Updates from 86
Weekly news and information from District 86
Curriculum Connection
As we shared in last week's email, we have created a new resource called the Curriculum Connection. It is designed to serve as an additional source of information about our work in the areas of curriculum and instruction. It also offers stakeholders another avenue they can use to reach and interact with the members of our curriculum leadership team.

You can learn more about the Curriculum Connection, including how you can submit questions, concerns and/or ideas, by visiting https://bit.ly/3q2ZTqc.
Summer School
Registration is now open for the district's summer school program. The first semester will take place June 13-30, while the second semester will be held July 5-21.

Please visit https://d86.hinsdale86.org/domain/641 to register for courses or learn more about our program.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Student Competency & Well-Being Measures Survey
Reminder - parents/guardians have until noon on March 25 to opt their children out of taking the Panorama Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Student Competency & Well-Being Measures Survey that will be administered to all students on April 4. If you do not want your child taking part in this activity, please email the assistant principal for operations (APO) at their school. The APO for Hinsdale South is Dr. Kari Peronto (kperonto@hinsdale86.org), and the APO for Hinsdale Central is Ryan Maita (rmaita@hinsdale86.org).
Wednesday Visits
During the most recent Wednesday classroom visits, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss and Principal Arwen Pokorny Lyp checked out English, ceramics and drivers education classes at Hinsdale South. Meanwhile, Dr. Chris Covino and Principal Bill Walsh stopped by physical education, drivers education and health classes at Hinsdale Central. Principal Walsh even had the chance to show off his driving skills on one of the new simulators.

You can use the links below to check out photos from the classroom visits at both schools.

Hinsdale Central Scholastic Bowl Team
After winning its conference, regional and sectional championships, the Scholastic Bowl team from Hinsdale Central capped off its incredible season by taking fourth place at state.

We congratulate the team and faculty sponsors Alan McCloud and Eric Jensen on their success this year.
All-State Basketball Teams
Seniors Garrett Bolte from Hinsdale South and Eleanor Monyek from Hinsdale Central were recognized by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association in conjunction with the selections for its 2022 All-State Teams. Garrett was named to the third team for the boys at the Class 3A level, while Eleanor received a special mention for the girls at the Class 4A level.

We congratulate Garrett and Eleanor on this well-deserved honor.
MileSplit Illinois Boys Performer of the Week
Hinsdale Central's 4x800 relay team (Dan Watcke, Kyle Doorhy, Aden Bandukwala and Colby Revord) was voted the MileSplit Illinois Boys Performer of the Week following its race at the recent DGS Mustang Relays. The Red Devils ran a 7:53.30 at the meet, which set a new school record and is currently the best 4x800 time in Illinois and ninth best 4x800 time in the country.

We congratulate the team on this recognition, and thank the more than 900 people whose votes helped them earn it.
Nicole Berger
Senior Nicole Berger from Hinsdale South was featured on Suburban Life's list of five players to watch during the 2022 softball season. Nicole, who plays center field for the Hornets, hit .500 last year with a .565 on-base percentage, 14 doubles, five homers and 20 runs batted in. Her outstanding performance on the field resulted in her being named to the third team for the Illinois Coaches Association's 2021 Class 3A All-State Softball Team.

We congratulate Nicole on making the list, and wish her the best of luck this season.
Mara Severts
Senior Mara Severts from Hinsdale Central was one of four students to earn a scholarship during the recent 2022 Alliance of Fine Art (AFA) Student Scholarship Competition. 

Mara received a $250 prize for her oil painting titled "For Breakfast." You can check out her painting and the other award-winning entries by visiting https://allianceoffineart.org/index.html.

We congratulate Mara on this impressive accomplishment.
World Language Students of the Month
Each month, the world language teachers from Hinsdale South nominate individuals for recognition as the World Language Students of the Month. These students have a strong interest in a world or classical language, demonstrate the traits of being accountable, respectful and engaged, and perform actions and exhibit an attitude that exemplify what it means to have South Pride.

Below are the students from South who earned this honor for March.
  • Haya Bastati
  • Andrea Crisp 
  • Anthony Denizard
  • Henry Joyce
  • Jillian Matquardt
  • Terrence Newell
  • Heydi Martinez Pacheco
  • Andrew Petersen
  • Fetima Qureshi
  • Andrea Savovic
  • Alexandra Styczynski
  • Mei Mei Volk
  • Joud Zeitoun
Make a Difference Award Winners
The following faculty and staff members were selected as the latest winners of Hinsdale Central's Make A Difference Award for the 2021-22 school year.

  • Maria Cotter - Special Education
  • Janelle Hoeksema - Business 
  • Keri Klotz - Mathematics
  • Laura Milas - Art
  • John Naisbitt - Social Studies
  • Hannah Ruedy - Mathematics

These individuals earned this recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty for our students.

We congratulate all of the winners, and thank them for everything they do on behalf of the Red Devil community.
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 production of "The Hallmarks of Horror."

The performance will take place in the auditorium at Hinsdale South on April 29 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $6, and voice interpretation will be provided. You can access a flyer for the show by visiting https://bit.ly/3tggdpB.
Community Speaker Series Event - April 5
Jessica Lahey, an educator and New York Times bestselling author, will be the featured presenter for the final virtual event being held in conjunction with the 2021-22 Community Speaker Series.

During this event, Lahey, who wrote "The Gift of Failure: How Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed," will help parents/guardians and educators understand the roots of substance abuse and identify who is most at risk for addiction. She will also provide evidence-based strategies and practical tools that can be used to support and educate resilient, addiction-resistant children.

This event is free and open to the public. However, registration is required if you want to take part in the livestream or watch the recording of it afterward.

You can register for the event by visiting https://bit.ly/35ESuGA. You can also access additional information about the Community Speaker Series by visiting http://www.d181foundation.org/.
STEMCON
The College of DuPage (COD) will be hosting its annual STEMCON event on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this event, COD staff and industry experts will provide attendees with information about some of the most in-demand and cutting-edge career opportunities.

You can learn more about STEMCON by visiting https://cod.edu/stemcon.
Board Meeting - March 24
The next District 86 Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, March 24. The agenda and packet of materials for the meeting will be posted on BoardDocs (https://bit.ly/394u9as) and shared via email tomorrow (March 22).
COVID-19 Data Dashboard
Please visit https://bit.ly/3d93aws to access the latest COVID-19 data for our district, community and county. As a reminder, below are the metrics we plan to update on a weekly basis.

  • Transmission level in DuPage County
  • Vaccination rates for District 86
  • Positive case count for District 86
  • Positivity rate for the District 86 community
  • Weekly new case rate per 100,000 people in our local communities and DuPage County