A Note from the Principal

9/13/2026 5:00 am

Please check out this week's SMORE from Principal Cummings for information about Second Step Growth Mindset & Goal Setting, car line logistics, and more!

🐾 Panther Fest Was a Huge Success! 🐾

9/13/2026 4:37 am

A GIANT thank you to everyone who came out to support Panther Fest! It was an incredible day filled with fun, community, and school spirit. We loved seeing so many of our Prospect families enjoying the festivities together!

There is still time to purchase raffle tickets for the grade-level teacher experiences. The raffle will end on Monday, September 14 and winners will be notified by early next week.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS

Events like Panther Fest would not be possible without the generosity of our local business community. Please join us in extending a huge thank you to our 2026 Panther Fest Sponsors:

2026 Panther Fest Sponsors:

• The Village Tutors – https://www.thevillagetutors.com
• Buchanan Law Group – https://www.buchananlawgroup.com
• Rooted Chiropractic – https://www.rootedchiro.com
• Clarendon Hills Bank (Wintrust) – https://www.wintrust.com
• Hamel Dental – https://www.hameldental.com
• HMS Mahjong Studio – https://www.hmsmahjongstudio.com
• Just Lift Fitness – https://www.justliftfitness.com
• Little Blueprints Art Studio – https://www.littleblueprints.com

Thank you again to all of our families, volunteers, and sponsors for making this year's Panther Fest one for the books!

Prospect Choir Registration Is Open!

9/13/2026 4:00 am

Today is the last day to register your child for the Prospect Choir! Prospect Choir is open to all 4th and 5th grade students. Choir provides an amazing opportunity for your child to develop singing technique, ensemble skills, music literacy, team work, and to just have a lot of fun singing with their friends! The choir performs for school assemblies, presents two evening concerts (winter and spring), and sings at the Clarendon Hills Holiday Walk. 5th grade choir members have an additional opportunity to participate in a choir mixer at CHMS to acclimate them to the middle school and sing with choirs from around D181.

Choir practices Thursday mornings from 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. The first practice is September 17. To sign your child up for choir, please read the choir information and calendar, and then fill out the Google Form to register here. DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SUNDAY, SEPT. 13. We can’t wait to hear these young singers take the stage!

Spirit Wear: Last Chance + Panther Fridays!

9/11/2026 9:24 pm

LAST DAY TO ORDER 2026 SPIRIT WEAR!

The Prospect Spirit Wear Online Store closes Sunday, September 13, so don’t forget to get your orders in! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already placed an order and supported Prospect! Orders are expected by the end of October and will be distributed through classrooms.

[SHOP THE SPIRIT WEAR STORE HERE]

🍕 PIZZA + 🐾 PANTHER PRIDE FRIDAYS!

Starting Friday, September 25, we’re making Pizza Hot Lunch Fridays even more fun with Prospect Spirit Wear! Every other Friday, on Pizza Hot Lunch days, students are encouraged to wear their Prospect gear or anything red.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Vision & Hearing Screening - 9/22 & 9/25

9/11/2026 9:20 pm

Our School Nurse, Mrs. Charity Richardson, is looking for Parent Helpers to help bring students to the office for vision and hearing screenings and then back to their classrooms.

If you have an hour to spare on Tuesday, September 22 or Friday, September 25, please sign up at the link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044BA8AA23A1F49-65722382-vision

Thank you!

Prospect Performs!

9/11/2026 9:19 pm

See your Prospect Student shine bright on the stage! Students in kindergarten through 5th grade have many opportunities to show off their singing, playing, moving, and performance skills throughout the year. Please save the date for the programs listed below. Specific information will be sent home closer to each performance date. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Kozakis and ekozakis@d181.org.

Lindsay Currie Author Visit for 4th and 5th

9/11/2026 9:15 pm

We are delighted to host author Lindsay Currie for 4th and 5th graders. She is the author of several mysteries as well as many spooky books based in the Chicagoland area!

To order a personalized, autographed copy of The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society (mystery) or X Marks the Haunt (children's horror) please return this order form with payment (cash, check payable to CCSD181, or through your Skyward account) by Friday, September 11th. If you miss that date, there will be a limited number of signed books available for purchase through September 21st. Questions? Ask Mrs. Swanson (rswanson@d181.org)

Panther Pride!

9/11/2026 9:13 pm

Prospect Elementary is looking for an adult or past/present student to represent Prospect in an upcoming Mascot Rivalry Race! 🏃‍♀️🏆

Interested in representing our school and showing off that Prospect spirit?
Please reach out to president@prospectschoolpto.org for more information.

Save the Date: October 7

9/11/2026 9:11 pm

National Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 7! Join Prospect families for a fun morning as we walk, bike, and roll to school together.

We’ll celebrate with a morning bike parade, a coffee truck, and more—all while promoting healthy habits and showing our school spirit.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!

One Book, One School Is Coming Soon!

9/11/2026 9:10 pm

One Book, One School is back! In a few weeks, this year's One Book, One School book will be sent home with your youngest Prospect child. We aren't revealing the book yet, but it is an animal fiction story inspired by true events that all ages can enjoy!

What is One Book, One School? It is a program designed to create a shared reading experience within a school community, while encouraging the habit of family reading. Every Prospect family receives the same book to read together at home. Our schedule (coming with your book) suggests you read a little less than 50 pages each week during the month of October, which can build the habit of reading together. However, do what works for your family! We hope that your family will simply enjoy reading together. In early November, all students will get to meet the author of the book during school!