Mini Courses will be here before we know it! Planning is well underway and the campus is buzzing with anticipation. On Friday, January 10, students received their mini course placement slips. Please ask them about the course they will experience. We are pleased that all students received one of their top choices. If your child did not receive a mini course placement slip, please have him or her ask Mrs. Garagozzo in the front office. 

Last Friday, the 7th graders attended an iPad Expectations Assembly, and were sent home with some important tasks and documents that must be completed in order for your student to receive an iPad on Monday morning. (If your child missed the assembly, make-up sessions will be held on Monday and Tuesday at lunch.) On Monday, January 13, before school begins, students will report to their 5th period teachers, who will exchange a MPCSD-issued iPad for the properly completed paperwork.

We did our very best to explain the process you must go through to have your student receive an iPad on Monday morning, but just in case anything was "lost in translation" or not delivered, the three main tasks are as follows: 

• Insure your student's iPad OR agree to self-insure
• With your student, read and sign the iPad Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
• Return the AUP with proof of insurance, OR return the AUP with your initials, agreeing to self-insure

For information on what to do, please click on this LINK. It will give you a copy of the "Issuance Procedures" (page 1) and directions for where to go online to get the insurance (page 2). You will note that each student received a personalized letter with specific info on the device number, serial number, and password. However, you can still get the insurance as long as you have your student's 6-digit student ID (this can be found on PowerSchool). For those of you who choose the insurance (we recommend that you do), you will need to print out your receipt and return it with the signed AUP. If you choose to self-insure, you only need to initial that space on the AUP.

For a copy of the iPad AUP, click this LINK. It details iPad care, safety & security, and use guidelines. The third page of this document is the signature page that we need (along with proof of insurance, if you choose it), in order to issue the iPad to your student on Monday morning.

We are sorry that we will be unable to issue iPads on Monday to any student who does not have completed paperwork. But never fear - your student will be highly motivated to get this taken care of quickly.

It's an exciting time at Hillview! Students received their mini-course assignments this past week, and now we are rolling out iPads to our 7th graders. Within the month, we'll have news about the process for our 6th graders to receive iPads, as well as the "drivers license" program they will need to complete.

For a link to the iPad presentation the 7th graders saw on Friday, please click here. Please email Mr. Haug with any questions.

• Intramural sports will continue Tuesday and Wednesday this week: 1/2 court indoor basketball tournament play begins this week. Students may sign up as teams of 3-5 players.

• As the weather continues to be cooler we remind families that students are encouraged to wear any type of sweatshirt and/or sweatpants to PE class over their required PE uniform.

• The Phys Ed Department requests a note from a doctor if a student is unable to participate in PE class for any extended period of time (more than 3 or 4 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 Basketball: Games for all grade levels continue this week. 8th grade games are played at either Hillview, La Entrada, Woodside Elementary or Corte Madera. Students in 6th and 7th grade continue league games this week. 6th grade girls play on Tuesday, 6th grade boys on Wednesday, 7th girls on Thursday and 7th boys on Friday.  

Boys and girls basketball tournament team: Tournament team basketball continues for 8th grade girls and boys this month. The boys will play in the Evergreen tournament (this week) and St Simons tournament (next week). The girls will play in the St Simons tournament. The girls will have a special game this Friday, January 17 at 6 p.m. in the Menlo-Atherton High School Gym.

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