Bike Rodeo - Tuesday 10/8 after school

3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Parents - today is the last day to sign up for the Bike Rodeo!

Do you think that your child is ready to ride his/her own bike to/from school and are worried about his/her safety on the road? Or if your child has not participated in a Bike Rodeo and is interested in doing so? Sign them up for this safety course! In this course, they will learn about the rules of road safety, get their bike checked and registered with the Hinsdale Police Department (Hinsdale residents only), and most importantly, bikers will take a road test and get a bicycle license, which is REQUIRED to bike to school.

This event will take place right after school and you need to sign up in order to participate. If your child is signed up via the Google form, his/her teacher will have a list of names and have them report to the school blacktop. Please bring a bike and helmet to the school blacktop BEFORE dismissal and view the two required videos (video 1, video 2) prior to the rodeo. A parent/nanny/babysitter must be present for the student to participate in the course. Course will take about 90 minutes. Parents, sign up to volunteer HERE.

To sign up your student for the course, please fill out the Google form. Last day to sign up is Sunday, October 6.

Fall Fest Recap & Thank You!

Huge Thanks to All Who Joined Our 3rd Annual Kickball Game & Fall Fest! Friday's event was a blast, with a fantastic turnout. Not even the wind could dampen our Bulldog spirit! Fifty Bulldogs took the field for Team Kolar and Team Jensen, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of students, staff, and families. The energy was electric, and the games were a hit. Thanks to everyone, especially Mr. Kolar and Mr. Jensen, who made it unforgettable. Go Bulldogs!

Reminder: You can still donate to treasurer@elmschoolepto.org on Zelle to help provide new basketball hoops for the kids and to support more fun events like Fall Fest!

Destination Imagination Program

Calling all innovative students looking for an opportunity to have fun and learn new skills as a team!  My name is Lisa Matta and I am the Elm School Destination Imagination Coordinator.  I am very excited to have this program at Elm School again this year!  

For those who are not familiar, Destination Imagination (DI) is a team-based, after school, creative problem-solving competition rooted in STEAM. Students work in teams to create a solution to a Challenge.  The program is guided by parent volunteers (Team Managers) but is student lead --- meaning the end solution to the challenge and all decisions along the way must be made by the kids!  

We need parent volunteers to make this possible for the kids, so please strongly consider assisting.

If you are already familiar with DI or have heard enough and are ready to sign up your child, please do so via the link below.  We are asking all to sign-up below (unless you already did so at the Ice Cream Social).  This will ensure we have parental permission for all students as well as the correct contact information for all who are interested.

Sign-Up Link for Students (deadline to sign-up is October 6th):

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508054AABAD2AA4FA7-50771059-2024#/

Once we have enough team managers and students, we will form teams and contact you with additional information.  If you have any questions on the DI program or would like to make any specific requests, please feel free to reach out to me directly at di@elmschoolpto.org.  I participated in this program as a student many years ago and have also been a team manager for 3+ years so I have lots of information to share!  I am looking forward to a great DI year full of fun and learning for our students!  

Principal's Corner

Picture Day is Tuesday 9/24

3rd Annual Fall Fest and Kickball Game - Friday 9/27, 3:30-5PM

Our 3rd annual Fall Fest and Kickball Game is taking place this Friday, September 27th from 3:30-5:00pm at Elm Elementary. There will be craft tables, temporary spirit tattoos, spirit wear, apple cider doughnuts, cotton candy, and of course: kickball!

TICKETS:
Player Entry: All students that have an entry ticket will have the opportunity to play! Entry fees: 1 student = $10, 2 siblings = $18, 3 siblings = $25. Purchase tickets HERE. Ticket sales close Sunday, 9/22 at midnight.

Your child does not need to play kickball to participate in Fall Fest! Tickets are not required for non-kickball players; however, PTO donations are always welcome to help support this and future student events! Donate HERE.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are still in need of parent volunteers to help with the event! Please sign up HERE!

Please note: This is not a drop off event! Parents must accompany their children.

Elm Kindness Club

Elm School's Kindness Club is returning! The club will be offered to students in grades 2-5 before school on Mondays from 7:45-8:25 a.m. starting on September 30th. The club will be offered for 14 sessions, concluding on Monday, February 10th.

The group’s goal is to provide an opportunity for students to promote kindness in our school and community while also increasing participant's leadership abilities, fostering an attitude of teamwork and problem solving by working cooperatively in a respectful manner. To sign your child/children up, please complete this Google form by September 27th. Questions? Feel free to contact the club co-sponsors Mrs. Santini at esantini@d181.org or Mrs. Guzaldo at mguzaldo@d181.org for more information. In a world where you can be anything, be kind!

Hinsdale Central Girls Basketball Skills Clinic - Sunday 10/27, 2-3:30PM - REGISTER TODAY!

We're excited to announce the 2nd annual Hinsdale Central Girls Basketball Skills Clinic for girls in grades 1st-6th. Last year's clinic sold out so be sure to register today! The Skills Clinic will be held on Sunday, October 27th from 2p-3:30p at Hinsdale Central (Main Gym & Fieldhouse). Hinsdale Central Girls Basketball Head Coach Brett Moore, his staff, and players from the Hinsdale Central team will lead the clinic - some of the players are Elm alums! Whether your daughter is beginning her basketball journey or advanced, the clinic will have something for all experience levels. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Hinsdale Central Girls Basketball program. Come be part of the excitement that is Hinsdale Central Girls Basketball and learn basketball the Red Devil way! Click HERE to register before it sells out!