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!

Elm_Flyer_September_UPDATED_HIGH_RES

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!

ice cream social collage

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

Summer Book Bags
If your child still has a summer book bag at home with library books they checked out last May, please have them return these to school as soon as possible. We will begin sending reminder notices next week.

New Family Guide

We put together a New Family Guide to help make the start of the school year a little easier. Inside you’ll find the basics on school hours, absences, arrival and dismissal, staying connected, Special Lunch, after-school enrichment, important events, PTO resources, and more.

Screenshot 2026-08-15 at 3.59.38 PM

2026-2027 PTO Membership

Join the Elm PTO! Support our school, enjoy member perks, and help fund the programs and experiences our students enjoy all year long. Membership is just $40 per family for the 2026 - 2027 school year, and meetings and volunteering are always optional.  

Join the PTO Today!

Elm School PTO Membership Flyer

First Special Lunch of the Year - Thursday 9/3 (Order by 8/26)

The Elm School PTO is pleased to announce the return of Special Lunch, administered by Marlas Lunch. NEW THIS YEAR: Special Lunch is EVERY Thursday!
 
Special Lunch is an optional program that allows you to skip packing lunch for your child or children. You can order for the first half of the school year, or just one lunch at a time. You do not have to order every week. Note that orders will always be due the Wednesday BEFORE the week of Special Lunch (i.e., 8 days ahead).
 
Online ordering is now open. The first day for Special Lunch (Jimmy John's) will be Thursday, September 3rd. To receive Special Lunch on the 3rd, orders must be placed by Wednesday, August 26th at 12pm. For a full list of dates, restaurants, and allergen information, along with ordering instructions, please visit the PTO website.
 
Special Lunch Volunteering: Come volunteer on Special Lunch days! This opportunity is open to PTO members only. Please sign up for only one slot for the school year and make sure to arrive a few minutes early to sign in at the front office with your ID. Sign up HERE. 

 

Principal's Corner

ELM

 

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We are so excited to welcome our Elm School families back for another wonderful year together.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, August 18th and beginning a new year filled with learning, growth, connection, and plenty of joyful moments. The information below includes important updates about our day-to-day procedures to help your family feel prepared and ready for a great start. We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with you in making this a successful and memorable year for your children.

We can’t wait to see them back at Elm!

 

Partners in Education,

Mrs. Sara Olson

 

Class Placement

As of Tuesday, 8/11, you will be able to log into Skyward Family Access to view your child’s homeroom teacher.

Your Login ID is your first name and last name (all one word and lowercase), i.e., “minniemouse.” If you cannot log in, use the Forgot Login/Password? link on the login page and follow the prompts to reset your password. If you receive an error message, contact Nick Skrip at nskrip@d181.org.

Please know that placements are finalized, and we are unable to make any changes. Our grade-level teams and specialists (reading specialists, differentiation specialists, resource teachers, and art, music, and PE staff) work together to share input and create class compositions conducive to learning. We take into account your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Our goal is to create equitable classes in terms of size, instructional support, gender, etc., and to allow for groups of students who can benefit from learning together.

 

School Day
Kindergarten–5th Grade School Day: 8:40 a.m.–3:05 p.m.
 
Student arrival will begin daily at 8:25 a.m. Please do not drop your child(ren) off before this time, as we do not have adult supervision.
 
Student dismissal will begin at 3:05 p.m.
 
We recognize the need for appointments and understand that situations may arise that require you to pick your child up early from school. We ask that you please try your best to schedule appointments outside of the school day and avoid picking your child up early whenever possible, so as not to disrupt the learning process.
 
If your child must be picked up early, please ring the bell in the vestibule to let the office know who you are picking up. Students can be signed out on the sheet on the cart in the vestibule.
 
Please use Skyward Family Access to report your child's absence.
 

First Day of School Arrival Plan

On the first day of school, we will meet on the back blacktop in lines by grade level and classroom teacher. This will give parents the opportunity to briefly see the classroom teacher and say an extended goodbye to their child.

At 8:40, teachers will lead their classrooms into the building and assist students in navigating their way through the school. For parents who wish to drop their child(ren) off in the car lines, there will be school staff available to assist students in finding their homeroom teachers on the blacktop starting at 8:25.

On Day 2, students are asked to use only the proper entrance door, per our usual routine.

 

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

school map

School safety is the number one priority at Elm School.

Arrival and dismissal times are the busiest times of day. It is important that families adhere to the posted signs and speed limits around the school to ensure the safety of our students. Please inform all grandparents and caregivers of these procedures.

 

ORANGE ZONE is the Bus Line: Buses Only

GREEN ZONE is the Primary Car Line: Enter the Primary Car Line by turning right from 60th Street only and exit onto 60th Street by turning right only. Cars traveling westbound on 60th Street are not permitted to turn left into the drop-off lane.

BLUE ZONE is the Prairie Garden Line: Enter the Prairie Garden Line by turning right from Elm Street only. Exit onto Elm Street.

RED ZONE is for the Crossing Guards: Crossing guards are at the corner of Garfield and 60th Streets and at the corner of 60th and Elm Streets. When a crossing guard is assisting students, traffic should stop in all directions.

 

Important Safety Reminders

  • It is illegal to be on your cell phone in school zones.
  • DO NOT double park on 60th or Elm Streets. Even for a short period of time, this can be dangerous and is illegal. Absolutely no children should be dropped off or picked up from a double-parked car on 60th Street.
  • All pedestrians should use the crosswalks that are supervised by Elm staff. Please do not cross between cars or outside of the crosswalk, as this could model unsafe behavior for our students.
  • Pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks and should follow all yield signs.
  • It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus while it is loading or unloading children. The bus will have its stop arm extended and its red lights flashing to let you know that it is unsafe to pass.
  • Parents should not exit their cars in the car line. Please remain in the driver's seat. Children should be seated on the curb side of the car for easy exit. This may require families to switch their car seat locations.
  • Dogs are not allowed on school property. We appreciate you ensuring that your pet is not on school property during arrival and dismissal.
  • If you are walking to the front doors to pick up your child at the end of the day and arrive earlier than 3:05, please remember that our second-grade classrooms are still teaching until 3:00. Please do not wave to students or look in the windows, as this disrupts their classes.
  • Please be aware that the Elm School playground is not open until after all students have been dismissed from school. Additionally, all students who wish to play on the playground after school must have an adult present to supervise them for safety reasons.
  • Students should not use the blacktop to pass through during arrival or dismissal. Supervision will not be provided on the blacktop.
  • We use only the front door (near the cow) and the fifth-grade entrance (along Elm Street) to enter and exit school each day. Students are welcome to use either door, whichever is most convenient for your family.

 

Curriculum Night - Save the Date

Please mark your calendars for Curriculum Night, taking place on Thursday, September 10th, from 6:00–7:15 p.m.
  • Kindergarten–Second Grade: 6:00–6:30 p.m.
  • Principal Presentation: 6:30–6:45 p.m. in the gym
  • Third–Fifth Grade: 6:45–7:15 p.m.

 

Bicycle Rules

Many students walk to school each day. Students in grades 3–5 may also ride their bicycles, provided helmets are worn and they have participated in the Bike Rodeo. Bicycles must be walked while on school grounds and should be locked in the bike racks. Students must cross at the crosswalks with the crossing guard and should not cross in the middle of the street for any reason.

 

Food Allergy Management Policy
The D181 Food Allergy Management Plan was adopted by the District 181 Board of Education on May 21, 2018. You can find the full plan on the District website here: D181 Food Allergy Management Plan
 
The Plan is aligned with Board Policy 7.285 and provides a comprehensive, districtwide plan to prevent or reduce allergen exposure, educate staff, and respond to food allergy emergencies. The following is a summary of action items for District students and parents.
 
The Plan is communicated to all staff, students, and parents prior to the first day of student attendance and includes information on allergies and anaphylaxis, federal nondiscrimination and disability law, classroom food guidelines, and resources for parents and staff. The Plan will be reviewed annually by a Food Allergy Committee organized by the Superintendent.
 
Parents play a critical role in ensuring a safe school environment. Please help protect the health and safety of all students by following and encouraging students to follow all established guidelines below.
 
Classroom Snack – as directed by the classroom teacher
  • Fruits or vegetables only (including dried fruits such as raisins and applesauce).
  • No additions, toppings, or mix-ins (such as dips or spreads).
Lunch
  • For any classroom lunch or field trip lunch, the building principal will send an email stating that lunches should contain no peanuts or tree nuts. Please ensure that student lunches do not contain any peanuts or tree nuts on those days.
Elementary Classroom Parties
Classroom parties shall be food-free or, at teacher discretion, may include Outshine Fruit Bars (lemon, grape, and/or tangerine), Annie’s fruit snacks, and/or Original SkinnyPop brand popcorn.
 
Students shall not bring food to give as gifts or share with other students (such as with Valentine’s cards, on Halloween, or as holiday gifts).
 
 

Bowser Notes

Bowser Notes is a weekly communication emailed to families registered with the Elm School PTO on Sundays. It provides families with the most up-to-date information regarding everything happening at Elm School.

 

Attention 3rd Grade Families: iPad Swap

At the beginning of the year, all 3rd grade students will be transitioning to a new iPad that they will use for the remainder of Elementary School!

  • What to Bring: Please ensure your student brings their district-issued iPad, charger, and charging cable to swap them for their new iPad

Thank you for your support in making this a smooth technology transition for our 3rd graders!

 

CCSD 181 is now taking payments online using RevTrak!

Starting July 1, 2026, RevTrak has replaced SchoolPay as our fee collection and food service payment vendor. We are making this switch to provide a more reliable user experience. With the RevTrak system, you can pay when it’s most convenient for you with a computer or mobile device at https://ccsd181.revtrak.net/

You can pay any assigned student fee or payment with eCheck, debit, or credit cards.

Click here for RevTrak directions.

Back to School Parent Coffee - Tuesday 8/18, 8:45-10am

Back to school means Back to the Grind! Elm families are invited to join the PTO for our Back to School Parent Coffee on Tuesday, August 18th from 8:45-10:00 AM. 

Stop by after drop-off for coffee, a few breakfast bites, and a chance to catch up with familiar faces and meet other Elm parents. We’ll be gathering at the Elm School Pavilion, located on the south side of the building. We hope to see you there!

8-9-26 BN - Back to School Coffee

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