District 86 will be administering several assessments to our students on April 12 and 13. These assessments include the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), PSAT 9 and 10, and the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA).

Below is the testing schedule for these two days. If you have questions or need more information about the assessments, please contact the assistant principal for curriculum and instruction (API) at your child's school. The API for Hinsdale Central is Jessica Hurt (jhurt@hinsdale86.org) and the API for Hinsdale South is Eric Martzolf (emartzolf@hinsdale86.org).

 

Freshmen will be dismissed at approximately 11:45 a.m.; buses will depart 15 minutes after their exam finishes. Juniors will be dismissed at approximately 1:15 p.m.; buses will depart 15 minutes after their exam finishes.

 

 

Students will be dismissed at approximately 11:45 a.m.; buses will depart 15 minutes after their exams finish.

 

*If your student will be receiving testing accommodations on either day, you will be sent a separate email with additional details.

Reminder - registration for the district's summer school program is scheduled to open on April 15. This year's program features a wide array of offerings that will be delivered in person (at Hinsdale South) and online. These offerings include the following new courses:

Drivers education will also be offered at both campuses.

The first semester for summer school will take place June 12-29, while the second semester will be held July 5-20. Classes will not meet June 19, July 3 or July 4. Bus transportation will be available to all students at no additional cost.

The program of studies for summer school, which was approved by the board of education on March 23, can be accessed by visiting https://bit.ly/40AdPIk. Additional information about summer school will be available on the district website starting on April 3.

The latest installment of our “Inside the Classroom” video series features Jennifer Burkemper’s Chamber Choir class at Hinsdale Central.

In the video, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/aLWnuWuS5Vw, we see how the group prepares for an upcoming concert by practicing skills such as stagger breathing. We hear from senior Naya Majauskas, who describes the class as the “rock in her schedule” where she can have fun while working with her peers to achieve a common goal. We also hear from Ms. Burkemper, who talks about the strong and lasting bond that students form during their time together in choir.

We want to thank Ms. Burkemper, Naya, and the rest of the class for showing us the passion, collaboration, creativity, and fun that make singing as an ensemble such a special and rewarding experience. We also want to share the video of the group singing "Festival Sanctus" that we recorded during class and posted on social media - https://bit.ly/3nj11Yc.

Hinsdale South senior Jokubas Slajus and his teammates from the Professional Cooking, Baking and Service program at the Technology Center of DuPage are headed to nationals after taking first place in the Culinary Competition at the 23rd Annual Illinois ProStart Invitational on March 18. The state competition, which was hosted by the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, and national competition, which is being hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in Washington D.C. in May, give "budding culinary and restaurant management students a chance to network with top national chefs and industry professionals."

We want to congratulate Jokubas and his teammates on this impressive accomplishment, and wish them the best of luck at nationals.

Hinsdale Central's debate team had a strong showing at the state tournament that was held March 17-18. The team took third overall in the Public Forum debate thanks, in large part, to the placements that were earned by the following pairs:

We want to congratulate the entire team on its success at state. We also want to congratulate Shrihan and Patrick on being named to the all-state team.

We want to congratulate Hinsdale Central on its accomplishments at the 2023 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational, which included:

We also want to congratulate Hinsdale South's Katie Mueller on winning an Outstanding Witness award at the competition.

Last week's edition of The Hinsdalean featured an article about the Girls Who Code club that was started by Hinsdale Central students Jackie Vogel and Sana Kamal. In the story, which you can access by visiting http://bit.ly/40caNKs, Jackie and Sana talk about their experiences with coding, the formation and growth of the club, and what they hope the group will accomplish.

The publication also had a Q&A with Hinsdale Central senior Jessica Han, who is a member of the girls badminton team. In the piece, which you can check out by visiting http://bit.ly/42zDWka, Jessica talks about what drew her to badminton, what she likes most about the sport and how she would describe her playing style. She also shares her goals for the season, the other activities she is involved in at Central and the list of people who inspire her.

Civics students from Hinsdale South are collecting items that will help the Ronald McDonald House in Winfield meet the needs of the families it serves. They are currently seeking:

Community members who are interested in supporting this important initiative can bring donations to the school (foyer located off the circle drive entrance) between now and April 17. Please click the image on the right for more information.

Hinsdale Central's LEAP for Africa Club is selling flowers and plants to raise money for the LEAP Science and Math Schools in South Africa.

You can place your order and/or learn more about this initiative by visiting https://bit.ly/3JrFlAx.

During the event, which will be held in the library at Hinsdale Central from 7-8:30 p.m., Dina Scolan from The OCD & Anxiety Center will provide parents/guardians with strategies they can use to help their teens.

If you missed the edition of Board Briefs for the board of education meeting on March 23, please visit https://conta.cc/3z5P3nG.