Stay in the Know with the Whittier PTO
The Ramadan Assembly was Wonderful!
Many thanks to our Whittier parent presenter Meryem Ray and fellow Whittier parent Munirah Curtis who brought the school together last Monday to share about the Muslim observance of Ramadan. The assembly was an opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions surrounding Ramadan which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed for the entire month. The focus of Ramadan is prayer, reflection, and community.
Students listened to music, enjoyed a story read aloud, and heard from a few fellow students about their own experience with Ramadan. Each student was gifted with a small lantern keychain. The lantern is a key symbol of Ramadan, used in many celebrations around the world.
This assembly was part of the PTO Diversity Committee’s commitment to ensuring all students are welcomed and valued. To help build global citizens, we work to ensure cultural education is a part of the Wildcat experience. Ask your student about the presentation!
Announcing our new Nothing Bundt Cakes Mother's Day Sale!
We are happy to announce our Mother's Day fundraiser with Nothing Bundt Cakes, located in Chicago-Lincoln Park. Nothing Bundt Cake is famous for their freshly-baked cakes, delicious butter cream cheese frosting and flavors that are sure to delight! Their mission is to bring joy to the community through continual support of our school, one bite at a time!
Place orders using this form from now until Friday, April 26th, 2024.
Date: Friday, May 10th, 2024
Location: The Community Room (Teacher's Lounge)
Pick-up Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Eat at Broken Tart this Wednesday
Run, don’t walk, to Broken Tart this Wednesday, April 17 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and indulge in delicious cookies, perfect cakes, and steaming coffee.
And now, you have an excuse to get one (or two) of those coveted pink boxes filled with goodies to bring to the office or back home to your family — because everything you order gives back 20% of the bill to the Whittier PTO.
Go ahead, treat yourself! Like you need convincing.
PTO Prom Was A Night To Remember
If you missed it, we missed you! The PTO Prom Night, Dance Through the Decades, was an amazing event. Fun was had. Friends were made. Photos were deleted. 🤣
We had over 100 people attend, and we filled the lovely Cheney Mansion with music, dancing and laughs. There was even a special surprise break dancing performance by The Breaking Program!
Thousands of dollars of prizes were given away, and by the end of the night, we raised over $10,500 to help fund PTO events and activities for our students. $440 dollars were specifically raised for our advocacy initiative, the Wildcare Fund, through purchased Paw Pins. Thank you to all who participated!
A huge shout out to the volunteers at the event who helped the night run smoothly: Rachel Crookes, Ryan Gallante, Lisa Kiker, Andreia Leon, Will Leon, Pat O’Dea, Paul Schaap, Sally McGowan and Sara Swagler. Thank you for helping make the night a success!
Special thanks to our Trivia leader, Pressoir Belance, who put together two fun trivia sessions that had us all reminiscing and laughing. Congrats to the two champion teams: Clueless and K, and 2000 and Late!
Another big thank you to our photographer, Marty Vernon, who captured all the fun. Check out and download your prom portraits here!
Thanks, too, to our planning committee who worked hard at collecting items for the auctions and raffle, and planned such an unforgettable night: Amy O’Dea, Lindsay Gallante, Dominique Betancourt, Christine Pan, Livia Kenney, Tiffany Noakes, Carrie Schwarz, and Rebecca Romano. We had as much fun planning as we did attending! :)
I’m just gonna say it: if you missed it, you just need to come next year. Mic drop.
Earth Day Is April 22. Find a way to Reduce, Reuse, or Recycle
Here are some ways you can help on Earth Day or any day:
- Textile waste is a growing issue. Oak Park partnered with Simple Recycling to offer textile recycling to residents. Start collecting your clothing, bedding, boots, shoes, belts, coats, hats, pillows, towels, and linens. Schedule online or by phone at 866.835.5068 to arrange a pick up.
- Paper Shredding and Foam Recycling Event - April 20th 10am -12pm, gather your important papers and foam packaging. Ensure it's #6 foam, no straws, lids, or packaging peanuts.
- The Whittier PTO has three recycling boxes in the vestibule - small plastic toys, make up and personal care products like shampoo, and printer cartridges. Collect items from around your house or neighborhood to bring in to recycle!
Mark Your Calendars for the Spring Book Fair
Mark your calendars Wildcats! Our Scholastic Book Fair starts Monday, April 29 and runs through Thursday, May 2. All purchases benefit our school and encourage the love of reading in our students.
You can set up your child's eWallet starting Monday, April 8. More information to come!
We will need a lot of volunteers to make this event a success for the kids, so check out the schedule and plan ahead to help out!
Reminder: Send in Yearbook Photos and Personal Pages By May 1st
It's that time of year! Please send in an adorable picture of your graduating 5th Grader for the Yearbook Baby Page. Please include their name and send it to yearbook@whittierpto.org
Student Council Lemonade Stand
Join the Student Council for a spring Lemonade Stand on April 19 at 3pm on the blacktop by the playground. All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago and Northwest Indiana, which is an organization that offers housing, support, and community to families with sick children so they can stay together near the hospital.
Cash, Venmo, and Zelle will be accepted. Glasses will be $1 each, with additional embellishment options available.
There are two ways you can help the Student Council with this event — spread the word, and consider volunteering below!
Whittier Can do Challenge
Donate, Volunteer and Advocate to support the Whittier Food & Fund Drive in partnership with Beyond Hunger during the month of April!
Shop the Whittier Spirit Wear Store!
Don't miss our weekly PTO newsletter, The Rundown! It's filled with important information about upcoming events, school news, and opportunities to get involved at Whittier. Subscribe below, and don't miss a thing!
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D97 Student Services Family Workshop on April 20
You’re invited to a Family Workshop hosted by the District 97 Student Services Team! The event will be held Saturday, April 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Holmes Elementary School. Come to learn more about the IEP process, eligibility meetings, school-based and clinical supports, and your parental rights. Childcare will be provided. Sign up below.
OPRF Community Block Party
Join Oak Park and River Forest High School for an exciting day featuring the legendary alumni band The Jade 50's, a variety of food trucks, face painting, bounce houses, and numerous other family-friendly activities.
It’s all happening on the Mall on the west side of OPRF, where you’ll also have the chance to take a lap on the new track! Don’t miss out on the fun!
Click here for COMMUNITY NEWS
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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 MOREMark Your Calendars for Teacher Appreciation Week: May 6 - 10
May 6 - 10 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we want to let our Whittier teachers and staff know that they are out of this world!
The PTO has a week full of special surprises, treats, and gratitude planned, but we will need your help.
This year, we are making a thank you video for our teachers and staff and want your student to record a short (one or two sentence) video clip thanking their teachers. We are also collecting written notes or photos with a thank you message to compile all our submissions into the video. We plan to share the final video with teachers and staff on May 10th, but all submissions will be needed by April 30th. Click the link below to submit your thanks today.
Stay tuned from more information about class gifts coming from your classroom liaisons soon!
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Thank You To Our Sponsor!
Little Teeth Big Smiles Dentistry
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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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