Elmwood Express
Happy Friday, Elmwood Families!
We hope you had a wonderful week! Reminder- today is the last day to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences. We look forward to seeing all of you here (or virtually)! We ask that ALL Parents sign up for a conference with their child's teacher, so please, if you have not done so please do so tonight!
There is lots of important information to share this week! Please be sure to look below for updates, including revised Halloween information and an opportunity to volunteer for our Halloween art activities. Thank you for taking the time to read through the updates and for your continued partnership and support.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Mr. Lerner and Mrs. Hagins
Apple/Smart Watch and Cell Phone Reminder
Just a reminder for all families that students may not wear smart watches or have cell phones during the school day. Please read the following from our handbook for more information:
"Using a cellular telephone, smartphone, video recording device, personal digital assistant (PDA), Apple Watch, Smart Watch or similar electronic device in any manner that disrupts the educational environment. Students may bring these devices to school, but they must be turned off and stored in the student’s locker. Apple Watches/ Smart Watches that have cellular services or phone connectivity are not permitted to be worn during the school day. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen devices. Failure to follow these rules will result in disciplinary consequences, and the loss of the privilege to bring these devices to school. If you need to contact your child during the day, please call the main office."
Parent Teacher Conferences
The District’s October 2026 Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on Wednesday, October 21st & Thursday, October 22nd.
Conferences may be in person or virtual.
Schools have different options and times for types of Conferences.
Elmwood Elementary - In-Person 3:15-7:00 PM Wednesday, Oct 21st.
Elmwood Elementary - In-Person 3:15-6:00 PM Thursday, Oct 22nd.
Elmwood Elementary - Virtual 6:00-7:00 PM Thursday, Oct 22nd.
We are using the same registration system as previous conferences (PowerPTC).
PowerPTC is only accessed through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. It is not available through the app.
Registration will open on Friday, October 2nd at 6:00 AM for you to book times.
Registration will close on Friday, October 16th at 11:59 PM.
Please see these instructions for booking a time.
For the October 2026 Parent Teacher Conferences, building check-in is required for in person conferences.
You will need to provide your ID as you enter the building.
Only those with pre-scheduled, in-person conferences will be allowed access to the buildings.
If you have any technical issues with PowerPTC, please email support@epcusd401.org
Harlem Irving Plaza Holiday Ornament Decoration
All students are invited to participate in the Harlem Irving Plaza (HIP) Holiday Ornament Decoration! Please review the following guidelines before decorating and returning your ornament.
Ornaments will not be returned to schools. Santa likes to bring the ornaments back to the North Pole to decorate, so exceptions cannot be made.
School drop-off deadline: Tuesday, October 27. Please have students bring their completed ornaments to school by this date so they can be prepared for delivery.
Decorate both sides! Please make sure both sides of the ornament are decorated. For everyone's safety, no sharp objects are permitted. Ornaments containing sharp objects may not be displayed.
Display date: Saturday, November 14. All ornaments will be on display by this date. Maps showing ornament locations by school name will be available at Customer Service.
Participation is optional: If you choose not to participate, please return the nutcracker ornament to the office so we can redistribute to other students.
Thank you for helping make the holiday season special for our students and the community!
Bookfair Volunteers Needed!
We are excited to welcome our Fall Book Fair the week of October 19–22! The Book Fair is a wonderful opportunity for our students to discover new books, explore their interests, and get excited about reading.
To help make this event a success, we are looking for parent volunteers to lend a hand! We need help throughout the school day as well as during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Whether you can volunteer for an hour or several hours, your time and support are greatly appreciated.
Volunteering is a great way to be part of our school community and help create a fun and memorable experience for our students. If you are available to help, please click the link below to sign up for a volunteer time that works best for you.
Thank you for supporting our students, encouraging a love of reading, and helping make our Fall Book Fair a success! Click the blue button below to volunteer. Thank you for your consideration.
El Dia de Los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that celebrates and honors the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Families remember those they love by sharing stories, displaying photos, and creating ofrendas, or altars, filled with meaningful items. It is a time to celebrate the love, memories, and connections that continue even after someone has passed.
We invite our Elmwood families to contribute to our school ofrenda by sending in a photo (please do not send an original photo) or a drawing of a loved one or pet they would like to remember and honor. We look forward to creating a special space where our school community can celebrate and remember those who hold a special place in our hearts.
Our display will be up October 26th- November 3rd. Please bring your photos and items for la ofrenda to our office.
Picture Day Retakes
All fall school photos are now loaded to shop.hrimaging.com. Please visit to view and order your students photos? Need a retake? Please email Mrs. Hagins at haginss@epcusd401.org. If your child was absent on picture day, they will automatically have their picture taken on retake day (November 6th).
Matt Lerner
Principal
Stephanie Hagins
Assistant Principal
Need to report an incident?
Use our Anonymous Form.
Mr. Frank J. Parisi, President
Mr. Peter A. Volpe, Vice President
Ms. Jennifer P. Ranallo, Secretary
Ms. Monica F. Doyle
Mr. Timothy P. Loughnane
Mr. Jason Shipinski
Ms. Michelle J. Silver