2026-2027 PTO Executive Board Nominees

Pursuant to the Elm School PTO Bylaws, we are required to post the slate of candidates for next year's Executive Board 30 days before the election. Thank you to all of these volunteers for their willingness to serve in these roles.

2026-2027 Elm School PTO Executive Board Nominees:

President - Haley Zaffar
Vice President - Julie Reddy
Secretary - Meredith Nabavi
Communications Chair - Judy Chan
Treasury Co-Chairs - Chris Juarez & Rick Schneider
Ways & Means Co-Chairs - Sangeeta Schroeder & Megan Mirro
Room Parent Co-Chairs - Brittany Stevens & Molly McAlinden

Principal's Corner

Countdown to Summer

 

Parent Input for the 2026-2027 School Year

The planning process for the 2026–2027 school year has begun. Determining the best class groupings is a complex process that we take very seriously at Elm School. We collaborate closely with your child’s current teachers and specialists (reading, differentiation, resource, and art, music, and PE staff) to thoughtfully develop class lists that support student learning.

Many factors guide this work. We strive to create balanced classes with a range of abilities, interests, learning styles, and personalities, while also considering class size, instructional support, and gender balance. Our teachers know students well and work together to design groupings that provide optimal learning opportunities for all. Each member of our staff brings unique strengths and perspectives, and our teams work collaboratively to ensure a consistent and supportive experience at every grade level.

As our partners, we welcome your perspective on your child’s needs. Providing this information is optional, and we ask that you use the designated form to share input. Please note that because there are only two sections at each grade level, it is not possible to separate students from specific peers or ensure placement with particular peers. Additionally, we are not able to honor specific teacher requests. Information you share may be reviewed with staff and your child’s future teacher to support a smooth transition.

If your child will not be attending Elm School next year, please note that on the form as well. If you would like to provide input, please complete the form by April 24, 2026.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

 

Earth Week - April 20-24

Mrs. Soofi will visit the lunchroom throughout the week. Students who bring a waste-free lunch and/or are observed recycling will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a fun waste-free lunch kit!

 

The Community Speaker Series - April 28th

 

Spring NWEA MAP | Grades 1-7

The spring NWEA MAP assessment window opens on Wednesday, April 29 and will extend through Wednesday, May 13. 

 

The Elm School schedule will be as follows:

4/29/26: 1st Grade ELA, 2nd Grade ELA

4/30/26: 1st Grade Math, 2nd Grade Math

5/1/26: 4th Grade ELA

5/4/26: 3rd Grade ELA, 5th Grade ELA

5/5/26: 5th Grade Math

5/7/26: 3rd Grade Math

5/8/26: 4th Grade Math

 

Your child’s scores will be available in Skyward after administration is complete and all reports are available. We will reach out when scores are available for parents to view.

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 in D181.

 

Satchel Pulse - Spring Administration

Elementary students and teachers will once again participate in the Satchel Pulse Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener, a tool to help us monitor and improve the social-emotional skills of all our students. D181 first utilized this SEL screener in our elementary schools during the 2023-2024 school year after a successful pilot during the 2022-2023 school year. Teachers of students in grades KG-5th will complete the screener about their students, while students in grades 3rd-5th will complete the screener about themselves. SEL skills include developing healthy habits, managing emotions, setting and achieving goals, developing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining supportive relationships, collaborating with others, and making responsible and caring decisions. 

Satchel Pulse is a student-friendly screener with 25 simple questions, which will be administered during school during the week of May 11-15. Students and teachers will complete the screener which includes self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship, and responsible decision-making questions.  Information gained from this screener will provide our school teams with additional insight to best support our students’ social, emotional, and academic growth.

Library News

One School, One Book 2026

One School, One Book is a wonderful opportunity for our Elm School community to come together and share the same story, The Guardian Test, by Christina Soontornvat. Thank you to PTO for purchasing a book for every Elm family! Each family should have received a copy of the book, reading schedule and QR code for teacher read-aloud videos.

 

We are so excited to spend these next few weeks celebrating reading with your families. Let the reading adventure begin!

• Click here for informational slides to learn more about our One School One Book program at Elm for 2026.
• Click here for a suggested reading guide for each chapter.
• Click here to listen to Elm Staff read the book!
• Email a picture of your child or family reading the book to Mrs. Petersen.
• Information about the optional create a guardian project. (This is worth 5 entries for the raffle and can be completed as a family). Due May 1st.
• 4th and 5th graders can enter for a chance to write with Christina Soontornvat! Approximately 50 students will be selected. Due May 1st.

Multicultural Event - Sunday 4/19, 2-4pm - TODAY!

The Multicultural Event is TODAY, Sunday, April 19th, 2-4pm in the Elm School Gym. Join us for table displays, performances, and food samples! The event is open to all - bring your family, friends, and neighbors! Please RSVP HERE. 

Treat Our Teachers - Wednesday 4/22 Drop-off

Calling all 2nd and 3rd Grade families! Help us Treat Our Teachers by donating snacks and goodies to stock the teachers’ lounge. Together, we can make our teachers feel extra loved and supported. Sign up HERE.

Order by Wednesday 4/22 12pm for Special Lunch on Thursday 4/30

The next Special Lunch (Jersey Mike's) is on Thursday, April 30th. Orders must be placed by 12pm on Wednesday, April 22nd. See ordering instructions HERE. 

VOLUNTEER AT LUNCH TIME! Join your child during their lunch hour on Special Lunch days! You will be monitoring your child's class while they are enjoying their lunch. This special time is only for PTO members so if you are not a paid member, you will be taken off the schedule. Sign up HERE. Only sign up for ONE date as any additional dates will be deleted. 
*As always, be sure to bring your photo ID for entry into the school.

Fine Arts Night - Thursday 4/23, 6-7:30pm

End of Year Pool Party - Save the Date - Thursday 5/28

The school year is almost behind us - and that means it's time for our end-of-year pool party! Interested in helping plan and run the fun? Sign up HERE to volunteer!

Principal's Corner

IAR Schedule

 

Stuff the Squad - April 15th

 

Countdown to Summer

 

Earth Week - April 20-24

 

The Community Speaker Series - April 28th

 

Spring NWEA MAP | Grades 1-7

The spring NWEA MAP assessment window opens on Wednesday, April 29 and will extend through Wednesday, May 13. 

 

The Elm School schedule will be as follows:

4/29/26: 1st Grade ELA, 2nd Grade ELA

4/30/26: 1st Grade Math, 2nd Grade Math

5/1/26: 4th Grade ELA

5/4/26: 3rd Grade ELA, 5th Grade ELA

5/5/26: 5th Grade Math

5/7/26: 3rd Grade Math

5/8/26: 4th Grade Math

 

Your child’s scores will be available in Skyward after administration is complete and all reports are available. We will reach out when scores are available for parents to view.

 

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 in D181.

 

FAMP Notification - Multicultural Event Ingredients

The District adheres to State guidance with respect to maintaining an environment free from food allergies. As the PTO Multicultural Event is not a part of the school curriculum, the food brought to the event has not been subject to the District’s food allergy restrictions. Everyone attending is responsible for enjoying the food while observing their own dietary restrictions. Ingredient information may be found below.

 

China:

Tanghulu. Ingredients: Cane sugar, fruits (strawberry, blueberry, grape, and banana), and edible rice paper. 

 

India:

Gulab Jamun. Ingredients: Sugar, water, milk solids, wheat flour, cornflour, ghee/clarified butter, green cardamom, nutmeg, mace. This item contains dairy and wheat.

Mango Lassi. Ingredients: Cultured pasteurized grade A milk, alphonso mango pulp, citric acid, sugar, honey pectin, vanilla extract, green cardamom, saffron. This item contains dairy.

Behl Sev. Ingredients: Puffed rice, chickpea flour, canola oil, wheat flour, rice flour, salt, spices, turmeric, ascorbic acid, gram flour, edible vegetable oil, iodized salt. This item contains wheat. 

Chakali. Ingredients: Rice flour, water, margarine, soybean oil, salt, vegetable mono and diglycerides, soy lecithin, potassium sorbate and citric acid as preservatives, artificial flavor, colored with beta carotene, vitamin A, corn oil, salt, chili powder, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, asafetida powder, gum Arabic, wheat, turmeric. This item contains dairy, soy and sesame.

Mini Samosas. Ingredients: potatoes, corn oil, spices, salt, sesame seeds, green chillies, coriander leaves, fennel seeds, turmeric, cumin seeds, wheat flour, coconut oil, salt, emulsifier, wheat starch, maltodextrin, ascorbic acid, milk. This item contains tree nuts (coconut) and sesame and wheat. 

 

Ireland:

Irish Soda Bread. Ingredients: Baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk, flour*, granulated sugar, raisin, salt, shortening & eggs. *This type of flour is unknown and may contain unspecified ingredients. This item contains eggs, dairy and may contain wheat.

KerryGold Butter. Ingredients: Pasteurized cream & salt. This item contains dairy.

 

Italy:

Tomato Focaccia. Ingredients: Unbleached, unbromated bread flour (enriched wheat flour, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid), non-hydrogenated soybean oil, yeast, salt, roma tomato, oregano. This item contains wheat and soy.

 

Native America: 

Indian/Native American Bread. Ingredients: All purpose flour, molasses, yeast, water, butter, corn meal, salt. This item contains wheat and dairy.

 

Pakistan:

Chai. Ingredients: Water, black tea leaf, cardamom, sugar, evaporated milk. This item contains dairy. This item may contain caffeine.

Chana Chat. Ingredients: Chickpeas, salt, potato, tomato, green chilies, coriander, onion, tamarind sauce, lemon juice, papdi, sugar, fried cumin seeds, red chili powder, red crushed chili, chaat masala*

*The specific spices used in chaat masala is unknown and may contain unspecified allergens.

Gulab Jamun. Ingredients: Wheat flour, cow milk solids, sugar syrup, vegetable oil, sodium bi carbonate, rose water, cardamom, saffron. This item contains wheat and dairy. 

Pakola. Ingredients: Carbonated water, citric acid, sugar, cream soda artificial flavor, FD&C Bleu No 1 (E133), FD&C, Yellow No. 5 (E 102), sodium benzoate.

Samosas. Ingredients: Ground beef, potatoes, minced garlic, cumin powder, minced ginger, coriander powder, cilantro, salt, flour*, water, cumin seeds, clear frying oil*

*This ingredient is unknown and may contain unspecified allergens. May contain wheat.

Mango juice. Ingredients: Sugar, mango pulp, citric acid, sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, carboxy methyl cellulose, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, mango flavor, beta carotene food color. 

 

Poland:

Kolaczki (Polish filled cookies). Ingredients: Cream cheese, butter, flour*, salt, lemon juice, fruit preserve jam, dried apricots, dried raspberries, dried strawberries, dried blueberries (or other dried fruit filling), powdered sugar. *This type of flour is unknown and may contain unspecified allergens. This item contains dairy and may contain wheat.

 

Serbia:

Kiflice (Soft Rolls). Ingredients: Dough (flour*, warm milk*, dry yeast, sugar salt, oil* or butter, egg), Sweet filling (apricot or plum jam, nutella or chocolate spread, ground walnuts, sugar, milk), Savory filling (feta or farmer's cheese, ham and cheese, spinach and cheese). *This ingredient is unknown and may contain unspecified allergens. This item contains dairy, tree nuts, wheat and eggs.

Cevapi (Grilled Meat). Ingredients: Ground beef, pork or lamb, garlic, salt, pepper, baking soda, cold water.

 

Sri Lanka:

Milk Rice with Local Cracker. Ingredients: Coconut milk, salt , white rice, onions, eggs, rice flour, coconut oil, water, tea. This item contains tree nuts (coconut) and eggs. This item may contain caffeine. 

 

Sweden:

Swedish Cinnamon Buns. Ingredients: Yeast, butter, dairy milk, sugar, salt, egg, cinnamon, cardamom, all purpose flour. This item contains dairy, eggs, and wheat.

 

Syria:

Kibbeh. Ingredients: ‏Bulgur (wheat/gluten), pepper paste, salt, black pepper, minced meat, walnuts, onion. This item contains wheat and nuts.

Cheese fatayer. Ingredients: All purpose flour, yeast, dairy milk, olive oil, parsley, mix of white cheeses, black seed (nigella). This item contains wheat, dairy and may contain sesame.

Date Maamoul. Ingredients: All purpose flour, dates, butter, sugar, semolina. This item contains wheat and dairy.

 

Venezuela: 

Tequenos. Ingredients: All-purpose flour, butter, egg, sugar, salt, water and specialized white cheese. This item contains flour, eggs and dairy.