As we have shared in previous communications, access to our facilities by outside groups and/or members of the general public is still prohibited at this time. This includes the use of our turf fields and tracks. In addition, student-athletes from District 86 are only permitted to practice or work out on school or district property if they are under the direct supervision of their coaches.

We greatly appreciate your assistance, cooperation and support in adhering to and enforcing the procedures and protocols we have in place for keeping our students, staff, families and community healthy and safe.

Last week, we began working with our food service and transportation providers to deliver meals to students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. If you qualify for the program, but have not been receiving meals, please contact the front office of your child's school. Families can also access information about the National School Lunch Program by visiting https://www.isbe.net/nslp.

If you or someone you know would benefit from additional assistance during this time, below are links to local and national organizations that are offering services and support to those in need.

The next District 86 Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. The agenda and packet of materials for this meeting, as well as instructions for how to participate in the session, will be posted on BoardDocs (https://bit.ly/394u9as) and shared via email tomorrow (Aug. 25). 

Hinsdale South has been recognized as an Illinois Democracy School by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition (ICMC). South joins Hinsdale Central and a small collection of other high schools from across the state that have earned this distinction after successfully completing a school-wide civic assessment.

The schools that are part of this network provide students with "authentic experiences in the rights, responsibilities, and tensions inherent to living in a democracy." They are also "vigilant in creating opportunities and experiences that empower students to nurture and sustain our democracy through engaging in current and controversial issue discussions, participating in democratic simulations, providing service learning opportunities, and elevating student voice." You can learn more about the Illinois Democracy Schools Initiative by visiting https://bit.ly/34oILBg.

We congratulate South on this recognition. We also thank the students and staff members who led the completion of the self-assessment and provided vital and valuable input on the school's civic learning experiences, organizational supports and civic engagement outcomes.

There is a group of Foundations students from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South that will be learning from home this year regardless of whether the district is in a hybrid or remote model. The students kicked off their school year on Monday, Aug. 17 with a social and emotional learning check-in and a discussion about what everyone did over the summer that were conducted by teachers Sara Pendergrass and Karly Bartolucci. After that, they took part in a physical education class that was led by teacher Kelly Watson, Stephanie Ley, who is an occupational therapist, and Nancy Betker, who is a social worker. During the class, the students and their peer buddies had the chance to connect and get to know each other.

We look forward to seeing and hearing about the learning that this group will be engaged in throughout the year.

Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central produce weekly update emails that feature important news and information about what is happening in their buildings.

The latest edition of the Hornet Happenings Newsletter, which you can access by visiting https://bit.ly/3gkfc66, featured information about:

Meanwhile, the latest edition of the e-blast from Hinsdale Central, which you can access by visiting https://bit.ly/3aLkZ3s, featured information about: