Important Dates

Wednesday 2/4 12pm - deadline to order Special Lunch for 2/12

Friday 2/6, 9-10am - PTO Meeting

Sunday 2/8 6pm - deadline to order heart-shaped pizzas

Wednesday 2/11, 5-7pm - Science Fair

Thursday 2/12 - Special Lunch (Sarpino's Pizza)

Friday 2/13 2:15pm - Third Grade Concert

Friday 2/13, 6-8pm - Elm Daughters' Night Out: Galentine's Day Party

Monday 2/16 - NO SCHOOL (Presidents' Day)

Thursday 2/26 - Special Lunch (Great American Bagel)

Friday 2/27 - NO SCHOOL (Institute Day)

Principal's Corner

Community Speaker Series

Please join us on Wednesday, February 11th at 7pm for a Community Speaker Series webinar. We are excited to welcome child and adolescent mental health expert and psychotherapist, Katie Hurley, DSW, LCSW. Dr. Hurley, is the Senior Clinical Advisor for The Jed Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to teen and young adult mental health. She is also the author of five books at the intersection of youth, parenting, and mental health. In her new book, Breaking the Boy Code, Dr. Hurley shines a light on the urgent mental health crisis facing boys. Aimed at parents and educators of boys ages five and older, this webinar will provide actionable guidance on fostering empathy, emotional regulation, and healthy connections.

Dr. Katie Hurley

Breaking the Boy Code: The New Playbook For Raising Resilient Boys

Wednesday, February 11th from 7pm to 8:30pm (webinar)

Register here:  https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E127580&id=65

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. 

Registration

We are excited to announce that student registration for the 2026-2027 school year will officially open on Monday, February 2, 2026. This registration window applies to all current and new students. Families will receive an email from the district on Thursday, January 22 with more details about registration!

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!

CSCI Survey

The D181 2025-26 CSCI climate survey will be open on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Families will receive a link to complete the survey via email on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. 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. For more information, visit https://www.d181.org/departments/communications

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 13th. 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. 

Are you interested in a PTO Role in 2026/27?

Are you interested in getting more involved with the Elm PTO for the next school year? If so, please fill out this Google Form. We have quite a few vacancies coming up and would love to involve more families. If you have any questions about these roles, feel free to reach out to President@elmschoolpto.org.

Elm Daughters' Night Out - Friday 2/13, 6-8pm - Tickets on Sale Now!

The Family Fun Committee is thrilled to invite you to our annual Daughters' Night Out - a fun-filled evening of dancing, games, and quality time together!

Date & Time: Friday, February 13th, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Location: Elm School Gym
Tickets: $20 per daughter + mother (or favorite dance partner), $10 for each additional child or adult

Dress Code: Everyone attending is encouraged to wear PJ's.  

What’s Included: Two hours of DJ & dancing, face paint, photo-booth, Valentine's crafts, and a sweet treat.  

Purchase tickets HERE. Prepayment is strongly encouraged and is the only way to guarantee a spot. Day-of pricing will be $30 per pair, pending availability. 

Order by Wednesday 2/4 12pm for Special Lunch on Thursday 2/12

The next Special Lunch (Sarpino's) is on Thursday, February 12th. Orders must be placed by 12pm on Wednesday, February 4th. See ordering instructions HERE. 

VOLUNTEER AT LUNCH TIME! Join your child during their lunch hour on Special Lunch days! You will be monitoring your child's class while they are enjoying their lunch. This special time is only for PTO members so if you are not a paid member, you will be taken off the schedule. Sign up HERE. Only sign up for ONE date as any additional dates will be deleted. 
*As always, be sure to bring your photo ID for entry into the school.

PTO Meeting - Friday 2/6, 9-10am

Please join us on Friday, February 6th 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).

Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Pizza Sale - Order by 2/8 6pm

Elm PTO has partnered with Elm family owned, Red Star Pizzas, to sell heart shaped pizza and pizza kits for Valentine’s Day! This year, we will be offering both pre-made frozen pizzas and make-your-own pizza kits.
Option 1 - 7" Frozen Deep Dish Heart Shaped Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni or Veggie) - $18 each
Option 2 - 7" Thin Crust, Par-Baked Heart Shaped Pizza (Cheese, Pepperoni or Sausage) - $15 each
(Each kit also includes sauce & mozzarella cheese)
Red Star Pizzas will generously donate 20% from each order back to Elm. See the Google Form for order & payment instructions. Pick-up will be on Thursday 2/12 from 3:15-4:00pm in the school lobby. Deadline to order is Sunday 2/8 @ 6pm.

Science Fair - Wednesday 2/11, 5-7pm

60 students. 41 exhibits. Endless curiosity. Join us on Wednesday, February 11th from 5–7 PM, and stop by the Museum of Science and Industry table for hands-on fun and giveaways.