HC Weekly E-Blast

Weekly E-Blast   |  March 20, 2025 The girls water polo team has gotten off to a 4-1 record to start the 2025 season, including taking 2nd place at the Red Devil Invite on March 15. Sophomore Chloe Van Houtte led the offensive attack with 13 goals over three games with freshman Rashida Moosabhoy adding 7 goals and senior Sophia Warren netting 6. Senior goalie Allie Tonjes notched a shutout in the first game of the Red Devil Invite against Glenbrook South with a dominating effort that ended with a score of 13-0. Overall, the Red Devils outscored their opponents 33-13 in an outstanding effort for the opening tournament of the season. School Safety: Staff Parking Lot For the safety of our students and staff, we kindly ask that you avoid using the staff parking lot during drop-off and pick-up times. This area is designated for school staff, and additional traffic creates safety hazards for both pedestrians and drivers. To ensure a smooth and secure process, please use the designated drop-off and pick-up zones. Keeping these areas clear helps prevent congestion and allows for a safer school environment. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to student and staff safety! Class of 2026 Senior Parking We are now accepting senior parking permit applications for the 2025-2026 school year! Important Details: Application Deadline: June 27, 2025 How to Apply: Students must use their D86 school account to submit their application. Application Process: Once received, applications will be reviewed, and students will receive confirmation of submission. Parking Assignments: Notifications regarding parking assignments will be posted and sent out in mid-July. Don't miss the deadline—apply today! Senior Parking Expectation and Application Graduation Banners Class of 2025! Congratulations!  Your hard work and commitment to your education has been paid off with acceptance to college or another path! Hinsdale Central wants to honor your future plans by displaying, at our graduation ceremony, a personalized banner featuring your plans. This colorful banner, which is yours to keep, is a great keepsake commemorating your success in high school and beyond. Banners are 24"x30" and printed in color on both sides with 4 grommet holes for easy hanging. These banners are currently on sale, for $75 each, with proceeds going to activities programming here at Hinsdale Central.  Use this link to order and pay now!  Orders will not be filled if payment has not been received by May 13th.  We will try to place orders after that date but understand that the price increases to $100. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sally Phillip ( sphillip@hinsdale86.org ). Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey We Need Your Help and Feedback!!! The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents an important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district,  we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. I hope to meet and surpass that percentage, and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. All survey responses will be kept confidential. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE Financial Aid Application Completion Requirement for Seniors State law requires all Illinois public high school seniors to complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. For students who choose not to file an application, a Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form may be signed by a parent or guardian. The 2025 Nonparticipation Form (used to opt-out of the 2025-26 FAFSA) can be submitted online on ISAC’s Student Portal. See the  Financial Aid Application Nonparticipation Form Instructions for details on how to complete the electronic form. Post Prom Attention Senior Parents! Prom & Post Prom tickets are now on sale. Immediately following Prom, Seniors are steps away from enjoying a stunning cruise on Lake Michigan. This PTO supported event, offers a once in a lifetime experience, and is a decades old tradition. Seniors will continue dancing, enjoying delicious food, photo booth, and making lifetime memories. The Hinsdale Police department cites Post Prom as the #1 reason for the reduction in incidents following Prom. Please encourage your Senior to attend! Q3 Make A Difference Award Recipients Thank you to all who submitted nominations for the Q3 Make A Difference Awards. The committee reviewed the nominations received and is pleased to congratulate the following six Make A Difference Award recipients for the Third Quarter. A big thank you to these teachers and staff for their commitment and kindness to our Red Devil community. They are going above and beyond in making a true difference at Hinsdale Central.   Toni Anderson-Mathematics Jennifer Burkemper-Fine Arts/Music Dr. Chris Cirrincione-Assistant Principal of Instruction Maureen Drown-Counseling Abbey Green-Mathematics Greta Leader-Social Studies Community Speaker Series Presents Harlan Cohen Registration is now open for the final event of the Community Speaker Series season! We are thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author and college success expert, Harlan Cohen, to our community. He will share his advice for achieving success by getting comfortable with the uncomfortable. NEW for this event: Bring your teens! Teenage students are welcome and encouraged to attend our evening event on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00pm in the Hinsdale Central Auditorium. We will also offer a second presentation for parents on Wednesday, April 30 at 9:00am at The Community House. As always, our events are free and open to all. Come out to connect, learn and enjoy! Please note: We anticipate a strong turnout for these events and ask that you arrive early to allow ample time for parking and seating so that we can begin our events promptly and provide our audience with the maximum amount of time with Harlan. Tuesday, April 29, 7:00pm-8:30pm, REGISTER HERE: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/CSSCohenPM Wednesday, April 30, 9:00am-10:30am, REGISTER HERE: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/CSSCohenAM Harlan Cohen has visited over 500 high school and college campuses, helping students, parents, and professionals navigate change and get comfortable with the uncomfortable. He is the author of seven books, including Win or Learn: The Naked Truth About Turning Every Rejection into Your Ultimate Success and The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run into In College. Harlan has over 1.5 million followers across his social media accounts and hosts The Harlan Cohen Podcast. See the attached flyer for more details.  Upcoming Dates Spring Break March 31-April 4 Culture Fair, April 11 Spring Musical, Mary Poppins, April 24-27 Prom, May 3

Thursday, Mar 20 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - March 20, 2025

Weekly Newsletter March 20, 2025 What's Happening   5Essentials Survey - We Need Your Feedback! The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents an important opportunity for parents and guardians to share their thoughts on the elements of school effectiveness by completing a survey about their child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and higher test scores. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. For the results to be released to our district, we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 28. We hope to meet and surpass that percentage and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. TAKE THE SURVEY     Summer School Registration information for Summer School 2025 is available on the District 86 website underneath the Summer School tab in the menu. The Program of Studies provides course offerings that will be available on April 1. Registration begins on Monday, April 14, through Infinite Campus. Should you have any specific questions, please contact Susan Grady (sgrady@hinsdale86.org)or Jordan Stob (jstob@hinsdale6.org).   Counseling   College Representative Visits Students interested in meeting with a visiting college representative should follow these steps: 1). Register for the visit on SchooLinks. 2). Visit Mrs. Alvarez in the Counseling Office to receive a pass. 3). Have the pass signed by the class teacher you will miss. 4). Bring the signed pass to the 30-45 minute college visit. Students without a signed pass will not be permitted to attend. Monday, March 24 10:45 AM - Iowa State University 11:40 AM - Chicago State University 1:30 PM - Trinity Christian College    Student Highlights     Mock Trial Team - State Tournament Congratulations to the Hinsdale South Mock Trial team for excelling at the state tournament! Congratulations to Marko Milutinovic and Karen Zaki, who earned "Outstanding Attorney" awards, and Paulina Majerczyk, who won an "Outstanding Witness" award. We are so proud of you!   Results for Athletic Events   Graduation Information   2025 Graduation Banners Sale We are excited to announce the first-ever sale of graduation banners! These banners will be displayed during the graduation ceremony, measuring 24"x 36". They are printed in color and come with grommet holes on each corner. The banners will feature the current senior yearbook photo taken during the school year. Orders must be placed by May 1, 2025, and are currently on sale for $55 each. Proceeds will support Student Activities programming at Hinsdale South.  The banners will be displayed in the stadium on graduation night, and families are welcome to take them down after the ceremony for a wonderful photo opportunity; of course, they will make a great souvenir and memory for years to come.  Sales are now open, and you can place your order here. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Nick Chavarria at nchavarr@hinsdale86.org.   Faculty/Staff Highlights   Jennifer Belmonte - Art Teacher Jen Belmonte is a true Hornet. She is an alum of Hinsdale South and has been a staff member for several years. She teaches art classes from drawing & painting, digital imaging, graphic design, exploring visual art, AP studio art, and physical education classes. Jen is not only an extraordinary teacher but also a coach and sponsor. She is the girl's soccer head coach and golf assistant coach. She is the activities sponsor for the National Art Honor Society and Anime Club. Jen is the school’s go-to for graphic design and digital imaging projects throughout the school and often consults on creative designs for many people. Thank you, Jen, for all you do for Hinsdale South and the Fine Arts Department. Chris Gumban - Music Teacher Chris Gumban has had many roles in the music department. He was originally hired as the assistant band director, but he was thrust into the role as full-time band director in 2021-2022. In 2022, Chris took over the Hinsdale South choir program. Chris started the A Cappella program and has grown to several ensembles competing in the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA). This year, Noteworthy, the top A Cappella group at South finished 2nd at the ICHSA quarterfinal and will advance to the semifinal at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee. Chris also started the South Powerlifting Club and has seen the program grow powerful (pun intended). Thank you, Chris, for all you do for Hinsdale South and the Fine Arts Department.   Hinsdale South Music Boosters   2nd Annual Rock Your Tees - Bowling Night! Tickets are now available for our 2nd Annual Rock Your Tees Bowling Night at Tivoli Bowl in Downers Grove. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 PM for a fun evening of: Food Bowling Socializing - invite your friends & neighbors!! Silent Auction and Raffles that include: Cubs Tix Broadway in Chicago tickets Chicago Symphony Orchestra Ravinia Tickets Navy Pier Gift cards to local businesses And MORE!!! If you or someone you know would like to sponsor or donate raffle items for the event, email us at hinsdalesouthmusicboosters@gmail.com GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!!   SIX The Musical - April 11 - 13 Hinsdale South High School will perform SIX The Musical on April 11 at 7 PM, April 12 at 2 PM and 7 PM, and April 13 at 2 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Mark these dates on your calendar so you don't miss out!   Culture and Equity News   March Cultural Observances On behalf of our D86 CELT student organization (Culture and Equity Leadership Team), we invite you monthly to deepen your knowledge of the cultural and religious observances of your peers. We hope each of you continues to feel seen and affirmed in our spaces as you and your family acknowledge any traditions or values. The curated reminders and resources highlight some optional ways you can engage in March Cultural and Religious Observances.   Community Events       Hygiene Drive Hinsdale South's Civics class is organizing a Hygiene Drive to help people in need. All donations will go to Almost Home, Oak Lawn, which supports people who don’t have homes. We’re collecting: Toothpaste & toothbrushes Bandages Sanitary wipes Deodorant Feminine hygiene products Sunscreen Chapstick Shampoo Tissues You can drop off donations at the front entrance. The drive runs from March 17–March 27 and April 7–April 16 (the two weeks before spring break and the week after). Let’s come together and make a difference! Every little bit helps, and we’d love to see our school show up strong for this cause.            

Thursday, Mar 20 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast March 13, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  March 13, 2025 The Hinsdale Central Speech Team placed third as a team at the IHSA State Speech Tournament, and had two individual state champions! The individual award winners were:  Gemma Flaming--State Champion, Original Comedy  Meiyan Zhu--State Champion, Poetry Reading  Michael McGowan and Gemma Flaming--3rd place, Humorous Duet Acting  Michael McGowan and Makenna Melia-- 4th place, Dramatic Duet Acting  Maeve Rogers--6th place, Radio Speaking  The Performance in the Round team also earned 3rd place in State, with a cast consisting of: Anthony Annoreno, Mia Angeletti, John Gallagher, Sonia Gupta, Rebekah Lian, Megan McMillin, Sofia Nucifora, Olivia Tobolski, Joyce Wang, Katherine Weil, and Annika Zilliox. Class of 2026 Senior Parking We are now accepting senior parking permit applications for the 2025-2026 school year! Important Details: Application Deadline: June 27, 2025 How to Apply: Students must use their D86 school account to submit their application. Application Process: Once received, applications will be reviewed, and students will receive confirmation of submission. Parking Assignments: Notifications regarding parking assignments will be posted and sent out in mid-July. Don't miss the deadline—apply today! Senior Parking Expectation and Application Upcoming Student Surveys On Wednesday, March 19, students will be taking surveys within the school day: the “Social-Emotional Learning: Student Competency and Well-Being Measures Survey, and a School Level Survey,” as well as the student version of the 5 Essentials survey. While we realize it is a big ask to give students two surveys on the same day, we decided to do so in an effort to limit the overall disruption to educational time. We will be communicating further with students as that date approaches.  The Student Competency & Well-Being Measures Survey is focused on student wellness and mental health. The survey can help district administrators, counseling directors, and educators understand students’ positive feelings, negative feelings, and the social support that students receive from and provide to others. The School Level Survey covers topics such as belonging, climate, engagement, mindset, cell phones, and teacher-student relationships. The 5Essentials Student Survey is focused on school improvement and asks about students’ experiences in school. These results give school leaders critical student input to help develop school improvement plans. While we look forward to receiving feedback from our students, we realize there are some families who do not feel comfortable with their students completing the survey. If you find it helpful, families are welcome to use the following link to view the survey questions ( Social Emotional Learning: Competency and Well-Being Measures, and School Level Survey | 5Essentials ) . If you still would prefer for your student not to participate, please use the following link to complete the student opt-out form ( Social Emotional Learning: Competency & Well-Being Measures, and School Level Survey |  5Essentials ). Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey We Need Your Help and Feedback!!! The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents an important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district,  we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. I hope to meet and surpass that percentage, and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. All survey responses will be kept confidential. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE Scholarship Information Every year there are many scholarships available specifically for Hinsdale Central seniors. Criteria and applications are posted in  Schoolinks via Finances/Scholarship Matching. Many will have application deadlines prior to spring break. We will continue to add scholarships opportunities as they become available so be sure to check frequently for new opportunities.  District 86 College Fair  March 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Hinsdale South Fieldhouse. We will once again be partnering with Strive Scan to allow students to easily share their information with the colleges they meet with at the fair. Students who create an account will be given a barcode that any college they are interested in can scan and collect their information. Students are encouraged to register ahead of time to get their bar code at www.StriveFair.com . A preliminary list of schools attending can be found at D86 College Fair List . PTO Updates The PTO Meeting on "Finishing the Year Strong & Summer Opportunities" scheduled for Wednesday, 3/12 has moved to Wednesday, 3/19. Still at 7pm and still on Zoom. Check the PTO eBlast for details. We hope to see you then! Post Prom Attention Senior Parents! Prom & Post Prom tickets are now on sale. Immediately following Prom, Seniors are steps away from enjoying a stunning cruise on Lake Michigan. This PTO supported event, offers a once in a lifetime experience, and is a decades old tradition. Seniors will continue dancing, enjoying delicious food, photo booth, and making lifetime memories. The Hinsdale Police department cites Post Prom as the #1 reason for the reduction in incidents following Prom. Please encourage your Senior to attend! Upcoming Dates Spring Break March 31-April 4 Culture Fair, April 11 Spring Musical, Mary Poppins, April 24-27 Prom, May 3

Thursday, Mar 13 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - March 13, 2025

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Newsletter March 13, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ What's Happening ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ D86 Student Survey Day - Wednesday, March 19 ​ On Wednesday, March 19, students will be taking two surveys within the school day: the “Social-Emotional Learning: Student Competency and Well-Being Measures Survey and a School Level Survey,” as well as the student version of the 5 Essentials survey. While we realize it is a big ask to give students two surveys on the same day, we decided to do so in an effort to limit the overall disruption to educational time. We will be communicating further with students as that date approaches.  These surveys can help district administrators, counseling directors, and educators understand students’ positive feelings, negative feelings, and the social support that students receive from and provide to others. While we look forward to receiving feedback from our students, we realize there are some families who do not feel comfortable with their students completing the survey. If you still prefer your student not to participate, please use the following links to complete the student opt-out forms by Sunday, March 16th. (Social Emotional Learning: Competency & Well-Being Measures, and School Level Survey | 5Essentials). Thank you for your continued partnership in the improvement of our schools. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 5Essentials Survey - Parent/Guardian version ​ You can complete your survey on the same day as your student! CLICK HERE The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents another important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district, we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. We hope to meet and surpass that percentage and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. TAKE THE SURVEY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Summer School ​ Registration information for Summer School 2025 is currently available on the District 86 website underneath the Summer School tab in the menu. The Program of Studies providing course offerings will be available April 1. Registration begins on Monday, April 14 through Infinite Campus. Should you have any specific questions, please reach out to Susan Grady (sgrady@hinsdale86.org)or Jordan Stob (jstob@hinsdale6.org). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Counseling ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ College Representative Visits ​ Students interested in meeting with a visiting college representative should follow these steps: 1). Register for the visit on SchooLinks. 2). Visit Mrs. Alvarez in the Counseling Office to receive a pass. 3). Have the pass signed by the teacher of the class you will miss. 4). Bring the signed pass to the 30-45 minute college visit. Students without a signed pass will not be permitted to attend. Monday, March 17 10:45 AM - Roger Williams University Wednesday, March 19 12:30 PM - College of DuPage  Thursday, March 24 10:45 AM - Iowa State University 11:40 AM - Chicago State University 1:30 PM - Trinity Christian College  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Student Highlights ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Results for Athletic Events ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Faculty/Staff Highlights ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Hinsdale South Music Boosters ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2nd Annual Rock Your Tees - Bowling Night! ​ Tickets are now available for our 2nd Annual Rock Your Tees Bowling Night at Tivoli Bowl in Downers Grove. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 PM for a fun evening of: Food Bowling Socializing - invite your friends & neighbors!! Silent Auction and Raffles that include: Cubs Tix Broadway in Chicago tickets Chicago Symphony Orchestra Ravinia Tickets Navy Pier Gift cards to local businesses And MORE!!! If you or someone you know would like to sponsor or donate raffle items for the event, email us at hinsdalesouthmusicboosters@gmail.com GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ SIX The Musical - April 11 - 13 ​ Hinsdale South High School will perform SIX The Musical on April 11 at 7 PM, April 12 at 2 PM and 7 PM, and April 13 at 2 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Mark these dates on your calendar so you don't miss out! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Culture and Equity News ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ March Cultural Observances ​ On behalf of our D86 CELT student organization (Culture and Equity Leadership Team), we invite you monthly to deepen your knowledge of the cultural and religious observances of your peers. We hope each of you continues to feel seen and affirmed in our spaces as you and your family acknowledge any traditions or values. The curated reminders and resources highlight some optional ways you can engage in March Cultural and Religious Observances. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Community Events ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Wee Care PreSchool ​ The Child Care & Development classes at Hinsdale South High School are running a 6-week preschool session starting April 8th. Click here for the information link. Click here for the enrollment form. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Thursday, Mar 13 2025

Seeking Community Representatives for Availability &...

The District 86 Board of Education established a new Special Committee to explore the district's course offerings and staffing process. The purpose of the  Availability & Opportunities Committee is to explore ways to measure course availability and opportunities, and to review and propose creative solutions. The Availability & Opportunities committee is interested in engaging members of the community to serve as committee representatives. To ensure a fair and open process–and representation from across the district–the committee is  now accepting applications . The Availability & Opportunities Committee will meet once more on March 17, prior to welcoming committee representatives on  Monday April 7, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the District Administrative Center, and then every two weeks thereafter.  The committee will produce a culminating report for the full board by August 2025, which will inform the 2026-27 program of studies and staffing process. The application will remain open until Friday, March 14, 2025. At that time, the committee chair will review applicants and selections will be made. We will contact all stakeholders who complete an application to inform whether or not they have been selected. COMPLETE THE APPLICATION If you would like to be notified when Availability & Opportunities Committee agendas are posted, please SUBSCRIBE to receive alerts. If you have questions or need more information about this opportunity or the committee in general, please contact Committee Chair Abed Rahman at arahman@hinsdale86.org.

Friday, Mar 07 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast March 6, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  March 6, 2025 Student Voice A high school functions best when it incorporates the voice of its students and staff. Hinsdale Central is dedicated to gathering the voices of our Red Devil students. With about 100 clubs and a comprehensive athletic program, student athletes and students in our clubs have multiple opportunities to share their voice on the culture and climate at Hinsdale Central. Additionally, Principal Walsh and Assistant Principals Cirrincione & Maita host the Principal Student Advisory Council. This group of students meets at least 4 times a year. Here students share their experiences as Red Devils and offer perspectives on opportunities to improve how Hinsdale Central Functions. This unique group of students enables the building leadership team to student voices in a quick and convenient manner from a wide range of perspectives. Thank you to Andres, Pietro, Toral, Zaynab, Asha, Marija, Gene, Albin, Jordyn, Sloan, Aanya, Maeve, Scarlet, RJ, Jaylen, Jane, Aarush, Jupiter, Rian, Fox, Capri, Noura, Madeline, and Henry for your voice. Class of 2026 Senior Parking We are now accepting senior parking permit applications for the 2025-2026 school year! Important Details: Application Deadline: June 27, 2025 How to Apply: Students must use their D86 school account to submit their application. Application Process: Once received, applications will be reviewed, and students will receive confirmation of submission. Parking Assignments: Notifications regarding parking assignments will be posted and sent out in mid-July. Don't miss the deadline—apply today! Senior Parking Expectation and Application Q3 Make A Difference Nominations Due Friday, March 7th At Hinsdale Central, many teachers and staff members go above and beyond to engage students or provide extra support to others in our Red Devil community. They teach classes, advise clubs, coach teams, and provide services that “make a difference” at our school. If you know of a teacher or staff member whose dedication or kindness has had a positive and lasting impact on you or a student, we invite you to nominate them. When describing why this individual deserves the award, please be specific and provide examples . Although applications must be signed, those who submit nominations will remain anonymous. Please nominate them for a Make A Difference Award by completing the  form found here . Anyone can make a nomination!  The PTO presents six recipients with Make A Difference Awards each quarter.  The awards will include our appreciation with a personalized certificate and $100 gift card.   Nominations received by Friday, March 7, 2025 will be considered for the third quarter awards.  Those nominated who have not received an award within the past 8 quarters are eligible for this current quarter. You can view a list of past Make A Difference recipients  here .   If you have any questions, please contact Denys Kang, Grace Shin, or Kristin Tu at makeadifference@hcpto.org . Summer School Information Registration information for Summer School 2025 is currently available on the District 86 website underneath the Summer School tab in the menu. The Program of Studies providing course offerings will be available April 1. Registration begins on Monday, April 14 through Infinite Campus. Should you have any specific questions, please reach out to Susan Grady ( sgrady@hinsdale86.org ) or Jordan Stob ( jstob@hinsdale6.org ). Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey We Need Your Help and Feedback!!! The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents an important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district,  we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. I hope to meet and surpass that percentage, and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. All survey responses will be kept confidential. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE Scholarship Information Every year there are many scholarships available specifically for Hinsdale Central seniors. Criteria and applications are posted in  Schoolinks via Finances/Scholarship Matching. Many will have application deadlines prior to spring break. We will continue to add scholarships opportunities as they become available so be sure to check frequently for new opportunities.  District 86 College Fair  March 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Hinsdale South Fieldhouse. We will once again be partnering with Strive Scan to allow students to easily share their information with the colleges they meet with at the fair. Students who create an account will be given a barcode that any college they are interested in can scan and collect their information. Students are encouraged to register ahead of time to get their bar code at www.StriveFair.com . A preliminary list of schools attending can be found at D86 College Fair List . Order the 2024-2025 Yearbook! Don't let the memories of this year fade away--buy a yearbook! Yearbooks for the 2024-2025 school year are on sale now at  yearbookforever.com ! Parents of Seniors: the HC yearbook has a tradition of honoring our graduating seniors by selling senior tributes. These tributes are a space for parents to share a childhood photo of their student as well as a special message. For more directions and an example tribute, visit this link . To purchase one for $35, visit  yearbookforever.com . LEAP into Africa Flower Sale Support education in South Africa by purchasing beautiful spring flowers through the LEAP into Africa club! Every purchase directly supports the LEAP Maths and Sciences Schools, providing underserved students with quality education and brighter futures. Not only will you bring color and joy to your home, but you’ll also be making a meaningful impact on students striving for success. These schools empower young learners with the skills they need to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change in their communities. A simple purchase can plant the seeds of opportunity—order your flowers today! 🌼✨ Check out the plant options here . Order here before March 7! Check out conversations with the LEAP Students in South Africa  here and hear how their LEAP high school experience has transformed their life.  Boosters Fundraiser Dine in or grab some takeout at Fuller House in downtown Hinsdale on Tuesday, March 11th from 4-10pm!  A portion of all in-house dining and takeout orders will be given back to Hinsdale Central Boosters. No need to mention this promo, just enjoy some delicious food while supporting local students!  All of the funds raised by Boosters are donated to HCHS students through semiannual grants. Each year, the Boosters donate approximately $80k in grants to Activities and Athletics at HCHS. Learn more about the Boosters at  www.theboosters.com . Thank you for your support!  Mental Health Resources You can find these helpful mental health resources available on the school and PTO website. Social Work Department website (everything from community mental health organizations to helpful articles and resources including a fun virtual office that offers links to coping strategies, self-care tools, etc.) https://central.hinsdale86.org/student-support-resources/social-work Hinsdale Central PTO Parent List (Angie's List style resource where parents may read and anonymously write positive reviews regarding local support services that have been successful in handling childhood developmental, emotional, learning and health issues) https://hcpto.org/parent-list/ Upcoming Dates Spring Break March 31-April 4 Culture Fair, April 11 Spring Musical, Mary Poppins, April 24-27 Prom, May 3

Thursday, Mar 06 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - March 6, 2025

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Newsletter March 6, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ What's Happening ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 5Essentials Survey ​ The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents another important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district, we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. We hope to meet and surpass that percentage and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. TAKE THE SURVEY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Summer School ​ Registration information for Summer School 2025 is currently available on the District 86 website underneath the Summer School tab in the menu. The Program of Studies providing course offerings will be available April 1. Registration begins on Monday, April 14 through Infinite Campus. Should you have any specific questions, please reach out to Susan Grady (sgrady@hinsdale86.org)or Jordan Stob (jstob@hinsdale6.org). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Counseling ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ College Representative Visits ​ Students interested in meeting with a visiting college representative should follow these steps: 1). Register for the visit on SchooLinks. 2). Visit Mrs. Alvarez in the Counseling Office to receive a pass. 3). Have the pass signed by the teacher of the class you will miss. 4). Bring the signed pass to the 30-45 minute college visit. Students without a signed pass will not be permitted to attend. Thursday, March 13 10:45 AM - Nova Southeastern University Wednesday, March 19 12:30 PM - College of DuPage  Thursday, March 24 10:45 AM - Iowa State University 1:30 PM - Trinity Christian College  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Student Highlights ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Inside 86 - Student Voice ​ Our latest Inside 86 video focuses on Student Voice across the district and features many of our outstanding Hornet student leaders. Click here to watch the latest video. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Noteworthy Acapella group takes 2nd ​ The Hinsdale South's Noteworthy Acapella group placed 2nd at the International Competition of High School Acapella (ICHSA) and qualified for the semi-final round at The Pabst Theatre! Good Luck to this new group. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Callie Carr - State Champion ​ Congratulations to our Athlete of the Week, Callie Carr. With a perfect 39-0 record Callie Carr wins the state championship at 155 lbs. Her path to state was a first-place finish at the IHSA Regionals and a first-place finish at the IHSA Sectionals. She is the first-ever wrestler in Hinsdale South High School history to win first place at State with an undefeated record. Great job Callie! Congratulations on a great year!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Parker Chan - Boys Swimming ​ Congratulations to our Athlete of the Week, Parker Chan. Parker finished his swimming career at Hinsdale South with an outstanding 4th-place finish in the 500 Freestyle and 12th in the 100 Backstroke at the 2025 IHSA State Finals. Parker was 5th on Friday after Prelims in the 500 Free. He returned Saturday to drop 4 seconds from his Prelim time for a lifetime best swim, an Automatic All-American berth, and a new Hinsdale South Varsity record, breaking his previous record. Parker finished 12th in 100 Back after a 13th place Prelim swim. Parker will move on to swim in the TYR Pro Series this weekend; best of luck, Parker, and congratulations!!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Athletic Results ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Faculty/Staff Highlights ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Ms. Ashley Yurchak - Career and Technical Education ​ We’re proud to spotlight Ashley Yurchak, a standout member of our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department. As a Hinsdale South alum, Ashley brings a unique blend of enthusiasm and South Pride to her role, truly embodying the spirit of our school. Ashley’s passion for teaching Business Education is evident in her ability to build genuine connections with her students and colleagues. Beyond her classroom duties, Ashley excels as a coach and advisor, making a significant impact on the programs she leads. This year, Ashley's dedication earned her the Ronald Ciastko Advisor of the Year Award, a testament to her exceptional leadership within the Business Professionals of America (BPA) club. Her ability to inspire and motivate her students is remarkable and speaks volumes about her commitment to educational excellence. Ashley’s dynamic approach and 100% dedication to every task make her an invaluable asset to our CTE Department. Congratulations, Ashley, on your well-deserved accolade, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to our community! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Hinsdale South Music Boosters ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2nd Annual Rock Your Tees - Bowling Night! ​ Tickets are now available for our 2nd Annual Rock Your Tees Bowling Night at Tivoli Bowl in Downers Grove. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 PM for a fun evening of: Food Bowling Socializing - invite your friends & neighbors!! Silent Auction and Raffles that include: Cubs Tix Broadway in Chicago tickets Chicago Symphony Orchestra Ravinia Tickets Navy Pier Gift cards to local businesses And MORE!!! If you or someone you know would like to sponsor or donate raffle items for the event, email us at hinsdalesouthmusicboosters@gmail.com GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ SIX The Musical - April 11 - 13 ​ Hinsdale South High School will perform SIX The Musical on April 11 at 7 PM, April 12 at 2 PM and 7 PM, and April 13 at 2 PM. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Mark these dates on your calendar so you don't miss out! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Culture and Equity News ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ March Cultural Observances ​ On behalf of our D86 CELT student organization (Culture and Equity Leadership Team), we invite you monthly to deepen your knowledge of the cultural and religious observances of your peers. We hope each of you continues to feel seen and affirmed in our spaces as you and your family acknowledge any traditions or values. The curated reminders and resources highlight some optional ways you can engage in March Cultural and Religious Observances. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Community Events ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Wee Care PreSchool ​ The Child Care & Development classes at Hinsdale South High School are running a 6-week preschool session starting April 8t Click here for the information link. Click here for the enrollment form. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Thursday, Mar 06 2025

February e-Newsletter: Looking Up, Looking Forward

​ ​ D86 E-Newsletter March 3, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ Looking Up, Looking Forward ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Message From The Superintendent ​ As I move into the second half of my first year as your superintendent, I find myself reflecting on both the small wins and the larger vision ahead. Change—especially in schools—takes time, patience, and perseverance. While the road forward is never without challenges, I remain committed to listening to everyone, building momentum, learning from missteps, studying our data, and connecting every small step to our longer journey. Winter flu season is upon us. The late winter weeks and gray skies sometimes feel like they’ll never end. For many in our community, this is a challenging time–in our personal and professional lives, and in the lives of our children. Education is central to many conversations at this time, and while we may all share the same goal of doing what is best for our students, there can be differences in how we believe we should get there. Change is difficult, and tensions can run high. We won’t always agree, but we always must approach each other with kindness, grace, and a willingness to listen. Asking questions, seeking to understand, and demonstrating  care must be the bedrock of our community and our school system. We have a solid foundation here, and I am confident we are accomplishing great things, together. It won’t always be easy, and we won’t always see eye to eye, but if we continue to move forward with patience, understanding, and a shared sense of purpose, we will build something even stronger. Spring will be here soon, Dr. Michael Lach Superintendent ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Here's What Is Happening In District 86 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Take the 5Essentials Survey ​ D86 parents and guardians can share thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness by completing a survey about their student's school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. TAKE THE SURVEY ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Inside 86: Student Voice ​ Through opportunities such as club leadership roles, sitting on principal advisory councils, and serving as student liaisons to the Board of Education, student are able to share their voice in District 86. To learn more about how it happens, watch our latest Inside 86 video on Student Voice. WATCH THE VIDEO ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Central, South Take Home Athletic State Championships ​ Hinsdale South's Callie Carr won the girls wrestling state championship in her weight class and finished the season with a perfect record of 39-0. The Hinsdale Central boys swimming team won its third consecutive state championship behind a pair of individual titles from senior Joshua Bey and sophomore Luke Vatev, and three state champion relay teams. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ D86 Parent Network: Summer Opportunities Fair ​ The D86 Parent Network will host a Summer Opportunities Fair for high school students with extra needs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13. Local businesses who provide jobs, activities or services for teens with special needs over the summer will be on hand to meet with families. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Pair of Red Devils Win Individual State Speech Titles, Both Central (3rd) and South (18th) Finish In Top 20 ​ Congratulations to the Hinsdale Central speech team for placing third as a team at the IHSA State Speech Tournament--with two individual state champions! Gemma Flaming is a state champion in the category of Original Comedy, and Meiyan Zhu won a state championship in Poetry Reading. We also congratulate the Hinsdale South High School speech team, which finished 18th at the state final. South seniors Luiza Oliveira and Annina Garro took second in state in Humorous Duet Acting. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Spring Testing Schedule ​ Spring testing will take place in April as part of our ongoing efforts to assess student progress and readiness in accordance with state requirements. All 11th-grade students will take the ACT, while 9th and 10th-grade students will take the PreACT Secure. MORE INFORMATION ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ D86 Ranks as Nation's 12th Best School District ​ District 86 came in at No. 12 in Niche.com's list of the Best School Districts in the Country. The rankings are based on rigorous analysis of data and reviews, according to the website. Additionally, the site ranked D86 as having the best teachers in DuPage County! VIEW THE RANKINGS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Have News To Share? ​ ​ ​ ​ Let Us Know ​ ​

Monday, Mar 03 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - February 27, 2025

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Newsletter February 26, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ What's Happening ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 5Essentials Survey ​ The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents another important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district, we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. We hope to meet and surpass that percentage and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. Click HERE to take the survey. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Parent Teacher Conferences (Virtual) ​ Spring Parent Teacher Conferences will be held tonight, Thursday, February 27. Conferences will be conducted via Google Meet from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Multilingual Parent Advisory Meeting - moved to Google Meet ​ The Multilingual Parent Advisory Meeting scheduled on tonight, February 27 at 4:00 PM will now be held virtually via Google Meet instead of in person. If you plan to attend, please fill out the Google Form in Treacy O'Keefe's email dated February 20 to receive the Google Meet link. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Attention all Hinsdale South Juniors (due tomorrow) ​ The Principal Student Advisory Council (PSAC) invites you to participate in the Freshman Connections program. Please sign up by tomorrow Friday, February 28th. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Counseling ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ College Representative Visits ​ Students interested in meeting with a visiting college representative should follow these steps: 1). Register for the visit on SchooLinks. 2). Visit Mrs. Alvarez in the Counseling Office to receive a pass. 3). Have the pass signed by the teacher of the class you will miss. 4). Bring the signed pass to the 30-45 minute college visit. Students without a signed pass will not be permitted to attend. Thursday, March 6 10:45 AM - Stony Brook University 11:40 AM - Oklahoma State University-Main Campus  1:30 PM - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Thursday, March 13 10:45 AM - Nova Southeastern University Thursday, March 24 10:45 AM - Iowa State University 1:30 PM - Trinity Christian College  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Student Highlights ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Inside 86 - Student Voice ​ Our latest Inside 86 video focuses on Student Voice across the district and features many of our outstanding Hornet student leaders. Click here to watch the latest video. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Black History Month - Student Contest Winners ​ Congratulations to the Blake Schaffer and Spencer Deno, the winners of the Black History Month Student Contest: "Our Shared Journey – Celebrating Black Excellence and Resilience." These talented students showcased their creativity and passion through music and artwork. Their work beautifully reflects the influence of Black history on our present and future, and amplifies voices that shape a more inclusive world. We are proud to honor their achievements and share their outstanding contributions in our Social Studies classrooms! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hornet Speech takes 2nd at State ​ Luiza Oliveira and Annina Garro took 2nd in state in Humorous Duet Acting at the IHSA speech state finals this weekend! Congratulations! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Anya Patel earns All State Honors ​ Congrats to Anya Patel for making history at this weekend’s state meet. Anya medaled in 3 events, Bars, Beam, and All Around, earning All-State Honors. She is the second gymnast from Hinsdale South to medal 3 times at State! Congrats to coaches Amolsch, Smith, Gnat, and Anya!  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Boys Swimming -200 Medley Relay ​ This past weekend at the IHSA Sectional, our 200 Medley Relay qualified for the state meet. This is the first relay Hinsdale South has sent in 15 years to the State Finals. The team of Parker Chan (Back-23.24), Andrew Petersen (Breast-27.74), Nicholas Marrella (Fly-23.80), and Gustas Meiliulis (Free-21.54) dropped 1.88 seconds to finish 3rd Place with a time of 1:36.32. All four swam season best times to qualify for the State Finals. Congratulations Parker, Andrew, Nick, and Gustas!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Boys Swmming - Parker Chan ​ Congratulations Parker Chan! In the 500 Free: the Sectional Champion broke his pool record at Lyons Township and became a state qualifier. 100 Back: 4th place and state qualifier! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Athletic Results ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Faculty/Staff Highlights ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Dr. Peronto and Ms. Courtney Mikulcik receive Those Who Excel awards ​ Hinsdale South High School is celebrating two staff members who received Those Who Excel Awards from the Illinois State Board of Education. World Languages Teacher Courtney Mikulcik earned an Award of Special Recognition in the Classroom Teacher category, and Principal Dr. Kari Peronto received an Award of Special Recognition in the School Administrator category. These awards recognize educators who are valued members of their school community and have been acknowledged by colleagues, students, families, and administrators for their skills, passion, and talent. "These awardees exemplify the dedication, innovation, and excellence that define District 86," said Superintendent Dr. Michael Lach. "Their impact reaches far beyond their classrooms and schools, shaping the future of our students and strengthening our entire community. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for their commitment to education.” Applications for the Those Who Excel Awards are reviewed by a committee comprised of ISBE staff, education organization representatives, and current and past award recipients. All winners will be recognized at an annual banquet this spring. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Culture and Equity News ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ February Cultural Observances ​ On behalf of our D86 CELT student organization (Culture and Equity Leadership Team), we invite you monthly to both deepen your knowledge of the cultural and religious observances of your peers. We hope each of you continue to feel seen and affirmed in our spaces as you and your family acknowledge any traditions or values. The curated reminders and resources highlight some optional ways you can engage in FEBRUARY CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Hinsdale South Foundation ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Exciting News from Hinsdale South Foundation! ​ This year, we are thrilled to announce that Hinsdale South Foundation is granting scholarships totaling more than $15,000 to our graduating seniors. For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to empowering students through our scholarship program, and we are committed to making a lasting impact in the years to come. Parents, we kindly urge you to encourage your seniors to apply for these scholarships at the guidance office before March 18. Your support plays a crucial role in helping us shape the future of our students. We are on the lookout for passionate parents and alumni who are eager to join us in our mission. Currently, we are in need of individuals with website expertise and parents willing to serve as liaisons with the school. Additionally, donations are always appreciated and welcomed to further our cause. Help the Hinsdale South Foundation Give now If you are interested in contributing, have any questions, or wish to get involved, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of our students and the community as a whole. Together, let's continue to make a positive impact through education and support! Contact the Foundation Board ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Community Events ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Save the Date for the Hinsdale South Spring Musical: SIX ​ Hinsdale South High School will be preforming SIX The Musical in April. Place these dates on your calander so you don't miss out! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Wee Care PreSchool ​ The Child Care & Development classes at Hinsdale South High School are running a 6-week preschool session starting April 8t Click here for the information link. Click here for the enrollment form. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Thursday, Feb 27 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast February 20, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  February 20, 2025 The HC Girls Wrestling Program finished their season this past weekend at the IHSA Schaumburg Sectional. Chloe Black finished the season as the Team Captain, All-Conference, and an IHSA Sectional Qualifier. She was also Academic All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and IHSA Award Winner.  The Team Awards for the season were as follows: Jade Hau was named Freshman of The Year   Marija Neskovic was named The Most Improved Chloe Black was named the MVP The girls did an awesome job this year and made great improvements each week of the season! Boom! Student Safety: Arrival and Dismissal Hinsdale Central staff, parents, and members of our community have been reporting that students are being dropped off on 55th street in between Madison Street and Grant Street. The stopping of vehicles causes a backup in traffic and jeopardizes student and driver safety. It is PROHIBITED to stop on the roadway and impede the flow of traffic. Multiple signs are posted that prohibit this behavior. Please see the Illinois Compiled Statutes: Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places: 625 ILCS 5/11-1303 (A) (1-i) (a) Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device, no person shall 1. Stop, stand or park a vehicle: (i) At any place where official signs prohibit stopping Our suggestion is that, if you want to avoid the HCHS traffic, please drop your student off in a safe location where they may access a proper crossing, i.e. a block or two north or south of the campus. Another option, if using the circle drives, is to drop the student off prior to 7:30 a.m. Please remind your children about safety when crossing high traffic roadways.  We have a Hinsdale Police Department Community Service Officer who is stationed before and after school at the intersection of S Grant Street and 55th Street. There is  no excuse for unsafe crossing or jaywalking.  Please refer to the Illinois compiled Statutes below. Pedestrians' right-of-way at crosswalks: 625 ILCS 5/11-1002 (B) (b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. Crossing at other than crosswalks: 625 ILCS 5/11-1003 (C) and (D) (c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. (d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. Hinsdale Local Ordinance also PROHIBITS jaywalking per Code 6-5-2 (C)  C.   Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a crosswalk; and no pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk in any business section. We urge parents/guardians to inform their students about roadway/pedestrian safety. Since the tragic passing of 15 year old James B McCarthy ( https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/10/05/james-b-mccarthy/ ) in front of HCHS in 1995, we have implemented as many safety measures as feasible.  Students and families should not jeopardize safety for convenience.   Students that are identified as crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk will receive consequence through the Deans’ Office and Hinsdale Police Department: 1st Offense -  a documented warning to student and notification to the parent/guardian 2nd Offense - a call home to a parent/guardian  3rd Offense - citation  If you or your child have any questions regarding this information, please feel free to stop by or call the Dean's Office or the School Resource Officer. Safety and Traffic Signs - No Left Turns Traffic around campus before and after school can be hectic. For the safety of all students and to maintain smooth traffic flow, please pay close attention to the posted signs around campus, especially those prohibiting left turns in and out of the student lot off of 57th Street. Important Reminders: Entry and Exit from Grant St.: You may enter and exit the student lot from Grant St. without any restrictions. Entry from 57th St.: You may only enter the student lot from 57th St. when heading west (right turn only). Exit onto 57th St.: You may exit the student lot on to 57th St. only by heading west (right turn only). No Entrance via Exit Lane: You cannot use the exit lane as an entrance. If you're heading east on 57th St., please turn left onto Grant St. and enter the lot from there. Follow Posted Signs carefully to avoid receiving a traffic violation from the School Resource Officer. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping traffic flow safe and orderly! Spring Parent Teacher Conferences Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, February 27, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM via  Google Meet. We hope the virtual format provides greater flexibility and accessibility for parents. Our goal is to strengthen communication between parents and teachers to support student success. Scheduling Window: Opens: Wednesday, February 12 Closes: Monday, February 24 Q3 Make A Difference Nominations Due Friday, March 7th At Hinsdale Central, many teachers and staff members go above and beyond to engage students or provide extra support to others in our Red Devil community. They teach classes, advise clubs, coach teams, and provide services that “make a difference” at our school. If you know of a teacher or staff member whose dedication or kindness has had a positive and lasting impact on you or a student, we invite you to nominate them. When describing why this individual deserves the award, please be specific and provide examples . Although applications must be signed, those who submit nominations will remain anonymous. Please nominate them for a Make A Difference Award by completing the  form found here . Anyone can make a nomination!  The PTO presents six recipients with Make A Difference Awards each quarter.  The awards will include our appreciation with a personalized certificate and $100 gift card.   Nominations received by Friday, March 7, 2025 will be considered for the third quarter awards.  Those nominated who have not received an award within the past 8 quarters are eligible for this current quarter. You can view a list of past Make A Difference recipients  here .   If you have any questions, please contact Denys Kang, Grace Shin, or Kristin Tu at makeadifference@hcpto.org . Multilingual Parent Advisory Committee  Due to Parent-teacher conferences being via google meets, we are changing our Multilingual Parent Advisory Meeting to google meets as well.  Thursday February 27, 2025 4:00pm-5:00pm  If you plan on attending, please join the google meets and fill out this google form sent from Treacy O'Keefe on February 20th. We are lucky to have an incredible guest speaker joining us: Vivian Palicki is the visionary founder and Principal Consultant at Early Learning Solutions and Advocacy.  With roles as an educator, parent education specialist, state-level education liaison, and advocate, she raises awareness of gaps and needs within educational systems. Vivian is a dynamic advocate dedicated to ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and care and every family connects to vital community resources. Her rich lived experiences as a former child refugee, Spanish native speaker, dual-language educator, family resource specialist, and state-level advocate uniquely shape her perspective. She forges authentic relationships that ignite tangible change.  She will join us to connect and share helpful resources. Looking forward to seeing you there! Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey We Need Your Help and Feedback!!! The Illinois statewide 5Essentials Survey presents an important opportunity for our parents and guardians to share their thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness, by completing a survey about your child’s school. The survey gathers data that can predict important student outcomes, including improved attendance and larger test score gains. These survey results will only be as helpful as you make them. In order for the results to be released to our district,  we need at least 20 percent of our families to complete the survey by March 31. I hope to meet and surpass that percentage, and promise that your feedback will play a pivotal role in our continued efforts to improve our schools. All survey responses will be kept confidential. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE Final Exam Schedule Shift Second-semester examinations will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - Thursday, May 29, 2025. Please note, that we have made a shift in the order of the final exam periods for this semester.  Final exam days are staying the same but we are shifting the order of period to: Evenly spaced lunch periods : Lunch periods (periods 4-7, highlighted in yellow below) were moved to the first two days of exams when students can take up to three exams each day. Placing lunch periods on these days, better spaces out exams for all students to reduce fatigue and improve focus. Reduced stress on Day 1 : In the previous schedule, most students had three exams on the first day. Shifting periods will likely reduce the load from three finals to two, easing student stress levels.   Reducing Exam Rescheduling: Students who have 3 exams on the same day are allowed to reschedule an exam. This new schedule will help reduce the need to reschedule exams. Flexible start and end times for Days 1 and 2 : Scheduling a lunch period at the start/end of the day allows students to come in late or leave early on exam days. It also decreases the need for downtime at school when breaks occur between exams. Period Grouping : Periods are grouped to best support traveling teachers and students. Please see the new schedule below.     Time Exam Day 1: Tue, May 27 Exam Day 2: Wed, May 28 Exam Day 3: Thu,  May 29 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Period 4 Period 7 Period 1 9:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. Break Break Break 9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Period 3  Period 8 Period 2 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Break Break Break 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Period 5 Period 6 Make-Up You can find general information about final exams  here . Scholarship Information Every year there are many scholarships available specifically for Hinsdale Central seniors. Criteria and applications are posted in  Schoolinks via Finances/Scholarship Matching. Many will have application deadlines prior to spring break. We will continue to add scholarships opportunities as they become available so be sure to check frequently for new opportunities.  District 86 College Fair  March 20, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Hinsdale South Fieldhouse. We will once again be partnering with Strive Scan to allow students to easily share their information with the colleges they meet with at the fair. Students who create an account will be given a barcode that any college they are interested in can scan and collect their information. Students are encouraged to register ahead of time to get their bar code at www.StriveFair.com . A preliminary list of schools attending can be found at D86 College Fair List . Order the 2024-2025 Yearbook! Don't let the memories of this year fade away--buy a yearbook! Yearbooks for the 2024-2025 school year are on sale now at  yearbookforever.com ! Parents of Seniors: the HC yearbook has a tradition of honoring our graduating seniors by selling senior tributes. These tributes are a space for parents to share a childhood photo of their student as well as a special message. For more directions and an example tribute, visit this link . To purchase one for $35, visit  yearbookforever.com . Need Help Balancing Sports and Academics? Catch the P.A.S.S.! Balancing sports and school can be tough, and it's especially important to start the new semester strong! Throughout 1st semester, we had tremendous success with student athletes of all grade levels. Whether you’re struggling in a class or just need some extra help, our flexible scheduling makes it easy to fit study groups, homework help, or on demand test prep into your day. Don’t let school hold you back from your game! Sign up for P.A.S.S and get the support you need from peers who understand the hustle, and start the 2nd semester strong! We are partnered with the ARC and Hinsdale Public Library, and if you want to sign up for tutoring or study sessions at the library,  click here .  STUDENT TUTORS: Also, we are now looking for talented students to join our leadership committee! We're seeking dedicated individuals to help expand our program, build community partnerships, and promote excellence on and off the field.   Leadership Opportunities – Serve as a committee member and help shape the future of our program.  Community Outreach – Represent the Red Devil spirit by fostering connections and partnerships.  Volunteer Tutoring – Support fellow students and make a difference through academic mentorship. If you're ready to lead and do the work, we want you on our team!  Click here to apply for a role! For more information or to schedule a session, contact Ary Bansal at abansal6002@stu.hinsdale86.org or Yusuf Rafiq at yrafiq6612@stu.hinsdale86.org and fill out the form in the QR code below. LEAP into Africa Flower Sale Support education in South Africa by purchasing beautiful spring flowers through the LEAP into Africa club! Every purchase directly supports the LEAP Maths and Sciences Schools, providing underserved students with quality education and brighter futures. Not only will you bring color and joy to your home, but you’ll also be making a meaningful impact on students striving for success. These schools empower young learners with the skills they need to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change in their communities. A simple purchase can plant the seeds of opportunity—order your flowers today! 🌼✨ Check out the plant options here . Order here before March 7! Check out conversations with the LEAP Students in South Africa  here and hear how their LEAP high school experience has transformed their life.  Summer School  For those interested in Summer School, information will be available on our website beginning in mid March. PTO Open Positions The PTO is seeking parent volunteers to fill three open positions. If you are interested, please email  execboard@hcpto.org. We appreciate any help! Secretary (1-4 hours a month): Attends General PTO meetings (bi-monthly January, March, May) and Executive Board meetings (alternate months February, April, June.) Makes note of action items stemming from meetings (does not take meeting minutes.) Provides additional leadership, as needed Ideal for someone considering the Exec Board. This position would only be for the remaining of the school year with the opportunity to continue on. Post Prom Chair(s): Manages Post Prom event and coordination with Prom staff Leads an established team (fundraising, communications) to ensure that timeline is followed Excellent opportunity for a Freshman or Sophomore parent! Guidance and support will be provided by past chair, committee, and team Attends event on Saturday, May 3 Winter Rave Coat Check (1 night only on 2/22) Get a rare behind the scenes peek at the Winter Rave Help store coats, etc. for students Assist with activities to make sure staff has everything ready- we need 1-3 enthusiastic volunteers! Perfect for a couple! Devils' Advocate dropped its January magazine recently that included stories about how to stay motivated with new year resolutions, what 'glass skin' is and how to make sure you are not using harmful products, a profile meeting some of the cast of the recent improv show and a spotlight introducing Dr. Michael Lach and his vision for the district as new superintendent. In addition to the magazine, our online reporters have published some interesting reads!  Senior Vanessa Jovanovic posted a gallery of images from the pep rally on Friday, Feb. 7.  Junior Willa Braden recaps the girls' gymnastic team's season .  Learn about some of the favorite foods students have in the cafeteria by viewing a video created by senior Sarah Mahler. Want more news? Be sure to visit hcdevilsadvocate.com and  subscribe to the student-run publication to support our student journalists.  Want to join the team? Consider enrolling in Journalism: Newsmagazine or Journalism: Newswriting & Reporting, both now offering an earned honors credit opportunity!  Upcoming Dates Winter Rave Feb. 22

Thursday, Feb 20 2025