Hillview PTO Banner 2012-2013 #1
In This Issue
Mini Course Update
Week of the Family
Hillview PTO Board Volunteers
SamTrans Buses Departing Earlier
New School Design
M-A Info Night for 8th Graders
MPAEF
Volunteer Shout Out
Spelling Bee Champion
MathCOUNTS Competition
Hillview Science Fair
Phys Ed Notes
After School Sports
Hillview Service Club
Parent Education
Community News
Quick Links
This Week

 

Monday to Friday, January 27 - 31

  • Week of the Family 

Thursday, January 30

  • Menlo-Atherton High School Info Night for 8th grade students and their parents, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Hillview PAC 
  • Hillview Service Club meeting with Oak Knoll and Encinal Service Clubs, 2:30 - 4 p.m., Hillview PAC 

Friday, January 31

  • Hillview Jazz Band performs at CMEA Jazz Festival, Aragon High School, San Mateo 

 


 

Looking Ahead

 

Wednesday, February 12
  • My Digital TAT2 with Erica Pelavin & Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, 6:30 p.m., Hillview PAC  
  

 

Mini Course Update

 

Got old Teen Vogue and Seventeen magazines lying around the house? We can use them! The Mini Course "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall" led by Robyn Watts and Debbie Devoto will need any type of teen magazines for projects. If you can donate any, please drop them off in the office.

 


Week of the Family

During the week of January 27 - 31, MPCSD's elementary schools join with the city of San Carlos and several community organizations within Menlo Park to host "Week of the Family." The intent is to focus everyone's attention on the need to prioritize family time amidst our crazy schedules.  

 

Hillview teachers support this effort and encourage all of our families to use this week to plan events that focus on the importance of our family relationships. All Hillview teachers will try to offer this week as a homework-free week; however, in some cases, some homework may be necessary for the purposes of continued progress. This is especially true for Hillview since we are taking another homework-free week during Mini-Course week in March. We encourage you to make use of limited homework during the week of January 27-31. To the extent that a student may have homework, we invite parents to use the homework as an opportunity to engage in conversation about what your child is learning and doing at school! And then...grab a pint of ice cream or a family walk!  

 


Hillview PTO Board Volunteers

Hillview PTO Board Volunteers


The Hillview PTO is looking for volunteers to serve on the PTO Board for the 2014 - 2015 school year. The Board, along with other parent volunteers, works with Hillview's administrative and teaching staff to create and support vital school programs and events.

Nominate yourself or someone you know to serve as Co-Vice Presidents, Vice-Treasurer, Auditor, Financial Secretary, Communications Chair, and Recording Secretary.

Get involved and become a part of the Hillview movement! Work up close with Mr. Burmeister and his amazing staff! Nominations will be received until Friday, February 7. Please email your nominations to Aimee Paquin or Pam Fernandes.
 

SamTrans Buses to Hillview Departing Earlier

Please note that starting Sunday, January 26, some Hillview (and Encinal) bus routes will be departing earlier by 1 to 3 minutes. Click here for schedule details. Questions? Email commutes@mpcsd.org.


New School Design - Have Your Say!

 

On February 11 at 6 p.m., the MPCSD Board of Education will vote on the final schematic design for the new grade 3-5 school in the Willows neighborhood. This regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held at the District Office TERC building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton. Everyone in the community is invited to attend the meeting, and/or to give their input on the design via email.

Some features include:
  • 16 classrooms, most of which will have soundproof sliding doors to enable collaboration between different classes and teachers
  • 15,000 square feet of collaboration space, including large, state-of-the-art science and art classrooms
  • a 14,500 sq. ft. imagination playground area
The full presentation from the January 7 Board meeting can be viewed here. Please send any input to facilitiesinput@mpcsd.org


M-A Info Night for 8th Graders

 

Please join us in the Hillview PAC on Thursday, January 30 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for an overview of Menlo-Atherton High School's academic, athletic and extracurricular offerings presented by Matthew Zito, Principal, and four M-A students. The evening is a much smaller event than the info night hosted at M-A in the fall and has an interactive format, with the greater portion of the evening devoted to a Q and A session. M-A students (Hillview alums) will round out the panel to answer your and your students' questions about life at M-A.

 

The event is for 8th grade parents and students, but 7th grade families are encouraged to attend. Hope to see you there! Questions? Email amy@boylemail.com, or call 650-323-5438.

 


Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation

  

Join the MPAEF Board or Nominate a Friend
Nominations due Sunday, February 2 
 

The MPAEF is currently welcoming nominations for new members to our 2014-2015 Board.

Working with parents, local businesses, community members, and the District, the MPAEF raises money to pay for high-quality teachers, a comprehensive educational program, and teaching innovation beyond what is possible with public dollars alone. This is a rewarding opportunity to work as a team with volunteers from across the school district's four schools.

For more information, or to submit nominations, please email MPAEF Secretary Sara Richter.   Nominations are requested by Sunday, February 2.  

     

     

*****************************************************   

 

   

  

MPAEF SPRING AUCTION

Sports Fan, Wine Spectator, or Adventurer

Donate to the auction today!


Destinations, Adventures and Getaways
Give district families or couples the opportunity to take a break by spending time in a place you find special. A condo by the beach, a cabin in the woods, a salt box by the ocean -- all places welcome! Your generosity will benefit not only all our kids but also a family needing a getaway. Work personally with the winning bidder on a mutual time or set your own dates. An escape item is an easy way to make a significant donation to the district, while sharing the joys of your special place.

Sporting Events and Memorabilia
Donate your box seats, courtside seats, or a trip to Augusta, all to raise money for our students and our schools! Accepting Giants, Sharks, and 49ers tickets, plus tickets to PGA tournaments or Grand Slam tennis events! Link a district family into a round of golf at one of the prestigious courses or clubs in the Bay Area! Donate unique memorabilia as a great way to share the passion of sports and raise money for stronger schools!

Exceptional Wines and Wine Experiences
Open up the riches of our region by offering up a unique bottle of wine or a wine experience. Create a personal trip to a vineyard for a couple or a group or fill their wine bar with elite vintages. Exclusive wine clubs offer award winning wines and champagnes, so donate a case or two from your membership. Bring enjoyment, cultural adventure and appreciation to district families and raise money for our schools!

To Donate: Deadline February 14! Please contact Karen Dearing or complete our online donation form! Need donation ideas? View last year's auction catalog HERE.

And mark your calendars for Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club for A Night in Monte Carlo
 
Volunteer Shout Out

 

A big thank you to our Coffee Cart co-chairs, Katrien Burlinson and Hilary Holmquest, for being at Hillview at the crack of dawn and providing the staff with wonderful morning coffees and treats. The staff looks forward to the coffee carts, homemade waffles and warm baked goods. Also, thanks to all the Coffee Cart helpers and bakers.

 


Spelling Bee Champion

 

The winner of this year's Hillview Spelling Bee is 7th grader Liam Fulton-Moskowitz with 6th grader Lauren Hall as runner up. Liam competed against the 29 winners of the classroom spelling bees on Wednesday, January 22 and correctly spelled a total of 32 words including "aerodynamic", "excoriate", "plagiarism", and "evidentiary".   


Liam now moves on to the Regional Spelling Bee at Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. Congratulations, Liam! Best of luck at the Regional Spelling Bee!

 


MathCOUNTS Competition

 

Does your child enjoy Math and want to experience fun and exciting math problems in a competitive environment? This year Hillview will be competing in MathCOUNTS competitions across the Peninsula. Students looking to apply themselves mathematically should talk to Ms. McNinch in room D-7 on Tuesday, January 28 during lunchtime. The first competition takes place on February 22. Parents are welcome and encouraged to come out and support their students in this fun and exciting competition.

Students are encouraged to come to Math Club in order to prepare for the competition. We currently meet Tuesdays during lunch. All grades are welcome!


Hillview Science Fair

 

105 students participated in the Hillview Science Fair held on January 23. Hillview science teachers, Arion Espinoza and Heiko Ritter spearheaded this annual event.

 

These finalists will move on to the County Fair at Hiller Aviation Museum on February 26:
  • Sara Chiang
  • Hannah Baum and Laila Thompson-Wainer
  • Marit Hoyem and Claire Lange-McPherson
  • Sabrina Watkins
  • Abby Tudor and Anna Quinlan
  • Isabelle Sapountzis
  • Navya Anne and Sydney Durden
  • Gianluca Zanutta
  • Noah Smith
Special thanks to Radhika Anne, Jennifer Durdan and Kate O'Connell for making this a great event. Thanks also to the 30 parents who served as Science Coaches.

 


Phys Ed Notes
  • Intramural sports will continue Monday - Wednesday this week: full court or 1/2 court indoor basketball tournament play. Students may sign up as teams of 3-5 players.
  • Missed PE classes: 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).
  • Lost and Found is getting too full. An unusual amount of clothing and water bottles has been left in the gym and locker rooms. Please remind children to pick up after themselves especially clothing such as sweatshirts and jackets. Uncollected items will be donated to a local charity.  

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 for all grade levels continue this week. 8th grade games are back to Mondays. 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.  

 

The boys and girls basketball tournament teams completed their seasons this weekend at the annual St. Simon's Invitational. Results will be posted next week but Hillview was well represented by all players, coaches and parents.

 

Tennis and Track: Registration for After School Tennis and Track will be available soon. Tennis season will begin week of March 3. Tennis registration will go live on Sportability.com/hillview beginning February. Track will begin later in February.

 

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

 


Hillview Service Club

 

Service Club Drive: Hillview Service Club will be conducting a drive on February 5, 6 and 7 to benefit City of Joy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This organization provides women survivors of violence with life skills to help them reenter the working world. Items sought include used jewelry, used rain boots, fashionable scarfs, clothes (all sizes), baby powder, toothbrushes and toothpaste (not travel size). For more information, email hvserviceclub@gmail.com.

Service Club Meeting with Oak Knoll and Encinal Service Clubs on Thursday, January 30 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. in the Hillview PAC.  Please bring with you one of the following items for the drive: toothpaste (not travel size), new toothbrushes, floss, used rain boots, used scarves, used jewelry, or baby powder. There will also be a bake sale.

 


Parent Education

 

My Digital TAT2 
Erica Pelavin and Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet  
Wednesday, February 12, 6:30 p.m.
Hillview PAC


Our kids are "Digital Natives" -- they have grown up in a world of online access and ever changing media devices. Do you wonder how to teach your child responsibility and ethics online, how to ensure they are aware of their actions, and how to best parent them in the digital age? Recommended for anyone interested in an overview of the digital landscape and learning about thoughtful ways to navigate media with your children.

Video recordings of past speakers from the Hillview Speaker Series are viewable online.
 

Community News

Menlo-Atherton High School Dance Team Show and Fundraiser
Saturday, February 1 at 6 p.m., M-A PAC. Please support M-A's Dance Team by attending the 11th Annual M-A Dance Team Show and Fundraiser. Both our Varsity and JV dance teams promise an outstanding collection of dance performances including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, and ballet. For more information click here.  

 

Mavericks Youth Water Polo
Menlo Swim and Sport welcomes Brenda Villa, the most decorated female water polo player ever, as the new Head of Mavericks Water Polo. Girls and Boys 12U and 14U teams forming now. Register today!
 
The Friends of the Menlo Park Library will host a used book sale on Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a special sale of overstocked books. Art, biography, cooking, history, literature, math, science and other non-fiction categories will be featured. No children's books available. Prices start at $1. If you can not attend this sale, please drop by the Friends Bookstore located inside the library. All proceeds benefit the Menlo Park Library and Belle Haven Library.

Play Flag Football offers youth flag football leagues for children aged 4 to 15. We have 20 convenient Bay Area locations, including Palo Alto and Redwood City. Our spring league runs from April 6 through June 8. The cost to participate is $150 and includes all required equipment. The deadline to register is March 15. For more information, please visit www.PlayFlagFootball.com 

 

 


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 

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.