Cougar Courier
ELM MIDDLE SCHOOL’S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
December 2, 2022
Principal's Message
Greetings Elm Families,
We hope everyone had a wonderful week; it was a busy one at Elm. Trimester one is officially in the books, and we're diving into our Trimester two courses. Students did an amazing job transitioning their elective courses, career study and intervention courses. As a reminder, report cards will be released via PowerSchool on Monday, December 5th at 4:00pm.
Additionally, as we capped off our first Trimester; we have much to celebrate, and our students and staff are at the top of that list. A huge congratulations to our students who have been selected as Students of the Trimester! Your hard work and dedication to our school community certainly did not go unnoticed. Congrats to the following students:
6th Grade:
Cayden Shuteriqui
Vivian Szamszon
7th Grade:
Aleena Jaber
Patrick Stinar
8th Grade:
Kaylie Agripino
Filip Szezepaniak
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 fabulous weekend! #TeamElmStrong
Most Sincerely,
Ms. Ashley Groeneveld
Assistant Principal's Corner
Good afternoon Elm family,
The first trimester at Elm Middle School was filled with a wealth of learning experiences and social development opportunities. As we continue to refine our intervention processes, we seek to meet the diverse needs of our student population. On December 14th, we will hold winter Aimsweb testing to get a benchmark score for each student in the areas of reading and math. For those unfamiliar with this process, the "benchmark" provides our staff with specific data regarding each students specific learning needs; our teachers and staff utilize this information to develop varied interventions to assist each individual learner in their progress. Students who are struggling with reading and/or math will receive extra supports, and periodic progress monitoring will take place to keep their teachers up to date on their gradual development.
We believe every student can be academically successful; we strive to be progressive in crafting the most efficient means to this end. Thank you, parents and guardians, for your tremendous support throughout Trimester 1.
Go Cougars!
David Parolin - Assistant Principal
Dean's Den
D401's schools are always looking for ways to improve communication and events for our families. Please share your thoughts by completing this survey by December 14, 2022.
District401 Community Engagement Survey.
Las escuelas del D401 siempre buscan formas de mejorar la comunicación y los eventos para nuestras familias. Comparta sus pensamientos completando esta encuesta antes del 14 de diciembre de 2022.
Spanish Survey: EPCUSD #401 Encuesta de comunicación y eventos
Школи D401 завжди шукають способи покращити спілкування та події для наших сімей. Будь ласка, поділіться своїми думками, заповнивши це опитування до 14 грудня 2022 року.
Ukrainian Survey: EPCUSD #401 Опитування комунікацій та подій
Additionally- please discuss with your children the importance of appropriate use of technology, specifically with their district provided Chromebook. As a reminder- any inappropriate searches, emails, or sites become alerts that the Administration (As well as our school resource officer) receives. Inappropriate use of technology will result in consequences.
Have a nice weekend,
Mr. Goodman
Cougar Athletics
This Week:
December 7th: First Home Basketball Game!
Monday Plan:
As we enter the cold weather months, we wanted to provide our student-athletes with the option of staying at school prior to Monday practices. Students will be allowed to remain in the cafeteria after the bus riders are released for the day. A combination of staff will be utilized to supervise the students.
Parents, please reiterate to your student-athletes that they must have academic work to accomplish during this time and failure to display appropriate behavior in the cafeteria will result in loss of participation privileges.
The Leaflet
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!
Take a few minutes and read through this list of Community Resources provided by West 40.
Upcoming Events
December 5th: Report Cards Released Electronically via PowerSchool
December 6th: Elm Middle School Band & Choir Concert
December 14th: All School AimsWeb Testing Day
December 19th-23rd: All School Spirit Week
December 23rd: Course Selections Close
December 23rd: Holiday Break Begins
January 9th: School Resumes
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