Important Dates

Tuesday 11/11 9am - Veterans Day Assembly (parents welcome to attend!)

Wednesday 11/12 12pm - deadline to order Special Lunch for 11/20

Thursday 11/13 - Meredith Jaye + M & Em's Fundraiser

Saturday 11/15, 9-10:45am - volunteer at Feed My Starving Children

Monday 11/17, 4-7pm - Chick-fil-A fundraiser

Thursday 11/20 - Special Lunch (Great American Bagel)

Friday 11/21 - students can shop at Book Fair and Holiday Market

Monday 11/24 - Tuesday 11/25 - NO SCHOOL (Parent-Teacher Conferences, Book Fair)

Wednesday 11/26 - Friday 11/28 - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving Holiday)

Friday 12/5, 9-10am - PTO Meeting

Principal's Corner

Veteran’s Day Assembly

Please join us on November 11th at 9:00 am for our Veterans Assembly featuring the Elm School Choir. 

 

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to all second and fifth grade students between November 10 - 14, 2025. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of a student’s cognitive development in comparison to other students enrolled in the same grade-level and/or who are of the same age. 

The CogAT is comprised of three sections, each taking approximately 30 minutes with breaks in between.  

  • 2nd and 5th: Quantitative - measures a child’s understanding of relational mathematical concepts and ability to discover patterns, to figure out a rule or principle, and to transfer this information. 

  • 2nd and 5th: Non-Verbal - measures a child’s ability to reason using pictures and shapes. In addition, this section appraises a child’s ability to use his/her cognitive resources in new situations.

  • 5th ONLY: Verbal - measures a child’s ability to remember and transform sequences of words, to understand them and to make inferences and judgements about them. 

2nd Grade will take their assessments on November 10th and 12th.

5th Grade will take their assessments on November 12th, 13th and 14th.

 

How your child can prepare for assessment—and what you can do to help

A student who is well-rested and well-fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your child do his or her best by considering these tips:

  • Make sure that your child is in school and on time on her or his assigned test day.

  • Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.

  • Remind your child that these tests are only one measure. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.

  • Remind your child to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing.

 

Parent Teacher Conference Information

Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, November 3rd, you will have access to schedule parent-teacher conference(s) for your child through Skyward Family Access. Parent-teacher conferences will be held from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24th, and 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25th. Elementary conferences are scheduled for 15 minutes. Parent-teacher conference sign-up will close on November 14th at 3:00 p.m. 

Once you log into Skyward, you will have the option to sign up for a conference with your child’s elementary classroom teacher. If your child is in middle school, you will see the option to sign up for multiple conferences. We look forward to seeing you in our schools on November 24-25, 2025. 

Please use this document for detailed directions on how to sign up using Skyward Family Access. If you are having any issues with selecting your child's conference in Skyward Family Access, please email Nick Skrip at nskrip@d181.org.

 

Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Invites Sender School Families to Complete Superintendent Search Survey 

Stakeholder input is an important part of District 86's process of identifying the school district's next superintendent. To gather that feedback, District 86 invites parents and guardians of students who will one day attend Hinsdale Central or Hinsdale South to share their perspectives by completing an anonymous survey.

Your feedback will help in the development of a Leadership Profile that outlines the professional and personal characteristics needed to be successful in this role.

Click Here To Take The Survey In English

Click Here To Take The Survey In Spanish

Library News

The Bookfair is Coming!

The annual bookfair is returning to conference week! I am so excited to be able to offer teacher wish lists again so teachers can select books that they would like to have purchased for their classrooms, along with great books for your own family.

Students will preview the bookfair on Thursday, November 20th and can bring money for purchases on Friday, November 21st. The bookfair will also be open during conferences for shopping on Monday, November 24th from 2-8 PM and Tuesday, November 25th from 8 AM-12 PM. Please note the bookfair will close at 12 PM on Tuesday, so it can be packed away.

If you are interested in volunteering at the bookfair, please sign up here. 

Inaugural Elm Student Holiday Market

Elm students will get the chance to shop for holiday items for family members during the book fair this year! Preview Day is on Thursday 11/20, where students will be able to create a wish list. On Friday 11/21, students who bring money will be able to shop for pre-wrapped gifts and experience the joy of giving this holiday season! More details to follow. Please consider volunteering to make this event a success!

Picture Retake Day - Monday 11/10

If your child was absent on picture day, their name is already on the retake list. If you are unhappy with your original photo, please email Mary Lynn Miscimarra at mmiscimarra@d181.org or call Elm's office at 630-861-4000 to add your child's name to the retake list. If a picture package was purchased, please return the package to the photographer. Be aware that the retake photo replaces the original photo.

Order by Wednesday 11/12 12pm for Special Lunch on Thursday 11/20

The next Special Lunch (Great American Bagel) is on Thursday, November 20th. Orders must be placed by 12pm on Wednesday, November 12th. See ordering instructions HERE. 

VOLUNTEER AT LUNCH TIME! Join your child during their lunch hour on Special Lunch days! You will be monitoring your child's class while they are enjoying their lunch. This special time is only for PTO members so if you are not a paid member, you will be taken off the schedule. Sign up HERE. Only sign up for ONE date as any additional dates will be deleted. 
*As always, be sure to bring your photo ID for entry into the school.

Shop at Meredith Jaye + M & Em's - Thursday 11/13

THIS THURSDAY, Meredith Jaye (Burr Ridge) and its sister store M & Em's are donating 10% of all sales to our school if you mention our fundraiser. Help spread the word - forward to friends and family!

There are 3 ways to shop on Thursday, November 13th:
1. Online. Shop online on 11/13 from 12:00am to 11:59pm and type in code ELMSCHOOL at check out.
2. In Store. Shop in store anytime on 11/13 and make sure to tell them "Elm School" at check out.
3. Meet & Shop Event. Shop on 11/13 from 5-7pm where sips and snacks will be served! You still must mention "Elm School" at check out. To RSVP to the private event please click HERE. Feel free to forward this link to any friends and family who want to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Chick-fil-A Night - Monday 11/17, 4-7pm

Join us again on Monday 11/17, 4-7pm at Chick-fil-A (Willowbrook) for a fundraising event to support our school! We had an excellent turn out at this last event, with hours full of fun! Invite friends and family to make it extra special and don’t forget to bring cash to spin the wheel - $1 per spin for amazing prizes! **MUST MENTION ELM SCHOOL AT COUNTER OR DRIVE THROUGH**

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