Whittier Wildcat Word!
Friday, November 4, 2022
A Message from Principal Robinson
Greetings, Whittier Wildcats,
CONGRATULATIONS! On Monday, Oct. 24th, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the designations for all public schools in conjunction with the release of the 2021 Illinois Report Card. These designations fall into four categories (Exemplary, Commendable, Underperforming, and Lowest-Performing) and are based on ten indicators of student success. Whittier received an EXEMPLARY designation for the 2021-22 School Year. An Exemplary designation recognizes the highest performing 10 percent of schools, and only two of the ten schools in D97 received this designation.
This designation confirms that we are on the right path to something GREAT as a community!
Please not hesitate to contact us (708-524-3080) if you have any questions. If you need to schedule a meeting with Mrs. McComb-Williams or me, please get in touch with Mrs. Alexander (ljohnson1@op97.org) or Ms. McGee (amcgee@op97.org) at 708-524-3080 to schedule an appointment.
I hope you and your scholar(s) have a fantastic weekend.
Principal Robinson
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.
TAYLOR KULA: 3RD GRADE TEACHER
1. Hello! My name is Taylor Kula.
2. I am a 3rd grade teacher.
3. I love the color green, but I’m a big fan of all Earth tones.
4. What I like most about Whittier is donut Fridays. Just kidding, my amazing students and their families!
5. If I had a super power it would be to teleport.
6. If I were an animal I’d be an elephant, ideally with less wrinkles.
7. My advice to our Whittier Wildcats would be to not be afraid to take risks and always remember that you can do hard things!
Upcoming Dates
November 2022
Nov 8th
- No School ( Election Day)
Nov 23rd - 25th
- No School ( Thanksgiving Break)
Nov 29th Fall Parent/Teacher Conference Family Feedback
Thank you for attending our Family Conferences! Please complete this survey to provide District 97 and Whittier with feedback about your conference experience. We will use this data to reflect and redesign our family conferences to meet the needs of students and families best. If you have multiple children, please complete one survey per child. Please do not include specific teacher names in the survey. If you have specific feedback for teachers, please contact them directly.
Survey Link: Family Conference Feedback.
SECOND STEP: SEL CURRICULUM SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 31st!
This past week students finished the Bullying Prevention Unit lessons and engaged in the fourth, and final, lesson. Our kindergarten-3rd grade students learned about bystander power. They learned that when you see or know about bullying, you are a bystander. They practiced standing up to a bully and reporting the bullying to an adult. They learned that the problem gets bigger if they join in, laugh, or don’t report the bullying as a bystander. Our 4th and 5th grade students learned about cyberbullying. They learned that cyberbullying can be just as harmful as other types of bullying. In some cases, it can be even more harmful, because the hurtful material can be spread to more people much more quickly. Students practiced how to stand up and stop the bullying by responding with supportive messages and reporting the cyberbullying to an adult.
Kindergarten- Bystander Power
First Grade- Bystander Power
Second Grade- Bystander Power
Third Grade- Bystander Power
Fourth Grade- Bystanders to Cyber Bullying
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 your scholar(s) is in need of school supplies or Whittier Wear, please take a few minutes to help us better understand how we can support your family's current needs by filling out the google form below. 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.
https://forms.gle/zZx4YwLk3ejxQ31W9
Please note - ALL these responses will be kept confidential and can only be accessed by school social workers, the assistant principal, and the principal.
WISE Attendance Volunteers
Volunteers are urgently needed to support the WISE program to take attendance Mondays and Tuesdays. For less than 30 minutes you will check in children in the auditorium and be given early registration in the winter.
Sign up today The Trees Are Finally Here!
The PTO has been working hard to secure the trees along with a professional to install 400lb trees. On November 1st we will have our 4 trees installed on the Whittier field! Stay tuned for updates on a dedication ceremony and more!
November is Indigenous Heritage Month
Oak Park was taken primarily in Cession 78 and in part in Cession 148. The tribes as named in these treaties are “Ottawa, Chipawas, and Pottowotomees.” We acknowledge that Whittier resides on the ancestral lands of Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi), Odawa (Ottawa), and Ojibwe Chippewa peoples. We honor them and express gratitude for their stewardship of this land. Learn more and donate to these nations here. The PTO Diversity Committee would like to invite any Whittier families who are enrolled members of indigenous nations to lead us as we continue to learn about and celebrate indigenous peoples. Please email diversity@whittierpto.org.
Silent Auction Donations Needed!
Do you have, do you know, could you share items or services for the Whittier PTO to auction off at our Hollywood Night at the Movies fundraiser in January? We are actively seeking donations to make this event exciting and we ask that you share with friends and family the opportunity to donate. Please email
fundraising@whittierpto.org to coordinate.
Whittier Family Glow Bowl Event
For our final family event of the year, let's hit the bowling alley in style! Our Glow Bowl Event will be held on December 3rd at
Bowlero in River Grove @ 6:30pm in a black light event. $20/bowler includes 2 hours of unlimited bowling, shoe rental, 2 slices of pizza, unlimited soda/lemonade and entry into our raffle!
PURCHASE TODAY SAVE THE DATE: Middle School Math Enrichment Program 2023
In 2023, District 97 will be offering Math Enrichment Bridge Courses for Acceleration and Summer Math Review Courses for students in grades 5 through 7. Families should SAVE the DATE if their student is interested in participating in these courses (
CLICK HERE to view the program flyer>>).
Registration information and additional details about this program will be shared with families in January.
Strengthening Families Program
The Strengthening Families Program is a free, evidence-based prevention program for families with children ages 7 to 17. The 12-week program will teach effective parenting skills, healthy communication, stress management skills, conflict resolution and more. The program will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday from Oct. 4, 2022, through Dec. 13, 2022.
Click here to view the program flyer >> NEW Combined Student and Family Handbook for 2022-23
This year, the district worked to merge the Effective Student Behavior Handbook and Family Handbook into one comprehensive resource, the Student-Family Handbook, in order to streamline information for families and staff. The new handbook contains important information regarding school policies, procedures, student rights and responsibilities, and important notifications required by state and federal law.
The purpose of this handbook is to outline the expectations for building an educational community where everyone feels safe, included and able to learn. Having shared expectations, procedures and policies helps us respect all members of the school community in which we learn and work every day. Please take the time to read through the handbook and review it with your child.
*NEW* Process for Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases to D97 Schools
If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must complete the following steps:
1) To notify the school nurse and receive a return-to-school date, families/staff must
complete the confidential COVID-19 Positive Case Notification Form as soon as possible following the positive test. Information provided will also be shared with the Oak Park Department of Public Health.
2) Families must continue to report student absences via the school attendance line, and staff must enter their absences in Frontline.
To see the rules for isolation and quarantine, click here. Additional resources are linked below.
As always, thank you for your continued collaboration and support. Enjoy your weekend!
John Greenleaf Whittier Elementary
