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Weekly E-News
January 22, 2015
CONTENTS
Biennial Learning Conditions Survey .......................................................................................................................................... 1
*Dean’s Office Notifications ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
* 2015 Variety Show ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Revised End of Semester Grades and HAC ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Remind.com App for Bus Updates ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Farm to Red Devil's Fork Organic Fundraiser ......................................................................................................................................... 4
D86 Community Speaker Series Event ................................................................................................................................................... 4
PTO Parent Network - A College Panel .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Chris Herren: “Unguarded” Presentation .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Save the Date – HCHS PTO 2nd annual Father Daughter Dance ........................................................................................................... 5
Upcoming Events ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
BIENNIAL LEARNING CONDITIONS SURVEY
Dear Parent/Guardian:
As parents and educators, we know that learning is a social endeavor and as such, the social conditions in which
students learn account greatly for how much and how well they learn. The purpose of this letter is to announce we will
be administering a survey that will measure the conditions for learning in District 86 by asking for honest feedback
from those with direct knowledge about our schools: the students, parents and faculty. This survey will focus on issues
ranging from student safety, to positive student relationships, to whether students have enough resources in their
schools. This is your chance to make your voice heard, and we are eager to listen.
All schools in Illinois administer learning conditions surveys on a biennial basis, as required by Senate Bill 7. Two years
ago, Hinsdale District 86 administered the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This year, Public Act 98-0647 was passed. It
allows school districts the option of selecting an alternative assessment from a pre-approved list provided by the State
Superintendent. Hinsdale District 86 has chosen this option and will be using a top-rated survey called the
Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) in place of the 5Essentials Survey. The CSCI, designed by the National
School Climate Center, was thoroughly vetted at the state level, independently evaluated by reputable entities, and
reviewed by District 86 leaders, who are confident that this assessment tool will yield reliable, valid, and useful
information for our school improvement efforts.
Participation in the survey is confidential and voluntary. The survey will take 15-20 minutes to complete. You and your
child/children will not provide your name, birth date, or any other identifying information, and all questionnaires will
be private. No one at our schools or in our district will review any of the completed surveys. CSCI will generate schoollevel reports from parent, student, and staff responses to the survey. Data from these reports will be sent to the
Illinois State Board of Education and will be included in each school’s report card that is publicly released at the end of
October 2015.
In February and March, students will be taking the online, anonymous survey through their Physical Education classes
at Hinsdale Central and through their English classes at Hinsdale South. The final report will present findings by the
total student body, by grade, and by gender with no individual student data reported. Student participation is entirely
voluntary, and participants need not respond to all items. Students’ grades will not be affected if they choose not to
participate. If you wish to view a sample of the student survey, please contact your school’s Principal. (NOTE: If you do
not want your student to take the survey, please complete the Student Survey Opt-Out Form and return it to the
school.)
Parent/guardian observations and perceptions matter to us, too. You can easily access the secure, online parent
survey by signing into Home Access Center (HAC), using your parent log-in and password. You are invited to take the
survey through March 13, 2015. Contact your building if you need assistance with logging on to HAC or if you prefer to
take the survey in paper form.
We hope you and your student(s) participate in Comprehensive School Climate Inventory to share your thoughts on
the important elements of school effectiveness in Hinsdale District 86. Together, we can support a world-class
education that provides students with a safe environment in which to thrive intellectually, socially, and emotionally as
they gain the knowledge and 21st century skills required to succeed in college, career and the real world. We look
forward to your feedback and thank you for taking the time to share it with us!
Sincerely,
Dr. Bruce Law, Superintendent
For more information about the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory and National School Climate Center, please
visit http://www.schoolclimate.org/climate/csci.php and read the following information
The Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) is one of the nation’s most scientifically sound and helpful
surveys that provides immediate feedback on how students, parents, and staff perceive their school's particular
climate for learning. The survey assesses four major areas of school climate: Safety, Relationships, Teaching and
Learning and the External Environment. The social, emotional, civic, and intellectual information provided by the
survey data will provide a foundation for a five-stage school climate improvement process, which seeks to achieve
these goals:
1. The school community has a shared vision and plan for promoting, enhancing and sustaining a positive school
climate.
2. The school community sets policies specifically promoting (a) the development and sustainability of social,
emotional, ethical, civic and intellectual skills, knowledge, dispositions and engagement, and (b) a
comprehensive system to address barriers to learning and teaching and reengage students who have become
disengaged.
3. The school community's practices are identified, supported and prioritized to (a) promote the learning and
positive social, emotional, ethical and civic development of students, (b) enhance engagement in teaching,
learning, and school-wide activities; (c) address barriers to learning and teaching and reengage those who
have become disengaged; and (d) develop and sustain an appropriate operational infrastructure and capacity
building mechanisms for meeting this standard.
4. The school community creates an environment where all members are welcomed, supported, and feel safe in
school; socially, intellectually, and physically.
5. The school community develops meaningful and engaging practices, activities, and norms that promote social
and civic responsibilities and a commitment to social justice.
Should you have any questions or concerns related to the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory, feel free to contact
Ms. Pamela Bylsma, Assistant Superintendent for Academics at 630.655.6107 or to email her at
pbylsma@hinsdale86.org
*DEAN’S OFFICE NOTIFICATIONS
At the beginning of the second semester, the Dean’s office will transition from sending notices relating to student
discipline (detentions, extended detentions, and ISS) through the mail to the use of e-mail. Notices that pertain to a
student’s out-of-school-suspension will continue to be sent through the mail.
At this point, it is extremely important that all parents/guardians confirm that a valid e-mail address is on file by
logging into Home Access Center (HAC). In HAC, click on the Registration tab and check the information listed under
Guardian. If the information in the Guardian section needs to be updated, please complete the hyperlinked student
registration documents and submit them to the school registrar, Laurie Pocius. Please contact the Dean’s office at
(630)570-8224 if there are any questions regarding this change.
http://portal.hinsdale86.org/homeaccess/
* 2015 VARIETY SHOW
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 and Thursday, January 29, 2015
Tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria Monday, January 26 through Thursday, January 29 during all lunch periods.
Tickets are $10.00 each.
Come on out and see all the wonderfully talented students we have at Hinsdale Central.
REVISED END OF SEMESTER GRADES AND HAC
As a result of the adjusted Final Exam Schedule, Home Access Center (HAC) has been disabled from Wednesday,
January 14 – Tuesday, January 27. HAC was disabled to allow teachers the opportunity to input grades and verify end
of semester assessments. On Wednesday, January 28, you can view your student’s progress and report card online
through Hinsdale Central’s Home Access Center (HAC).
A Guide to HAC is available through this hyperlink as well as on the PARENTS site within the Hinsdale Central web site.
If you need access to HAC, you can request a username and password from the HAC web site or contact the Main
Office at Hinsdale Central High School. As a reminder, Report Cards are not mailed home; HAC is the only way to view
your student’s academic progress.
REMIND.COM APP FOR BUS UPDATES
Please sign up for Remind.com to receive the most up to date information related to bus routes at Central. Important
information such as bus delays and route changes are the types of communication that you can expect to receive via
text message. The features of the app allow you and your student to opt in without us seeing or using your cell phone
number. Please consider texting the message @busrouteu to 630-426-6685. If you have any questions or concerns
about bus routes, please continue to contact the Deans’ Office at 630-570-8225 or send an email to Tamela Seastrom
at tseastro@hinsdale86.org.
FARM TO RED DEVIL'S FORK ORGANIC FUNDRAISER
Pick up your previously ordered organic food box on Saturday, January 24 between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Any questions contact Ann at farm2fork@hcpto.org.
D86 COMMUNITY SPEAKER SERIES EVENT
Tuesday, February 10th at 9:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sian Beilock, author of Choke
Psychology professor at the University of Chicago, and an expert in performance anxiety and neuroscience discusses
anxiety and how it can hinder performance in high-stakes situations in school, sports and careers. Learn to work with
your brain by using strategies that can help both children and adults perform their best under stress. To see the flyer,
go to http://central.hinsdale86.org/parents/Documents/Speaker%20Series%20Brochure%202014-15.pdf
Presentations are free but registration is required. Online registration is at www.d181foundation.org.
PTO PARENT NETWORK - A COLLEGE PANEL
Wednesday, February 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the HCHS Community Room.
Find out how to successfully navigate the college process from preparation in high school to selecting that university
that fits your child. The Parent Network discussion will look beyond the selection process as well as discuss what to do
or expect once your child 'is in,' when to disclose a disability for accommodations, and what to expect regarding
accommodations. This talk is for parents with a student from 8th grade through high school who are considering
accommodations in college, or currently have an IEP or 504 Plan.
Meet Matt Wanzenberg, Jill Burstein and Sally Parsons as they answer questions and provide valuable information you
may not even know to ask about. Dr. Matt Wanzenberg holds a doctorate of 'Philosophy in Special Education Policy', a
masters in 'Transition Service for Young Adults with Disabilities,' a bachelors in 'Physical Impairments and Learning
Disabilities,' and has facilitated over 2500 IEP meetings. Jill Burstein has helped students with post-secondary matches
for over 15 years through JJB Educational Consulting working exclusively with students with learning differences. With
a master's degree in special education, Burstein has traveled to over 400 colleges in the U.S. and is a member of the
Independent Educational Consultants Association as well as a Certified Educational Planner. Sally Parsons is a college
planning consultant and owner of LAUNCH Advocates. Parsons is also the co-founder of the Parent Network
Committee of the Hinsdale Central PTO.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact parentnetwork@hcpto.org.
CHRIS HERREN: “UNGUARDED” PRESENTATION
Hinsdale Central High School, the HCHS Foundation, the Boosters and the PTO collaborate to bring you the
presentation entitled "Chris Herren: Unguarded"
Monday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. GYM
Chris Herren shares his story highlighting his basketball career and journey to sobriety. He will touch on subjects such
as drunk driving, gateway drugs, peer pressure, bullying and cutting. He will share statistics of drugs and alcohol use
amongst teens nationwide. Chris will also field questions from the audience.
Brought to you by collaborative efforts of Hinsdale Central High School, the Foundation, the Boosters and the PTO.
To register to the event visit http://budurl.com/ChrisHerren
SAVE THE DATE – HCHS PTO 2ND ANNUAL FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE
Saturday, March 7th at Ruth Lake Country Club.
More information to come.
UPCOMING EVENTS
You can stay in the know about these coming events and future programs on campus by linking to the online school
calendar. The calendar will operate best using Microsoft Internet Explorer.
January 28
January 28
January 29
February 16
Late Start Day 10 am
Variety Show 7 pm
Variety Show 7 pm
Student Attendance Day due to previous emergency school closing