As anticipated, the program is nearing capacity. Session 3 is full.  Please RSVP now for Sessions 1,2,and 4. We are currently in the process of balancing our classes. Classes begin in January of 2017.

Even if your student is reluctant, they won’t want to miss this event. It turns out to be one of their highlights before heading to high school.

Invitations are available at all the middle school offices, at Cyndi Breslow’s house, 80 Waverly in Clarendon Hills (there is a basket on her front porch), or on line, at www.hinsdalefortnightly.org . Please complete both the RSVP and the waiver.

Fortnightly is a traditional, local rite-of-passage and teaches general decorum and manners combined with the basics of dancing (waltz, salsa and swing) to eighth grade students from the Hinsdale Central High School feeder schools. It is organized by volunteers and staffed by professionals. Scholarships are available.

This is a wonderful opportunity that your children will remember and appreciate the rest of their lives. The program has accommodated over 250 Hinsdale area students, every year, since 1958.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Cyndi Breslow  or Kirsten Schmidt or send an email to info@hinsdalefortnightly.org

Thank you to those who participated in the HMS Fundraiser Survey. We received 141 responses with the following results:

Direct Donation (no event, no sales) – 52%
Adult Focused Evening Event – 20%
Student Sales and an Adult Evening Event – 12%
Student Sales – 8%

*We also received about 10% in the “other” category which generally gave good ideas and feedback about fundraising in general.

Using this feedback, the Fundraising Committee has decided to host a Family Trivia Night Fundraiser on Friday, February 24, 2017. We are hopeful this fundraiser will meet most everyone’s needs by bringing families and staff out for a fun night while raising money for our PTO. For the many families who indicated they would prefer to donate, we will offer a direct donation option if you are unable or unlikely to attend the Family Trivia Night.

We are early in the planning phases, but we are currently reaching out to local businesses for sponsorships and support. We know many HMS families have their own businesses, so if you have an interest in being a sponsor for this event, please contact Janet Lahr at VPFunding@hmspto.org.

District 181 is hosting two HMS Construction Update events – one in December for the immediate business and residential neighbors of HMS, and a separate event on Tuesday, January 24th for all community members. No registration will be required. The January 24th event (6:30-7:30pm at HMS) will be an opportunity for the administration and construction partners to meet with residents interested in learning more about all key aspects of the project, including timeline, budget, design, and site logistics. There will also be time for community Q&A. Please save the date! For more information visit the D181 website and see the attached flyer

District 181 is gathering a small team of parents, residents, and local business leaders who have expertise in architecture, commercial construction, facilities, or finance to form a task force that will serve in an advisory capacity for the administration during HMS construction. Specifically, the task force may be asked to perform tasks like monitoring expenditures, reviewing change orders, and making recommendations related to the schedule. If you have such expertise and are willing to volunteer your time, or you know a resident who may be interested, we invite you to access the Community Task Force overview and application by clicking here.  Application materials are due by Friday, December 16.

Bring your family and friends to see this year’s musical, Beauty and the Beast. It promises to be a great show put on by a cast and crew of 97 talented HMS students. Tickets will be sold during all lunch periods. Ticket prices are adults $9 and students $7. Please remember that due to differing advisory lengths, lunch times are Monday, Thursday & Friday from 11:10am-1:10pm and Tuesday & Wednesday from 11:20am-1:15pm.

Beauty and the Beast Showtimes are:
Thursday, Dec 1st at 7:00pm
Friday. Dec 2nd at 7:00pm
Saturday. Dec 3rd at 2:00pm
Saturday, Dec 3rd at 7:00pm

If you have questions about tickets or if you wish to order them by phone, you may leave a message for Mr. Tabisz at 630-861-4700, ext: 4730.

All area 8th grade boys and girls are invited to attend Fortnightly.  Sessions are filling up quickly so please turn in your RSVP cards and waivers soon to reserve your student’s spot. Invitations are available at all the middle school offices or online at www.hinsdalefortnightly.org   Please complete both the RSVP and the waiver.

Fortnightly is a traditional Hinsdale rite-of-passage and teaches general decorum and manners combined with the basics of dancing (waltz, salsa and swing) to eighth grade students from the Hinsdale Central High School feeder schools. It is organized by volunteers and staffed by professionals.

This is a wonderful opportunity that your children will remember and appreciate the rest of their lives. The program has accommodated over 250 Hinsdale area students every year, since 1958.

Questions? Please contact Cyndi Breslow or Kirsten Schmidt or send an email to info@hinsdalefortnightly.org.

Time slots are still available for parent teacher conferences.  You should have received an email on November 17th with instructions for signing up for individual conferences. Please use the links below to sign up.

Monday, November 21, 2016 (No student attendance)

2:00pm – 4:00pm – Teacher scheduled conferences (Parents will be contacted)

4:00pm – 5:00pm – Dinner (No conferences)

5:00pm – 8:00pm – Individual Conferences (Scheduled through Sign Up Genius)

Tuesday, November 22, 2016 (No student attendance)

8:00am – 11:00am – Individual Conferences (Scheduled through Sign Up Genius)

11:00am – 12:00pm – Lunch (No conferences)

12:00pm – 2:00pm – Teacher scheduled conferences (Parents will be contacted)

Teachers can be found in the following locations for Individual Conferences:

6th Grade & Encore Teachers – Commons

7th Grade, 8th Grade and PE Teacher – Gymnasium

SIGN UP GENIUS REGISTRATION

INDIVIDUAL TEACHER CONFERENCE LINKS

Tables with lost items will be set up in the commons during parent teacher conferences. Any items not collected will be donated.

District 181 is looking for parent feedback on school climate through the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory.  This is a 20-minute anonymous survey being administered online to students in Grades 4-8 and made available online to all staff and parents between December 5-16, 2016. On December 5, you will receive an email with the CSCI survey link. (The survey can be completed once per family, per school.) You will be asked to respond to a series of multiple choice questions on Safety, Teaching and Learning, Interpersonal Relationships, and Institutional Environment. The student survey is on display in the school office. If you choose for your child(ren) not to participate in the CSCI, please inform the principal in writing no later than December 2. Click here for more information.