🎉 Tickets Still Available: Step Into Style this Saturday at the 7th Grade Sneaker Social 🎶👟

There is still time to get your tickets for the 7th Grade Year End Sneaker Social!

This Saturday, May 17th 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Community House Gym in Hinsdale. Live DJ, Hoops + Games, Pizza, and Fun! 

$20 in advance. $25 at the door. 

Want some new kicks for the 7th Grade social?! 

**THE FIRST 50 TICKETS PURCHASED WILL BE ENTERED INTO A RAFFLE TO WIN A $200 NIKE GIFT CARD! WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY!! **

Click HERE to get your tickets today!

Please note, a waiver must be signed by a parent/guardian prior to the event. Waivers will be emailed to families who purchase tickets.

GET YOUR SOCIAL TICKETS TODAY!

Please click below to get your 6th and 7th grade social tickets!

 

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            GET 6TH GRADE                                       GET 7TH GRADE

            TICKETS HERE                                         TICKETS HERE

 

 

 

Last General PTO Meeting: Difficult Topics - How to talk to your CHMS student

Come join us for the last PTO General Meeting of the year this Thursday, May 15th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and hear a local expert's advice on how to speak to your middle schooler about difficult topics. Has your 6th, 7th or 8th grader come to you with topics you didn't quite know how to handle or do you ever wonder if you said the right thing? Come hear from a local parent and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for a casual Q and A to get all of your questions answered. 

Please RSVP HERE! 

We plan to meet at Gone Grazy and support our local community partners.

Order Your CHMS School Supply Kits Now!

Avoid the back-to-school rush and pre-order your CHMS school supplies for the 2025/2026 school year!

• Kits can be ordered through Educational Products, Inc.
• Use the CHMS school code: CLA217
• Supplies will be shipped directly to your home (note: shipping fees apply)
• Bulk items such as tissues, wipes and paper towels will be delivered to school
• There is a $5 price increase after June 1st
• Please note, purchasing closes on June 22nd 
• See CHMS school supply list here

ORDER HERE

 

See flyer for more details!

Questions? Please email us at president@chmspto.org.

🎉 Did You Know? CHMS 6 Week Series Article # 6: The Dynamic Duo Behind the Nest 🦅

As Clarendon Hills Middle School soars toward its 25th anniversary this August, it’s only fitting we spotlight the leaders at the helm of our Eagle family—Principal Dr. Levi Brown and Assistant Principal Mr. Erick Jones. They’re the heartbeat of our school, and while you might see them navigating the halls or cheering at events, there’s a whole lot more to them than meets the eye. Let’s dive in!

✈️ From Fighter Jets to Laser Discs: Meet Dr. Brown

When Dr. Brown was a middle schooler himself, he living just outside Bitburg, Germany, where his dad flew F-15E fighter jets. He attended a Department of Defense school on base—back when teachers were first experimenting with cutting-edge laser discs. (Google it, kids—it was cutting edge!)

His favorite teacher? Mrs. Barr, 2nd grade, who sparked his lifelong love of history. That passion turned into a decade-long career as a high school social studies teacher before he joined the world of school leadership.

Today, Dr. Brown lives out west near St. Charles with his wife and daughter, Birdie (age 5). When he’s not building master schedules or greeting students with a high-five, you might find him hiking with his yellow lab Gunnar or dreaming of lowering his golf handicap (same, Dr. Brown, same).

💬 Best CHMS memory? “CHMS Cares—it truly reflects who we are: a staff rooted in kindness.”
💬 Advice to 5th graders? “Bring a positive attitude—it’s free and makes all the difference!”
💬 Wish for the next 25 years? “May CHMS always be known for its positive identity, climate, and culture.”

🐝 Yellow Jackets Forever: Meet Mr. Jones

Back in the day, Mr. Erick Jones walked the halls of Syracuse Junior High School, home of the Yellow Jackets. Two standout teachers made a big impact:

• Mr. Szynal, who made math fun

• Mr. Hershberger, who brought the world into social studies by weaving in current events

Now a proud dad of two (7th and 5th graders!), Mr. Jones is constantly on the go—basketball games, volleyball matches, soccer, track—you name it. Still, he finds time to enjoy fishing, gardening, and global travel.

💬 Best CHMS memory? “COVID wasn’t easy, but seeing the CHMS community rally to support learning made me proud.”
💬 Advice to 5th graders? “Get involved, give your best, and don’t be afraid to fail. Better to try than wonder ‘what if.’”
💬 Wish for the next 25 years? “See another 1,600+ CHMS graduates take flight, celebrate my kids’ milestones, and travel the world with Mrs. Jones.”

🎓A Legacy of Leadership

As we reflect on the last 25 years of excellence, we’re grateful for leaders who don’t just manage a school—they shape it with heart, humor, and humanity. Whether it's laser disc memories, living classroom, or the shared joy of student success, Dr. Brown and Mr. Jones remind us why CHMS is truly one of a kind.

Here’s to 25 more years of learning, leading, and lifting each other up—together! 🦅💙💛

Before you officially check out for summer, take a hot minute to complete our "Did You Know?" Quiz — it's based on all six juicy articles we shared this year.

💡 It’s quick.
🍝 You could win a gift card to a local restaurant.
🏆 You get bragging rights (the ultimate prize).

So go on, flex those CHMS brain muscles and maybe earn yourself a night off from cooking.

👉 Take the Quiz Here

May the facts be ever in your favor!✨

Last General PTO Meeting: Difficult Topics - How to talk to your CHMS student

Come join us for the last PTO General Meeting of the year on Thursday, May 15th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and hear a local expert's advice on how to speak to your middle schooler about difficult topics. Has your 6th, 7th or 8th grader come to you with topics you didn't quite know how to handle or do you ever wonder if you said the right thing? Come hear from a local parent and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for a casual Q and A to get all of your questions answered. 

Please RSVP HERE by May 8th! 

We plan to meet at Gone Grazy and support our local community partners depending on number of attendees. 

Did You Know? A CHMS PTO 6-Week Series, Article #5: Spotlight on Oak Brook - A Hidden Gem in the CHMS Community

Did you know that Clarendon Hills Middle School (CHMS) serves students from not just Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale, but also a unique corner of Oak Brook? Roughly 10% of the CHMS student population comes from this lesser-known but historical part of the school district.

Nestled north of Ogden Avenue, the area known as Fullersburg Woods includes portions of Hinsdale and Oak Brook. Students from streets like Madison, Washington, Spring, and the neighborhoods surrounding York Road and I-294 call this area home—and CHMS their school.

Fullersburg Woods holds a special place in local history. It was originally part of the broader Fullersburg community, which actually predates the formal incorporation of both Hinsdale and Oak Brook. In the 1830s, Benjamin Fuller and his family established a small settlement here, and though the village of Fullersburg no longer exists in name, its legacy lives on in both municipalities still.

Over the years, as suburban development took off, the land was gradually divided. Hinsdale annexed part of Fullersburg in the early 1900s, and when Oak Brook was officially incorporated in 1958, the remaining portion became part of that village. Yet, amidst all the change, Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve remained protected. Established in the 1930s by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, it has become a beloved destination for scenic walks, environmental education, and visits to the historic Graue Mill.

Today, families from Oak Brook contribute a vibrant and valuable perspective to the CHMS community. Their neighborhoods blend historical roots with natural beauty, offering students the chance to grow up near a forest preserve that’s not only ecologically significant, but deeply intertwined with the area's past.

So next time you walk the halls of CHMS, remember—it’s not just a Clarendon Hills or Hinsdale story. Oak Brook has a proud place in the Eagle family too.

Order Your CHMS School Supply Kits Now!

Avoid the back-to-school rush and pre-order your CHMS school supplies for the 2025/2026 school year!

ORDER HERE!

• Kits can be ordered through Educational Products, Inc.
• Use the CHMS school code: CLA217
• Supplies will be shipped directly to your home (note: shipping fees apply)
• Bulk items such as tissues, wipes and paper towels will be delivered to school
• There is a $5 price increase after June 1st
• Please note, purchasing closes on June 22nd 
• See CHMS school supply list here

See flyer for more details!

Questions? Please email us at president@chmspto.org.

Calling 6th & 7th Grade Parent Volunteers!

We need your help for the 8th Grade Graduation. The end of the school year is fast approaching and we are looking for volunteers to help with 8th grade graduation activities.

This is a great opportunity to get a sneak peek into 8th grade graduation activities! Please review the sign up and help if you're able!

SIGN UP HERE

6th Grade Glow Social - Get your ticket today!

It’s time to purchase your 6th Grade Social tickets! The 6th graders will have the entire Sky Zone in Westmont to themselves. It will be an evening to celebrate their first year at CHMS and to leap into 7th grade! There will be lots of jumping, bouncing and fun with friends. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided, along with the glow in the dark t-shirt.
The event takes place on Thursday, May 29th, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Get your ticket HERE!

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

Parents: If you haven't done it yet, please sign up to volunteer at the party. There are a few spots left. We need parent support to make the 6th grade social a success. Please sign up to volunteer HERE!