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In This Issue
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Electives
Intent to Return Form
Mini-Course Survey
Tdap Vaccination
WEB Leaders
Grad Gown Orders
M-A Meet & Greet
District News
LCAP Meeting
Smarter Balanced Assessment
MPCSD Learning Standards & Adoptions
HV PTO
General Meeting
Executive Board
Flower Day
Are You In RUN
Arts
Community Service
Sports
Diamond Partner
Business & Realtor Partners Shop.MPAEF.org
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Quick Links
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Questions? Email:
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This Week
Wednesday, April 29
- Local Control Accountability Plan Parent Advisory Committee meeting, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., TERC
Thursday, April 30
- Deadline for online elective registration
Friday, May 1
- Deadline to submit "Intent to Return to District" forms
- Deadline to submit 8th grade graduation gown orders
- Talent Show, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
Saturday, May 2
- Talent Show, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
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Looking Ahead
Wednesday, May 6
- Deadline to submit WEB Leader applications to the office
- Hillview Chorus Concert with Stanford Jazz Middle School Choir, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Hillview PAC
Thursday, May 7
- Hillview PTO Spring General Meeting, 8:30 - 10:00 a.m., Hillview PAC Lobby, then Library Conference Room ("Tank")
Friday, May 8
- 6th Grade Drama Performance, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
Saturday, May 9
- 6th Grade Drama Performance, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
- Last day to submit Block H points
Monday, May 11 to Friday, May 15
- Smarter Balanced Assessment Testing
Thursday, May 14
- Flower Day
- Hillview Open House, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15
- 6th & 7th Grade Dance, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Hillview PAC
- Hillview Relay for Life, 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m., Hillview Track
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Hillview School & Menlo Park District News
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Hillview News
Online Elective Registration for 2015 - 2016: The window for online elective registration for current 5th, 6th, and 7th graders opened this past Wednesday, and will close at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. There is no advantage to submitting your choices early; everyone who submits by April 30 will get the same priority. To register:
- Go to the Hillview Website and scroll down to the "Hillview News..." section. There you will see links to our online "print" and video catalogs.
- Review the catalogs and consider what electives your child might enjoy next year. Make some notes of those choices.
- If necessary, watch the screen cast linked here to learn how to log on to PowerSchool and navigate to the Class Registration page
- Log on to PowerSchool with your student's username and password (Don't know this information? Call the Hillview office and they can tell you.) Click on the "Class Registration" tab in the upper left.
- Read through the various sections of the online registration, make choices, and be sure to click Submit when done.
Annual Intent to Return to District Form due on May 1: The"Annual Intent to Return to District" form will be going home with all 6th and 7th graders on Monday, April 27. Completed forms need to be returned by Friday, May 1.2015 Mini-Course Week Parent Survey: Once again we have enjoyed a wonderful Mini-Course week exploring new places and ideas, making new friends, and getting to know teachers in unexpected new ways. Did you know Cheryl Perez is a fabulous seamstress and brought many of her incredible personal creations to share with her Fashion Design & Sewing course? Did you know Jeff Mead has a passion for motorcycles and the racing wardrobe to match, which was the perfect attire for his and Mike Dunn's Hot Wheels course? Did you know associate principal Willy Haug is a former photography instructor and that the beautiful photos hanging in his office are his own - a skill he brought to this year's Picture This! course with Mark Schack? One of the special things about Mini-Course week is the variety of topics and passions our Hillview teachers choose to bring to life, and the excitement your children have in learning something totally unexpected from their "regular" teachers.
Of course, Mini-Course week could not happen without the tireless volunteer time and energy of so many parents and community members. Whether you served as a Logistics Volunteer, chaperoned a field trip, brought a lesson from your hobby or profession to the classroom, donated supplies, or sent your child off to school each day with an open mind, we appreciate you, we depend on you, and most of all we THANK YOU! Please click here to complete this year's parent survey, as we continually strive to strengthen and improve this unique program.
ACTION REQUIRED! Attention: Parents of Current 6th Graders - Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Tdap Vaccination: All incoming 7th graders in the 2015-16 school year are required by law to provide proof of a whooping cough booster, or Tdap shot (Td does not meet the requirement). Students will not be admitted to school if proof is not received before the first day of school.
To avoid exclusion on the first day of school in August, parents are being asked to provide proof of Tdap now. Please bring an updated copy of your child's immunization record showing proof of Tdap to the school office. Do not mark or highlight the copy. If there is a verified medical condition against vaccination, you are required to provide the school with a doctor's written statement which must include the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition. If there is a personal belief for not vaccinating, you are required to obtain a personal belief exemption from your child's physician (form CDPH 8262).
Acceptable proof of immunization includes:
- Print-out or copy of immunization record from your child's clinic or physician's office;
- A copy of the yellow immunization record;
- A certification of Tdap booster letter from your child's clinic or physician's office.
All these documents must have your child's name, date of birth, date Tdap was administered, and a stamp or physician's signature from the clinic. For more information about the law and whooping cough, visit District Health Services or shotsforschool.org, or contact Nancy McMahon, Health Services Assistant at (650) 321-7140, x5912. Attention 7th Graders: WEB Leader applications are available starting Monday, April 27! WEB stands for Where Everybody Belongs and as a WEB Leader you would be welcoming our new 6th graders to Hillview by helping with activities for Camp Hillivew in August. Leaders also help the 6th graders with peer mentoring throughout the year. Being a WEB Leader is a wonderful opportunity that is fun and a great way to be involved at Hillview. We're looking for a diverse group of leaders who are enthusiastic, positive and ready to help others. Applications are available on your science teacher's Edmodo page. Your teachers will also have copies of the application. The application is due by Wednesday, May 6 by 3:00 p.m. to the office. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Mathenia, Mr. Sullivan, or Ms. Watts.
8th Grade Graduation Gown Orders Due May 1: Click here to order your child's graduation gown by May 1! You may order a new one or request to borrow one. All 8th grade families should have received a letter outlining expectations for students as well as important information about the events leading up to and through Graduation night. Can't find it? This information can also be found on the website.
Parents of Menlo-Atherton High School Class of 2019: Parents of current eighth graders are invited to join the Principal and board members of M-A's Foundation for the Future for beverages and appetizers at the home of Kim and David Mullarkey, 1260 Bay Laurel Drive, Menlo Park on Thursday, May 7, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Please come and meet other parents, learn about the many opportunities for your student and how to be ready for the transition to high school at M-A. The Principal will deliver remarks at 7:00 pm. Hope to see you there! Please RSVP to Kim McNerney.
News from Superintendent Ghysels
Local Control Accountability Plan Parent Advisory Committee meeting: The meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., MPCSD TERC Building, 181 Encinal Ave, Atherton. The Parent Advisory Committee will be to review the Local Control Accountability Plan Draft in preparation for the public hearing on May 12, 2015 at the Regular Board of Education Meeting.
When Do the Smarter Balanced Assessment Begin?
Our new State assessments will begin at Hillview on Wednesday, May 6. Click here for the entire schedule of assessments. The assessments run through May 15 followed by "make ups." You can find more information on the Smarter Balanced Assessment by visiting MPCSD's Parent Pages.
What's the latest on MPCSD's 2014-2015 K-8 Learning Standards and Adoptions?
Learning Standards
This year we have been reviewing all of our Teaching and Learning Standards for grades K-8. At Board meetings we frequently present for discussion and approval all of these essential Standards. These Standards span every subject area from English Language Arts and Mathematics to Physical Education and World Language. Please see our revised timeline of when we'll address each Standard.
At our last Board meeting we presented a brief overview of the recent collaborative work with teachers of our K-8 PE Course of Study and the development of the proposed MPCSD Mission for Physical Education. Also discussed were the California Physical Education Model Content Standards and its Framework.
Also at the last Board meeting, the Board officially adopted the World Language Content Standards for California Public Schools, K-8. We will be providing the Board an update on May 12 that will describe the World Language prototypes that each school will launch in the fall.
Adoptions
This year we conducted an extensive curriculum review and a teacher-led piloting process for K-5 mathematics content and materials. We discussed the results of these pilots at the March 10 and April 14 Board meetings, and we have officially adopted our Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions Common Core curriculum and materials for grades K-5. Based on this decision, all K-5 students will have access to Math Expressions next year.
For more information about any of the above items, please read the minutes from the April 14, 2015 meeting, available here under the Calendar tab.
How Does MPCSD Develop and Evaluate Programs?
As we strive to continuously improve the educational experience for our students, we ask guiding questions that help make our decisions for a start-up program and how it's evaluated. While we have always asked questions about the future impact of a new program, this new tool will help guide our future initiatives.
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PTO News
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Hillview PTO Spring General meeting is Thursday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m.: All members of the Hillview PTO are invited to the Spring General Meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m. Come enjoy coffee, juice and treats with Mr. B and other great Hillview staff in the PAC lobby. Then, at 9:00 a.m. move up to the Tank in the Hillview library to hear Mr. B's update on Hillview and his proposed appointment to Assistant Superintendent, and vote on next year's PTO Executive Board slate listed in this newsletter and proposed budget (available here and in the Hillview office). We hope to see you there!
Proposed 2015-16 Hillview PTO Executive Board Slate: The Hillview PTO Nominating Committee is proud to present the slate for the 2015-16 Hillview PTO Executive Board.
2015-2016 Executive Board Candidates
Co-Presidents: Michelle Box, Kate Kennedy
Co-Vice Presidents: Jody Buckley, Julie Nelson
Treasurer: Naed de la Vega
Vice Treasurer: TBD
Financial Secretary: Ken Wang
Recording Secretary: Gina Skinner
Communications Chair: Sara Richter
Auditor: Carolyn Lynch
Volunteer Coordinator: Beth Shvodian
After School Activities Coordinator: Erica Galles
Parliamentarian: Katie Angioletti
We will officially vote on this slate at the Hillview PTO General Meeting on Thursday, May 7. (Note: Co-Presidents and Treasurer were elected to serve 2 year terms in May 2014; the Parliamentarian is appointed by the Co-Presidents).
Flower Day is coming on May 14! Every year, Hillview teachers and staff look forward to Flower Day, when they receive beautiful bouquets of flowers on behalf of the students to thank them for their hard work. This year, Flower Day is Thursday, May 14 - the same day as Open House. Please get involved by:
- Marking your calendar for May 14 - we would appreciate it if all Hillview students would bring a few flowers to the lunch tables that morning before school.
- Signing up to help - we need parents to help arrange and deliver flowers on the day of the event. Visit the sign-up sheet to participate in this fun tradition!
For more information, please email Lyn Denend or Michelle Box for more information. Thank you!
Are You In RUN for Education - Early Registration Open: Early online registration for the Are You In RUN for Education is now open. Register before May 10 to secure a discounted entry fee of $25.00. After May 10, the entry fee will increase to $40.00. The run will take place at Oak Knoll School on Sunday May 31, 2015. You can enter either a 2.5K (1.5 mile) family walk/run, or the competitive, chip-timed 5K. Both runs will start at 9:00 a.m. and the course will wind through the streets of Menlo Park. A Wellness Fair will occur after the run at Oak Knoll School. There will be a stretching station, food, family fun and awards. Consider becoming a Family Sponsor. With a donation of $500 you will receive: - five race entries,
 - your family's name will appear on the RUN T-shirt and
- an invitation to our casual, family-style pasta dinner, held on the eve of the race. The RUN's presenting sponsor, Nelson Roberts Investment Advisors, is generously providing the dinner.
The Are You In RUN for Education is being organized by the MPAEF, as well as the Menlo Park City School District PTOs. Funds raised will support our children's education. To register and learn more about the RUN, visit our website. Thank you to all of our generous sponsors! The 2015 run, presented by Nelson Roberts, is also sponsored by: DeLeon Realty, Greenheart Land Company, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Scott Kaloust DDS, Fleet Feet Sports, Magnussen Toyota, Magnussen Lexus, Mary Gilles Real Estate, Vivre, AMR, 24 Lost Soles, Alkalign, Axis Personal Trainers, Bulldog Sports, Cameron Aboudara DDS MS, Gold Arrow Camp, Curious.com, Pacific Peninsula Custom Group, Penelope Jones Interior Design, Principia, Stanford University Real Estate, Studio Rincon, and Z-Ultimate Karate.
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Programs & Activities
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Hillview Talent Show: The amazing Hillview Talent show, an annual tradition sponsored by Hillview's ASB, will take place on May 1 and 2 in the Hillview PAC. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the show will start at 6:30 p.m. Please note that all audience members need to be seated before showtime.
Drama Summer Camp: MPCSD will sponsor the 3rd annual Drama Summer Camp at Hillview with productions of The Lion King Jr., June 22 - July 2, and Legally Blonde Jr., July 6 -July 17. Students participate as performers and/or backstage crew! Please go to our website for all the info! Contact Camp Director, Mr Hairston with any questions!
Hillview Community Service
Hillview's First Relay for Life Event, May 15 from 9:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m.: Following the 6th / 7th Grade dance on Friday, May 15, the Hillview Service Club is hosting Hillview's first "Relay for Life" event. Relay For Life events are the American Cancer Society's signature fundraisers. Communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. Our Hillview edition is tailored to the age and awareness level of our students and their families, and is accessible for everyone. We already have 14 teams of students signed up to participate. Encourage your student, and/or your family and friends, to put a team together to support the cause. There will be music, fun, and Block H points for participation. Please click here for more information, or email Robin Buckley. We also need chaperones and helpers for the event; please email Robin to sign up.
Earn Block H points for community service while having lots of fun: Students are needed to help with the Community Spring Fling - Peace and Love on Haight - in the Willows neighborhood on Saturday, May 2. If you would like to sign up, please fill out this Google Form. Thank you so much for your help!
Just a reminder that we have a deadline for Block H coming soon. We will no longer be accepting Block H forms after May 9. May 9 will be here sooner than you think, so please get those forms in now! All forms should be turned into Mrs. Fichou in the student center during brunch or lunch. Hillview Sports
Intramural Sports: Following Spring Break we will tentatively have some new activities. On Tuesdays we will offer badminton and ping pong. On Wednesday and Thursday, 6th graders only will get opportunity to practice high jump and get ready for the Greek Olympics. After School Tennis Varsity A and Varsity B teams continue practice and matches this week.
After School Track will begin its 2nd week following Spring Break. The program will take place at Hillview, on Monday and Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. New Spring Sports: Mat Club and Spring Volleyball will continue this week. For Basketball fans: May Madness, led by Coach Eaton and Coach Bell, will once again be available on Friday afternoons in May (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). There are only about 6 spots left. Please register online.
Tournament Team Program: The End of an Era?: The Hillview Tournament Team programs for 7th/8th grade girls in volleyball and 8th graders in basketball are in jeopardy and may not continue. Mr. Bell will hold a meeting to discuss the future of these programs for interested families. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for either Tuesday, May 21 or Monday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC. If you are interested in having your children participate in tournament team volleyball (7th/8th girls/boys) or basketball (8th girls/boys), we recommend you attend. More information to follow.
Questions regarding intramural and after school sports should be directed to Harry Bell, Athletic Director, or call 650.483.4049.
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Parent Education
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The M-A Parent Education Series: "Helping Young Athletes Reach Their Potential: What Does Research Tell Us?" with Steve Smith, PhD, Palo Alto University, Thursday, May 7,
7:00 - 8:30 p.m., M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC) Cafe. How can parents support their children toward healthy participation in sports to facilitate a lifelong healthy lifestyle and to reach their potential? In this workshop, Dr. Smith will review current research and provide guidelines for parents and coaches to consider for healthy sport participation.
Dr. Steve Smith is a licensed psychologist and professor of clinical psychology in the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium of Palo Alto University. He served as the consulting psychologist for the Division I Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at UCSB and maintains a private practice where he works with school, club, and professional teams and athletes of all ages from all over the country. Please register.
M-A Parent Education Series events are free, sponsored by the M-A PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District. The SUHSD Parent Education Series: "Get Connected! Talking to Your Teen about Sexual Health," with Perryn Reis and Abi Resnick-Karlin, Health Connected, Wednesday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Sequoia Union High School District Office, Birch Room, 480 James Avenue, Redwood City. Back by popular demand! This event is a reprise of the "Get Connected!" workshop offered at M-A in November 2014. Join us for the final event in the SUHSD Parent Education Mini-Series to address teenage risky behaviors. Talking about sexual health can be one of the most difficult and anxiety-provoking parenting tasks. Join Health Connected (formerly Teen Talk Sexuality Education), the SUHSD's provider of comprehensive sexuality education, in a fun and interactive workshop to learn how you can create an environment of comfort and trust with your child to discuss their emerging sexuality. Get tips on how to talk about sexuality in the context of your family's values about sex and relationships and create clear boundaries for your children while allowing them to explore this important developmental milestone. Please register. Parents, faculty/staff and community members welcome! Free admission. For more information, contact Charlene Margot at (650) 868-0590, or Karen Li.
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MPAEF News
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Special Recognition for our Diamond Level ($10,000) Partner - DeLeon Realty:
DeLeon Realty, Inc. is an innovative Silicon Valley-based real estate company that is home to one of the nation's top realtors, Ken DeLeon. This company offers clients a full suite of services through its specialists, who include licensed contractors, interior designers, and an in-house marketing team. Tailoring their services to meet the needs of their clients, DeLeon Realty's real estate agents are salaried professionals who are motivated to help their clients find the best home investments without the distraction of commission-based sales incentives. For more information, please call (650) 543-8500 or visit DeLeon Realty's website.
Thank You to Our New and Returning Business Partners
Please support those businesses who support our schools!
Click on Shop.MPAEF.Org to Have Your Online Shopping Support Our Schools: Shopping for your family, home, pets, and office can turn into money for our schools. Just go to Shop.MPAEF.org, click on your favorite merchant, shop, and earn money for our schools. Find everything you need from over a hundred merchants including Amazon, Petsmart, Babies "R" Us and Office Depot. Shop now!
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Community News
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AwesomeBox for Principal Ackerman: As many of you know, Principal Ackerman is retiring this year. In order to celebrate his retirement and commemorate the years he has dedicated to the Oak Knoll community, we are putting together a VERY SPECIAL surprise AwesomeBox for him! AwesomeBox is way to collect photos, messages and memories from a group that get printed into a beautiful keepsake of custom cards to tell a group story of why Mr. Ackerman is awesome. We would love as many families and teachers to participate as possible to make this a truly memorable gift that will be presented to Mr. Ackerman at the May 15 picnic. Don't miss out to include your tribute! Please add your name and email address here by May 4 if you would like to receive an invitation to participate in this special keepsake gift (there is no cost to you!). M-A Online Auction Parties - It's Not Too Late! The M-A Online Auction was a great success but there are a few open spots for Sign-Up Parties. Get to know your M-A parent community by buying into a party and have a blast. Be sure to grab a friend and sign-up for some of the amazing events offered. Don't miss your chance to ride to the ridge, have lunch with the principal, or tip one back at the Gin Party. Check out all the offerings here. All proceeds directly benefit Menlo-Atherton High School Students.
Interested in Water Polo? If you are interested in learning to play water polo, here is your chance to try it out! The Mid-Peninsula Water Polo Club is looking for good athletes, both girls and boys, who are interested in learning more about the sport.Men's water polo was the first team sport introduced at the modern Olympic games in 1900, and has a long history in the US and Europe.Many colleges are looking for good players. You'll get in tremendous physical shape and enjoy solid competition and friendships with your teammates. Players should be 6th, 7th or 8th graders, strong swimmers and/or field/court players looking for another sport. Must be able to swim 200 yards minimum and be comfortable in the water. Classes are held at the Menlo-Atherton High School pool on Sundays 10:30 - 12:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. We will have a spring session that runs thru May 17. Classes are taught by M-A coaches and varsity players. All participants must be registered with USA Water Polo. Our club designation is MidPen.Please sign up here or contact Chris Maxwell at (650) 302-3459 with questions. Scholarships are available.
Teen Blackout Poetry Contest: Throughout April's National Poetry Month, the Menlo Park Library will be hosting a Blackout Poetry Contest! Participants create poetry by leaving select words visible and blacking out the rest. Pick up a newspaper or stop by the Teen Section for used book pages. Entries should be one page and must be submitted with: Name; Age; Contact Information; and Name of School. Submit at the library or email Sydnee.
Teen Spring Book Club: The second meeting will be held Saturday, May 2 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Join other book lovers (12-18 years old) to discuss The Young World, by Chris Weitz, and have a themed book party! To register for the book club, please see our Teen Library webpage for registration. Teen Night: Henna & Cultural Potluck: Come celebrate cultures with other Teens (12-18 years old) on Friday, May 8, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Bring food and dress up the way you want. Learn how to draw, receive a henna tattoo, and eat plenty of tasty food! Please see our Teen Library webpage for registration.
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Newsletter Details
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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. Submissions are eligible to run for up to two weeks.
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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