Updates on Math Curriculum Alignment and Grading and Assessment Practices
The Math Pathways Team that is leading the district’s work on math curriculum alignment had its second meeting on Feb. 6. During this meeting, the members of the team, which is composed of the department chairs for math, building-level administrators, and teachers who have experience teaching all levels and courses of math at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South, reviewed the preliminary feedback the math departments from both schools shared regarding what they want math learners to acquire and experience during their time in District 86. They brainstormed goals for the department that will be connected to the district's strategic plan. They also started a pre-decisional SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis of the district's current math programs. The next steps for the team will include getting feedback from the math teachers on the results of the SWOT analysis, and beginning the exploration of possible alternative course pathways.
During the board of education meeting on Feb. 13, the department chairs for math, the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction from South, and the two building principals will give a presentation about Goal 1, Strategy 1 of the strategic plan that will include an update on the district's math curriculum alignment work. This presentation will include information about the Math Pathways Team, details about the need for and purpose of the alignment work, and a summary of the meetings that are scheduled to take place and the tasks that need to be completed over the next several months to help advance this work.
As part of the presentation, the building principals will also provide an update on the work the Learning Leadership Team has been doing with teachers throughout the year to align the district’s grading and assessment practices.
The Feb. 13 board meeting is scheduled to take place in the cafeteria at Hinsdale South. The agenda and packet of materials for this meeting will be posted on
BoardDocs tomorrow (Feb. 11).
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Student Spotlight
The February edition of our Student Spotlight features an article from the
Devils' Advocate at Hinsdale Central about the opportunity that senior Maiwen Amegadjie and Principal Bill Walsh had to shadow each other for a day. In the piece, junior Sophie Burns details the different activities that Maiwen and Principal Walsh took part in during their day together, and highlights what they learned about each other through the experience. You can access the story by visiting
http://bit.ly/3bdJAxT.
We thank Sophie for sharing her article and photographs with us. We thank editors-in-chief Saba Ali and Lia Reichmann for their contributions to the piece and leadership in producing the Devils' Advocate. We also thank teacher Cherise Lopez for the work she does with all of the students in her role as the faculty sponsor for the publication.
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Black History Month
The students and staff from Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central have organized a number of events and activities to honor and celebrate Black History Month. Below are examples of what has already taken place or is scheduled to occur at each school prior to the end of the month.
Hinsdale South
- In the accompanying photo, students and staff from South celebrated Black History Month on Feb. 4 by wearing either one of the shirts the school sold a few weeks ago, or the colors red, black and green for the African American flag.
- During the lunch periods on Feb. 14, members of The Culture will host an event during which they will recognize influential black Americans.
- During the lunch periods on Feb. 18, students and staff will have the chance to sample sweet potato pies made by black educators Amanda Fulton, who is a paraprofessional, and Michael Smith, who is a dean of students, and then vote on which one is the best.
- During periods one through three on Feb. 19, black female community members will share their life experiences with female students and offer them words of advice. The main topic/focus for the conversation will be “I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams."
- During periods one through four on Feb. 21, black students from South will take part in a Black History Month Symposium and speak their truth about “Overcoming Fear." Students and staff members from Central are scheduled to attend the event.
- The Culture will host a screening of and discussion about the film "Crooklyn" after school on Feb. 25.
- During periods one through three on Feb. 26, black male community members will share their life experiences with male students and offer them words of advice. The main topic/focus for the conversation will be “I Am My Brother’s Keeper."
Hinsdale Central
- On Jan. 30, all students and staff from Central who identify as black or African American were invited to a luncheon where they discussed and offered their feedback about celebrating Black History Month.
- On Feb. 7, Central's band played jazz in the cafeteria prior the start of school. Students and staff were invited to stop by to listen to the music and enjoy some refreshments.
- On either the second or third Friday in February (the date is to be determined), members of Central's Poetry Club will read and perform either original pieces or pieces from black poets in the library prior to the start of school.
- On Feb. 21, teachers and students from Central will attend the Black History Month Symposium at Hinsdale South.
- Central will host its annual Town Hall Meeting on Feb. 27. During this event, students will share their lived experiences about how they see themselves in the school, classrooms and culture at Central. The theme for this year's town hall is "#ISeeMe, which was a project that focused on affirming the identities of teachers and students in the classroom and curriculum. Student volunteers are meeting on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month to plan the event. Students and staff members from South are scheduled to attend the town hall.
- Students in Central's African American Literature and African American History classes will engage in discussions about Black History Month throughout the month of February.
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Community Presentation
On Feb. 27, District 86 students, staff, parents/guardians and community members are invited to Hinsdale South for a presentation titled “Legal Marijuana: Now What? A Guide to the Law, Vaping, and Teen Health." Matt Quinn, who is a licensed clinical professional counselor and
certified alcohol and drug counselor, will talk about several topics during the event, including:
- Vaping and its dangers
- The history of marijuana law
- Risks of teen marijuana use
- Problems with increased potency and decreased perception of harm
- Suggestions for how to discuss vaping and marijuana use with teens
The presentation will be held in South's auditorium from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can access a flyer for the event by visiting
http://bit.ly/39dKd90.
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Youth Volunteers
Sophomore Alexandra Collins and senior Phillip Matthew from Hinsdale Central were among the eight students who were named Distinguished Finalists for Illinois' top youth volunteers of 2020. They earned this recognition in conjunction with the annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, which is a nationwide program that honors young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Alexandra was named a finalist for starting an initiative with her sister called "Students Against Ethylene Oxide (SAEtO)," which was aimed at fighting the emission of a dangerous gas in her community. Meanwhile, Phillip was recognized for working with his brother to develop a mobile app titled "Got Food?" that allows users to not only locate nearby food pantries and soup kitchens, but also determine their eligibility for food and housing benefits. You can access additional information about this honor by visiting
http://bit.ly/2RZSt6q.
We congratulate Alexandra and Phillip on this well-deserved recognition.
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Chess
The chess teams from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South qualified for the state finals, which are scheduled to take place in Peoria Feb. 14-15. Special shoutout to the team from Central for capturing the championship in its Sectional tournament.
We congratulate the two teams on their accomplishments, and wish them both continued success at state.
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Girls Gymnastics at Hinsdale Central
The varsity and JV1 girls gymnastic teams came in second place at their respective conference championship tournaments. The varsity team also had three of its student-athletes earn all-conference honors - senior Caroline Klobach, junior Olivia Widtfeldt and sophomore Annette Sommers.
You can access additional information about the results from the conference championships by visiting
http://bit.ly/2tCdHy8.
We congratulate both teams on their impressive accomplishments.
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Boys Basketball at Hinsdale South
With its 72-41 victory over Montini on Feb. 4, the varsity boys basketball team from Hinsdale South set a new record for most single-season wins by the program in school history. The Hornets were led by senior James Ruzicka, who scored 20 points. Senior Billy Durkin had 16 points, while his brother Bobby, who is a sophomore at South, added 10 points.
We congratulate the members of the team on their incredible success, and wish them the best over the next few weeks as they close out their regular season and get ready for Regionals.
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National Letters of Intent
The following student-athletes from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South signed their national letters of intent last week:
Central
- Kiran Amegadjie (football) - Yale University
- Alexander Daw (swimming) - St. Louis University
- Lily Fuchs (golf) - DePauw University
- Owen Goss (football) - Colgate University
- Owen Hare (lacrosse) - Franklin & Marshall College
- Nikki Hutten (lacrosse) - University of Redlands
- Caroline Kotarski (tennis) - Baylor University
- Lauren Ridgway (volleyball) - DePauw University
- Alex Simon (baseball) - Augustana College
South
- Erin Adams (basketball) - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Cole Bozzi (baseball) - Elmhurst College
- Billy Durkin (basketball) - Lewis University
- Marquese Garrett (football) - Eastern Illinois University
- Jeremiah Kinsey (football) - College of DuPage
- Eric Suda (football) - University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
We congratulate all of these outstanding student-athletes on their signings, and wish them continued success on and off the field.
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Hinsdale South Math Department
Hinsdale South math teachers Rick Cazzato and Jennifer Gilbert were among the guest presenters at the Metropolitan Mathematics Club of Chicago's (MMC) 2020 Conference of Workshops that was held at Stevenson High School on Feb. 1. Their session was focused on how they are using various digital activities offered via an application called Desmos to
support student learning in precalculus and precalculus honors classes.
Kudos to Rick and Jennifer on the outstanding job they did representing their department, South and District 86 during this event.
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Preschool Program
This spring,
Hinsdale Central will be offering a preschool program through its child care and development class that will focus on developmental appropriateness, creativity, safety, independence and social skills. This program, which will mirror the one that Hinsdale South offered in the fall, will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning on April 7. It is open and available to any and all families – i.e., you do not need to live in Central’s attendance area or the District 86 community to enroll/participate in the program.
If you have questions or need more information about the preschool program at Central, please email Lisa Sopiarz at
lsopiarz@hinsdale86.org.
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Girls Bowling at Hinsdale South
The varsity girls bowling team took second place at the recent Leyden High School Bowling Invitational. The team was led by senior Jaultiana Brown, who won an individual championship during the tournament.
We congratulate the Hornets on their success at the invitational.
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Latin Club
The Latin Clubs from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South swept the competition during their final Certamen gathering of the year. Central took first place at the novice (Latin I) and lower (Latin II) levels, while South took first place at the upper level (Latin III/IV).
In addition, the teams from Central that compete at the novice and lower levels took first place in the region, and will be headed to the state finals in the spring.
We congratulate the students and faculty sponsors (Peter DeRousse at South and Alisha McCloud at Central) from both clubs on their successful seasons. We also wish those who are headed to state the best of luck.
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Diversity Opportunities Fair
In an effort to help advance the work being done in conjunction with Goal 3 (Work Environment) of the district's strategic plan, Domenico Maniscalco, the district's chief human resources officer, Eric Martzolf, the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction from Hinsdale South, and Julie May, Hinsdale Central's department chair for science, attended DePaul University's annual Diversity Opportunities Fair on Feb. 4. During the event, Maniscalco, Martzolf and May had the chance to meet and network with prospective job candidates, and share the benefits of working in District 86.
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Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting
District 86 has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE) by the Association of School Business Officials International for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CARF) we produced for fiscal year 2019. This certificate is presented to districts that meet the COE program’s "high standards for financial reporting and transparency." You can learn more about the certificate and COE program by visiting
http://bit.ly/2S80TZE. You can access the district's CARF for fiscal year 2019 by visiting
https://d86.hinsdale86.org/Page/938.
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Movie Trivia Night
On March 21, the Hinsdale Central Drama Parents' Association will be hosting a Movie Trivia Night that will benefit the school's drama program. This adults-only event is open to the entire community, and will be held at Notre Dame Parish (64 Norfolk in Clarendon Hills) from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30.
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