Volume 32 | 12 April 2020
Better Resolution Hillview Hawk
Middle School Newsletter
This Week
Monday, April 13
Distance Learning continues
(through end of school year)

Google form due, to borrow iPad keyboard from Hillview here
 
Tuesday, April 14
Hillview Site Council Meeting, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, via video, details by email

Wednesday, April 15
Pick up reserved keyboards at Hillview,
10:00 am - 12 noon 

Return Hillview after-school athletic jerseys,
box at carline near office
(until 5:00 pm Friday, April 17)

Thursday, April 16
R egular Board Meeting, 6:00 - 10:00 pm, details by email
Looking Ahead
Monday, April 20
WEB applications available in Google classrooms, 7th-grade students
(through Friday, May 1)

Friday, April 24
Midtrimester - T3

Friday, May 1
WEB applications available in Google classrooms, 7th-grade students, last day to apply

Hillview School News
Dear Hillview Families,

We continue to make adjustments to our Distance Learning program based on your feedback and input. The two biggest takeaways from our March 27 surveys relate to the amount of work (just over 40% of our students responded that the amount of work is “too much”) and connection among students (over 50% of our students do not feel connected enough to their peers, not surprisingly). 

In response to these results, we will be making a few changes in our weekly schedule beginning April 20 (stay tuned for more details). Also, we encourage students to attend Office Hours and other teacher sessions even if they don’t have pressing questions. Simply checking in and saying “hi” is really important at this time. Teachers are increasing the number of live sessions they provide, and our program does and will remain asynchronous.

Finally, we want to remind all our students to follow respectful online etiquette. When joining a Google Meet or Zoom, students need to enter their correct first and last name and have their camera on so that the teacher can visually authenticate each student.

A reminder that you can review our Distance Learning resources on our website here . For any general feedback on our program, email here ; specific questions about classes should be directed to teachers. Finally, if you have positive feedback about your child’s DL experience, please complete our “Kudos on the DL” form here .

Be well! We miss you!
Willy
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Borrow an iPad Keyboard  
Monday, April 13, form due to reserve an iPad keyboard here

During distance learning, students can borrow an iPad keyboard by filling out the Request a Keyboard google form here . The reservation allows your student to borrow a keyboard until the end of the school year.  

Pick up iPad keyboard
Wednesday, April 15, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Hillview carline.

We will be using social distancing practices:
 
  • Drive to the carline at Hillview  
  • Remain in your car
  • You will be greeted at the curb  
  • Provide your student’s name

For further information, contact Monica Bosch here
jerseys
Return your Jerseys - After School Athletics
Wednesday, April 15 - Friday, April 17 until 5:00 pm, near Hillview office

D rop off your student’s Hillview-issued jersey in the collection box for after-school athletic jerseys.

For now, jerseys only, no balls or other equipment, storage is very limited and inaccessible at this time. Use social distancing practices.

Thank you all and stay well-
Hillview Site Council Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, via video. Election of parent nominees for the 2020-2022 term at 5:00 pm.

The Hillview School Site Council, which consists of Hillview's principal, teachers, staff, student representatives, and six elected parents, is responsible for developing and monitoring the school Site Plan (the SPSA, Single Plan for Student Achievement).

The Site Plan specifies the goals and metrics that drive major decisions on academics, the school environment, social emotional well-being, technology, and other significant areas related to the school.

The Site Council reviews school goals and selects specific improvements to progress. The Site Council is also responsible for creating and evaluating the annual site survey. The Site Council plays an important role in the governance and improvement of the school, and the parent members are elected by parents to represent their views.

All parents in our community are welcome.

More information on the Site Council here . Contact Tamara Russell here for details.

PTO News
Dear Hillview Families,
 
As we continue our new age of distance learning we encourage everyone to stay connected! We, the Hillview Hawks, will thrive together! Continue to reach out to others through Google Hangouts, Zoom, Facetime. Take this time to build relationships, past, present and future. Keep our community connected and fill your mind with positive light and make each day a little brighter. 
 
Can’t say this enough (so just have to repeat it): It's important to show gratitude for what we have and who we have in our lives, family, friends, the people that help take care of us and inspire us. 
A HUGE SHOUT OUT to our AMAZING teachers for their heroic efforts in carrying out distance learning. THANK YOU!
 
Remember to be sure to read our newsletters, use the Hillview website here as a communication tool to stay up to date with all new information. 
 
Happy spring, s ending virtual love and laughter to all,
 
Your Hillview PTO Co-Presidents
Carolyn Kryger and Lil Perazich

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is wasted. Aesop
Programs & Activities
Hillview Middle School WEB
WEB logo
Hillview Middle School WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) program is recruiting! The program here is run by teachers Jacky Schlegel, Rob Lawrence, and Kara Connelly.

The program is seeking current 7th-grade students, to help lead the 6th-grade orientation and welcome all new students.

Join the Google Classroom with the code 6hnu2uj to learn more information about the program, the application process and requirements. 
Hillview Library

The Hillview Library has a digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks through the Sora app, perfect for Distance Learning!  Here is a quick screencast  from Mrs. Mathenia on how to access the books.

Peninsula Library also uses Sora, so you can link to both libraries for even more books. 

Battle of the Books continues!
See the results from Round One here   on the library website , and see the form to vote in Round Two. 

MPCSD News
Attendance Reporting

Now that Distance Learning will be in place through the end of the year,  you do not need to report your student's attendance via School Messenger  unless a student is NOT planning to participate in Distance Learning for any significant amount of time. All students will be assumed present. 
MPCSD Helps
 As more and more families within Menlo Park City School District experience economic hardship, many other MPCSD families have asked how they can help.

To ensure that our families can access necessary resources, MPCSD in partnership with the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation has created an initiative called MPCSD Helps . This resource can connect families in need with support and families wishing to give with guidance on donating money, gift cards, or groceries.

See the MPCSD Helps webpage here for more information, email here in English or Spanish to request or offer help.
MPCSD COVID-19 FAQ for up-to-date information for our district here .

Quick Links