PTO February 2025 Newsletter

Dear D31 Families,

It is with deep sadness that we remember Principal Wolverton, whose unwavering dedication, kindness, and leadership left an indelible mark on our school community. She was not only a remarkable educator but also a steadfast partner to the D31 PTO, always supporting our efforts to enrich the lives of Winkelman students.

As a true pillar of our community, Principal Wolverton touched the lives of countless students, families, and staff, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, commitment, and an enduring spirit of support.

May her legacy continue to live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her, and may we honor her memory by carrying forward the values she instilled in us.

Sakina Kadakia and Sheetal Rai 
D31 PTO Co-Presidents

Bingo Night
Thank you for those who joined us at BINGO Night!  What an incredible turn out of students and families. Special thanks to CC Alwan, Mansi Patel, Sehr Lakhani, Sakina Kadakia, Sheetal Rai, Melissa Valentinas, Jill Runtz, Stella McNeilly, Ashleigh Nelson, Ami Patel, Salima Kanji and Sarah Yoo for helping with the event!

Calendar

• February 11   Winkelman ES Conferences Dinner
• February 22   D31 PTO Mardi Gras Gala
• February 28   Birthday Book Cart
• March 11       General PTO Meeting

Mardi Gras
Join us for a night of fun at the D31 Mardi Gras Fundraiser! Our D31 superintendent, Erin Murphy, will lead our Gala Live Auction!  Get your tickets here!

SILENT AUCTION:
Play a round of golf for four people at Olympia Fields Country Club, Le Colonial Gift Card, Ema Gift Card, a $500 Gift Certificate at Pinstripes, a night of Comedy with Zanie’s, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs Rooftop tickets, Blackhawk tickets, Field Museum passes and so much more!

When: Saturday, February 22, 7 -11 PM 
Where: Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM 
2800 Patriot Blvd, Glenview 
Tickets: $60 per person

Thank you to our sponsors for the event!  Xamplas Attorneys & Counselors at Law, Compass Health Center, STIFEL Investment Services, INVESCO, LLC, Pinstripes and Glenbrook Remodeling, and decorations for the Gala by YT Event Decor. 

Saturday STEM Hour Adventure
Join us for an action-packed hour of discovery!

When: Saturday, March 8th at 10:00 am
Where: Winkelman Elementary School
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Who: Open to 3rd - 8th graders

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the amazing world of science! In this hands-on STEM Hour, your child will explore fascinating experiments, tackle fun challenges, and unlock their creativity.  Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks! 

Volunteers Needed
As we reflect on this school year, we’re reminded of the many ways the PTO has supported our school community—whether it was through the Caring Corner, supporting our teachers at Parent/Teacher conferences, organizing pizza for sporting events, or creating fun community gatherings. These amazing contributions don’t happen by chance, and they’re only possible thanks to the dedication of our volunteers.

To keep these wonderful initiatives going next year, we need a new Executive Board to lead the charge. If you’re looking to get more involved, connect with other parents and staff, and make a real difference, we’d love to have you on the team! Whether you're passionate about event planning, fundraising, or budgeting, there’s a role for you.

Interested in learning more or joining us? Reach out to us at d31pto@gmail.com. Elections for the new board will take place on March 11 at our next General PTO meeting, and we hope to see you there! Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to making next year even more amazing, together!

Thank You!

• Sakina Kadakia, Co-President
• Sheetl Rai, Co-President
• Melissa Choo Valentinas, Secretary
• Megan Kirvarkis, VP of Community Relations
• Maai Patel, Co-Treasurer
• Stella McNeilly, Co-Treasurer
• Saima Gowani, Co-VP of Communications
• Euna Bae, Co-VP of Communications
• Jamjuree Reankit, Co-VP of School Activities
• Susan Tran, Co-VP of School Activities
• Molly Frank, Co-VP of Fundraising
• Laural Shah, Co-VP of Fundraising

D31 General PTO Meeting
We invite you to our General PTO Meeting on March 11, where we’ll be holding elections for next year’s PTO Board. This is your chance to help shape our school community!

We’ll also be planning key upcoming events like the Pre-K Farewell, 5th Grade Farewell, and 8th Grade Graduation Party. If you’re interested in helping, we’d love your input!Please note that planning meetings after the General Meeting are mandatory to be on the event committees. If you can’t attend, reach out to d31pto@gmail.com in advance.