|
|
|
|
|
In This Issue
| |
6th Grade Tdap
Be on time!
Character Education
8th Grade Placements
Hillview Music
Hour of Code
Mini-Course Changes
Character Education
Summer School
District Directories
|
|
Quick Links
| |
Questions? Email:
|
|
|
Monday, December 14
- 7th/8th Grade Orchestra, 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 (Math 8 students)
Thursday, December 17
- Deadline to submit mini-course change requests
- 8th Grade High School Placement Exams (Math 8 Students)
Friday, December 18
- Minimum Day - early dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
- 8th Grade High School Placement Exams (all 8th graders)
|
|
Looking Ahead
Monday, December 21 - Friday, January 1
Monday, January 4
- No School - Collaborative Planning Day
Tuesday, January 5
Tuesday, January 12
- MPCSD Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office, TERC Building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton
Monday, January 18
- No School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
|
|
|
|
Hillview School News
|
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 include:
- A printout or copy of your child's immunization record from your child's clinic or physician's office.
- A copy of the yellow immunization record.
- A certification of Tdap booster notice from your child's clinic, physician's office or pharmacy.
All documents submitted must have your child's name, date of birth, the 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 Follow-Up - Coping with Stress
This past week, all Hillview students received a character education lesson on coping with stress. Many thanks to the parents who volunteered their time to deliver these lessons, and also to 8th grade WEB leaders for their work with the 6th graders. None of this would have been possible without Counselor Robyn Watts's organization of the entire event. This lesson had several objectives:
- Identifying stressors and the student's individual style in dealing with them.
- Understanding that avoiding dealing with stress can make feelings worse.
- Understanding that coping means consciously doing something positive to handle stress.
- Identifying steps and strategies, including positive self-talk, for coping with stress.
In addition, Mr. Haug's "Midweek Mindset" addressed the benefits of just the right amount of stress (click here to read). We encourage you to continue the conversation with your students, and the above information can serve as a set of "talking points."
Eighth 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 transitions to high school. Eighth graders also will 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. So that students do not miss any instructional time after the break making up these assessments, it is important that students be at school on the scheduled dates. Please note them.
The Hillview Music Program Has Been Busy Lately!
A shout out to Mr. Vaughan and all the Hillview musicians and vocalists for their many contributions in the Menlo Park community this holiday season. On Sunday, December 6, the Hillview Jazz Band spiced up the Facebook Farmer's Market. The Hillview Chorus performed at the Filoli Holiday Traditions Faire in Woodside on December 1 and the Menlo Park Kiwani's Holiday Luncheon at the Menlo Circus Club on December 8. On Monday, December 14, the Hillview Orchestra will share its talents at a Noontime Concert at San Francisco City Hall from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. This is a free, public event, so please stop by if you are in San Francisco. Finally, congratulations to the 7/8 Concert Band, 7/8 Orchestra, and 6-8 Chorus, all of whom were selected to perform at Disneyland in the spring.
We are very proud of our musicians and Mr. Vaughan's efforts, and if you want to hear these groups in person, the Hillview Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. will give you the opportunity to hear all our wonderful ensembles perform! Bring a friend!
Hour of CodeDuring the week of December 7 - 13, schools worldwide were invited to engage students with the Hour of Code. Last year was Hillview's first Hour of Code event (and it was a super-engaging experience!), and on Friday, December 11, we again created a special schedule to allow students to explore the world of computer programming during a one-hour, end-of-day event. Many of our teachers volunteered to host students in their classrooms, and we also made space in the library. Many thanks to Mrs. Mary Martin, Hillview's Associate Principal, who coordinated the event. If students were absent on Friday, or unable to attend, they can still do the hour of code by visiting the website Hillview created to support the event at tinyurl.com/HVHourOfCode. Here you will find links to self-paced coding activities at a variety of levels. For more information on the Hour of Code, see the code.org website or the Hour of Code website.
Mini-Courses Change Request Deadline Approaches
We would like to remind families that if your student would like to change 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. The list of open courses will change as mini-courses fill, so if a student contacts us, we will let them know which choices are available at that time. After December 17, the ONLY course changes made will be for medical or other extenuating reasons.
Parents Needed for Character Education Classes in January and March
One of the high impact programs at Hillview is Character Education for 7th and 8th graders on topics like Stress Management, Empathy and Communication, and Bullying Prevention. These classes, which are moderated by parent volunteers, provide a meaningful volunteer opportunity to educate our kids and demonstrate excellent adult role models. We need ten more parent volunteers for the sessions in January and March to make this program a success, so please consider signing up. It's very easy to be a moderator and you will be given a script and instruction in advance. Please click here for more information and to sign up.
Summer School Dates Announced The District's 2016 Summer School Program will provide a variety of intervention programs for teacher-recommended students as well as some enrichment programs. This year, the K-5 program will be held at Laurel Elementary School, and the 6-8 program will be held at Hillview Middle School. The four-week summer program will start on Monday, June 27 and will end on Friday, July 22. There will be no school on the 4th of July holiday. More info to come!
|
|
MPCSD News
|
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 community members with information about enrollment projections, financial plans and potential renewal of the Measure C Parcel Tax, the Board's Long Range Planning Ad Hoc Committee will be at Hillview to provide information on Wednesday, December 16, from 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. The Board will also discuss the Parcel Tax Board during the Special School Board Meeting on December 15.
|
|
Hillview PTO News
|
Happy Winter Break from the Hillview PTO Thank you, Hillview families, for all that you contribute every day to make Hillview the special place it is for our kids, teachers, staff, and families. We hope you enjoy a relaxing break with time for family, friends and fun. See you in 2016. MPCSD Directories Available By now, you should have received a copy of the MPCSD directory, compliments of the PTO. Directories were sent home with each family's youngest child in the District the week of November 16. Extra directories (mini-versions of the Directory small enough to fit in a glove compartment) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the front office after Winter Break for a fee of $10.00 per directory.
The data in the directory comes from the PowerSchool Program. PowerSchool is populated with information from district registration forms filled out by parents. Parents are asked annually to update/verify their information through the InfoSnap website. If the information is incorrect, or if you're not listed in the Directory and wish to be, please email DistrictDirectory@mpcsd.org. Corrections will be made in the PowerSchool database. Parents will be asked to verify their entry next summer. Thanks also to parent John Kelly and Blackstone Discovery for their outstanding service in publishing the District Directory. Questions? Please contact DistrictDirectory@mpcsd.org.
|
|
Programs & Activities
|
Hillview ASB
Student Center Sale
Clearing out what's old to make room for what's new! All blue-and-white Hillview sweatshirts are on sale for an amazing price of just $10.00 each. Stock is limited. Please buy during brunch or lunch and stay warm over the Winter Break. Only cash and checks (made payable to Hillview Middle School) will be accepted. Sale ends December 17 (or when our inventory is depleted). Thank you for your support.
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 had a very successful fall with our programs, and we 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.
Hillview Music
Congratulations to the Hillview Jazz Band for their outstanding performance at the Facebook Farmer's Market last Sunday. Members of the Jazz Band played for four hours. Look for more performances in the Spring.
Please congratulate the Hillview Chorus for their inspiring performances at the Filoli Holiday Traditions Faire in Woodside and at the Kiwanis Club of Menlo Park Holiday luncheon at the Menlo Circus Club. Such events are wonderful performance opportunities that simultaneously tell our community about the great music that is happening at Hillview.
The 7/8 Orchestra will perform at San Francisco City Hall on Monday, December 14, from Noon to 1:00 p.m. This is a free, public event. Please stop by if you are in San Francisco.
The Hillview Winter Concert is on Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. Come hear performances by all of our outstanding ensembles. Hillview students will have an opportunity to hear their peers perform at school assemblies on Tuesday morning. Our musicians sound fantastic this year. Invite a friend.
Hearty congratulations to the 7/8 Concert Band, 7/8 Orchestra and 6/7/8 Chorus. All three have the unique distinction of being accepted to perform at Disneyland in the Spring as part of the Magic Music Days program. More details and specific dates to come.
Hillview Sports
Intramural Sports: New Day
Intramural sports will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays until further notice. For the next few weeks, the program 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. Approximately 25 jerseys are still missing.
After-School Basketball Season Begins
Basketball games for all teams continue this week. All 6th/7th grade boys will play 2nd league games this week: Tuesday for 6th grade girls; Wednesday for 6th grade boys; Thursday for 7th grade girls; Friday for 7th grade boys. 8th graders will begin their league on Monday, December 14.
Questions regarding these sports programs should be directed to Harry Bell at (650) 483-4049.
|
|
MPAEF News
|
Earn Money for Our Schools this Holiday: Shop Online at Shop.MPAEF.org
Avoid the crowds and holiday shop online while earning money for our schools from great stores such as Amazon; Best Buy; Bloomingdales; Expedia; GameStop; Gap; Lego; Nordstrom; Petsmart; ProFlowers; Saks Fifth Avenue and many more. Click here to link to your favorite merchant, pay for your items normally and earn up to 10% of your total purchase for our schools. It's so easy! Please note that MPAEF does not collect any personally identifiable information through this site.
|
|
Menlo-Atherton High School News
|
Eighth Grade Parents Invited to M-A Overview
Mark your calendars to hear Simone Kennel, Principal of Menlo-Atherton High School, give an overview of M-A's academic, athletic and extracurricular offerings on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the Hillview PAC. Get the inside scoop on life at M-A from Mrs. Kennel, M-A's College Counselor and students. Mark your calendars.
|
|
Community News
|
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 tomorrow, 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, enjoy a slice 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. Menlowe Ballet Performs "It's a Wonderful Nutcracker": December 13, 18, 19, 20 at the M-A PAC. 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.
Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory Classes: For 20 years, Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory (PVTC) has offered theatre classes to students of all skill levels, novice to experienced, ages 3 through high school. Classes are taught by professional actors, directors, singers, and dancers, and culminate in a final performance on an intimate stage with lights and costumes. Winter session begins the week of January 11th, and space is limited to 12 students per class, so click here to register or, for information, email info@pvtc-ca.org.
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.
Try Lacrosse this Spring! M-A Grizzlies has openings for boys and girls ages 7 - 13 for teams this spring. The lacrosse season lasts from February to May. Lacrosse is a fast-paced game young players can quickly learn and teaches skills also taught in basketball and soccer. 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 13 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. Click here for more information and tickets.
|
|
Newsletter Details
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
