Hillview PTO Banner 2012-2013 #1
In This Issue
Hillview in the News
Departing Early
Congrats Ms. Staff
8th Grade Parents
MPAEF
Cheerleading
Phys Ed Notes
After School Sports
Parent Education
Community News
Quick Links
This Week

 

Wednesday, December 18

  • Dance and Cheerleading placement audition, 3:15 - 4:15 p.m., Fitness Room
Friday, December 20
  • Minimum Day, 11:45 a.m. dismissal

 

*** Happy Winter Break ***
 
 
Looking Ahead

 

Monday, December 23 - Monday, January 6

  • No School. Winter Break.

Sunday, January 5

  • Hillview newsletter resumes after two-week break

Tuesday, January 7

  • School resumes

Wednesday, January 8

  • Sleepy Students with Dr. Devin Prouty, 6:30 p.m., Hillview PAC

Monday, January 20

  • No School. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 
Hillview in the News

 

When ABC7 News (KGO-TV) recently ran a story about the $9 million donation to the Education Superhighway by the Gates Foundation and Mark Zuckerberg, they wanted to highlight a school that is already doing what schools of the future hope to do. Where did they go? Hillview Middle School.

 

Check out the television broadcast that ran.


Leaving School Early

 

From the Hillview Office:

 

This is a friendly reminder to please send a note with your student if they are leaving school early. Constant calls to the classroom are very disruptive especially right before the holiday break. Your student will give their teacher the parent note. The teacher will release the student, and he or she will be waiting in the office when you come to pick him or her up. Your cooperation is much appreciated.
 

Congratulations Ms. Staff!

We know that Hillview parents will join our staff and students in congratulating our very own Ms. Kim Staff (7th grade Social Studies, THRIVE and Pivot), who has been chosen to receive the Dorothy Boyajian Honored Teacher Award for exemplifying the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Ms. Staff will be recognized at the MLK Celebration on Monday, January 20 and will share a few words with the gathered crowd.

If you know Ms. Staff, you know how deserving she is of this award. Ms. Staff considers Dr. King to be a role model in her life; his teachings are very close to her heart. While Ms. Staff is just one of many amazing teachers at Hillview, we can all agree that this recognition seems designed for Ms. Staff.

Anyone interested in supporting Ms. Staff at her recognition is welcome. The information is below:

Annual San Mateo County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Monday, January 20
8:30 - 10 a.m.
Downtown San Mateo CalTrain Station
385 First Avenue, San Mateo

More information can be found on the website.


8th Grade Parents:

 

Each year, Hillview 8th graders participate in English Language Arts (ELA) and math placement testing for the Sequoia Union High School District. Even students who do not plan on attending SUHSD schools take the placement assessments.

Students in 8th grade should be prepared to take the placement assessments on Friday, December 20 (this is the Friday before Winter Break). Assessments will be proctored by the Hillview administration and counselors in the PAC. Students must bring a book for quiet reading if they finish early.

There are three assessments: reading comprehension, vocabulary and math. The math assessment is not required for all students. Students will be informed at the testing location whether they are required to take the math assessment. Students are encouraged to try their best on the assessments and get a good night sleep the night before; however, no preparation is needed.

Following the tests, students will be released to their academy teachers for snacks sponsored by the academy parents and some relaxing activities prior to the holiday break.


Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation

 

Before You Click Here:  
 
  
Click Here:
 
Here's Why:
  
By starting your Amazon shopping on the MPAEF site, you can earn free money for our schools. One extra click earns us on average 5 percent through Amazon's affiliate program. 

Think about the MPAEF and Amazon whenever you are getting ready to shop, as you'll find just about anything you need there.  
 
Please, don't forget to bookmark the MPAEF-Amazon page today. 

 ***********************************

   

 

Mark your calendars! The MPAEF Spring Auction is coming! Join us Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club for A Night in Monte Carlo.

 

Volunteer and join the team! Whether you have lots of time to give or only a couple of hours, we need your help and have fun ways to get involved!

  

Donate a party, event, experience, sports package, getaway - with friends or solo! Need some guidance? No problem! Send us an email, we're happy to help. 

  

Volunteer and donation information is online

 

Questions or to get involved, email Karen Dearing.  

 
Dance and Cheerleading Squad

 

If you have spirit for our number one school, HILLVIEW, then this team is for you! The Dance and Cheerleading Spirit Squad is looking for enthusiastic students to join the team. The team will perform at various school events such as basketball games, noon events and rallies.

The Spirit Squad will develop the following skills:

  • Dance and cheer technique
  • Explore various dance styles (hip-hop, jazz, modern, tap, etc.)
  • Basic elements of dance and cheer: body, energy, space and time
  • Choreography skills
  • Performance skills

The program will run from Tuesday, January 14 - Tuesday, March 11, after a placement audition.  Students will attend one practice and perform in one basketball game a week.

  • Practices will be on Tuesdays, 3:15 - 4:15 p.m., in the Fitness Room. For students with Tuesday afternoon conflicts, there will be an alternative practice that will be determined in January (i.e. Wednesday mornings or lunch time).
  • Basketball games will vary from week to week. Most students will perform at games on Mondays, but more information will follow. 
  • Students will need to attend a placement audition on Wednesday, December 18 from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. in the Fitness Room. Students should come to audition in athletic clothes with their hair secured.

All students will make the Dance and Cheerleading Spirit Squad. "Blue" and "White" teams will be set up based on experience. All students will have the same opportunities to practice and perform. Everyone makes the team!

 

Register online. Registration closes on Thursday, December 19. The registration fee is $100; scholarships are available.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Salem.

 


Phys Ed Notes

 

  • Intramural sports will be indoor soccer and/or hockey on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

  • New trimester classes for 7th/8th graders will be based on interest. Activities include: team sports and juggling; games that come alive; non-traditional games; and Hillview on the Move. 
  • As the weather gets cooler, we remind families students are encouraged to wear any type of sweatshirt and/or sweatpants to PE class over their required PE uniform.

  • The Phys Ed Dept requests notes from a doctor if a student is unable to participate in PE class for more than three consecutive days.

Questions regarding Phys Ed should be directed to Mr. Bell, Mr. Eaton, Ms. Gee or Ms. Salem. Phone: 326-4341 ext 2601 Bell, 2602 Eaton, 2603 Gee, 2604 Salem.

 


After School Sports

 

After School Basketball: Games begin this week for 8th graders. Games are played at either Hillview, La Entrada, Woodside Elementary or Corte Madera. Students in 6th and 7th grade continue league games this week. All other teams practice as normal. Too many players are missing basketball practices. They should be committed to their coaches and team mates. Please make every effort to attend. If practice must be missed, make sure coaches know as soon as possible. 

 

Boys and girls basketball tournament team: We congratulate the efforts of the boys and girls basketball tournament team players and coaches. Last weekend, for the first time in nine years, both teams won all six games of the Hillview shootout. Nice going Hawks!

 

After School Sports questions should be directed to Mr. Bell or call (650) 326-4341 ext 2601.

 


Parent Education

  

Project Cornerstone's
Take It Personally Class - Winter Session
Tuesday, January 7 - Tuesday, February 11
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Hillview Performing Arts Center

Building developmental assets in our children might be some of the most important work we do as parents. How can we help our kids thrive? What is most important in helping my child succeed in school academically AND in life? How can I show my child I support their efforts and dreams? These questions and more will be answered in a six-week parent study group series facilitated by Pam Von Wiegand, founder of Project Cornerstone. 

 

RSVP to Robin Soran.
 
**************************************
 
Sleepy Students:
The Adolescent Circadian Shift 
Dr. Devin Prouty
Wednesday, January 8
6:30 p.m.
Hillview Performing Arts Center
 
With school, sports, extracurricular clubs and friends, our kids are constantly pressed for time and sleep seems to always be neglected. Dr. Devin Prouty, a psychologist at SRI and parent in the MPCSD community, is well versed in the ever-changing sleep patterns and circadian rhythms of our growing teens. Attendees will leave with a blueprint for how to adapt to the hormonal changes that leave us with students struggling to stay alert and engaged day in and day out.  
 

Community News

Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory. Acting classes are open to students of all skill level, novice to experienced in Pre-K through high school. All classes begin Monday, January 6. Register online.  

 

Jeff Arons Tennis. Programs for adults and juniors begin February 1 and Sacred Heart School. For more information, visit the website.

 

Menlo-Atherton Grizzlies Lacrosse Club. Registration for Spring 2014 open now. Boys and girls ages 5 - 15 years old welcome. For more information, visit the website.

 

Family Giving Tree. Looking for a way to volunteer with kids this holiday? Become an elf for the day at the Family Giving Tree warehouse in Menlo Park to sort and process donated gifts for low-income children around the Bay Area. Register online. 

 


Newsletter Archives

Missed an exciting edition of the Hillview newsletter or letters from the school or PTO? Look up past emailings on our online archive.

Newsletter Submissions NewsSubmissions

To submit an announcement for a Hillview event, please email your announcement to [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. The submission deadline is Wednesday at noon for the following Sunday newsletter.