Important Dates

Thursday 10/1 - Special Lunch (Potbelly)

Friday 10/2, 8:25-8:40am - Stock the Lounge donation drop-off

Friday 10/2, 9-10am - PTO meeting

Wednesday 10/7, 4-7pm - Chick-fil-A Night

Thursday 10/8 - Special Lunch (Sarpino's)

Saturday 10/10, 9-11am - Family Volunteer Event: Gardening Project

Monday 10/12 - NO SCHOOL (Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day)

Wednesday 10/21, 4-7pm - Family Volunteer Event: Trunk or Treat

Monday 11/2 - NO SCHOOL (Institute Day)

Tuesday 11/3 - NO SCHOOL (General Election Day)

Saturday 11/14, 11:30-1:15pm - Family Volunteer Event: Feed My Starving Children

Principal's Corner

Those Who Excel Nominations

Here in District 181, we have incredible educators who go above and beyond to support our students. Please encourage your staff and your families to nominate educators for the annual ISBE “Those Who Excel” awards! Awards are presented in seven categories: classroom teachers, early career educators (teachers 1-4 years), school administrators, student support personnel, educational service personnel, community volunteers, and teams.

ISBE Those Who Excel / Teacher of the Year Nomination Form (Nominations only take a few minutes!) More Information, award categories, and past winner information can be found here: https://www.isbe.net/TWETOY 

The deadline for nominations is Thursday, October 1, 2026.

nominateteacher

 

D181 Town Hall

d181townhall

 

The Community Speaker Series

Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD

Author of “Dopamine Kids”

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

7:00pm – 8:30pm In Person at Hinsdale Middle School

Register

Parenting advice around screens is woefully outdated. It hinges on psychology and neuroscience from 25 to 50 years ago. It doesn’t work and often makes our lives harder.  Michaleen Doucleff, author of Dopamine Kids, offers you an easier and more effective approach. With a 5-step protocol, you’ll learn how to retrain your children’s brains so they naturally seek out activities and foods that bring gratification and true joy. The healthy option becomes the default in your home.  

Can't join us that evening? Please register, and a recording will be emailed to you after the event. The registration link is: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/CSSDoucleff

Questions? Contact speakers@d181foundation.org.

dopamine

 

Library News

Aaron Reynolds Author Visit - October 27, 2026 (Grades K-5)
 
On Tuesday, October 27th, New York Times bestselling author, Aaron Reynolds, will visit Elm School. Thank you to our amazing PTO for funding this visit for our students!
 
Here is the tentative schedule:
8:45 AM (3-5 assembly)
9:45 AM (K-2 assembly)
10:30 AM  (4-5 Writer's Workshop with Aaron)
11:15 AM Book signing of pre-purchased books
 
Mr. Reynolds will be selling copies of six of his books:
Creepy Carrots 19.99
Creepy Pair of Underwear $19.99
Creepy Crayon $18.99
Troubling Tonsils $13.99
Unsettling Salad $13.99
Yarn is Everything $13.99
 
To guarantee a personalized, autographed copy, please return this order form with payment by Friday, October 2nd. There will also be a paper form found in Friday Folders. (You can pay online using your child’s Skyward/RevTrack account or with a check payable to CCSD 181). Even if you pay on Skyward, please return the order form. If you miss the October 2nd date, there may be a limited supply of signed books available for purchase after the visit.
 
To purchase on Skyward/RevTrack: 
Log into Skyward Family Access.
Click the fees tab under a specific student. 
Scroll down to Available Optional Fees.
Click Add to Fees. 
Pay in RevTrak. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Petersen at spetersen@d181.org.
25785A5A-BEEA-430C-822C-D230F6F47611
 
Students who purchase one of Aaron's books to be autographed for the author visit will receive a 3D printed Jasper bookmark as a free gift!
Screenshot 2026-09-18 at 8.15.38 AM
 
Battle of the Books:
If your 4th or 5th grade student is interested in participating in Battle of the Books this year, please return the permission slip by Friday, October 16, 2026. Please note that meetings will be held on Wednesday mornings from 7:50-8:30 AM in the library, beginning October 21st. Battle dates and a list of Battle books are attached to the permission form.
 
October Library Bookmarks:
Each month two grade levels will be able to create and design bookmarks for the library. For the month of October, any 2nd or 3rd grader that would like to create a bookmark for the library can participate. The entry form can be found here. Students also brought a paper copy home in Friday Folders. Be creative and have fun! Bookmarks are due by Friday, October 2nd.

Stock the Staff Lounge - Friday 10/2 drop-off

1st and 2nd grade families - please help stock the lounge for our wonderful Elm School teachers and staff!

stock the lounge

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

Please join us on Friday, October 2nd 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. 

Special Lunch Ordering & Volunteering

Special Lunch is EVERY THURSDAY this year, so be sure to order by Wednesday at noon every week for the following week. For a full list of dates, restaurants, and allergen information, along with ordering instructions, please visit the PTO website.
 
Special Lunch Volunteering: Come volunteer on Special Lunch days! This opportunity is open to PTO members only. Please sign up for only one slot per child for the school year and only for your child's grade. Make sure to arrive a few minutes early to sign in at the front office with your ID. Sign up HERE. 

 

Chick-fil-A Night - Wednesday 10/7, 4-7pm

Join us on Wednesday, October 7th, 4-7pm at Chick-fil-A (Willowbrook) for a fundraising event to support our school. Invite friends and family to make it extra fun 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**

Copy of Spirit Night (1)

 

 

Family Volunteer Events - Sign-ups

GARDENING PROJECT - Saturday, October 10th, 9-11am @ Wellness House, Hinsdale
gardening with canva QR

  

TRUNK OR TREAT - Wednesday, October 21st, 4-7pm @ Wellness House, Hinsdale

trunk with canva QR

 

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN - Saturday, November 14th, 11:30-1:15pm @ FMSC, Aurora

FMSC canva QR 9.23

Student Clubs: Game Club, Destination Imagination, Kindness Club, Crochet Club

GAME CLUB: Mrs. Guzaldo, Mr. Kolar, and Mrs. Soofi are excited to host Game Club at Elm School. We will meet every Thursday during recess from October 1st thru March 25th. We will teach the children board games and card games during their recess. Depending on the weather, we may play outdoor games too. Grades 1-5 are invited! We look forward to fun times!

Game-Club

 

DESTINATION IMAGINATION: Destination Imagination (DI) is a thrilling, student-led adventure in creative problem-solving! DI challenges students to work in teams to solve open-ended problems using imagination, innovation, and collaboration. Guided by parent volunteers (Team Managers), students take full ownership of their solutions—every idea and decision comes from them! For more information, visit the PTO website. 

DI-Flyer-Final-(1)

 

KINDNESS CLUB:  Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Guzaldo are hosting Elm School's Kindness Club! The club is offered to students in grades 2-5. Our goals are to provide opportunities for students to promote positive social behaviors at Elm and in our communities while also increasing leadership skills, fostering an attitude of teamwork and making meaningful connections with peers. The club will meet before school on Tuesdays from 7:45-8:30 a.m., October 6th through February 16th. 

kindnessclub canva QR 9.23

 

CROCHET CLUB: Mrs. Bello is hosting Crochet Club! Open to 3rd-5th graders, students will learn how to crochet during school recess, while also improving other skills, like math and patience. 

crochet FINAL

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