Important Dates

Monday 9/15, 4-7pm - Chick-fil-A Night

Tuesday 9/16 - deadline to sign up for Bracelet Making Club

Wednesday 9/17 12pm - deadline to order Special Lunch for 9/25

Thursday 9/18 midnight - Spiritwear Store closes

Tuesday 9/23 - Picture Day

Thursday 9/25 - Special Lunch (Potbelly)

Thursday 9/25 - last day to purchase advance tickets for Bowser Bash

Friday 9/26 - deadline to sign up for Game Club

Sunday 9/28 - deadline to sign up for Destination Imagination

Friday 10/3, 9-10am - PTO Meeting

Friday 10/3, 4:30-7:30pm - Bowser Bash

Sunday 10/12, 11-12pm - Fall Hike & Trail Clean-up

Principal's Corner

Law Enforcement Drill Notification

Per the School Safety Drill Act covered under Illinois Statute (105 ILCS 12/20), this notification is being provided to parents and guardians of students attending Elm School. On 9/19/2025, Elm School will conduct a lockdown drill that will include school staff, students, and Burr Ridge law enforcement agency representative(s). During this drill, teachers will utilize the linked Google Slides to instruct students. 

We understand that some parents/guardians may want to opt out of this type of drill for their child. As the parent/guardian of a student attending Elm School, you have the option to exempt your child, for any reason, from the drill. If you choose to exempt your child from the drill, please notify Mrs. Miscimarra at 630-861-4001 or mmiscimarra@d181.org no later than 8:00 AM the morning of the drill.

Rotary Run - Save the Date!

Please save the date for the annual Rotary Run - Hinsdale's Family Race! Sign up using this QR code.

Walk/Bike to School Day

Elm School is participating in National Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 8th. Parents and students are all invited to walk/bike to school. This movement is aimed at inspiring our school community to come together in promoting health and safer routes for students to walk and bike to school. 

D181 Foundation Community Speaker Series

Announcing the Community Speaker Series lineup for the 2025-2026 season! We are thrilled to welcome these top experts to our community this school year. The Community Speaker Series is committed to fostering a sense of community through hosting in-person and virtual events that inform and inspire. CSS is funded jointly by District 86 and District 181 and is supported by the D181 Foundation. Our events are free and open to the public. We encourage everyone to join our events, connect and learn together. 

Our first event is on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:15pm at Hinsdale Middle School: Ethan Kross, PhD - Shift: Managing Emotions So They Don’t Manage You. Register here.

Library News

Margaret Peterson Haddix Author Visit (Elm) -  September 19 (Grades 3-5)

On Friday, September 19, New York Times bestselling author, Margaret Peterson Haddix, will visit Elm students! Mrs. Haddix will be selling her brand new book - Moonleapers. The hardcover book is $19.99. To guarantee a personalized, autographed copy, please return this order form with payment by Wednesday, September 17th. There will also be a paper form found in Friday Folders. (You can pay online using your child’s Skyward account or with a check payable to CCSD 181). Even if you pay on Skyward, please return the order form. If you miss the September 17th date, there may be a limited supply of signed books available for purchase after the visit. To purchase on Skyward, please use these instructions.

Chick-fil-A Night - Monday 9/15, 4-7pm

Join us TOMORROW, Monday 9/15, 4-7pm at Chick-fil-A (Willowbrook) for a fundraising event to support our school! 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**
Here’s the best part: arrive between 4pm and 5pm and see our special guests for the evening, including Ms. Smith, Mrs. DeBolt, and Mrs. Petersen! Show up to let them know how much we appreciate them!

Order by Wednesday 9/17 12pm for Special Lunch on Thursday 9/25

The next Special Lunch (Potbelly) is on Thursday, September 25th. Orders must be placed by 12pm on Wednesday, September 17th. 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.
**Kindergarten sign-ups will NOT start until October to give our tiniest friends a bit more time to acclimate and become comfortable in their routine.

Elm Spiritwear Store Now Open Until 9/18!

Welcome back to school, Elm Bulldogs! Some exciting new styles have been designed so start your year off with some new swag! The spiritwear store will only be open this fall until Thursday 9/18 at midnight. Production will take a few weeks and then will be shipped to the school, sorted, and sent home with one child in your family. There is a chance we open this back up in the winter, but not guaranteed. Some extra items will be ordered to have on hand to sell at future events, such as Bowser Bash on 10/3, but quantities and sizes will be limited. SHOP NOW!

Bowser Bash - Friday 10/3, 4:30-7:30pm - TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Tickets are on sale now for the Bowser Bash Fall Festival & Fundraiser on Friday, October 3rd. Bring the whole family out for an evening of fun and Bulldog bonding! Purchase now as prices go up to $35/person this Saturday 9/20! 

Looking to get involved with the PTO? Sign up to volunteer at the event!

Clubs

Elm is excited to offer the following clubs:

Game Club: Mrs. Guzaldo and Mrs. Soofi are excited to host Game Club at Elm School. We will meet every Thursday during recess, October 2nd through March 25th. We will teach the children board games and card games during their recess. Depending on the weather, we may play outdoor games too. Grades 1-5 are invited to come on Thursdays during recess. Please sign up HERE by September 26th.

Destination Imagination (DI): DI challenges students to work in teams to solve open-ended problems using imagination, innovation, and collaboration. Visit the PTO website for more information. For questions, email Lisa Matta at di@elmschoolpto.org.

• Parent Info Session – Learn More or Volunteer: Sunday, September 21st at 4:00 PM - RSVP Here
• Student Sign-Up – Deadline: September 28th - If you’re ready to enroll your child (and didn’t sign up at the Ice Cream Social), please use the link below to ensure we have permission and contact info: Register Here

Bracelet Making Club: Bracelet making club is a fun opportunity to make new friends, create fun designs, and collaborate with peers. The club is open to 4th and 5th graders and will meet on Tuesdays during lunch recess from 9/16-10/28. Every meeting will include a fun new bracelet for you to make and keep! Sign up HERE by Tuesday 9/16.