Important Dates

Monday 11/2 - NO SCHOOL (Institute Day)

Tuesday 11/3 - NO SCHOOL (General Election Day)

Thursday 11/5 - Special Lunch (Jimmy John's)

Friday 11/6, 9-10am - PTO Meeting 

Monday 11/9 - Absentee & Retake Picture Day

Wednesday 11/11 1pm - Veterans Day Assembly (parents welcome to attend)

Thursday 11/12 - Special Lunch (Home Run Inn)

Saturday 11/14, 11:30-1:15pm - Family Volunteer Event: Feed My Starving Children

Principal's Corner

CoGAT Information: Second and Fifth Grades Only 

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to all second and fifth grade students between November 9 - 13, 2026.  Fifth Grade students will take their CoGAT on November 9, 11, and 12, 2026. Second Grade students will take their CoGAT on November 11 and 13, 2026. 

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

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.

Community Speaker Series - David Murray

D181 Foundation - The Art of Gratitude Family Night Out

Family Volunteer Event: Feed My Starving Children

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN - Saturday, November 14th, 11:30-1:15pm @ FMSC, Aurora. Sign up by Wednesday, November 4th!

Special Lunch Ordering & Volunteering

Absentee & Retake Picture Day - Monday 11/9

Charleston Wrap Fundraiser

Shop for the Holidays & Give Back to Elm! Get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting Elm School! Our Charleston Wrap Fundraiser runs November 1–21, featuring over 2,500 gift ideas, including wrapping paper, home goods, chocolates, and more! Shop at registercw.com using Organization ID: 17172. Share with family and friends—every purchase makes a difference!

Thank you to our Premier Sponsors!

Principal's Corner

One-Day School-Wide Collection

On October 27th, in conjunction with our author visit from Aaron Reynolds, author of Creepy Pair of Underwear!, Elm will be hosting a one-day underwear drive to benefit BEDS Plus. Underwear is currently BEDS Plus’ most requested item, so we thought this would be a fun and meaningful way to connect our author visit with an opportunity to help our community, which is our October SuperHero Theme, "Be a Hero to our Local Community." We encourage our families and students to participate by sending in new, packaged underwear on October 27th. All sizes are welcome! 

The grade level that brings in the most pairs of new underwear will get glow in the dark creepy underwear clickers!

Fall Party and Costume Parade Information

We’re excited to celebrate Halloween with a festive Fall Party and a Costume Parade on Friday, October 30th! The all-school outdoor parade will begin at approximately 9:00 AM, right after arrival and attendance. Families are warmly invited to join us outside to share in the fun!

Students should come to school dressed in their costumes and have any makeup applied at home. As a reminder, we kindly ask that costumes do not include excessive gore or blood, and no weapons or weapon-like accessories are permitted at school. Physical education and recess will continue as scheduled. If needed, students may bring a change of clothes to ensure they can comfortably participate in all parts of the school day.

Classroom parties will be held during the day, and we’re grateful to our generous PTO for providing SkinnyPop Brand Popcorn as a treat for all students (ingredient information is listed below). We look forward to a fun and festive day together!

Community Speaker Series - David Murray

D181 Foundation - The Art of Gratitude Family Night Out

CoGAT Information: Second and Fifth Grades Only 

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered to all second and fifth grade students between November 9 - 13, 2026.  Fifth Grade students will take their CoGAT on November 9, 11, and 12, 2026. Second Grade students will take their CoGAT on November 11 and 13, 2026. 

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

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.

Elm Spirit Week - 10/26-10/30