Members of the Whittier School student council and PTA presented at the Oct. 16 board meeting to highlight student activities, community service projects and PTA-supported programming.

Student council officers described planned spirit days (PJ Day, Crazy Hair Day, Yoga Day, Sports Day), service-learning partners and a teacher-appreciation initiative. "We love having fun and sharing our school spirit," one student council speaker said during the presentation. The officers listed charities they have worked with previously, including the Salvation Army and Goodwill, and named organizations they hope to support this year, such as Feed My Starving Children and the West Suburban Humane Society.

PTA co-presidents Kristen Wozak and Jen McDonald reported on recent fundraising (Run Wild Whittier with more than 170 participants) and described after-school clubs and enrichment (chess, language labs, Young Rembrandts, STEAM). The PTA indicated its budget priorities: 67% for student programs (field trips, assemblies, scholarships), 19% for staff appreciation and school support, and 13% for organizational costs.

Principal Michael Krugman framed the presentations around the school's 2025'26 theme "Make It Happen," outlining PBSS incentives (Jaguar Jackpot) and school-improvement goals that include stronger small-group ELA instruction, vocabulary/context-clues development, and executive-functioning skills for students.

The spotlight concluded with brief board thanks and board recognition of Whittier staff and PTA involvement.