In This Issue
Hillview Debate
Hillview Handbook Slips
Mini-Course Registration
Mini-Course Volunteers
Pre-Planned Absences

MPCSD News
Committee Openings
Blood Drive

Activities
ASB
Drama
Library
Science Fair
Sports

Parent Education


Quick Links




Questions? Email:
This Week 
 
Monday, November 2 
  • ASB Canned Food Drive ends
Tuesday, November 3
  • 7th Grade Mini-Course registration
Wednesday, November 4
  • Parent Education: "Raising Your Teens without Losing Your Mind," Erik Burmeister, 6:30 p.m., Hillview PAC
Thursday, November 5 
  • Hillview Drama presents The Tempest, 3:30 p.m., Hillview PAC 
Friday, November 6 
  • 6th Grade Mini-Course registration
  • Are You IN Day -- Wear Orange! 
  • Hillview handbook signature slip deadline 
  • Hillview Drama presents The Tempest, 7:00 p.m., 
    Hillview PAC
  • Last day to register for Hillview Science Fair
Saturday, November 7 
  • Hillview Drama presents The Tempest, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
Looking Aheadlookingahead
   
Tuesday, November 10
  • Deadline to submit Block H points for Trimester 1
  • MPCSD Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.,
    District Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton

Wednesday, November 11

  • No School - Veterans' Day
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Hillview School NewsHVNews

Hillview's "Giving Thanks for Debate" Fall Warm-up Tournament
Taking place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 15, from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., this tournament is open to any 1st - 8th grader with Speech & Debate experience. The deadline to register is tomorrow, Monday, November 2, 2015, at 2:00 p.m.

New!!! Tournament of Champions (TOC) Points: 3 points per win, 1 point per loss. 29 points will be required by the end of the Debate Season to enter the TOC. You will likely need to attend 3 or more tournaments to reach 29 points.

We will have at least 3 more tournaments throughout this year, in case you miss this one.  Look forward to a fun event and a great start on your path to making it into our all new Tournament of Champions. We look forward to an awesome tournament and seeing you all soon! Please visit the Hillview Debate website for full details, contact information, and to register.

Hillview Handbook Signature Slip Due Friday
Our 2015-2016 Parent and Student Handbook is updated and available on our Hillview website. Please review the handbook with your child so that all school policies and rules are clear. On Thursday, October 15, your student received a handbook signature slip -- please sign this slip and have your child return it to his/her Launch teacher by this Friday, November 6. This is an academy competition and the academy with the highest percentage of handbook signature slips returned will earn spirit points.

Mini-Course Registration Continues This Week for 7th and 6th Grades 
The catalog has been distributed to all students via their email. It is also available on the Hillview website here. On Tuesday, November 3, the 7th graders will be registering for their courses via email on their iPads; 6th graders will register on Friday, November 6. Please be aware that interest may exceed availability for some courses; in those cases, the names of all interested students will be placed into a pool and spots will be randomly assigned. Some courses may fill up before the 7th and 6th grade registration window opens. If you have any questions about mini-course registration, please email
[email protected].

Mini-Course Week STILL Needs YOU!
Mini-Course week is March 28-31, 2016, but we are planning now to make it the best experience possible! We are still in need of a few Logistics Volunteers to serve as coordinators - like room parents. Please email [email protected] if you would like to help out. We cannot run this incredibly popular program without the community pitching in! If you are not able to help, maybe a grandparent, friend or neighbor would be interested. Please feel free to share this exciting opportunity.

Pre-Planned Absences
If your student will be missing school and you know in advance (for example, a family event, planned trip, or outside commitment) please notify your student's counselor, Mrs. Watts or Mrs. Cardosi. The counselors can arrange for an Independent Study Plan so that your student can keep up with schoolwork while away from school. If the absence would be unexcused, upon completion of the Independent Study Plan, these absences would be marked as Independent Study as opposed to unexcused.

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MPCSD Newsmpcsd

MPCSD Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee: Open Positions
The Menlo Park City School District is seeking potential candidates to fill four vacant positions on the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee: a representative of the business community within the District; a representative active in a senior citizen's organization; a representative active in a bona fide taxpayers organization; a representative who is a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District; or a representative who is a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the School District and is active in a Parent-Teacher Organization or School Site Council. One position is at large. You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of the School District. If you are interested, please submit a Letter of Interest as well as background information about yourself and the organization in which you are active to Ahmad Sheikholeslami. For more information and the full ad announcement please click here.

MPCSD Blood Drive

Most of us know someone who has had cancer. But did you know many cancer patients need blood transfusions as they undergo treatment? In the last three years, two MPCSD kids have battled cancer. This year the nephew of an Oak Knoll teacher is fighting this disease. In situations like this we can feel helpless. But we can make a difference. Not just to cancer patients but to anyone in need of blood. Each blood donation you make can help up to three people. One hour of your time and you get to make a difference in three people's lives. It is an amazing gift.  

The MPCSD event will be held at the Menlo Park Center, 445 Burgess Drive, all day on Tuesday, November 3, Thursday, November 5, and Saturday November 7.  

The Menlo Park center is open for whole blood donations on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but you are encouraged to make an appointment either online or by calling (650) 723 - 7831. The Blood Center accepts donors aged 17+ (or 16 with parental consent). For the full list of donor requirements, visit the Eligibility page of their main website.

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Programs & ActivitiesPrograms

Hillview ASB 
ASB Canned Food Drive Ends Tomorrow
ASB's canned food drive ends tomorrow, November 2. Help us become closer as a community through helping others, provide food to people in need, and encourage students to make a difference in the world. Please send your child to school with canned food, which will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Second Harvest has the greatest need for canned meals (stew, chili, and soup), tuna, canned meat, canned foods with pop-top lids, canned fruit in juice, and canned vegetables with low sodium. Rice, flour, sugar, and items packaged in glass unfortunately cannot be accepted. Thank you for your help!

Block H Deadline for Trimester 1: Have Block H points? Get them turned in now! The deadline is fast approaching for trimester 1. The deadline is November 10. Please see Mrs. Fichou in the student center to drop off your Block H forms.

HVTV
Our HVTV October 8 episode is online with stories produced by students, for students. Check out this episode and more stories from our Hillview Television broadcast team here.

Hillview Drama
Hillview Drama Presents The Tempest
Come join the Hillview players as they re-create Shakespeare's last play, The Tempest. It is a beautiful and poetic comedy of redemption and forgiveness. Full of mayhem and magic,  this classic tale is widely regarded as one of the bard's absolute best. Performances will take place at the Hillview PAC on:
  • Thursday, November 5, at 3:30 p.m. - This is the student - pizza performance. Tickets are only $5 for students and include a slice of pizza.
  • Friday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 7, at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Click here for tickets.  

Hillview Library
8th Grade Book Club: 8th graders are invited to attend the 8th grade book club on Wednesday November 4, to discuss The Name of the Star.

Canned Food Drive: Students may bring in cans of food for fine forgiveness (1 can = up to $1, no limit). Cans must be brought to the library and do not count towards the academy totals.

Research: 6th graders are beginning their first research project right around now. Parents can get a sneak peak of their resources on the library website, project pathfinder.

Library Quote Contest: We're looking for quotes to add to a large library display. Students are invited to submit great quotes about libraries, books, reading, and research. Forms available in the library.

MP Public Library Survey: One of our public libraries is looking for your input - students and parents are welcome to take the survey.

Hillview Science Fair
Registration is now open until November 6! Last year there were over 100 students who participated in the Hillview Science Fair with some truly innovative and interesting experiments on a wide range of topics including light, food, animal behavior, music, computer memory, chemical reactions, photography, sports, etc. Come join the fun and think outside of the box!

To register, join the Edmodo group using the code: gndhyg, then follow the link. Students can earn Block H points. Questions? Students can go see Mr. Espinoza, Mr. Green, Ms. Hilborn, or Mr. Ritter.

Hillview Sports
Intramural Sports: Intramural sports continue this week with either volleyball/badminton or indoor hockey/soccer depending on PE activities. All students are invited but there will be a limit on how many may participate at once. No food or drink is permitted in the gym. Spectators are welcome to sit on the bleachers or on the stage to watch and support. All backpacks need to be stored on the bleachers or on the stage; please do not put them on the gym floor.

Girls Volleyball: Practice and games continue with 7th/8th graders on Mondays and 6th graders on Tuesdays. Game schedules and team records can be found here. This will be the sixth week of games.

Boys Flag Football: This is the final week of games as follows:
  • Tuesday, November 3: 8th grade at La Entrada; 6th/7th Blue vs Gold at Hillview, both games at 3:45 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 4: 6th/7th Gold at La Entrada, at 3:45 and 4:15 p.m.; 6th/7th Blue at La Entrada at 3:45 p.m.
  • Thursday Nov 5: 8th Woodside at Hillview 8th (tentative); 6th/7th Blue at La Entrada, 3:45 and 4:15 p.m.; 6th/7th Gold at La Entrada, 4:15 p.m.
Players should be prepared to return their team jerseys at the conclusion of their final game. We thank all players, parents, and coaches for making this season another fun and successful one.

After-School Basketball - Wait List Only: If your Hillview student is still interested in registering for after-school basketball, we may be able to add players from the wait list depending on grade level or gender. Placement workouts for 6th grade girls and 7th graders will be on Saturday, November 14. The new time for 6th grade boys is Friday, November 13, from 4:30 - 5:50 p.m. Please notify us in advance if your student cannot attend workouts; they will still be placed on a team but we would like all participants to attend workouts. Coaches are still needed at the 6th and 7th grade levels. No one would need to coach alone, and anyone with limited time is welcome to join as an assistant.

Hillview Dance and Cheerleading Spirit Squad: If you have spirit for our number one school, Hillview, then this team is for you! The Dance and Cheerleading Spirit Squad is looking for enthusiastic students to join the team. Students will represent Hillview and learn dance and cheer techniques, stunts, sideline cheers, and pom pom routines while refining performance skills. Practices take place on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Fitness Room, December 1 to March 8. There will be no practice during winter and February breaks. Performance and game information will follow, but most games will be on Tuesdays. Students will attend one practice per week, and perform at various school events and basketball games. Hillview's Dance Show will take place on March 4 and 5.

An informational meeting will be held on November 17 during lunchtime in the Fitness Room. The registration fee is $120; no refunds will be given after December 1. A minimum of 10 registered students are needed to offer the program. If not enough students register, the program will not be offered. Please contact Katie DeAnda with questions.

Questions regarding these sports programs should be directed to Harry Bell at (650) 483-4049.
 
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Parent Educationparented 

MPCSD Parent Education Speaker Series: Back by popular demand: "Raising Your Teens without Losing Your Mind" with Erik Burmeister, Wednesdays, November 4 (Part 1) and November 18 (Part 2), 6:30 p.m., Hillview PAC. 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 MPCSD Assistant Superintendent, 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. As always, free onsite childcare will be available.

M-A Parent Education Series: "
Finding the Right Fit - A Conversation about the College Search" with Maria Furtado, Thursday, November 19, 2015, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m, M-A PAC. Join Maria Furtado, Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives, for a conversation about helping your student find the "right fit" for college. Colleges That Change Lives, Inc. (CTCL) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. CTCL supports the goal of each student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
 
Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. M-A Parent Education Series events are sponsored by the M-A PTA, the Sequoia Healthcare District, and the Sequoia Union High School District. This event is open to parents, students, faculty/staff, and community members.Click here to register. Contact Charlene Margot at (650) 868-0590 with questions or for more information. For Spanish, contact Lilly Quinonez, Parent Outreach Coordinator, 660-322-5311, Ext. 50255.
  
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MPAEF Newsmpaef

Just 5 Days Remain in MPAEF's Annual Parent Campaign!
With November 6 approaching fast, the MPAEF would like to thank you, the parents, for your generosity and participation in this year's Annual Campaign. For those of you out there who have not given yet, there is still time to participate in the Annual Parent Campaign.  And don't forget, many companies provide corporate matching opportunities to increase the impact of your donation.

Join the 50% of families who have already given to date and help us support our teachers, specialists and students this year. We are counting on full participation to be able to grant the $3.6 million needed to fund our amazing programs and teachers. Click here to pledge or donate today.

Yours are the donations that inspire the stories you have been reading about from fellow parents.
They are the donations that foster musical and artistic talent.
They are the donations that provide for classroom innovation and professional development for teachers.
They are the donations that nurture your whole child, inside and out.

Please understand that whatever amount you can give makes a big difference to our schools, teachers, and specialists, which means you make a big difference in your children's educational lives and their future.

We look forward to celebrating the end of a successful joint campaign and close of MPAEF's Annual Parent Campaign on Are You In Day, Friday, November 6! Send your student to school in orange so that they can be a part of that celebration.



6th Annual MPAEF Gift Boutique November 12 & 13
Get your tickets today! Join us on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13 for the 6th Annual MPAEF Gift Boutique at Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park. 20% of MPAEF Gift Boutique proceeds benefit Menlo Park City Schools. Shop the boutique, and attend one of our signature events:

Thursday, November 12: 
Sips, Sweets and Shopping (6:00 - 9:00 p.m.): Enjoy wine and sweet treats while you shop the boutique. $30 per person advance purchase and $40 per person at the door. Advance purchase is recommended. 
 
An Evening with the Experts:  Holiday Party Planning Class (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.): Palace Cafe and Catering will teach us how to prepare delicious appetizers and festive cocktails, and Mindy Rosenberg of Mindy Rosenberg Design will show us how create a gorgeous floral arrangement to adorn your holiday home. Tickets are $75 and include entrance into the MPAEF Gift Boutique. 
 
Friday, November 13:  
Complimentary Boutique Shopping (8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.): All are welcome! 
 
Boutique Brunch and Lunch: Enjoy brunch or lunch at the Blue Garden Cafe. $50 per person.  

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. Please contact the boutique team with questions or to volunteer.  

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Menlo-Atherton High School NewsMAHSnews 
 
Attention Parents of 8th Graders!
Want to get the scoop on M-A from current M-A parents? M-A's Foundation for the Future is sponsoring a coffee for the purpose of community education. Join parents who currently have students at M-A for an informal conversation about the school on Wednesday, November 18, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the home of Roxy and Chet Bozdog, 33 Irving Avenue, Atherton. Coffee and refreshments will be served. Please send an email here if you plan to attend.
     
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Community Newscommunity 

Adopt A Teacher Who Needs Your Support: Make a real difference for a teacher and his/her students by "adopting" a K-8 teacher in East Palo Alto or east Menlo Park for a school year.  Provide the teacher with encouraging notes and/or small gifts of appreciation, school supplies and support for two class parties. Financial commitment $500-600, time commitment very flexible. It's easy and fun to adopt a teacher with friends. Learn more or sign up on the Adopt a Teacher webpage or by contacting Jennifer Wythes Vettel.

New Bike Boulevard Proposed for Hillview and M-A Students
The Menlo Park bike commission has proposed a route with dedicated bike lanes that would allow students biking to Hillview and Menlo-Atherton to cross El Camino safely. For more details, see the Palo Alto Daily News story here. Parents can help make this happen by emailing the City Council. To get the latest on the plan, "like" the Bike Menlo Park Facebook page.

Stanford University's Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research
We are currently looking for male children and young adolescents, ages 8-15, with a diagnosis of intellectual disability, for a treatment study focused on improving eye contact and social skills. If you are interested in participating, please clickhere or email Annalisa Koch, clinical research coordinator.

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Newsletter DetailsNewsletter
 
This newsletter is published by Hillview School 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. 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 [email protected]. The submission deadline is Wednesday at noon for the following Sunday newsletter. 

Archives: Missed an exciting edition of the Hillview Newsletter or other communications from the school? Look up past issues in our online archive.