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This Week
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Monday, September 15
- "Raising Teens Without Losing Your Mind, Part 1" with Principal Erik Burmeister, 6:30 p.m. Hillview PAC. Click here for more information.
- Lunchtime Clubs begin for students.
- After-school homework and support programs begin for students.
Wednesday, September 17
- Hillview Asset Development Team Meeting, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 18
- Hillview All School Service Club meeting, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
- D.C. Mini-Course Trip Information Night for 8th Grade Parents, 6:30 p.m., Hillview PAC
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Tuesday, September 23
- Music Department Potluck, 5:45 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 24
- Close of PTO Membership Campaign. Click here to join.
Monday, September 29
- "Raising Teens without Losing Your Mind, Part 2" with Principal Erik Burmeister, 6:30 p.m. Hillview PAC
Thursday, October 2
Monday, October 6
- No School, Staff Development Day
Sunday, October 12
- MPCSD ParentEd Conference, 1:30 - 5:00 p.m., Hillview
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MPAEF & Hillview PTO Joint Campaign
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Five Reasons to Support Your PTO and the MPAEF
5. Curriculum enrichment including the after-school Homework Center, expanded elective offerings, and PE everyday.
4. A robust arts program developing the talents of our children along with providing community building events such as drama productions, musical performances and art showcases.
3. Field trips, assemblies and Mini-Course Week to enhance in-class learning.
2. 1-to-1 iPad Program -- Hillview is a leader in education for the 21st century.
1. More classroom teachers keeping our class sizes down helps build the relationship between the teachers and their students.
Imagine your child's day without these people, programs and events. It just wouldn't be the Hillview we know! All of this and more exists because of your support of the PTO and the MPAEF.
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Keep Menlo Park City Schools Awesome!
Thank you to all of those that have already made their contributions to the Are You In Campaign. Your support to our community-funded schools makes a tremendous impact. For more information on how your contributions make a difference, please watch our video below.
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Mr. B. Kicks Off Speaker Series
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Please join us for another year-long series filled with great topics and engaging speakers discussing important parenting issues facing us today. Click here for this year's line up and put the dates on your calendar now. These events are open to all district parents and community members and take place in the Hillview Performing Arts Center. Free childcare is provided for all potty trained children. You won't want to miss the kick-off event with our own Hillview Principal, Erik Burmeister.
Raising Your Teens Without Losing Your Mind - Part 1
Erik Burmeister, Principal
Hillview Middle School, PAC
Monday, September 15
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
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. Join Hillview Principal, Erik Burmeister, as he discusses the difference between how girls and boys react to their changing physical and emotional 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 have challenged as our kids strive to become more independent. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen.
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Hillview Asset Development Team
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Are you interested in being involved with making Hillview the best possible place for students to learn and grow? If you are, then get involved with Hillview's Asset Team. The Asset Team addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of students so that they are engaged in both school and learning, leading to a more positive and successful future. We use Project Cornerstone's 41 Developmental Assets as a framework to guide us in creating the best environment for our students. The Hillview Asset Team will have its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, September 17, from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Please email Danielle O'Brien if you would like more information or are interested in attending.
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Lunch Clubs
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Lunch Clubs begin the week of September 15 and include the following: Anime, Art, Book, Chess, Dance/Cheer, Drama, Math Competition, Music Appreciation, Quiz Bowl, Science Fair, Service, and Tech. HV also offers two drop-in activity programs--Game Room and Intramural Sports. Click here for more information.
Hillview Quiz Bowl Club: Does your student enjoy watching Jeopardy? Do they wish they could push the buzzer? Now they can! Announcing the Hillview Quiz Bowl Club. We meet Tuesdays at lunch in room G-5. Bring your lunch and have fun buzzing in to answer a wide variety of questions. For more information, contact Sue Kayton or call (650) 853-1711. Sue is also the parent advisor for the Menlo-Atherton High School Quiz Bowl Club. back to top |
Calling All Volunteers
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Math Challenge Club: Volunteers are needed to support the "mathletes" who compete in online, paper, and in-person math competitions throughout the year. Competitions include: AMC, Math Counts, and Math Olympiad. Meetings and practice are once per week during lunch and, if desired, after-school. A small stipend is available. Coaches will be partnered with a teacher for support, but volunteers will get to lead the club and organize events. If interested, please email Mr. Burmeister ASAP.
After-School Math and Homework Center: Volunteers are needed for Hillview's After-School Math and Homework Center. Both centers take place in the library with a retired math teacher overseeing the math support, and Phil Eaton overseeing the self-regulated Homework Center. In addition, we would like to begin offering a Writing/Editing Center this year. Our PTO offers this for free to all Hillview students but needs daily on-site support with one additional volunteer for each section. The Centers will be open after-school every Monday and Tuesday from 3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 2:40 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. when school is in session. If you can help weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, please contact Elizabeth Shane.
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After-School Classes and Support Programs
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Click here for more information and registration instructions for classes such as Speech and Debate, and Writing. After-School Support Programs start September 15 and include the following:
The drop-in Homework Center (HWC) provides a credentialed teacher and high school tutors in a quiet study environment. HWC is available Monday & Tuesday from 3:15 - 4:45 p.m. and Wednesday & Thursday from 2:40 - 4:30 p.m. in the library.
The Math Clinic, sponsored by the PTO, provides guided support in all levels of math. The Math Clinic is open during the same times as Homework Center in "The Tank" next to the library.
Flight School is an after-school mentor program which partners small groups of Hillview kids with paid high school and college mentors and role models.
Hawk Stars partners sixth graders with a volunteer high school tutor a couple times per week.
For more about these free after-school support programs, please click here. Also, for assistance with transportation, see the Homework Club Bus section below.
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Homework Club Bus
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Beginning on September 15, MPCSD will operate a late bus home for students with referrals to after-school academic programs. The bus will leave Hillview at 4:45 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students with after-school academic program referrals will receive information about the bus with the referral. MPCSD will offer 10 seats to students without academic referrals starting on September 23 and to only these stops: Oak Grove & Laurel, Laurel & Linfield, Gilbert & Marmona. Click here for more information.
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Music Department Potluck
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Please save the date -- the Music Department potluck will take place on Tuesday, September 23 from 5:45 - 8:00 p.m. The 7/8 Band and Orchestra will each be performing, as will the 6/7/8 Chorus. For questions, please contact Richard Vaughan or Kristi Waldron. Click here for information on what to bring and how to help.
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Intramural and After-School Sports
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Intramural Sports: Lunchtime intramural sports will begin this week. Intramurals will occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The first sport will be volleyball. All students are invited, but there is a cap on how many may play at once. Limit is approximately 36 players.
Fencing: Classes will take place on six Fridays from 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. in the Hillview Fitness Room, beginning on October 3 (excluding October 10). Click here to register.
Flag Football: Practices will be held at the Hillview field on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Players should be prepared and on time with appropriate footwear, clothing, water, sunscreen, etc. First games are scheduled for September 25 and 26. Schedules are forthcoming.
Lacrosse: This class is taught by Menlo-Atherton Grizzlies Director and founder of SixFifty Lacrosse, Matt Bond. Classes take place on Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to 4;15 p.m. on the Hillview turf field. Click here for more information and to register. Questions? Please email Matt Bond.
Open Gym for Basketball: 8th grade girls are invited to play basketball open tournament court on Friday evenings. No cost. Gym will be supervised by team coach Art Weil. Please contact Coach Art for more information.
Volleyball: Volleyball teams have been selected and practice has begun. First league games are next week. Players are expected to attend practice regularly. League schedules should be available this week. There may still be room for more players at all three grades levels. Please contact Harry Bell if interested.
Tournament Team Volleyball: The team will have their first match this week in Half Moon Bay at Cunha Middle School this Thursday. Match will begin at 4:00 p.m. Best of luck to the Lady Hawks.
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Hillview Spirit T-Shirts
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Due to popular demand, Hillview Spirit T-shirts are back ordered. The first order of shirts have been distributed and the second order has already been placed and will be delivered in about 2 weeks.
If your child has not already ordered an ASB card, which includes the yearbook, click here.
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Hillview All School Service Club
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The All School Service Club will meet in the PAC on September 18 from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. All parents and students are welcome to join. Pizza will be provided by the service club and snacks will be for sale.
Charitable Donations made by the Hillview Service Club in 2013-2014: $500 to Free The Children; $430 to Haven House in the form of workbooks, furniture and educational toys; catered lunch for the entire Hillview Middle School staff; $500 toward Hillview Middle School in We Day; $500 towards public transit passes for former Hillview students now enrolled at M-A; and $75 towards bags and hot meals for the homeless in Menlo Park.
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Washington, D.C. Mini-Course
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8th Grade Washington, D.C.
Mini-Course Expedition
At Back to School Night on September 11, your child's Social Studies teacher made the exciting announcement that Hillview will be offering a history-focused trip to Washington, D.C. as an option for 8th graders during Mini-Course week from April 12-17, 2015. For any 8th grade parent who was not at B2SN or who did not receive a DC Trip information sheet, please click here, then open the "DC Trip FAQs.pdf" to read more or download and return the commitment form.
A comprehensive Parent Information Night all about the DC trip will be held Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.
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Parent Education
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The Menlo-Atherton Parent Education Series
Join us for an informative, engaging presentation with Dr. Kent Pekel, CEO and President of Search Institute. M-A Parent Education Series events are free of charge, sponsored by the Menlo-Atherton PTA and the Sequoia Healthcare District. This event is made possible by generous funding from the Esther Ting Foundation. SUHSD parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members welcome! Spanish interpretation will be available.
"The Perseverance Process: Strategies for Strengthening Academic Motivation and Persistence"
Kent Pekel, Ed.D., President and CEO of Search Institute
M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Wednesday, September 17, 2014, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Recent and emerging research suggests that persistence or "perseverance" can improve students' academic motivation and increase performance. In fact, the evidence suggests that noncognitive character traits like grit may be more predictive of future academic achievement than IQ or SAT scores. Fortunately, a growing body of research demonstrates that when schools, youth programs, and families act intentionally to influence motivation and persistence, it is possible to significantly increase both. To bridge the gap between research and practice, Search has created a new resource called "the Perseverance Process" to turn the research on motivation and persistence into a set of explicit and actionable strategies. Click here to register. For more information, contact Charlene Margot, Parent Education Series Program Director.
MPCSD ParentEd Conference
Don't miss the upcoming MPCSD ParentEd Conference: "What Parents Need to Know About the Common Core" on Sunday, October 12 at Hillview Middle School from 1:30 - 5:00 pm.
This conference will give you an insider's view on important developments relating to your children's education. This year, we'll be covering the sweeping changes to the math curriculum lead by the Common Core, as well as new student assessments and report cards. There will also be workshops, taught by district teachers and staff, that will give you first-hand knowledge about what happens in the classroom, as well as tips and tricks for helping your student succeed in school. Free childcare will be available for children ages 2.5 through Middle School (special program for Middle School students) to allow as many parents as possible to attend, but advance registration is required in order to take advantage of this option.
"I learned so much by attending the District ParentEd conference -- it was really interesting and inspiring" - Lydia Lee, Encinal parent of 1st and 4th graders
Conference Details are on the MPCSD ParentEd Page - click here
Online Registration for Parents & Childcare - click here to register by Monday, October 6.
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Visit Peru
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7th and 8th graders, come join us this coming February break (2015) as we journey to Peru, visit the ancient Incan ruins at Machu Picchu and spend two days of meaningful service in the Sacred Valley. While taking in the breathtaking sights and sounds from atop the mighty Andes, we will volunteer at a local school, participate in local agricultural projects, and discover the ancient traditional weaving techniques used to this day. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Seņora Haight at nhaight@mpcsd.org for more information.
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Get to Know M-A 2014-15
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Calling all 8th graders! Click here to learn about Menlo-Atherton High School's Get to Know M-A program. This website includes important dates and sign-up information for M-A tours, shadowing, preview days, and 8th grade information night. M-A's shadowing program pairs prospective 8th graders with a 9th grade host so they can attend classes during a typical day at M-A. The program runs from October through April. Shadowing is very popular and appointments fill fast, so sign up early on the M-A website to reserve your spot.
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Community News
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The Adopt A Teacher program, part of the Ravenswood Education Foundation, is looking for volunteers to "adopt" a teacher for the 2014-2015 school year in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. For more information, please contact Jennifer Wythes Vettel or Dianne Child.
hackaway offers electronics and programming for kids (ages 9-18). hackaway teaches kids how to create technology, build projects, and collaborate with each other through electronics and programming classes starting in September 2014. Every course includes expert instruction, engaging curriculum, and personal attention. Click here for more information about the course and how to register.
Menlo Mavericks is now accepting new members for its year-round Menlo Park swim and water polo teams! The Menlo Mavericks is an USA Swimming-certified swim team for youth ages 5 to 18 and also offers water polo for boys and girls, 13 and under. Practices take place at Burgess and Belle Haven Pools. Click here for more information.
Menlo Park General Plan Update: The City of Menlo Park is beginning its General Plan Update of the "M-2" area surrounding 101, including the Belle Haven and Suburban Park neighborhoods, and is seeking input from residents. The General Plan is a legal document, required by state law, which serves as the City of Menlo Park's "constitution" for development and the use of its land. A Community Workshop will be held on Wednesday, September 17, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm in the Senior Center Ball Room (100 Terminal Avenue). Click here to learn more.
Menlo Park Martial Arts & Character Development Academy is sponsoring a community-wide collection of non-perishable food for the Second Harvest Food Bank. The collection barrel is located in the lobby of the Arrillaga Recreation Center at Burgess Park at 700 Alma Street, in Menlo Park, and is available during regular Recreation Center business hours. Please drop off things like canned protein (tuna, sardines, soups, etc.), peanut butter & jelly, canned fruits and veggies, fruit juices, and staples (beans, rice, pasta, etc.). Menlo Park Martial Arts offers classes for kids ages 4 and up at the Arrillaga Recreation Center. Click here for more details.
Menlo Tennis Academy offers year-round weekly group tennis lessons for kids age 6-12 years, right in Burgess Park. Head Coach Jake Vu uses a dynamic style of instruction designed to keep kids engaged, while building a foundation of essential skills important to the development of youth tennis players. Click here for more information.
Parents Place Palo Alto offers numerous Parent Education Workshops on a variety of topics. Upcoming events include Navigating School District Services: Children with Special Needs" and "For Dads Only: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Daughters." Click here for more information about upcoming workshops, dates and times, and how to register.
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Newsletter Details
| This newsletter is published by PTO parent volunteers every Sunday of school weeks.
Submissions: The deadline to submit for the Sunday Hillview Newsletter is Wednesday at noon. Please email your submission to newsletter@hillviewpto.org. Please note that submissions may be edited for content and/or length. Submissions received after the deadline will be eligible for inclusion the following week.
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. Archives: Missed an exciting edition of the Hillview newsletter or letters from the school or PTO?Look up past mailings in our online archive.
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