About the Willard PTO

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Our mission is to create a community of parents, educators and students working together to enrich the mind and spirit of each Willard child.

COMING SOON: Outdoor classroom provided by the PTO.

The PTO actively supports and enhances the education of the children of River Forest School District 90 at Willard Elementary. We also function as a channel for communication between home and school.

As such, the PTO conceives, develops, funds and executes programs to:

  • Enhance and enrich the learning environment

  • Offer fun and educational opportunities for the family

  • Model and encourage community service

  • Provide exposure to areas outside the curriculum

Made Possible by the Willard PTO:

    • Curriculum enrichment programming via class field trips,speakers and assemblies

    • Facility Enhancement, such as the inspiring Library Mural

    • Recess and Playground equipment, such as the recently installed Gaga Ball Pit and forthcoming Buddy Bench

    • Teacher Grants, which provide additional funding to help provide classroom items that enhance the learning experience, such as:

      • Craft supplies to create sea turtle habitats for the 1st Grade Team

      • Math Wizard Osmo kits for the 2nd Grade Team

      • Extra sets of classroom headphones

      • New bookshelves and book bins for the Library Team

      • Rigamagig Builder Kit with Simple Machines Add-On for STEM

      • Standing desk risers for 4th Grade teachers

      • and more!

    • Back to School Picnic

    • Family Reading Night

    • STEAM Night / Math Fest

    • School Dance

    • Science and Innovation Fair

    • World Culture Festival

    • Big Hearts, Little Hands

    • Willard 5K

    • Ice Cream Social

    • Scholarships for participation in Willard events

    • Chess Club

    • LegacySports

    • After School Art Program

    • World Language Classes

    • Yoga Classes

    • Running Club

    • Walking Wednesdays

    • Scholarships for participation in extracurricular programs and activities

    • Classroom parties (Halloween, Winter and End of Year) and Room Parent coordination of class gifts

    • 4th Grade Recognition events and activities

    • Green4Good activities, such as “Walk & Bike to School” week, Costume Giveaway/Exchange, and more

    • School Spirit Wear

    • Welcome Wagon, including yard signs for incoming students

    • Connect4Kids and Walking Wednesdays

    • Family Care committee

    • Belongingness and Inclusion

    • Community support during challenging times, including winter wear drives, food drives, shoe drives, and more.

    • Dinners for teachers and staff during Parent/Teacher conferences

    • Teacher Appreciation Week activities

    • Coordination of school photographer to take school and class photos

    • Yearbook creation and distribution

    • Scholarships to ensure all students can get school photos and yearbooks

    • Weekly Fun Lunch and volunteer coordination

    • Scholarships to ensure every child can enjoy Fun Lunch

    • School Supplies Kits

    • Scholarships for school supplies

Willard’s Buddy Bunch and Gaga Ball pits, both provided by the PTO.

Buddy Bench was created as part of an Eagle Scout project.

COMING SOON: Entryway mural designed and installed by a local artist; commissioned by the PTO.

Willard library murals, designed and installed by the PTO.