After School Enrichment Programs

Visit the PTO website for more information about our after school enrichment programs!

Student Clubs: Choir & Running Club

CHOIR: It is time to sign up for 4th/5th grade combined choir! This program is for students who love to sing as well as students who want to develop their voices. All are welcome! Rehearsals will take place weekly on MONDAYs from 8:00-8:30am in the music room. Please note this was misprinted as Wednesday on the physical form. Choir Begins 9/14. Sign up HERE. Please contact Mrs. Welk with any questions: hminer@d181.org

RUNNING CLUB: Students in grades K through 5th are invited to participate in Running Club! This morning club will meet 8:00-8:30am on September 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 and October 5 and 7. Students will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of distance running and the benefits of exercise. They will also earn “Toe Tokens” for participating while keeping track of the amount of miles they run/walk throughout the club. Sign up HERE. 

Rotary Run - Sunday 10/4 - Flash Sale!

Save the date for the Rotary Run on Sunday, October 4th! The Rotary Run is an annual community event that raises charitable funds for several local and international organizations. 

Principal's Corner

NWEA MAP Assessment - Fall

Use of MAP Results

District 181 uses the data from this assessment in a variety of ways. In the classroom, it provides teachers with a means for monitoring student growth in reading and mathematics over time.  At the District and building levels, MAP data help us set goals and evaluate initiatives.  Finally, in conjunction with other criteria, MAP scores have historically been used in placement decisions. MAP continues to be one of several indicators used to monitor student academic achievement and growth. 

Preparing for MAP

A student who is well rested, well fed, and has a positive attitude about assessment 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 test days.

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

• Be sure your child fully charges their device and brings it to school each day. 

• Remind your child that this assessment is 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. 

Communication of MAP Results

Your child’s scores will be available in Skyward after administration is complete and all reports are available. 

Elm NWEA MAP Assessment Schedule

Grade 1: September 2 and September 3

Grade 2: August 31 and September 1

Grade 3: September 4 and September 8

Grade 4: September 2 and September 3

Grade 5: August 31 and September 1

Parent Square

Starting this summer, ParentSquare will serve as your primary source for all district and building-level correspondence, ensuring you receive essential information in an accessible and timely manner. This includes:

• Board of Education meeting previews and summaries every month

• Monthly District and Superintendent Newsletters

• Weekly school-specific newsletters, school announcements

• Critical emergency notifications and safety alerts

Because ParentSquare syncs directly with Skyward, you are already integrated into the system. To optimize your experience, please take these steps:

1. Activate Your Account: Follow the link in your invitation email to verify your contact information.

2. Download the Free App: Get the mobile app for iOS or Android to receive push notifications on the go.

3. Customize Your Preferences: Choose to receive posts instantly or as a daily "Digest" at 6:00 PM. Please note that emergency notifications will always be sent instantly, regardless of your settings. 

We look forward to the enhanced engagement and efficiency this platform will bring to our community.

Directions for Purchasing Milk

• Log in to Skyward Family Access: http://skywardfamily.d181.org

• Click on the Fees & Fee Payments under an individual student

• Scroll down to Available Optional Fees

• Next to the specific Milk you would like to order, click Add to Fees

• Click Make a Payment within the Fees tab to pay for the Milk in RevTrak

Safety Week Drills

As we begin the week of August 31, we will be conducting our annual Safety Week to ensure that all staff and students are prepared to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency. 

Please review the schedule below:

• Monday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. — Fire Drill #1

• Tuesday, September 1 at 1:30 p.m. — Severe Weather Drill

• Wednesday, September 2 at 9:30 a.m. — Lockdown Drill

• Thursday, September 3 at 1:30 p.m. — Fire Drill #2

September at Elm School

A busy month is ahead! Save the flyer for important dates and reminders.

🎟️ Bowser Bash
Buy tickets by 9/11 for early bird pricing and sign up to volunteer!

❤️ 2026-2027 PTO Registration
Help support Elm students, teachers and school programs. Join the PTO!

📸 Follow us on Instagram!
Stay up to date at @elmschoolpto with all you need to know!

Special Lunch Ordering & Volunteering

What a sweet start to the school year!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out for the Elm Back to School Ice Cream Social! It was a blast seeing our Bulldogs and their families filling the gym with friends, laughter, creativity, games, and of course, plenty of gelato! And an extra big thank you to all of the volunteers and everyone who helped make the afternoon such a sweet success! Here's to a wonderful year ahead, Bulldogs!

Principal's Corner

NWEA MAP Assessment - Fall

Use of MAP Results

District 181 uses the data from this assessment in a variety of ways. In the classroom, it provides teachers with a means for monitoring student growth in reading and mathematics over time.  At the District and building levels, MAP data help us set goals and evaluate initiatives.  Finally, in conjunction with other criteria, MAP scores have historically been used in placement decisions. MAP continues to be one of several indicators used to monitor student academic achievement and growth. 

Preparing for MAP

A student who is well rested, well fed, and has a positive attitude about assessment 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 test days.

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

• Be sure your child fully charges their device and brings it to school each day. 

• Remind your child that this assessment is 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. 

Communication of MAP Results

Your child’s scores will be available in Skyward after administration is complete and all reports are available. 

Elm NWEA MAP Assessment Schedule

Grade 1: September 2 and September 3

Grade 2: August 31 and September 1

Grade 3: September 4 and September 8

Grade 4: September 2 and September 3

Grade 5: August 31 and September 1

Parent Square

Starting this summer, ParentSquare will serve as your primary source for all district and building-level correspondence, ensuring you receive essential information in an accessible and timely manner. This includes:

• Board of Education meeting previews and summaries every month

• Monthly District and Superintendent Newsletters

• Weekly school-specific newsletters, school announcements

• Critical emergency notifications and safety alerts

Because ParentSquare syncs directly with Skyward, you are already integrated into the system. To optimize your experience, please take these steps:

1. Activate Your Account: Follow the link in your invitation email to verify your contact information.

2. Download the Free App: Get the mobile app for iOS or Android to receive push notifications on the go.

3. Customize Your Preferences: Choose to receive posts instantly or as a daily "Digest" at 6:00 PM. Please note that emergency notifications will always be sent instantly, regardless of your settings.

We look forward to the enhanced engagement and efficiency this platform will bring to our community.

Directions for Purchasing Milk

• Log in to Skyward Family Access: http://skywardfamily.d181.org

• Click on the Fees & Fee Payments under an individual student

• Scroll down to Available Optional Fees

• Next to the specific Milk you would like to order, click Add to Fees

• Click Make a Payment within the Fees tab to pay for the Milk in RevTrak

Library News