May 2019 eNewsletter
Summer is almost here — can you believe it?! Thank you to everyone who shared their good news with us all school-year long! Our final newsletter of 2018-19 with graduation recaps and other end-of-year news will be sent in mid-June.

Have stories or photos to share? Simply reply to this email to reach Communications Director Jamie Lavigueur.
Two D181 Students Compete in National Spelling Bee
HMS 7th Grader Advances to Finals
Hinsdale Middle School 7th-grader Atman Balakrishnan had an impressive and personal-record breaking run at the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee, held in Maryland May 27-30. Out of the 562 spellers, Atman was one of only 50 who qualified to advance to finals after spelling correctly in his stage rounds and scoring highly on the preliminary written test. He correctly spelled 'pince-nez' and 'parvenuism' in stage rounds. He was eliminated during finals on May 30 with the word 'hanseatic.'
Atman (first row, second from right) with the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee Finalists.
Atman qualified for nationals for his second year after placing first at the DuPage County bee and District 181 bee. His father, Balu Natarajan, was the National Champion in 1985 . Atman, we are so proud of your hard work and accomplishments!
Atman and Sri with their families and Superintendent Dr. Hector Garcia, at a Board meeting earlier this year.
The Lane Third-Grader Excels During Stage Rounds
The Lane third-grader Sri Rao qualified to participate in the National Bee by applying through the RSVBee. She placed second in the DuPage County Bee and D181 Bee.

At Nationals, Sri correctly spelled 'figurable' and 'tattersall' in her stage rounds but her written test score precluded her from advancing to finals. Incredible job, Sri! We are so proud of you!
D181 Hosts "Destination Imagination Week"
This year, 10 teams from Elm School and Hinsdale Middle School competed in a STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) activity, called Destination Imagination . The activity challenges students to use their creativity to solve real problems without adult interference and grow the skills needed to succeed in the real world.

This year, five D181 teams competed at the State level and a record four teams (27 students total) scored highly enough at State to advance to the Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri. Stay tuned for our June eNewsletter for results and photos from the Global Finals!

To help support these students and educate other students about Destination Imagination, parent volunteers partnered with D181 and its schools to organize "DI Week."

During the week, fundraising activities were held like "Flamingo Flocking" (donations are made and flamingoes show up at a location of the donor's choosing) and "Duct Tape Mr. Peña" (students donated spare change and the grade level that raised the most had the privilege of duct taping HMS Principal Ruben Peña). At Elm School, raffle baskets were offered and students visited all classrooms to share about DI and compete in an instant challenge.

Congrats to all our DI students and thank you to the volunteers who make it possible!
Middle School Bands Host Concerts, Dr. Garcia Makes Guest Appearance
The HMS and CHMS bands performed for packed houses May 8 and 10 and there was no shortage of entertainment! Superintendent Dr. Hector Garcia even made a guest appearance ... but his musical talents didn't quite stack up to those of our students. To see what happened, click here .
HMS Students Volunteer at Rotary's 'Bikes for Military Kids'
On Saturday, May 18, HMS students and Principal R uben Peña helped The Rotary Club of Hinsdale distribute brand new bikes and helmets to 102 happy children of active military families. Thank you for volunteering on behalf of D181 and thank you for all you do, Rotary Club of Hinsdale!
HMS Students Featured in NWEA Video
In 2016, seventh-grade HMS ELA teacher Lisa Powers gave her students an assignment: contact a business and make suggestions for product improvement. Students Isabel Sunderland and Caitlin Brankin, now in 10th grade, chose to write to the CEO of  NWEA , which develops the MAP Growth assessment test, and suggested that the test cater more to student interest to help them more deeply engage with the testing content.
NWEA listened, and this past November, NWEA Research Scientist Deb Adkins came to Hinsdale so that Ms. Powers’ current classes of 7th graders could be first in America to test drive a new assessment based on student choice. After trying the prototype assessment, students offered their feedback, and Ms. Adkins is conducting further analysis to determine the impact of student-centric tests. The above video interviews students and shares more about the process.
CHMS Student Organizes Blood Drive
CHMS eighth-grader Laith Khartabil organized a blood drive at CHMS with the American Red Cross.

Because of Laith's efforts, 29 people donated blood. Thank you to the volunteers who assisted and great job Laith!
CHMS Washington D.C. Trip: May 1-4
Track & Field Teams - Conference Results
Stuff the Squad - Thank You!
All District 181 schools collected food and supplies for those in need in partnership with the Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, and Burr Ridge Police Departments to benefit families who access HCS Family Services. Throughout the week, we collected 2,500 pounds of food and supplies total. Wow! Thank you to all students and families who contributed!

PHOTO: Elm students raised the most donations (per student). They offered bracelets to those who brought in supplies courtesy of a D181 Foundation Kids Grant.
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COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 181
115 West 55th St. Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
© District 181. All rights reserved.
PH: 630.861.4900
FAX: 630.887.1079