Get Involved

There are lots of ways for families and neighbors to get involved to support Whittier's students, staff, and families. Here are the basics:

• Join the PTO. Dues are $20 per family per school year. Your support and involvement helps fund student activities, plan events to build the Whittier community, and communicate about our school to DCPS central office and government decision-makers. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm in the cafeteria. (During Covid, we are meeting on the 3rd Thursday at 5pm via Zoom.)

• Join our community e-mail list. Click here to sign up.

• Work with your teachers to volunteer in the classroom. Sometimes they need help with decorating, making materials, reading with kids, or chaperoning field trips. Sometimes they just need an extra case of paper. In order to volunteer, including chaperoning field trips, you must complete DC Public Schools clearance process. Learn more about that by clicking here.

• Talk with your friends, parents of your children's friends, and your neighbors about the school and classroom. If you know families who don't feel informed or able to participate, help them by passing along information about events.

• Attend an open house so prospective parents can learn from your experience.

We also need volunteers for specific activities:

• Fundraising committee: help plan events, research grants and donation opportunities, and more

• First week welcome table: greet families as they arrive for the first day of school, to ensure they know where to go, have the current calendar, and learn how to get involved

• Student directory: compile family contact information so families can communicate with each other

As more events arise through the year, we will advertise for volunteers. If you have ideas for how you'd like to contribute, please contact us or Principal Johnson. Our community is as strong as we make it!