chris Hartung, Candis Henderson, Lauryn Howard, Adrienne Magnuson, Noemi Mata, Rachel Ostergaard, Heather Peterson, Nathan Peterson, Sophie Reeds, Sylvia Schweri, Archita Shrivastava, Nikhil Trivedi, Courtney Tyler, Robert Vega, Elisa Westapher, Erin Woods and Brittany Tyler!

Thanks as well to our sponsors and partners including KidStrong and Screen Sense Oak Park!

By the way, did you leave your original painting at the Fair? Click the pic below for a bigger version, and if you see something that you recognize, it will be in the school’s main office waiting for you to pick it up!

Thanks to Our Outgoing Board Members! The PTO Needs YOU!

A huge thank you to the following members of our PTO Board who will be stepping down from their roles. Our community appreciates all the time you gave to our students, parents, and staff!

Dominique Betancourt - Social Media
Chris Hartung - Treasurer
Kayla Hays - WISE / Book Fair
Jude Santos - The Rundown

Ready to step up and make a difference for our school community? Click the button below to see our open roles! Want to help out with one of the roles but you’re a little short on time? Let’s talk!

Join the Team

Thank you 5th Grade Committee!

The PTO would like to thank the 5th grade committee for helping plan the annual 5th Grade Sneaker Ball and other special events to make the 5th Grader’s last year at Whittier special!

A big thank you to: Jane Saedi, Kristina Coenen, Amy O'Dea, Vince Gay, Dominique Betancourt, Lindsay Gallante, Sarah Swagler, Nikhil Trivedi, Livia Kenney, Rachel Coiley, Kristen Taruc, Micah Carr

Get Ahead of School Supplies

Whittier families, we've all been there! Back-to-school sneaks up on us, and suddenly we're running from store to store trying to find supplies. But what if you could check it off your list early? 1st Day School Supplies makes it easy. In just a few clicks, you can order the exact supplies your teacher requested, packaged in a beautiful new box and delivered on time, stress-free!

Order Now

Your Feedback Helps us Grow!

Please take our year-end feedback survey! As we often say, you are the PTO and your feedback helps our board ensure that our programming and operations are the best they can possibly be.

Please note that adding your email address is optional--if you would like to remain anonymous you may do so! Please also note that all questions are optional; if you don't have a response or would otherwise like to skip any question you can simply leave it blank.

The survey should take you less than ten minutes to complete. We appreciate your time and thoughts!

Feedback Survey

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.

Screen Sense Oak Park - Sign Up!

What Are Our Kids Actually Doing on School Screens?

Screen Sense Oak Park is a grassroots group of local parents advocating for clear, research-backed guardrails on school technology use, with emphasis on policies that put learning first, set age-appropriate boundaries, and give families meaningful transparency into what students experience on school screens each day.

Technology should support learning, NOT dominate childhood.

Sign up for the Screen Sense Oak Park newsletter to stay informed, get involved, and join a growing community of parents advocating for a healthier balance.

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 MORE

Volunteer 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.

Open PTO Leadership Roles

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.

Background Checks Volunteer Opportunities