District 181 families have one last chance to hear from school leaders before the first day of class: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Hinsdale Middle School.

The Board of Education meets at 100 S. Garfield Ave. in what is the final scheduled public session before students return Wednesday, Aug. 19. As we reported earlier this week, the draft agenda lists four items: a facilities update, end-of-year budget highlights, new staff approvals and a "D181 collaboration" item whose details have not been made public.

The meeting comes as the district reviews its cellphone policies following Gov. JB Pritzker's "bell-to-bell" ban for K-8 schools, signed July 28. District 181 already requires phones to be collected in elementary schools and stored in lockers at the middle schools. Communications director Karen O'Connor told the Chicago Tribune on July 31 that the district "will review the new law, the forthcoming ISBE guidance, and our current policies and practices to determine whether changes are necessary." The Illinois State Board of Education is expected to issue model policy guidance by Sept. 1.

As we reported Aug. 7, the district's current rules already meet the new state standard.

Tuesday at the library

Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St., has two programs Tuesday evening. Board Game Night opens the Teen Lounge at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11, and Pickling & Preservation runs in the Community Meeting Room at 7 p.m. for adults looking to put up the last of summer's produce.

Saturday: 3-on-3 basketball at The Community House

The Community House's annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament tips off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at 415 W. Eighth St. The tournament, presented by Breakaway Basketball, is expected to draw nearly 300 players, a record field. For the first time, second-graders are in the bracket, expanding the age range to second through eighth grade.

Aug. 30: Burlington Park Ice Cream Social

The Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Junior Board hosts the 72nd Annual Ice Cream Social from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave., according to The Hinsdalean. Sponsored by UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, the free event includes complimentary ice cream, face painting, games, live entertainment and arts and crafts. The park itself is getting an upgrade: the Village Board approved a privately funded pavilion project earlier this year, with the hospital committing at least 50% of the project's $350,000 maximum cost and the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce pledging up to $100,000.

Hinsdale month ahead

  • Monday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.: D181 Board of Education meeting, Hinsdale Middle School, 100 S. Garfield Ave. Last session before school starts. Free and open to the public.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m.: Board Game Night, Hinsdale Public Library Teen Lounge, 20 E. Maple St. Free; no registration required.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7 p.m.: Pickling & Preservation, Hinsdale Public Library Community Meeting Room. Free.
  • Saturday, Aug. 15, 8 a.m.: 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St. Nearly 300 players, grades 2-8.
  • Thursday, Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m.: "Royalty to Reality | Princess Diana's Journey of Empathy," The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St.
  • Sunday, Aug. 30, 1-4 p.m.: 72nd Annual Ice Cream Social, Burlington Park, 30 E. Chicago Ave. Free ice cream, games, live entertainment. Hosted by Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Junior Board.