Hillview PTO Banner 2012-2013 #1
In This Issue




Quick Links
This Week

Monday, October 6

  • No School, Staff Development Day
Tuesday, October 7 to Friday, October 10
  • Minimum Days, Classes end at 11:45 a.m.
  • Parent-Student-Teacher Conferencing 
  • 7/8 Band to record Disney audition 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 8
  • International Walk to School Day
  • 7/8 Orchestra to record Disney audition 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 9
  • 6/7/8 Chorus to record Disney audition 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 12
  • MPCSD ParentEd Conference, 1:30 - 5:00 p.m., Hillview

Tuesday, October 14

  • MPCSD Board Meeting 6:00 p.m., District Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton

Wednesday, October 15

  • "Raising Doers" with Mike Lanza, author, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., Hillview Speaker Series, Hillview PAC
Wednesday, October 22
  • Menlo-Atherton 8th Grade Information Night, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m., Meet in Ayers Gym, Menlo-Atherton High School
Friday, October 24
  • 7th and 8th Grade Halloween Dance, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 25
  • Menlo-Atherton Campus Tour, 10:00 - 11:45 a.m., Meet in library, Menlo-Atherton High School
Wednesday, October 29
  • PTO General Meeting, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., Hillview PAC
Hillview PTO Resultsptoresults
Hillview Magnet

WE DID IT!

Thank you to the Hillview Community for coming together for the PTO this year. We have raised enough to fully fund this year's budget! Together we have raised $177,010 and counting. More than 76 percent of families donated and, for the 3rd straight year, the Hillview Staff reached 100 percent participation!

When we all support our students through the PTO it sends a powerful message to the kids, the staff and the community - we are in this together

THANK YOU!

If you have not already received a thank you gift for donating to the Hillview PTO this year, you may pick up a new Hillview magnet in the front office. And be sure to stay current on all the PTO sponsored activities by going to our website.

 


Menlo Park - Atherton Education Foundationmpaefthx
THANK YOU to our families and teachers who have already pledged or donated to the MPAEF.
Haven't made your donation to the Annual Parent Campaign yet? Here are 5 ways you can support the MPAEF today:
  1. Pledge today and fulfill your donation on November 20, December 15 or March 15, 2015.
  2. Set up monthly payments so that you can spread your donation over the course of the school year.
  3. Extend your donation through our corporate matching program
  4. Make your donation by stock transfer.
  5. Donate at mpaef.org or by check today. We count on your support. 

Our goal is to raise $1500 per student and to achieve 80% plus participation. 


Commit your support via a pledge online by October 10 or in person at our on-campus pledge table Friday morning and accept our invitation to "Coffee & Conversation with the acclaimed Dr. Jim Taylor" that same morning of an early dismissal day. Make it a morning for yourself!


Hillview Parent-Student-Teacher ConferencingConference

A reminder that Hillview's annual conferencing season begins this week October 7-10. There is no school tomorrow, Monday, October 6 (due to a Staff Development Day). Our students will be on a minimum day schedule Tuesday - Friday, with students attending only four classes per day and getting out of school at 11:45 a.m. 

 

Since we will be on a minimum day schedule, SamTrans buses will only run in the mornings and take students TO school but there is no return bus service home after our minimum day release. Please make the appropriate transportation arrangements for the week.


As a large comprehensive middle school, Hillview does not have the time to meet with all its families. We prioritize our conferencing to focus on those students who may be struggling academically, socially, or emotionally. Our teachers reach out to those families proactively, and if you are contacted, please make an appointment. It means that the conference is a priority.

Once teachers set their conferences based on the criteria above, the online conferencing portal is opened for the remainder of our families. Please refer to the email you received on Thursday, October 2 with instructions for online scheduling. Follow the link and the instructions to arrange a conference, but be aware that there may no longer be availability. If you are unable to make a conference, please reach out to your child's teacher(s) and express your desire to meet. They will do their best to accommodate you. Finally, please note that the window for making conferences closes 48 hours prior to the day of the conference in order to allow our teachers to prepare for the appointment. As an example, you may arrange a conference for Friday, October 10 up until Wednesday, October 8.

Please contact the Hillview front office with any questions about our Conferencing Week.
 

back to top

 

MPCSD ParentEd ConferenceParentEd

Don't miss the upcoming MPCSD ParentEd Conference: "What Parents Need to Know About the Common Core and More" on Sunday, October 12 at Hillview from 1:30 - 5:00 pm. Check in starts at 1:00 p.m. District parents are invited to come for all or part of the conference as best fits your schedule. Please register by tomorrow, Monday, October 6. Late registration will be possible if space is still available. This is a great opportunity to engage with many of our District leaders on important topics and developments related to your children's education.


Conference presenters include:


Maurice Ghysels - MPCSD Superintendent
Jennifer Kollmann - MPCSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ginny Maiwald - MPCSD Director of Student Services  
Alicia Bowman - MPCSD Director of Student Assessments
Eric Burmeister - Hillview Principal
Willy Haug - Hillview Vice-Principal
Heidi Yamada - Elementary Teacher
Lucia Nestler - Elementary Teacher

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 of 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 (staffed by the Hillview leadership program students) to allow as many parents as possible to attend, but advance resgistration is required in order to take advantage of this option. Childcare for kindergarten through 5th grade is FULL, but you can register for the waitlist and we will contact you if a spot becomes available. We still have room for preschoolers and space in the leadership program for student helpers. 

Register early to get your first choice of workshops and to reserve a childcare spot. Conference Details are on the MPCSD ParentEd page. Online Registration for Parents & Childcare - click here to register by Monday, October 6. 
 
"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
 

Opportunity to Help 6th Graders with Library ResearchLibraryHelp
Parents are invited to come work with the 6th grade Core classes in the library during the weeks of October 13 and 20. This is a great opportunity to help in your child's class! For more details, and to sign up, please click here or contact Ms. Mathenia.


Obsolete Texts AvailableObsolete
Hillview is discarding obsolete texts and materials to make room for our newly adopted and purchased materials. There will be a public viewing of these materials on Thursday, October 9 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Hillview. Please come by with your bags to browse and take any texts you might want. Please check in at the office when you arrive.


Hillview Speaker SeriesHVSpeaker

  

"Raising Doers"
Mike Lanza, Author
Hillview Middle School, PAC
Wednesday, October 15 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
(Note: this is a Morning Event!)

This talk is for parents who want their children to grow up to be passionate "doers" who make a positive difference in the world. Mike challenges the common assumption that children must stop playing to develop into productive adults. On the contrary, doers are highly self-motivated people for whom work is play. Drawing from his background as the author of the book "Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood Into a Place for Play", Mike shows how children can connect the dots from a playful childhood to an active, meaningful adulthood. 


Click here for this year's line up of speakers. 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. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen.



Music Department Disney Recording; Instrument Donationsmusicdept

Disney Recording: This week, the 7/8 Orchestra, 7/8 Band, and 6/7/8 Chorus will be recording audition tapes for the March 28-30, 2015 Disney Tour! Make sure to double check your dates so that your child can attend these important sessions. The 7/8 Band will record on Tuesday, October 7, the 7/8 Orchestra will record on Wednesday, October 8, and the Chorus will record on Thursday, October 9. All three sessions are from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

 

Instrument Donations: The Music Department is always happy to accept gently used instruments for its instrument "bank". These donations are tax deductable. If you have a clarinet, violin or trumpet (sorry, no accordians) gathering dust under your bed, consider donating it! Also, we are looking to replace the baby grand piano on the PAC stage. An estate sale donation of a high quality instrument would be very much appreciated. Please keep Hillview in mind if you know of something that comes available. For questions, please contact Richard Vaughan.

 

back to top

 

International Walk to School DayWalk

The MPCSD celebrates International Walk to School Day this Wednesday, October 8. Students who walk or bike to school can win prizes for participating!


Since 1980, students around the world have been riding bikes and walking to school on this day. MPCSD is encouraging all students, families and staff to consider using human power to commute to and from campus. Want to volunteer to lead a "walking bus" or a bike group? If so, click here. Please click here for more information.
 

back to top

 

Whether you're an amateur in the kitchen looking to progress beyond boiling water or an advanced junior chef wanting to take your cooking to the next level, Junior Chef Stars Culinary Essentials - Holiday Series is just right for you. Instead of only teaching recipes, we go beyond them and explore the techniques that are the foundations for all recipes. Understanding what's "under the hood" of a recipe (what makes it work) helps you pull it off to perfection every time. Your aspiring chef will learn the basic science, proper cooking methods and some delicious recipes that you can enjoy with your family during the holidays.

This new 4-week cooking class with Jr. Chef Stars will be held at Hillview starting on October 21 (10/21,10/28, 11/4, 11/12, three Tuesdays and one Wednesday, due to the Veterans Day Holiday) from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. The price is $120 per child. Click here to register.


Be Safe on the Roadssaferoads

As you may have already noticed, local police are continuing to increase their presence around all local schools, focusing on traffic enforcement in an effort to improve safety. This is a friendly reminder for all of us to slow down, avoid distractions, put phones away, and pay attention to the road. Be especially attentive to children biking and walking to and from school. Do not pass other cars by driving into the bike lane. And, under a new state law, you must give bicyclists 3 feet of space when passing them. Remind your child bicyclists to wear their helmets and reflective or bright clothing. Never mind the fact that none of us want a ticket, let's all work together to make our roads safer for everyone! 

 

back to top

 

Intramural and After-School Sportssports

Intramural Sports: There will be NO lunchtime intramural sports this week due to the minimum day schedule.

 

After School Sports: Games continue this week despite early dismissal.

 

Flag Football

Monday, October 6: Blue at Corte Madera at 5:00 p.m. 

Tuesday, October 7: Gold vs. Egan at Hillview at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 9: Blue vs. San Carlos at Hillview at 4:00 p.m., Gold at Jordan at 4:00 p.m., and 8th graders at Jordan at 5:00 p.m. 

Please do not wear red or yellow shorts to the games. Participants must wear a mouthguard.


Volleyball:
Monday, October 6: 7th and 8th graders play.
Tuesday, October 7: 6th graders play.


Tournament Team Volleyball

Thursday, October 9: Match at Hillview at 4:00 p.m.

 
Fencing: No class on October 10. Class will continue the following week on Friday, October 17.
 

Tournament Team Basketball Tryouts: All 8th graders are invited to try out for Tournament Team Basketball. Tryouts will be held from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. this week, October 7� to 10, in the Hillview Gym. Tryouts for girls will be on Tuesday and Thursday, tryouts for boys are Wednesday and Friday. Waiver forms must be signed before players may participate in tryouts. Click here to download the forms, or request a copy from Harry Bell or Mr. Eaton in the Physical Education Department.

  
For more information see Hillview After School Sports, or click here to register. Questions regarding any of these programs should be directed to Harry BellAthletic Directoror call (650) 483-4049. 


Earn Money for our SchoolsMPAEFShop
The MPAEF proudly announces Shop.MPAEF.org a new and easy way to earn money for our schools while you shop!

Go to Shop.MPAEF.org for all of your online shopping needs. Click on the link to your favorite merchant to activate our referral bonus every time you shop. Shop and pay for items just like you normally would. Earn up to 10% of your purchase total for our schools. 

Go to Shop.MPAEF.org to start shopping and earning now!
 

Sequoia Union High School District Open EnrollmentSequoia
Mandatory Sequoia Union High School District Enrollment for Incoming 9th gradersOpen enrollment in the Sequoia High School district is open from October 1 - February 20. Every student new to the district, this includes all incoming 9th graders, must complete the Address Verfication Form and Online Information Update Process. You will be receiving a letter in the mail, but note that the information can also be found on their website. If you have any questions, please call the Sequoia High School District office at 369-1411 ext. 22211.

Community Newscommunity
M-A Robotics Team Open House: The M-A Robotics Team 766 will hold an Open House and
demonstration for prospective members and their families on Saturday, October 11from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in Room S-1 (adjacent to the tennis courts) at Menlo-Atherton High School. Team 766 was part of the winning alliance at last year's FIRST Robotics Sacramento Regional Competition resulting in a trip to St. Louis in April for the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Championship where the Bears turned in their best performance of the year. Come meet team members and see the robot, Valkyrie, in action! Team 766 welcomes middle school students with FLL experience or an interest in robotics, STEM, or other non-technical club functions. For more information, visit the Team 766 website or email us.

Bellarmine College Preparatory Information Session: Bellarmine's new Director of Admissions Scott McLarty and Fr. Paul Sheridan, S.J. the school's President, will be hosting an informational gathering for prospective 7th and 8th grade parents in Atherton on Thursday, October 9 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The program is informal, and will give parents the opportunity to discover more about Bellarmine as well as ask questions about the admissions process and meet with current students and area parents. Refreshments will be served. The event will take place at 128 Heather Drive, Atherton, CA 94027. Kindly RSVP to Gail Grothaus or 408-537-9285. Click here for more information.

back to top 

 

Newsletter Detailsnewsletter
This newsletter is published by PTO parent volunteers every Sunday of the school year, except for Sundays preceding a full week of vacation.
 
Submissions: The deadline to submit for the Sunday Hillview Newsletter is Wednesday at noon. Please email your submission to [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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.