During the board of education meeting on Feb. 23, we shared that we were changing our process for switching to a different instructional model (i.e., moving from remote to hybrid or hybrid to remote). More specifically, the families of students who were hybrid or remote with the option of switching to hybrid were going to be given one final opportunity to choose the model they want their children to be in for the rest of the school year.

We want to thank the 3,272 people who made their selections by the deadline on March 3. Below is a district-level summary of those selections.

One of the reasons we changed the process was to give us access to more static and stable data that we can use to assess where we are from a space, capacity and class size standpoint, and determine if we can offer more of our students four days of in-person learning per week. With this in mind, we asked the families that selected the hybrid model for their children to let us know if they want them to come to school two days per week, or are interested in having them come four days per week if that option and opportunity is available. Below is a district-level summary of the selections they made.

All students will begin or continue in the model that was chosen (hybrid or remote) starting today (March 8), and will follow the schedule below. The soonest we anticipate being able to increase the number of students who are in school four days per week is after spring break. We will keep all families with students in our hybrid model updated on the status of this process. 

Below is the COVID-19 data for the district as of Friday, March 5.

You can access the dashboard where this information is being stored by visiting https://bit.ly/3d93aws.

Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South excelled at the competition that was held in conjunction with the recent Illinois Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference. Both schools had a number of students qualify for the national competition that will be held virtually in the spring. In addition, the following students took first place in their events:

Additional information about the results from the state competition was featured in the latest update from Central's activities department (https://bit.ly/3sQee8m) and posted on South's Facebook page (http://bit.ly/3kKKUxi).

We congratulate all of the students on their outstanding performances at the conference, and wish those who are moving on to nationals the best of luck. We also want to thank faculty advisors Ashley Yurchak and Janelle Hoeksema for all of the time, effort and energy they have dedicated to the success of the BPA organizations at both schools.

Samara Jaquez and Cadence Parker-Briones from Hinsdale Central will join other top student artists from across the state at the 9th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition Senior Scholarships Announced event, which will be held virtually on April 11. This event will enable the students to come together to showcase their work, be recognized for their accomplishments and celebrate the power of art in their lives. To date, Samara and Cadence have received more than $368,000 in scholarships for their portfolio.

We congratulate Samara and Cadence on all of their success.

Samara Jaquez

Cadence Parker-Briones

Hinsdale South's varsity danceline team followed up its recent conference championship with a second place finish at the sectional tournament, which earned the group its ninth consecutive trip to state.

Meanwhile, the school's cheer team had a phenomenal showing at the WSC Cheer Invite. South took third place at the junior varsity level and fifth place at the varsity level, both of which represented the team’s best finish at the event in school history.

We congratulate all three teams and coaches Courtney Gillette (danceline), Lexi Miuccio (danceline), Ashley Yurchak (cheer) and Riana Paladino (cheer) on their impressive accomplishments.

Hinsdale Central senior Katrina Geiersbach is among the 26 individuals from across Illinois who were named to the Illinois High School Association's (IHSA) 2021 All-State Academic Team. The IHSA awards this honor to students who "have excelled in academics, while also participating in multiple sports and activities."

We congratulate Katrina on this tremendous accomplishment.

Registration for the district's summer school program is now open. Given the construction that is scheduled to take place at Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South during the summer months, and several other challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., lack of alternative locations, adjusted class sizes to accommodate health and safety guidelines, need for additional staff, increased costs for services such as transportation, etc.), we decided to deliver the program via a virtual format.

You can access additional information about or register for our summer school program by visiting http://bit.ly/3bBhxJI.

The next District 86 Board of Education meeting will be held on Thursday, March 11. The agenda and packet of materials for the 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 (March 9).

The District 86 Transition Family Group will be hosting a virtual information night on March 11 at 6:30 p.m. that will feature a presentation by UCP Seguin about adult services and supports for individuals with disabilities.

You can access additional information about this event by visiting https://bit.ly/3bibnz7.

New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims will be the next featured presenter for the 2020-21 Community Speaker Series. During a webinar being held on March 10 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Lythcott-Haims will highlight the ways in which overparenting harms children, their families and society at large. She will also offer practical strategies that parents/guardians can use to help children develop the resourcefulness, resilience and inner determination necessary for success.

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

Please visit http://conta.cc/3aSTtCU to register for or learn more about the webinar.