This page provides a detailed description of what each PTO committee does. If you're interested in volunteering or finding out more, click the link to email the chair.

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides moderate support to Elm families who have experienced injury/illness or are experiencing other special circumstances. 
• PTO representatives:
  • Work with school staff to provide appropriate support for families in need (i.e., buy gift cards or meals, provide to families)
  • Organize others to provide meals or other support
  • Organize boot and snow pants drive in early winter to ensure all students at Elm School are able to participate in outdoor recess on cold days

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides family contact information to the Elm School community in both a handbook and online format
• PTO representatives:
  • Obtain family contact information from District 181 provided with permission from the families during registration
  • Create contact information files in the format required by the printer and online directory provider
  • Work with the printer and online directory provider to deliver Elm School directories in early fall

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides an opportunity for Elm families to get together to have fun and get to know each other better in a family-friendly environment
• PTO representatives:
  • Plan and run the annual Ice Cream Social at the beginning of the school year
  • Plan and run a game night in late winter

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Being a Room Parent provides parents with opportunities to connect with other Elm School parents and engage with their children in the classroom
• The Chair of the Room Parents Committee provides guidance to Room Parents to help them:
  • Plan and run classroom parties according to the needs and wishes of the teachers
  • Acclimate new parents to Elm School
  • Collect donations for mid-year and end-of-year teacher gifts
  • Provide other support to teachers (as requested)
  • Volunteer and offer support to other PTO committees and initiatives

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides feedback and gratitude to teachers, administrators, and staff
• PTO representatives:
  • Organize and collect donations for gifts
  • Partner with Room Parents to plan and coordinate activities to support teachers, administrators, and staff throughout the year

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Increases student awareness of and knowledge about different artists and their art  
• PTO representatives present prepared 30-minute presentations to students at all grade levels

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides students with an opportunity to learn about staying safe and healthy
• PTO representatives:
  • Arrange bike safety training in the early part of the school year (provided by an insurance company). For more information, click here.
  • Arrange other safety talks as needed (Hinsdale Humane Society for pet safety, etc.)
  • Work with nurses and PE teacher(s) to identify and address additional needs for student assistance/education in health and safety

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides students at Elm School with the opportunity to explore a scientific issue or problem during the organized Science Expo event
• PTO representatives:
  • Support the student scientists as they develop their projects
  • Support the judges and others during the event

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides hot lunch twice a month for the students at Elm School
• PTO representatives:
  • Work with the vendors to arrange contracts and payments
  • Create student sign-up document to include in Fall packet (includes ingredient lists)
  • Keep track of responses and follow up with families who do not respond in the Fall, as we make every effort to have responses from all families
  • Provide alternate treat for participating students who have allergies
  • Coordinate parent communications and reminders with the school secretary

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides Elm School-branded merchandise for purchase
• PTO representatives:
  • Manage supplier and select Spirit Wear options
  • Coordinate orders and collect payments for Elm School-branded merchandise
  • Purchase and distribute items

• More information about SELAS in District 181

• Provides an organized way for students, parents, and teachers to give back to and engage in the community, both at a grade level and at an all-school level
• PTO representatives:
  • Work with teachers at each grade level to plan and execute one community service activity for each grade level
  • Work with the principal to plan and execute the all-school Communicty Service activities that happen throughout the year (such as the Rotary Run, Feed My Starving Children, etc.) 

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides students and staff the opportunity to buy a yearbook documenting life at Elm School throughout the school year 
• PTO representatives:
  • Organize cover art content
  • Take photos at school events
  • Work with printer to set content
  • Take orders, manage payments, and distribute books

Click here to contact the committee chair.

• Provides plant beautification for the school and surrounding neighborhood
• PTO representatives:
  • Coordinate contract with vendor to maintain grounds using allocated funds from District 181
  • Recruit volunteers to:
    • Weed the beds 1 – 2 times a year
    • Plant perennials as they are received
    • Plant and maintain the pots by the front entrance