About the Willard PTO

Relevant Links:

Meetings and Minutes
PTO Leadership
PTO Forms
Bylaws
Belongingness & Inclusion Checklist
Year in Review

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

Installed Summer 2025: 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:

See what we did last year!

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

    • Facility Enhancement, such as the inspiring Library Mural, beautiful Welcome mosaic, and Outdoor Classroom

    • Recess and Playground equipment, such as the Gaga Ball Pit and 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 all 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.

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

Willard library murals, designed and installed by the PTO.