February is Black History Month
February 1 marked the beginning of Black History Month. As a school, we believe it is vital to acknowledge the importance of Black History: to both celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans while also attempting to help students better recognize the history and persistence of structural and institutional barriers.
The idea of a Black History Month was developed by African American Historian Carter G. Woodson back in the 1920s with the goal of improving the understanding of the indispensable role enslaved Americans and their descendants played in developing our nation. Woodson chose the month of February because both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were born in that month. We continue to celebrate Black History today in our community in recognition of the debt we pay to those Black Americans who fought to ensure that the ideals promoted in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution – of equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – would be protected for all Americans, regardless of skin color. We pledge our solidarity in the effort to realize a more perfect union.
Republican Senator Roy Blunt (Missouri), speaking recently at the inauguration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, noted that “a determined democracy will continue to be essential in pursuit of a more perfect union and a better future for all Americans.” Blunt, a former high school history teacher, referred to Inauguration Day as a reminder of how Democracy is both “fragile and resilient,” and exhorted Americans to remember that “we are more than we have been and we are less than we hope to be.” Echoing this sentiment, the young, gifted black Poet Amanda Gorman, speaking just a few minutes later, called America “a nation that isn’t broken/ but simply unfinished.”
Heeding their words, we recognize that our district’s project of striving to provide the necessary support to ensure all students are able to thrive remains unfinished, which is why we have developed and are committed to the D86 Racial Equity Statement. This statement is only the beginning of our efforts, and we promise that it will not end up in the back of a metaphorical filing cabinet.
We’d like to thank teachers from our Social Studies and English departments and our SOAR (Student Organized for Anti-Racism) for all of their hard work to make this Black History Month authentic and impactful.
These are some of the things we are doing at Hinsdale Central all month long as we celebrate Black History, as it is truly the history of all Americans. We invite students to also engage in this month with the following:
- Staff may be using Black History Month Zoom backgrounds all month to celebrate with the students in your class.
- Shop with black-owned businesses or practitioners in the area. APPs like Yelp, Grubhub, etc can help you filter by “black-owned business” through the search and filter ability.
- Students and staff can visit the Ruby Bridges mural outside of Rm 248 at Hinsdale Central. Students and staff may Interact with the display by using your phone to read the QR code on the display, answer questions, and be placed into a drawing for gift cards every week in February.
- Pay close attention to the daily announcements. We will highlight black historical figures and important information throughout the month.
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Visit virtual Black History Museum Exhibits at the Smithsonian HERE
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Read a new book by a black author, including the book by our Hinsdale Central alum Tomi Adeyemi Children of Blood and Bone Here are some suggestions: HERE
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Watch a movie in your free time that features black characters or current issues in the black community: HERE
- Staff and students will be invited to listen to current student experiences during a Hinsdale Central Student Experience Webinar in late February.
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5Essentials Survey
Hello Hinsdale Central Parents -
We Need Your Feedback!!!
Parents, students and teachers across Illinois will once again have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child’s school as it relates to the important elements of school effectiveness.
On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by the University of Chicago. All survey responses will be kept confidential. The state will provide survey results for individual schools only if a school has at least 20 percent of parents take the survey.
To take this short survey:
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Visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/
- Type and select “Dupage” as "County." (The county is the location of the school district's main office.)
- Type your school's name into the "School" field and select your school.
The Illinois 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators that can lead to important student outcomes, including test score gains. Research has shown that schools strong on these indicators are ten times more likely to improve student learning. The five indicators that affect school success are effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments, and ambitious instruction.
Parents will have until April 2, 2020 to participate in the survey.
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Parent-Teacher Conferences
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place during the evening of Thursday, February 25th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Conferences will be conducted over the phone as they were with fall conferences. We feel that phone conferences, while more limited, will give everyone a more predictable and secure experience. While the format has changed, the goal of increasing opportunities for communication between parents and teachers remains the same.
There are major differences between conferences at the elementary and middle school level compared to conferences at the high school level. Unfortunately, not every parent will be able to meet with every teacher during conferences. Please realize that we value communication and understand that it is not limited to conferences. This communication can occur in a variety of ways throughout the school year. For many parents, this communication can be in the form of a phone call or an email. The most important thing is that communication is happening between home and school.
The portal to make requests opens on February 7th through February 15th. A user name and password was sent by email on February 3rd to parents/guardians. Login to https://ptc.odynsolutions.com/centralptc starting on February 7th in order to place your request.
If you have questions regarding this process, please access the PTC online instructions help menu or contact: Ms. Julie Van Ness, jvanness@hinsdale86.org, 630.570.8214.
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Process for Changing Instructional Models
Some of our students will learn from home on a full-time basis to start second semester, but would like to maintain the option of switching to our hybrid model. With this in mind, we have developed the following process that these students and their families can use to request a change from remote to in-person instruction.
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Hinsdale Central Garden Flags
Show your school spirit with the new Red Devil garden flag! It comes in both red and black and will be shipped directly to your home with the black hanging stake. Profits from all sales will benefit the Boosters grant fund which allows them to support students in the arts, activities and athletics at Hinsdale Central. This fundraiser will run through the month of February and you can order your flag for $40 on the link below. It's ALWAYS a great day to be a Red Devil!
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Upcoming College Fairs
Due to capacity limitations, District 86 will not be hosting our annual College Fair this spring. We encourage families to attend one of the following virtual college fair opportunities:
Big Futures Day College Fair Midwest on Thursday, March 11, 5:00-9:00 PM ET. Register for free at cb.org/bigfuturedays.
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Upcoming events sponsored by Hinsdale Library are open to all families in D86:
VIRTUAL: Why Gap Years Matter More Than Ever
Tuesday, February 9, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Are you wondering about the benefits of a Gap Year and realistic options amidst COVID and the disruption of higher ed? Join Katherine Stievater, Founder of Gap Year Solutions, for a presentation and Q&A about the benefits of a Gap Year and what Gap Years look like when international travel is not a realistic option. Katherine Stievater founded Gap Year Solutions to help students successfully transition to college with a customized plan that builds life skills through “Real World Learning.” Based in the Boston, MA area, she is Accredited by the national Gap Year Association, and is a Professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Click here to register and we will send you a Zoom invitation the morning of the program
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Presented by The Community Speaker Series, D86 and D181
Madeline Levine, Ph.D.
Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World
In the wake of uncertainty and rapid change, many adults are doubling down on the pressure-filled parenting style that pushed children to excel. Dr. Levine identifies the skills that children need to succeed in a tumultuous future and offers day-to-day solutions parents can use to raise kids who are ready to face the challenge.
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Time: 7:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Format: Zoom Webinar
The presentation is free and open to all. Registration is required as each viewer receives a unique link. This event will be recorded and will be available ONLY to those who register for the event. If you are unable to attend the live-stream, but will want to view the recording, please register.
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Conquering College Cost with Frank Palmasani on February 11 at 6:30 PM
A pre-recorded presentation is available to you on-demand at any time via the link below. Frank Palmasani will also host a live financial aid question & answer session via WebEx on February 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. We hope you will take advantage of both opportunities to learn more about this important topic!
Please note that if you join via cell phone, you must download the WebEx app and you will need the Event Number: 146 610 1520 and Event Passcode: D86CCC
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College Selection Process: Advice from the Experts on February 17 at 6:30 PM
Please join us to hear admissions advice from the following representatives: Sacha Theime- Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Admissions at Indiana University, Karen Kristof– Assistant Vice President and Dean of Admission at Colorado College & John Gaines- Director of Admissions at Vanderbilt University. You can register and join the event at https://hinsdale86.webex.com/hinsdale86/onstage/g.php?MTID=ebb97ba2277cff090d1889546597b115c.
Please note that if you join via cell phone, you must download the WebEx app and you will need the Event Number: 146 803 9099 and Event Passcode: D86CSP
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN TECH? ARE YOU A COMPUTER GENIUS? DO YOU WANT TO START LEARNING COMPUTER SCIENCE? → Hack Ridge allows you to test your skills in 24 hours!
WHAT - Hack Ridge is about building your crazy ideas, putting to work your creativity, ingenuity, and willingness to learn, and creating any tech product in 24 hours. Attendees at Hack Ridge have worked on all types of projects, from VR games to Machine Learning to wooden catapults. The only limitation is your IMAGINATION. Through workshops with industry professionals, teachers, and enthusiastic instructors, you will get to learn amazing new technologies and concepts. We guarantee that you will leave with a project. Plus, you will have a ton of FUN doing so!
WHEN - On April 10th, 2021, at 11:30AM CST, we will virtually bring together over 200 high school students from the Chicagoland area and beyond as one of Chicago's premier high school hackathons.
COST? - Admission, workshops, and swag for the entire 24 hours is COMPLETELY FREE. Apply today!
WHERE - Virtually on the Hack Ridge 2021 Discord server. You can join the Discord server by following this link: https://discord.gg/VfFNpbJd
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You can register students here.
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COVID -19 Exposure Procedures and Guidance for Parents
The health and well-being of our community remains a top priority. Our District is committed to being as prepared as possible and thus provides the following updates on our health procedures. Access the Health Service COVID-19 web site for more information on the IDPH COVID-19 Exclusion Guidance that is in effect for any student who is:
- EXPERIENCING ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOM
- TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
- EXPOSED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
- EXPOSED TO SOMEONE SUSPECTED OF HAVING COVID-19
- EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
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Technology Help Desk
Students having difficulty with technology, should contact the Hinsdale Central Tech Help Desk at helpdesk@hinsdale86.org or call 630-655-6180. The IT staff can help students reset passwords or repair Chromebooks as well as many other tech issues.
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