You are receiving this newsletter if you are a Hillsborough Schools Foundation donor or sponsor or if you or your children have attended Hillsborough's award-winning public schools.

HSF Annual Giving Campaign:

Got 100%?

By Sherry Haber

Photo and Signage by Wenda Treu

As the 2013-2014 school year comes to a close in a couple weeks, your generous donations to the Hillsborough Schools Foundation (HSF) are expected to reach a new high to support the Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education which include:

Exceptional Teachers;
Small Class Sizes;
Excellence in Math and Reading;
Dedicated Counselors; and
World-Class Enrichment

A couple months ago, we began recognizing class and community groups who have achieved 100% participation. Groups can include classes, grade levels, Boards, and sports teams who achieve a 100% participation level in HSF's Annual Giving Campaign. Participating at 100% helps us meet our overall community participation goal, as well as the dollar goal that will help raise excellence in our schools. Which class or community group will be announced next? Make your donation and help your class or community group reach 100%! Every contribution matters, and we thank you for your support.

Join us in congratulating the following groups who have reached 100% participation in the HSF Annual Giving Campaign:

Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) Classrooms:

North - Ms. Vaughn's Kindergarten class

- Mrs. Raffo's Kindergarten class
South - Ms. Chamness' Kindergarten class

West - Mr. Martin's Kindergarten class

Community Groups

Hillsborough Schools Foundation - Board of Directors

HCSD Associated Parents' Group - Executive Board

HCSD School Board - Board of Trustees

HCSD Administrators - Schools and District Office

Hillsborough Town Council - Mayor and Council Members

Thanks to the support of our donors and community members, we are currently at a 71% participation rate district-wide and climbing, with spectacular increases over last year from YOU, our community members, as well as from our Kindergarten families and Scholars' Circle Donors. If you haven't had a chance to contribute to the HSF Annual Giving Campaign, help us reach our 100% goal this year. If you make a donation to our Annual Giving Campaign or to our Technology Fund-a-Need by June 13th, you will be recognized in our next Annual Report.

Photo by Leslie Ragsdale

In this final issue of the 2013-2014 HSF Community Newsletter, we highlight many of the Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education that inspire parents and community members to contribute.

To learn more about why Hillsborough community members give to the Hillsborough Schools Foundation and what impact their gifts have on our school district, we encourage you to watch the video below, which premiered on "What to Expect Night" at all four of Hillsborough's public schools last fall.

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Thank You For Supporting

Our Award-Winning Schools!

North and West Schools:

Awarded California Distinguished School Honor

By Sherry Haber

Congratulations to both North and West Schools for earning the coveted California Distinguished School Award. During the application and site visit process each school highlighted two of their signature practices, for which they are being honored.

North School is recognized for their "Higher Achievement for All" practice, which is an embedded culture at North. Students' assessments are gathered and studied and acted upon in order to make student-specific decisions that result in the highest levels of academic achievements.

North's second signature practice is "Educating the Whole Child to Raise Achievement." This is a comprehensive social-emotional learning (SEL) program that takes place both inside and outside of the classroom walls. It incorporates their Character Development and "Bucket Filler" program; a "Talk It Out" conflict resolution initiative; and a Lunchtime Elective offering to help engage all students with interest-based lunchtime activities sponsored by teachers and parents. In addition, North School has implemented a myriad of social-emotional practices that build leadership, collaboration, and decision-making skills that lead to improved academic achievement overall.

North School has also earned the prestigious "Exemplary Physical Activity and Nutrition Award," which was only given to seventeen public elementary schools in the State this year. It is only awarded to schools who qualify for the Distinguished School Award, but additionally requires an extensive, successful, comprehensive school site plan to address health, physical fitness, and nutritional goals among students and teachers alike.

West School is honored for their "Operation Risk - Mission Not Impossible" program, in which the school enables, encourages, and inspires teachers to take risks within their practice areas and instills the value of risk-taking in their students. While teachers still adhere to the Common Core State Standards, they also work towards fostering an evolution in their students' thoughts and ideas through engaging instruction.

West's second signature practice is entitled, "On the Road to Reading." This is a Reading Specialist program that is fully supported by the staff and which maximizes reading proficiency, establishes the best learning habits and connects skills and habits to real life. The award is especially poignant since West's Reading Specialist, Hope Strobel, is retiring this year; but the school is committed to carrying on this tradition of creating lifelong readers and learners in their students.

We are so proud of our school communities, administrators, teachers, students, and parents who worked together to achieve this honor. It is another measure to show that Hillsborough Schools rank among the best schools in California. The award ceremonies will be on June 9th.

* Please note that Crocker and South School are also California Distinguished Schools but are on an alternating schedule from North and West, having received this honor in 2012. Schools can only apply every four years for this prestigious award.

Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education:

Excellence in Reading

New Core Literature books purchased at the beginning of this school year with a one-time $50 thousand grant from the Hillsborough Schools Foundation (HSF) have made an impact in classrooms in every grade at all four Hillsborough schools. HSF reporters went on special assignment to see how some of the books were being incorporated into first and second grades at West School and in sixth and seventh grades at Crocker Middle School:

West School:

Raising Engaged Readers

By Sherry Haber

(With Contributions by West First & Second Grade Teams)

Inspired by new Core Literature books from fables to fantasy, West School teachers engage young students to not only improve proficiency, but to become lifelong readers.

The West First Grade Team especially liked how easy it was to incorporate Doug Hansen's book Aesop in California with their fable unit. Students read various fables with partners, in small groups, and as a class. The children have been re-telling and re-writing the fables, and even compiled their own class collection of re-told fables. The teachers noted that the fables are wonderful conversation starters to delve into the targeted lessons in each story. They are looking forward to further integration across the curriculum and "truly appreciate HSF's gift to (their) first graders."

According to the West Second Grade Team, their students loved reading Roald Dahl's entertaining fantasy, The Giraffe and The Pelly and Me. The "Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company" comprised of animals, captured their imaginations and helped them study comprehension skills, cause and effect, main idea and details, as well as a contrast of realistic fiction versus fantasy. Small student groups held discussions, collaborated on writing pieces and completed a fantastic art project.

Crocker Middle School:

Core Literature Inspires Students

By Arlene Rosenberg

(With Contributions from Deborah Hartwig, James McGee and Stephanie Kaplan)

The new Core Literature books are not only teaching students to read and analyze fiction and non-fiction literature, but at Crocker, they are inspiring students to engage with the world around them, and to think deeply and innovatively.

After reading Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan, about a silverback gorilla who lives in a stationary circus, Crocker 6th graders were motivated to help wild gorillas. The three 6th grade language arts teachers, Nancy Coe, Deborah Hartwig, and James McGee, organized a Penny War fundraiser for their classes. With a complex point system, the students competed to see whose penny jar filled the fastest. By the end of the Penny War, however, the students scarcely cared which classroom had the most points. They were just excited to have raised almost $500, enough to adopt a mother gorilla and her infant for each classroom through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The 6th graders were also inspired by Sy Montgomery's Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World. They were enthralled by the true story of an autistic woman who dramatically improved conditions for live-stock in the food industry. They also were moved by Dr. Grandin's motto of "different, but not less," and by her work on behalf of people with autism. When Dr. Grandin spoke at a local college recently, Mr. McGee presented her with over 150 personal letters from Crocker 6th graders. She sent the students a hand-written response in which she reminded them to work hard to achieve their dreams.

Crocker's 7th grade Language Arts teachers, Michele Gilchrist, Stephanie Kaplan, Talia Southgate, and Elizabeth Struble, used the biography of another innovator, Steve Jobs, as the springboard into a 5-week Innovation unit. After reading Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different, by Karen Blumenthal, the students worked in groups to design an innovative product from recycled materials that would benefit society. The students were also charged with building a model of their product; creating a website to advertise their product; and developing a presentation and sales pitch to convince other students to "purchase" their product. Some inventive ideas presented included a tank that uses plants to produce oxygen, an umbrella with a funnel that catches rain and filters it into a water bottle for drinking, positive message jewelry, a device that cuts a cake into 8 slices at one time, and exercise equipment.

Thanks to HSF and Crocker's creative and resourceful Language Arts teachers, who are making literature come alive for their students!

*In the Winter Issue of the HSF Community Newsletter, we focused on our community's culture of "Giving and Giving Back." We wanted to share one additional story about North School's tremendous commitment to serving our community and the world around us.

Raising Citizens of Good Character

North School:

Committed to Service Learning

By Jackie Sage

For years North has been committed to bringing Service Learning to North students!! Over the past six years North's Outreach Committee has partnered with AYSO to expand soccer collections to every Hillsborough school each November. This drive has collected over 9,000 soccer articles which were regrouped and donated to disadvantaged teams both near and far.

Moreover, North has adopted a Sister School in Mexico which, over the course of the past six years, has evolved from a pallet school lacking water and books into a building with cement walls and windows, a water fountain, bathrooms, library, and our own old North Playground, which was shipped and transplanted there!

In addition to these international efforts, North School has also focused locally with a Change For Change program which allows North students to opt in by contributing coins from home during the month of March. In the third year of this initiative, the kids (and teachers!) really rallied and collectively raised $1,751 which will be directed locally to a children's charity, in pursuit of our North Service Learning motto which is "Kids helping Kids". Ms. Brandt's class topped the fund-raising efforts this past year, beating out the two-time reigning champion, Ms. Burn's class, and earned the honor of selecting this year's donation recipient, Camp Okizu.

North School acknowledges that their recent success in Service Learning would not be possible without their School Counselor, Kari Van Bebber, and North's Character Team, who launched this effort by going into each classroom to teach the students about Change for Change. The winning charity, Camp Okizu, which supports families with childhood cancer, received a check at May's Character Assembly presented by two students in Ms. Brandt's class.

Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education:

World-Class Enrichment

A Celebration of Science

at South School

By Marci Riley

Photos by Veronika Gulchin

This year has been a special one for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) events, thanks to a motivated group of teachers and science-minded parents. In February, South Parent Group hosted its largest Science Fair ever with children participating from every grade. It was a huge success and the MPR was spilling over with some of the most innovative and creative experiments South has seen.

On March 14th (3.14) South celebrated Pi Day. Students learned about Pi in the classroom beforehand, and then on Pi Day they enthusiastically came to school early to solve math problems and play math games with fun (and relevant) prizes like pi-napple juice. It was a hit, and kids of all grades lined up to participate and learn!

In April, South brought Explore It! to school to turn the MPR into its very own science museum. There were 15 hands-on, interactive stations where the kids were able to conduct science experiments.

Lastly, South piloted a GEMS (Great Explorations in Math and Science) program at lunch on April 14th where the 5th graders enjoyed building their own hovercrafts. With programs like these to supplement other Science enrichment like iLab and Tech Challenge, it has certainly been an exciting time for STEM at South!

West School:

5^th Grade Musical Hits a High Note

By Sherry Haber

Photos by Michelle Fowler

The K-5 Vocal Music program in Hillsborough provides an incredible opportunity for students to learn to love music at an early age. 5^th Graders at West School recently did just that, as they wowed family and friends with their musical performance of The Nightingale, based on the Hans Christian Andersen story.

With this performance, Vocal Music Specialist, Jay Beams, challenged his students to sing and act out the story about the Emperor in China, who learns that one of the most beautiful things in his empire is the song of the nightingale. 5^th graders collaborated through narration, acting, singing solos, and coming together for the chorus. One student even helped run the audio system. They used props, costumes and accessories to make the musical come alive. Mr. Beams said, "It was exciting to see these students take ownership of a rather challenging play/musical."

As a 15 year veteran teacher at West School, Jay Beams related some of his favorite things about teaching elementary school music, such as witnessing students having "that 'Ah-ha' moment when reading, understanding or performing musical notation;" or "hearing from (his) former students that their earlier musical experiences led them to continue to sing or play their instrument long after leaving West School."

Music enrichment is a key component at all four Hillsborough Schools. With over 9 vocal music performances and 8 instrumental performances covering all grade levels during the year, music is helping students find their voices.

Crocker Symphonic Band

Heats Up the Disneyland Stage with Frozen

By Sherry Haber

Photo by Momoe Sasaki

Mother's Day weekend would not be the same without 120+ Crocker Symphonic Band students performing on the Jamboree Stage for family, friends, and Disneyland guests. This year was bittersweet, as it was the last Disneyland trip to be led by 33-year veteran teacher and "band legend," Lester Chun. Mr. Chun's students played a beautiful array of Disney music, but inspired a singing crowd with their medley from the hit Disney film, Frozen.

Although it will be tough to "Let it Go" when it comes to Mr. Chun's retirement this year, his wish is for the legacy of the Crocker Band program to continue long into the future. He has done his part to ensure this occurs by submitting next year's Disneyland audition DVD, as well as assisting administration with finding his replacement. Principal Catherine Mikes said that, "we can never replace Lester Chun, but the best way to honor him is to make sure that we have a Band Teacher who can carry on his legacy."

The Drum Line, and Concert, Jazz, and Symphonic Bands will perform their Spring Concerts on June 9/10 with a farewell reception to Mr. Chun in the Crocker MPR following the Symphonic Band concert on June 10th. Band alumni are invited to the reception, but due to space restrictions in the gym, the concert will be limited to current band students and their families. If you wish to contribute to the reception, contact Band Mom, Celia Tung (celia_tung@yahoo.com)

2nd Annual SVOS Art Show

Exhibits Student and Faculty Talents

By Sherry Haber

Crocker hosted its 2nd Annual Silicon Valley Open Studio (SVOS) Art Show during the first weekend of May, and it was a great way to showcase both student and faculty artwork. Although the show is held in the Crocker Art Room, K-8 artists and recent Crocker alumni are invited to join in the fun and submit their 2D and 3D artwork to the show.

Over 100 Crocker students showed their Paintings, Drawings, and Ceramic Sculptures from Marie Monaco's Art elective classes; Peter Martin's Photography class; and Deborah Hartwig's Graphic Design class. As an additional treat, faculty members, Marie Monaco, Sally Rayn, and Deborah Hartwig displayed their professional artwork collections in the show.

Other students submitted their multi-media masterpieces completed outside of school. In conjunction with this year's Art Show, students and parents also donated art supplies for the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Art Therapy program for children with serious illnesses. Parents and guests from the community were in awe of the talent exhibited by the students.

Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education:

Dedicated Counselors

Crocker School:

Respect All Differences (RAD) Day

By Arlene Rosenberg

Crocker's dedicated administrators and faculty are committed to creating a "Community of Kindness and Respect" for all students. To further that goal, they declared Friday, April 25^th, Respect All Differences ("RAD") Day at Crocker.

On RAD Day, students were greeted by the entire faculty wearing t-shirts emblazoned with adjectives describing the community's positive attributes including: "responsible," "compassionate," "welcoming," "respectful," and "generous."

During school, students were given the choice of films to view about respect and understanding. One group watched "Finding Kind," a documentary about female friendships, rivalries and bullying. The other group viewed both "The Character Chronicles," a middle school character education film, and "Let's Get Real," in which real students discuss the issues behind name-calling and bullying. After viewing the films, the students discussed the issues presented, in both large and small groups.

Photo by Sherry Haber

Finally, each student was given a pledge that contains a definition of "bullying" and that commits the student to "value student differences"; to "treat all students with respect"; to refrain from bullying; to refuse to "stand by as others are being bullied"; and to "report incidents [of bullying] to a school official." Although the students were not required to sign the pledge, every student present on RAD Day chose to sign it, and each received a blue bracelet that showed his or her commitment to be kind and respectful.

Counselor Bonnie Slater noted that RAD Day had an immediate impact on students. After the screening of "Finding Kind," for example, some students spontaneously apologized to one another for hurting each other's feelings. In addition, RAD Day's lessons will be reinforced throughout the year.

Through programs like RAD Day, Crocker's exceptional staff works to ensure that the ideal of a "community of kindness and respect" is not just a slogan or aspiration, but a reality.

Hallmarks of a Hillsborough Education:

Tell Us Your Story!

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. As this school year comes to a close, tell us a story from your child's school year! Send an email to hallmarks@hsf.org

Hillsborough Schools Foundation (HSF) News

21st Annual - Hillsborough Fun Run:

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

By Sherry Haber and Laurel Miranda

The Hillsborough Schools Foundation (HSF) invites you to join us for the 21^st Annual Hillsborough Fun Run (10K, 5K, 2K) on Sunday, June 1^st at North Hillsborough School, 545 Eucalyptus Ave, followed by a pancake breakfast. Medals will be awarded to top finishers in the 5K and 10K; and all Lakas Shimizu Memorial 2K participants receive ribbons. Prizes also awarded for Most Spirited Team and Best Costume! Proceeds benefit Hillsborough's award-winning public schools. See www.hsf.org/funrun.html for course details. New this year, participants can also register and pick up race bibs at A Runners Mind on Howard Avenue in Burlingame on Saturday, May 31st from 10:30 - 3:30. Participants can also register on Race Day starting at 7 am at North School. All ages and abilities welcome. Strollers are allowed on the 2K course. Hope to see you at the starting line for the most FUN fundraiser of the year!

Save the Date for the 59th Annual

Hillsborough Concours d' Elegance

Don't forget to save the date on Sunday, July 20th for the "hottest" event of the summer, the Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance! This year's Vintage Car Show will be featuring over 200 vintage and classic cars and special displays providing fun for the whole family! Crystal Springs Golf Course from 10 am - 4 pm. For tickets or more information, view www.hillsboroughconcours.org Proceeds from the event benefit the Hillsborough Schools Foundation and other foundations supporting our youth.

HSF Strategic Partners

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.

Participating online retailers donate up to 10% to HSF at no extra cost to you. Want to plan a trip for Summer or purchase a gift for Dad or an upcoming Graduation? Just follow the 2 easy steps above and help raise money for our schools as you shop.

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:

www.hillsboroughtogether.com

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.

Looking for Real Estate Agents who support our schools? Please visit our website to view a list of our current REACH Partners:

http://hsf.org/reachpartners.html

Want to learn about becoming a REACH Partner? Contact pam@hsf.org.

Thank you for supporting our award-winning public schools! Together, we are all HSF!