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In This Issue
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6th Grade Tdap Vaccinations Be on time! Character Education 8th Grade High School Placement Exams Hillview French Mini-Course Change Requests Trimester 1 Report Cards MPCSD NewsDELAC Winter Social Measure C Parcel Tax Information Sessions Hillview PTO NewsDance Chaperones Needed ActivitiesAfter-School Programs
ASB
Library
Music
Sports
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Quick Links
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Questions? Email:
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Sunday, December 6
- Hillview Jazz Band at Facebook Farmer's Market, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park
Tuesday, December 8
- Hillview Chorus at Rotary Luncheon, 1:00 - 1:30 p.m., Menlo Circus Club
- MPCSD Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton
Friday, December 11
- 7th/8th Grade Dance, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Hillview PAC
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Looking Ahead
Monday, December 14
- 7th/8th Grade Orchestra at San Francisco City Hall, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., San Francisco
Tuesday, December 15
- Hillview Winter Music Concert: All Ensembles, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Hillview PAC
Wednesday, December 16
- 8th Grade High School Placement Exams
Thursday, December 17
- Deadline to submit mini-course change requests
- 8th Grade High School Placement Exams
Friday, December 18
- Minimum Day - early dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
- 8th Grade High School Placement Exams
Monday, December 21 to Friday, January 1
Monday, January 4
- No School - Collaborative Planning Day
Tuesday, January 5
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Hillview School News
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ACTION REQUIRED! Attention: Parents of Current 6th Graders - Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Tdap Vaccination
All incoming 7th graders in the 2016-17 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, bring an updated copy of your child's immunization record showing proof of Tdap to the school office now. Do not mark or highlight this record. 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.
Acceptable proof of immunization includes:
- A printout or copy of immunization record from your child's clinic or physician's office;
- A copy of the yellow immunization record; or
- A certification of Tdap booster notice from your child's clinic, physician's office or pharmacy.
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 shotsforschool.org, or contact Nancy McMahon, Health Services Assistant at nmcmahon@mpcsd.org or (650) 321-7140, x5912.
Be on Time!
At Hillview, we believe it is important for students to be on time every day, showing a Commitment to Learning, one of our 3 Cs. The Hillview Handbook tardy (unexcused late arrival to school, after 8:25 a.m.) guidelines are as follows:
- Each trimester, tardies 1 and 2 are "free" - no consequences
- Tardies 3, 4, and 5 each earn a 30 minute office detention (during lunch or after school)
- Tardies 6 and more each earn a Saturday School
Please be sure that your student gets to school each day on time!
Character Education - Coping with Stress/Stress Management
This coming week marks the first of our school-wide Character Education lessons, focused on Coping with Stress/Stress Management. 6th graders will have their lesson on Tuesday, December 6, in Humanities Core classes, with 8th grade W.E.B. leaders leading the discussion. 7th and 8th graders will have the lessons in their PE classes on Wednesday and Thursday, December 9 and 10, with parent volunteers delivering the content. The goal of the lesson is to help students recognize that stress is an inevitable part of life; and that by identifying the sources of stress, viewing these as challenges as opposed to threats, and employing strategies that help us address these feelings, we can move beyond this state and regain control of the situation. Many thanks to Ms. Watts, Ms. Cardosi, and Ms. Staff, as well as to the many parent volunteers and W.E.B. leaders, for making this lesson possible!
8th Grade High School Placement Exams December 16-18
We want 8th grade parents to be aware that our 8th graders will be taking two placement tests before the holiday break. On Friday, December 18, a minimum day, all 8th graders will take the Gates Macginitie Reading Test (GMRT). We will share the results of this assessment with the Sequoia Union High School District, and they will serve as one data point to inform student placement as the Class of 2016 moves to high school. 8th graders will also take the Mathematics Placement Diagnostic Program (MDTP) Pre-Algebra Readiness Test to help with high school placement. Students in Math 8 will take this assessment on the block days of December 16 or 17, while those students in Algebra 1 or Geometry will take it on Friday, December 18. In order for students not to miss any instructional time after the break to make up these assessments, it is important for them to be at school on the scheduled dates; please make note of them!
Hillview French Program Receives Accolades
On November 10, the American Association of Teachers of French accorded Hillview Middle School full privileges as an academic chapter in the Jeunes Amis du Français (Young Friends of French). This recognition came as the result of our students' performance last May on Le Grand Concours, an academic competition that consisted of a multiple choice test and a listening section. 17 Hillview students earned medals for their achievement levels (with 22 others receiving honorable mention), and our French 2 students were the only middle school students in Northern California to medal; the rest were high school students. Felicitations (congratulations) to Madame Kingsley and her students for this amazing work!
Mini-Courses Change Request Deadline Approaches
We want to remind families that if your student would like to make a change in his or her assigned mini-course, he or she should do so by emailing minicourse@mpcsd.org BEFORE December 17. Mini-Course assignments were sent to students via email on November 20. Students will be offered a change to an open course only. These will change as they fill, so if they contact us, we will let them know what choices are available at that time. After December 17, the ONLY course changes that will be made will be for medical or other extenuating reasons.
Trimester 1 Report Cards and Honor Roll
The first trimester ended on Friday, November 20. Teachers have been finalizing their grade books, and by Monday, December 7, at 8:00 a.m., all 1st trimester grades will be final and you may check PowerSchool to review your student's progress. Report cards are scheduled to go home via U.S. Mail by Friday, December 11, so please look for them. And when you receive your report cards, we ask that you pay as much attention, if not more, to your student's 3 Cs grades. Achievement grades will indicate a level of readiness for students as they move to the next grade level and high school, but Character, Collaboration, and Commitment to Learning are the attributes and traits that will help students successfully navigate and successfully complete the next stage in their learning. Finally, the end of the trimester will allow us to honor students who achieved at least a 3.0 GPA with Honor Roll status. We will be computing GPAs and sending letters and ribbons to students who have demonstrated a high degree of Commitment to Learning, one of our 3 Cs.
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MPCSD News
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DELAC Winter Social
The District English Language Advisory Committee's (DELAC) Winter Social will take place on Wednesday, December 9, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the Encinal Small Multipurpose Room. Families with students who are English Learners are invited to attend this fun family evening with music and food. Dinner will be provided, and we invite all attending families to bring their favorite desserts. Click here to see the flier for this event and the version en lengua espanola.
Measure C Parcel Tax Information Sessions
At the November 10 School Board meeting the Board discussed the latest report on Enrollment Projections and provided financial and background information on the Measure C Parcel Tax, which expires next year.
To provide parents, staff and the community with more information about the enrollment projections, financial plan and potential renewal of the Measure C Parcel Tax, the Board's Long Range Planning Ad Hoc Committee will be providing information at the following meetings at Hillview:
PTO: Thursday, December 10, from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Site Council: Tuesday, December 8, from 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Staff: Wednesday, December 16, from 4:15 - 4:45 p.m.
The Board encourages you to attend one of these sessions. The Board will also be discussing the Parcel Tax at Board meetings on the evenings of December 8 and 15. Additional sessions will be held at Encinal, Laurel, and Oak Knoll at various days and times. More information can be found on the MPCSD website. Please feel free to attend any of these meetings at a time and location of your convenience.
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Hillview PTO News
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Chaperones Needed for 7th/Grade Dance
We need a few fun parent volunteers to chaperone the upcoming 7th/8th grade dance on Friday, December 11, from 6:10 - 8:45 p.m. at the Hillview PAC. Given the busy holiday season, we are in dire need of chaperones. If you can assist at all that evening, it would be extremely appreciated. Please click here to sign up or contact Nancy Witeck.
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Programs & Activities
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After-School Programs
After-School Programs is currently registering students for our Winter session (beginning in January). Check out our extensive list of offerings including Bookopolis, Coding, Cooking, Fencing, Lacrosse, Running and Conditioning, Speech and Debate, Writing, and Wizbots. There is something for every interest! We have had a very successful fall with our programs, and look forward to a fun-filled winter.
Please visit the Hillview PTO website for registration information for each program, and, as always, there are scholarships arranged by the PTO for qualifying students. For more information on scholarships, please contact your child's counselor, or click here. For more information on the After-School Program offerings, please contact Erica Galles, PTO Coordinator.
Countdown Bash Dance for 7th and 8th Graders
The next dance with be held on Friday, December 11. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the dance will end promptly at 8:30 p.m. When dropping your student off, please avoid parking in the carpool lane. If a student is dropped off after 7:00 p.m., a parent or guardian must walk the student to the door. If a student needs to be picked up early, a parent or guardian must check in with a chaperone before the student leaves. Please remind your student that the Dress for Success Norms will apply. All students should bring their student ID cards to the dance, even if they already purchased tickets. Students may buy discounted tickets in advance for $5 with ASB card during lunch in the student center from December 7-11. All ticket prices at the door will be $7. Concessions will be sold during the dance and everything will be $1. Please contact Mr. Darmanin if you have any questions.
Winter Holiday Toy Drive
ASB is hosting a Holiday Toy Shop to benefit the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. There will be toys, games, and DVDs for all ages based on Lucille Packard Children's Hospital wish list. The shop will open at lunch in the PAC lobby on Tuesday, December 8, Thursday, December 10, and Friday, December 11. Students can come to the PAC Lobby to choose the toy(s) that they would like to donate to the hospital. Toys will be on sale for $5 or $10 and the event will be run as an academy spirit competition. There will also be a donation jar where we will accept any amount, even spare change! Students may donate brand new toys that are still packaged and we will add spirit points to the academy based on its value. Sorry, we cannot accept any used toys for health reasons. We hope to encourage a sense of giving and empathy within our community for those in need.
Hillview Library
Teen Book Club
7th and 8th graders are invited to attend the 7th/8th Grade Book Club on Wednesday, December 9, to discuss Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater.
Hillview Music
Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 15, and plan to attend the Hillview Winter Concert! All instrumental ensembles and the chorus will perform starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillview PAC. Our groups are especially strong this year!
Hillview Sports
Intramural Sports
Intramural sports will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays until further notice. The program for the next few weeks will be basketball full court or half court mini tournament style games. All students are welcome to participate, but there will be a limit of 40 players at any one time. Spectators are welcome, as always, to sit in the bleachers or on the stage.
Girls Volleyball
We remind all who played volleyball this season to please return your jerseys to the front office as soon as possible. There are still approximately 40 jerseys missing.
After School Basketball Season Begins
Basketball practice for all teams continues this week. All 6th/7th graders will play games this week: Tuesday for 6th grade girls, Wednesday for 6th grade boys, Thursday for 7th grade girls, and Friday for 7th grade boys. 8th graders will begin games on Monday, December 14.
Hillview Dance and Cheerleading Spirit Squad
The Dance and Cheerleading Spirit Squad is looking for enthusiastic students to join the Cheerleading Spirit Squad. This is a chance to cheer for Hillview and to learn dance and cheer techniques, stunts, sideline cheers, pom pom routines, while refining performance skills. Practices will take place on Tuesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. in the Fitness Room from December 1 to March 8. There will be no practices during Winter and February breaks. Performance and game information to follow, but most games will take place on Tuesdays. Students should plan to attend one practice per week and perform at various school events and basketball games. Hillview's Dance Show takes place on March 4 and 5. The registration fee is $120; no refunds will be given after December 1. 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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MPAEF News
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We want to thank you for your generous support of the MPAEF Endowment on #GivingTuesday! The MPAEF Endowment for Excellence in Teaching is a permanent fund intended to support excellent teaching in MPCSD in perpetuity. The Endowment grows through donations and investment gains, and the income it generates funds professional development, partnerships, and programs to foster 21st century teaching in our schools. Please click here to learn more.
It was so wonderful to see so many of you Sipping, Strolling and Supporting our Schools at the First Annual "Taste of the Mountains" in downtown Menlo Park on Saturday. The event was a great success and 100% of the proceeds benefit the MPAEF! Thank you to our community and to Greenheart Land Company for sponsoring the event.
Earn Money for our Schools this Holiday Season When you Shop Online at Shop.MPAEF.org
Avoid the crowds and finish your holiday shopping online while earning money for our schools at such great merchants as Amazon, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Gap, GameStop, Lego, Best Buy, Petsmart, Expedia, Saks Fifth Avenue, ProFlowers and many more. Visit www.shop.mpaef.org, click on the link to your favorite merchant, pay for items as you normally would, and earn up to 10% of your purchase total for our schools. It's that easy! Please note that MPAEF does not collect any personally identifiable information through this site.
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Community News
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Barb Snow's Retirement Celebration: Barb Snow, beloved Oak Knoll Office Manager, is retiring after 42 years of working in the District! Mark your calendars and join her on Monday, December 14, from 2:55 - 4:00 p.m., on the upper playground (no rain) or in the gym (rain) to say farewell. Parents and kids will have the opportunity to sign a memory book, have a piece of cake and give Barb a hug! Please click here to RSVP so we have an idea of numbers but please feel free to come along either way. To commemorate Mrs. Snow's time in the District we are putting together a collection of pictures and messages from current and past students and parents to give to her on the December 14. Put your own message on a 4"x6" card and drop it off in the Hillview or Oak Knoll office (ssshh! It's a surprise!) by Friday, December 11. Blank cards and examples are available in each location or contact Jody Buckley or Janelle McCombs.Menlowe Ballet Performs "It's a Wonderful Nutcracker": December 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at the M-A PAC. Menlowe Ballet performs its inaugural full-length story ballet. Conceived by Artistic Director Michael Lowe, Menlowe Ballet performs its inaugural, full-length story ballet, "It's a Wonderful Nutcracker" set to Tchaikovsky's original score and updated with inspiration from the 1940s Frank Capra film, "It's a Wonderful Life". Tickets are available here.
Samaritan House Coat Drive: If you have old coats in the closet, consider giving them to neighbors who need one. Samaritan House provides free services and supplies to the friends and neighbors in need throughout our county. Donated coats (all sizes including adult) will be delivered to Samaritan House throughout the winter. Please contact Neela Gentile to arrange a local drop off.
Teen Night Gingerbread Decorating and Crafts at the Menlo Park Library: December 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Teens are welcome to join us at the library to decorate their own gingerbread people, and then get creative with crafts! Registration for this event is required; click here to sign up. Try Lacrosse this Spring! M-A Grizzlies has openings for boys and girls ages 7 - 13 for teams this spring. The season runs from February to May. Lacrosse is fast paced game that young players can learn quickly and has similar skills to soccer & basketball. Come on out for some FUN! Click here for more information and to register online.
"'Twas the Night Before Christmas" Presented by Dancers Repertory Theatre: A delightful dance/theatre event guaranteed to delight all ages with dancing mice, prancing reindeer and toys that come to life, this magical holiday production will become a family tradition! Come see several Hillview students perform! Performances take place at the Woodside Performing Arts Center on December 6, 12, and 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. Click here for more information and tickets.
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Newsletter Details
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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 the preceding Wednesday at noon. Please email your submission to hvnewsletter@mpcsd.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 other communications from the school? Look up past issues in our online archive.
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