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Dear Hillview Parents and Guardians,
As most of you know, MPAEF is in the middle of a special fundraising challenge. During February, if we can get 80 percent of our district families donating or pledging any amount to the MPAEF, our district foundation will receive an additional $50,000 in matching funds from a generous donor. Below, you will find my latest Principal's Update on the progress of Hillview Middle School and our Re-Design process. I am confident that the energy with which we are engaged in building the most unique, rigorous and innovative middle school in the country will inspire those who have not already donated or pledged to do so today! Most academies have reached 60 percent participation and the energy is electric. Please consider pledging today and enjoy this energizing Principal's Update.
The following Principal Update is also posted on my Principal's Page.
Principal Update February 2013
Our five operational goals for this year as described in our School Site Plan are very clear. They provide us with a roadmap of where our energies should be devoted this year ...
- Collaboratively develop a five-year instructional plan that transitions us to effective implementation of Common Core Standards and addresses gaps among our minority and low socioeconomic status students.
- Utilize Design Thinking to create a new bell and master schedule that more accurately reflects the needs of our students, the desires of staff and the hopes of our parents.
- Identify Five Focus Assets based on the data from the 2012 administration of the Search Institute's Asset Survey and develop an action plan to support the growth of target Developmental Assets among our students.
- Provide opportunities for teachers, staff, parents and students to ask and answer the question, "What will an excellent 21st Century middle school education look like in 10 years?" and develop a plan for implementing such a model NOW here at Hillview.
- Successfully complete the construction of the new building, grounds and athletic facilities, and implement the support procedures necessary to make the most of our new space.
I am happy to report that, with your continued support, we are moving full-speed ahead to achieving these very lofty goals. I want to take a moment to outline some important efforts and opportunities that relate directly to these goals.
Hillview 3.0: A New Schedule and Program BY DESIGN
Our Hv Design Team has been hard at work and we are happy to announce the launch of our community-wide reveal of the new program and schedule prototypes. This process is engineered to provide stakeholders with information about the process, data and outcomes. It's been an amazing process for those of us who have been involved and we could not be more excited to present to our community some of the inspired and innovative ideas we have prototyped. Please join us at one of our community information and feedback sessions.
After School Drop-In Math Clinic Opens Monday, February 25
Due to the generosity of the Hv PTO, Hillview is able to pilot an after school Math Clinic open to all Hv students. No need to register. No need to pay any money. No need to come every day. Students have access to a retired teacher and three high school tutors to get help on math when they need it.
Math Clinic will be offered until June 6 in Mr. Dolan's room (Room C5) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 3:15 - 5 p.m., and Thursday 2:15 - 4 p.m. If demand and attendance stay consistent and students make use of this powerful resource, we will find a way to continue the service for future years. See our flyer with all the information.
Lunchtime "Game Room" Offers a Supportive Environment
As anyone who has been a middle school student can attest, the "free time" at school can provide high anxiety for some kids. While there are many social and physical options available to kids, there are plenty of students who seek a different kind of down time. Thanks to the generosity of the Hv PTO, we are able to offer a supervised Game Room during lunch for students who want to engage in strategy games. Games include Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, chess, card games and MORE! No sign up is necessary. The Game Room will be open daily during lunch for drop-in by interested students. Students are encouraged to bring their own cards and to find other students who enjoy their same game. The school will provide chess materials. If demand and participation stay consistent and students make use of this fun and alternative resource, we will find a way to continue the service for future years. Game Room opens Wednesday, March 6 and will be temporarily held in "The Tank" (which is the room adjacent to the library with four glass walls). After Spring Break, the Game Room will move to G-1, just beside the staircase behind the outdoor stage.
Math Teachers Attend Hands-On Math Training
In May, seven math teachers and math support providers will attend a joint training with Las Lomitas School District and Oak Knoll Elementary teachers using the Hands-On Equations math program. Hands-On Equations uses visual math manipulatives to help students achieve a deep understanding of algebraic thinking. For more information about Hands-On Equations, visit www.borenson.com or check out these recent blog article posts about the program:
Science Teachers to Attend the National Science Teachers Association Conference
This April, one science teacher from each grade level will attend the NSTA Conference in San Antonio with the clear purpose of gaining information, skills and resources to transition Hillview's science program to the National Common Core standards. The conference titled, Next Generation Science: Literacy, Learning and Living, offers nationally known speakers and the most current resources for helping schools transition to the new expectations. Science and Social Studies will see a significant transition in how student learning in each respective content area are assessed and measured. The focus of Common Core standards moves from knowledge-level thinking to higher-order thinking in the form of application and literacy skills in all content areas. Leading the way in the transition to Common Core will be our outstanding science staff members who will represent us well at the NSTA. Learn more about the conference.
Asset Team Announces Launch of Service Club
Thanks to the volunteer efforts of many Hv parents and staff, and with the leadership of teacher, Mr. Doroquez, Hillview is launching a service club to help connect Hillview students and families with service opportunities throughout the community and the Bay Area. Several parents signed up to help in response to the powerful experience they shared in Project Cornerstone's "Taking It Personally" Parent Education Series. The first meeting of the service club is Monday, February 25 followed by another meeting on Thursday, February 28. Both meetings are at lunch in Mr. D's room-B7. All interested students are encouraged to attend and bring their lunch. Don't miss this great opportunity to develop the necessary assets to THRIVE. For more information or to help Mr. D organize our army of service minded students, email Mr. D.
Final Stages of Construction in High Gear
As anyone who has passed by Hillview in the last week can attest, the landscape and athletic facilities are nearing completion. The all-weather, state-of-the-art field, track and courts look beautiful; students and staff can hardly contain their excitement. While it feels like a long time coming, we can all appreciate how fortunate we are to have access to such facilities for our community. We thank everyone who has made our new home a possibility. I am told that completion of the final elements of construction is upon us and we should have access to the outdoor facilities beginning April 1 upon our return from Spring Break. In preparation, we will be communicating with students regarding upkeep and respect of the outdoor space. Please share with your son/daughter the expectation that our fields and courts will remain backpack-free, food-free and drink-free zones. In addition, please impress upon them the importance of taking time to eat their lunch and hydrate before entering the outdoor play space. Safety, security and cleanliness will remain a top priority as we ensure the facilities will remain of the highest quality for years to come.
As always, it is an honor to serve this community. Every day I get up in the morning, I am excited to get to work because I have the greatest job in the world, in the most supportive community in the world, serving the most amazing teachers, students and parents. If you have any questions or needs, please feel free to email me at eburmeister@mpcsd.org. I look forward to the next update, as I know there will be so much more to share.
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