Cougar Courier
ELM MIDDLE SCHOOL’S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
April 21, 2023
Principal's Message
We hope everyone had a wonderful week! It was certainly a busy one here at Elm Middle School. We finished up our Illinois Assessment of Readiness for all students, welcomed our incoming 5th grade future cougars, and are getting ready to dance the night away at our Spring Dance this evening. Students should dress in casual attire. As a reminder, there is no outside food or drink allowed in the event, and we will have additional presence from the EPPD for safety.
Please take sometime this weekend to discuss with your students grades and plans to finish the year strong! We have six weeks left in the school year, and it's crucial for our students to maintain their academic stamina. We will have Cougar Connections on Monday, April 24th for any students who have to re-take any assessments, make-up work, or complete any re-do's. We encourage all students to take advantage of this opportunity!
As a reminder students in 6th or 7th grade with 1's in math or ELA for all three trimesters or 8th grade students with F's in two trimesters of math or ELA will be recommended for summer school. For our 8th grade students, this will affect their ability to participate in our end of year activities.
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
As we get closer to the end of the year, it is important to have your students look forward to next year and to examine what aspects of their academics they hope to improve upon. It is remarkable to see the intellectual and social growth that our students have expressed throughout this year, and taking time to examine how they wish to continue to grow is critical to further development. Consider a subject area that they are struggling in currently, how can resources be utilized to support their development throughout the remainder of the year and throughout the summer?
Some proactive approaches to continuing supports are as follows:
1) Attend after school homework supports for the remainder of the year
2) Take advantage of retakes, redoes, and small group instruction in Cougar Connections
3) Reach out to teachers for ancillary material and resources that will allow students to continue to practice skills throughout the remainder of the year and the summer
4) Go to the Elmwood Park Library and take out two books one that can read casually and one that is more challenging and will require slower, more purposeful reading.
5) Promote daily journaling - with an actual writing implement - this will provide more tactile connectivity to the student's self-reflection.
Class of 2023 Information
All graduates will have their photos taken at the ceremony and then they will be shared with families. Addtionally, graduation is at 10am on Sunday June 4th at Elmwood Park High School. All students will recieve four tickets!
A more detailed itnierary for all events can be found here!
Elm Spring Dance
Color Run 2023
EPCUSD Multi-Cultural Night
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 21st: Elm Middle School Spring Dance
April 26th: AimsWeb Testing Day
May 8th-May 12th: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 11th: Career Day
May 19th: EPHS Pep Band Tour @ Elm
May 19th: NJHS Induction
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