How to Pre-order Your Child's Student Photo Package

(a.k.a. How to Avoid Having to Fill Out the Photo Order Forms at ACI):

During your child's Arena Check-In day, he or she will have a portrait taken. This portrait will be used for - among other things - a student ID card, the yearbook, and also for photo packages you may wish to order from Lifetouch, the portrait company we work with (don't worry - we have a retake date scheduled in October if your child can't make it or if you want a re-take).

Many of you have experienced a lag during the ACI process because you need to ... get a photo flyer ... choose a package ... fill out all the pertinent information ... and then write a check or fill in credit card info, all the while writing on your spouse's back and standing on one leg!

But what if you could take care of all your photo orders ahead of time? Wouldn't that be grand? Wouldn't it make the ACI process and all that waiting in line slightly less painless? Well guess what? You can order your child's portrait ahead of time, even though the actual portrait hasn't been taken yet! How is that, you may wonder? Read on to find out:

1. Go to http://mylifetouch.com 
2. There, in the green "Get Started!" section, enter Hillview's picture day ID - SF713212YO - and your child's first name OR if you already have an account from a prior year, you can log it in the blue box area.
3. In the green "Continue Order" box, click on the Continue button.
4. The first section you will encounter is the "View Portraits" tab. Here you can see the many backgrounds and styles of photos that you can choose from when placing your order. This is really just information, but you may wish to take note of those background/styles that appeal to you; each has a unique number associated with it.
5. Section 2 is the Choose Packages tab, where you choose how many and what size, and add it to your cart. You can either create a custom package using pull-down menus, or if you want less work, select from a number of pre-determined packages. There are also quite a few Special Offers that allow you to have name and grade printed on all portraits, among other bells and whistles.
6. Once you place a package in your cart, you get to "Customize" it. This allows you to specify the background and style you like from the View Portraits tab. It's a drag and drop process.
7. If you wish, the next section allows you to "Add More Choices," some of which include digital products, additional portraits, and much, much more.
8. If you wish, you will then be able to purchase "Upgrades" at an additional cost (printed names on photos, retouching).
9. You get to review your order and add more information on your child's name before checking out. At the checkout page, you'll log in by creating an account (email and password needed). You can use your account information for future years.
10. Finally, you will print out a confirmation page. Be sure to bring it with you to ACI so you don't have to fill out yet another form, and hand it over at the Student Portrait station.

Help us help you! By taking care of you photo orders ahead of time, Arena Check-In will run more seamlessly than ever. And if you get frustrated on the website, you can vent your anger privately, in the comfort of your own home, as opposed to at ACI. For those of you who prefer the hand-fillable forms, however, we will have some available for you.

• Encourage your students to enjoy some time with schoolmates by forming a walk or bike group. The District has a restricted-access online tool for forming and scheduling group commutes to school. Only MPCSD families may register.
• Please make sure your student knows the rules and procedures for safe bike rides. Bike education programming will continue this year at Hillview. 

Reduce your driving by sharing with neighbors. To make it easier to find and schedule group commutes, the District offers a restricted-access online tool that will even send email reminders when it is your turn to drive. Only MPCSD families may register.
• Get paid for sharing the drive to school! The County gives a $25 gas card to families who "school pool".

Parents of incoming sixth grade students are invited to join us for drinks and light appetizers to kick off the new school year. Come meet other parents, Hillview's Principal Erik Burmeister and MPCSD Superintendent Maurice Ghysels. Hillview PTO and MPAEF leaders will be there as well on Tuesday, August 27 at 7 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!

RSVP online. Please note this is a parent-only event.

• Arena Check In: Tuesday, August 20, 9 - 11 a.m. or 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, August 21, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
• Camp Hillview Lunch: Wednesday, August 21, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Hot Lunch: daily shifts available once or twice a month. Choice Lunch offers a $4.75 credit to your account for every hot lunch shift worked.