All parents are encouraged to attend a final, special Board meeting on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. to learn about a possible MPCSD Parcel Tax on the May 2016 ballot. The meeting will take place in the MPCSD TERC building, 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton. At a January 11 Board meeting, Superintendent Ghysels and the Long-Range Planning Ad Hoc Committee continued their discussion with the School Board about possibly renewing and/or increasing a parcel tax as Measure C expires on June 30, 2017. Following the Board's initial discussion at its November 10, 2015 meeting, Supertintendent Ghysels and staff held thirteen informational meetings with parents, staff and the community in December. These informational meetings included Measure C background information, student enrollment data, District's financials and an overview of MPCDS's commitment to excellence. The Board continued its parcel tax discussions on December 8, 2015; December 15, 2015 and January 11, 2016.

Mark your calendars! The M-A Joint Concert is your chance to hear the advanced instrumental ensembles from Hillview, La Entrada and M-A perform. Hillview will be represented by the 7/8 Concert Band, 7/8 Orchestra, and Jazz Band. This concert demonstrates to our middle-schoolers just how good they will sound as they continue in their music education into high school. Musicians in all grades are encouraged to attend, even if they are not performing. The concert will begin at 7:00 p.m., and will run until 8:30 p.m.

At the January 11 MPCSD Board meeting, the District's Music Team presented its first draft of how the District will apply the 2014 National Standards for Music Education to the current curriculum. Over the course of the year, the Music Department (district-wide) will meet to review objectives and set goals through defined units of study following the strands set forth in the National Standards. Hillview will be following the Ensemble strand. One of the most interesting changes to the 2014 Standards from the original 1994 National Standards for the Arts is the promotion of creativity as exemplified by composition and improvisation. At Hillview, we have begun consistent drilling and work in all 7/8 ensembles in rhythmic and melodic dictation and music theory. The plan is to have students create compositions in the the 3rd trimester, and culminate in a small recital of original works. Look for more information on these developments in the coming weeks and months.

This year, the Hillview Drama Department is presenting "The Music Man" on March 17-19.  We provide the pit musicians. If your student is interested in playing in the Band, please ask them to see Mr. Vaughan. The pit band musicians will include:

Piano: rehearsal and performance  - must have great reading skills! Any parent who can help with this vital instrument is encouraged to contact Mr. Vaughan! The piano is the linchpin to the entire Pit Band.

Thanks to Our Realtor and Business Partners

We want to take the opportunity to shout out some appreciation to a few of our many realtor and business partners in the community. Thank you for your support!

Mary & Brent Gullixson, The Gullixson Team - Realtor Partner

Calling All Baseball and Softball Players! The Alpine/West Menlo Little League and Softball is open for registration for ball players aged 4 to 13. We're looking to teach young players, give parents opportunities to hone their coaching skills and provide (paying) jobs for kids interested in youth umpiring. Little League Baseball and Softball offers a combination of fun and competitive play in a community-centric environment unparalleled in youth sports. Come join the fun! Click here for more information.