Science Sequencing

On Nov. 11 and 13, District 86 held information sessions about our science program and sequencing. During these sessions, members of the team who led the work on the changes to our science program provided an overview of the process and information that were used to arrive at our decision. They highlighted how the program and sequence will support and advance the college and career readiness goals of our students. They also answered questions that attendees had regarding the changes.

Since some people were unable to come to the sessions, we are making the information that was shared available to the community. Below are links to the presentation that was given during both sessions, as well as a video recording of the session held at Hinsdale Central on Nov. 13. There are also links to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) document we created about the changes to the science program, and the report, presentation and video about science sequencing from the board meeting on Oct. 23.

Remote Learning Days

Given the snow and frigid temperatures we have experienced during the past few weeks, we thought it would be helpful to resend the information about the Remote Learning Days we will utilize when severe weather or other emergencies prevent safe travel to and from school. You can access this information by visiting http://bit.ly/2zk4Tfi.

Should we need to initiate a Remote Learning Day, we will use our various communication systems and platforms to inform students, staff and families as soon as possible so they can plan accordingly. These systems and platforms include Blackboard (automated calls, emails and texts), the District 86 app, the district website, Facebook, Twitter and the Emergency Closing Center website.

Youth Merit Awards

On Nov. 8, the Rotary Club of Hinsdale presented Youth Merit Awards to Hinsdale Central students Sydney Thayer and Patrick Hsiao. These awards are given to middle and high school students based on their "exceptional academic, athletic and leadership achievements." Congratulations to Sydney and Patrick on this well-deserved honor.

Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago

Hinsdale South math teachers Rick Cazzato and Jennifer Gilbert have been invited to present at the Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago's (MMC) 2020 Conference of Workshops being held at Stevenson High School on Feb. 1. You can learn more about the MMC by visiting https://mmcchicago.org/. We congratulate Rick and Jennifer on being selected for this opportunity.

Transition Center

Every week, young adults from the district's Transition Center participate in recreational therapies that are led by highly certified specialists. Two of the activities that students say are a highlight for them are the sessions involving movement and music therapy. The specialists work with our teachers to identify the skills they will focus on during each session. These skills include initiating, sequencing, taking turns, core language and preferred sensory input.  

Following several weeks of sessions, our staff members have observed our students making visible progress. They have also noted a carryover effect that these positive and fun experiences have had on the rest of the day.

You can learn more about the Transition Center by visiting https://d86.hinsdale86.org/domain/174.

Bridge Program

Last month, students from the district's Bridge program participated in a Student Peer Leadership Summit through a course that was created with the help of the College of DuPage (COD) Experiential Learning Office. During the summit, the students learned leadership, social and survival skills, while also earning credit at COD. In addition, they had the opportunity to take part in hiking and orienteering adventures at Waterfall Glen, Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park.  

The students who completed the summit/class are further developing their leadership skills through a College Stress Management course at COD, as well as by taking part in various service learning outings and other Bridge program activities. You can learn more about the Bridge program by visiting http://bit.ly/2QjVgqL.

ESL Research Fair

Students from the district's English Language Learners (ELL) program recently participated in a Research Fair that was organized by teacher Amy Profetto in conjunction with the ESL 3 class, which is the most advanced English as a Second Language course we offer. The students chose topics and then gave presentations about them to teachers and family members. Through these presentations, the students had the chance to demonstrate their English, research and communication skills, as well as their knowledge and understanding of cultural awareness.

You can learn more about the district's ELL program, which is housed at Hinsdale Central, by visiting https://d86.hinsdale86.org/Page/64.

Darien Lions Club

Every year, the Darien Lions Club helps hundreds of local families in need during the holiday season by delivering a meal and gifts for young children. Since many of the families speak Spanish, students from South's upper-level Spanish classes offered to help the organization by calling the families to confirm addresses and contact information, as well as find out details that will be used to help select gifts for the children. We applaud these students for volunteering their time for such an important cause, and for doing an outstanding job of modeling South's SEL theme for November, which is showing kindness and having empathy for other people.

National Letters of Intent

The following student-athletes from Hinsdale Central signed their national letters of intent last week:

We congratulate all of these outstanding student-athletes on their signings, and wish them continued success on and off the field.

Volleyball at Hinsdale South

Mia Lombardo from Hinsdale South signed her national letter of intent to play volleyball at Central Connecticut State University. We congratulate Mia on her signing, and wish her all the best next year and beyond.

Meanwhile, Mia's teammate Kaitlyn Hurka was among the 20 players named to the DuPage County Girls Volleyball All-Area Team. You can access additional information about the team by visiting http://bit.ly/2Ql7ZcR. Congratulations to Kaitlyn on this honor.

Swimming and Diving

The varsity girls swimming and diving team from Hinsdale Central took home the title at Sectionals on Nov. 16 behind outstanding performances that resulted in top three finishes in a number of individual events.

Hinsdale South finished in fifth place at Sectionals thanks to a strong showing by the members of its team, which included Caraline Custardo being the first diver from the school to qualify for state since 1986.

You can access the results from Sectionals by visiting http://bit.ly/348B2Ek. We congratulate both teams on their success at the tournament, and wish the best of luck to everyone who qualified for state.

Speech Teams

The speech team from Hinsdale South kicked off its tournament season with a first place finish at the Plainfield North Fall Classic on Nov. 16. The full results for the event had not been published at the time this email was scheduled to be sent. Additional information about the competition can be accessed by visiting http://bit.ly/2pqLSXh.

Meanwhile, the speech team from Hinsdale Central continued the strong start to its season with a first place finish at the Downers Grove North Varsity Invitational on Nov. 9. The team earned several individual tournament championships at the varsity and novice levels. You can access the team's results for the tournament by visiting  http://bit.ly/2rosPgV.

We congratulate both teams on their victories.

Math Competition

The math team from Hinsdale Central took first place in the recent WSML #2 (West Suburban Math League) meet. Max Lai and Grant Zhang earned perfect scores in the competition, while many of their teammates took the top spots in a number of the individual events. We congratulate the entire team on this impressive performance.

Write-On! Teen Literary Festival

Hinsdale South students Imaan Hasan and Kassidy Keating earned top three finishes for the works they submitted for the recent Write On! Teen Literary Festival. Imaan, who is a member of South's Creative Writing Club, took third place in the poetry competition for her piece titled “I Need to Wake Up."

Meanwhile, Kassidy took second place in the Words About Hope category for her piece titled “Go Put it in Action.”

You can access additional information about the festival by visiting http://bit.ly/2qYDizk.

Deaf Drama Play

Students who receive educational and support services from the district's deaf and hard of hearing department will be part of the cast and crew for the Deaf Drama performance "Action News: Now With 10% More Action!" Below is a description of the show.

"Welcome to WOMG Action News, the most trusted news team since the invention of trust, news and teams. Join lead anchors Babs Buttlebee and Jim Pickles as they usher us through tonight's top stories -- from adorable killer puppies, to Apocalypse status updates to an old man grumbling about old man things. Tune in to WOMG Action News!" 

The performance will take place in the auditorium at Hinsdale South on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5, and voice interpreting will be provided. You can access a flyer for the show by visiting http://bit.ly/378BCUM.

Audio Production Workshop

District 86 partnered with Apple to host an audio production workshop at Hinsdale South on Nov. 13. Bret Siegel, who is a systems engineer for Apple, showed a group of approximately 30 educators from area school districts how to utilize GarageBand to enhance instruction in their classrooms. Siegel conducted several hands-on demonstrations that highlighted how the software can be used to introduce students to activities such as music creation, soundtrack recording and podcasting.

8th Grade Band Festival

The members of the band from Hinsdale South were joined by their fellow musicians from Burr Ridge Middle School, Cass Junior High School, Eisenhower Junior High School, Gower Middle School and Westview Hills Middle School during the 8th Grade Band Festival on Nov. 13.

Illinois 5Essentials Survey

Reminder - District 86 is administering the Illinois 5Essentials Survey to students, certified staff and parents/guardians from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South. 

The online survey was developed by the University of Chicago’s Consortium on Chicago School Research and is derived from the Five Essentials for School Success, which is an evidence-based framework that identifies five factors that can lead to important student outcomes such as improved attendance and significant gains in test scores.

The window for the parent/guardian survey opened on Oct. 24. You can access additional information about this version of the survey by visiting http://bit.ly/368qbMr , and can complete the survey by visiting http://bit.ly/2JjTnWF.

Board Briefs

If you missed the latest edition of Board Briefs for the District 86 Board of Education meeting that was held on Nov. 14, please visit  https://conta.cc/2rGuD50. You can also access previous editions of the electronic update by visiting  https://d86.hinsdale86.org/domain/244.