Hinsdale High School Teachers Association

After a long process, District 86 announced a new principal for Central next year:

On Monday, December 14, 2009, the Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Michael McGrory, Principal of Ames High School in Ames, Iowa, as the next Principal of Hinsdale Central High School for the 2010-2011 school year.

Mr. McGrory brings much experience, energy, and excitement to this position, having served most recently as the Principal of Ames High School since 2001. In this role, he manages budgetary, operational, and personnel aspects of a high school with a very diverse and high achieving student population of 1,500, and oversees 105 certified teachers, and 65 support staff. In addition, he implemented a High School Reform recommendation and oversaw a $13 million building renovation project. Ames High School is comparable to Hinsdale Central in that it is a state leader in its number of National Merit Finalists and 93% of its students attend a postsecondary institution. Professionally, Mr. McGrory serves on various district and state committees, and he participates in community committees and volunteer opportunities, as well. Prior to his principalship at Ames High School, he served as Principal of a Middle School for three years, and Principal of a K-12 school for two years.

Mr. McGrory was introduced to the faculty and staff on Tuesday morning, followed by a short reception for us to begin to get to know him. I look forward to continuing the productive and collaborative relationship that has been developed over recent years with our current and former building leaders. We wish him well, and look forward to working together at the start of the 2010-11 school year.

Congratulations and welcome to Hinsdale Central, Mr. McGrory!

For American Education Week, our current Interim Principals wrote the following letter to the local media:

The occasion of American Education Week provided us the opportunity to reflect on our experience at Hinsdale Central.  In August, we met with a group of students and asked them what they liked most about attending Central.  The first thing they said, to a person, was their appreciation for the fine teaching and support staff.  Their eyes “lit up” when they shared about the passion which teachers have for their subject and for teaching; when they shared how much the support staff cares, helping students through both academic and non-academic issues; and when they shared about the excellent relationship which students have with the staff at HCHS.

Since that day in August, we have visited classes in which students have struggled with the material and have observed teachers differentiating instruction in order to meet the varied academic needs of those students.  We have observed teachers challenging students academically in order to “stretch them” educationally, preparing them for the post-high school experience.  We have observed dedicated coaches and sponsors giving students wonderful opportunities to grow in the areas of team work and learning the benefits of hard work.  We have observed counselors helping students understand what it takes to prepare a quality college application.  We have observed social workers meet with students in extreme social and emotional circumstances and help them cope with those circumstances.  The staff at Hinsdale Central is among the finest with which we have worked.  It has been an honor and privilege to be associated with them as colleagues.
Tom Paulsen
Frank Kesman
Interim Principals, Hinsdale Central High School

Thanks to Tom and Frank for their dedication and wonderful professionalism shown this year as well.