Alumni Links   

               

APG:  Citizen of the Year

and Community Care Awards

  

South School:  Making a Difference 

By Marci Riley

Photo by Jean Peroutka

Community service and outreach have always been a priority at South School.   Every year, students work hard to help others at school and in the community. Under the guidance of South's principal, Elizabeth Veal, and an incredibly involved and service-minded Community Outreach team led by parents Andrea Ballard and Afsoon Turner, South students have numerous opportunities to make a difference at the school and in the world around them.

South families participate in at least four collection drives every year (Click here to read more . . .)

of Good Character

By Sherry Haber

Photo:  http://charactercounts.org/sixpillars.html

At West School, Citizenship and Character Education are not just buzzwords to be thrown around, but rather the foundation upon which West School's culture is built. Principal Dr. Jamie Adams explains that there are three components that are integrated into the school's core curriculum on a daily basis: The Essential Outcomes, the Habits of Mind, and the 6 Pillars of Character. In fact, the 6 Pillars of Character embellish the walls of West's corridors in beautiful eye-catching mosaics and serve as a daily reminder to students and teachers alike.  

Along with mastering core curriculum standards students are taking to heart the following character traits:  (Click here to read more . . . )

Crocker:  Paving the Way

for Lifelong Engagement

By Arlene Rosenberg

Photos by Sherry Haber and Audrey Fairchild

Through its Mission Statement and Essential Outcomes, the Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) recognizes that education must not only support academic development, but also help students become "people of good character" who are "invested in making a positive impact on their family, community, and world." At Crocker, there are many programs that help students become caring, contributing members of society by giving them opportunities and encouragement to serve both their school community and their broader community.

One service opportunity at Crocker is Student Council, the school's student government. Guided by advisor Ryan Carroll and comprised of representatives from every grade level, Student Council plans a variety of activities, like (Click here to read more . . .)

One of the Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education that admittedly is harder to quantify than others is the exceptional teaching staff, who work to ensure that each student has the best possible opportunity for success and learning.   Because of the funds that the Hillsborough Schools Foundation (HSF) raises, the Hillsborough City School District is able to attract highly qualified and talented teachers and administrators from far and wide. 57% of HCSD teachers hold advanced degrees and 74% have taught in Hillsborough for 5+ years. Recent HCSD Forward initiatives passed by the Board of Trustees will ensure that the district continues to invest in our teachers by offering professional development as well as collaboration time with their colleagues.

There are so many teachers who go above and beyond the scope of their job, but in this issue, we would like to highlight just two examples of the kind of dedication that Hillsborough teachers exhibit.

Crocker:  Mr. Carroll's Teachable Moments

November 19, 2014 marked the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.   Crocker Social Studies teacher, Ryan Carroll, not only felt that it was important to expose students to this powerful speech, but to leave a lasting impression on his students. That day he dressed up as Abraham Lincoln and recited from memory the entire Gettysburg Address on HTV. Shortly after that, 8th graders studying U.S. History followed his lead and recited the Declaration of Independence also on HTV. It is this kind of inspired teaching experience that separates Hillsborough Schools from the rest. 

North School: 

Where A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words 

By Erin Aliaga

Photos by Cheryl Enright 

Artwork by Carol Gutierrez

When I walked into my son's second grade classroom during conference week, I was immediately struck by the amount of art on display. It seemed to be hanging from every possible surface, even from wires strung to create additional surfaces.

I regularly receive emails seeking assistance with the Parent Group- sponsored Art in Action, so I am aware the students are being taught those art lessons. I did not know, however, that art is an integral part of myriad lessons taught during the year. My son's teacher, Carol Gutierrez, told me that "art finds its way into every subject area (Click here to read more . . . )

A Crocker Alumna

By Katharine James

Class of 2004

From training at 6:00 a.m. for the cross-country team to winning third place in the annual Fly-Offs competition to seeing the movie Gladiator for the first time in Mr. Kittredge's history class, l have many fond memories from the years I spent at Crocker Middle School. Crocker instilled many great values that I have carried with me throughout the years, and the exceptional teachers at Crocker sparked my thirst for knowledge, culture, and art - passions that continue to enrich and guide my life today.

I recently moved back to the Bay Area after living in London (Click here to read more . . .)

* Katharine James is the daughter of South School Librarian Sally James.

This year we celebrate the "Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education."   Everyone in our community has their own story about what they love most about our schools. Tell us your story! Send an email to  hallmarks@hsf.org 

Making money for our schools is easier than you think . . .

Step 1: Bookmark www.HSFshopping.com 

Step 2: Click through and shop!

Use HSFshopping.com as a portal to top retailers:  Amazon, drugstore com, tiny prints, Minted, Shutterfly, Expedia, and Barnes & Noble.

Join Hillsborough Together - Connect the Town!

Nearly 3,000 community members are using Hillsborough Together (HT) as an online resource to connect and share information.  HT is a free, secure, and private online resource for the Hillsborough community.  Join Hillsborough Together to ask and give recommendations for local vendors, seek help finding your lost dog, or to keep abreast of community events. Please join us, and be a part of making HT an indispensable resource for our community.  

Signup on-line now at: 

Real Estate Agents Champion HSF (REACH)

The REACH Program is an annual program for Real Estate Agents in our local community who wish to ensure and maintain the high quality of Hillsborough's education programs. REACH Partners provide financial support for our Public School programs, and in return, our REACH Partners gain appreciation from, as well as visibility, within the Hillsborough community.