When The Lane School in Hinsdale was redistricted to feed into Hinsdale Middle School last spring, it was estimated the middle school’s population would increase by 66 students. That number turned out to be a little higher.

Mary Ticknor, associate superintendent for Community Consolidated School District 181, said Hinsdale Middle School’ sixth-day enrollment figures came in at 675 — 88 more than last year. She attributes the additional 20-plus students from Zion School in Hinsdale — the private school closed due to declining enrollment in June — as well as children who previously attended parochial or Chicago public schools.

“Usually we don’t get this many move-ins this late; usually we have a lot more warning,” Ticknor said.

Parents in the community continue to urge the district to support Hinsdale Middle School through this transition, no matter what it takes.

At the last School Board meeting Aug. 25, parent Yvonne Mayer asked the School Board to reaffirm its commitment to provide Principal Ruben Pena and all Hinsdale Middle School teachers with the necessary resources to accommodate these students.

“When, and if, Mr. Pena comes to you with a list of needed resources, whether they be additional teachers or perhaps a mobile classroom, please act swiftly to ensure these needs are fulfilled,” Mayer said.

Despite having more students than anticipated, Pena said Hinsdale Middle School is in good shape. Administrators added 48 lockers in preparation for more students this year, and Pena said some lockers are still empty. The school will continue to add lockers each summer as they continue to grow, but so far space has not proved to be a problem.

“The building as a whole, just the way we’re designed, really absorbed all the kids without so much as a ripple,” Pena said. 

He said teachers are creatively using their classrooms as any business does when handling growth. But as far as sheer mass of children, no one is expressing concerns about hallways being too crowded.

Overall, Pena said The Lane transition from Clarendon Hills Middle School has been going “pretty seamlessly.”

As for safety, Pena said the village and community have been working together to address the hot spot issues, including dangerous intersections. Hinsdale police has committed personnel around Hinsdale Middle School for the first couple of weeks to help with traffic, and Pena said he has even been out there himself crossing students at Garfield Avenue and Third Street.

Pena said his goal is to continue to make sure teachers do not feel compromised as they take on more students. He wants to promote student safety by staying aware of student issues, such as bullying and hallway safety.

“Students can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. We want to maintain that,” he said.

Bus issues
The one issue Hinsdale Middle School did experience was the need for another bus, not because of students from The Lane but because of the policy change this spring. The change allowed students living 1-mile away — as opposed to a minimum of 1.5 miles — to be transported.

Pena said administrators had one extra bus planned this year for The Lane children — bringing the total to eight buses — but realized they had to add another because more children out of the Madison area are eligible for transportation.

A look ahead
District 181 is making plans for the future anticipating Hinsdale Middle School will continue to have an influx of students.

Pena said next summer the district will need to plan for another 60 students. Officials are in the process of forming a task force to deal with facility issues and create a vision for Hinsdale Middle School during.

“I think the village has worked very hard to aid with this transition, and I think the district has given me support, and continues to give me the support. I need from both a facilities standpoint and personnel standpoint,” Pena said.

Ticknor said HMS is a definite priority.

The School Board approved the Hinsdale Middle School Life Safety report at its Aug. 25 meeting, and it has since been submitted to the DuPage County Regional Office of Education. Items listed on the new survey have an estimated cost of about $3.29 million, which includes replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

District 181 also is seeking approval from the Illinois Department of Transportation to declare the area for The Lane as hazardous travel zone to Hinsdale Middle School since students have to cross the railroad tracks.