Principal's Corner

Welcome Back to Elm School!

We’re thrilled to welcome you and your children to the 2025–2026 school year! 

Below, you’ll find important updates about our daily procedures to help ensure a smooth and successful start. This year holds great promise, and we are dedicated to creating a joyful, enriching, and supportive experience for every student.

I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Back to School Events:

• Elm School Ribbon Cutting and Open House, August 14, 2025, 2:00-3:00 PM

• Kindergarten Meet Up, August 15th, 2:30-3:30 PM

• First Day of School, August 19th, 8:40 AM-3:05 PM

• PTO Welcome Back Coffee, August 19th, 8:30-10:00 AM

• Ice Cream Social, August 22nd, 4:00-6:00 PM

• Elm School Curriculum Night, September 4th, 6:00-7:30 PM

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!

Partners in Education,
Mrs. Sara Olson

 

Elm Street Closure - Important Information

Due to delays in the Elm Street improvement project, South Elm Street will remain closed to through traffic during this time. While this may affect your usual route, please note that our Prairie Garden car line loop will remain open for all student drop-off and pick-up.

Important Traffic Update:

• All vehicles using the Prairie Garden car line must exit northbound due to the closure.

• Please refer to the attached image for specific traffic patterns and detour routes. The light blue arrows indicate the direction of the Prairie Garden car line.

We understand this may require some adjustments to your routine, and we truly appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue to work closely with the Village during this project. As always, student safety is our top priority. We encourage all families to plan ahead and allow for additional time during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

 

Elm School Ribbon Cutting & Open House

Please join us on Thursday, August 14, 2025 for our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the start of the school year, explore the building, and connect with staff and other families. We are also offering new family tours beginning at 2:15 on this date. 

We are excited to welcome you back for the new school year and to share this special event with you!

Event Details:

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
   Time: 2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
  
  

• Open House and New Family Tours
   Begins at 2:15 p.m.

 

Lunch Information

Please send your child to school with a packed lunch every day. We request that parents do not consistently drop off lunches to school every day. However, if your child forgets their lunch, you may place it in the "forgotten lunch" box located outside near the main entrance. If you are dropping off lunch for your child during the school day please try to be ahead of the start of their lunch time. We want to be sure that students have enough time to eat and they do feel stress when their lunch is not present at the start of the period. The lunches begin at the following times:

Grades K-3: 11:25

Grades 4-5: 11:50

Please note that we do not allow orders to be delivered from outside delivery companies such as Doordash or Grubhub. Food from restaurants must be dropped off by a parent or guardian. In addition, we do not allow students to share food with others. If you are bringing food, please be sure that you are only bringing food for your child. Additionally, please do not place drinks with lids in the outdoor lunch cooler. 

 

Class Placement

As of Friday, 8/15, you will be able to log into the Skyward Family Access, skywardfamily.d181.org, to view your child’s homeroom teacher. You will navigate to the schedule tile found on the log-in homescreen. 

Your Login ID is your first name last name (all one word and lowercase), i.e. “minniemouse.” If you cannot login, use the Forgot Login/Password? link on the login page and follow the prompts to reset your password. If you receive an error message, contact Nick Skrip at nskrip@d181.org.

Please know that placements are finalized at this time. Our grade level teams and specialists (reading specialist, differentiation specialists, resource teachers, and art, music, and PE staff) work together to share input and create class composites conducive to learning. We take into account your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Our goal is to create equitable classes in terms of size, instructional support, gender, etc. and allow for groups of students who can benefit from learning together. 

Grade level homeroom teachers:

Kindergarten: Ms. Vaisman, Mrs. Fuller

First Grade: Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Mulroe

Second Grade: Mrs. DeBolt, Ms. Smith

Third Grade: Ms. Moen, Mrs. Morris

Fourth Grade: Ms. Barcus, Mrs. Burch

Fifth Grade: Ms. Recktenwall, Mrs. Smrha, Mrs. Madden

 

Food Allergy Management Policy

The D181 Food Allergy Management Plan was adopted by the District 181 Board of Education on May 21, 2018. You can find a copy of the plan in full on our District website for the Food Allergy Management Plan here: D181 Food Allergy Management Plan

The Plan is aligned with Board policy 7.285, and provides a comprehensive, districtwide plan to prevent or reduce allergen exposure, educate staff, and respond to food allergy emergencies. Following is a summary of action items for District students and parents. The Plan is communicated to all staff, students and parents prior to the first day of student attendance and includes information on: allergies and anaphylaxis, federal nondiscrimination & disability law, classroom food guidelines and resources for parents and staff. The plan will be reviewed annually by a Food Allergy Committee organized by the Superintendent. Parents play a critical role in ensuring a safe school environment. Please help protect the health and safety of all students by following and encouraging students to follow all established guidelines below: 

Classroom Snack 

● Fruits or vegetables only (including dried fruits such as raisins and applesauce). 

● No additions, toppings or mix-ins (such as dips or spreads). 

Lunch

● For any classroom lunch or field trip lunch, the building principal will send an email stating that lunches should contain no peanuts or tree nuts. Please ensure that student lunches do not contain any peanuts or tree nuts on those days. 

Elementary Classroom Parties 

Classroom parties shall be food free or, at teacher discretion, may include Outshine Fruit Bars (lemon, grape, and/or tangerine), Annie’s fruit snacks, and/or Original Skinny Pop brand popcorn. Students shall not bring food to give as gifts or share with other students (such as with Valentine’s cards, on Halloween, or as holiday gifts). 

 

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. All School Presentation is at 6:30 pm in the MPR.

 

 

First Day of School Arrival Plan

We use only the front door (near the cow) and the fifth grade door (near the prairie garden) to enter and exit school each day. Students are welcome to use either door; whichever is more convenient for your family. 

On the first day of school, we will meet on the back blacktop, in lines by grade level and classroom teacher. This will give parents the opportunity to briefly see the classroom teacher and to say an extended good-bye to their child. 

At 8:40, teachers will lead their classrooms into the building and assist students in navigating their way through the school. For parents that wish to drop their child(ren) off in the car lines, there will be school staff to assist them in finding their homeroom teachers on the blacktop starting at 8:25. 

On Day 2, students are asked to use only the proper entrance door, per our usual routine.

 

School Day

School Day - 8:40 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.

• Student Arrival will begin daily at 8:25 a.m. Please do not drop your child(ren) off before this time as we do not have adult supervision prior to these times.

• Student Dismissal will begin at 3:05 p.m.

• We recognize the need for appointments and understand that situations may arise that require you to pick your child up early from school. We ask that you please try your best to schedule appointments OUTSIDE of the school day and not pick your child up early from school, so as to not disrupt the learning process. If students must be picked up early, please ring the bell in the vestibule to let the office know who you are picking up. Students can be signed out on the sheet on the cart in the vestibule.

• To report a child's absence, please access the district website at https://www.d181.org/families/report-an-absence

 

New Family Tours

New families are invited to tour Elm School on Thursday, August 14th from 2:15pm-3:00pm. The whole family is welcome to attend. If you can't attend, please don't worry, we will make sure to assist your child on the first day of school. Please enter through our main entrance on 60th street (the doors closest to the large cow statue located in front of the school). 

 

Bicycle Rules
Many students walk to school each day. Students in grades 3–5 may also ride their bicycles to school, provided helmets are worn and they have participated in the Bike Rodeo. Bicycles must be walked while on school grounds and should be locked in the bike racks. For safety, students must cross at the crosswalks with the crossing guard and should not cross in the middle of the street for any reason.

Please note: Per the Burr Ridge Police Department, E-bikes and E-scooters are not permitted to be ridden to school by any students. 

 

Bike Rodeo Information
This year’s Bike Rodeo will take place after school on September 10. Participation is required for students who plan to ride their bikes to school and more information will be forthcoming. 

Principal's Corner

Register Your Student by June 20

 

School Supply Kits

School supply kits for the 2025-26 school year are now available to purchase online from The Write Stuff at www.write-stuff.com/storefront/school/elm. There is no cost to have your kits shipped right to Elm school if you order before June 2. If you order after June 2, standard shipping charges will apply to have the kits shipped to your home. The online storefront will remain open until June 16.

 

Summer Math and Reading

As the school year comes to a close, the Department of Learning is excited to share resources to support your child's continued growth and engagement over the summer. We are so proud of all that our D181 students have accomplished this year to meet state standards, progress in the core content, and develop socially and emotionally.  

We encourage you to create a balanced summer for your child, filled with fun in the sun, quality family time, new experiences, and time with friends, while also reinforcing the valuable skills they've learned this year. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and enriching summer! 

 

Elementary Math Review Packets
Review packet for students exiting Kindergarten (Kindergarten standards)	N/A
Review packet for students exiting 1st Grade   (1st grade standards)	Answer Key   (1st grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 2nd Grade  (2nd grade standards)  (If your child qualifies for Bridge A but is not attending the Bridge course, a separate, required packet is forthcoming.)	Answer Key   (2nd grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 3rd Grade On-Level  (3rd grade standards)	Answer Key   (3rd grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 3rd Grade Advanced  (4th grade standards)	Answer Key  (4th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 3rd Grade Accelerated  (5th grade standards)	Answer Key  (5th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 4th Grade On-Level  (4th grade standards)	Answer Key  (4th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 4th Grade Advanced  (5th grade standards)	Answer Key  (5th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 4th Grade Accelerated  (6th grade standards)	Answer Key  (6th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 5th Grade On-Level  (5th grade standards)  (If your child qualifies for Bridge 5A but is not attending the Bridge course, a separate, required packet is forthcoming.)	Answer Key  (5th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 5th Grade Advanced  (6th grade standards)	Answer Key  (6th grade standards)
Review packet for students exiting 5th Grade Accelerated  (7th grade standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Current D181 6th & 7th Graders’ Math Review  Packets
Review packet for students exiting 6th Grade On Level  (6th grade standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Review packet for students exiting 6th Grade Advanced  (7th grade standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Review packet for students exiting 6th Grade Accelerated  (8th grade standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Review packet for students exiting 7th Grade On Level  (7th grade standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Review packet for students exiting 7th Grade Advanced  (8th grade standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Review packet for students exiting 7th Grade Accelerated (Algebra 1 standards)	Answer key  at end of packet
Current D181 8th Graders’ Math Review
District 86 Math Summer Introduction Letter & Resource Links · Current D181 8th Graders exiting 8th Grade On-Level may complete this 8th grade standards packet. · Students returning to D181 in the fall for any course Algebra 1 or higher may access the D86 summer packets. · Students enrolled in the new D86 combined Algebra/Geometry course will receive a Canvas invitation from D86 with summer practice specific to that course.

 

K-8 English Language Arts Review Packets Students may complete any packet, however, the packets are intended as a review of the 24-25 school year. ***Please note that the packets are long, so consider printing one at a time. ***Answer keys are at the beginning of each packet. ***Many activities are designed to be completed with a parent or tutor.
Packet 1	Packet 2
Review packet 1 for students exiting Kindergarten	Review packet 2 for students exiting Kindergarten
Review packet 1 for students exiting 1st Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 1st Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 2nd Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 2nd Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 3rd Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 3rd Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 4th Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 4th Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 5th Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 5th Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 6th Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 6th Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 7th Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 7th Grade
Review packet 1 for students exiting 8th Grade	Review packet 2 for students exiting 8th Grade
Kindergarten-8th Grade Reading Lists
D181 Summer Recommended Reading for Summer · Summer Reading List for Students Entering Grades K-5 · Summer Reading List for Students Entering 6th Grade · Summer Reading List for Students Entering 7th Grade · Summer Reading List for Students Entering 8th Grade
English Language Arts Resources for Rising Freshmen
D86 English Language Arts Summer Resources for Incoming 9th Grade · Summer Review for 9th Grade Grammar Topics · Summer Reading List for Incoming 9th Graders

Library News

Lost Library Books

Order Student Supply Kits for Next School Year by 6/2

Go to www.write-stuff.com/storefront/school/elm to order your student supply kit and get it shipped free right to Elm School if you order before June 2, 2025. If you order after June 2, standard shipping charges will apply to have the kits shipped to your home. The storefront will remain open until June 16. 

5th Grade Parents: Order HMS School Supplies by 6/1

Save the Date - HMS Back to School Day - Tuesday 8/12

Girl Scouts for Next School Year

Do you have a rising 1st or 2nd grade girl who would be interested in Girl Scouts? We are creating a Daisy troop for rising 1st graders (led by Sangeeta Schroeder and Judy Chan) and a Brownie troop for rising 2nd graders (led by Judy Chan, Melissa Connolly, and Meredith Nabavi). Each troop will meet twice a month to do fun activities and earn their Girl Scout badges! If you are interested, please complete this form, and we will send more information soon. 

 

Calling all Future Red Devil Cheerleaders!

The Hinsdale Central Cheerleaders are once again offering their coveted Future Red Devils cheer camp! The first practice is next Saturday, May 31st 9am-10:30am, with 2 additional practices in August. The performance will take place at the Hinsdale Central Red & White football scrimmage on Friday, August 22nd at 5pm. For more details and to register, click HERE. Go Devils!