Science Fair - Thank You!

Thank you for attending and participating in this year’s Science Fair! From battery ballerinas to wind turbines—and moldy pitas to erupting volcanoes—the projects were creative, impressive, and thoughtfully done. Most importantly, we saw a genuine spark of curiosity and love of science shining through in the students.

Please take a moment to complete this brief survey to help us improve the 2027 Science Fair: https://forms.gle/gmooHXA5EYdvMCkbA

Daughters' Night Out - Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who supported our first ever Elm Daughters' Galentine's Dance on Friday evening! We hope everyone enjoyed dancing the night away! For those who took photos in the photo booth, we will be sending out a link to download pictures next week. We look forward to many more fun family events in the future!  

Principal's Corner

Community Speaker Series

There is still time to register for the Community Speaker Series webinar next Wednesday, February 11th at 7pm. We are excited to welcome child and adolescent mental health expert and psychotherapist, Katie Hurley, DSW, LCSW. Dr. Hurley is the Senior Clinical Advisor for The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teen and young adult mental health. She is also the author of five books at the intersection of youth, parenting, and mental health. In her new book, Breaking the Boy Code, Dr. Hurley shines a light on the urgent mental health crisis facing boys. Aimed at parents and educators of boys ages five and older, this webinar will provide actionable guidance on fostering empathy, emotional regulation, and healthy connections.

 

Dr. Katie Hurley

Breaking the Boy Code: The New Playbook For Raising Resilient Boys

Wednesday, February 11th from 7pm to 8:30pm (webinar)

Register here:  https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E127580&id=65

 

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. 

 

Valentine’s Day

We look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day with our students, including the sharing of valentines. If students choose to participate, they will need to send valentines for their entire class on Friday, February 13th. Please do not include any food or candy with the valentines as these items cannot be passed out and will be returned to families. Parents should not feel obligated to buy expensive gifts or elaborate cards for the students - a simple handwritten note to peers would be appreciated just as much! 

The Elm School PTO will be providing Annie’s Fruit Snacks for the classroom valentines exchange. The ingredient label is found below. 

 

Registration

Register now to receive a $50 discount! Put your discount to good use by purchasing a PTO membership for the 2026-27 school year HERE.

 

Ramadan

With the Ramadan holiday upon us, we recognize that some of our students will be fasting during the school day. Wanting to be sensitive to their needs, we will have lunch tables outside of the cafeteria during the lunch period where they may sit if they choose to do so, or, the option to NOT go to the lunchroom and instead participate in an extra recess period. Please notify your child’s classroom teacher of your wishes. Thank you!

 

CSCI Survey

District 181 uses the CSCI (Comprehensive School Climate Inventory) as its preferred climate survey. School climate refers to the quality of school life as it relates to norms and values, interpersonal relations and social interactions, and organizational processes and structures. Families, Students, and Staff will be asked for their feedback starting February 17, 2026. The survey window closes February 27, 2026.

 

D181 Summer Camp Expo

The D181 Foundation Summer Camp Expo is coming! This is a great annual event to learn about a variety of fun summer activities - academic enrichment, local camps, sports, sleep-away camps, arts, and so much more! Save the Date - Wednesday, February 25th from 6-8 PM at Hinsdale Middle School. This event is FREE and no pre-registration is required.

 

Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Pizza Sale - Order by 2/8 6pm

Elm PTO has partnered with Elm family owned, Red Star Pizzas, to sell heart shaped pizza and pizza kits for Valentine’s Day! This year, we will be offering both pre-made frozen pizzas and make-your-own pizza kits.
Option 1 - 7" Frozen Deep Dish Heart Shaped Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni or Veggie) - $18 each
Option 2 - 7" Thin Crust, Par-Baked Heart Shaped Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni or Sausage) - $15 each
(Each kit also includes sauce & mozzarella cheese)
Red Star Pizzas will generously donate 20% from each order back to Elm. See the Google Form for order & payment instructions. Pick-up will be on Thursday 2/12 from 3:15-4:00pm in the school lobby. Deadline to order is Sunday 2/8 @ 6pm.

Science Fair - Wednesday 2/11, 5-7pm

60 students. 41 exhibits. Endless curiosity. Join us on Wednesday, February 11th from 5–7 PM, and stop by the Museum of Science and Industry table for hands-on fun and giveaways.

Elm Daughters' Night Out - Friday 2/13, 6-8pm - Tickets on Sale Now!

The Family Fun Committee is thrilled to invite you to our annual Daughters' Night Out - a fun-filled evening of dancing, games, and quality time together!

Date & Time: Friday, February 13th, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Location: Elm School Gym
Tickets: $20 per daughter + mother (or favorite dance partner), $10 for each additional child or adult

Dress Code: Everyone attending is encouraged to wear PJ's.  

What’s Included: Two hours of DJ & dancing, face paint, photo-booth, Valentine's crafts, and a sweet treat.  


Purchase tickets HERE. Prepayment is strongly encouraged and is the only way to guarantee a spot. Day-of pricing will be $30 per pair, pending availability. 

 

Homework Helpers at Hinsdale Public Library

HPL’s Homework Helpers program will pick back up this Thursday, January 15. Due to the popularity of the program, we are expanding to Mondays! Students in grades K-8 can drop in during our Homework Helpers sessions on Mondays and Thursdays 4-6 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room to receive help from trained high school volunteers! Getting homework help from a high school student is fun and students will earn rewards for their work. Parents need to sign in their students. Hosted by the HPL Junior Advisory Board. 

Principal's Corner

Community Speaker Series

Please join us on Wednesday, February 11th at 7pm for a Community Speaker Series webinar. We are excited to welcome child and adolescent mental health expert and psychotherapist, Katie Hurley, DSW, LCSW. Dr. Hurley, is the Senior Clinical Advisor for The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teen and young adult mental health. She is also the author of five books at the intersection of youth, parenting, and mental health. In her new book, Breaking the Boy Code, Dr. Hurley shines a light on the urgent mental health crisis facing boys. Aimed at parents and educators of boys ages five and older, this webinar will provide actionable guidance on fostering empathy, emotional regulation, and healthy connections.

 

Dr. Katie Hurley

Breaking the Boy Code: The New Playbook For Raising Resilient Boys

Wednesday, February 11th from 7pm to 8:30pm (webinar)

Register here:  https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E127580&id=65

 

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. 

 

Registration

We are excited to announce that student registration for the 2026-2027 school year will officially open on Monday, February 2, 2026. This registration window applies to all current and new students. Families will receive an email from the district on Thursday, January 22 with more details about registration!

 

Ramadan

With the Ramadan holiday upon us, we recognize that some of our students will be fasting during the school day. Wanting to be sensitive to their needs, we will have lunch tables outside of the cafeteria during the lunch period where they may sit if they choose to do so, or, the option to NOT go to the lunchroom and instead participate in an extra recess period. Please notify your child’s classroom teacher of your wishes. Thank you!

 

CSCI Survey

The D181 2025-26 CSCI climate survey will be open on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Families will receive a link to complete the survey via email on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Staff will complete the survey during a staff meeting, and students (grades 4-8) will complete the survey during school. This annual survey is not only a requirement for all school districts in the state but also an opportunity to share how we're performing as a school district with audiences near and far.

Participation from parents, teachers, and students is crucial to ensure we get a valuable snapshot of D181's school climate. All survey results are anonymous, as responses are reported directly to the National School Climate Center before being made available to the District and public. For more information, visit https://www.d181.org/departments/communications

 

Valentine’s Day

We look forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day with our students, including the sharing of valentines. If students choose to participate, they will need to send valentines for their entire class on Friday, February 13th. Please do not include any food or candy with the valentines as these items cannot be passed out and will be returned to families. Parents should not feel obligated to buy expensive gifts or elaborate cards for the students - a simple handwritten note to peers would be appreciated just as much! 

The Elm School PTO will be providing Annie’s Fruit Snacks for the classroom valentines exchange. The ingredient label is found below. 

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