There's nothing like Daylight Savings Time and three days of beautiful weather to remind us that spring is really here. As always, Hillview is abuzz with activity and energy. As we move into spring, I want to share a few important announcements and reminders.

I want to begin with a HUGE THANK YOU to our entire community for the outstanding participation in the Menlo Park Atherton Education Foundation. Thanks to your support MPAEF was able to reach its participation goal of 80 percent and receive an additional $50,000 matching grant. The support of Hillview families is nothing short of remarkable. Thank you for your commitment to the work we are doing and your support for all of Menlo Park's children.

Secondly, I don't want you to miss your opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed prototypes from our Design Team for the future of Hillview's schedule and programs. We just wrapped up a "Road Show" wherein we shared how Hillview used the Design Thinking Process to rethink our programs and schedule. If you were not able to attend, the Power Point we used is posted online. While attending the presentation would answer many of your questions, we don't want you to be left without any idea of what we are considering. Over the course of the next two weeks, please take an opportunity to check out the Power Point presentation. All former, current, and future parents, students and staff are encouraged to provide feedback on the online survey we designed to solicit such input. All feedback provided by Friday, March 22 will be considered in our deliberation on a final plan of action.

We are excited to welcome back two of Hillview's finest as Mrs. Eisner, an 8th grade science and math teacher in the Trailblazer Academy, returns from maternity leave and Nancy Mitchell, a 7th grade math teacher in the Tikal Academy, returns from medical leave. Mrs. Eisner has already started and is enjoying her time back in the classroom. Mrs. Mitchell will return on Monday, March 18, the first day of the third trimester. Hillview remains grateful for the hard work of the substitute teachers, Mr. Leggitt and Ms. Reed, who served in their stead and for the Hv teachers who supported the subs during their time with our students.

A great big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to our Asset Development Team under the leadership of Willy Haug. Our efforts to become a more action-oriented team are paying big dividends. As an example, Mike Doroquez and several parents have joined together to launch a commitment to service among our students. A first meeting of the Service Club at Hillview attracted more than 100 interested students who engaged in service right away. Organizing bags for the homeless, volunteering at a local nursing home, supporting a family transitional home, and providing resources for My New Red Shoes provided our students with an opportunity to actively engage in service. As you may remember, the asset of "Service to Others," which is one of our five focus assets this year, is considered a "power asset" in that it grows other assets for kids.

Have you heard? Hillview's new Math Clinic is now open and going strong. Thanks to the support of a retired math teacher and several high school tutors, Hillview is able to offer a two-hour after school drop-in math clinic for all interested students. Your support of PTO is helping to offer this outstanding service. The Math Clinic is open from 3 - 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 2 - 4 p.m. on Thursdays in Room C-5.

Be on the look out in your USPS mailboxes and in your student's backpack for a letter and an exception notice for participation in an school-wide assembly on Wednesday, April 3. Thanks to Kaiser Permanente, Hillview is able to welcome back the widely-acclaimed Nightmare on Puberty Street musical performance that humorously and engagingly addresses the ups and downs of adolescence. I encourage any parent who might want to learn more about the presentation to visit the Nightmare on Puberty Street website. Permission slips will accompany a flier regarding our April Open House.

Have you noticed a bigger smile on your child's face this week? It might be because we opened the new athletic courts to the students on Monday. We anticipate the field will be open next week. The District is currently repairing areas of the field that had issues with flexing of the field turf; we anticipate full use of the outdoor facility before Spring Break. Please be aware that significant work will be done during Spring Break on remaining items including the resurfacing and painting of the staff parking lot in the back of the school and additional landscaping.

Are you a parent of an eighth grader? Mr. Haug, the counselors and I will be meeting with all 8th graders about third trimester behavior expectations on Tuesday, April 2. In their final trimester at Hillview, it is especially important to set the right tone for their closing chapter as Hillview students. As such, we will be discussing with them the importance of:

• Being strong role models for younger students
• Avoiding mistakes that can result in loss of one or more of the graduation privileges (Great America, Grad Night, and/or Promotion Ceremony)
• Eliminating ANY consideration for 8th grade pranks
• Planning ahead and shopping for appropriate attire for graduation 
• Ending the year strong both academically and socially

Any support you can provide as the parent to help drive these important messages home is appreciated.

There's no "slow" season for a school; however, spring is most certainly a "busy" season for us. I trust you will continue to stay engaged, ask us for help when you need it, and alert us to any issues about which we need to know. It's so great to partner with such a supportive parent community. As always ... THANK YOU.