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Help a Whittier Family in Need
Last week a Whittier family experienced a terrible tragedy as they lost their house and many belongings to a fire. While their house is being renovated they have stable temporary housing with a kitchen and are not asking for financial assistance or donations of clothes or toys at this time. However, what they have said would be most helpful for them is assistance with food and dinners for the next month. Let's show them some Wildcat love and help out how we can.
We would like to coordinate three types of donations to the family:
- Gift cards to local restaurants
- Non-perishable groceries for staples & easy meals
- Prepared dinners
Note that this a family of four and one child has a severe allergy to tree nuts and sesame. If you are able to prepare a dinner, please label it with its ingredients. To help manage prepared food dropoff, we are collecting signups for prepared dinners at this site, so please sign up for a day there if you're able. All three of the above donation types can be dropped off at Whittier's front desk between 8:00 and 3:00 on a school day. Please reach out to Mike with any questions at president@whittierpto.org.
Please donate if you can! Thank you!
-Your PTO
Knock Twice: Get Those Costumes Ready!
Get your tickets NOW for this year’s Adults-Only Fundraiser: Knock Twice! This year we’re turning Cheney Mansion into a 1920’s speakeasy with casino games, dancing, dinner from Maya del Sol, and an open bar. Still figuring out your costume? We got you covered: click here for some ideas!
Keep an eye on our auction website this week as we’ll be adding more items that are up for bid and raffle each day. See something you like? No need to wait until May 1st—bid today!
Did you know that if you donate an item or service to our silent auction you get $15 off your all-inclusive ticket? Do you have a vacation home you can offer for a weekend? A piece of original art? An interior decorating business? Sports tickets or memorabilia? Email Courtney at fundraising@whittierpto.org to offer a donation!
Finally, this year we want to encourage our beloved Whittier teachers and staff to join us for the fun! While they’ll have the opportunity to buy their own tickets, we’d also like to show them some love by offering to pay their way. Buy a ticket for a staff member today—note that this counts as a donation and makes your own ticket eligible for that donor discount!Sponsor a Whittier Staff Member’s Ticket!
Knock Twice Needs Volunteers!
Like all of our events, each year our adults-only fundraiser is entirely powered by volunteer energy. We’re gonna need plenty of help with setup and decoration, checking in guests, photography, and clean-up on May 1st. Click below to sign up for a volunteer slot and you’ll get a special link to buy your all-inclusive tickets at a $25 discount! These volunteer slots will fill up so sign up today!
Volunteer to Help With Plant Sale Pickup Day May 9!
Plant Sale Pickup Day is coming up fast on Saturday, May 9th! Each year we need help organizing the plants and donut orders and helping deliver them to cars on that morning from 9:00 until about noon. What better way to start your Saturday than by making people happy with flowers, garden goodies, and donuts? Shifts are about an hour each and you’re welcome to sign up for more than one. Sign up below!
Thank you- PAWs Store Volunteers! 🐾
A huge THANK YOU to our PAWs Store Lead- Amy Lutz and Volunteers - Mark Manalli, Mike Smith, Andy Hays, Laurie McKinley, Dan Lang and Milanne Bancroft.
A special Thank you to the Villasin Family for their donation of big ticket items.
Calling All Graphic Designers!
Are you a pro graphic designer, or do you know of a good one? The PTO may have some work for you this spring and summer as we look to update signage, create some new templates for comms, and we perhaps have another fun project or two up our sleeves. Email Mike at president@whittierpto.org to hear more!
One More Screen Time Follow-Up: Check Your Kids’ On-Screen Activity with Securly
Did you know that D97 allows parents to access data on their kids’ activity on school iPads? The district uses an app called Securly to filter inappropriate content and monitor activity, and there is a parent portal that is free to access. (Note: D97 publicizes this in a tech newsletter at the beginning of each school year but many parents—including this one!—apparently missed it. -ed.)
To access the Securly Parent Portal, fill out the form below and you will receive a report on your child’s screentime each week. Note that the form asks for your child’s email address, but it is not a required field in case you don’t know that offhand.
We’re still learning about what the data does/does not show, but at first glance it looks like you can see date and time apps were accessed along with any browser activity including Google searches.
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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