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Headlines for the Week of October 31, 2022:

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PTO: Stuff to Do!

  • LEARNING EXPRESS FUNDRAISER:  Get your holiday shopping kicked off with a give back shop day from Learning Express!  On Saturday 11/12, Learning Express in Countryside, Clarendon Hills and online will give back 20% ’of sales to the Elm School PTO!  For online sales make sure you put the Elm School Fundraiser in the notes and for in-store, make sure to show the flyer below.  This is not valid if you use your coupons so save those for another day!  You can even take your child in early and start them a wish basket where they can preselect things they may want and then you can send your friends and family in to purchase on 11/12 (make sure they also mention the fundraiser). 
  • Learning Express also offers free gift wrap!
                      
  • Save the date!  Mod Pizza eat out day is Wednesday, November 16 all day!  This fundraiser is super exciting because the three most successful fundraisers with Mod can win an additional $1,000, in addition to the 20% give back!  So please come out to eat, share with friends, neighbors and family, and mention the fundraiser or order on line with code MODF8978.  See flyer below.

  • Elm School PTO wants to help you out this holiday season and wrap your gifts in December at the Elm Book Fair!  We are currently looking for new rolls of winter/holiday wrapping paper, bows and scotch tape donations, so that we can gather supplies needed to wrap!  A box will be placed inside the double doors at school starting 11/1 for 2 weeks to collect these items.  Please reach out to waysandmeans@elmschoolpto.org with any questions or if you would like to volunteer in December to wrap!




The Principal's Page


Halloween Information

The children will celebrate Halloween with a costume parade on Monday, October 31st. The outdoor all-school parade will begin at approximately 9:00 am directly after arrival and attendance. Parents are invited to join us this morning for the parade of costumes outside.  

Students should wear their costumes to school and please apply makeup at home. I would like to remind families that costumes with excessive gore or blood are not to be worn at school. Weapons are absolutely not allowed. Physical education and recess will take place as usual. please bring a change of clothes if necessary so students may participate fully in the day.

Classroom parties will take place during the school day, and our generous PTO is providing an approved food from our Food Allergy Management Policy for our students to enjoy.  The ingredient label may be found below. 

*Afternoon kindergarten students and families are invited to participate in the costume parade. Please arrive between 8:30-8:40 on the morning of the 29th to do so. Parents will need to take their child home directly after the parade, and then return for their afternoon class. The afternoon students will have their classroom party as well. 


SOCKTOBER: Did you know that socks are the most requested item at homeless shelters and they are not very often donated? Elm School will be collecting new socks for donation to Dupage PADS on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. The collection box will be located near the front office. If each student brought one pair of socks to school for donation, we would have over 300 pairs to give to those in need. This is our fundraising goal! Please help us help those that need it most!
                        



Veteran’s Day Assembly

We would like to invite you to our Veterans Day Assembly on Friday, November 11 at 9:00 AM led by our very own 4th and 5th grade chorus. Please help us honor the brave men and women who sacrificed so much.

Also, we would like to include a slideshow of pictures of veterans from our families and community. If you have a picture you would like to add, please email a picture to Jaime Sciaccotta at jsciaccotta@d181.org by Friday, November 4th. You may also send in a photo with your child to give to Mrs. Sciaccotta and she will scan and send the picture home with your child within 1 week. Please don’t forget to write the family name on the back of the photo.


 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are a very important opportunity for communication between home and school.  We look forward to having the time to share information about the progress of your child(ren).  

The District has set aside two days for conferences during Thanksgiving week.  We appreciate your making yourself available during these times to meet with your child’s teacher. Parents are encouraged to join us in person at the school, but we are also offering virtual options for those that prefer this method of communication. You will select your preferred option at the time of sign up. The conference dates are Monday, November 21st  (2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) and Tuesday, November 22nd (8:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.)   

There will be an email from the District Office coming early this week with directions on how to sign-up for your Parent Teacher Conference. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your child’s homeroom teacher. 

The specials teachers are also available for conferences by request. If you would like to request a conference, please use the emails below to contact the specific individual.

Jessica Houston, Art: jhouston@d181.org

Dan Kolar, PE: dkolar@d181.org

Bridget Babel, PE: mjensen@d181.org

Jamie Sciaccotta, Music: jsciaccotta@d181.org

Kristin Robinson, Music: krobinson@d181.org

Erin Kozakis, Music: Ekozakis@d181.org

Susan Petersen, Library and I-Lab: spetersen@d181.org

Sara Havel, Differentiation Specialist: shavel@d181.org

Mary Jo Guzaldo, Reading Specialist: mguzaldo@d181.org


 

CogAT Information: 5th and 2nd Grade Families

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to all second and fifth grade students between November 14 - 18, 2022.  The Elm School schedule is as follows:

Second Grade

Monday, November 14- Verbal

Tuesday, November 15- Quantitative

Wednesday, November 16- Nonverbal

 

Fifth Grade

Monday, November 14- Verbal

Tuesday, November 15- Quantitative

Wednesday, November 16- Nonverbal

 

This assessment indicates the level and pattern of a student’s cognitive development in comparison to other students enrolled in the same grade-level and/or who are of the same age. 

The CogAT is comprised of three sections, each taking approximately 30 minutes with breaks in between:

  • 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 results of the CogAT will be utilized in D181 for varied purposes. First and foremost, the scores are used to drive classroom and instructional practices to guide our efforts in adapting teaching methods to meet the varied needs of our students. Second, the scores will also be used as one component in an assessment portfolio to determine areas of strength and identification for program placement. This is just one piece of the data that school staff will review as a component of multiple criteria used in planning for your child’s course trajectory.

How your child can prepare for assessment—and what you can do to help

A student who is well-rested and well-fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your child do his or her best by considering these tips:

  • Make sure that your child is in school and on time on her or his assigned test day.

  • Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.

  • Remind your child that these tests are only one measure. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.

  • Remind your child to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing.

Your child’s score report will be sent home after administration is complete and all reports are printed.  We appreciate your ongoing support. 


Thank You From Mrs Olson!

Thank you to our generous PTO and all Elm School families for the special surprises, treats and kind notes that came my way this week. I am truly grateful to be Elm School’s Principal.


 

Please Note: This is not meant to be a comprehensive list - just the key highlights from the school and district for events over the next 7 days.    
  • 10/31 - 11/4 - Spirit Week (See Flyer For Details)
  • 11/1 - Socktober Day
  • 11/4 - Elm PTO Meeting at 9:00 am: Sign up to attend HERE

 

 Save the Dates!
  • 11/7 - Institute Day, NO Student Attendance
  • 11/8 - Election Day, NO Student Attendance
  • 11/11 - Veteran's Day Assembly
  • 11/12 - Learning Express Fundraiser
  • 11/14 - Student Photo Retake Day
  • 11/16 - MOD Pizza Fundraiser
  • 11/21-11/22: Parent/Teacher Conferences, NO Student Attendance
  • 11/23 - 11/25 - Thanksgiving Break, NO Student Attendance    
 


Elm School and District News


LIBRARY NEWS:

Book Character Pumpkins

All book character pumpkins need to be picked up on Monday, October 31.  We had 100 amazing entries this year!  Students voted on Thursday and Friday during their library classes. Grade level winners will be announced on Monday. Here is a slideshow of our creative pumpkin book characters along with the books that inspired the creations. 

November Bookmarks
Calling all Kindergarten and 1st grade students!  November is your month to create bookmarks for the library.  Please turn in your completed bookmark by Friday, November 4. 

 


Volunteer Opportunities

Nothing at this time.
             

Sign-Ups for School Activities

Nothing at this time.
 

FLYERS and MORE DETAILS
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