Important Dates

Sunday 9/20 - last day to purchase advance tickets for Bowser Bash

Tuesday 9/22 - Student Photo Day

Thursday 9/24 - Special Lunch (Buona)

Friday 9/25 - Elm Spirit Day (wear red or Elm spiritwear to school)

Friday 9/25, 4-7:30pm - Bowser Bash

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

Saturday 10/3 - Family Volunteer Event: Planting & Landscaping Project

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

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.

D181 Town Hall

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Parenting advice around screens is woefully outdated.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.

Library News

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!

Bowser Bash - Friday 9/25, 4-7:30pm - ADVANCE TICKET SALES END TODAY 9/20

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! Bowser Bash is back and the turn out is looking fantastic! We are excited to already have so many of you attending! Today is the last day to purchase advance sale entry tickets and raffle tickets, so get them before the day is over.

Picture Day - Tuesday 9/22

Let's kick off Bowser Bash Day with some Elm spirit!

Wear RED or your favorite Elm spiritwear to school this Friday, September 25th!

Student Clubs: Game Club, Destination Imagination, Kindness 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!

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. 

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. 

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!

Elm Spiritwear Clearance

Stock up on your favorite Elm designs before we restock! All remaining spiritwear is now up to 50% OFF! Limited sizes and quantities available, so grab your favorites before they’re gone! Shop HERE!