On Friday, March 12, Superintendent Tammy Prentiss shared an update about the district's return to school plan. In this update, she announced that we will begin offering the students who are currently in our hybrid model five days of in-person instruction after spring break (starting April 5) that will follow our normal bell schedule (i.e., periods 1-10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Early Bird taking place from 7 a.m. to 7:50 a.m.).

Please visit https://conta.cc/3bGQUEr to review the update.

During the board of education meeting on March 11, the administration addressed ways in which the community can help share and/or support the dissemination of accurate information about the work being done by the district. The impetus for this discussion is the conversation people have been having online and in the community about the issue of detracking and the status of G-level classes in our schools.

You can access the information the board received regarding this topic by visiting https://bit.ly/30B5gA3.

During the board of education meeting on March 11, members of the team who are working on Goal 1 (Student Growth and Achievement) of the district's strategic plan provided an update on the efforts they have been undertaking to develop a common grading scale that is accurate, actionable and accountable. This update included information about the work the district's Learning Leadership Team (LLT) has been doing on grading, and the common grading scale that will be used during the 2021-22 school year.

You can access this update by visiting https://bit.ly/2OO3okN.

Below is the COVID-19 data for the district as of Friday, March 12.

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

Whitney Wilda, who is a social studies teacher and literacy interventionist at Hinsdale Central, was interviewed by The Hinsdalean for its "Ask an expert" feature. In the piece, Ms. Wilda talks about her approach for teaching women's history in her civics class. She also discusses the ways in which she incorporates the contributions of women into her lessons throughout the school year.

You can check out the interview by visiting http://bit.ly/3qFS7Qv. Photo credit to Jim Slonoff from The Hinsdalean.

Hinsdale South junior Safia Khan, who is an award-winning writer and a member of the school's Creative Writing Club, has been invited to attend the online version of the Summer Academy that is organized and run by The School of The New York Times. Safia was also selected as a recipient of the Diverse Voices Scholarship, which will help fund her participation in the program. You can learn more about the Summer Academy by visiting http://bit.ly/3teRkru.

We congratulate Safia on this well-deserved honor.

Hinsdale Central junior Alexandra Collins was profiled in the Sierra Club's national magazine for the work she did to help educate the community about the dangers of ethylene oxide, and the pivotal role she played in the closure of the Sterigencis plant. The piece also included information about the nonprofit she cofounded with her sister called Students Against Ethylene Oxide, which has expanded to 12 chapters (two more are forming in Mexico and Guatemala) and is pushing for legislation that would ban companies from emitting ethylene oxide within a three-mile radius of schools.

You can check out the article by visiting http://bit.ly/3les2XY. Photo credit to Carlos Javier Ortiz.

We congratulate Alexandra on this honor, and applaud her efforts to bring attention and awareness to this important issue.

Hinsdale South's varsity danceline team wrapped up its incredibly successful season by taking seventh place in the state tournament. This was the team's best finish at state in school history.

Meanwhile, the school's varsity cheerleading team followed up its strong showing at the WSC Cheer Invite with a fifth place finish at sectionals, which earned the squad a trip to the state tournament.

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

The Hinsdale Central Scholastic Bowl team followed up its dominant performance in conference with an equally impressive showing and first place finish in the regional tournament.

We congratulate the team and faculty sponsors Alan McCloud and Eric Jensen on their continued success.

Hinsdale South recently recognized its Breakfast Club winners for the third quarter. The honorees included:

Teachers nominate students for the Breakfast Club award based on their academic or extracurricular accomplishments, contributions to the community or school spirit/pride.

We congratulate these students on this honor.

Hinsdale Central recently recognized 13 individuals who were named Student of the Quarter by the school's various departments based on their accomplishments in the classroom, as well as their leadership, kindness and skills as role models.

Those who received the recognition included:

We congratulate these students on this honor.

The student council from Hinsdale South will be holding a spring food drive March 16-20. Below are the ways you can participate.

Please visit https://bit.ly/30BnIIL to learn more about this event.

Below are updates from the Hinsdale Central Latin Club.

If you missed the edition of Board Briefs for the District 86 Board of Education meeting that was held on March 11, please visit https://conta.cc/3bIstGJ.