Important Dates

Monday 9/1 - NO SCHOOL (Labor Day)

Wednesday 9/3 12pm - deadline to order Special Lunch for 9/11

Thursday 9/4, 6-7:30pm - Curriculum Night

Friday 9/5, 9-10am - PTO Meeting

Wednesday 9/10 - Bike Rodeo (grades 3-5)

Thursday 9/11 - Special Lunch (Sarpino's Pizza)

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

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

Principal's Corner

Curriculum Night Information

Please mark your calendars for Curriculum Night, taking place on September 4th from 6:00pm-7:30pm. Kindergarten-Second grade classroom sessions will take place from 6:00-6:30. There will be a short Principal presentation in the gym from 6:30-7:00, followed by Third-Fifth grade classroom sessions from 7:00-7:30. 

 

Time

Grade Level

Location

6:00

Kindergarten 

Rm 2, Fuller

Rm 4, Vaisman

6:00

First Grade

Rm 6, Bass

Rm 8, Mulroe

6:00

Second Grade

Rm 1, Smith

Rm 3, DeBolt

6:30

K-5

Gym/MPR

7:00

Third Grade

Rm 19, Morris

Rm 24, Moen

7:00

Fourth Grade

Rm MRC4, Barcus

Rm MRC5, Burch

7:00

Fifth Grade

Rm 26, Recktenwall

Rm 28, Madden

Rm 29, Smrha

 

Purchasing Milk

Families will be able to pre-pay via Skyward for milk to be available for your child daily. Please use the directions linked here to complete this process. 

NOTE: We will not collect cash/coins for milk purchases during lunches. This is a one-time fee at the beginning of the year, and families are encouraged to sign up through SchoolPay via Skyward during the month of August. If you miss this sign-up, you will need to send your child with their own drink.

 

Dismissal Note

A quick reminder as we head into the new school year: we kindly ask that you do not wait near the classroom windows at the front of the school during pick-up time. Our students are engaged in learning right up until the final bell rings, and when people peek inside the windows, it can be distracting for them.

Thank you for helping us maintain a focused and productive learning environment for all students!

 

NWEA MAP Assessment - Fall

 

Use of MAP Results

District 181 uses the data from this assessment in a variety of ways. In the classroom, it provides teachers with a means for monitoring student growth in reading and mathematics over time. At the District and building levels, MAP data help us set goals and evaluate initiatives. Finally, in conjunction with other criteria, MAP scores have historically been used in placement decisions. MAP continues to be one of several indicators used to monitor student academic achievement and growth. 

 

Course Placement for 2026-2027

At this time, specific recommendations for math placement at grades 3-8 as well as middle school English language arts (ELA) and social studies placement for 2026-2027 have not yet been defined. Historically, MAP scores have been included as one of the requirements for students to move into advanced courses.  The expectation is that the fall data point will continue to be utilized for 2026-2027 placement decisions.  Placement criteria from previous years can be referenced for informational purposes on the District 181 website.

 

Preparing for MAP

A student who is well rested, well fed, and has a positive attitude about assessment 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 test days.

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

  • Be sure your child fully charges their device and brings it to school each day. 

  • Remind your child that this assessment is 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. 

 

Communication of MAP Results

Your child’s scores will be available in Skyward after administration is complete and all reports are available. 

 

Elm NWEA MAP Assessment Schedule

Grade 1: August 27, August 29

Grade 2: August 25, August 27

Grade 3: August 28, September 2

Grade 4: August 26, August 29

Grade 5: August 25, August 26

Room Parents Application

Room parents serve an integral role at Elm. They communicate important information to parents, serve as fall and winter party coordinators and photographers, and act as leaders to help foster a strong community. Each class has two room parents, and all room parents are required to be members of the PTO. If you are interested, please submit the Elm Room Parent Application by September 7th.

Library News

Library Volunteers Wanted!
We are so excited to welcome volunteers to the Elm School Library for the 25-26 school year! Please complete this form to indicate your interest and to help us schedule your time. Volunteers can come for one to two hours weekly, every other week, once a month, or to help with special projects like our Book Fair! The full library/iLab schedule can be found on the Google Form. We will have a volunteer training (for new and old volunteers) on Friday, September 12th from 10 AM - 11 AM. If you can't come to the meeting, I can go over the information with you at a different time. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Petersen, teacher-librarian, at spetersen@d181.org.
 
Summer Book Bags
If your child still has a summer book bag at home with library books they checked out last May, please have them return these to school. We will begin sending reminder notices next week.

Join the PTO!

Did you know that more than $200 is spent per child, per year, by our PTO? Did you know the PTO funds numerous projects and enhancements around the school for both our students and staff? Our PTO has donated $500 per teacher for the purchase of books for their in-class libraries, as well as a yearly stipend for supply purchases. Your support of the PTO with your annual $40 membership fee is vital in order for these to continue. In addition, you will need to be a paid member of the PTO in order to access the school directory.

Become a member TODAY!

PTO Volunteer Sign-up

Are you interested in volunteering at Elm this year? We have created a Sign-Up Genius for various volunteer opportunities during the school year. We have also included a general volunteer category for those who cannot commit to a certain event but would like to be included on an "on-call" list when we are looking to fill volunteer roles. Any questions, please reach out to Laura Barrett at President@elmschoolpto.org.

First PTO Meeting of the Year - Friday 9/5, 9-10am

Please join us on Friday, September 5th at 9am in the staff lounge for the first of our monthly PTO Meetings. You can also access the meeting via Zoom HERE if you're unable to attend in person (Meeting ID: 833 9431 6349, Passcode: 347206).

First Special Lunch of the Year - Thursday 9/11 (Order by 9/3)

The Elm School PTO is pleased to announce the return of Special Lunch, administered by Marlas Lunch. Special Lunch is an optional program that allows you to skip packing lunch for your child or children. You can order for the 1st half of the school year, or just one lunch at a time. You do not have to order every other week. Note that orders will always be due the Wednesday BEFORE the week of Special Lunch (i.e., 8 days ahead).
 
Online ordering is now open. The first day for Special Lunch (Sarpino's Pizza) will be Thursday, September 11th. To receive Special Lunch on the 11th, orders must be placed by Wednesday, September 3rd at 12pm. For a full list of dates, restaurants, and allergen information, please visit the PTO website.
 
If you do not have an existing account with Marlas Lunch, follow the instructions below. 
 
 

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