News

Thank you to all who submitted nominations for the Q1 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 first 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!

Matthew Doll – Math
Chris Freiler – Social Studies
Bianca Holland – World Languages
Sally Phillip – Activities
Kristine Pohlman – World Languages
Lana Radi – Paraprofessional

Thank you to everyone who joined in person or on Zoom to kick-off the 2023-2024 year. Here is the presentation that Principal Walsh and Chris Cirrincione, the new Assistant Principal for Instruction covered.

They presented school goals as well as the Academic Multiple Tiers System of Support (MTSS). Academic MTSS is the tiered system of interventions we are implementing this year to achieve our school goals through a system of support for students and staff.

We appreciate that Mike Jezioro, the new Athletic Director shared his vision for Red Devil Nation and answered questions.

The next PTO meeting is on Wednesday, November 15th at 6pm on Zoom. The focus will be test and finals preparation. More info to come!

The Parent List contains first-hand insight from D86, D181 and D63 parents about area providers that have helped address their child’s anxiety; depression; school avoidance; eating disorders; insomnia; peer relations; grief; stress; ADD/ADHD; autism spectrum and more.

 The Parent List was created in 2015 in response to the suicide of a local student with the goal of streamlining the process of and decreasing the stress around connecting with a provider. The Parent List is comprised of helpful resources in our community that have already been used by a local parent experiencing similar concerns to you. Doctors, therapists, support groups, inpatient and outpatient programs, nutritionists, books and holistic medical approaches may all be reviewed on The Parent List.

To read existing Parent List reviews, go to hcpto.org/parent-list/ 

Much like Angie’s List, The Parent List relies on consumer feedback. We need fresh reviews to keep the list current. Please consider leaving your own brief, anonymous review of a provider who made a positive difference in your child’s well-being on The Parent List.

To help another local parent by leaving your anonymous review click HERE

Questions can be directed to:   parentlist@hcpto.org

In no way does the Hinsdale Central PTO, Hinsdale Central High School staff, school districts 86, 63 or 181 endorse or recommend any specific provider reviewed on The Parent List. The Parent List is a subjective forum set up by the Hinsdale Central PTO for your convenience. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for deciding to use any of the service providers on The Parent List in any capacity, and district 86, district 63, district 181 and the Hinsdale Central PTO disclaim all liability for any damages, injuries, losses, expenses, or claims of any kind arising out of the provision of services by anyone or any agency appearing on The Parent List. 

We are in need of volunteers to help with Post Prom planning. Every year, the PTO is committed to providing a fun and safe event immediately following prom. Last year, 85% of prom attendees also went to Post Prom.

Post Prom is an after prom event that takes our prom goers on a chaperoned cruise around Lake Michigan aboard the Odyssey Cruise. The students enjoy food, drinks, and a DJ during the tour hour cruise.

Help is needed with both planning logistics and fundraising.

Our fundraising supports the Post Prom Odyssey Cruise event for 2024 and helps underwrite the costs for the classes of 2025, 2026 & 2027.

This is the perfect opportunity to get involved, regardless of what grade your student is in. Please reach out to Heather Jashnani at prom@hcpto.org

Presented by The Community Speaker Series, D181 and D 86

The Community Speaker Series- Devorah Heitner. Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World
10/18/2023, The Community House

Use the QR code on this FLYER or the Nomination Form HERE on the PTO website to tell us about a teacher or staff member you would like to recognize for going above and beyond the call of duty. Please provide specific details as to why this person deserves to be selected for a Make A Difference award. Questions? Email Deb Kalman, Tonya Melkus, or Kris Tu at makeadifference@hcpto.org.

Staff Appreciation Committee will be having their first event of the year by greeting HCHS staff as they walk into the building Wednesday, September 27th with an apple and we need volunteers. Two ways to help:

2 Volunteers – Artistic students or parents to make a fall themed poster thanking staff for their dedication to our students. Posters needed by Tuesday, September 26th.

or

2 Volunteers – To help set up our Apple Day Table starting at 5:30 AM.

For any questions or to volunteer please contact Kathy Schilder appreciate@hcpto.org.

Upcoming Staff Appreciation Events – Please Save the Date:

Fall Welcome Back to School Staff Luncheon – Friday, October 27, 2023

Pumpkin Pie Day – Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Event details:
PTO Staff Appreciation Apple Day
09/27/2023: 05:30 am-08:00 am
Outside Hinsdale Central Door Number 5

Yearbooks for the 2023-24 school year are on sale now at yearbookforever.com. Purchase yours now for $50 to avoid the December 1st price increase! The final day to purchase yearbooks is January 12, 2024.

Parents of Seniors: the HC yearbook has a tradition of honoring our graduating seniors by selling senior tributes. These tributes are a space for parents to share a childhood photo of their student as well as a special message. For more directions and an example tribute, visit the Hinsdale Central Activities website at central.hinsdale86.org/activities and select Senior Photos and Yearbook Information. To purchase one for $30, visit yearbookforever.com. Purchase tributes now to avoid the December 1st price increase!

Parents can download the the Yearbook Snap app that automatically shares their submitted photos with the yearbook staff.