Upcoming Dates

10/8/2025 11:43 pm

8th Grade Food Drive - December 1 - 18

Hinsdale Central Open House - December 9

Hinsdale Central Choir, Harp Ensemble and Orchestra Holiday Concert - December 10

Hinsdale Central Band and Jazz Holiday Concert - December 11

D86 Access Network Event - December 11

GiftCrowd Deadline - December 17

PTO General Meeting - January 9

Holiday Gifting with GiftCrowd

10/8/2025 11:41 pm

This holiday season, let's join forces to show HMS teachers and staff our appreciation for their hard work and dedication to our students! The PTO is re-introducing GiftCrowd, an easy, free, and virtual way for families to express their gratitude toward our teachers and staff from the comfort of your home. With GiftCrowd, the PTO collects contributions and staff will have over 400 gift cards to choose from. Families can also add personal greetings for teachers.

Click HERE to join GiftCrowd. Simply search for your teacher/staff name and click "Join". You will input your information and gift amount. You will not need to click "Hide Contributions" as we have hidden all gift amounts. Once complete, "Add to Cart", and "Join" additional teachers/staff. Add as many as you'd like before you checkout. We've included HMS hard-working secretaries, custodians, and crossing guards who keep our children safe. Any amount is greatly appreciated. The teachers/staff will see which families contribute but not the individual gift amount. Please note participation is completely optional; there are many other ways to show appreciation during the holidays.

The deadline to join GiftCrowd is Wednesday, December 17, by 9am. At that time, teachers and staff will automatically receive their virtual gifts. GiftCrowd will not be able to accept late contributions, since the site will close at that time.

Questions or trouble finding a staff on the list? Email staffapp@hmspto.org. Thank you always for supporting our HMS teachers and staff!

Sister School Gift Giving

10/8/2025 11:40 pm

We are once again partnering with our sister school, Komarek, in North Riverside to bring a special holiday season to families in need. We are sponsoring 9 families this year!  Please click HERE to help us make their dreams come true!

8th Grade Food Drive

10/8/2025 11:00 pm

The 4th Annual HMS 8th Grade Food Drive will run December 1 - 18. The Hinsdale Family Services Food Pantry is requesting the following most-requested items:

Peanut butter
Jelly/jam
Ready-to-eat soup (Campbell’s Chunky, Progresso, etc.)
Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Hot breakfast (oatmeal, Farina, etc.)
Whole Grain Cereal
Cooking oil
Pasta
Bar soap
Dish soap
Pet food (cans and small bags, no large bags, please)
Diaper sizes 5 and 6

Calling all 8th graders to bring in goods for the food drive any day in December through the 18th!

Battle of the Books

10/8/2025 11:00 pm

Battle of the Books sign up is happening now! Please have your child check their email for information about signing up. Competitions will begin in January and run through March. Students may sign up individually or with a team of four total members. See Ms. Scacco in Room 319 or email dscacco@d181.org with any questions. Happy reading!

Hinsdale Central - Class of 2030 Open House

10/8/2025 10:57 pm

8th Grade Families: Save the date for Hinsdale Central's upcoming open house for the Class of 2030 on December 9th from 5:30 - 8:30 pm!

Shop Hinsdale Central Spirit Wear & Grab Holiday Gifts too! The Hinsdale Central Booster Club is hosting two spirit wear sales in December:

• December 4 from 3:00 - 8:00 pm. Grant Street Entrance.
• December 9 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Student Commons (during 8th Grade Parent night)

Hinsdale Central Red Devil spirt wear makes a great gift and all profits go directly to the school community. Cash, card, and Apple Pay accepted.

Hinsdale Central Holiday Concert Series

10/8/2025 10:56 pm

We invite all HMS families to experience the magic of the holiday season at the Hinsdale Central's Holiday Concert Series. Both concerts will be held in the school's auditorium and will begin at 7pm. No tickets required! Join us in the spirit of the season and enjoy performances from our talented musicians.

December 10 - Choir, Harp Ensemble and Orchestra programs
December 11 - Band and Jazz programs

D86 Access Network Event - 12/11

10/8/2025 10:55 pm

The D86 Access Network, a caregiver-led group supporting families of students with IEPs and 504 Plans at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, is hosting our next event on December 11 at 7 pm, “Understanding Anxiety in Students with Learning Differences,” geared toward families of students in grades 6–12. The session is led by Elevate Counseling + Wellness and focuses on practical ways to help teens manage anxiety and build resilience at home and school.  

Parent List

10/8/2025 10:54 pm

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

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. Click HERE to read existing Parent List provider reviews. 

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.

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

In no way does the Hinsdale Central High School or Hinsdale Middle School PTOs, Hinsdale Central High School or Hinsdale Middle 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 Hinsdale Middle 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.

Use Minted.com This Holiday Season & Giveback to HMS!

10/8/2025 10:53 pm

By using Minted for your holiday cards and invitations this holiday season, you can help HMS fundraise to support programming at the school! Supporting is easy, go to at minted.com and at check out use the code FUNDRAISEHINSDALE. Thank you for your support!