Cougar Courier
ELM MIDDLE SCHOOL’S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
April 6, 2023
Principal's Message
We hope everyone had a wonderful week! It was a great first week back at Elm after break. Students and staff returned with amazing energy for us to finish out the school year. As a reminder, tomorrow is a non-attendance day for students as our entire district will be taking part in a District Institute Day. Enjoy the long weekend!
Next week is a big one for Elm as we will be taking the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR). These are crucial assessments for our students to take as we use them to gauge their learning and understanding of concepts that have been taught over the course of the last school year and the students mastery of State Standards. It is crucial for our students to be in attendance on these days! We will test on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! Please be sure to have your students get a good night sleep to be ready for testing.
Please take a few minutes to read through this week’s Cougar Courier. As always, should you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. Have a nice weekend. #TeamElmStrong
Most Sincerely,
Ms. Ashley Groeneveld
Assistant Principal's Corner
A special highlight this week in Ms. Berkery's class: In Engineering on Wednesday, 7th and 8th graders participated in a review game called the Great Egg Escape Room. Students hunted around the classroom for eggs around the room that had QR codes on them. Each QR code led to a puzzle that students would solve focusing on April themed topics combined with the sub-fields of Engineering. For the last puzzle, students had to solve it in order to get the code for the lock box. If they were successful, they received a prize! Great job engineers!
Dean's Den
I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break. I wanted to share with you a few of our newest interventions at Elm, which we call the condiment crews!
Ketchup Club: Students work on missing assignments during their lunch period with 1-2 staff members.
Mustard Mentors: Students are given additional instructional support during their advisory with the support of tutors and NJHS Members.
Relish Review: During Advisory, students have the opportunity to see their teachers for additional small group instructional support.
Additionally, we offer homework club everyday after school from 3:00-4:00.
Mr. Goodman
THE CONDIMENT CREWS!
Elm Spring Dance
Elm Yearbook
EPCUSD Multi-Cultural Night
Elm PAT Dine Outs
Severe Weather Procedures
Clubs and Extra-Curricular Activities
Box Tops for Education
Join Elm in earning cash for our school by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios) and scan your grocery receipt. Box Tops are worth 10 cents each, and they add up fast. Twice a year, our school receives a check to help pay for whatever we need - equipment, supplies, or experiences the kids love.
Use this referral code K7Y8751D when you sign up, and you will get 25 Bonus Box Tops when you scan your first receipt now through 05/31/2023, while supplies last! Download the Box Tops for Education app here: https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=K7Y8751D
Attendance Reminders & Community Resources
If a student is going to be absent from class, a parent or guardian should call our Attendance Clerk at (708) 583-6600 or email elmattendance@epcusd401.org.
When calling, please spell your child’s last name and give their student ID number.
For instruction on how to use PowerSchool for attendance please see the video here!
Please review the District Virtual Backpack, this is a resource for community involvement opportunities and more. These opportunities include karate, floor hockey, baseball and parents night out!
Take a few minutes and read through this list of Community Resources provided by West 40.
Upcoming Events
April 7th: Institute Day, No Classes for Students
April 11th: Illinois Assessment of Readiness
April 12th: Illinois Assessment of Readiness
April 21st: Elm Middle School Spring Dance
Need Help? Contact Us!
Ms. Ashley Groeneveld, Principal: 708-583-6227, groenevelda@epcusd401.org
Mr. Dave Parolin, Assistant Principal: 708-583-6228, parolind@epcusd401.org
Mr. Michael Goodman, Dean of Students:
708-583-6238, goodmanm@epcusd401.orgMain Office: 708-452-3550, elminfo@epcusd401.org
Website: https://www.epcusd401.org/elm
Location: 7607 W Cortland St, Elmwood Park, IL 60707, USA
Phone: 708-452-3550
Twitter: @elm401_cougars