News

LEAP Into Africa Club is excited to announce our annual heirloom tomato sale fundraiser supporting the LEAP Science and Math Schools in South Africa. We have seven varieties of tomato plants as well as basil and cabbage plants. All plants are $5 each.

To place an order, please fill out this order form. We are accepting payment through Venmo, check, and credit card. Further information on these payment methods is given in the payment section of the order form. The order form also details how to make donations in addition to or in lieu of a plant purchase.

The plants will be available for pickup on May 9 and 10 from 9am – 2pm at the Casten home (8 E. Third Street – across from Hinsdale Middle School). If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Judy Casten at judith.casten@gmail.com or Pam Kalafut at pam@kalafut.com. Thank you for your support!

The D181 Foundation and Community Speaker Series present are presenting a special webinar with Dr. Lisa Damour , How to Manage Stress, Anxiety, and Parenting Under COVID-19

The webinar is taking place Apr 14, 2020 – 7:00 PM

To register, visit https://us04web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fqxoofWSoqyk1vUJQ60HA

Dr. Damour explains the psychological science key to understanding how stress and anxiety operate, both under everyday conditions and at times of heightened concern and disruption.

Join us to learn more about how to:

• keep pressure and tension from reaching toxic levels,
• parent effectively in the current circumstances
• use the most reliable strategies for managing ongoing stress

After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to submit questions directly to Dr. Damour.

Please click here for flyer: Dr Damour Event Flyer

A recent poll of mental health providers currently included on The Parent List (a Hinsdale Central PTO parent resource), indicates that most have switched over to teletherapy (phone and/or video sessions) to treat their patients during the current pandemic.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for children and teens.

Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Watch for behavior changes in your child that include:

• Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
• Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
• Excessive worry or sadness
• Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
• Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens
• Poor school performance or avoiding school
• Difficulty with attention and concentration
• Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
• Unexplained headaches or body pain
• Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

To view The Parent List, go to https://hcpto.org/parent-list/ or click HERE

Questions about The Parent List can be directed to:   parentlist@hcpto.org

In no way does the Hinsdale Central PTO, Hinsdale Central High School staff, school districts 86 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 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 know senior year has not gone as planned. To help families celebrate, one of our PTO members is creating yard signs for anyone interested.

The deadline has passed but if a minimum of 10 new signs are ordered by Tuesday, April 28th we will place another order.  Payment will be refunded if orders are not placed.

Fill out the attached and either drop it off at 303 N. County Line Rd. with cash, or email the form to Michelle Fischer at mbfischer74@gmail.com and pay via Venmo. (See instructions on the form.)

Click here to download the form.

Questions? Contact Michelle at mbfischer74@gmail.com

We are very happy to announce the end of mid semester 2 Make A Difference Award winners, selected from many outstanding nominations from students and parents.  These teachers have gone over and above the call of duty for your students!

Jennifer Burkemper – Music

Jarred Friebel – English

Christopher Freiler – Social Studies

Gia Maniscalco – Guidance

Erin Palmer – English

Brittany Zust – Science

Join us for the upcoming PTO meeting on Wednesday, March 11th, starting at 9am in the Hinsdale Central Community Room.

The meeting will feature several panelists speaking about Stress, Anxiety, and Your Teen:  What Every Parent Should Know.  Panelists will feature HCHS Social Workers Jennifer Cave and Jim Kupres; HCHS School Psychologist Deanne Doherty; Community House Therapist Bob Agnoli; and Caroline Masek from Accepting Therapy. Panelists will share their expertise regarding teen anxiety and will answer audience questions.

The business meeting will start a 9am and Conversations with the panelists will start at 9:30am.

Hope to see you there!

VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED!!!

WE’VE RAISED $8,200 & OUR GOAL IS $30K – PLEASE MAKE YOUR DONATION!!!

Dear Hinsdale Central Families:

We are looking for donations, chaperones and volunteers from parents of FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS & SENIORS to support Post Prom and the Prom Red Carpet Event.  This communication will help you understand why we solicit from parents of underclassmen and why your help is needed.

Prom is Saturday May 2nd.  Prom night consists of 3 events: Red Carpet, Prom and Post Prom

• RED CARPET (hosted by Parents)
  • Parents decorate the HC Gym with Red Carpet Photo Stations
  • Prom goers and their families are invited to Red Carpet one hour before the Prom busses depart HC to take photos
• Prom (hosted by the school) is a formal dinner dance at Navy Pier’s Crystal Gardens
• POST PROM (hosted by Parents)
  • A skyline cruise aboard The Odyssey immediately following the dance
  • Dancing, karaoke and refreshments are provided during the  chaperoned, alcohol-free, 5-star cruise.  Hinsdale Police and Parent volunteers chaperone. 
  • Following, students board busses back to Hinsdale Central, arriving home around 3 a.m.

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION:

• Our fundraising goal is $30,000
• Red Carpet is 100% funded by this budget, there is no fee to attend
• A Post Prom ticket has been $45
  • Traditionally over 95% of Prom goers attend Post Prom
  • This fundraising covers approximately half of the ACTUAL Odyssey ticket price and allows us to keep this ticket price low at $45
  • This budget fully pays for students that aren’t able to afford a ticket
• Donated funds underwrite costs for the classes ’21, ’22, & ’23

PLEASE CONSIDER BEING A POST PROM CHAPERONE:

• Chaperones meet at Hinsdale Central at 10:30 pm and are bused to Navy Pier
• Chaperones manage Odyssey student check in and walk around to make sure everyone is safely having a great time. 
• Everyone boards the buses around 2:30 am to return to Hinsdale Central
• Grab some friends and volunteer – it’s a fun sneak peek to Prom!
• 4 – 5 Hinsdale Police Officers also chaperone

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR DONATION AND VOLUNTEER:

https://hcpto.org/prom-parent-donation-form/

We hope that every Hinsdale Central family will choose to contribute to this safe and fun tradition!

Attachments:

Event details:

: –

Number of weeks to run: Two

Special instructions: I WILL SEND YOU AN UPDATED DONATION TOTAL NEXT WEEK TO UPDATE THE POST – THANK YOU!

Anxiety remains one of the most common difficulties for children, and is a leading cause for school refusal. Many anxious children attempt to get instant relief by steering clear of things that create anxiety, seeking reassurance from everyone they know or distracting themselves to avoid anxiety-provoking situations. If those fail, they may turn to substance abuse, threats, school refusal, or fighting.   This talk will feature an overview of the different causes of anxiety, and the ways that parents/guardians and schools can help students challenge their fears in a healthy and safe manner.

Both parents and teens are invited to attend!

• March 11
• 7 pm – 8:30 pm
• The Little Theater at Hinsdale South High School

Please see the attached flyer

On March 19, 2020, the Transition Center will be hosting two valuable, free presentations for families in D86. From 5:30-6:30pm, Teen Parent Connection will talk about discussing sex, relationships and our bodies with teens with disabilities.

From 6:30-8:00pm, local day programs will present and hold Q&A sessions regarding their programs, expectations and selection/intake processes.

The following day programs will be presenting: Giant Steps, SEASPAR Eagles, My Day, Ray Graham, Aspire.

Please see attached flyer