Only one week away! The Book Fair is nearly here (October 19-22)!
This year your Whittier scholars are going to join their classmates and visit (and shop!) the Book Fair that will be set up in the Whittier Auditorium during the school day. This is a great opportunity for your child to pick out a book or two that they really love. Here is how you can participate:
- Load an eWallet for your child(ren): This year is a great year to use this digital option. You will be able to set up a free account simply and easily and have funds available for your child(ren) to shop at the fair. No card needed! The digital dollars will be in the system under the child’s name. Load it up today!
- Add funds to your Classroom’s “Wish List” eWallet: Since families will not be able to visit this year our normal Teacher Wish List bins are not feasible. Instead, we invite you to contribute to the Classroom "Wish List" eWallet now. This way your teacher can purchase books that will keep their classroom libraries fresh. Find your classroom’s eWallet here. The deadline to contribute funds is October 18. That gives enough time for teachers to pick out books from the Book Fair in person through October 22 and online through October 31.
- Helpers Needed: The legendary Scholastic Book Fair CANNOT happen without you! We need (vaccinated) helpers to do set up (so fun to open the boxes to see what is going to fill our fair!), help with the Teacher Preview event, cashier during classroom visits, and pack it up at the end. Please take a moment to find a volunteer slot that works for you! This is a fun and easy way to help the school and watch the kiddos get excited about reading. Our school receives 55% of the sales from the Fair! Please support this valuable fundraiser by pitching in for an hour or two.
- Shop Online: Can’t wait for the Book Fair to begin? (Me neither!) Start a day early! Online sales run October 18 – 31. Follow the link from our Book Fair home page and shop from a huge selection of educational products, games, crafts, and kits. All book orders ship home for free, and we'll earn 25% in rewards on purchases made during the Online sales window. Share that news with friends and family! It is a great way to purchase gifts and support our school! Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Donations Needed for our PTO Teacher Dinner
The PTO is buying dinner for our hard-working teachers during the parent-teacher conferences on Thursday, October 21st. Please consider donating beverages, desserts, or appetizers. Just drop off your dish or item in the Front Office on Thursday, October 21st from 8 am to 2 pm. Store-bought or homemade, we are thankful for whatever you give! We are so happy to bring back this Whittier tradition and the teachers really love our dinners!
- Appetizers - store-bought (3)
- Appetizers - gluten-free (4)
- Appetizers - vegetarian (5)
- Beverage - Diet Soda (3)
- Beverage - Sparkling Water (3)
- Beverage - your choice (2)
- Store-bought Dessert (3)
- Dessert (6)
If you are contributing appetizers and desserts, be sure to label any serving pieces that need to be returned. They will be washed and left in the Front Office for pick up the next day. Thank you!
Special Education Virtual Resource Fair 10/13 @ 6:30PM
Hear from various agencies in Oak Park about the services they offer:
- Case Management
- Disability Training
- Respite
- Day Programs & More
Check our website here for the link to join.
T-Shirts Delivery This Week!
Every student will receive a Whittier t-shirt this week compliments of the PTO! Wear these for Whittier Wednesdays and whenever the Whittier spirit strikes! Each student gets one, and teachers will pass these out in the classroom to be brought home with students in backpacks.
October 11 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day! Find family-friendly online events and resources at the Oak Park Public Library and the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian.
Fun Run, WE DID IT!
WE DID IT!! Students exceeded the Fun Run goal!
We had an amazing Fun Run this year. Students from all grades had a blast on the obstacle course, running and making fun spirit signs. Thank you to all of the volunteers that helped make this event happen this year.
As of Thursday, we’ve raised $19,915 in donations! But there is still time to raise even more. The site stays open until October 20. We could not have done it without all of your support. Since the whole school met its goal the students will get to have a school dance party!
Prize Winners:
Congratulations to all of the students who raised funds. We’re excited to award awesome prizes. Thank you to the Daly Bagel and the Chicago Fire for generously donating prizes this year.
The top 10 Prize earners this year are listed below. The rest of the top prize earners will receive Popits. Way to go! We will be reaching out to the prize winners to deliver your prizes.
1st Place Go Ape Gift Card - Sophia Coiley, Grade 1
2nd Place* 2 Chicago Fire 10/23 Game Tickets - Loie Burwell, Grade 5
2nd Place* 2 Chicago Fire 10/23 Game Tickets - Oliver Petersen, Grade 2
3rd Place 2 Chicago Fire 10/23 Game Tickets - Sienna Gallante, Grade 1
4th Place 2 Chicago Fire 10/23 Game Tickets - Eleanor Hess, Kindergarten
5th Place* 2 Chicago Fire 10/23 Game Tickets - Jackson Hess, Grade 2
5th Place* 2 Chicago Fire 10/23 Game Tickets - Lucas Nunziato, Grade 1
5th Place* Daly Bagel Gift Card - Julian Alvertos, Grade 2
6th Place Daly Bagel Gift Card - Lieve Schreiner-Witte, Grade 3
7th Place Daly Bagel Gift Card - Rose Jacobson, Grade 1
8th Place Daly Bagel Gift Card - Simon Liang, Grade 4
9th Place Daly Bagel Gift Card - Lex Ritchie, Grade 5
10th Place Daly Bagel Gift Card - Gavin Underdown, Grade 1
Art to Remember is coming!
Art to Remember is an annual fundraiser that the kids love! It helps parents and schools preserve children’s artwork and supports art education through custom-printed keepsakes.
Look for order forms coming in late October and get all your holiday shopping done!
Whittier PTO Family Directory - Website Sign Up/Login Required
The PTO has a fantastic website which is even more robust when you create a Membership Toolkit account. Once you log in, you will have access to our online family directory which is entirely opt-in. By registering, you help build the directory so families can connect on anything from playdates, birthday invites, gatherings, and more!
To create an account, please sign up and follow the directions here: Create your PTO Membership Toolkit Account
Important Details: For privacy purposes, the school directory is only available when you log in to your Membership Toolkit account. Once you create your account, you will also need to enter your information in the School Directory on the website. This is located in the account section.
We encourage families to sign up for the Membership Toolkit account to unlock this valuable resource! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dominique Betancourt at [email protected].
Recess Donations
Recess equipment is still being collected. If you had trouble with the link, we started a new list here.