Good News
Principal Arwen Pokorny Lyp from Hinsdale South provided the board with the following information from her report.
- The badminton team took first place at the sectional tournament and had several top three finishes. Maggie Chen followed up her singles championship at sectionals with a third place finish at state. She was honored/recognized during the board meeting.
- Several students from South were awarded the A*Team certificate from the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) for receiving an “A” for the first semester of the 2020-21 school year. This certificate recognizes outstanding achievement in the programs offered by TCD, and represents the hard work of the students and dedicated service of the staff.
- The math team took second place overall at the ICTM 3AA Regional competition and 18th place overall at state. The team also had top 20 finishes in several individual events at the two tournaments.
- The Student Council Club held a spring food drive March 16-20. Through its hard work, and the generous support of the community, the group was able to collect a significant amount of food and $1,600 in donations that will benefit those who are served by the People's Resource Center.
Principal Bill Walsh from Hinsdale Central provided the board with the following information from his report.
- Senior Katrina Geiersbach was named to the IHSA All-State Academic Team.
- Julie Baker and Pat Richards were named Outstanding Activity Sponsors by the Illinois Directors of Student Activities. This award recognizes individuals who, through their time and effort, have made an impact on their club or activity and exemplify the ideal advisor.
- The badminton team qualified for state after an outstanding performance at sectionals that featured a first place finish overall and several individual accolades.
- Similar to South, several students from Central were awarded the A*Team certificate from the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) for receiving an “A” for the first semester of the 2020-21 school year.
- John Naisbitt has been named a finalist for national coach of the year in boys tennis by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
- Seniors Samara Jaquez and Cadence Parker-Briones will have their work showcased at the 9th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition Senior Scholarships Announced event, which will be held virtually on April 11.
- Amy Dong (Painting), Ella Graeb (Ceramics), Samara Jaquez (Mixed Media), Bridget McBride (Digital Imaging) and Ivan Shilov (Metalsmithing) had their artwork selected for inclusion in the Northern Illinois Exhibition.
Return to School Update
The administration provided the board with an update on the district’s return to school plan. Below is the information that was added or revised following the update on March 25 (
https://bit.ly/3tTKQ1F).
- COVID-19 data for the district and the communities we serve. As of March 26, there were eight confirmed positive cases in the district, 47 people in isolation and 32 people in quarantine. There have also been a total of 338 positive cases in the district since the start of the 2020-21 school year.
- The number and percentage of students who are currently in person or learning from home.
- In person - 1,868 students at Hinsdale Central (72% of the school's total enrollment) and 893 at Hinsdale South (66% of the school's total enrollment).
- Remote/learning from home - 710 students at Hinsdale Central (28% of the school's total enrollment) and 451 at Hinsdale South (34% of the school's total enrollment).
- Learning recovery for spring 2021.
- Student services and academic course teams are identifying students who need targeted academic and SEL support.
- After-school learning opportunities are available for students in need of extra support. Interventionists and student services team members are available to help students during the school day.
- Students experiencing significant academic struggles are being shifted to a credit recovery model for graduation requirements. Seniors are the focus of these efforts.
- NG (No Grade) remains an option for students who have fallen so far behind that they cannot recover before the end of the school year.
- Collaborating with sender schools to develop plans that will help our district identify and prioritize learning recovery.
- ESSER funds will be used to support the credit recovery program.
- Learning recovery for summer 2021.
- At the end of second semester, students with NGs will be assigned to credit recovery courses offered through Edgenuity that they will need to complete between May 24 and June 11.
- Summer school opportunities will be available for advancement/enrichment.
- The Parent-Teacher Advisory Committee will conduct a formal review of academic, behavior, attendance and intervention data in July. Findings will be used to drive school improvement planning and inform strategic plan work.
- Resources provided by the course teams will be used to develop academic screening tools that will help coordinate and prioritize curriculum and instruction goals. Freshmen will be the focus of these efforts.
- ESSER funds will be used to support these programs.
- Learning recovery for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.
- Use funds available through the American Rescue Plan to support learning recovery plans.
- Purchase the entire SAT Assessment Suite to measure student growth and diagnose academic gaps.
- Hire grant-funded personnel (e.g., academic interventionists, an assessment and data coordinator, student support coordinators, social worker/school psychologist and paraprofessionals) to work directly with students who are identified as having academic and/or SEL needs.
- Update on senior activities.
- Based on the updated guidance, Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South anticipate being able to host in-person graduation ceremonies in their stadiums on Monday, May 17 (rain date on May 18). South's ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. and Central's will take place at 7:30 p.m. The format for the events will be determined via collaboration with student groups.
- Mandatory graduation practice will take place during the day on May 17.
- The Senior Awards Ceremony will take place on May 18.
- Tentative dates for a prom-like experience are May 1 for Hinsdale Central and May 21 for Hinsdale South.
- Continue to monitor guidance from DCHD, IDPH and ISBE.
- Continue to serve as a community vaccination site (additional 1,500 doses administered on April 5).
- Continue to partner with DCHD to vaccinate eligible high school students.
- Continue to provide updates on learning recovery plans.
- Calendar for the 2021-22 school year.
- R3 Committee meetings.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent agenda includes personnel, stipends, board bills and meeting minutes. Please visit
https://bit.ly/39Vpzx1 to access the consent agenda items beginning under number seven.
Approve Resignation Agreement/General Release for Tenured Teacher
The board approved a resignation agreement/general release for a tenured teacher.
Award RFP 21-033 (Student Information System)
The board awarded RFP 21-033 (Student Information System) in the amount of $105,666 to Infinite Campus-Computer Information Concepts Inc. This topic was reviewed and discussed by the Finance Committee on March 17 and the board on March 25.
The district will work with Infinite Campus to implement a comprehensive student information system that will improve efficiencies in software by integrating various features and functions such as activities, admissions, registration, enrollment, transcripts and grading, reporting, fees, course management, attendance, advisement/counseling, special education and state reporting.
Approve the Final Calendar for the 2020-21 School Year
The board approved the final calendar for the 2020-21 school year. This calendar was approved by the board on February 13, 2020, and revised on July 23, 2020 to reflect updated plans for reopening school. It was modified throughout the year based on updates/changes that local, state and federal health agencies made to their COVID-19 guidelines. All modifications were made in accordance with board policy, and were presented to the board for review and discussion prior to being implemented.
Board President’s Report
Board President Kevin Camden thanked everyone who ran for the open seats on the board, and congratulated those who won.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent Tammy Prentiss talked about the success of the vaccination event that was held at Hinsdale Central on April 5, and thanked the district's security staff and school's administrative team for their help in organizing it.
Superintendent Prentiss also provided Principal Walsh and Principal Pokorny Lyp with an opportunity to share their observations from the first week of offering in-person instruction on a full-time basis that follows the district's normal bell schedule. Both principals commented that the week has been successful for students who are learning in person and at home.
Operational Calendar and Future Agenda Items
The board reviewed and discussed its operational calendar for the year and possible agenda items for future meetings. You can access additional information about this agenda item by visiting
https://bit.ly/2Re9Gew.
