Hinsdale South Program Helps Acclimate Parents of Transfer Students

While there are orientations and programs in place to help transfer students get acclimated at , officials found resources are lacking when it comes to parents new to the district.

“We realized we didn’t really have anything to greet or welcome or support parents new to the Hinsdale South community,” said Michael Holland, a guidance counselor at the high school.

To help connect existing Hinsdale South parents with new Hornet families, school officials are inviting current parents of sophomore, junior or senior students to help launch the new "Parent to Parent" program.

“We want to keep it very simple,” Holland said. “It might just be having some of our veteran parents in the Hinsdale South community call new parents and say, ‘Hey, welcome. Do you have any questions about the school or community?’ We don’t want it to be arduous or a big commitment on either side, (but) just (to) provide a point of contact.”

Some measures in place to help transfer students acclimate to Hinsdale South include a mentor program where students are paired up with a staff member.

“It’s very informal, but if they need help they have someone to turn to,” said Hinsdale South High School principal Brian Waterman. “It’s very difficult to transfer to a new high school, especially at that age.”

Last year, the Hornet Academy program was put in place, where groups of new students attend a three-period session on what programs and opportunities are available to them.

“If we don’t offer services, (students who transfer in) can struggle to become acclimated,” Waterman said. “Then they start struggling academically. We feel it’s our obligation to help them along. And as we try to evolve what we’re doing for our transfer students, we thought it would be great to add a parent piece.”

The "Parent to Parent" program is in its infancy stages, Holland said.

“Right now we’re planning and organizing and seeking out volunteers at the moment,” he said. “We’ve got a few volunteers, but we’re still looking to build up a bigger group of parents. We’re hoping to have a meeting where we can get all of them together and share the concept and give guidelines on what topics we need to address.”

Those interested in joining the "Parent to Parent" program can contact Holland at mholland@hinsdale86.org or at (630) 468-4250.