The excitement is brewing. Can you feel it? Hillview's innovative Mini-Course Program is just four short months away. Plans are well underway and the program is even more impressive and exciting than we anticipated.

As a reminder, Hillview's Mini-Course Program is a result of the Re-Design we engaged in last year. In an effort to respond to student and parent expressed desire to have engaging opportunities for learning around subjects that students choose, our Design Team prototyped a week-long "intersession" program similar to what is seen in some private schools.

During the week of March 17 - 21, Hillview teachers and an army of community volunteers will be hosting 42 different week-long courses that will undoubtedly ROCK our students' world.

Over the next four months, you will receive periodic Mini-Course updates emailed directly to your inbox. We strongly encourage you to keep current on the updates. Also, be on the look out for the section of the Sunday newsletter titled "Mini-Course Corner."

The Mini-Course Planning Team will begin the sign-up process for students following the Thanksgiving Break. We have worked very hard using initial student-interest data to offer enough courses in a variety of areas so that as many students as possible get their first choice. Students in 8th grade will have first priority, followed by students in 7th grade and then 6th grade. Below is a calendar detailing the Mini-Course Registration season. 

A paper copy of the complete course catalog will be presented to students at their Information Session. An online version of the catalog will be available on the front page of the Hillview Middle School website beginning Tuesday, December 3.

Registration will be conducted on-site. Students will enter the Computer Lab over the course of two days at lunch to enter their Top 5 choices. Students are asked to know their top five course requests prior to entering the Computer Lab. We encourage parents to engage in conversations with their kids about what they are thinking; however, we strongly discourage parents requiring their student to sign up for a specific course (please see reminders below).

We have four essential reminders regarding the Mini-Course Registration process that must be heeded by all parents and students.

1. This program is all about student choice and interest. Parents...PLEASE allow your child to select the courses in which they truly want to enroll. Students...PLEASE do not make your selection based on what your friends are choosing; request the courses that YOU really want to explore. You will have very few opportunities like this in your life. Go with what your heart really wants to explore.
2. The ability of our program to offer some of the more expensive courses will depend on our ability to fully fund those programs. There is a chance that one or two courses may need to be cancelled due to lack of funds; however, we are working diligently to offer all 42 of the courses listed in the catalog. Directed donation and underwriting of courses is welcome. Please contact Mr. Burmeister if you are interested in underwriting.
3. Some courses may require drop-off and pick-up at locations other than Hillview, but within a 10-mile radius.
4. Course content that is described in the catalog may change after registration if speakers, field trips, equipment or other resources are not available, but every effort will be made to preserve the original spirit of the course.

If you have questions about Mini-Courses, please feel free to email minicourse@mpcsd.org. One of our planning team members will respond in a timely manner. Remember to stay up-to-date with our periodic emails and "Mini-Course Corner" in the Sunday newsletter.

We couldn't be more proud or excited to offer this opportunity to your child. Thanks for partnering with us as we work to innovate and create unique experiences for our community.