Upcoming Important Dates

9/17/2026 6:50 pm

• Homecoming Dance - Saturday, September 19th, 7pm
• Yearbook Photos - 9/21 (Freshmen), 9/22 (Sophomores), 9/23 (Seniors), 9/24 (Juniors)
• Community Speaker Series: Dopamine Kids - Wednesday, September 30th, 7-8:30pm at HMS
• Holiday Bash Committee Interest Meeting - Thursday, October 1st, 1pm at HPL
• Parent-Teacher Fall Conference - Thursday, October 8th, 5:30-8:30pm

A Sweet Start to the School Year

9/17/2026 6:47 pm

The Hinsdale Central PTO Staff Appreciation Committee kicked off the year with our annual Apple Day on Tuesday morning!

With beautiful weather and a wonderful turnout, faculty and staff were greeted with fresh, crisp Honeycrisp apples as they arrived for the day. It was a simple but meaningful way to say thank you to the incredible teachers and staff who do so much for our students throughout the year.

The Honeycrisp apples were a huge hit, and we loved seeing so many smiling faces! Thank you to our PTO families for your continued support—your contributions help make special moments like these possible and allow us to show our HC faculty and staff just how much they are appreciated.

We’re looking forward to many more Staff Appreciation events throughout the year!

With gratitude,
Hinsdale Central PTO Staff Appreciation Committee 🍎

Volunteer and Tutoring at Hinsdale Public Library

9/17/2026 6:30 pm

High School Peer Tutoring - With P.A.S.S. Peer Tutors
Stay on top of your work with help from P.A.S.S. Peer Tutors at HPL. Tutors available in all levels of math, physics, biology, chemistry, Spanish and AP Euro. Sessions held weekly.
Learn more and register HERE. 
Homework Helper High School Volunteer Training
Looking for a volunteer experience this year? Come to our volunteer training to learn about being a Homework Helper for younger students. HPL’s Junior Advisory Board is looking for High School volunteers to serve as Homework Helpers for younger students on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. starting on September 14th. Interested? Sign up for a training on either date to learn more.
HPL Homework Helpers is a drop-in program for younger students to work with high school students to practice reading and receive homework support.
Register for the training HERE.

Thank You For Attending the First PTO Meeting

9/12/2026 10:00 am

Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend Wednesday's first PTO meeting of the school year, in-person and on Zoom. Congratulations to parent Dania Kassar for winning the DeNucci's dinner raffle.

We would also like to thank our D86 leaders, Superintendent Dr. Chip Petit, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Dr. Josh McMahon, and Hinsdale Central Principal Bill Walsh for meeting with our parents.

If you have not yet joined the PTO, click HERE. All dues support our students and staff appreciation events. Member Benefit: After October 16th, the online directory will only be accessible with a paid PTO membership.

Homecoming Activities Week

9/11/2026 6:35 am

Friday, September 18th: Wear your Red All School T-shirt

• Salty snacks at the entrances sponsored by Microfinance Club
• Music in the cafe
• Food truck during lunches
• Pep Rally 2:21pm for all current students. Livestream link will be posted closer to event
• Homecoming Football game v. DGS High School  7pm on Dickinson Field/Hinsdale Bank Stadium

Saturday, September 19th:

• Join the Hinsdale Central Foundation at the annual Pancake Breakfast in the Student Cafe from 8-10am. Tickets can be purchased on site for $10 a person.
• Homecoming Parade leaves the Student Parking Lot at 9:30am
• Homecoming Dance from 7:30-10pm

HOMECOMING DANCE AND TICKET INFORMATION

Join us for a Hinsdale Centralpalooza Homecoming! The homecoming dance will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19th from 7:30-10:00pm.  All guest must check in by 8:45pm using their current Student ID.

To purchase your Homecoming 2026 Dance Ticket, click HERE starting Monday, Aug. 24th.  All Guests who are NOT current Hinsdale Central students will need to be pre-approved using this GUEST form. Guest requests must be submitted by Wed. Sept. 16th by 3pm - NO EXCEPTIONS. Hinsdale Central Students must fill out the form and will receive notification of approval via their school email accounts. Only 1 Guest approved per Hinsdale Central Student.  Hinsdale Central Students must log into the their 5Star account in order to purchase a ticket for themself and their guest.  

Your price of admission includes a DJ, dancing, video games, photo booths and more...Tickets are $30 for Hinsdale Central Students and $40 for Guests + processing Fees Online sales end on Friday, Sept. 18th at 10pm.  No Refunds. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door the day of the dance for $40 CASH ONLY. 

HOMECOMING PARADE INFORMATION

Saturday, September 19th: The parade will line up in the senior parking lot starting at 8am, leave promptly at 9:30am. and go through downtown Hinsdale

If you have any questions about any Homecoming Week events, please stop by the Activities Office or email Sally Phillip, Director of Student Activities at sphillip@hinsdale86.org.

Join the PTO Holiday Bash Committee!

9/11/2026 6:32 am

An Interest meeting will be held for the Holiday Bash at the Hinsdale Public Library on Thursday, October 1st at 1pm in the Community Room. All are welcome to attend!

Community Speaker Series Event on 9/30: Dopamine Kids

9/11/2026 6:30 am

Rethinking screen time? 📱🧠 Join us for our next Community Speaker Series featuring Dr. Michaeleen Doucleff! 

 

Parenting advice around screens is woefully outdated. It hinges on psychology and neuroscience from 25 to 50 years ago. It doesn’t work and often makes our lives harder.  

Michaeleen Doucleff, author of Dopamine Kids, offers you an easier and more effective approach. With a 5-step protocol, you’ll learn how to retrain your children’s brains so they naturally seek out activities and foods that bring gratification and true joy. The healthy option becomes the default in your home.  

🗓️ Wednesday, September 30th, 7-8:30pm
📍 Hinsdale Middle School Cafeteria

🎟️ Open to the entire community!
🎥 Can't attend live? A recording will be emailed to all registrants!

👉 RSVP HERE.

Calling All 9th Graders from Our Smaller Middle Schools!

9/3/2026 8:28 pm

Adjusting to a big high school takes time. If you are a 9th grader from a smaller middle school and looking to meet freshmen going through a similar experience, please join the FRESH CONNECTIONS STUDENT GROUP. This group will meet every Wednesday from September 9th through 30th during lunch periods in Room 2536. Snacks will be provided. Come be part of a smaller community at Hinsdale Central!