Feb. 11, 2021
Committee of the Whole Meeting
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Good News
Principal Bill Walsh from Hinsdale Central provided the board with the following information from his report.
- Several students from Central were selected for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. Up to 161 students are chosen for this program each year based on their outstanding performance on the SAT or ACT, and/or as a result of a nomination by the chief state school officer or other organizations.
- Several students from Central were recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers in conjunction with its Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. They received awards in categories that included painting, mixed media, drawing and illustration, and digital art.
- Twenty-five students from Central were named members of the 2020-2021 National Art Honor Society. To qualify for membership, students have to achieve a GPA of 4.0 in their art classes over three semesters.
Principal Arwen Pokorny Lyp from Hinsdale South provided the board with the following information from her report.
- South's Illusions Art Magazine was awarded a First Place with Special Merit by the American Scholastic Press Association. It was also named the Most Outstanding High School Art Magazine for 2020.
- South student leaders Lizzie Tabachnikov, Sarah Frankle and Keira Hagen organized a two-day "Her Drive" event during which they collected 92 pairs of underwear, 233 diapers, 280 bras, 588 vanity products, 1,582 general hygiene items and 7,898 personal products for women in need.
- The school's speech team took fifth place at the Downers Grove South Tournament, second place at the Glenbrook North Varsity Tournament and second place at regionals. The team also earned top spots in a variety of individual events at all three tournaments.
- The Deaf Academic Bowl team participated in the screening test for the Regional Academic Bowl competition, and earned the rank of eighth in the Midwest. Next up for the team is the regional championship, which will take place the week of Feb. 22.
- The chess club had a successful season that included two students (Brian Ngeunjuntr and Aayush Modi) earning medals at the conference meet.
- South is hosting a Senior Only Basketball Viewing Party on Feb.12 at 7 p.m. for the school's first basketball game of the season.
- South has organized a number of events and activities in honor of Black History Month. For example, this week (Feb. 8-12) the morning announcements included information about Black politicians and civic leaders, and the music played during passing periods featured artists of Motown. There were also participation activities that included a viewing and discussion of the movie "The Ruby Bridges Story," and an analysis of the messages in the songs “I Can’t Breathe” by H.E.R. and “The Bigger Picture” by Lil’ Baby.
- Rosalind Kline, who has been teaching math at South since 2014, has been selected to serve as a dean of students for the school starting next year.
Return to School Update
The administration provided the board with an update on the district’s return to school plan. This update included:
- A reminder about the steps involved in the district's responsive approach to in-person instruction.
- COVID-19 data for the district and communities we serve. As of Feb. 5, there were 10 confirmed positive cases in the district, 62 people in isolation and 43 people in quarantine. There have also been a total of 295 positive cases in the district since the start of the 2020-21 school year.
- A reminder about the hybrid and lunch schedules for second semester.
- A reminder about the process that the families of students who are currently remote can use one time per month to switch to the hybrid model during second semester. The next opportunity for these students to resume in-person instruction will be March 8 (email notifications will be sent the week of Feb. 22; responses will be due by March 1).
- An update on the number and percentage of students who are taking part in the district's hybrid and remote instructional models second semester.
- Hybrid or Everyday - 2,086 students across the district; 54% of the total enrollment. The Everyday cohort is composed of students from our Foundations, DHH and HAVEN programs, as well as individuals that our student support teams recommended based on IEP/504, academic and SEL needs.
- Currently remote with the option of switching to hybrid - 1,553 students across the district; 38% of the total enrollment.
- Staying remote for the rest of the school year - 290 students across the district; 7% of the total enrollment.
- An update on the district's vaccination plan.
- Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South served as vaccination sites Feb. 4-6 and Feb. 10.
- The district partnered with Osco to administer approximately 3,000 initial doses of the vaccine to 1B employees from our district, our seven feeder districts, LADSE, and the villages of Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Darien, Willowbrook and Burr Ridge. Of the 3,000 doses, more than 800 of them were provided to members of the community who are 65 or older.
- Everyone who received the first dose of the vaccine at Central or South in February will receive the second dose on the same day of the week, at the same time and in the same location March 3-6. So, for example, if someone received their first dose on Thursday, February 4, at 3 p.m. at Central, they will be administered their second dose on Thursday, March 4, at 3 p.m. at Central.
- A number of individuals, organizations and groups contributed to the success of the recent vaccination sessions, including Osco, the district's security team, Quest, GSF-USA, 303 Taxi, volunteers from our local villages and student volunteers from Hinsdale Central.
- The instructional calendars for the months of February and March, including the following changes that are being made at Hinsdale South to accommodate the vaccination process March 3-6. Please note that these changes only apply to Hinsdale South because the vaccination session at the building will take place during the school day (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Friday, March 5. The vaccination sessions at Hinsdale Central will be held on Wednesday, which is a remote learning day, after school on Thursday (1 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and on Saturday.
- During the week of March 1, we will be swapping the Wednesday and Friday schedules at Hinsdale South.
- On March 3, students from South who are in Learning Cohort B will be on campus for in-person instruction (early bird physical education and periods 4/5/6, 6/7/8, nine and 10). They will also eat lunch at school on this day.
- On March 5, all students from South will learn from home. Teachers will let students know if their classes will be synchronous or asynchronous on this day. This decision will be based upon issues such as the teacher’s vaccination schedule.
- The Monday, Tuesday and Thursday schedules at South will remain the same this week.
- A reminder about the need to continue adhering to the county and state health guidelines (e.g., wearing masks, practicing social distancing, avoiding mass gatherings and engaging in good hand hygiene) even after employees get vaccinated.
- Principals and activities directors are currently working with student groups on plans for Class of 2021 celebrations, including prom and graduation.
- The district will continue planning for school in the fall of 2021.
- The district will be monitoring the CDC, ISBE and IDPH for updates.
- The district is working on the logistics for administering the second dose of the vaccine March 3-6.
Committee Reports
Members of the Policy Committee provided the board with a report from their meeting on Feb. 1. During the meeting, the committee:
- Discussed the process that will be followed for developing and publishing administrative procedures.
- Reviewed and discussed exhibits that were rescinded from the policy manual in accordance with policy 2:240 (Board Policy Development) and the corresponding exhibit about updates from PRESS.
- Reviewed sample procedures and exhibits from PRESS for sections 1 [School District Organization], 2 [Board of Education], 3 [General School Administration] and 8 [Community Relations] of the policy manual.
In addition to receiving the report mentioned above, the board voted to release the draft minutes from this meeting as part of the consent agenda.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent agenda includes personnel, stipends, board bills and meeting minutes. Please visit https://bit.ly/3a9rsGV to access the consent agenda items beginning under number six.
Accept Donations to the Transition Center
The board accepted donations to the Transition Center totaling $700 that were made in memory of Diana “Di” Dellaportas, who began serving as a substitute staff member for the center in March of 2018. Dellaportas lost her battle with cancer this past December.
Approve Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
The board approved the appointment of Cheryl Moore to the position of assistant superintendent of human resources. Moore received a three-year contract with a starting base salary of $160,000. She is scheduled to begin her tenure with the district on July 1, 2021.
Board President’s Report
Board President Kevin Camden recognized people for their help and support with the recent vaccination events hosted by the district, including Kevin Simpson, the district's director of security, and student volunteers from Hinsdale Central. He also thanked all District 86 students for their patience, understanding and flexibility regarding the changes that were made to the school schedule to accommodate these events.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tammy Prentiss thanked Josh Stephenson, the district's chief financial officer, and Chris Jasculca, the district's director of communications, for their help with the planning and logistics for the vaccination events held at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South.
Superintendent Prentiss also shared that the next Superintendent's Roundtable will be held on Thursday, Feb. 18. During this session, the group, which is composed of teachers from across the district, will continue its study of the book "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Anchor and its discussion of ways to improve and enhance the work environment in our buildings.
Textbook Adoption
The board reviewed and discussed the new textbooks and supplemental materials that are being proposed for use starting next school year (2021-22). These include selections for English, math, ELL, world languages and science.
Operational Calendar and Future Agenda Items
The board reviewed and discussed its operational calendar for the year and possible agenda items for future meetings. You can access additional information about this agenda item by visiting http://bit.ly/3aad3tS.
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Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Regular Action Meeting
Hinsdale South Library
Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Hinsdale South Library
Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Regular Action Meeting
Hinsdale South Library
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