Reminder to Room Parents: Sign In Early for Class Parties

12/13/2025 10:34 pm

Due to the large number of volunteers coming into the school on Friday, please sign in early for class parties if possible. Thank you for volunteering. Happy Holidays!

Show Your Appreciation to Prospect's Custodians

12/13/2025 10:33 pm

This holiday season, we are continuing our long-standing tradition of collecting donations for our wonderful custodial team to show our appreciation for their hard work throughout the year. Donations are accepted until December 18th. Your generosity is much appreciated by our custodial team!

Click here for the custodial gifting link (look for it listed in "Forms").

Prospect Staff Giving Made Easy!

12/13/2025 10:32 pm

Reminder that you have until December 18th to use GiftCrowd, the online platform set up to facilitate holiday gifting to Prospect staff. GiftCrowd enables families to make a contribution to any staff member and include a personalized message. (Room Parents will continue to coordinate classroom teacher gifts.)


Click here to access the Prospect staff gifting page.

Notes:
- You may choose to give to whomever and however you wish. But gifting a smaller amount ($2-$5) to a non-classroom teacher is appropriate as this is one collective, school-wide gift.

- This is a comprehensive list (less the classroom teachers who will have their gifts coordinated by room parents). Our intention is to include everyone that families may have a connection to in order to streamline your gift-giving process.

- Please note that while teachers/staff will see which families contribute to the collective gift, the amount you contribute will be private.

As always, these group gifts are completely optional and the monetary contribution is up to each family. Should you wish to contribute, please do so by Thursday, 12/18. Gifts will be distributed on Friday, 12/19. Thank you so much for your involvement and support!

Last Call for Minted!

12/13/2025 10:31 pm

Last call to make your holiday card and gift purchases count this year by shopping at Minted using Prospect PTO's unique code FUNDRAISERPROSPECTELEM at check out. You'll get a 20% discount and Minted will donate 15% of your purchases back to Prospect PTO at the end of the year. Thank you so much for your support!

One World Night

12/13/2025 10:30 pm

Thursday, February 5th, 2026

5:30p-7:30p
Theme: Fine Arts -- music, art, dance, literature (non-religious)

Join us for a celebration of cultures from around the world at Prospect’s One World Night! Enjoy a vibrant international fair by Prospect families, and explore our showcase highlighting music, dance, and art from around the globe.

Thank you for those who have signed up; details with your group have been sent out so please coordinate with your country for one cohesive table.

This year we would like students to showcase singing, dancing, playing a traditional song/instrument, reading a poem, or displaying art from their country. The showcase item should be approximately 3 minutes in length. Please sign-up for your group timeslot with the link below.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JbG9C09QraHvUHY7j9iNNlBCgB_eI4LvFvNk1U3KmRY/edit?usp=sharing

Please contact Parin Katwala -- parinrn@gmail.com -- with questions or concerns.

Save the Date!

12/13/2025 10:29 pm

On January 30th, Prospect PTO will be hosting a casual event at The Warehouse indoor golf in Burr Ridge. The event will be held at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $50 per person and will include pizza and snacks provided by Home Run Inn. Guests will get to learn, play, and enjoy mingling and fun with fellow Prospect families. Stay tuned for more info and a link to sign up!

Panther Prom 2026: Save the Date!

12/13/2025 10:23 pm

Block your calendar and book your babysitter now! Prospect parents are invited to Panther Prom 2026 on Saturday, March 7 from 7-10 at Hinsdale Golf Club. This will be a fun night to connect with other Prospect families and raise funds for the PTO. More exciting details and registration coming in early 2026!

Does Your Child Need Mental Health, Learning, or Behavioral Support?

12/13/2025 10:20 pm

Young children experiencing mental health issues may present with more subtle symptoms. For example, anxiety can present as recurring stomach aches, headaches, sleep disturbances, or other physical complaints. Children experiencing depression may become easily irritated on a routine basis or have more frequent bouts of crying/sadness.

The Parent List contains first-hand referrals from local parents about area providers that have helped positively address their child’s: anxiety; depression; school avoidance; eating disorders; insomnia; peer relations; dyslexia; ADD/ADHD; autism, and more.

Much like “Angie’s List,” The Parent List is a list of resources in our community that have already been successfully used by another area parent whose child has experienced mental health, learning or behavioral issues. Insightful reviews on local doctors, therapists, support groups, inpatient and outpatient programs, tutors, nutritionists, books and holistic medical approaches may all be found on The Parent List.

To read existing Parent List provider reviews, go to https://hcpto.org/parent-list/

The Parent List always needs fresh reviews to keep current. Your input is completely anonymous! Please help another parent by taking 2 minutes to submit a review about a local provider with which you had a positive experience by clicking HERE.

Questions can be directed to: parentlist@hcpto.org.

Note: In no way does the Hinsdale Central High School or Prospect Elementary School PTOs,
Hinsdale Central High School or Prospect Elementary School staff, school districts 86, 63 or 181 endorse or recommend any specific provider reviewed on The Parent List. The Parent List is a subjective forum set up by the Hinsdale Central PTO for your convenience. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for deciding to use any of the service providers on The Parent List in any capacity, and district 86, district 63, district 181 and the Hinsdale Central High School and Prospect Elementary School PTOs disclaim all liability for any damages, injuries, losses, expenses, or claims of any kind arising out of the provision of services by anyone or any agency appearing on The Parent List.

A Note from the Principal

12/5/2025 3:11 pm

Please check out this week's SMORE from Principal Cummings for info on the spelling bee, the winter MAP schedule, and more. 

Holiday Bazaar, Dec 11, 2025 !

12/5/2025 3:05 pm

Please join us for our Holiday Bazaar on December 11, 2025 in the Prospect Gym from 4-6:30!

There will be a table to drop off toys for our toy drive supporting the Pediatric Cardiology and Oncology departments at Advocate Children’s Hospital — Oak Lawn (formerly Hope Hospital). They will be collecting NEW toys (in original packaging - no wrapping please) or gift cards ($15 or less),

Also, fourth- and fifth-grade “elves” (shopping buddies) are needed to help the younger students and siblings shop! Please click the link or scan the code to sign up!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A4A829A3FAC25-60332025-bazaar#/