News

Thank you to everyone who attended this past week’s PTO meeting. There was a great turnout and so much to discuss! It was a fun and jam-packed meeting. Together we are working to make Hinsdale Central an even better place for our students and staff.

Some highlights of the meeting: The social workers’ presentation can be found HERE. They encouraged students and their friends to ask for help when they want it. Ryan Maita presented Bill Walsh’s Principal’s Report and encouraged input about future Prom dates and venues. The Make-A-Difference Committee said they’d gotten a record number of submissions for staff and teachers who had gone above and beyond. Staff Appreciation Committee shared that on 3/14 they were hosting a staff treat to celebrate Pi Day. Other committees and volunteers gave updates and were recognized for their efforts. And the PTO announced a new fund-raiser sale found HERE  of license plate frames which celebrate the “Bring Your Fire!” theme for HC this year.

If you missed the meeting you can watch the recording HERE.

The last PTO meeting of the year will be on Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm, on Zoom only. A link will be sent out the day before. Be sure to join the meeting and get tips for your college search and ideas for summer opportunities.

Thank you to all who submitted nominations for the Q3 Make A Difference Awards. The committee reviewed the nominations received and is pleased to congratulate the following six Make A Difference Award recipients for the third quarter. A big thank you to these teachers and staff for their commitment and kindness to our Red Devil community. They are going above and beyond and making a true difference at Hinsdale Central!

Marvin Breig – Science
Mike Jazak – Science
Lisa Korbitz – Mathematics
James Ludois – Science
Wendy Orloff-Bowman – Mathematics
Daniel Scheldrup – Science

The next PTO conversation is focussed on Mental Health Awareness & Resources. Jen Cave and Jim Kupres (social workers) and Mary Galagher (school psychologist) will host a panel providing information.

The meeting is on Wednesday, 3/13 at 9am in the Community Room (across from the main office- enter on Grant St.) and on Zoom.

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago performs a free community concert featuring the works of Montgomery, Brouwer and Price.

Florence Price’s joyous and sumptuous Symphony No. 1 concludes a multigenerational program of works celebrating Women’s History Month. When the CSO premiered Price’s symphony in 1933, she became the first Black woman to have a piece played by a major American orchestra. Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery portrays a bustling urban streetscape in Coincident Dances, while Margaret Brouwer’s Remembrances is a poignant elegy.

Tickets are free; reservations are required HERE. Tickets will be available at the door.

Celebrating Women Composers
3/11/2024: 7:00-8:45 pm
Hinsdale Central High School Auditorium

Please sign up HERE to bake or purchase pies for the staff appreciation Pi Day!! Drop off donated pies at the Grant Street entrance by 8:30 AM on Thursday 3/14/2024. We also need volunteers to help cut, plate, and serve pie on the 14th if you have some time. Please text or email me with any questions. Thank you so much and Happy Pi Day!! Questions, email appreciate@hcpto.org.

Parents, students, and staff may all submit – ANYTIME from now through March 8!

Come visit the Spirit Wear hut at the Grant St. Entrance on Thursday, Feb. 29th! Volunteers needed as well so please sign up HERE.

Boosters Spirit Wear Sale
02/29/2024: 3:00 pm-8:00 pm, Grant St Entrance

FOR CLARENDON HILLS RESIDENTS:

The Clarendon Hills Public Library now provides CHPL card holders access to free online tutors! The expert tutors at Tutor.com can help your children work through a tough homework problem, improve their writing skills, study for a test, review a difficult concept, and more! Tutors work 1-on-1 with your child through text- or voice-chat and use an interactive whiteboard to share work and ideas. Tutors are available every day from 3pm – 10pm (excepting certain holidays). Click HERE for details.

To use this service, go to tutor.com/clarendonhillspl or click on the Tutor.com link on the library’s Research Resources page of its website. You just need your CHPL card and any Internet-connected device. Topics covered include math, science, English, social studies, writing, and more. Expert tutors will work with students in kindergarten through 12th grade and can even help with AP®-level and intro-level college coursework. This is a free service for CHPL card holders. For more information, visit https://clarendonhillslibrary.org/trending-now/289-new-service-alert-tutor-com-for-1-on-1-online-tutoring.

12-17-year-olds can register to attend this self-defense workshop taught by Lindsey Daehnke, the founder of Strictly Self Defense. Lindsey will teach simple self-defense techniques and strategies that are easy to remember and execute. She’ll also include discussion on topics that encourage attendees to make good decisions, to speak up when something does not seem right, and to use physical techniques only if there is a real threat. Register to attend here.

All attendees must sign the electronic waiver in order to participate. Attendees under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian complete the waiver. Please complete the electronic waiver in advance of the event. The waiver is available at https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/eP7wyuC5HfmrE2ti4tiGFG/

Teen Self-Defense Class
02/29/2024: 7:00-8:30 pm
Clarendon Hills Library Meeting Room

When suddenly faced with your child’s emotional, developmental, learning or health problem, where did you turn to find treatment that worked?

Please share your hard-earned insights with another local parent by adding to our list of reviews on The Parent List. It takes less than 5 minutes and is anonymous.  Click HERE

The Parent List contains first-hand insights from district 86, 181 and 63 parents about providers that helped address their child’s anxiety, depression, school avoidance, eating disorders, insomnia, peer relations, grief, stress, ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum, and more.

Doctors, therapists, support groups, in- and out-patient programs, nutritionists, books, and holistic medical approaches may all be reviewed on The Parent List.

To read the existing reviews of providers, go to hcpto.org/parent-list/ 

Questions can be emailed to:   parentlist@hcpto.org