On Thursday, Aug. 13, we announced that we will be starting the school year in our Remote Learning 2.0 model due to the updated guidance that the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education released on Aug. 12. You can access additional information about this announcement by visiting https://conta.cc/2XVfIkM.

At that time, we also shared the following schedule for this week.

Below are three important reminders for today (Aug. 17).

You can access the most up-to-date news and information about our return to school plans by visiting https://bit.ly/3gw0rOR.

Last year, we featured student submissions in these update emails that were were completed in conjunction with class projects or assignments for school-based publications. The goal of these submissions was to provide our students with opportunities to share their voices and talents with our staff, families and communities.

Our first Student Spotlight of the 2020-21 school year features an article written by junior Zaynab Rehman, who serves as the news and science editor for Hinsdale South's Stinger newsmagazine. In the piece, which is titled "Mask On, Mask Off," Zaynab explains how wearing the right kind of face masks can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. You can access this story and the new Stinger website by visiting https://bit.ly/3g2Gjma.

Hannah Ahdab, who graduated from Hinsdale Central last year, earned one of the top spots in the international Young Authors Writing Competition that was hosted by Columbia College Chicago. Hannah's piece, which was titled "Under the Same Sun," took first place in the competition's Creative Nonfiction category. While other students from Central have been named finalists in this event, Hannah is the first one to win. You can access the results from the competition by visiting https://bit.ly/2FsZeKo.

We congratulate Hannah on this impressive accomplishment.

We are partnering with Worth Ave. Group again this year to offer students a special discount on insurance ($64.80 for the year with no deductible) for their district-issued Chromebooks. This insurance will cover the full cost of repairing or replacing a device should any of the following incidents occur on or off school property:

*Screens and daughboards are the most expensive items to repair if they are prematurely damaged.

Please visit https://bit.ly/2Pcr1QG for more information or to purchase the insurance.

If you missed the edition of Board Briefs for the District 86 Board of Education meeting that was held on Aug. 13, please visit https://conta.cc/3iHEH33.

Due to the continuing health concerns related COVID-19, the Rotary Club of Hinsdale has transformed its annual Hinsdale Rotary Run Charity Classic into a “virtual” race. Instead of running along the same course, everyone participating in this year's event will have the opportunity to complete the 3K, 5K and 10K run/walk races anywhere they choose - e.g., on the treadmill, around their neighborhood, etc. The money raised will benefit several local nonprofit organizations, including:

You can access additional information about the event by visiting https://bit.ly/2ZC1giK.