This is the first newsletter of the 2023-24 school year. To view the newsletter with all of its artwork, click here. 

Sam Britten, Writer and Photographer  
Dave Porreca, Photographer
Aaron Celmer, Editor

Construction

John Mills and Elmwood Elementary Schools are wrapping up construction that includes a full renovation of the schools. New classroom furniture will also be installed prior to the start of the school year. Thank you for your continued patience and support of this multi-year project!

EPHS has its own construction project in the works. The Large Group Instruction (LGI) room on the first floor and the library on the second floor are seeing major changes including new classrooms, breakout spaces, bathrooms, an updated media center and multiple offices.

Work on the high school library continues as new learning spaces and offices are being built

Construction at Elmwood Elementary has been ongoing since Spring of 2022 and is on schedule to be mostly completed this summer with smaller tasks being worked on throughout the next year. As of late July, each classroom and additional collaboration spaces were renovated. Painting and flooring will be complete before school starts and new furniture will be installed. Completion for the projects at John Mills is on a similar trajectory. As of late July, demolition of the remaining renovation areas is complete and framing for the new technology, music and art classrooms has begun.

Remodeled areas at John Mills will include new classrooms and office spaces. New furniture is also being installed. Work will be mostly finished before school starts. Smaller tasks will continue throughout the next year.

Elementary Construction Timeline

• March 2019

  • Community engagement plan implemented

• March 2020

  • $55 million referendum to renovate Elmwood and John Mills Elementary Schools passes

• Fall 2021

  • Construction bids and plans approved

• Summer 2022

  • Phase I begins at elementary schools

• Summer 2023

  • Phase II begins at elementary schools

• Fall 2023

  • Small projects continue at elementary schools

Work on the second floor at John Mills Elementary School

2023 Graduation

This past June, EPCUSD 401 graduated its class of 2023 seniors. After years of hard work and dedication, another promising group of students is off to accomplish great things. "Congratulations to the class of 2023," said Dr. Leah Gauthier, EPCUSD 401 Superintendent. "I look forward to seeing the impact they make after graduating from our district."

Salutatorian Silver Shore speaks at the graduation ceremony

Where are our grads going?

We wish our class of 2023 graduates the best in their futures. Here's a look at where they're all going:

• 165 students are off to college
• 31% of graduates are staying in the area, attending Triton College
• 2 graduates are serving their country and joining the military

The Class of 2024

We will soon be graduating a new class of seniors, talk to your counselors to plan what's next after high school.

What's Next?

The 2023-24 school year starts soon. Here are some key dates to mark on your calendar:

• Aug 30: First Day of School
• Oct. 7: Homecoming, kickoff at 7 PM
• Dec. 25-Jan 5: Winter Break
• March 25-29: Spring Break
• June 6: Last Day of School

A family walks to Elmwood Elementary for the first day of school.

EPHS Athletics

The 2023-24 Elmwood Park Tigers will spend one final season competing in the Metro-Suburban Conference. EPHS's 18 athletic programs will soon have a new home in the Upstate 8 Conference. "The conference served us well, providing our teams good competition and the opportunities for conference championships and individual all-conference recognition," Athletic Director Doug Noyes said. "I am excited for the school, the teams, our athletes and coaches to join the Upstate 8 Conference." Rivalries with Riverside-Brookfield and Ridgewood will continue as the two schools also move to the Upstate 8 conference. EPHS will be reunited with former conference opponents Glenbard South and Fenton.

Tony Sylvester (left) and Doug Noyes (right)

This year also marks Doug Noyes' last time overseeing EPHS athletics as he prepares for retirement. "I look forward to spending more time with my wife, Jennifer, and family," Noyes says. At the end of the year, Assistant Principal of Athletics and Activities Tony Sylvester will take on the role. "I am fortunate to have the chance to work with Doug Noyes in his final year as Athletic Director, and learn from his 16-plus years of expertise before solely assuming the role in 2024-25," Sylvester says.

2024-25 UPSTATE 8 CONFERENCE

• Elmwood Park
• Bartlett
• East Aurora
• Elgin
• Fenton
• Glenbard East
• Glenbard South
• Larkin
• Ridgewood
• Riverside Brookfield
• South Elgin
• Streamwood
• West Aurora
• West Chicago

EMS Athletics

The Elm Cougars are looking to pick back up where they left off in their 12 athletic programs.

"It really is an awesome experience for our kids to be able to be a part of athletic teams and get the feel for what it's like before they go to Elmwood Park High School," says Ashley Groeneveld, Elm Middle School Principal.

All of our teams are ready to hit the ground running. There was much success in the playoffs including a championship-winning girl's soccer team.

"We definitely play to win, that's for sure," Groeneveld says.

EPHS Fine Arts

It's set to be another great year for performing arts at EPHS. The Music Department is operating at full strength after rebounding from the COVID pandemic. "In 2020, the band and choir had to cancel a trip to New Orleans," Choir Director Grant McEachern said. "This spring, we're finally going on tour again and this time, we're going to Disney World." Come see the EPHS Band and Choir in their first concert of the year on Oct. 17. EPHS offers several other fine arts programs including concert band, swing choir, music production, intro to art and 3D and 2D art.

School Safety

EPCUSD 401 is adding to its safety measures ahead of the 2023-24 school year. That includes strengthening our safety training for students and staff. "We're updating our crisis management plan," said Julie Tsagalis, Director for Safety and Security. "Our two school resource officers will be providing additional training to the staff." A more robust attendance system will require older students to scan their ID cards to gain entry to the building. Those students, as well as all staff, will also be required to have their ID's visible at all times. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. In addition to the above measures, EPCUSD 401 continues to strengthen its internal procedures.

District Fast Facts

• While EPCUSD 401 was officially founded in 1968, our buildings were established prior to that year
  • Elmwood Elementary School, Est. 1914
  • John Mills Elementary School, Est. 1929
  • Elm Middle School, Est. 1949
  • Elmwood Park High School, Est. 1954
• We offer more than 20 Advanced Placement Courses
• Our current enrollment is 2,879
• We employ more than 350 staff members

Meet the Principals

   Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico

   Elmwood Park High School

   Dr. Brode-Rico enters her first year as principal at EPHS. She is beginning her 21st year as a professional               educator.

   Fun Fact: Dr. Brode-Rico has run five marathons, four in Chicago and one in Berlin, Germany.

   

   Mrs. Ashley Groeneveld

   Elm Middle School

   Mrs. Groeneveld "Mrs. G" enters her fourth year as the leader of Elm Middle School and her sixth year with             EPCUSD 401. She now has 14 years of experience as a professional educator and is currently pursuing her           Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

   Fun Fact: Mrs. Groeneveld can quote pretty much any movie, loves working out and is a sports fanatic.

   

   Mr. Matthew Lerner

   Elmwood Elementary School

   Mr. Lerner enters his sixth year as principal at Elmwood Elementary School. He lives in Elmwood Park and his       two kids, Maddox and Mckinley, attend Elmwood.

   Fun Fact: Mr. Lerner is currently the president of the Elmwood Park baseball and softball program. He is also         the football coach for the Elmwood Park Rush Football program.

   

 

 

   Mr. Frank Kuzniewski

   John Mills Elementary School

   Mr. Kuzniewski enters his fifth year as principal at John Mills Elementary School. He has been an educator             since 1994 and has also been a Dean of Students, a Division Coordinator and an Assistant Principal.

   Fun Fact: Mr. Kuzniewski enjoys playing and coaching sports, primarily baseball and softball.

 

Meet the Superintendent

 

   Dr. Leah Gauthier

   EPCUSD 401 Superintendent

   Dr. Gauthier enters her fourth year as superintendent at EPCUSD 401. This will be her seventh year with the       district. Prior to becoming superintendent, she was the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.

   Fun Fact: Dr. Gauthier loves spending time outside and visiting family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

 

We Are 401

Check out our YouTube series "We Are 401" featuring some of our great stories from around the district!

• Across the Generations with Stephanie Hagins & Family

• Mike Popplewell, Elm Choir Director & Music Teacher

• Jim Daniel, Class of 1975