HC Weekly E-Blast June 12, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  June 12, 2025 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 ACT Pop-Up Locations Due to the increased demand for ACT test, ACT has opened pop up testing locations in June and July.  Please note, these test locations and test administration is not associated with District 86 or HCHS.  If you have any questions, please contact ACT directly.  See below for the pop-up sessions that have been recently added for both June and July ACT National testing: June Test Dates Saturday, June 14 The Westin-Lombard (Test Center Code: 25089) Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (Test Center Code: 26415)   Sunday, June 15 The Westin-Lombard (Test Center Code: 25089)           July Test Dates Saturday, July 12 The Westin-O’Hare – Rosemont (Test Center Code: 26451) The Palmer House-Hilton Chicago (Test Center Code: 26452)   Sunday, July 13 The Westin-O’Hare – Rosemont (Test Center Code: 26451) The Palmer House-Hilton Chicago (Test Center Code: 26452) Please note that the pop-up sessions are paper only . Also, if you have students registering with vouchers, they must enter the code with dashes and must register for  ACT + Writing for the code to work. Senior Portrait and Yearbook Photo Information Further information can be found here: https://central.hinsdale86.org/activities/senior-photos-yearbook-photos Boosters Need You – Get Involved for 2025–26! The Hinsdale Central Boosters support all athletics and activities at HCHS in many different ways—through our semiannual grant program, partnerships with athletic teams in concessions, annual scholarships, spirit wear sales, and more. We’re currently looking to fill several key roles for the 2025–26 school year, and it’s not too early to start thinking about getting involved!  Many positions require just a small time commitment but make a big impact. Whether you're interested in joining the board, leading a committee, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a place for everyone. Check out our open positions here or email us at  admin@theboosters.com with questions or to get involved. Let’s keep our Red Devil spirit strong! Upcoming Dates

Thursday, Jun 12 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast June 6, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  June 6, 2025 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 ACT Pop-Up Locations Due to the increased demand for ACT test, ACT has opened pop up testing locations in June and July.  Please note, these test locations and test administration is not associated with District 86 or HCHS.  If you have any questions, please contact ACT directly .  See below for the pop-up sessions that have been recently added for both June and July ACT National testing: June Test Dates Saturday, June 14 The Westin-Lombard (Test Center Code: 25089) Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk (Test Center Code: 26415)   Sunday, June 15 The Westin-Lombard (Test Center Code: 25089)           July Test Dates Saturday, July 12 The Westin-O’Hare – Rosemont (Test Center Code: 26451) The Palmer House-Hilton Chicago (Test Center Code: 26452)   Sunday, July 13 The Westin-O’Hare – Rosemont (Test Center Code: 26451) The Palmer House-Hilton Chicago (Test Center Code: 26452) Please note that the pop-up sessions are paper only . Also, if you have students registering with vouchers, they must enter the code with dashes and must register for  ACT + Writing for the code to work. Summer Scholars is looking for Summer Tutors Summer Scholars is a student-run nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one tutoring in reading and literacy for students in grades 3-8 founded by Hinsdale South and Cass Junior High School alum Sam Johnson. Each child is paired with a trained high school or college tutor who offers personalized support to boost academic skills, confidence, and motivation. Summer Scholars is looking for high school tutors. They offer flexible scheduling based on your availability. Visit the  Summer Scholars website to learn more and register your child. Boosters Need You – Get Involved for 2025–26! The Hinsdale Central Boosters support all athletics and activities at HCHS in many different ways—through our semiannual grant program, partnerships with athletic teams in concessions, annual scholarships, spirit wear sales, and more. We’re currently looking to fill several key roles for the 2025–26 school year, and it’s not too early to start thinking about getting involved!  Many positions require just a small time commitment but make a big impact. Whether you're interested in joining the board, leading a committee, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a place for everyone. Check out our open positions here or email us at  admin@theboosters.com with questions or to get involved. Let’s keep our Red Devil spirit strong! Upcoming Dates

Friday, Jun 06 2025

Board Briefs: May 29, 2025

D86 Board Briefs Highlights From Meeting On May 30, 2025 REMINDER: Please SUBSCRIBE to receive alerts when Board of Education and Committee meeting agendas are posted. President’s Report Board President Catherine Greenspon thanked the community partners, staff and Board members who participated in the Transition Center Community Partner Breakfast last week. She shared that the ongoing support and commitment to our students means so much, and that the Board is truly grateful for the vital role community partners play in helping our Transition Center students prepare for life beyond school. She added that the school is always looking to expand these partnerships, and urged the community to reach out if interested in getting involved. President Greenspon also extended her deepest gratitude to this year’s retirees. She said that their dedication, passion, and years of service have made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and community. She also extended a heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates and wished them the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Finally, she thanked the entire school community for an incredible year and wished everyone a wonderful, well-deserved summer!   Board Member Comments Board Vice President Bobby Fischer shared that he reviewed closed session minutes from prior Boards. In doing so, he heard all board members engaged in professional discussions that prioritized students. Board Member Baron Leacock reflected on his positive experiences on the board thus far, working with the Board, administration and students. When advocating for change, he urged the community to attempt to paint a positive picture of how to move the needle for students. Board Member Jeff Waters expressed that transparency is an obligation of Board members, and that the Board and its members have been nothing but transparent and collaborative.   Board Committee Reports Finance Committee Report - May 14 Facilities Committee Report - May 16 A&O Committee Report - May 19   Future Agenda Item Requests Freedom of Information Acts (FOIA) Foreign Exchange Student Options Review of Stipends   Organizational Items Board Committees: Restructuring and Appointments The Board continued its discussion of restructuring committees and their work for the 2025-26 school year. The Board made a decision to combine the Facilities and Finance Committees. Jeff Waters will chair the committee, which will also include members Bobby Fischer and Liz Mitha. Schedule of Regular Meetings The Board provided final direction on their schedule of regular meetings and reviewed a draft operational calendar for the 2025-26 school year. The proposed schedule includes one meeting per month, with the exception of two in March and none in July. Moving forward with LEND The Board discussed participation in and engagement with the Legislative Education Network of DuPage (LEND) team that provides legislative support for DuPage County school districts. Superintendent Dr. Michael Lach was selected to serve as the District 86 representative. IASB Governing Board Report - Call for Resolutions The Board discussed the Illinois Association of School Boards “Call for Resolutions.” An IASB Resolution consists of at least one directive to take action, or a new/amended position statement accompanied by supporting statements or facts. The resolution deadline is June 25.   Consent Agenda Item, Pulled for Discussion The Board voted to remove the words “during football season” from a policy that details P.E. exemptions for students in marching band. The complete sentence from Board Policy 6:310 - High School Credit for Non-District Experiences; Course Substitutions; Re-Entering Students reads “The written request shall be approved for students in grades 9 through 12, who request to be excused for any of the following reason: a. ongoing participation in a marching band program for credit during football season.”   Action Items APPROVED: Authorization the FY 2025 Audit Wipfli, the District’s auditor, is scheduled to be onsite June 9 and 10 to conduct the preliminary fieldwork and will return July 28 through July 31 for the final audit.  APPROVED: Treasurer's Bond Renewal Illinois School Code requires treasurers of school districts to be properly bonded. The Illinois State Board of Education interprets the law to mean that the school district treasurers must be bonded for 10% of the amount he/she has in custody at any given time. The Board approved the renewal of the Public Official Treasurer's Bond of the projected highest fund balance of $110 million for $11,000,000   APPROVED: Security Camera Purchase The Board approved the purchase of security cameras at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South for $68,395. APPROVED: Assistant Director of Special Education  Kelly Stapleton, who currently works as an assistant department chair for special education at Hinsdale Central, was approved as an assistant director of special education.   APPROVED: Student Residency and Settlement Agreements Two residency and settlement agreements and releases were approved.   Superintendent's Report Superintendent Dr. Michael Lach congratulated the recent graduates of Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, as well as the Transition Center students who recently completed their exit ceremonies. He also thanked the school district’s community partners, who were honored at a recent breakfast hosted by the Transition Center. Dr. Lach also highlighted two free summer school courses for incoming ninth-grade students, provided an overview of summer construction projects, and highlighted key projects completed throughout the 2024-25 school year.   Audience Comments Audience members expressed their gratitude to retiring staff members for their exceptional service and dedication to their schools and the district. An audience member accused the Board of abusing its power. Audience members spoke in favor of expanding the physical education exemption for students in marching band. Audience members expressed disappointment in Board leadership and level of transparency. Audience members encouraged the Board to revisit policies to make it easier for Hinsdale community members to host  exchange students.  An audience member urged the Board to adopt a more student-centered approach aimed at improving student success.   Future Board Meetings Thursday, June 12 Thursday, June 26 No meetings are planned for July   Board Briefs are meant to provide highlights of each Board of Education meeting, and are not intended to be an all-inclusive recap. Please use the following link to View a Complete Recording of the Meeting.

Friday, May 30 2025

May e-Newsletter: A Year of Progress and Partnership...

D86 E-Newsletter May 30, 2025 A Year of Progress and Partnership in D86 Message From The Superintendent As we conclude another remarkable school year in District 86, I am honored to celebrate our students for their perseverance, growth, and accomplishments. Their hard work has paid off, and they have earned a well-deserved break. To our graduating seniors and exiting Transition Center students—congratulations! You have reached an incredible milestone, and we’re so proud of your achievements and excited for what lies ahead. Parents, congratulations to you as well. While our students are incredibly talented, resourceful, and accomplished, we know that behind each and every one of them is a family that provides support. While it’s our deserving graduates in the cap and gown receiving the applause, we know that our families also deserve their share of the recognition. Our retirees! Thank you for your years of dedication and service to our students and schools. Listening in to the traditional celebrations and farewell announcements that each school holds at the end of the school year, I was struck by just how strong the connections are between the members of our faculty and our staff, how challenging the work of education is, and the consistent refrain that D86 has been a great place for you to work. Your contributions have left a lasting legacy, and you will always be part of the D86 family. As a district, we improved this year. More students are taking Advanced Placement exams, and AP scores are increasing. Chronic absenteeism is (slowly) declining. Numerous new state trophies and medals fill our hallways. Many students and staff earned statewide recognition for their accomplishments. In addition to the core work of ensuring our schools are running properly day to day and week to week, the team tackled numerous projects this year as part of our efforts to improve each year. I talked about them briefly on Thursday night with the Board, and each represents extensive collaboration between individuals and teams and buildings, many fits-and-starts, and that leadership is distributed and shared throughout the district. Academic Innovation: Hinsdale Central examined grading practices to increase clarity and consistency. Hinsdale South made strides in expanding access to AP and Honors courses while maintaining academic rigor. Curriculum Enhancements: We expanded American Sign Language offerings, developed an efficient and student-centered process to sunset our German program, and made strides in aligning courses and clarifying world language. Facilities & Safety Improvements: Following a comprehensive security audit, we introduced new safety measures and prioritized key infrastructure projects for the summers of 2025 and 2026. Communication & Transparency: Our “Inside 86” video series highlighted student experiences and district initiatives, helping our community better understand the work happening across our schools. Leadership & Professional Growth: We introduced a new administrator evaluation system, endorsed by the Illinois Principals Association, to support leadership development. Student Services: Focused professional learning helped us strengthen IEPs by grounding them in data and student-centered practices. Data & Technology: The launch of internal dashboards promises to enhance our ability to use data to drive decisions, work collaboratively, and improve student outcomes. It is often said that improvement looks dramatic when viewed through a rear view mirror, but in the day-to-day it feels merely incremental. I’m proud of the work our team has done to make things better during 2025-26. I am grateful to our staff, families, and community partners for your continued support. As we look ahead, we remain committed to working together to ensure every student in District 86 continues to grow, thrive, and succeed—because when we move forward as one community, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish. Wishing you all a safe, restful, and joyful summer. Sincerely, Dr. Michael Lach Superintendent Here's What Is Happening In District 86 Celebrating Our Class of 2025 Congratulations to our amazing graduating seniors! After years of hard work, late-night study sessions, and unforgettable memories, our Class of 2025 is ready to soar into their bright futures. Here's to new beginnings, endless possibilities, and a lifetime of success ahead! Additionally, we congratulate the young adults in our Transition Centers for completing their exit ceremonies!   2025-26 School Registration Registration for the upcoming school year is officially underway. Families can complete the process quickly and easily through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal on any mobile device or computer. We verify residency on an annual basis to ensure we are operating in accordance with the law and utilizing taxpayer dollars to educate students from our community.   Summer School Begins on Monday District 86 offers a complete summer experience for our students. Offerings include academic courses, credit recovery, intervention classes, and workshops  We cannot wait to see our summer school students next week. Please use the following link to learn more.   Thank you to Our Community Partners We recently celebrated our incredible community partners at our annual Appreciation Breakfast, and we couldn't be more grateful for their unwavering support of our Transition Center students. More than 40 local businesses and organizations have opened their doors to provide real-world vocational training opportunities. To all our community partners: thank you for believing in our students and investing in their success.   Have News To Share? Let Us Know

Friday, May 30 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast May 29, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  May 29, 2025 NAHS Social Studies Mural Ms. Kabat's students in the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) worked all year on this mural for the Social Studies hallway, carefully painting in the design created by senior, and NAHS President, Antje Schmidt-Blanco, with design advice from Mr. Meyer in the SS Dept. We hope this mural brings a sense of pride to the hallway for many years to come! Participating Students: Antje Schmidt-Blanco, Katy Tam, Eunseo Lee, Britzia Zamarron-Gonzaga, John Radu, Leo Liu, John Carey, Iman Halabi, Sophia Zhang, Tecoa Jankowski, Niikolai Svandra, Frankie Panio, Lily Nelson, Heather Wang, Nicky Peralta, Katherine Choe, Mariam Dada, and Megan Clemmons. 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 Summer School Dear Incoming D86 Parents/Guardians, Welcome to Hinsdale Township High School District 86! We are excited to support your students as they begin their high school journey, and look forward to making the next four years both fulfilling and rewarding. As part of our commitment to student success, we are pleased to offer  two FREE summer courses for incoming freshmen who would benefit from extra support prior to the start of the school year:  Reading Strategies and Algebra Strategies. These courses are not intended for honors students, but are designed to help students strengthen key academic skills, build confidence, and begin connecting with their peers and teachers before the fall semester begins. Course Highlights:  Get a head start on important reading comprehension or algebra skills Learn valuable note-taking, test-taking, and learning strategies Become familiar with the high school environment and build early relationships Cost:  Free of charge. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and ensure all students can access this support. Limited Opportunity:  Only two sections of each course will be offered in the summer. Registration will close when the two sections are filled. Transportation:  Provided for those who need it. More information about dates, registration, transportation, and summer school policies is available on our  Summer School Website . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us: Jordan Stob – jstob@hinsdale86.org OR Sue Grady –  sgrady@hinsdale86.org We are excited to welcome your students and support them in making a strong and confident transition into high school. Sincerely, Sue Grady and Jordan Stob D86 Summer School Directors Summer Scholars is looking for Summer Tutors Summer Scholars is a student-run nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one tutoring in reading and literacy for students in grades 3-8 founded by Hinsdale South and Cass Junior High School alum Sam Johnson. Each child is paired with a trained high school or college tutor who offers personalized support to boost academic skills, confidence, and motivation. Summer Scholars is looking for high school tutors. They offer flexible scheduling based on your availability. Visit the  Summer Scholars website to learn more and register your child. Boosters Need You – Get Involved for 2025–26! The Hinsdale Central Boosters support all athletics and activities at HCHS in many different ways—through our semiannual grant program, partnerships with athletic teams in concessions, annual scholarships, spirit wear sales, and more. We’re currently looking to fill several key roles for the 2025–26 school year, and it’s not too early to start thinking about getting involved!  Many positions require just a small time commitment but make a big impact. Whether you're interested in joining the board, leading a committee, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a place for everyone. Check out our open positions here or email us at  admin@theboosters.com with questions or to get involved. Let’s keep our Red Devil spirit strong! Upcoming Dates

Thursday, May 29 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - May 29, 2025

Weekly Newsletter May 29, 2025 Dear Hinsdale South Families and Community Members, As we conclude another school year, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership. It has been a year of remarkable achievements, collaboration, and growth, and your involvement has been instrumental in the entire journey. I am incredibly proud of the growth and achievements our students have demonstrated this year. From academic milestones (over 1,200 AP exams were administered) to their artistic recognitions and athletic successes (State Champions in Girls' Tennis and Girls' Wrestling), their hard work and dedication have truly demonstrated the South Pride they all possess. These achievements reflect the collective commitment of our students, families, staff, and community. Thank you for entrusting us with your student’s education. Your support at home, your active participation in school events, and your ongoing communication with our staff have created a strong foundation for our students' learning and development. Thank you to our community members for your invaluable contributions. Your time, resources, and dedication to our school have enriched our programs and provided our students with unique opportunities. As we look ahead to the summer break, I encourage you to enjoy this time with your loved ones. May it be a time of rest, relaxation, and joyful moments. We are grateful for your continued partnership and look forward to another successful year. With South Pride, Dr. Kari Peronto Principal - Hinsdale South High School   Dairy Queen Fundraiser - Last Day of School! Join us at DQ (across the street) on Thursday, May 29. The event will take place all day. No code or flyer is needed. 15% of the proceeds will be donated to Hinsdale South's Booster Club. Can't wait to see you there!   Registration   Registration is Open Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. To make registration faster and easier, we're using our Infinite Campus Parent Portal. You can register your student through the portal on your phone or computer. Like before, you'll also find your student's schedule, attendance, grades, assignments, and fee information. If you have not created a portal account, you will receive a separate communication with directions on creating the account. REGISTRATION INFORMATION   Summer School Registration information for Summer School 2025 is available on the District 86 website. Should you have any specific questions, please contact Susan Grady (sgrady@hinsdale86.org) or Jordan Stob (jstob@hinsdale6.org).   Health Forms for Upcoming School Year Hindsdale South's Health Office has recently sent out reminders for students with health plans (diabetes, seizure disorders, etc.) who require health forms to be completed and returned before the first day of school. You may return the forms by email, or if you have any questions, email southhealth@hinsdale86.org.   Student Highlights   Perfect ACT Test Score We are proud to celebrate three outstanding juniors who achieved a perfect 36 composite score on the ACT! Congratulations to Gerald Bauer, Rishikesh Joshi, and Cody Splingaire. Your dedication, hard work, and academic excellence truly shine.   Girls Track Team - State Results Congratulations to the following members of the Girls Track team for their performance at the IHSA Girls State Track Meet! Kennedy Ruff - (2nd Place 300m Hurdles *All-State, 19th Place 100m Hurdles)   Anya Patel Anya Patel (10th Place - Pole Vault) Emilija Sinkevicius Emilija Sinkevicius (18th Place Triple Jump, 28th Place Long Jump, 29th Place High Jump)   Boys Tennis Team Congratulations to the Boys Tennis Team for winning the IHSA Sectional! Good luck to the following athletes as they qualified for the IHSA Boys Tennis State Meet! Zeke Bisharat (1st Place Singles), Rohan Bansal & Ansh Desai (1st Place Doubles)   Girls Soccer Team Congratulations to the Girls Soccer Team for winning the IHSA Regional! Boys Volleyball Team Congratulations to the Boys Volleyball Team - WSC Gold Conference Champs!    Results for Athletic Events   South Students to Perform at Lollapalooza We're proud to share that the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO), featuring South students Mikie Alyward, Jr. (French Horn) and Jack Polacek (Trumpet), have been selected to perform a 45-minute solo evening set at Lollapalooza! According to the CYSO website, "This will be the first time in Lollapalooza's history that an orchestra will perform solo on one of the festival's main stages." CYSO will play at Lollapalooza 2025, which will run from July 31 to August 3, 2025, in Chicago’s famous Grant Park. Best Wishes to Mikie and Jack on your performance!   Stinger, a news site managed by students, provides coverage of news, opinions, culture, and sports. Committed to journalistic integrity, Stinger strives to deliver relevant information to its readers. A link will be provided every week for your enjoyment. Stinger - Student News Site   Faculty/Staff Highlights   Hinsdale South Retirees Honored On Tuesday, May 27, Hinsdale South honored its retirees at the annual Year End Celebration. Congratulations to Cherie Lodl (33 years), Tony Malone (36 years), and David Ritter (23 years). Thank you for your years of dedicated service and South Pride. We will greatly miss you!   Hinsdale South Foundation   Foundation Opportunities Spring in Chicago brings exciting opportunities with the Hinsdale South Foundation! As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, the Foundation is actively seeking dedicated volunteers to fill various roles, including Board positions, advertising sales, yard sign coordination, and more. Remember, our vital work, awarding over $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this spring, and all our efforts, depend on the generosity of volunteers. If you're passionate about supporting our students and have some time to contribute, please contact John Barnes ‘80 at jbarnes@cadets.com to learn more about how you can get involved. We can't operate without your help!   Community Events   Free Summer Scholars Tutoring Program Summer Scholars is a student-run nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one tutoring in reading and literacy for students in grades 3-8, founded by Hinsdale South and Cass Junior High School alum Sam Johnson. Each child is paired with a trained high school or college tutor who offers personalized support to boost academic skills, confidence, and motivation. They also offer flexible scheduling based on your availability. Whether your child could use a confidence boost, extra reading practice, or structured academic time this summer, Summer Scholars is here to help. Visit the Summer Scholars website to learn more and register your child.       PARENT VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED! We are excited to announce that the 2025 Hinsdale South Career Day will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about a variety of careers directly from professionals in our community—including you! We are looking for parent volunteers who are passionate about their careers and willing to share their experiences with our students by speaking to classes throughout the morning. Due to early release, the school day will run from 8:00 AM to 12:35 PM. Your insights can help inspire and guide students as they explore future career paths. If you are interested in participating, please fill out THIS INTEREST FORM.     Congratulations Class of 2025!   SCHOOL CALENDARS [Thursday, May 29 at 6:15 PM] See the following updated Weekly Newsletter for May 29, 2025. Thank you

Thursday, May 29 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast May 22, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  May 22, 2025 Illinois Association of Teachers of English Outstanding Student Work The Illinois Association of Teachers of English (IATE), headquartered at Millikin University, Decatur, is pleased to announce the results of its annual student contest for grades 3-12. Outstanding submissions to IATE’s Poetry, Prose, Art & Photography Contest will be recognized in an upcoming issue of the Illinois English Bulletin, the professional journal of IATE. Congratulations to Alec Allegra, William Bradford, Safaa Bushner, Nicole Chang, Yazmin Crisotomo, Natalie Duba, Niko Miceli, Grishma Naidu, Ella Russell, and Shaila Shah. The work these students are doing in the classroom for their ideal future is appreciated and commendable. Chromebook Buyback for Graduating Seniors Dear Parents/Guardians, District 86 will be buying back a limited number of Dell Chromebooks from  graduating seniors May 19 - May 29. Interested students should bring their Chromebook and the completed Chromebook Buyback Form to the TSI room at their school between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. During this time, technology services staff will assess the device’s condition and determine the buyback price based on the list below. $50 for a Dell Chromebook in good working condition with a stylus and charger. $40 for a Dell Chromebook in good working condition with either a stylus or charger. $30 for a Dell Chromebook in poor working condition with or without a stylus or charger. Anyone who plans on selling their Chromebook back to the district is asked to please remove all stickers from the case. This can be done by using the lowest setting on a hair dryer to warm the stickers up. While a Chromebook with stickers will still be accepted for buyback, the price that is offered for the device may be reduced. Once our staff assesses the condition of the Chromebook and determines the buyback price, they will provide your student with a form that must be brought to the bookstore by May 29. At that time, the bookstore will check your student's account to see if they have any outstanding fees. If they do not have outstanding fees, they will be paid the amount listed on the form. However, if they do have outstanding fees, the money for the Chromebook will be put toward paying the balance. Any student who does not sell their device back to the district will be able to keep it. Sincerely, Keith Bockwoldt Chief Information Officer ACT Voucher Dear Students & Families, We appreciate your patience and understanding with the recent disruption during our state ACT testing day, held on April 16. In response, the district has secured a one-time use voucher for you to retake the ACT (including the writing portion) . This voucher can be used to register for either the  June or July national ACT test date , and may only be used once. Please be aware that ACT dates in June and July are very limited and will fill up quickly.   To obtain your unique vouchers, visit the Main office and request your one-time use code. Students will need to sign for the voucher. Although we are working with ACT to see if additional testing sites will be added, we recommend you sign up as soon as possible. You can use this link to register for the ACT . Please use the following link for  full details on how to use the voucher and register. This voucher will cover late fees associated with your registration. If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please don't hesitate to reach out to your counselor. Graduation Raffle Winners!  HC Boosters is excited to announce the winners of their annual graduation seat and parking raffle. The funds raised allow Boosters to support activities, athletics, and music programs at HCHS. Over the last ten years Boosters has donated more than $500,000 to the HC students through their semiannual Grants Program. The winning families from the Class of 2025 are: 1. Dell Family 2. Doehring Family 3. Waters Family 4. Doshi Family 5. Naccarato Family  Congratulations! Thank you to everyone who purchased raffle tickets this year. Best of luck to all the seniors!  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 Second Semester Final Exams Second-semester final examinations will be held from Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 29, 2025. The expectation is that students are in attendance each period (unless otherwise noted) and take their final exam during their designated time frame. The only exception to this is if a student has three final exams on a given day, they can reschedule an exam to a different day through the Dean's Office.  Please note, that students are NOT approved to reschedule exams to take them early for vacations or other personal reasons .   For more information regarding final exams and to find the exam reschedule form,  click here . For more information regarding academic support and how to connect with tutors, click here. Finals Week Bus Schedule Tuesday, May 27 Buses depart at 1:15 PM Wednesday, May 28 Buses depart at 1:15 PM Thursday, May 29 Buses depart at 11:30 AM *No bus service after the make-up exam Prep for Finals with P.A.S.S.! It’s no surprise that finals aren’t easy. They’re not designed to be, often making it hard for busy student athletes to find time to study in between homework, practices, and games. So if you’re looking for personalized, individual support to ace those final exams, look no further than Peer Athlete Student Scholars, or P.A.S.S., where our goal is to see you succeed. Our finals offerings include: Subject and concept-specific finals review sessions Individualized class review, prep, and support Group tutoring or study sessions Are you ready to hit the ball out of the park on your next test? Sign up for a P.A.S.S. session today at  this link . Looking for a way to get involved and earn volunteer hours? Apply to become a P.A.S.S. tutor at  this link . Any questions? Get in touch to learn more about P.A.S.S. and its offerings by emailing Ary Bansal at abansal6002@stu.hinsdale86.org or Connor Mason at  cmason7114@stu.hinsdale86.org . Or, scan the QR code below to learn more. Q4 Make A Difference Award Recipients Thank you to all who submitted nominations for the Q4 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 Fourth 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. Christopher Freiler-Social Studies  Greg Johnson-Lacrosse Coach April McPhillips-CTE-FACS Elizabeth Meagher-Special Education  Karen Russo-CTE/ Business  Kelly Watson-Physical Education   Summer School Dear Incoming D86 Parents/Guardians, Welcome to Hinsdale Township High School District 86! We are excited to support your students as they begin their high school journey, and look forward to making the next four years both fulfilling and rewarding. As part of our commitment to student success, we are pleased to offer  two FREE summer courses for incoming freshmen who would benefit from extra support prior to the start of the school year:  Reading Strategies and Algebra Strategies. These courses are not intended for honors students, but are designed to help students strengthen key academic skills, build confidence, and begin connecting with their peers and teachers before the fall semester begins. Course Highlights:  Get a head start on important reading comprehension or algebra skills Learn valuable note-taking, test-taking, and learning strategies Become familiar with the high school environment and build early relationships Cost:  Free of charge. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and ensure all students can access this support. Limited Opportunity:  Only two sections of each course will be offered in the summer. Registration will close when the two sections are filled. Transportation:  Provided for those who need it. More information about dates, registration, transportation, and summer school policies is available on our  Summer School Website . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us: Jordan Stob – jstob@hinsdale86.org OR Sue Grady –  sgrady@hinsdale86.org We are excited to welcome your students and support them in making a strong and confident transition into high school. Sincerely, Sue Grady and Jordan Stob D86 Summer School Directors Summer Scholars is looking for Summer Tutors Summer Scholars is a student-run nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one tutoring in reading and literacy for students in grades 3-8 founded by Hinsdale South and Cass Junior High School alum Sam Johnson. Each child is paired with a trained high school or college tutor who offers personalized support to boost academic skills, confidence, and motivation. Summer Scholars is looking for high school tutors. They offer flexible scheduling based on your availability. Visit the  Summer Scholars website to learn more and register your child. Boosters Need You – Get Involved for 2025–26! The Hinsdale Central Boosters support all athletics and activities at HCHS in many different ways—through our semiannual grant program, partnerships with athletic teams in concessions, annual scholarships, spirit wear sales, and more. We’re currently looking to fill several key roles for the 2025–26 school year, and it’s not too early to start thinking about getting involved!  Many positions require just a small time commitment but make a big impact. Whether you're interested in joining the board, leading a committee, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a place for everyone. Check out our open positions here or email us at  admin@theboosters.com with questions or to get involved. Let’s keep our Red Devil spirit strong! Upcoming Dates Finals-May 27-29

Thursday, May 22 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - May 22, 2025

Weekly Newsletter May 22, 2025 Graduation   Graduation Ceremony All seniors should report to the gym at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 22. Students should arrive without their cap and gown on, as they are searched and screened before entering the gym. Review the senior meeting presentation linked here for more details. Stadium gates open at 6:00 PM for families and guests, and seating is first-come, first-served. No tickets are required when the ceremony is held outdoors in the stadium. If the ceremony is moved inside due to inclement weather, each family receives four tickets to watch in person in the gym and 2 to watch the ceremony in our auditorium via the live stream. The ceremony will be available for download free of charge a few days after the event. You can also watch it live HERE.   Chromebooks - Graduating Seniors On Wednesday, July 31, 2025, District 86 Google accounts and email accounts for graduating seniors and non-returning students will be deactivated. After July 31, 2025, students will no longer be able to access their District 86 Google and email accounts, and the files/messages contained within will be deleted. If students would like to transfer their District 86 Google Drive files to a personal Google account, they should visit the following website while logged into their school account and follow the instructions:  https://takeout.google.com/transfer. Important emails should also be forwarded to a personal email account. This feature will be enabled during Graduation Week and will be available until Wednesday, July 31, 2025. For a complete explanation of the process, please visit this support article from Google.   Registration   Registration is Open Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. To make registration faster and easier, we're using our Infinite Campus Parent Portal. You can register your student through the portal on your phone or computer. Like before, you'll also find your student's schedule, attendance, grades, assignments, and fee information. If you have not created a portal account, you will receive a separate communication with directions on creating the account. REGISTRATION INFORMATION   Health Forms for Upcoming School Year Hindsdale South's Health Office has recently sent out reminders for students with health plans (diabetes, seizure disorders, etc.) who require health forms to be completed and returned before the first day of school. You may return the forms by email, or if you have any questions, email southhealth@hinsdale86.org.   What's Happening   Final Exams Second-semester final examinations will be held from Tuesday, May 27, to Thursday, May 29, 2025. The expectation is that students are in attendance each period (unless otherwise noted) and take their final exam during their designated time frame. Please note that students are NOT approved to reschedule exams to take them early for vacations or other personal reasons.  For more information regarding final exams, click here.   Bus Schedules - Final Exams Bus routes will operate as usual in the morning. Buses will depart 15 minutes after the last final exam. Tuesday, May 27 - 1:00 PM dismissal (full routes) Wednesday, May 28 - 1:00 PM dismissal (full routes) Thursday, May 29 - 11:15 AM dismissal (full routes); 1:00 PM dismissal (for make-up test takers)    Summer School - Registration is Open Registration information for Summer School 2025 is available on the District 86 website. Should you have any specific questions, please contact Susan Grady (sgrady@hinsdale86.org) or Jordan Stob (jstob@hinsdale6.org).   Student Highlights   TCD Award Winners The Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) has announced that three Hinsdale South High School seniors were honored with awards at a ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Congratulations to these students!   Amari Alexander - Outstanding Senior Award Khali Ellison - Outstanding Senior Award Dwayne Garrett - Senior Achiever Award   2024-2025 Fermi Awards Bianca Bares and Adolph Galinski were presented with the Fermi Award today! Each year, the Hinsdale South Science Faculty honors two seniors who have shown outstanding enthusiasm for science. We are so proud of these two wonderful students!   Business Professionals of America (BPA) Hinsdale South Business Professionals of America had an outstanding showing at Nationals in Orlando, Florida, last week! We are incredibly proud of all our students who competed. A HUGE congratulations to Adolph Galinski, who placed 3rd in the Nation in Advanced Spreadsheets, and Elias Carder, who placed 2nd in the Nation for Python Programming and 3rd in the Nation for Java Programming—an incredible accomplishment! Congratulations to all our National Qualifiers: Adolph Galinski, Elias Carder, Matthew Galinski, Ndiana Obot, Amanda Chen, Phuong Vu, Nihir Dixit, and Grant Diedrich. Excellent work, Hornets and our coaches, Ms. Yurhcak and Ms. Pecka!   World Language Honor Societies and Trilingual Scholars Congratulations to the Spring 2025 new inductees to our World Language Honor Societies! Membership in these highly selective honor societies is based on scholarship in general, scholarship in the language of study, active participation in world language-related activities, and a personal interest in all things French, German, Latin, and/or Spanish. Our induction celebration took place on May 20, honoring these students and our Trilingual Scholars: graduating seniors who took 4 years of one world language and two or more years of another world language. Congratulations to all honorees, and thank you to all their sponsors, Mme. Mikulcik, Frau Lodl, Dr. DeRousse, and Sra. Piccoli, especially Frau Lodl and the German Club, for sponsoring the celebration luncheon!   Trilingual Scholars Congratulations to the students below for being trilingual scholars: Dyana Banian (French, Spanish) Kevin Cortez Sanchez (Spanish, American Sign Language) Elizabeth Martin (Spanish, French)   French Honor Society (Société Honoraire de Français) Casey Johnson Victoria Wysocki German National Honor Society (Delta Epsilon Phi) Hope Bassali Sabrina Joyce Andrew Leonardson Kade Uddin National Latin Honor Society Zeke Bisharat Jacob Drahos Isabella Yanez Spanish Honor Society (Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica) Stephanie Acosta Jenna Alkhudari Jacob Arflack Alyssa Astrella Genesis Ayala Peyton Chang Simran Goel Amir Haque Ravi Joshi Rohan Joshi Fares Kachlan Noor Malo Lazar Martic Morgan Metzger Yacine Ouchen Yiran Pang Jerusalem Rassi Emilija Sinkevicius Jake Zakar   Results for Athletic Events   Athlete of the Week - Kennedy Ruff Congratulations to our Athlete of the Week, Kennedy Ruff. On Wednesday, May 14, Junior Kennedy Ruff earned another trip to the IHSA State Meet by placing 1st in the 100 mH (14.73) and 1st in the 300 mH (43.89), both of which were Personal Best performances for her. Seeing her dedication and determination carry her forward for one more week was great. Congratulations, Kennedy - 2 event Qualifier and 2 event Sectional Champion! Good luck at State! Athlete of the Week - Tomasz Lobas Congratulations to our Athlete of the Week, Tomasz Lobas. Tomasz led the varsity to a 2-0 week. Coming off an all-tournament selection at the Richards tournament, Tomasz had 22 kills and multiple aces against Riverside Brookfield. Tomasz had double-digit kills and several aces against York after that performance. Tomasz also helped the Hornets to a 6-0 WSC Conference record and back-to-back Conference Champs! Congratulations, Tomasz, and good luck in the playoffs!   Special Olympics Soccer Team Congratulations to the Special Olympics Soccer Team for winning the Regional and qualifying for the State Finals. Girls Track Qualifies for State Congratulations to the following members of the Girls Track team for their performance at the IHSA Sectional and for qualifying for the State Meet! Anya Patel (Pole Vault), Emilija Sinkevicius (High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump), and Kennedy Ruff (100m & 300m Hurdles).   Girls Soccer Team Congratulations to the Girls Soccer Team - WSC Gold Conference Champs!  Boys Tennis Team Congratulations to the Boys Tennis Team - West Suburban Conference Gold Conference Champs!    Stinger, a news site managed by students, provides coverage of news, opinions, culture, and sports. Committed to journalistic integrity, Stinger strives to deliver relevant information to its readers. A link will be provided every week for your enjoyment. Stinger - Student News Site   Faculty/Staff Highlights   Best Wishes to our Retirees After many wonderful years of dedication and hard work at Hinsdale South High School, Tony Malone, Cherie Lodl, and David Ritter are embarking on a well-deserved retirement! Join us in celebrating their incredible contributions and wishing them all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter. Cheers to a happy and fulfilling retirement!   Building and Grounds - Grounds Crew We want to acknowledge the grounds crew for working hard to provide a safe exterior during the snowy months, prepare competition areas for outdoor sports, and keep our campus looking amazing. Thank you, Jim Towers, George Tokmanian, and Pat Kohl. Building and Grounds - Custodians The custodial department keeps the building clean, cleans up after sick kids or bloody noses, and takes care of delivery packages that flood the dock. Thank you for your hard work, Sabira Bacinovic and Rob Pold.   Hinsdale South Booster Club   Dairy Queen Fundraiser - Last Day of School! Join us at DQ (across the street) on Thursday, May 29. The event will take place all day. No code or flyer is needed. 15% of the proceeds will be donated to Hinsdale South's Booster Club. Can't wait to see you there!   Hinsdale South Foundation   Foundation Opportunities Spring in Chicago brings exciting opportunities with the Hinsdale South Foundation! As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, the Foundation is actively seeking dedicated volunteers to fill various roles, including Board positions, advertising sales, yard sign coordination, and more. Remember, our vital work, awarding over $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this spring, and all our efforts, depend on the generosity of volunteers. If you're passionate about supporting our students and have some time to contribute, please contact John Barnes ‘80 at jbarnes@cadets.com to learn more about how you can get involved. We can't operate without your help!   Community Events   Free Summer Scholars Tutoring Program Summer Scholars is a student-run nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one tutoring in reading and literacy for students in grades 3-8, founded by Hinsdale South and Cass Junior High School alum Sam Johnson. Each child is paired with a trained high school or college tutor who offers personalized support to boost academic skills, confidence, and motivation. They also offer flexible scheduling based on your availability. Whether your child could use a confidence boost, extra reading practice, or structured academic time this summer, Summer Scholars is here to help. Visit the Summer Scholars website to learn more and register your child.     PARENT VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED! We are excited to announce that the 2025 Hinsdale South Career Day will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about a variety of careers directly from professionals in our community—including you! We are looking for parent volunteers who are passionate about their careers and willing to share their experiences with our students by speaking to classes throughout the morning. Due to early release, the school day will run from 8:00 AM to 12:35 PM. Your insights can help inspire and guide students as they explore future career paths. If you are interested in participating, please fill out THIS INTEREST FORM.       SCHOOL CALENDARS  

Thursday, May 22 2025

HC Weekly E-Blast May 15, 2025

Weekly E-Blast   |  May 15, 2025 The Hinsdale Central Athletic Department hosted a College Signing & Recognition Day event at the high school on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.  The following athletes were recognized: Frankie Adamo Saint Louis University Swimming Toral Bhatt Washington and Lee University Golf Enzo Cinque Dominican University Soccer Jackson Clark Emory University Baseball Martin Contreras William Penn University Soccer Ryan Corcoran Saint Norbert College Football Dru Devata Emory University Golf Nathan Hernandez Middlebury College Tennis Zachary Kruse University of Wisconsin-Platteville Football Kelan McInerney Drake University Football Peter Ortiz Ohio Wesleyan University Thrower Maya Reed Miami University Track & Field Makenna Schultz New Hampshire University Lacrosse Isabella Warren Ursinus College Swimming Sophia Warren Augustana College Swimming Kevin Wesolowski Illinois Wesleyan University Golf Chromebook Buyback for Graduating Seniors Dear Parents/Guardians, District 86 will be buying back a limited number of Dell Chromebooks from  graduating seniors May 19 - May 29. Interested students should bring their Chromebook and the completed Chromebook Buyback Form to the TSI room at their school between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. During this time, technology services staff will assess the device’s condition and determine the buyback price based on the list below. $50 for a Dell Chromebook in good working condition with a stylus and charger. $40 for a Dell Chromebook in good working condition with either a stylus or charger. $30 for a Dell Chromebook in poor working condition with or without a stylus or charger. Anyone who plans on selling their Chromebook back to the district is asked to please remove all stickers from the case. This can be done by using the lowest setting on a hair dryer to warm the stickers up. While a Chromebook with stickers will still be accepted for buyback, the price that is offered for the device may be reduced. Once our staff assesses the condition of the Chromebook and determines the buyback price, they will provide your student with a form that must be brought to the bookstore by May 29. At that time, the bookstore will check your student's account to see if they have any outstanding fees. If they do not have outstanding fees, they will be paid the amount listed on the form. However, if they do have outstanding fees, the money for the Chromebook will be put toward paying the balance. Any student who does not sell their device back to the district will be able to keep it. Sincerely, Keith Bockwoldt Chief Information Officer ACT Voucher Dear Students & Families, We appreciate your patience and understanding with the recent disruption during our state ACT testing day, held on April 16. In response, the district has secured a one-time use voucher for you to retake the ACT (including the writing portion) . This voucher can be used to register for either the  June or July national ACT test date , and may only be used once. Please be aware that ACT dates in June and July are very limited and will fill up quickly.   To obtain your unique vouchers, visit the Main office and request your one-time use code. Students will need to sign for the voucher. Although we are working with ACT to see if additional testing sites will be added, we recommend you sign up as soon as possible. You can use this link to register for the ACT . Please use the following link for  full details on how to use the voucher and register. This voucher will cover late fees associated with your registration. If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please don't hesitate to reach out to your counselor. Mental Health Resources 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/ Graduation Updates Handicap Seating and Parking Request  -  One area of the track will be solely reserved for handicap seating. The ceremony will also be live streamed on the internet and accessible to the public. Handicap parking will be located in the front circle drive off of 55th street near the main entrance to Hinsdale Central.  We will have a club cart available to bring guests with tickets to the handicap seating on the track. Parking in this area will be limited to individuals who submitted this form. Graduation Regalia Important Announcement Regarding Graduation Ceremony Seating:  As we approach our highly anticipated graduation ceremony, we want to take a moment to address an important matter regarding seating arrangements. We want to emphasize that we do not condone the practice of reserving seats. While we understand the desire to secure preferred seating for family and friends, it is important to remember that our graduation ceremony is a communal event meant to celebrate the achievements of all our graduates. Therefore,  we cannot guarantee the availability of any seats that are reserved or saved for specific individuals before the announced opening of the gates at 5:30 pm. Seating will be allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Furthermore, please be aware that our limited staff resources prevent us from monitoring or policing the saving of seats. We kindly ask for your cooperation in ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to find seating upon arrival. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter. For more information on graduation and senior activities, please continue to check for updates  here . Final Spirit Wear Sales of the School Year! Mark your calendars—our last  spirit wear sale, hosted by The Boosters, is happening on Tuesday, May 20, from 3–8 PM at the Grant Street entrance. It's your final chance to stock up on Red Devil gear before summer! Whether you're looking to stay spirited during the off-season or find the perfect gift for your favorite 8th grade grad, we've got you covered. Don’t miss it—once it’s gone, it’s gone! Senior Picnic Senior Families! It's time for the Senior Picnic! Please help us make this morning a great one for our graduates Thursday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. following graduation practice at the Bus Circle off of 57th Street. Senior Parents, please sign up to donate items or work a shift!  Donation Drop Offs - Thursday Morning 5/22 at 8:00 am (once buses have left) until 9:00 am in the bus turnaround on the south side of the school (off of 57th Street). If you want to send the items with your student, we will be collecting as early as 7:30 am. Please have your student bring your donation to the bus circle area off of 57th Street. Please use this link to sign up to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AA9AE2AA3FB6-49863317-hinsdale#/ . Questions? Contact Georgia Chulos at gchulos@gmail.com or 773.294.3143. Thank you for your help making this a fun final lunch for the seniors! 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 Second Semester Final Exams Second-semester final examinations will be held from Tuesday, May 27 to Thursday, May 29, 2025. The expectation is that students are in attendance each period (unless otherwise noted) and take their final exam during their designated time frame. The only exception to this is if a student has three final exams on a given day, they can reschedule an exam to a different day through the Dean's Office.  Please note, that students are NOT approved to reschedule exams to take them early for vacations or other personal reasons .   For more information regarding final exams and to find the exam reschedule form,  click here . For more information regarding academic support and how to connect with tutors, click here. Finals Week Bus Schedule Tuesday, May 27 Buses depart at 1:15 PM Wednesday, May 28 Buses depart at 1:15 PM Thursday, May 29 Buses depart at 11:30 AM *No bus service after the make-up exam Prep for Finals with P.A.S.S.! It’s no surprise that finals aren’t easy. They’re not designed to be, often making it hard for busy student athletes to find time to study in between homework, practices, and games. So if you’re looking for personalized, individual support to ace those final exams, look no further than Peer Athlete Student Scholars, or P.A.S.S., where our goal is to see you succeed. Our finals offerings include: Subject and concept-specific finals review sessions Individualized class review, prep, and support Group tutoring or study sessions Are you ready to hit the ball out of the park on your next test? Sign up for a P.A.S.S. session today at  this link . Looking for a way to get involved and earn volunteer hours? Apply to become a P.A.S.S. tutor at  this link . Any questions? Get in touch to learn more about P.A.S.S. and its offerings by emailing Ary Bansal at abansal6002@stu.hinsdale86.org or Connor Mason at  cmason7114@stu.hinsdale86.org . Or, scan the QR code below to learn more. Summer School Dear Incoming D86 Parents/Guardians, Welcome to Hinsdale Township High School District 86! We are excited to support your students as they begin their high school journey, and look forward to making the next four years both fulfilling and rewarding. As part of our commitment to student success, we are pleased to offer  two FREE summer courses for incoming freshmen who would benefit from extra support prior to the start of the school year:  Reading Strategies and Algebra Strategies. These courses are not intended for honors students, but are designed to help students strengthen key academic skills, build confidence, and begin connecting with their peers and teachers before the fall semester begins. Course Highlights:  Get a head start on important reading comprehension or algebra skills Learn valuable note-taking, test-taking, and learning strategies Become familiar with the high school environment and build early relationships Cost:  Free of charge. Our goal is to eliminate barriers and ensure all students can access this support. Limited Opportunity:  Only two sections of each course will be offered in the summer. Registration will close when the two sections are filled. Transportation:  Provided for those who need it. More information about dates, registration, transportation, and summer school policies is available on our  Summer School Website . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us: Jordan Stob – jstob@hinsdale86.org OR Sue Grady –  sgrady@hinsdale86.org We are excited to welcome your students and support them in making a strong and confident transition into high school. Sincerely, Sue Grady and Jordan Stob D86 Summer School Directors Upcoming Dates Graduation-May 22 Finals-May 27-29

Thursday, May 15 2025

Hinsdale South Weekly Newsletter - May 15, 2025

Weekly Newsletter May 15, 2025 Graduation   Graduation Rehearsal At 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 22, ALL seniors should report to the gym for our annual panoramic class photo and graduation rehearsal. Students should enter through door 9 (the gym doors). This rehearsal has several important items, and attendance is mandatory for participation in the ceremony.  Tickets are distributed (only used if we hold an indoor ceremony) Final name pronunciation with name readers The logistics of key information for the ceremony are shared with students    Graduation Ceremony All seniors should report to the gym (fieldhouse if there is an indoor ceremony) at 6:00 PM on Thursday, May 22. Students should arrive without their cap and gown on, as they are searched and screened before entering the gym. Review the senior meeting presentation linked here for more details. Gates open at 6:00 PM, and seating is first come, first served. No tickets are required when the ceremony is held outdoors in the stadium. If the ceremony is moved inside due to inclement weather, each family receives four tickets to watch in person and 2 to watch the ceremony in our auditorium via the live stream. No additional tickets are available.  In order to create a dignified ceremony that everyone can enjoy, please comply with the following guidelines and policies when at the ceremony: Do not bring large balloons, posters, or other visually obstructive items. They will be confiscated at the entrance. You may leave those items at the gate; however, our event staff will not be responsible for items left at the entrance gate.  No noisemakers (bull-horns, airhorns, etc.) are allowed. Please do not “save” seats or sit in areas marked for those needing special accommodations. Failure to comply with these guidelines and directions from our event staff will result in removal from the ceremony.  The ceremony will be available for download, free of charge, a few days after the event. You can also watch it livestream. Be sure to check our Facebook page for a link to stream the ceremony on the day of graduation.  We have partnered with the Commencement Group to offer graduation day flowers, gifts, and t-shirts on-site during the ceremony. You can also pre-order items and pick them up at Hinsdale South. Visit their website HERE. Commencement is a time-honored tradition that represents the culmination of our students’ hard work and achievements. To preserve the dignity and formality of this important event, we ask that all graduates and their families review the following guidelines carefully.   Chromebooks - Graduating Seniors Graduating seniors will have full ownership of their Chromebooks; shortly after graduation, the IT department will remove the devices from the D86 Google admin console, and they will function without any restrictions in place (devices will need to be restarted to clear the restrictions). On Wednesday, July 31, 2025, District 86 Google accounts and email accounts for graduating seniors and non-returning students will be deactivated. After July 31, 2025, students will no longer be able to access their District 86 Google and email accounts, and the files/messages contained within will be deleted. If students would like to transfer their District 86 Google Drive files to a personal Google account, they should visit the following website while logged into their school account and follow the instructions: https://takeout.google.com/transfer. Important emails should also be forwarded to a personal email account.   This feature will be enabled during Graduation Week and will be available until Wednesday, July 31, 2025.   For a complete explanation of the process, please visit this support article from Google. Please note: If students are using their hinsdale86.org account on any third-party sites or services (e.g., College Board, Dropbox, Pandora, Twitter, etc.), they should make sure they change their contact/login information at each site and service before July 31, 2025. After this date, they will no longer be able to receive notifications or log into these services.   To see which services have been linked to a District 86 Google account, visit the “Third party apps with account access” and “Signing in with Google” portions of the Google Security page for your District 86 account.   Registration   Registration is Open Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. To make registration faster and easier, we're using our Infinite Campus Parent Portal. You can register your student through the portal on your phone or computer. Like before, you'll also find your student's schedule, attendance, grades, assignments, and fee information. If you have not created a portal account, you will receive a separate communication with directions on creating the account. REGISTRATION INFORMATION   Health Forms for Upcoming School Year Hindsdale South's Health Office has recently sent out reminders for students with health plans (diabetes, seizure disorders, etc.) who require health forms to be completed and returned before the first day of school. You may return the forms by email, or if you have any questions, email southhealth@hinsdale86.org.   What's Happening   Deaf Drama Performance - Friday, May 16 Deaf Drama and the Illinois School for the Deaf Regional Center (ISRC) are joining forces to present "A Night Against Bullying - The Deaf Defenders: Heroes against Bullying" on Friday, May 16, at 7:00 PM. This powerful performance will take place in the Hinsdale South High School Auditorium, and voice interpretation will be provided for all attendees. Tickets are available at the door for $6.00 each, with cash and card payments accepted. Children under the age of five can attend for free.   Chromebooks - Social Media Trend We want to make you aware of a concerning trend circulating on social media, which is resulting in students damaging their Chromebooks. Students following the social media trend have been inserting objects–such as paper clips or pencil graphite–into Chromebook USB ports in an attempt to cause sparks or smoke. This behavior has led to serious incidents in other schools, including damage to devices and small fires. This behavior often results in permanent damage to the devices, and could potentially become a safety risk to our students. Any student found intentionally damaging their Chromebook in this manner will be held financially responsible for the cost of replacing the device. As a reminder, our D86 Chromebook Agreement states that “Students are solely responsible for the Chromebooks issued to them.” We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing responsible technology use and helping us keep our students safe and accountable.   Final Exams Second-semester final examinations will be held from Tuesday, May 27, to Thursday, May 29, 2025. The expectation is that students are in attendance each period (unless otherwise noted) and take their final exam during their designated time frame. Please note that students are NOT approved to reschedule exams to take them early for vacations or other personal reasons.  For more information regarding final exams, click here.   Bus Schedules - Final Exams Bus routes will operate as usual in the morning. Buses will depart 15 minutes after the last final exam. Tuesday, May 27 - 1:00 PM dismissal (full routes) Wednesday, May 28 - 1:00 PM dismissal (full routes) Thursday, May 29 - 11:15 AM dismissal (full routes); 1:00 PM dismissal (for make-up testers)    2025/2026 Student Parking Permits Parking permits for the 2025/2026 school year will be sold in the Dean's Office on the following dates: Monday, May 19 - Thursday, May 22 The cost is $150 (cash or check). Please bring payment to receive your tag. Important: Applications must be completed online. Tags are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. A parking tag is required to park in the lot. For questions, please contact Mrs. Matozzi at dmatozzi@hinsdale86.org.   Summer School - Registration is Open Registration information for Summer School 2025 is available on the District 86 website. Should you have any specific questions, please contact Susan Grady (sgrady@hinsdale86.org) or Jordan Stob (jstob@hinsdale6.org).   Student Highlights   Board of Education Student Liaisons At the May 8th Board of Education meeting, we bid farewell to Uyen Millon (right), our outgoing liaison, extending best wishes for her upcoming graduation and future success. Simultaneously, we welcomed Asmitha Pallath (left) as the new BOE Liaison for Hinsdale South High School. Best wishes to both of them.   Principal Student Advisory Council (PSAC) The Principal Student Advisory Council (PSAC) hears students' voices from all grades and advises Dr. Peronto on student body and school climate matters. We acknowledge and appreciate the time these students dedicate to sharing their unique perspectives, concerns, and innovative ideas with school leadership. A special thank you to all the Seniors, especially those who have served all four years. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.     Social Studies Students of the Month Meet our Social Studies Students of the Month! We’re so proud of your achievements and dedication. Keep inspiring us with your passion for learning! Nathan Navarro Claire Moon Reilly Meeker Erin Menako Niko Villagomez Amy Madsen Anders Irwin Demi Afolabi Gabi Hanson   Results for Athletic Events   Athlete of the Week - Lucy Old Congratulations to our Athlete of the Week, Lucy Old. Lucy has been the badminton team's #1 singles player all season. This is the toughest task in badminton: to be your team's #1 singles player means you have to play every other team's best player all year. You don't get a break. You have to play your best game every day, and Lucy has done that all year. She has continually improved throughout the season and has made adjustments and decisions during the season to set herself up for success. Lucy finally achieved that success by qualifying in singles for the IHSA State Badminton Championships at DeKalb High School. As a junior, Lucy was one game away from qualifying. This year, she made the necessary adjustments and worked to achieve that goal. Congratulations, Lucy Old, on making your dreams come true! Great job, Lucy! Congratulations and Good luck at State! Athlete of the Week - Deandre Thomas Congratulations to our Athlete of the Week, DeAndre Thomas. DeAndre continued his sprint dominance this year by winning the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes and running a leg on our 2nd-place 4X100-meter relay team at the Hinsdale South Mike Yavorski Invitational. DeAndre also took 2 nd in the 100 and 4th in the 200 at the Hinsdale Central McCarthy Invitational. DeAndre also had a great Indoor season, winning the 55-meter dash and 200-meter dash at our Indoor Conference meet, and running at the Illinois Prep Top Times Indoor meet. Congrats DeAndre!     IHSA Badminton State Finalists Congratulations to Singles players Miley Zhang & Lucy Old  and the Doubles team of Ava Chvosta & Kelly Lin for qualifying for the IHSA Badminton State Finals! IHSGCA Boys Gymnastics State Finalist Congratulations to Devioune Thompson (High Bar, Vault & Parallel Bars) for qualifying for the IHSGCA Boys Gymnastics State Finals!   Stinger, a news site managed by students, provides coverage of news, opinions, culture, and sports. Committed to journalistic integrity, Stinger strives to deliver relevant information to its readers. A link will be provided every week for your enjoyment. Stinger - Student News Site   Faculty/Staff Highlights   Building and Grounds - Day Maintenance The day maintenance team is instrumental in maintaining our building's optimal performance. They skillfully manage the challenges of heating and cooling our extensive facility, and their broad knowledge base in various trades is essential for daily upkeep. Thank you, John Addalia, Joe Radiewicz, Carl Gruber, Lirim Korcari and Mike Welch. Building and Grounds - Night Maintenance Providing vital support after hours, the night maintenance team efficiently handles necessary repairs in busy areas and expertly manages the setup and breakdown of community events. Their helpful and dedicated attitude directly benefits our community. Thank you to Barabasz Jarzabek, Wilfredo (Gaby) Morales, and Eli Luciano.   Educator of the Year Event The First Annual Educators of the Year Event, presented by the DuPage Regional Office of Education, recognized excellence in several categories, where Hinsdale South staff have been recognized: High School Teacher of the Year: Jeffrey Waterman was recognized for integrating his background in banking with dynamic, real-world instruction in Economics, World Studies, and Humanities. His commitment to experiential learning is evident in his leadership of the Investment Club, where students managed $50,000 of Waterman’s money, consistently generating profits. He also coached the Economics Team, leading them to two state championships, and has chaperoned students on multiple international learning experiences.  Educational Support Person of the Year: Karly Bartolucci, a speech pathologist at Hinsdale South High School, was honored for her inclusive approach to student engagement, leadership in culturally responsive practices, and commitment to social-emotional and trauma-informed education. Her exceptional communication skills are reflected in the clarity and precision of her speech and language reports, as well as her ability to convey complex information to teams, families, and students in a relatable way. And additional honorees included: Kevin Maloney, special education paraprofessional, Hinsdale South High School   Hinsdale South Foundation   Foundation Opportunities Spring in Chicago brings exciting opportunities with the Hinsdale South Foundation! As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, the Foundation is actively seeking dedicated volunteers to fill various roles, including Board positions, advertising sales, yard sign coordination, and more. Remember, our vital work, awarding over $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this spring, and all our efforts, depend on the generosity of volunteers. If you're passionate about supporting our students and have some time to contribute, please contact John Barnes ‘80 at jbarnes@cadets.com to learn more about how you can get involved. We can't operate without your help!   Hinsdale South Booster Club   Drive Thru BBQ Fundraiser Back by popular demand ...it's our annual Drive Thru BBQ Fundraiser!  Thank you to Chuck's Cafe in Darien for partnering once again with the Hinsdale South Booster Club to raise money to support Hinsdale South students. Order now through May 15 and drive up to Chuck's on May 20 to pick up your delicious BBQ meal. May is such a busy month ... take a night off from worrying about what to make for dinner. We've got you! ORDER NOW    Community Events     PARENT VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED! We are excited to announce that the 2025 Hinsdale South Career Day will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about a variety of careers directly from professionals in our community—including you! We are looking for parent volunteers who are passionate about their careers and willing to share their experiences with our students by speaking to classes throughout the morning. Due to early release, the school day will run from 8:00 AM to 12:35 PM. Your insights can help inspire and guide students as they explore future career paths. If you are interested in participating, please fill out THIS INTEREST FORM.         SCHOOL CALENDARS  

Thursday, May 15 2025