Spring Fundraiser Tickets on Sale Now!

Don’t miss Elm School’s Spring Fundraiser on March 22nd! Join us for a night of prime March Madness games, cocktails and mocktails, photobooth, elevated bar bites, and great company - all while supporting our school. Snag your tickets now and don't miss your chance to win incredible auction items, including premium Bears tickets and custom artwork created by your children. It’s an event you won’t want to miss! Get your tickets today!

Principal's Corner

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!

Registration

CSCI Climate Survey Information 

The D181 2024-25 CSCI climate survey is now open! Please take the Elm survey today by clicking here! 

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. If you elect to skip a question or feel a question does not apply to you, please select “Does Not Apply.”

District 181 Summer Camp Expo

Fifth Grade Placement Writing Assessment 

The Placement Writing Assessment (PWA) and Placement Literature Assessment (PLA) will be administered to all fifth grade students at Elm on March 4, 2025 and March 6, 2025. PWA and PLA scores are considered in the sixth grade placement process for Advanced English Language Arts (A-ELA) and Affective Cognitive Enrichment (ACE). More information about A-ELA and ACE placement can be found on the Placement, Advancement, and Acceleration page of the D181 website. 

The Placement Writing and Literature Assessments are:

• Designed as pre-assessments by William & Mary University

• Measure prerequisite skills necessary to be successful in middle school A-ELA and ACE courses

• Aligned to Common Core State Standards for writing and literature

• Assesses each student’s ability to use claim and opinion writing, support, elaboration, and conclusion

The assessment will be split into two parts and given over the course of two days. Multiple fifth and sixth grade teachers will score the assessments. Once all student work from the assessment is scored, your child’s score will be made available in Skyward. 

More information about the PWA/PLA can be found on the Assessment page of the D181 website. Please contact your child’s teacher or building principal with any further questions.

Cosmic Bowling Day - Friday 3/14

Join your child for cosmic bowling on Friday, March 14th! See schedule below.

Science Fair Thank You!

The Science Fair last week was a success and it was great to see so many young scientists showing off their knowledge and presentation skills. Experiments included everything from making rock candy, to vegetables conducting electricity, to soil erosion and more! There were 34 projects total, and all grades were well represented. Thank you to all of our volunteer judges who came and provided feedback to student projects!

Principal's Corner

Registration

CSCI Climate Survey Information

The D181 2024-25 CSCI climate survey will be open on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Families will receive a link to complete the survey via email on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. 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. 

If you elect to skip a question or feel a question does not apply to you, please select “Does Not Apply”.
For more information, visit https://www.d181.org/departments/communications.

Order by Wednesday 2/19 12pm for Special Lunch on Thursday 2/27

The next Special Lunch (Panda Express) is on Thursday, February 27th. Orders must be placed by 12pm on Wednesday, February 19th. See ordering instructions HERE. 

The Parent List

How Can You Find Beneficial Support Services for Your Child?
Check out the Hinsdale Central PTO Parent List. It contains first-hand reviews from District 86 and District 181 parents about providers that have helped positively address their child’s anxiety, depression, school avoidance, eating disorders, insomnia, peer relations, grief, stress, substance abuse, and more. Much like “Angie’s List,” The Parent List contains resources in our community that have already been successfully used by another parent. Insightful reviews on doctors, therapists, support groups, inpatient and outpatient programs, tutors, nutritionists, books and holistic medical approaches may all be found on The Parent List. To read existing Parent List provider reviews, go to hcpto.org/parent-list/
The Parent List always needs fresh referrals to keep current. Help another local parent by leaving your anonymous review on a local provider by clicking HERE.
Questions can be directed to: parentlist@hcpto.org

In no way does the Elm School or Hinsdale Central PTO, Elm School or Hinsdale Central High School staff, School Districts 86, 63 or 181 endorse or recommend any specific provider reviewed on The Parent List. The Parent List is a subjective forum set up by the Hinsdale Central PTO for your convenience. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for deciding to use any of the service providers on The Parent List in any capacity, and District 86, District 63, District 181, and the Elm School and Hinsdale Central High School PTOs disclaim all liability for any damages, injuries, losses, expenses, or claims of any kind arising out of the provision of services by anyone or any agency appearing on The Parent List.

Principal's Corner

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 14th. 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

CSCI Climate Survey Information 

The D181 2024-25 CSCI climate survey will be open on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Families will receive a link to complete the survey via email on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. 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. 

If you elect to skip a question or feel a question does not apply to you, please select “Does Not Apply”.

For more information, visit https://www.d181.org/departments/communications.