Did You Know? A CHMS PTO 6-Week Series!

A six-week series celebrating the history of Clarendon Hills Middle School—where we Imagine, Ignite, Inspire. Back in the late 1990s, Clarendon Hills was growing fast—and so was the number of middle school students. At the time, kids from the Walker and Prospect neighborhoods made the daily trek to Hinsdale Middle School (HMS) at 3rd and Garfield. But with rising enrollment across District 181, it became clear the area needed its own middle school. In November 1997, voters overwhelmingly supported a $12.9 million referendum to make that vision a reality—funding the construction of a brand-new middle school in Clarendon Hills and a gym addition at Madison Elementary. Ground broke soon after, and on August 28, 2000, Clarendon Hills Middle School officially opened its doors.   CHMS launched on August 28, 2000 with approximately 614 students from Walker, Prospect, Monroe, and The Lane attendance areas. Walter A. Kistenfeger, Jr., formerly principal of HMS, took on the role as CHMS’s founding principal and Ms Haddick as Assistant Principal. From day one, the school was more than a building—it was a lively hub of learning, connection, and community pride.

But like many growing pains, there were adjustments. The original plan to house four attendance areas quickly proved too ambitious for the school’s size. The Lane was reassigned back to HMS, helping CHMS better support the students and families of Walker, Prospect, and Monroe. More than two decades later, CHMS continues to thrive—still at the heart of the village, still growing alongside its community, and still guided by its mission to Imagine boundless possibilities, Ignite passions, and Inspire greatness within themselves and others.

CHMS Eco Club Clothing Drive ends this Tuesday, 4/15

The CHMS Eco Club Clothing Drive runs through Tuesday, April 15. 

Please consider donating gently used clothing and/or shoes of any size to help those in need and keep excess textiles out of our landfills. For every bin filled, USAgain plants a tree! 

Thank you to those families who have already donated!

Volunteers Needed For Next School Year!

CHMS Parents - Interested in getting more involved next school year? There are several volunteer opportunities ranging from PTO board positions to staff appreciation to spirit lunches. There is a committee available for every talent and involvement level/commitment! 

Please email president@chmspto.org for additional information and to volunteer!

Bibibop Dinner Bell! Stop by this Wednesday, 4/16

Dine at Bibibop on Wednesday, April 16th to support the CHMS PTO! 

Please don't forget to mention the CHMS PTO fundraiser at checkout or use code: BIBIFUNDRAISER for online orders. 

20% of your order goes to support the CHMS PTO!

Save the Date: Final PTO General Meeting on May 15th!

Please join us for our last PTO General Meeting of the school year on Thursday, May 15th from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at the newly opened Gone Grazy in Hinsdale! 

Our agenda includes a recap of recent PTO projects, approval of next year's budget and introduction of next year's PTO Board. Celebratory charcuterie and wine will be served. We hope to see you there! RSVP coming soon! 

Calling All 6th Grade Parents - Stock the Lounge!

6th Grade Parents - Please help stock the three CHMS Staff Lounges with drinks and snacks. Our wish list is below. We greatly appreciate your help!

The PTO coordinates this effort with donations from each grade level throughout the school year. Please make sure your donated items do NOT contain nuts.

Please drop off items on MONDAY, APRIL 28 between 8am-8:30am to the tables OUTSIDE of the school office. 

NOTE: Please do NOT ship items to school or drop off items late. We cannot accept late donations as the team assembles the items and stocks the lounges immediately after drop off at 8:30am that morning. If you cannot drop off during this time, please email staffappreciation@chmspto.org and we can coordinate an alternate drop off before the event. 

SIGN UP HERE!

6th Grade Glow Social - Tickets on Sale Now!

t’s time to purchase your 6th Grade Social tickets! We’re celebrating with an exciting Glow Party at Sky Zone in Westmont—an evening of jumping, dinner, and fun with friends.

The event takes place on Thursday, May 29th, from 6:00–8:00 PM and is a private event just for CHMS 6th graders.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by clicking the link below or through the Store page in your MTK account. Thanks to generous support from the CHMS PTO, the cost has been subsidized to help make this celebration more accessible for everyone.

Don’t miss out on this memorable end-of-year celebration!

Get your tickets HERE!

ICYM: 8th Grade - ✌️Out Middle School!

It’s hard to believe that the time is drawing near for 8th Grade Graduation! The PTO is excited to celebrate our graduates with an in-school, end of the year party and graduation ceremony. 

Save the Dates!

• May 29th: 8th graders will get an afternoon to hang out all together one last time! DJ, pizza, games, crafts, photo booth and more!
• May 30th: Graduation ceremony at HMS. More details to follow soon!

🎉 Step Into Style - 7th Grade Sneaker Social 🎶👟

Get ready for a night of fun, food, and fresh kicks! The 7th Grade Sneaker Social is happening on Saturday, May 17 from 5–7 PM at the Community House Gym in Hinsdale.

🎧 Live DJs
🏀 Hoops & Games
🍕 Great Food & Dessert
✨ Dress to impress—with your coolest sneakers!

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by clicking the link below or through the Store page in your MTK account.

This awesome evening is sponsored by the PTO, so come ready to have a blast with your classmates!

Please note, a waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to the event. We will send waivers to families who purchase tickets and follow up to ensure all forms has been completed.

Don't miss it—it’s the social event of the season! 👟💃🕺

Get you tickets HERE!

Come see Mary Poppins at Hinsdale Central

Grab your umbrellas and fly on over to Hinsdale Central's “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" production of Mary Poppins! 

Don’t miss this chance to “step in time” and experience the magic - because “anything can happen if you let it”!

Get your tickets HERE!