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This Week
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Monday, September 2
Friday, September 6
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Looking Ahead
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Wednesday, September 11
Thursday, September 12
Thursday, September 26
- Deadline for Hillview PTO donations
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PowerSchool Access
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Many of you have been asking about access to PowerSchool, which allows parents to view information about students' attendance and academic achievement. As of this time, both student and parent access are disabled. This is not because we don't want you to have access to this information; rather, it has to do with our district tech department's annual updating of information. Here's what you can expect:
- By Tuesday, September 3, all student accounts - including students new to the district - will be active. You can ask your student to log on and you can view his or her PowerSchool information (we recommend this - a great opportunity to sit down together, review progress, and set goals) or you can contact the Hillview office for this information and log on yourself. The student view is almost identical to the parent view, with the exception that you cannot sign up for regular email updates.
- By the end of September, parents will receive an email with their updated username and password. Upon receipt of this email, parents will be able to log in and, if they wish, sign up for regular email updates.
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Support Hillview
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We're Off To A Great Start
Thank you to the 54 percent of Hillview families who have donated to the PTO during the first two weeks of school. All of this support is showing up in some very promising numbers.
So far, together we have raised $114,495, which gets us 72 percent of the way to our $160K goal.
If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, there's still a few weeks to help us reach our goal - just click here.
Great news -- we've shortened our Annual Parent Campaign! We are asking our families to make their commitment by Thursday, November 21. Your commitment can take the form of a donation, pledge or the initiation of monthly payments.
If you're wondering what difference your support makes . . . a huge difference! This year, your donations funded more than 32 teachers, including classroom, music, art, drama and library teachers. Your support means smaller class sizes and a comprehensive education program for all kids in our District. So make your commitment today by donating online.
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Buses, Bikes and Automobiles
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Ridership on our three SamTrans lines has been larger than expected. We are aware of the late arrivals in the morning and we are working with SamTrans to provide larger coaches and additional buses. The afternoon buses are also more crowded than we would like, and again, we are communicating our needs to SamTrans so that our students can ride home safely and comfortably. We are committed to getting this situation corrected as soon as possible.
In addition to the above issues, we have made a correction to our Thursday afternoon pick-up schedule. On the first day of school, buses departed from Hillview too early, and we have pushed all departure times forward. Now, Routes 82 and 83 depart at 2:10, and Route 84 departs at 2:12 p.m. We apologize to those families of students who were left behind on August 22.
Drop-off and pick-up is running smoothly this year. We want to remind parents to avoid dropping students off on the side of the road on Santa Cruz Avenue. On Wednesday, August 28, a student had to stop suddenly to avoid an opening car door and took a tumble (thankfully, he is doing just fine and is back in school). Please drop off students away from major thoroughfares and bike lanes. It may not be convenient to enter the traffic circle, but the safety of our students is of utmost importance.
Also, for those of you who have cyclists, scooter-ers, and skateboarders, please review with your students the importance of wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet. It is the law, and we have seen some students not observing this important safety precaution.
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8th Grade iPads
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All 8th graders attended an assembly on Tuesday, August 27 to review guidelines and expectations for the 1:1 iPad program. Specifically, they learned about how to care for their iPads, how to keep them safe and secure, and how to use them on a day to day basis. See the presentation they saw.
We also introduced the new protocol for reporting iPad functionality issues or damage. (See the tech request form.) Each 8th grader took home a contract they needed to sign and return on Wednesday in order to get their iPads. iPads were distributed at lunch or during 5th period classes, and 8th graders are off and running with their devices.
We are very excited about the level of engagement, innovation, and productivity our 8th graders will experience with these learning tools, and we thank the district and Board of Directors for their tremendous support.
The 6th and 7th graders can look forward to receiving their iPads later this year. For any iPad related questions, please contact Willy Haug, Hillview Vice Principal.
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| 6th Grade Movie Night |
The 6th Grade Movie Night and Social is Friday, September 6, 6 - 8:30 p.m. The 2013-2014 ASB Student Council has planned a fun event in the Hillview Performing Arts Center.
All Hillview 6th graders are welcome and encouraged to attend this Hillview tradition. Last year, more than 200 6th graders attended and we hope to get EVERYONE this year!
Parents, please bring your child to the circle drop-off at 6 p.m. and pick-up promptly at 8:30 p.m. Any student arriving after 6:30 p.m. or needing to leave early will need a parent to walk him or her to the PAC entrance.
Admission is FREE. The PTO 8th Grade Dance Committee will run the concession booth open during intermission. Everything will be priced at $1. Chaperones and 8th grade ASB Leaders will be there to meet and greet at the PAC entrance.
What to bring/not bring: No electronics (except cell phones), dress-code enforced, optional money for concessions outside, no food or drink allowed inside the PAC.
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Music Notes
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We are off to a great start. After the first days of getting eveyrone organized we have begun to play in earnest and what a sound! We have the largest 7/8 Orchestra in the history of the program! It is going to be a great year!Jazz Band Auditions are going on right now, please sign up in the Music Room! For the audition music, please scroll to the bottom of the Hillview band webpage.Music Mailing Lists have been compiled. All students & family participating in the music program should have received a letter on Friday send home via e-mail. In this was a calendar, Edmodo codes for your child's specific ensemble/class, details for the Hillview Music Potluck and much, much more! If you did not receive a letter, please contact Mr. Vaughan.
Any Pianists Out There? The chorus is in search of a rehearsal accompanist. If any parent, grandparent or neighbor can volunteer from 8:30 - 9:15 a.m twice a week, please contact Mr. Vaughan. Instrument/Uniform Donations. The music department happily accepts gently played instruments for its instrument "bank". Also, any former Hillview musicians can return their band shirts. All items are tax-deductable. Musicians For Your Party? In just a few weeks, members of the Hillview Jazz Band, 7/8 String Orchestra and 7/8 Concert Band will be ready to play for local events. If you know of a venue or event, please let Mr. Vaughan know!
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Student Volunteers Needed
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Oak Knoll's Fall Family Picnic is Friday, September 20 and student volunteers are needed to make this year's picnic a success.
We are looking for students to help serve food and monitor games and activities at Oak Knoll School during the picnic. Your child can see Mr. Darmanin in G-3 at lunch to sign-up or have your child sign up for a shift online.
Block H points can be earned.
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Physical Education
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- Students are now dressing for PE daily. The exception will be on Tuesday, September 3 as there will be handbook assemblies with Mr. Burmeister and Mr. Haug. For students who still need clothes, new ones may be purchased in the Student Activities office during lunch. Used uniforms may be purchased ($1 shirts, $2 shorts) in PE locker room offices.
- Students in 7th/8th grades have had the opportunity to select certain units for the first trimester. Those classes will be formed this week.
Questions regarding Phys Ed should be drected to Mr. Bell, Mr. Eaton, Mrs. Gee or Ms. Salem. Phone: 326-4341 ext 2601 Bell, 2602 Eaton, 2603 Gee, 2604 Salem
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After School Sports
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Burgess League Volleyball: all girls are welcome to register for Burgess League volleyball. Online registration is availability on sportability.com. Deadline is Wednesday, September 4 or when teams fill up (which ever comes first). We need more coaches. We can only allow as many teams to play as we have coaches. If we do not have enough coaches, we'll have to drop some players. Currently, we need more coaches for 6th grade and possibly 8th grade. Mandatory team placement workouts will be Monday, September 9 in the Hillview gym: 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. for 6th graders, 5 - 6:15 p.m. 7th graders, 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. (may or may not be necessary) for 8th graders. Practice will begin that week.
Girls Softball: online registration is open. We need more players. If interested, please sign up immediately on sportability.com.
Flag football: all three teams are full. Players are welcome to register and be placed on a waiting list. The first practice for all three teams is Thursday, September 5 at Encinal School from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Tournament team volleyball: Team has been selected. Practice this week is Tuesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 4 the Hillview Gym from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
After School Sports Questions should be directed to Mr. Bell at 326-4341 ext 2601.
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Library Corner |
New staff!
We're extremely lucky to have National Board Certified Teacher Theresa Fox join us in a job share with Hillview Librarian Tracy Piombo. Ms. Piombo will be here Mondays and Wednesdays and Ms. Fox will be here Thursdays and Fridays. They will work alternate Tuesdays. Come meet both of them at Back to School night. Ms. Debbie Ojeda returns to support us for one period a day!
Accepting Book Donations
The library is accepting contemporary middle grade or Young Adult books in good condition until Friday, September 6. Most of the books will go to classroom collections.
Save those Student ID's!
Students are expected to present their IDs when checking out books. Keep them in a safe place.
Book Check Outs Limited
Until the library system is updated, only returning Hillview students will be able to check out books, and only one at a time. The District is short on Technology staff, so we appreciate your patience.
Kindles and eBooks
The library has Kindles and eBooks to check out. Students and parents must sign a Technology Agreement form before checking out a Kindle. Parents and students in 6th and 7th grade, who signed a Technology Agreement last year, do not have to sign another agreement for this year. However, 8th grade parents will need to sign a new agreement since it gives students permission to access the 8th grade-only collection. eBooks may be downloaded onto many types of tablets (but not plain Kindles or Nooks.) Find out more on the library blog.Books Come Alive
Start planning those book-themed Halloween costumes now. Students who come to the library on Halloween dressed as a character from a book get a prize and a Block H point in participation.Check out the library website for more information about library events, including upcoming research projects and Book Clubs, and for suggestions for reading.
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| ParentEd |
The Adolescent Brain
Hillview Middle School, PAC
Wednesday, September 11
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Join Hillview principal, Erik Burmeister, as he starts an in-depth series on the ever-changing adolescent brain, outlining the steps that we as parents and families can take to make the transition from pre-teen to young adult as smooth as possible. From mood swings, to puberty, to the complex life changes that are a result of growing up in the 21st century, raising a healthy and responsible teenager is a task that can boggle the mind of even the most seasoned caregivers. Topics to be covered include the difference between how girls and boys react to their changing physical and emotion environments, the way in which our daily routines can affect how our kids grow and perform in and out of the classroom and the boundaries and limits we can expect to be challenged as our kids strive to become more independent. With more than 15 years of experience, Erik's extensive and valuable knowledge with this age group is the basis for a year-long series that is not to be missed. For more information, contact Jessica Raines.
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Project Cornerstone: Take It Personally Parent Ed Class
Encinal School, Small Multi
Thursdays, September 12 - October 17
8:45 - 10:15 a.m.
Parents, grandparents or any Menlo Park resident is welcome to attend this six-week class. Past participants have discovered practical parenting strategies, inspiration and a new community of parenting allies. For more information, contact Robin Soran.
For a complete listing of all the parent education events in and around our community, please visit the district's ParentEd webpage.
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Newsletter Submissions
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To submit an announcement for a Hillview event, please email your announcement to newsletter@hillviewpto.org. Editors reserve the right to edit all announcements. The submission deadline is Thursday at noon for the following Sunday newsletter. To submit an announcement for an off-campus community event, please email your announcement to communitynews@mpcsd.org. The submission deadline is Wednesday at noon for the following Sunday newsletter.
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