Excitement filled the air on the morning of Sept. 3 as students from all four Elwood School District buildings – Elwood-John H. Glenn High School, Elwood Middle School, James H. Boyd Intermediate School and Harley Avenue Primary School – returned for the first day of classes, ready to learn and embrace the new academic year ahead.

“We had a terrific first day today,” John Glenn Interim Principal Irene McLaughlin said. “Thanks to our students and staff for kicking off the year on such a positive note.”

“It was an incredible first day back at Elwood Middle School today,” Principal Christina Moran said. “We were thrilled to welcome our seventh and eighth graders back and meet our new sixth-grade friends. The school was filled with smiles, and we can’t wait for a fantastic school year ahead.”

“What a wonderful first day at James H. Boyd,” Principal Elissa Millan said. “Our students came in with big smiles, positive energy and excitement for the year ahead. I can already tell it’s going to be an amazing school year.”

“We had a fantastic first day at Harley Avenue,” Principal Julie Bilello said. “The hallways were filled with smiling faces and positivity. Our first and second graders couldn’t wait to reconnect with friends and meet their new teachers, while our kindergartners were so excited to ride the bus and officially become Harley Knights. It’s going to be a great year.”

Date Added: 9/4/2025

The PTA at Elwood’s Harley Avenue Primary School welcomed incoming kindergartners and their families to a well-attended meetup on Aug. 8. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to reconnect with familiar faces and make new friends as they prepare for the school year ahead. The children enjoyed tasty ices and time on the playground, and also had the chance to shop for Elwood spiritwear. 

“Our kindergarten meetup was a chance for our newest students to become comfortable with the Harley Avenue campus and get excited for a great kindergarten year to come,” Principal Julie Bilello said.

Date Added: 8/13/2025

Julie Bilello, the new principal at Harley Avenue Primary School, hosted a welcoming meet and greet event for parents and students on July 28, introducing her to the Harley school community and building connections in preparation for September.

“It was important to me to create an opportunity for families to get to know me in an informal setting,” Bilello said. “I want both parents and students to feel at ease with me and to see me as a familiar, friendly face – even before the first day of school. I truly enjoyed spending time with the families who attended and I am excited to continue building relationships with many more as we kick off the school year.”