Return to School Plan and Teaching with a Line of Sight in the Classroom

The Hinsdale Central staff is looking forward to welcoming our students back to campus the week of October 5. As the district shared in our return to school update on September 25, the resumption of in-person instruction will be aligned with the DuPage County Health Department’s (DCHD) Return to School Framework, more specifically the metrics associated with the three levels of community transmission (Minimal, Moderate and Substantial). At this time, DuPage County is experiencing a moderate level of transmission. At this level, DCDH recommends that schools limit or avoid mixing groups of students and school staff during the day. In an effort to comply with this recommendation and keep the members of our community healthy and safe, we plan to cap the number of students we bring on campus at the moderate level to approximately 25%. If the county moves to a minimal level of transmission level or the district is able to implement a DCHD-approved robust saliva testing system, we will seek to increase the number of learners we have in school to 50%. 
 
As students prepare a return to campus, please know that many teachers have voluntarily been coming to campus for weeks. With that said, there are situations where a teacher or staff member may be remote while students are on campus. In these cases, the teacher or staff member has been approved for accommodations in accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The intent of FFCRA and FMLA is to offer assistance and support to employees who are dealing with medical or childcare issues. District 86 is providing reasonable accommodations for our staff under the expectation that they are able to meet their school responsibilities. In addition, allowing staff with approved accommodations to continue teaching remotely will enable us to maintain a continuity of instruction - i.e., the teacher who has been leading the class since the first day of school will continue to do so whenever possible. 

In situations where a teacher is teaching remotely, a substitute teacher will be assigned to the classroom. These are the individuals we have referred to in previous communications as ‘line of sight’ subs. Line of sight subs will not have the traditional responsibilities of a substitute teacher - i.e., the Hinsdale Central teacher who is working remotely will still plan, prepare and run all aspects of their class (e.g., lesson planning, leading instruction, grading assignments, etc.). Instead, they will be charged with supervising the students who are physically present, and providing classroom management and assistance as needed. For example, they may help students who have technology issues, will ensure that everyone in the classroom is safe and secure, and will perform other on-site duties on behalf of the teacher. 

Please know that every staff member here at Central is fully committed to providing our students with access to quality instruction and an excellent academic experience regardless of whether they are working on campus or from home. That is why the students in our hybrid model will continue to enjoy the benefits of in-person instruction even if their teacher is remote. These benefits include, but are not limited to:

  • In-person discussions
  • Varied assessment options
  • Just-in-time intervention
  • Group interactions
  • Resource proximity to materials and staff
  • Performance of project/practical lab work

If you have questions or concerns about a specific class, please contact your child’s teacher. If you have general questions about curriculum and instruction, please contact the department chair, the Assistant Principal for Instruction Ms. Hurt, or Principal Walsh. In addition, if you or someone you know is interested in applying to serve as a substitute teacher for the district, please visit https://bit.ly/2S6oWr5 for more information. 
Homecoming 2020 Updates

Plans are underway to offer students a month of Homestaying and virtual activities throughout the month of October. While we are unable to offer everything that typically takes place in a traditional Homecoming Week, we are looking to keep many of the traditions students look forward to alive and bring in some new ones! Over the next few weeks you will learn more about our October plans and plans to move our Homecoming to the Winter or Spring season provided it is safe to do so. Here is a glance at what we have planned for October Homestaying month so far. 
District 86 & Parent Teacher Network Presents: For Familes and Students with IEP's and 504's

Speaker: District 86 Staff - Wednesday, October 7th

7 - 8pm District 86 Presentation & D86 Assistive Technology
8 - 8:15pm Q & A
8:15 - 8:30 pm Student Speakers

Picture Retake Day

Picture retakes are scheduled for October 21, 2020 from 12-3 PM. Senior portrait sessions are from 3-9 PM by appointment that day as well.

Students need to arrive with a mask on as they enter the building, through Door 1 (the main entrance only) and check in with the greeter. Students will be able to remove their mask for the portrait only.

Only current students can enter the building through Door 1 where masks will be required and temperatures will be taken. Students will report directly to Room 216 and will be asked to leave through Door 1 once their picture has been taken. 
Senior Tributes
Senior Potrait Tribute Information
Student Parking Information

Student Parking Lot
Seniors who currently are in possession of a parking permit may park in the Student Lot on their assigned cohort days. Students that have been assigned a 2nd semester parking permit may pick up their parking permit at the Greeter’s Desk during the school day, 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Parking permits will be prorated for the semester. Students will be billed through Push Coin at the end of 1st semester

Access to Parking Off-Campus
Hinsdale Central has requested temporary relief from certain parking restrictions from the Village of Hinsdale in the area south of the High School. Parking in the areas listed below will be allowed from 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
·        North side of 57th Street from Grant to Washington
·        East side of Grant from 57th to 59th
·        North side of 59th from Garfield to Madison
Hinsdale Central Bus Drop-Off, Parent/Guardian Pick-up and Entering School
 
Due to ongoing construction on the southside of campus, we are relocating the bus zone to the northside and eastside of campus. This relocation of the bus zone complicates what is already a complicated drop-off and pick-up process for parents who drive their children to school. Please note the changes to before school Drop-Off and after school Pick-Up of your children.
 
AM Drop-Off
Front Circle Drive (55th Street Circle Drive)Student drop off 
Gymnasium Circle Drive (Grant Street Circle Drive)Bus drop off only
*Students should not exit the vehicle on 55th Street or on Grant Street due to safety concerns.
 
PM Pick-up
Front Circle Drive (55th Street) & Gymnasium Circle (Grant Street)Bus loading zone 

The after school pick-up cannot take place on campus until after the buses depart campus. We need this time to stage the 19 buses on campus and load students into the buses safely. Parent/Guardians will need to pick up students 20 minutes after dismissal to allow buses to leave campus. An alternative option is to have parents/guardians pick-up their child off campus: for example at the Community House or Hansen Center. Students can walk to and be picked up at these locations.
 
Entering School
Students will not be allowed to enter the building until 7:30 AM. The exception to this time will be students taking an Early Bird Class. Please see your Dean of Students if this presents an issue for your family.

As we work to check students and staff for symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, students can only enter the building at the Main Entrance, Door #1, or the Pool Doors, Door #5.

Students and staff will have their temperatures screened as they enter the building with a High Throughput Thermal Screening system. After walking through the temperature scanners students must proceed directly to their first period class. Students will not be permitted to use their lockers this year due to social distancing guidelines. Students and staff will need to wear their school ID, lanyard and mask while on campus.
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
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.