Newsletters
EPCUSD 401 Family & Community Engagement Team
Mer Fenton, Writer & Designer
Dave Porreca, Photographer
Aaron Celmer, Ed.S., Editor
Sam Britten, Contributor
To view this newsletter with its original artwork, click here.
Dominic Casamassimo Wins Artist of the Week
Elmwood Elementary 3rd grade student Dominic Casamassimo has won the Artsonia Artist of the Week in the PreK-3rd category for Dec 8- Dec 14! With the title, Casamassimo was awarded a $50 Blick art supplies gift card, and District 401 a $100 Blick card. Additionally, Elmwood Park’s Public Works used his winning piece to wrap parts of the seasonal ice rink in Central Park. Artsonia is an online art portfolio where students can upload and store their work throughout their educational careers.
Cassamassimo and Guenther with their awards
Elmwood art teacher Lauren Guenther maintains Artsonia profiles for all of her students, uploading the work as they complete it. Each week, Artsonia runs the Artist of the Week award, where they select ten pieces from across the country for each age group. Guenther has maintained portfolios at every school she has taught at in her career. Casamassimo is her first student to win the award. This is not his first honor. He says it felt good to win and looks forward to entering more competitions in the future.
Read full story here.
Elm Student Jeremiah Vera Wins Silver Gloves
6th Grade Elm Middle School student Jeremiah Vera has won the prestigious 2024 Illinois State Silver Gloves title fight for the 95 lb weight class. The audience was impressed with his performance; after the fight, he and his father, Alfredo Vera, were approached by many families and coaches, asking where their gym was and if they could visit to observe how Jeremiah trains.
“His skill set at his age level is really something to watch, and I love that everyone else noticed that for him,” Alfredo said.
Jeremiah prepared by training 7.5 hours a week, four days a week at Flowers Fitness. While training can be hard, Jeremiah likes that the sport made him stronger mentally, physically, and socially. Jeremiah wants to keep competing. He says it would be cool to go pro and go to the Olympics someday.
“We do whatever he chooses to do,” Alfredo said. “Whatever the next fight will be, I will just be there to guide him and support him.”
Read full story here.
District 401 Makes A Difference!
The John Mills community raised $1,746.05 for Misericordia Heart of Mercy Hospital through a McTeacher Night! On Oct 24, 2024, teachers and school staff members volunteered for two-hour shifts each, with profits earned going towards the cause!
Read full story here.
On Nov 7, 2024, EPHS’s DECA students organized their annual ‘Spike for a Cause’, and raised $7,000 to fight Alzheimer’s disease! Out of all single community events for the Alzheimer’s Association, they ranked 17 in the nation for 2024!
Read full story here.
2025 SCOTY Recipients
Each year, students from West40 schools are chosen for the Student Citizen of the Year (SCOTY) award. The following students were honored for receiving the award!.
Read full story here.
2025-2026 Enrollment Now Open
Sgt. Sanchez Surprises Sons at Elmwood and Elm
On Tuesday, Jan 7, Sgt. Alexander Sanchez surprised his sons Jaxiah and Isaiah Sanchez at school after returning home from a recent deployment. Jaxiah is in 3rd grade at Elmwood Elementary, and Isaiah is in 6th at Elm Middle School. Sgt. Sanchez serves in the Army Reserve and was based in Kuwait on this deployment, conducting missions in Jordan and Iraq. While overseas, he worked as a food inspector, ensuring all stages of the food supply chain for the U.S. military and other NATO forces was safe. Sgt. Sanchez deployed in February 2024 and was scheduled to return Mar 2025. He ended up returning shortly after Christmas; when his sons were not expecting it. For Isaiah, Sgt. Sanchez surprised him during his band class. Isaiah said it was fun to enjoy the surprise at school with his classmates.
“When he first walked in, I was shocked,” Isaiah said “I didn’t know what to do. It was such a surprise!”
For Jaxiah, Elmwood proposed surprising him in front of an assembly with the school, and Sgt. Sanchez was thrilled by the idea. With the plan in place, the 3rd grade class was brought into the auditorium, and after a few minutes of usual assembly programming, Elmwood Principal Matthew Lerner called Jaxiah down to the floor.
“I heard Jax yell, ‘That’s my dad!’ and that’s when it got real,” said Sgt. Sanchez. “I’m very thankful the schools allowed me to do this and welcomed me home!”
That night, the whole family celebrated a belated Christmas together.
“It’s great to be back home and rekindle what I was missing out on,” said Sgt. Sanchez. “I’m fortunate to be able to be back and tell my story a little bit. A lot of soldiers don’t get the opportunity to share, or to even make it home.”
Sgt. Sanchez thanks everyone who supported Isaiah and Jaxiah while he was gone and helped him coordinate his surprise return. He also thanks everyone who takes the time to hear his story. Elmwood Park thanks Sgt. Sanchez and all service members for their service.
Read full story here.
Stories Around 401
We have the privilege of telling the many stories of our staff and students at District 401. Below is just a small taste of what our district has been up to.
401 Recognized by INSPRA
401 has been recognized for multiple awards by the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA). Awards of Merit have been given for the “Join Our Team! Teaching in District 401” video and “We Are 401” series, telling stories like the Cardona family’s.
In this “WE ARE 401” video we meet EPHS junior Isabella “Beanie” Martinico, who is now in her fourth year as a dance instructor at Turning Point Dance Studio in Elmwood Park. Beanie has a lifelong love of the arts, but dance holds a special place for her.
In this “WE ARE 401” video, we meet Frank DeRosa, EPHS Class of 1988, longtime night custodian at Elm Middle School. When he’s not busy keeping Elm in tip-top shape, Frank pursues his side career as a DJ with his younger brother, Robert DeRosa. The DeRosa Brothers have built up a loyal fanbase at local events and establishments!
John Mills Students Graduate D.A.R.E. Program
Congratulations to John Mills Elementary School’s 5th grade students, who graduated from the school’s D.A.R.E. program! The students learned how to resist peer pressure and live drug- and violence-free lives.
Elmwood Students Appear on WGN-TV
Some Elmwood Park parents recently got the thrill of watching their students on live TV when the 2nd grade visited WGN-TV as they learned about journalism. Elmwood is the first school WGN-TV has ever hosted!
High School Principal of the Year
District 401 is pleased to announce that Elmwood Park High School Principal Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico is the Illinois Principal Association’s West Cook High School Principal of the Year!
EPCUSD 401 Board of Education
Frank Parisi
Titles:
Board of Education President
Peter Volpe
Titles:
Board of Education Vice President
Susan Capraro
Titles:
Board of Education Secretary
Jennifer Ranallo
Titles:
Board of Education Member
Jonathan Rivera
Titles:
Board of Education Member
Jason Shipinski
Titles:
Board of Education Member
Michelle Silver
Titles:
Board of Education Member
Superintendent
Dr. Leah Gauthier
Title: Superintendent of Schools
Building Principals
Dr. Amanda Brode-Rico, Elmwood Park High School
Ashley Groeneveld, Elm Middle School
Matt Lerner, Elmwood Elementary School
Frank Kuzniewski, John Mills Elementary School
