Headlines for the week of January 17, 2022:

• PTO: Stuff to Do This Week!

• The Principal's Page
• This Week at Elm

• Save the Dates!

• Elm School and District News

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Sign-Ups for School Activities

• Flyers and More Details

PTO: Stuff to Do This Week!

• Have YOU verified your information for the the digital school directory? Or need to access contact information for a fellow Elm parent or classmate?  Here is the link: elmschoolpto.membershiptoolkit.com

• Questions? Contact directory@elmschoolpto.org 

• Special Lunch Schedule: Don't forget to order by noon on the Wednesday before a Special Lunch Day!

Jan. 20^th Potbelly

Feb. 3^rd Sarpinos 

Feb. 17^th  Corner Bakery 

March 3^rd Meatheads 

March 17^th Potbelly 

April 7^th Sarpinos 

April 21^st Corner Bakery 

May 5^th Meatheads 

May 19^th Sarpinos

The Principal's Page

• Desks remain at least 3 feet apart in classrooms and students are distanced 6 feet apart in lunchrooms.

• When possible, choose a surgical mask over a cloth mask. When choosing cloth masks, make sure the mask is washable, breathable, has at least two layers, and fits correctly.

  • Any mask should fit snugly over the nose and chin with no large gaps around the side of the face. Ways to improve a mask’s fit include using a nose clip or nose wire, tying a simple knot in the ear loops, or using a brace over the mask to prevent leaks. See other suggestions from the CDC on ways to improve how a mask protects you.

  • When choosing a cloth mask, look for those made of tightly woven fabrics with two or more layers. 

  • One way to ensure a mask has enough layers is to wear two.  For example, wear a two layer cotton mask over a surgical mask.

• Continue to reiterate frequent hand washing/sanitizing.

• If your child will be absent from school for any reason, please complete the appropriate absence form, which can also be found on the Elm School website.

• We will continue to engage students in learning during COVD quarantine/isolation.  However, virtual instruction may not be available when subs are present in classrooms. Students who are absent for reasons other than covid-related quarantine/isolation are not eligible to receive virtual instruction.

• Any students reported from 1/12/22  forward - new IDPH guidance is applied.  To be eligible for the early return date (isolation of only five days vs. ten) you must meet the following requirements (if you do not, you would remain at home until your 10 day quarantine is complete OR the requirements have been met)

  • Fever free for 24 hours

  • Asymptomatic OR have improved symptoms

  • Wear a mask for days 6-10 - this includes recess, outside breaks, and when not actively eating.

• For families who have enrolled in our weekly surveillance testing, please be sure to continue to return your child's surveillance test to school on Monday mornings.  If you are interested in signing up for surveillance testing, please login to Skyward, click on the forms tab, and complete the Surveillance Testing permission form for each student.

• Parents may also upload their student's vaccination card to Skyward in an effort to reduce quarantines and keep students in school. This step is optional and information will remain confidential. To upload your card

  • Login to Skyward

  • Click the "Online Forms" button

  • Find the "Covid 19 Vaccination Card" form and click "Fill out Form"

  • Click "Choose File" to upload your vaccination card

  • Upload your card

  • Click "Complete Step 1 and Move to Step 2"

  • Enter the information into the fields

  • Click "Complete Step 2 and Move to Step 3"

  • Click "Submit COVID-19 Vaccination Card"

• Please continue to monitor your email for updated announcements from District 181 related to COVID-19, surveillance testing, and updated health and safety guidance. 

Executive Order: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/resources/executive-orders/display.executive-order-number-03.2022.html

ISBE Updated Guidance: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Updated-Public-Health-School-Guidance.pdf

IDPH/ISBE FAQ for Schools (PLEASE NOTE- THIS LINK CHANGES FREQUENTLY - LINK BELOW IS THE 1/13/22 VERSION): https://dph.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idph/covid19/guidance/school/DPH-ISBE%20School%20FAQ_1.2022.pdf

NWEA Schedule 

January 18, 2022: 2nd Grade English-Language Arts, 1st Grade English-Language Art

January 20, 2022: 3rd Grade Math
 

Puberty 1 Program- 5th Grade

As part of our fifth grade curriculum, students will participate in a Puberty I program provided in partnership with Candor Health Education (formerly known as Robert Crown Health Center). Below is information on the student program as well as an invitation for parents to preview the presentation through January 31. The FAQ for parents on the Puberty I program can be read here.

Parent Presentation: To view the pre-recorded parent presentation click here.  Use the password found below.  The pre-recorded parent presentation will be available through January 31. 

Password: POV1012  

Student Program: The student program will be held during school hours in February/March, on a date and time determined by each school. Your child’s principal will be sending out more information including dates/times and a student permission slip.

Student Booklet: Below is electronic access to the booklets that your child will receive as part of the Puberty I program. These booklets provide information on the physical changes that young people experience during puberty. Please note that both classes and booklets include basic information about the anatomy of the opposite sex. 

• Male Program:  Puberty I Male Booklet 

• Female Program:  Puberty I Female Booklet 

We know that parents are the most influential role in a child’s life. For ideas on how to use the booklet, general tips for talking with your child and ways to get conversations started, click here. If you would like more information about the center, or the program your child will attend, please visit the Candor Health Education website at candorhealthed.org. If you have any additional questions, please contact Candor Health Education at (630)325-1900.
 

CogAT Reports (2nd and 5th Grade Families)

During the week of November 8-12, your 2nd of 5th grade child completed the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). This is an assessment that indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age peers. 

The CogAT is comprised of three sections:

• Verbal: measures a child’s ability to remember and transform sequences of words, to understand them and to make inferences and judgements about them. 

• Quantitative: measures a child’s understanding of relational mathematical concepts and ability to discover patterns, to figure out a rule or principle, and to transfer this information. 

• Non-Verbal: measures a child’s ability to reason using pictures and shapes. In addition, this section appraises a child’s ability to use his/her cognitive resources in new situations.

The individual score report was sent home on Friday, January 14th, and it includes your child’s standard score, percentile rank, and stanine in each of the three areas as well as a composite score (VQN) for the entire assessment.
 

Inclement Weather Plan

At the November board meeting, the inclement weather plan was adopted and approved by the Board of Education. Our goal is always to keep schools open; however, there may be days when the weather is so severe that we cannot ensure the safety of our students and staff. This year instead of a traditional “snow day” where school is canceled, inclement weather days may lead to remote learning days for all students. This would allow students to continue learning and eliminate the need to make up missed days at the end of the year.

• The day will consist of live virtual instruction and asynchronous/independent work

• The focus of live instruction will be in literacy and math

• Staff will host office hours to answer questions

• Art, stem, music and PE lessons will be asynchronous/independent work

• Pull-out services, reading specialist services and differentiated instruction services may be held during the asynchronous work portion of the day

• Asynchronous independent work will be completed using either SeeSaw or Google Classroom depending on the grade level

• Information and links will be shared with families from the classroom teacher
   

Primary (K-2) Technology Ambassadors

We are pleased to share a new leadership opportunity for our K-2 students, the Tech Connect Junior Ambassadors. Students who complete the application process and are chosen as Tech Connect Junior Ambassadors will serve as technology leaders within our school and district. 

Goals and Mission of the Tech Connect Junior Ambassadors: 

• To expand their knowledge of and provide feedback on current technology

• To advocate for their peers in the area of technology

• To serve and represent their home school with regard to technology

The Tech Connect Junior Ambassadors will meet approximately twice monthly with potential additional opportunities during the school day.  Meeting activities may include discussions, training, working with teachers, and working as peer coaches.

If your student is interested in applying to be a Tech Connect Junior Ambassador, please fill out the interest form linked HERE. Upon receipt of the form, your child will be added to a Seesaw class through which the application can be accessed. The interest form will close on Friday, January 21st. The application is due Friday, January 28, 2022.

If selected, a fifteen dollar fee will be charged to each student to cover the cost of a t-shirt and bag.  Please reach out to the teachers below if you have any additional questions.

Susan Petersen spetersen@d181.org 

Barbara Folan bfolan@d181.org  

K-2 and 3-5 Math Homework Help

Could your K-5 child benefit from math homework help? Virtual after-school sessions will be offered by D181 teachers to provide homework assistance to students. Please note the different informational sections for different grades below.

K-2 Parents

Please click on the link below and use your personal email address to sign up for an appointment slot. All sessions are 15 minutes long. Please do not sign up for more than one time on a single day. Appointment slots will be released two weeks in advance.

Directions for how to sign up for an appointment slot:

• Click this appointment calendar link.

• Find an appointment time that works for your child and click on it.

• You do not need to enter a location but feel free to put something in the description box regarding what current math unit your child needs support in.

• Click “Save.”

• You will receive an email with a meeting link for your child to join the appointment.

NOTES FOR K-2 PARENTS: The teacher you will be meeting with may not be your child’s math teacher. If you no longer need the appointment, please send the teacher an email. This will allow another student to sign up for help!

3-5 Parents

Please have students make their own appointments using their D181 student email addresses. Once confirmed, meeting links will show up on students’ Google Calendars. All sessions are 15 minutes long. Please do not sign up for more than one time on a single day. Appointment slots will be released two weeks in advance.

To sign up for an appointment slot, students should click the calendar link below for your grade level:

• 3rd-4th grade: appointment calendar link

• 5th grade: appointment calendar link

• Find an appointment time that works and click on it.

• He/she does not need to enter a location but may add something in the description box regarding what current math unit they need support in.

• Click “Save.”

The teacher will add a virtual meeting link to the Google Calendar event. When it is time for your child’s appointment, he/she will join the meeting using the link on his/her Google Calendar.

NOTES FOR 3-5 STUDENTS: The teacher you will be meeting with may not be your math teacher. Make sure you are signed in with your D181 student email account. If you no longer need the appointment, please delete the event from your own calendar and send the teacher an email. (There is an option for that to happen automatically when you delete it.) This will allow another student to sign up for help!

This program is provided and funded in a joint effort between the D181 Foundation and CCSD 181.

Sara Olson
Elm School Principal 
 

This Week at Elm

• Wine bottles (Please drop off with a note including your name at Sumi Pitroda's house at 5804 S. Garfield, Hinsdale (box will be placed on porch), or arrange for collection with Sumi directly at 312-613-3938)
• Experiences (vacation rentals, tours of businesses, rounds of golf, sporting event tickets, etc)
• Items to place in baskets (spa items, jewelry, Apple products, electronics, etc)
• Gift cards
• Cash donations
• Other unique items and experiences that could benefit the fundraiser - please share your ideas!