Inaugural Bowser Bash Fall Festival & Fundraiser - Friday 10/3, 4:30-7:30pm

Bowser Bash is on Friday! We're looking forward to a fun evening of catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, and celebrating our wonderful school community. 

*Please note that an adult must be present throughout the event with a paid ticket. This is not a drop off event.

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

Principal's Corner

Rotary Run 

Join us for the Rotary Run Charity Classic, Hinsdale’s Family Run! This exciting event is coming up soon, so register today!

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! Please join us on Wednesday, October 8 at 7:15pm for the Community Speaker Series fall event at Hinsdale Middle School. We are thrilled to welcome Ethan Kross, PhD, two-time National Bestselling author of Shift and Chatter, and an award-­winning professor in the University of Michigan’s top-­ranked Department of Psychology and its Ross School of Business. We look forward to connecting with our parent community.

Register HERE for Ethan Kross, PhD - Shift: Managing Emotions So They Don’t Manage You. Staying Regulated and Confident - a Guide for Parents and Kids.

Elm Street Closure Update

We are pleased to share that Elm Street will reopen to two-way traffic beginning at 8:00 AM on Monday morning. While some landscaping work will continue off to the side of the road next week, and the sidewalk over the creek will remain closed until the bridge railing is installed next month, vehicles will be able to travel in both directions starting Monday and moving forward. Thank you so much for your patience and support throughout this project.

Sara Havel Brainy Game Shelf

I’m excited to share that the Sara Havel Brainy Game Shelf is now up and running — and it's located right in our library! This collection is named in honor of our wonderful retiree, Sara Havel. The shelf is filled with educational games that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity — just the kind of learning experiences Sara always encouraged.

Who can check out games?

• Students – for home use or classroom learning

• Families – for meaningful and fun learning at home

• Teachers – for classroom centers, indoor recess, or small group activities

How it works:

• Games are available in the library

• Use the checkout log to sign games in and out

• Games can be borrowed for up to one week

• Please make sure all pieces are returned in good condition

Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee Representatives

If you are interested in joining the PTAC, please fill out this form.

Picture Day - Tuesday 9/23

Treat our Teachers - Friday 9/26 Drop-off

Calling all 4th and 5th grade families! Let's Treat our Teachers by stocking up the teacher's lounge. Sign up HERE. Drop off will be at Elm on September 26th from 8:15-9am. 

Join the PTO!

Have you joined the PTO yet? Your annual $40 membership fee is vital to support fun activities, family events, school and classroom enhancements, staff appreciation efforts, and much more. In addition, you will need to be a paid member of the PTO in order to access the school directory, be a room parent, and volunteer in the lunch room during Special Lunch days. BONUS PERK: for each purchased Bowser Bash ticket, paid members will get a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes. Become a member TODAY! 

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!