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MARCH 1ST COMMUNITY
NEWS & UPDATES
Important Information
5Essentials Parent Survey
Parent Participation Needed
5Essentials Parent Survey
Dear Hinsdale South Parents and Guardians
We Need Your Feedback

Parents across Illinois once again have an opportunity to participate in the annual statewide Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of your child’s school as it relates to the important elements of school effectiveness.

On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by the University of Chicago. All survey responses will be kept confidential. The state will provide survey results for individual schools only if a school has at least 20 percent of parents take the survey. If you have children attending more than one school, we ask that you complete the survey for each school.
Last year we had 40% of parents complete the survey and we'd love to beat that this year!

To take this short survey:

  1. Visit 5 Essentials Survey Link
  2. Type and select “DuPage” as "County." (The county is the location of the school district's main office.)
  3. Type your school's name into the "School" field and select your school.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators that can lead to important student outcomes, including test score gains. Research has shown that schools strong on these indicators are ten times more likely to improve student learning. The five indicators that effect school success are effective leaders, collaborative teachers, involved families, supportive environments, and ambitious instruction.

Parents will have until March 31, 2023 to participate in the survey. 
For more information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, or to view previous years’ Reports, please visit https://www.5-essentials.org/illinois. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact 5Essentials Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or impact-surveys@uchicago.edu.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free, online program designed to provide students with individualized SAT practice based off of their PSAT scores. It offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower students to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.     

In order to link PSAT scores to Khan Academy, juniors must access their College Board accounts. If you have checked your student’s PSAT scores, or previous AP scores, then either you, or your child, have already created a College Board account. Please check with your child to ensure that they know how to log in to their College Board accounts, as we have no way to access it if it has been created.
Safety Reminders
Safety Reminders
The only student drop off areas are:
Main entrance (half circle off of Clarendon Hills road) and the parking lots.
Do not stop on 75th St. and Clarendon Hills road and let your student off in oncoming traffic.
Lanyards
As a reminder all students are required to wear a school issued ID and lanyard at all times when in the building, exceptions are made for PE classes, science labs, art classes, etc. Starting Monday, January 30th students must have on their school issued ID and lanyard to enter the classroom. Students who do not have their ID and lanyard must obtain a replacement or temporary ID. Please remind your students to wear their ID and lanyard.  
Early Release Day Information
Early Release Wednesday - March 1st & March 15th
Early Bird - 7:35-7:55 a.m.-20 minutes
Period 1 - 8-8:35 a.m.-35 minutes
Period 2 - 8:40-9:15 a.m.-35 minutes
Period 3 - 9:20-9:55 a.m.-35 minutes
Period 4/5/6 - 10-00-10:35 a.m.-35 minutes
Period 6/7/8 - 10:40-11:15 a.m.-35 minutes
Period 9 - 11:20-11:55 a.m.-35 minutes
Period 10 - 12:00-12:35 p.m.- 35 minutes
Other Important Date Reminders
Friday, March 24th is a full day of school for staff & students
Friday, April 7th is a half day of school for staff & students
Parent - Teacher Conference Information

Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 2nd
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

"In person" Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, March 2nd from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. kscamehorn@hinsdale86.org.

In person Conferences are first come, first served.
District 86 College Fair
The District 86 College Fair is March 16 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Hinsdale South Field House. Approximately 200 colleges will be represented. Students and parents will get to meet admission representatives from many in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities; ask all your questions, and get answers from the experts.

Click links below
College Visits
College Rep Visits
The following colleges/universities will be visiting Hinsdale South High School. If you are a junior/senior interested in meeting with the representative from the school, see Ms. Alvarez in the counseling office to sign up for the visit.

Military Academy West Point, IL - 3/2/2023 -9:00 AM
Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL - 3/8/2023 - 1:15 PM
Department Updates
SEL Update
A consistent successful part of our Social Emotional Learning work at Hinsdale South is our monthly #SouthPride lessons that directly teach SEL skills to our students. Remember- SEL skills aren’t “soft skills”-- they are teachable and tangible. The lessons are based on SEL competencies and skills. The big five CASEL competencies that we focus on are: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. (Find more info on the framework here.)

The Student Voice Committee decides what skills are important and relevant for students each month, and the lessons are created with their guidance and leadership. The members of the 22/23 Student Voice Committee are: Tema Alkhudari, Grace Choi, Dimitrije Gujanicic, Quinn Isberg, Kenya Johnson, Jacob Kinsey, Maddie LaPointe, Lily Levine, Aryan Patel, and Destiny Spann. The SEL Coaches this year are Stephanie Fox and Megan Parker.
The topics that have been covered this year, thus far, include: respecting the emotions of others, getting involved at school, understanding the nuances of our own intelligence, empowering students to be upstanders, strategies on how to get support when you need it, coping with stressful times of the year, being able to name and understand the CASEL 5 competencies, and honoring the joy of others. Every teacher in the building that teaches during the designated period (which rotates each month) facilitates the lesson the students created to allow every student in the building to benefit simultaneously for fifteen minutes. 

We received the most positive feedback yet from both staff and students after our February lesson that was in connection with Black History Month. The lesson highlighted all seventeen of the Black staff members in our building– they all shared what they do in their role at South and what brings them joy. The lesson also encouraged students to make authentic connections with these staff members. Additionally, all students were given the opportunity to share what brings them joy. Congratulations to the Student Voice Committee for their commitment and leadership in helping every human in our building feel that they belong.

Our lesson, in March, will be made possible by coordinating with our Democracy School Committee. Students will each take an interest quiz and discover career areas that may be a good match for them. Members of our own staff who have had experience in different career areas will share wisdom to inspire students. Happy #SouthPride!
Harlem Renaissance Assembly
In honor of Black History Month, and in keeping with our commitment to celebrate all cultures in our curriculum, Hinsdale South held a Harlem Renaissance Assembly for all interested teachers to attend with their classes on February 22. A huge THANK YOU to Emily Polacek, Matt Goeke, Dwayne Williams and Lance Martin for organizing this event, and to the many students who participated in it. During this interactive assembly, our students learned about blues and jazz, and celebrated the contributions of African Americans to literature, poetry and dance. South Pride!

Good News
Business Professionals of America
The Business Professionals of America State Tournament was hosted in Oakbrook last week, and we had many Hornets who are moving onto Nationals soon!
3rd Quarter Breakfast Club Recipients
Choir Department
The Choir Department worked hard all season and performed as a part of an International A Cappella Competition. Congratulations to the students in the Noteworthy Group who placed 3rd at this competition, and Eric Fournier who was awarded with best overall vocal percussion! We are so proud of you all! 
Chess Team
Hinsdale South’s Chess Team finished 16th overall in state, going 5-3, with 2 gold medal winners!
Congratulations to the team and coaches.
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Deaf Academic Bowl
The Deaf Academic Bowl competed in regionals in Austin, Texas. 
The students gave their best effort and represented Hinsdale South well.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program has been invited to do a Deaf Awareness Art Exhibit April 5- April 29, 2023 at LaGrange Art League Gallery and Studio. Hours are 10 am-5 pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and staff will have their artwork displayed for all to view. 
Math Team
The Hinsdale South Math Team ended the West Suburban Math League (WSML) competition in 4th place on Wednesday night (2/22).
The Fr/So 2 - person team of Eli Carder and Rishikish Joshi ended the season in 1st place in our conference!

Notable top performances include:
The Algebra 1 Team’s 2nd place finish. The team is composed of freshmen Shahmeer Ali, Anita Joseph, Rishikesh Joshi, and Jane Louis. Specifically, at Wednesday’s event. Rishikesh, Shahmeer and Anita placed 1st, 2nd and 6th respectively, out of all 14 school’s competitors.  

The Geometry Team had a 3rd place finish. The team is composed of sophomores: Eli Carder, Pranav Goel, Jeremy Fung, Alex Siarny, Sachin Malhotra, Isaac Choi, Adolph Galinski, Mohit Patel, Konrad Kemper, Karen Zaki. Eli Carder had the highest score of all 14 school’s Geometry contestants last night. 

Eva Louis placed 8th out of all Advanced Algebra competitors and Anastasia Galinski placed 8th in the PreCalculus competition last last night.

The Fr/So 8 - person team had a 2nd place finish. The team is composed of: Anita Joseph, Rishi Joshi, Jane Louis, Adolph Galinski, Jeremy Fung, Isaac Choi, and Konrad Kremper.

Anastasia Galinski and Parth Joshi had a 2nd place finish in the Orals Competition. 

The Calculator Team, composed of Shameer Ali, Eli Carder, Parth Joshi, Adi Patel and Zach Carder finished the season in 2nd place. 

Anastasia Galinski was named the team's MVP for her strong leadership, significant contributions as one of the oralists for the past two years, and regular high scores in other math team events for the past four years.
Congrats to the Hornets on a strong WSML conference season! 
Mr. Hinsdale South
We hosted our Mr. Hinsdale South Competition
It was a huge success, and peers had a ton of fun watching their friends compete. Congratulations to Anthony Lavorato, who won this year's competition. 
Class Wars Assembly
We returned to a tradition after 3 years of missing our class competition assembly. Included competitions between each class with the seniors winning and each senior won a free chick fil a item! Thank you to our MC’s, Ms. Yurchak and Senior Pierce Flemming and for Chick Fil A visiting with gifts for the winning class and the cow visited too. 
Girls Bowling

Congratulations Kelsey Pettry on an outstanding performance at the state final for girls bowling. She finished 3rd in State - IHSA Wheelchair Division. 
Girls Gymnastics


Congratulations Anya Patel on your strong showing at the state final for
girls' gymnastics.
13th on Bars, 20th on Floor & 22nd All-Around

Girls Wrestling


Congratulations Callie Carr on your two pinfall victories scored at the state final for girls wrestling. Callie finished the tournament with a 2-2 record.

Speech Team


Congratulations to Destiny Prater on her third - place finish in Poetry Reading at the IHSA Speech Final. We are so proud of your performance in Peoria, and that you brought that hardware
home to the hive.

Step Team
Hinsdale South Step Team
Join us Saturday, March 11, 2023, as the
Step Team hosts their first step competition.

Tickets can be purchased online using this link or at the door.

More details can be found on the Activities website.
Contact Mrs. Alexander with any questions.
Mark Your Calendar
Athletic Club Fundraiser
Hinsdale South Athletic Club
The Athletic Club is dedicated to raising funds for the boys and girls athletic teams associated with Hinsdale South, is putting together the March Madness Bowl-O-Rama fundraiser.
It will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Bowl, 938 Warren Ave., Downers Grove.
FAQs and the registration form can be found on our website (https://www.hinsdalesouthathleticclub.com/bowl-o-rama). All registration forms and checks must be received no later than March 15th.
Music Booster Fundraiser
Hinsdale South Music Boosters
The Music Boosters is a volunteer organization that supports all of the Hinsdale South High School music department classes and extracurricular activities, and also supplements the department and its students with financial support.
Check out our fundraiser
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Free Clinic Event for the Community
Class of 2024 Prom Coupon Card
Fundraiser Information
We are excited to announce that the annual Junior fundraiser for
Senior Prom is back!!
This year, the juniors are able to sell coupon cards to reduce the cost of their senior prom ticket. Prom tickets are usually $140-$150, so we encourage all juniors to participate in the fundraiser. 

Please click here for the informational document on how to pick up coupon cards, deadlines, and more. The fundraiser launches Thursday, February 2nd and money is due
Thursday, March 23rd. 
Darien Dash Information
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Parent's Corner

Hinsdale South Booster Club
The Boosters are the not-for-profit parent organization that partners with our administration, faculty, parents, students, and our community to enhance academic excellence and our students' overall high school experience. We contribute our time and resources to supplement and support programs while providing opportunities and activities for the sole benefit of our students. The Booster Club promotes Hornet Spirit, provides student scholarships, support.

Click HERE to be directed to website.


Hinsdale South Foundation
The mission of the Hinsdale South High School Foundation is to provide for the enrichment and enhancement of educational programs and opportunities through the establishment of partnerships with individuals, alumni, community organizations and corporate sponsors dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education.


Hinsdale South Athletic Club
The Hinsdale South Athletic Club is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization made up of a wonderful group of volunteer parents, staff, and alumni trying to make a difference for our school, our athletes and our community.

Our Goal
For Hinsdale South to continue to be a place that all students and all community members are proud to call home. By improving our facilities, we are improving our community. The Athletic Club is working with all coaches and the athletic department to fulfill all requests for improvements of our athletic facilities. We cannot do it without you. Please join the Athletic Club today as our membership drive is the most important fundraiser that we have. Support our athletes, become a volunteer and help us make a difference.
Click HERE to be directed to their website.


Hinsdale South Music Booster Club
The Music Boosters is a volunteer organization that supports all of the Hinsdale South High School music department classes and extracurricular activities, and also supplements the department and its students with financial support. Membership is encouraged to all parents of band, choral and orchestra students but is open to any who want to support the Hinsdale South Music Department.

Click HERE to be directed to their website.



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