The Hinsdalean - Community journalism the way it was meant to be

I was born in Canada and have played hockey most of my life. Hockey has given me the opportunity to live in many great places across Canada and the United States. When I retired from the NHL, my family and I chose to return to... — Updated 5/18/2022

We have lived in Hinsdale for most of our lives. We built our business here, raised our children here and now are overjoyed to see our kids raising our grandchildren here. We have also engaged civically over the years — whether... — Updated 5/4/2022

Could there be a simple solution to two problems, one facing District 181 and the other the village Of Hinsdale? Unacceptable proposals for the long vacant land at the intersection of Ogden and Adams, owned by IBLP (Institute of... — Updated 5/4/2022

Why move to DuPage County? This question, asked by many over the years, has been an easy one to answer: better schools, lower taxes, less crime. Now, the trend at many local schools has been to move away from common-sense... — Updated 4/27/2022

Fullers, please bring back Dips and Dogs for our children, please! The one place we truly had to walk to town with our children after dinner was Dips and Dogs. The excitement they always had when we told them they would get to go... — Updated 4/20/2022

This past year it has been disheartening to see the District 86 BOE led by a board president who showed a lack of integrity to her campaign promises and abused her position to silence board member dialogue. What was even more... — Updated 4/20/2022

We moved to Hinsdale five years ago from the city of Chicago. Like many young families, our move to the suburbs was driven by a desire for lower crime, excellent schools and a more favorable tax environment. We looked in many... — Updated 4/20/2022

On April 19, 2001, my wife, Tracey, and I moved to the United States from Northern Ireland for what was meant to be a temporary work opportunity. Tracey was carrying our first baby, who became the first American citizen in our... — Updated 4/13/2022

Superintendent Prentiss has now been revealed (FOIA 1099) to have met on Zoom with a group of local clergy leaders. In an email between Prentiss and a local pastor on Jan 27, the pastor discusses the need for “people with... — Updated 3/16/2022

The recent events in Ukraine have been horrific. In just one week over 600,000 refugees have fled Ukraine, with that number potentially rising to 5 million over the coming weeks. These refugees were forced to leave their homes,... — Updated 3/2/2022

I am a former board member (and president) of school District 86. I recently posted a petition on www.Change.org/StopPrentiss, which gathered over 800 signatures in a few days. It calls for the removal of Superintendent Prentiss... — Updated 2/23/2022

In looking for the silver lining with the controversy surrounding the D86 equity consultant, I’m very encouraged by the letters and sponsored ads in The Hinsdalean in support of listening to each other and continuing the... — Updated 2/23/2022

There is a debate in the editorial section of this paper about DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — at Hinsdale schools. My experience this past weekend in the Grant Square parking lot reminded me why equity training is... — Updated 2/16/2022

Many people in our beloved community are hurting right now; and as members of Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Church and Community Group, we do not feel comfortable sitting idly by. We are people of faith who believe that all are crea... — Updated 2/9/2022

Let’s talk straight. Hinsdale D86 parents need not feel ashamed, demoralized, guilty for their hard-earned efforts that blessedly allows them the choice of communities and school districts. There is a sacrificial price to pay in... — Updated 2/9/2022

As a 30-year resident of Hinsdale High School District 86 who raised three graduates, I am grateful for the great educations that they received from kindergarten through 12th grade. We all made wonderful, life-long friends, too.... — Updated 2/9/2022

In response to Rev. Pamela Rumancik (Jan. 27 letter), Valda Valbrun was not hired to tell us about Jesus. He either lives in your heart or he doesn’t. Carving out nearly $200,000 to pay someone to train our academic community on... — Updated 2/2/2022

Jesus counseled “Be Not Afraid” over a hundred times in the Christian scriptures. He urged folks to let go of fear and trust that God is love and that love is the only way through. Our faith teaches that the only way to create... — Updated 1/26/2022

The last two years have been very difficult. The stress caused by the pandemic has splintered our school community. Knowing this, we should strive to meet each other on common ground, not engage in conduct that drives us further... — Updated 1/19/2022

I applaud The Hinsdalean’s admonishment (Oct. 21 editorial) of the new District 86 board members’ apparent disdain for the administration’s expert judgment on curriculum and grading matters. Innovation is needed more than... — Updated 11/17/2021

As I think about our blessings this year, I count our District 181 teachers, secretaries, janitors, crossing guards, paraprofessionals and principals high on my list. We are so fortunate to live in this community where our kids... — Updated 11/17/2021

In response to your recent editorial, “No clear explanation for what’s going on in D86,” we believe that the new board’s resistance to the administration’s agenda is entirely clear. The April election saw an... — Updated 11/3/2021

Strategic Planning in 2018 and passage of the referendum in 2019 were signs of great progress in District 86. However, since then this community has seen a change of focus at D86. A high-performing district, D86 has seen a... — Updated 10/27/2021

It seems some members of the D86 BOE have implicit trust in the administration and feel that there will be bumps in the road that will iron themselves out. And with the most recent grading alignment — which includes curves and... — Updated 10/20/2021

Ken Knutson’s recent article “D86 Board: Grading plan misses mark” got it correct in referring to “unveiling” the superintendent’s Learning Leadership Team grading plan, which potentially masqueraded under the purview o... — Updated 10/13/2021