Elmwood Express
April 21, 2023
From the Principal's Desk...
As May approaches, the fun at Elmwood School is just getting started. We are currently finalizing the plans of all of our end of the year activities. Students are in for a fun next few weeks. As the school year begins to wind down, we are beginning to prepare for next year. We ask that all returning families please be sure to register prior to June 15th.
Thank you to all of our students who participated in state testing over the past few weeks. Our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students all put forth a fantastic effort for our IAR testing, and this week our 5th grade students took part in the Illinois Science Assessment. Great job Panthers!
We are looking forward to a fun productive last few weeks. As a reminder, our last day of school is June 9th. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hagins or myself.
Thank You,
Mr. Lerner
Upcoming Important Dates
🌍 Monday, May 1st- Early Release- Students dismissed at 2pm
🌍 Wednesday, May 3rd-Choir Concert with John Mills at EPHS
🌍 Friday, May 5th- 5th Grade Compass Health Presentation @ EP Library & Civic Center
🌍Monday, May 8th- Early Release- Students dismissed at 2pm
🌍Monday, May 8th- Teacher Appreciation Week Begins- Wear your teacher's favorite color day!
🌍 Tuesday, May 9th- Tell your teacher a joke day!, PATT Meeting @ 6:30pm
🌍Wednesday, May 10th- School Nurse Appreciation Day- Bring your teacher a flower day!
🌍Thursday, May 11th- Carnaval Celebration @EMS- Dress like a teacher day
🌍 Friday, May 12th- School spirit day- wear black and gold or school spirit wear
Visit from Concordia Men's Basketball
Thank you to the Concordia Men's Basketball team for volunteering in our 2nd-5th grade classrooms. They have been visiting our classrooms over the past two weeks reading to students and teaching students about being a collegiate athlete. This partnership has been a fun and meaningful experience for all.
Registration Update
All Returning students must be registered by June 15 for next school year to ensure your spot at Elmwood Elementary. A flyer went home with information on how to register. Didn't get it or need help visit: https://www.epcusd401.org/enrollment-and-registration/returning-students
Teacher Appreciation Spirit Week
2023-2024 School Supplies
The school supply list for the 2023-2024 school year will be available online soon. For your convenience, we have partnered with First Day Supplies to create supply kids for students. If you wish to save time by purchasing a kit, it will be sent directly to your home. Click below to learn more or to purchase.
For our 5th Grade Families...
Kindergarten Show
Morning Arrival and Afternoon Dismissal
Parents, please help us promote student safety. Although we love that students are ready to learn, please make sure that your child does not arrive to school prior to 8:20. Our staff are all in meetings until that time and are unable to supervise students. Additionally, unless students are being supervised by an adult, they are not permitted to remain on our school grounds afterschool. Students who are walking home should immediately begin walking home once dismissed. As always, students who are being supervised by their parents are welcome to stay and play.
Construction Update
For all of the updates, pictures, and videos will be posted periodically to our website, found here.
Daddy Daughter Dance
Dress Code Reminder
Parents, as the weather gets warmer, please take time to review our dress code which can be found in our student handbook:
Students are expected to wear clothing in a neat, clean, and well fitting manner while on school property and/or in attendance at school sponsored activities. Students are to use discretion in their dress and are not permitted to wear apparel that causes a substantial disruption in the school environment.
Student dress (including accessories) may not advertise, promote, or picture alcoholic beverages, illegal or legalized drugs, drug paraphernalia, violent behavior, or other inappropriate images.
Student dress (including accessories) may not display lewd, vulgar, obscene, or offensive language or symbols, including gang symbols.
Hats, sunglasses may not be worn in the building during the school day unless there is a spirit day or medical need which has been communicated to building administration.
Dress, and accessories that pose a safety hazard are not permitted.
Clothing showing skin and/or undergarments may not be worn at school.
The length of shirts, shorts or skirts must be appropriate for the school environment.
Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Please do not wear shoes or boots with heels. Please consider putting a spare pair of gym shoes in your child’s locker for gym days or if their shoes become uncomfortable.
If there is any doubt about dress and appearance, the building principal will make the final decision.
Students whose dress or hair causes a substantial disruption of the orderly process of school functions or endangers the health or safety of the student, other students, staff or others may be subject to discipline.
Apple Watches/ Smart Watches that have cellular services or phone connectivity are not permitted to be worn during the school day.
Safe2Help
Dear Elmwood Park District 401 families,
Last school year the nation witnessed two national tragedies in Ulvade, Texas and Oxford, Michigan. Student safety remains our priority at D401. We want to continue to provide a safe learning environment and resources to help our parents, teachers, students, and staff be successful.
This school year our school district will begin participating in a new statewide school safety program called Safe2Help Illinois. This program will offer students a safe and confidential way to share information that may help prevent suicides, bullying, school violence, and other threats to student safety. The program also includes an educational curriculum aimed at fostering a culture of kindness and resources for educators and parents to reinforce the program concepts with their students.
Safe2Help Illinois features a 24/7 helpline (1-844-4-SAFEIL), free mobile app, and dedicated website (www.Safe2Helpil.com). In the absence of a trusted adult, students can use Safe2Help Illinois to share concerns about themselves or others in a confidential environment. Once vetted, the information will be immediately shared with local school officials, 911 call centers/Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) depending on the nature of the tip. It is important to note that this program is not intended to punish, suspend or expel students. Rather, the intent is to encourage students to “seek help before harm,” with the goal of intervening and helping students before they harm themselves or others.
The most common reports received by Safe2Help Illinois in the 2021-2022 school year have been bullying and threats of suicide. This sobering information underscores the importance of making sure our students have the resources they need in a time of need. We also believe Safe2Help Illinois has the potential to be effective in preventing acts of school violence. Over the last 15 years, in almost every case of a mass school shooting in the U.S. committed by a student, after action reports indicate at least one other student knew something might happen but did not come forward for a variety of reasons.
Long-term goals of Safe2Help Illinois are to remove the stigma associated with mental health issues, promote a culture of kindness, and instill important lessons such as the difference between telling and tattling, internet safety, and suicide prevention.
You can find more information on our website under “School Safety.” epcusd401.org/school-safety
Sincerely,