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    • Home
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Significant Initiatives
    • Programs
      • Event Schedule
      • D181 Student Art Show
      • Danny Riehle Memorial
      • Got STEM D181?
      • Math Assistance Hotline
      • Tech Ambassadors
      • Young Writers
    • Grants
      • Educator Grants
      • KIDS Grants
    • Ways to Give
      • Business Partners
      • Professional Partners
      • Family Resource Partners
      • Staff Appreciation
      • Trivia Night
    • Community Speaker Series
    • Donate
District 181 Foundation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Significant Initiatives
  • Programs
    • Event Schedule
    • D181 Student Art Show
    • Danny Riehle Memorial
    • Got STEM D181?
    • Math Assistance Hotline
    • Tech Ambassadors
    • Young Writers
  • Grants
    • Educator Grants
    • KIDS Grants
  • Ways to Give
    • Business Partners
    • Professional Partners
    • Family Resource Partners
    • Staff Appreciation
    • Trivia Night
  • Community Speaker Series
  • Donate

Young Writers

Support our YOUNG Writers

Calling All Student writers

Let's Write a Book Together and Celebrate at Young Writers Night

Who can participate?

The Young Writers Program is open to all District 181 3rd - 8th grade students. Any student who wishes to participate can do so.  Register to Participate


How do we sign up?

Parents should use the registration button on this page to sign up all of the children in their family that would like to participate. Registration closes on January 31, 2023. Written work is due by February 7, 2023. It should be submitted here.


What should students write about?

Students can write about any topic they wish, whatever is on their minds. They can write a new piece specifically for the book or they can submit something they have already finished and are proud of. 


Students do not need to write something new for the book if they don't wish to.


What type of writing can be submitted?

Any type! Write a descriptive paragraph, describe an experience, write an opinion piece, compose a poem, create a short story, develop a graphic story or comic, etc.


No Minimum Length Requirement. Maximum Length: 1000 words

Most submissions are significantly shorter than the maximum word count.

Important Dates

Registration Closes 

January 31, 2023


Written Work Due 

February 7, 2023

Submit Work Here


Young Writers Night 

April 13, 2023, 6:30pm

at HMS



Register to Participate

The Young writers Experience

Tips for a Successful Experience

  1. After registering, students should submit their finished pieces. Use the button in this section to upload writing.  
  2. Please create a title for your work and include it at the top of the document.
  3. If a student needs help getting started or with a review of a piece they are writing, please contact us and we can connect you with a mentor.
  4. If a student wishes to turn in something that was already completed in school this year and is not sure what to choose, his or her classroom teacher can help.
  5. The writing will be compiled into a hardcover book which every writer will receive.
  6. Student writers and their families are invited to Young Writers Night on Thursday, April 13th at HMS.  
  7. Students do not need to be available for Young Writers Night to participate in the book.  But, students who do not the book may not attend Young Writers Night.

Submit Student Writing

Young Writers Night

Thursday, April 13, 2023, 6:30pm at HMS

Young Writers and their families are invited to this fun evening celebrating writers and writing.  That night students can:


  • Pick up their copy of the finished hardcover book.
  • Listen to an author describe their writing experience
  • Share their work with a small group of peers facilitated by a teacher
  • Engage in fun learning sessions about a variety of topics in writing
  • Participate in the Open Mic Coffeehouse to share their work with a larger audience (if they wish!)


More details will be available later!

Cover art Contest

calling all student artists

We are looking for art for the front and back covers!

What should the cover art depict?

Anything students would like to share that reflects the theme “On Our Minds”


Who can participate?

All District 181 students are eligible to participate.


What type of artwork can be submitted?· 

Artwork can be digital or on paper using any type of media.· No size or dimensions requirement – the cover will be designed to fit the dimensions of the winning piece.· DO NOT include the title of the book in your artwork. 


How should the artwork be formatted for submission?

Artwork must be submitted in jpg or pdf format and uploaded through the button below. If a piece created on paper cannot be scanned or photographed at home, please contact us for help. 


Submission Deadline

Friday, February 10, 2023· 


Please Note

Care should be taken in photographing or scanning the artwork. Submissions that are low resolution, have shadows, are strangely angled, show paper crumples, creases, or have other technical issues will not be published.  

Submit Student Artwork

A special note of thanks

Funding for a portion of the Young Writers Event is sponsored by the Theresa Wilkie Memorial Fund

Our 2022 Young Writers Event enlisted 19 district teachers to mentor 255 young writers and artists who shared thoughts on the theme "Anything is Possible." The collection of artwork, short stories, poems, and essays were bound in a beautiful book that was given to all of the student participants and mentors. 

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