Text Messages - Unknown Absences
As we shared in last week's update email, District 86 will begin using the text message feature in Infinite Campus (IC) today (March 13) to share attendance information with parents/guardians. However, we want to clarify that these messages will be related to unknown absences as opposed to unexcused absences. An absence is marked in the system as unknown when our schools do not receive a notification about it.
In order to clear an unknown absence, parents/guardians must call the attendance line for their child's school (Central - 630-570-8090; South - 630-468-4555). Please note that requests received after 3 p.m. may take up to 24 hours to process. With this in mind, parents/guardians who get a text regarding an absence they already called about can ignore the message.
Parents/guardians can opt out of the texts at any time by replying Stop to one of the messages they receive about an unknown absence. Anyone who opts out will be sent a confirmation text that will also include information about how they can resume the service.
Parents/guardians who have questions or need more information about the text messages, unknown absences or attendance in general are encouraged to please contact the dean’s office for their child’s school.
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Upcoming Events and Activities
Below are reminders about upcoming district events and activities.
- The next early release Wednesday for Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South (Transition Center does not follow the early release schedule) will be on March 15. You can access the bell schedule for the day by visiting https://bit.ly/3RBrPNK.
- District 86 is hosting a college fair in the field house at Hinsdale South on March 16 from 6-8 p.m. During the event, students and their families will have the chance to meet and interact with representatives from nearly 200 colleges and universities. You can access a flyer for the fair by visiting http://bit.ly/3L5cNj5 and a list of the schools that will be participating by visiting https://bit.ly/3SBRmYB.
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Scholastic Bowl
Hinsdale Central's Scholastic Bowl team had a spectacular showing at the sectional tournament on March 11. The Red Devils beat Hinsdale South (540-200), Fenwick (420-350) and Walter Payton College Prep (430-330) to win the sectional championship and earn a trip to the state final.
We want to congratulate the team and coaches Alan McCloud and Eric Jensen on their impressive performance at sectionals, and wish them continued success at state.
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Speech and Debate
The Hinsdale Central speech and debate teams competed together at the recent NSDA Illini District Qualifier in Downers Grove. The following members of the teams finished in the top three in their individual events and will be heading to Phoenix, Arizona in June to compete at nationals.
- Paul William Schmeltz and Sebastian Attlan - first place in the Public Forum Debate event
- Kiran Gitzlaff - second place in the Informative Speaking event
- Anjali Jejurikar - second place in the Original Oratory event
- Kevin Zhang - second place in the United States Extemporaneous Speaking event
- Jackie Vogel - third place in the Humorous Interpretation event
- Adam DiPasquale and Shrihan Atluri- third place in the Public Forum Debate event
We want to congratulate both teams on their incredible success, and wish those who are headed to nationals the best of luck.
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Ben Oosterbaan
Hinsdale Central's Ben Oosterbaan has earned a pair of prestigious honors for his outstanding play on the basketball court this season. He has been named to the 2023 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area Basketball Team, which recognizes the "20 best players in the Chicago area for the 2022-23 high school basketball season." He has also been named by the Illinois Associated Press to its all-state second team for Class 4A.
We congratulate Ben on these well-deserved accolades.
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DuPage County All-Area Girls Basketball Team
The Daily Herald recently announced the names of the student-athletes who were selected for its 2022-2023 DuPage County All-Area Girls Basketball Team. We want to congratulate junior Amelia Lavorato from Hinsdale South on being chosen for the team. We also want to congratulate sophomore Grace Dolan from Hinsdale Central and junior Amerie Flowers from Hinsdale South on earning honorable mentions. |
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Boys Track and Field
Hinsdale Central's 4x800 relay team (Aden Bandukwala, Grant Miller, Michael Skora and Dan Watcke) had a dominant performance at the recent DGS Mustang Relays. The Red Devils ran a 7:45.73, which set a new record for the meet and is currently the best 4x800 time in the country. You can check out a video of the race by visiting https://bit.ly/3ZyV5Zj.
We congratulate the team on this impressive accomplishment.
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Elyssa Chandler
The Hinsdalean's latest student-athlete profile features a Q&A with Hinsdale Central senior Elyssa Chandler, who is a member of the girls track and field team. In the piece, Elyssa talks about how long she has been involved in track, the words her teammates would use to describe her and her goals for the season. She also shares information about her plans for the future and describes why her mom is her role model.
You can check out the profile on Elyssa by visiting https://bit.ly/425Ia2G. Photo credit to Jim Slonoff from The Hinsdalean. |
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Dan Jones
Dan Jones, who is the athletic director for Hinsdale Central, has earned a Distinguished Service Recognition Award from the Illinois Directors of Student Activities (IDSA). This award honors people who have "made lifetime contributions impacting student activity programs."
IDSA will recognize the winners of its various awards during its annual banquet on April 13. We congratulate Dan on this well-deserved honor, and thank him for all that he does on behalf of our students.
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Featured Presenters
We are proud to share that several teachers from District 86 had the chance to present at recent state and national conferences. Below is additional information about those presentations.
- April McPhillips and Dawn Oler, who are family and consumer sciences (FACS) teachers at Hinsdale Central, presented at the Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Institute Day on March 3. McPhillips participated in a panel discussion about “Trends in Interior Design and Fashion,” while Oler's “Grow Your Own Education Pathway” presentation highlighted the success of her Invitation to Teaching course and helped others learn how to promote teaching as a profession through programming at the high school level.
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Keith Bockwoldt
Keith Bockwoldt, the district's chief information officer, was interviewed by K-12 Dive for an article about how the National Cybersecurity Strategy could help shape K-12 through efforts such as increasing accountability for tech companies and combating ransomware attacks. You can check out the article by visiting https://bit.ly/3Fe5P7r. |
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Preschool Programs
Reminder - Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central will be offering preschool programs in April and May through their Child Care and Development classes. These programs, which are open and available to all families regardless of whether they live in the community, focus on developmental appropriateness, creativity, safety, independence and social skills. Discounts are available for any District 86 employee who is interested in enrolling their children.
If you have questions or need more information about the preschool program at South, please email Laura Hughes at lhughes@hinsdale86.org. If you have questions or need more information about the preschool program at Central, please email Lisa Sopiarz at lsopiarz@hinsdale86.org. |
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Board Briefs
If you missed the edition of Board Briefs for the board of education meeting on March 9, please visit https://conta.cc/3mKiwRf. |
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