The Whittier Wildcat Word
Friday, May 13, 2022
A Message from Principal Robinson
Greetings, Whittier Wildcats,
I hope this newsletter finds all Whittier families and friends doing well!
I have had so much fun celebrating the ABC Countdown with students over the last two weeks. Its been exciting to see our scholars engaging in the daily activities throughout the building.
A friendly reminder that the Whittier PTO Fun Fair is on Sunday, May 15, 2022. Please join PTO for an afternoon of fun activities for the entire family. I look forward to seeing you there!
Have a wonderful weekend!
In partnership,
Principal Robinson
Whittier School - Where I Belong!
Whittier Wildcat Word Staff Spotlight
One of our goals this year is to strengthen the relationship between home and school. In particular, findings ways for the Whittier community to know the staff at Whittier. Therefore, each week, we will randomly pick a staff member from an envelope to spotlight.
Ms. Katelyn Turner: 1st-Grade Special Education Co-Taught Teacher
- Hello, my name is Katelyn Turner
- I am a 1st-grade special education teacher, and I have been in the district for 5 years now.
- My favorite color is green
- What I like most about Whittier is all the kind people here.
- I had a SuperPower, it would be to fly so that I could travel the world.
- If I could be any animal, I would be a Dolphin because I would get to spend my life exploring the ocean and being in the water.
- My advice to our Whittier scholars is to never give up on your dreams. You can be anything you want to be.
May 2022
13th - Emergency Board Meeting
15th - Fun Fair
16th - 18th Book Fair
24th - Brooks Concert
24th - Board Meeting
30th - Memorial Day - No School
The Buddy Bench will Return Next School Year!
We are excited to announce the return of the Buddy Bench! The new Buddy Bench will be replaced over the summer before the return of our wildcats. I know our wildcats will be excited about its return. Additionally, we are hoping to have some repairs done to our playground during this time before the start of the school year.
Registration Information for 2022-23
Online registration for the 2022-23 school year in District 97 will officially launch for all students on Monday, May 2! This year, the registration window will be open
May 2 through July 1 for ALL students—returning, new and kindergarten.
Returning Students
The parent/guardian listed as PG1 in PowerSchool will receive an email from infosnap@is.op97.org with their student’s snapcode and instructions to register. Emails will be sent on Monday, May 2, 2022.
Complete details can be found at https://www.op97.org/hr/returning-student-registration.
New Students and Kindergarteners
This year, we have streamlined the process for registering kindergarteners and new students to make it easier for families. Registration can be completed entirely online—no appointments necessary!
- First, gather all required documents. Click here for the list >
- Next, you will need to create an account in InfoSnap.
- Continue in InfoSnap by completing the online registration forms and uploading all your documents. Once you’re finished just click submit.
Please click the links below to learn more about the registration process for kindergarteners and new students.
Remember that the "ABCs" of registration are "D-E-F."- D - Documents: All required documents must be scanned and ready to upload before starting registration.
- E - Early: Registration is a detailed process and we ask that families register early!
- F - Finish: Registration is finished once you receive a confirmation email from the district.
CLICK HERE for a brief video that outlines the District 97 registration process!
Detailed information about the registration process is available on the district website at https://www.op97.org/hr/student-registration.
Early Childhood Blended Classrooms
District 97 is currently accepting applications for the early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2022-23 school year. We will have a limited number of spaces available.
We are seeking students who:
- Are non-IEP students who will be between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2022;
- Demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills;
- Are Oak Park residents;
- Are not enrolled in a preschool program.
The registration window will be open through May 13, 2022. For more information about the Early Childhood Blended Program, please visit
https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended.
BINGO BASH
On Friday, May 13, BINGO BASH, Oak Park Education Foundation’s first in-person fundraiser in 3 years, is back and it’s going to be especially meaningful this year. We have all just experienced some of the toughest years of our lives, and we want to bring back some joy, laughter and fun! This year’s event we will be honoring John Hodge, Irving’s principal and will feature guest MC Joel Blecha, kindergarten teacher from Irving as well! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to buy tickets, before they sell out! There will be food, drinks, a wine raffle, a silent auction…and the priceless chance to be with friends, give back to the community and support OPEF in our efforts to bring STEAM education to every child in D97 and beyond! Buy tickets at
www.opef.org.
Whittier Advocacy Fund- Family Support Survey
At Whittier, we want to support each student as best we can during these challenging times. Our PTO received financial funds from an anonymous donor that we can use to support our students and families in need.
If you are in need of additional support, please take a few minutes to help us better understand how we can support your family's current needs by filling out a google form (https://forms.gle/5xqKFJQ5gBH4YBM47). If your child is identified as needing additional support, someone from our school will be in touch with you within the week. Please fill this out for EACH child in your family. Thank you in advance.
Please note - ALL these responses will be kept confidential and can only be accessed by school social workers, the assistant principal, and the principal.
Second Step: SEL Curriculum Summary for the week of May 9th
Our goal in this last unit of Second Step is to help students learn how to solve peer conflicts. Conflict is a natural part of being human and a natural part of life, yet the struggle to solve the conflict in prosocial ways is real! Our kindergartners learned how to share and compromise when conflict arises so they can have fun and are less likely to resort to more aggressive solutions like grabbing or name-calling. The goal is not to dominate others when we’re playing, the goal is to have fun together and when we play in fair-ways everyone has fun. Our first and second graders learned about noticing when people are left out and inviting them to play. Our third graders used the problem-solving steps to cope with being left out. Our fourth graders learned how to take responsibility for their actions by apologizing and offering to make amends and our fifth graders learned about how to avoid gossip, which is a common source of conflict. Below are our home links for this week!
Kindergarten- No home link
First Grade- No home link
Second Grade- No home link
Third Grade- No home link
Fourth Grade- Taking Responsibility for Your Actions
Fifth Grade- Dealing with Gossip
As always, we strongly encourage you to continue these conversation at home with your scholars(s) to support the ongoing learning at school.
(NEW) IMPORTANT: Calling Your Child In Sick from School
Please support Nurse Winkelhake by LEAVING A REASON when you call your child in sick from school. Our nurse follows up on every absence call when a specific reason is not provided. If your child is staying home due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19, sharing that information in the message helps the nurse determine whether a call is necessary. When calling please slowly state:
- Your Name
- Your Child’s Name
- Your Child’s Grade and Homeroom/Advisory Teacher
- Reason for the Absence
- Best phone number to reach you
We appreciate your assistance with this process!
Submit Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination After Second Dose
According to the Centers for Disease Control and state/local health officials, fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure as long as they are asymptomatic. Additionally, achieving a high rate of vaccination will strengthen our overall safety plan and will put the district in the best possible position to reconsider other mitigations as conditions improve in our community.
To help us reduce any unnecessary quarantines and accurately track our student vaccination rate, District 97 requests that families submit proof of vaccination for their students as soon as they have received their second dose. There are two options:
IF YOU HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT: Fill out a brief Google Form and upload a copy of the student’s vaccination card. CLICK HERE to access the Whittier vaccine form.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A GOOGLE ACCOUNT: Email a copy of your student’s vaccination card to Nurse Hilary Winkelhake (hwinkelhake@op97.org). Please include the child’s full name and grade.
Students Who Participated in Clinics at District 97 Schools
If your student completed their vaccine series at one of the school-based clinics, a staff member should have taken a photo of their vaccination card following the second dose.
If your child's card was documented, no further action is needed.
If your child's card was not scanned or photographed, or if your child did not receive their second dose at a school clinic, please email a copy of the card to your school nurse.
If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Hilary. Thank you for your support and partnership in keeping our schools safe!
The Fun Fair Needs Your Help
The Fun Fair is one of the biggest and best events of the year, and it depends on the support of our entire Wildcat community. We have 40 open volunteer slots to fill. Be a hero, and sign up for a shift. It’s a great way to get to know the community better and is one of the easiest and fun ways to support the PTO. And if you have Whittier alumni (6th grade and up) in the house, we’d love to have them too.
Sign Up Book Fair News
The Book Fair is nearly here: May 15 - 18! Just like last fall, weather permitting the Book Fair will be OUTSIDE near the Greenleaf Garden. Here is how you can participate:
1. Load an eWallet for your child(ren): Set up a free account simply and easily and have funds available for your child(ren) to shop at the fair. No physical card needed! The digital dollars will be in the system under the child’s name. Load it up today: https://bit.ly/eWalletSpg22
2. Helpers Needed: The legendary Scholastic Book Fair CANNOT happen without you! We need (vaccinated) helpers to set up, cashier and pack up at the end of the day. Please take a moment to find a volunteer slot that works for you: https://whittierpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/88372 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.
3. Shop Online: Can’t get to the in-person Fair? Online sales run May 16 – 29. 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!
FAQ:
I think I had leftover funds on my child’s eWallet last time? Now what?
Whomever created the eWallet will receive a monthly email reminder of their Scholastic balance to ensure it is not forgotten. The funds become an eGift card balance and can be used throughout Scholastic online or to fund an eWallet for a future Book Fair.
Can we contribute to our classroom’s library?
Yes! By next week your classroom teacher will update us with a new eWallet account for you to add funds to. Then they can spend that at the fair for the classroom library! We will share those widely as soon as they start coming in.
Questions? Email us at bookfair@whittierpto.org
Spring Auction Parties Are Back!
The Fun Fair is coming back this year on Sunday, May 15th. And so are the world famous, or at least Whittier famous, Spring Auction parties. For those of you that have not experienced a Whittier party, they are among the highlight of our community events. And they are put on by Whittier families and their friends, folks just like yourselves. If you've hosted in the past, please consider doing one again. If you've never hosted before, that's okay, team up with some friends, pick a theme, and jump right in! For more information or to sign up
learn more here.
Slice The Price Card
Our Slice the Price Card partnership with Domino’s is officially off and running! The cards are available for purchase until May 15. Students should register
HERE!
May Greenleaf
Your May Whittier Greenleaf is ready! Take a peek inside to see some pics from Teacher Appreciation Week and Service Day, hear from our fantastic first graders about their trip to the Shedd, learn about upcoming events and find fun ways to get involved.
End Of The Year Bash
Whittier's End Of The Year Bash is around the corner! Sunday June 5th from 1pm-5pm we will
celebrate the challenges and accomplishments of the year, and let loose with some festive fun!
Free Compost
Making plans for your spring gardening? Whittier Garden Team has a pile of compost leftover from our first Service Day. The compost is located under a large blue tarp next to the Greenleaf Garden. Bring your buckets, wheel barrels and shovels and take what you need. First come, first serve.
Rai$e The Rims
Rai$e The Rims is on! Thank you to all who donated and the excitement building around this exciting opportunity.
PTO Needs Your Help to Rai$e The Rims!!!
To make these hoops happen we will need the time and talent of those who are interested in bringing these hoops to Whittier. If you or your kid(s) would like hoops at Whittier, can you help with:
- Flyer and Signage Design - Designers and artists! Advertising to the Whittier boundary community and signage at the school.
- Flyer Distribution Lead - will need to coordinate getting flyers to families to distribute on blocks
- Fundraising Tracker - keep communication channels updated with where we are with our goal
- Community Communications - Marketers! Talk with and coordinate with local businesses and news outlets on our efforts.
- Basketball Hoop Installation - Artists! We would like an onsite installation to show our progress and how much we have to go.
I CAN HELP! Limited Edition Whittier T-Shirt
A limited edition Whittier t-shirt in support of Rai$e The Rims! Purchase your one of a kind t-shirt here.
Interested in a PTO Leadership Positions?!
Whittier PTO is looking for your time and talent next year with several positions open. This includes co-President to support our membership, Secretary to keep the record, GreenLeaf News Editor to connect our community in print, and a VP of Enrichment to support our in school activities. Please review the positions here and find Dominique or Vince on the blacktop to learn more!
Bravo Summer Camp
Register For Bravo Summer Camp Today!3-Week Sessions for Actors: June 13 - July 2 & July 5 - July 23
2-Week Sessions for Crew: June 20 - July 2 & July 11 - July 23
Open to Current 4th - 8th Graders
Registration Deadline - March 12, 2022
Register Here Whittier Wildchat
The Whittier PTO breaks down The Rundown on our weekly
Whittier Wildchat podcast and has a weekly special guest to help you stay in the know. Subscribe today!
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters" Community Talks - Spring 2022
DePaul University, in partnership with the Oak Park Township Community Mental Health Board and District 97, plan to offer a series of community talks to the District 97 community as part of the Mindful Middle Schoolers and Mindfulness Matters Program.
Below is a list of upcoming VIRTUAL talks, which will be held via Zoom. Registration via the Eventbrite links below is requested. Once you register, a link will be emailed to you prior to the start of each event.
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Spring 2022 Community Talk Flyer
Upcoming Virtual Community Talks (Open to All)
SURVEY - Resources to Support COVID-19 Recovery in D97 Schools
The American Rescue Plan Act, passed in March 2021, provided an additional $122.7 billion for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, known as ESSER III. Under this law, school districts around the country will receive additional funding to address the impact of COVID-19 on students’ academic, social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on underrepresented student subgroups.
District 97 anticipates receiving approximately $2.9 million in ESSER III funds, of which 20% must be spent on learning loss. Funds may be used for pre-award costs dating back to March 13, 2020, when the national emergency was declared; they are available for obligation through September 30, 2024.
We are seeking feedback from all district and community stakeholders to help determine how we should best utilize these resources to address ongoing COVID-19 recovery in our schools. Please take time to let us know your opinion by completing a brief survey by Friday, May 13: https://forms.gle/yuhUAfyanHape3LK6
West Cook YMCA Swim Program
West Cook YMCA Offering Complimentary Sessions for Access to Swim Program
The West Cook YMCA is offering District 97 families a complimentary session in its Access to Swim program, which will include a swim assessment of all children and placed in an appropriate class based on swim level and the skills of the children. The program is designed to increase the opportunity for swimmers to gain access to water safety and swim lessons for all of our communities and families. The Access to Swim program is for children ages 3 to 12 years old in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Melrose Park, and Maywood and/or who are students in Maywood-Melrose Park-Broadview School District 89, River Forest School District 90, Forest Park School District 91, or Oak Park School District 97. CLICK HERE for more details >
District 97 to Continue Nut-Free Lunches
All District 97 schools are currently operating as nut-safe facilities to ensure student safety. This has been a critical measure in protecting our students with severe nut allergies, particularly during a time in which our lunch procedures have an added layer of complexity due to COVID-19.
As the district eases mitigations in the coming weeks, and as we prepare for the return of hot lunch after spring break, we are mindful that schools may continue to utilize classrooms and/or modified lunch procedures. In order to maintain safe environments for all of our students, all of our schools will continue to be nut-safe. Please assist us in this endeavor by refraining from sending your child to school with nuts or nut-related products for lunch or snacks.
Please contact your child’s school nurse if you have questions about the safety of any food products that you may be considering sending to school with your child. Thank you for your support with this preventative measure!
COVID-19 Symptom Checklist and Instructions for Symptomatic Students
As always, thank you for your continued collaboration and support! Have a wonderful weekend. We look forward to seeing our scholars bright and early next week!
John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary
