Tournament Team Volleyball Playoffs and Championships, Arrillaga Gym, 600 Laurel Street, Menlo Park, click here for details
American Mathematics Competition (AMC 8), after school, Room B7

Thursday, November 20

Are You In? Day - Wear Orange
Hillview Drama Presents The Miracle Worker at 3:30 p.m., Hillview PAC

Friday, November 21

Hillview Drama Presents The Miracle Worker at 7:00 p.m., Hillview PAC

Saturday, November 22

Hillview Drama Presents The Miracle Worker at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Hillview PAC

Looking Ahead

Sunday, November 23

Hillview Jazz Band Performance at 9:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m., Menlo Park Farmers Market

Monday, November 24

Hillview "Turkey Trot" during PE

Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28

No School - Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday, December 1

ASB Holiday Canned Food Drive begins

Tuesday, December 2

Hillview Chorus performs at the Filioli Traditions Faire

Thursday, December 4

Hillview Orchestra performs at the SF City Hall Noontime Series

Tuesday, December 9

Hillview Music Department Winter Concert, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., PAC

Friday, December 12

7th/8th Grade Winter Dance, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., PAC

MPAEF Annual Campaign

HELP US EARN AN ADDITIONAL

$80,000 FOR OUR SCHOOLS

Donate Today & Join the

$80,000 for 80% Participation Challenge

There are only 5 days left in the campaign. Have you committed your support to the MPAEF?

Here's a very good reason to donate or pledge by this Thursday, November 20.

A group of generous district donors have pledged to give an additional $80,000 if we reach 80% parent participation by November 20. Help us rise to the challenge and achieve this goal to support all of our children's education.

As of Friday, we need 517 families to donate or make an online pledge to meet our goal of 80% participation. Every donation brings us one family closer. Your participation matters and any size donation counts, so consider making one that is meaningful for your family. The only donation too small is no donation at all!

The time to take action is now. You can pledge or donate online at www.mpaef.org. You may mail donations to the MPAEF office at PO Box 584, Menlo Park, CA 94026, or drop off your donation in your school's office by Thursday. A pledge can be fulfilled through March 15, 2015, so pledging is a great way to make your commitment, be counted, and pay at a time that is convenient for you.

Thank you to our many families who have already committed their support.

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Are You IN Day

Are You IN Day! Let's Celebrate Our Schools!

November 20

With the conclusion of the annual fundraising campaigns, it's time to celebrate all of our families and their commitment to our schools. Your support of the MPAEF and Hillview's PTO help make possible an incredible education for every child in our District.

Let's celebrate with Are You IN Day on Thursday! We look forward to seeing our students, teachers, staff and parents all wearing ORANGE! Each school has its special plans -- we hope you will join in the fun.

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Volunteer for Turkey Trot

Calling all turkeys! It's that time again to get our kids off campus and working up their Thanksgiving appetite at this year's Hillview Turkey Trot! All Hillview 7th and 8th graders have the option of participating in this annual event on Monday, November 24 but we need your support! During their PE class that day, students will be completing a 1-mile loop from Hillview through the neighborhood and back to school for a triumphant lap on the track. With so many students running in so many directions at different times, we're looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways. Please consider signing up to help in your child's class or note a certain time when you are available. We would love volunteers who are also able to stay for multiple class periods. Volunteers will be asked to report 15 minutes prior to each period to get instructions on what to do at their station. This will be a quick, exciting activity for the kids! We welcome all volunteers - if you can help with pre-race prep, one class period or more - let's make this a fun and memorable event!

Sign up here to help out or contact volunteer@hillviewpto.org if you have any questions.

Volunteers Needed for 7th/8th Character Ed. Program

Attention Parents: We are gearing up to begin our Character Ed. program for 7th and 8th grade in December and we need you! The topic is Stress Management using the Second Step program. The lessons are very scripted, but you can add your own style to it.

Date: December 3-4 during PE classes (training will be held on November 20, 2:30 p.m.)

Who: 2 parents per classroom, about 20 parents per day.

When: Wednesday: first period, from 8:25 - 9:59 a.m.; second period, from 10:17 - 11:41 a.m., and open session, from 1:48 - 2:30 p.m. (open session lessons will be both Wednesday and Thursday); Thursday: 2nd period from 8:25 - 9:59 a.m., third period from 10:17 - 11:41 a.m., and open session (same group from day before).

Please contact Hillview counselor Robyn Watts if you are interested, and let her know what day and time would work for you. If you cannot attend the training on November 20, another time can be arranged. Thank you so much for your participation.

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Hillview Mini-Course Update

This year's Mini-Course week may still be a few months away, but the enthusiasm is here. Teachers spent their in-service day on November 10 diving in to course planning. Last Friday during first period, your student received his or her course assignment. Take a look at the exciting course in which your child will participate. Students may request a change to an open course before January 30 by emailing minicourse@mpcsd.org. In the coming weeks you will see notices - either directly from course teachers or here in the newsletter - about all the ways you may help out. We will need supplies, volunteers and chaperones, and even expert speakers. Your help is needed and appreciated! A few weeks before Mini-Course week, a complete packet of information and permission slips will be mailed home, and this will outline specific changes your student may have in drop-off/pick-up times and locations. However, at this point we would like to notify all parents of some schedule adjustments for the week of April 13-17:

Monday, 10:00 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8:25 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
Friday, 8:25 a.m. - 12:00 noon

There will be supervision at school on Monday starting at 8:25 a.m. if you cannot make the late start time. We look forward to another engaging week this year. Any questions or comments, please email minicourse@mpcsd.org.

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The Miracle Worker

Hillview Middle School's drama department presents The Miracle Worker this Thursday, November 20, 3:30 p.m.; Friday, November 21, 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday, November 22 , 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Based on the remarkable true story of Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan, this inspiring play has become an unforgettable American classic. Please join the young actors of the Hillview drama department in their presentation of this timeless tale. Tickets are $10, $9 for students with an ASB card and can be purchased here.

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American Mathematics Competition

Does your child want to get involved in this nation-wide math competition that involves problem-solving skills in a timed format? If they do, they can enter the AMC 8 contest which will be given on Tuesday, November 18 after school in Room B7. This is a timed math competition in an exam-like format in which 170,000 students from over 2,300 schools participated last year. Students compete for both local and national awards. If your child is interested, please have them contact Mr. Doroquez (Mr. D) or talk to him in classroom B7. Click here for more information.

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Intramural and After-School Sports

Intramural Sports: Lunchtime intramural sports will include indoor soccer and hockey.

Volleyball: Playoffs and championship games will be played tomorrow, Monday, November 17 (7th and 8th graders) and Tuesday, November 18 (6th graders). There are many Hillview teams playing. Come out and cheer them on! Games take place at Arrillaga Gym.

8th grade Tier 1 teams play tomorrow at 4:30 p.m., and the championship game is at 5:15 p.m. 8th grade Tier 2 teams play tomorrow at 6:00 p.m., and the championship is at 6:45 p.m.

7th grade teams play tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., and the championship is at 5:15 p.m.

6th grade Tier 1 teams play on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m., and the championship is at 6:00 p.m.

6th grade Tier 2 teams play Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., and the championship is at 6:00 p.m.

For more details, click here.

Tournament Team Basketball: Games begin this week on Tuesday, November 18 and Wednesday, November 19. All games are at Hillview.

Burgess League and MPMSL (8th Grade) Basketball: Registration is now closed and anyone still wishing to register will be placed on a waiting list. There is still room for 6th grade girls and possibly 8th grade boys. The teams have now been organized. Coaches have informed players when practice will begin. Have fun!

Flag Football: For those players who may still have flag football jerseys, please return them immediately to the boys locker room.

Questions regarding any of these programs should be directed to Harry Bell, Athletic Director, or call (650) 483-4049.

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Hillview Service Club - Mustaches to Support LPCH

Parents, please tell your kids! To compliment the Nationwide Movember Campaign to build awareness on Health Issues, the HV Service Club members have chosen to sell mustaches for only $1 each to support the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Mustaches will be available for purchase at the stage during brunch and lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays all through November, and at the Service Club bake sales on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Look for the students in the bright blue Service Club Team t-shirts. Any and all donations are welcome! Thanks for your support!

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MPAEF Gift Boutique Thank You

Thank you for supporting the 5th Annual Gift Boutique!

Heartfelt thanks go out to parent volunteers Julia Molise and Claire Thompson and their entire team for organizing the 5th Annual MPAEF Gift Boutique held at Allied Arts this past week. District parents and community members shopped over 20 amazing and thoughtfully chosen vendors, dined at the Cafe, and spent an evening with holiday party planning experts.

Thank you to everyone who came out and shopped, and to those who volunteered. The Boutique is a much-loved community event and 20% of Boutique proceeds will benefit our schools.

Community Events

Menlo Park Cub Scouts Pack 222 Food Drive: The food drive will be held on Tuesday, November 18 and Friday, November 21, in the Oak Knoll School Front Office. All contributions go directly to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Thanks for your support!

Brigadoon: This musical performance by the Middle School students at the Nueva School will take place on Friday, November 21, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 22, 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, November 23, 1:00 p.m. at 6565 Skyline Blvd. in Hillsborough. It is free of charge.

Model United Nations Program: Students from grades 6-8 are invited to join the YMCA's Model United Nations program, and become Delegates. This is a statewide program with peers. While engaged at the YMCA, they are given the opportunity to discuss international issues, discover other cultures, develop life-enhancing skills, and make new friends. The five-month program culminates when Delegates from around the state meet at the YMCA's annual Model United Nations Summit in Los Angeles, California. Weekly meetings will take place at the Ross Road Palo Alto YMCA, starting Thursday, December 4, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. The hourly meetings include ice breakers to get to know one other, have public speaking activities, research our countries, and prepare for our two conferences. No work should be assigned outside of the meetings in an attempt to facilitate a student's busy schedule, and all necessary research should take place during the meetings. Questions? Please stop by our first meeting or contact Ahmad Fayad, or call (650) 704-6248.

Twas the Night Before Christmas: Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre and Menlo Park Academy of Dance, this performance has been reviewed as a "charming alternative to the Nutcracker." Several Hillview students will be taking part. Performances will be held at Woodside Performing Arts Center on Saturday, December 6, 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 7, 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 13, 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 14, 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. In the spirit of the holidays, Dancers Repertory Theatre has partnered with Bay Area Firefighters Toys for Kids Drive to provide toys and gifts to children in need through our local communities. We hope each audience member will bring a new, unwrapped toy to a performance to help make another child's holiday a little brighter! Tickets and more information are available here or by calling 650-323-5292.

Friends of Allied Arts Children's Holiday Party: This event will be held on Sunday, December 14, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. at the Allied Arts Guild, 75 Arbor at Cambridge Ave., Menlo Park. Exciting entertainment for children ages 4-9 accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $25 per person. Please click here for details.

Palo Alto Girls Softball: Registration is now open until January 20, 2015. Click here for more information.

Redwood City Girls Softball League: Registration is open for the 2015 spring season for girls ages 5-14. This league is organized the same way as the M-A Little League, with trained coaches, play-offs for 10U and up, and All-Star tournament teams for the summer. For more information, click here, or email registration@rcgsl.org.

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Newsletter Details

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 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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