Looking for a Few Volunteers to Read Scholarship Essays

Susan Blumberg-KasonNews

Have you been wanting to volunteer at Central but haven’t had the time? The Red Devil Spirit Scholarship Committee is looking for a few volunteers to read no more than a dozen very short essays from applicants during the month of April. These scholarships are need-based and open to graduating seniors.

For more information or to sign up, please email rdss@hcpto.org (Susan Kason and Hannah Souman, RDSS Co-Chairs)

 

Red Devil Spirit Scholarship Now Open!

Susan Blumberg-KasonNews

Attention Seniors!

The Hinsdale Central PTO Red Devil Spirit Scholarship Application is now open. The PTO will grant several scholarships, ranging from $1000 to $5000 per award.

The scholarship is need-based and the application process is entirely online. The application deadline is April 11, 2025. To apply or view the application, please click HERE.

Any questions? Please get in touch with the RDSS Team at rdss@hcpto.org

 

Still Seeking PTO Secretary, Post Prom Chair, Winter Rave Coat Check Volunteers

Denys KangNews

Are you interested in being more involved and make a significant impact at Hinsdale Central? Secretary, Post Prom Chair, Winter Rave Coat Check (one night only 2/22) positions are still available.  Please email execboard@hcpto.org. We appreciate any help!

Secretary (1-4 hours a month):

  • Attends General PTO meetings (bi-monthly January, March, May) and Executive Board meetings (alternate months February, April, June.) Makes note of action items stemming from meetings (does not take meeting minutes.)
        • Uploads final agendas to DropBox
        • Helps manage DropBox
        • Provides additional leadership, as needed
    • Post Prom Chair (s): (time: now until 5/3, 2-4 hours/month)
      • Manages Post Prom event and coordination with Prom staff
      • Leads an established team (fundraising, communications) to ensure that timeline is followed
      • Excellent opportunity for a Freshman or Sophomore parent! Guidance and support will be provided by past chair, committee, and team
      • Attends event on Saturday, May 3rd
    • Winter Rave Coat Check (1 night only on 2/22):
      • Get a rare behind the scenes peek at the Winter Rave
      • Help store coats, etc for students
      • Assist with activities to make sure staff has everything ready- we need 1-3 enthusiastic volunteers! Perfect for a couple!

#”BringYourFire” Fundraiser

Denys KangNews

Help support the PTO!! “Bring Your Fire!” is Hinsdale Central’s call to action. Support the wave of enthusiasm and excellence with pride wherever you drive with your new license plate frame. Available in durable plastic for $15 or shiny chrome for $30. All funds raised from this sale will be used to support PTO-funded initiatives. Go Red Devils!

Purchase your license plate frames HERE.

 

Hinsdale Public Library Presents: High School Money Smarts Lunch & Learn

Denys KangNews

Spend one Saturday afternoon each month this winter at Hinsdale Public Library to learn about all things money from budgeting to investing. Financial advisors Nora Hernandez and Clare Nawrocki will cover a new topic each month to create money-smart students! A pizza lunch will be served.

This class is open to all high school students and will equip you with the essential life skills to make well-informed financial decisions and effectively manage your money throughout your life.

Topics will include:

January 11: Budgeting and More–We’ll cover savings and checking accounts, vital financial terms and budgeting.

February 11: The Timeline Approach to Investing–We’ll cover short- and long-term investing, tax implications and the benefits of compounding interest.

March 8: Basics of Credit and Debt–We’ll cover credit cards, student loans, loan terms, and credit scores.

This class is intended for high school students to prepare them for financial independence. Parent interested in attending are welcome. We ask that anyone who attends please register.

Nora Hernandez and Clare Nawrocki are financial advisors with Equitable Advisors in Oakbrook.

 

Supporting Your Student During Finals Week

Denys KangNews

Finals can be a stressful time for everyone- both students and families. The HC Staff and PTO are committed to supporting you and your students to help prepare them for finals Wednesday, 11/18-Friday, 11/20.  Much of this information is applicable year-round for tests, assessments, and finals and can be found at https://hcpto.org/academic-resources/

First, watch this video with tips on how students can be supported at home. Ms. Kim, Ms. Galich, Mr. Kostro & Ms. Ketterhagen will present on the core areas of English, Math, Science, and World Languages.

 

Other Academic Resources:

Your student’s teacher! Find out when their free periods are or reach out via email to set-up time before or after school. Our teachers want every student to be successful and will usually go above and beyond to be accessible when a student asks for assistance

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) – The ARC is available for all students.  Students can get help from student tutors in every subject and from HCHS math teachers.  Students can stop in for homework help, review for an assessment, make corrections, brainstorm outlines for essays, proofread papers, and more.   During lunch, no appointment is necessary, just stop in.  Comprehensive information on other school resources can be found HERE

Free Community Study Events & Tutoring:

  • Hinsdale Public Library has everything you need to prepare for first semester finals in December! Make sure to stop by starting on December 14th for snacks, stress busters and study spaces. NEW this year–Kick start your finals prep with free help from P.A.S.S. Peer Tutors. The Hinsdale Public Library has partnered with Hinsdale Central’s P.A.S.S. peer tutoring group to offer study sessions during finals week from December 14th through 18th. Tutors will offer help in all levels of Calculus, Trigonometry, PreCalculus, Integrated Math, Algebra, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Spanish, and World History. Visit the HPL website for more details, or sign up for a time slot HERE.
  • Clarendon Hills Library provides CHPL cardholders 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! For more information, visit HERE

Peer Tutoring

  • PASS – Peer Athlete Student Scholars (P.A.S.S.) offers free study groups or one-on-one tutoring with a wide variety of student-athlete tutors that can help you manage your schoolwork and sports stress-free! We also offer a variety of times and days that work around the busy schedules of student-athletes.  To sign up, fill out this form.
  • Tutor Connect – Started and operated by an HCHS tutor.  Find a private tutor for less than $20 an hour. All tutors are current/former Central students. Visit Tutor Connect HERE.

This information can be found at https://hcpto.org/academic-resources/ Please bookmark the page!

Wishing you all a successful finals week and a safe, restorative, and enjoyable Winter Break!!

 

Mental Health Resources

Denys KangNews

As we move into the holiday season, please remember mental health resources are available on the school website.

Social Work Department website (everything from community mental health organizations to helpful articles and resources including a fun virtual office that offers links to coping strategies, self-care tools, etc.)

Hinsdale Central PTO Parent List (Angie’s List style resource where parents may read and anonymously write positive reviews regarding local support services that have been successful in handling childhood developmental, emotional, learning and health issues)
If you or your child are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the 24 hour Crisis Hotline at 988. The Illinois Warm Line is available for non-emergency mental health and/or substance abuse support Monday-Saturday 8am-8pm at 866-359-7953.

Holiday Bash 2024 Success!

Denys KangNews

It can always be daunting to change up a tradition, especially at a school that is so steeped in theirs. This year the 36th annual Holiday Breakfast was moved to the afternoon and called the Holiday Bash so that we could accommodate our growing staff and ensure our volunteer numbers. It turned out to be a success!
This is my fourth year involved with the December Staff Appreciation aka The Holiday Bash (Breakfast), and it never ceases to amaze me at how generous our parent community is and how much the Hinsdale Central staff appreciate it!
Thank You to everyone who donated, decorated, worked, and volunteered to put on this event, especially Annie Perucki and Kris Tu for making the most amazing balloon arch ever! The Commons Area and The Multi-Purpose Room looked amazing! The Holiday Bash is truly a PTO event where parents, staff, buildings and maintenance, etc work together to make the school a special place during these winter days. Again, Thank You to everyone for helping to pull off an amazing event!
Meraiah Bernacki and Emily Van Houtte Holiday Bash co-chairs

Thanks to All for Contributing and Volunteering for the Staff Appreciation Pumpkin Pie Day 2024!

Denys KangNews

Thank you all so much for donating pumpkin pies and volunteering during our 2024 Staff Appreciation Pumpkin Pie Day!! We distributed 376 pumpkin pies to all staff members last Tuesday, November 26th. The staff was so appreciative! The younger teachers were so excited to be able to contribute to their family’s Thanksgiving dinner. The mom teachers were so grateful, I heard them say many times, “one less thing for me to do!” And the funniest of all…the male teachers who were instructed by their wives to, “not leave that building without that pie!” Without the help from parents and our amazing volunteers, there is no way we could have done all of this. Truly an awesome group effort!!

 

Thank you so much, and I wish you a wonderful holiday season!!

Kathy Schilder, appreciate@hcpto.org

Holiday Spirit Starts Here: Shop Hinsdale Central Gear!

Denys KangNews

Hey Red Devils!

The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to spread some cheer than with Hinsdale Central spirit wear? Whether you’re shopping for a friend, family member, or treating yourself, our cozy HC hoodies, comfy flannel PJ pants, and other awesome Red Devil gear make the perfect gift. Don’t miss out on the Boosters’ upcoming December sales!

Wednesday, December 11th
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Event: 8th Grade Family Night
Location: Student Commons

Friday, December 13th
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Grant Street Entrance

Volunteers Needed!
We’re always on the lookout for amazing volunteers to help make our sales a success. Ready to lend a hand? Sign up here!

Thank you for supporting the Hinsdale Central Boosters!