Principal's Corner

Summer Learning Catalog

D181 Summer Learning Program: Registration Opens March 28th!

In-person program at Clarendon Hills Middle School (June 9 - June 27).

Click here to view the course catalog

Click here for registration and complete program details 

The Community Speaker Series

IAR Assessment Schedule - Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

This year's Elm School Illinois Assessment of Readiness theme is Good to Grow! We have some fun surprises planned for our students each day of testing! Our theme was selected to remind students that they already possess the necessary tools to succeed on this important test. It also aligns with our school focus on strengths-based feedback and student efficacy, emphasizing that growth is just as important as simply achieving high scores. We believe that every student has the ability to perform their best! 

Additionally, Elm has been selected as a pilot school this year, which means we will be administering a third ELA assessment. We are excited for our students to showcase their knowledge and skills! Below is our schedule for the upcoming IAR assessments.

Please note that on 4/11: Hydrated and Healthy, we are planning to give the students a water bottle. Per our Food Allergy Management Policy the ingredient label is below.

Elm Earth Week Activities: April 21-25, 2025

• Monday: Wear Earth colors to school - blue, green, brown. Make it a Meatless Monday! Enjoy a vegetarian or vegan lunch or dinner. Watch this video about why you should go meatless.
• Tuesday is Earth Day: Take it outside for CHALK THE WALK! Draw pictures of our beautiful Earth.
• Wednesday: We love animals! Wear a shirt with an animal on it.
• Thursday: Nature Day - Wear clothing with flowers, leaves, trees, or anything that reminds you of nature!
• Friday: Feel the Elm Spirit Day! Wear RED and BLACK to show that Elm loves and supports our Earth!
• EVERYDAY: BRING A WASTE FREE LUNCH & WALK OR BIKE TO SCHOOL

Other Suggested Activities for Earth Week 2025:

• Use a reusable water bottle every day

• Exercise outside

• Pick up litter in your neighborhood (wear gloves)

• Plant a tree, flower, plant, or garden

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth

• Turn off the lights and open the blinds/curtains

• Unplug unnecessary electronics

• Visit Earthday.org for lots more ideas

Stuff the Squad - Tuesday 4/8

Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, and Hinsdale Police Departments will be collecting donations for HCS Family Services at Elm School on Tuesday, April 8th. 

Order by Wednesday 4/9 12pm for Special Lunch on Thursday 4/17

The next Special Lunch (Culver's) is on Thursday, April 17th. Orders must be placed by 12pm on Wednesday, April 9th. See ordering instructions HERE. 

PTO Meeting - Friday 4/11, 9-10am

Please join us on Friday, April 11th at 9am in the staff lounge for our monthly PTO Meeting. You can also access the meeting via Zoom HERE if you're unable to attend in person (Meeting ID: 833 9431 6349, Passcode: 347206).

HMS PTO Parent Night - Tuesday 4/8

Join us for a casual meet and greet, with special guest Dr. Garcia, Superintendent of D181 and Hinsdale Middle School Leadership, along with fellow parents.

This is a free event! There will be fun raffle baskets you can enter to win that evening, you do not have to be present to win! Baskets include Taste of Hinsdale with Nabuki, Fuller House and Brasi's gift cards; a salon basket; and a middle school themed basket. Tickets are 1 for $25 or 5 for $100, Zelle treasurer@hmspto.org with your name, phone number, and "raffle tickets" in the description to preorder raffle tickets. Tickets will also be sold that night for cash. Sign up here if you plan to attend, to ensure the restaurant is properly staffed. We look forward to seeing you there!

Elm Spring Fundraiser Update

Treering Yearbook Custom Pages Deadline Extended to 4/17

For those who have purchased Treering yearbooks, please be aware that the deadline for parents to create and submit their custom yearbook pages has been extended through April 17th. If you haven't purchased a yearbook yet, you may still do so before April 30th to get free shipping to Elm School. 

Principal's Corner

Summer Learning Catalog

D181 Summer Learning Program: Registration Opens March 28th!

In-person program at Clarendon Hills Middle School (June 9 - June 27).

Click here to view the course catalog

Click here for registration and complete program details 

The Community Speaker Series

Erin’s Law

House Bill 6193, or Erin’s Law, was signed into law in the State of Illinois on January 24, 2013. This law mandates that Illinois public schools extend their current mandated educational programs regarding personal safety, abuse education and prevention curriculum to students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grades. 

The goal of the law is to teach children to avoid situations that may lead to abuse and to report any instances of abuse they may have endured. Providing abuse education in schools is not a new initiative. Mandates under the Health Education Act and Internet Safety Education Curriculum require instruction beginning in sixth grade. Erin’s Law simply extends this education into grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. The purpose of this curriculum extension is to proactively build competencies within our students regarding safety, abuse and prevention. 

This instruction will be provided for our students during the week of March 24, 2025. If you would like to opt your child out of this conversation, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. 

IAR Assessment Schedule - Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

This year's Elm School Illinois Assessment of Readiness theme is Good to Grow! We have some fun surprises planned for our students each day of testing! Our theme was selected to remind students that they already possess the necessary tools to succeed on this important test. It also aligns with our school focus on strengths-based feedback and student efficacy, emphasizing that growth is just as important as simply achieving high scores. We believe that every student has the ability to perform their best! 

Additionally, Elm has been selected as a pilot school this year, which means we will be administering a third ELA assessment. We are excited for our students to showcase their knowledge and skills! Below is our schedule for the upcoming IAR assessments.

Please note that on 4/11: Hydrated and Healthy, we are planning to give the students a water bottle. Per our Food Allergy Management Policy the ingredient label is below.

D181 Registration Now Open for Current Students

D181 registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open for current D181 students. Please register your child as soon as possible. For step-by-step instructions, click here.

*All current D181 students in Preschool/ECE and those entering Kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2025-2026 school year must complete the District registration and fee payment process (including the payment of all past due fees from the current school year).