 |
Monday, November 2
BLUE 6th - 8th grade students in-person week
New in-person and at-home schedules for 7th and 8th grade students here
Wednesday, November 4
Early release for in-person students:
6th - 1:40 pm, 7th - 2:15 pm, 8th - 2:40 pm
Thursday, November 5
Early release for in-person students:
6th - 1:40 pm, 7th - 2:15 pm, 8th - 2:40 pm
|
|
|
|
Monday, November 9
GOLD 6th - 8th grade students in-person week (Mavericks and Pioneers GOLD remain the DL academies)
Wednesday, November 11
No School - Veteran's Day
Friday, November 13
PTO Executive Board Meeting, 9:00 - 10:30 am, virtual
Student submissions for Hawks Nest due
End of Trimester 1
__________________________
Quicklinks bottom of newsletter
|
|
|
|
Dear Hillview Families,
We are coming off a wonderful two weeks with 6th graders back on campus since October 19. Getting to know our new Hawks in person has been so fulfilling, and we are buoyed by all that student energy as we look forward to tomorrow’s return of 7th and 8th graders!
Parents and guardians, if you missed Monday’s orientation on the return to campus for 7th and 8th graders, you can view the recorded presentation and Q & A here. Students, if you did not attend Friday’s orientation, the recording can be found here (Passcode = h6=1*MCj), and you can also review our slide deck here.
November 2 will mark the inaugural day of our staggered in-person schedules for all three grade levels, as well as a new at-home schedule for 7th and 8th graders (see Revised School Hours and Schedules in QuickLinks, bottom of newsletter). Note our arrival windows and dismissal times Monday:
-
6th grade BLUE: 8:10 - 8:25 arrival; 2:00 pm dismissal
-
7th grade BLUE: 8:45 - 9:00 arrival; 2:35 pm dismissal
-
8th grade BLUE: 9:10 - 9:25 arrival, 3:00 pm dismissal
Older siblings may arrive with younger siblings, and we will supervise them until their day begins. Likewise, younger siblings, if leaving with older siblings, may wait in a supervised area until that time comes.
It has been chilly in the morning, so students should dress in layers to keep warm.
Finally, on Tuesday, San Mateo County officially moved to the Orange (or “Moderate”) Tier. This change has no impact on how schools will operate, but it does offer us hope that we can continue with in-person learning as long as our community continues with those efforts that earned us the new status. This weekend we’ll “fall back,” but only in the sense of our daylight. Let’s keep it up, Hawks!
All the best,
Willy
|
|
iClick photos are Ready
Review the following document here and in your email for information on ordering photos.
|
|
Bring a Water Bottle and an Extra Mask
We want to remind all students to bring a filled water bottle or canteen and an extra mask to school every day. While the school day is shorter than previous years, drinking water fountains remain off and masks can break during the day.
|
|
SamTrans resumes Line 83
Starting on Monday, November 2
Ridership of line 83 and demand will determine whether or not it stays, but for now, see the following timetable for stops here.
SamTrans would also like parents and students to know that with the resumption of fare payment and front-door boarding, students are encouraged to use contactless payment methods like Clipper or the SamTrans Mobile app. Exact fare is required for cash payment as change cards are no longer issued onboard.
Reminder to wear a mask and practice physical distancing.
|
|
Have your App Ready for Return to School?
All families are required to complete the health screener in the ParentSquare app every single morning to determine whether or not their student should come to school. This health screener is mandatory, along with a temperature check for all students before they enter the campus.
Get your app before your student returns to school. Information is provided on how to get the ParentSquare app here.
|
|
Makeup Picture Day
Thursday, November 19, 12:00 - 4:00 pm, in the back parking lot of Hillview
Picture tents will be set up in the back parking lot. Appointments are in 5 minute increments; each student needs to have their own appointment. Schedule an appointment with iClickSmiles here.
Remember that masks and social distancing are necessary on campus.
|
|
Spirit Wear for the Holidays!
20% off of Hillview Spirit Wear in time for the Holidays (New Styles Added)!
Just in time for the holidays, get 20% off your purchase in the Hillview Spirit Wear Store powered by SquadLocker here. Use code HILLVIEWNOV20 at checkout (offer expires November 18).
New jackets, warm hats, blankets and sweats have been added! Make sure you order your gear before November 30 here to ensure a Christmas delivery. Show your Hillview pride whether you are on campus or Zooming with classmates!
|
|
|
Each week a staff member will be randomly selected to share a little bit more about themselves so the Hillview Community can get to know them better.
Mike Rogers
Teaches 7th grade social studies and has been at Hillview for 24 years.
When not teaching Mike enjoys reading Stephen King, watching sports (he is a big fan of the 49ers and Giants), and getting out and enjoying the world.
Favorite Quote: “You’re killing me Smalls!” or “Doh!”
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Fantasy
Favorite Subjects as a Middle School Student: Social Studies with Ms. Ranieri
|
|
|
|
Words of Wisdom for Hillview students: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen" Winston Churchill
What you probably didn’t know about me: I was born in Toronto, Canada. Oh, Canada!!! Ay!!!
One more thing: Get out and enjoy your family, your friends and the world that surrounds you. Do what makes you happy and don't let the recent events take you down.
|
|
|
|
A Call for Submissions
Read the newspaper's inaugural edition right here: October Newspaper publication. It was published on Friday and is off to a great start! Please join us for the November edition! Join us, contribute, share, and provide feedback.
The deadline for submissions for the November publication is Friday, November 13. Anyone can submit a story!
We are a group of students putting the most relevant news pieces together for our fellow student group and community. We are doing this because during the pandemic our usual school newspaper, Hawks Nest, is on hold.
Our hope is to continue to bring students and news together through this medium. The topic areas are: News, Entertainment, Sports, Local, Cartoon, and as we develop this club, we would like your ideas.
Students will be able to earn two Block H points for each submission. Submissions can be sent to 8th grade student editor, Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi here.
We are thankful to our advisor, Ms. Slaughter. Everyone is welcome. We’d love to hear from you!
|
|
TopYa! Virtual Competitions start through December 10
After School Athletics - TopYa! Is LIVE
The PTO After-School Athletics team has teamed up with TopYa! to offer three unique virtual competitions for our Hillview students which will last through December 10.
Students can choose from the following bundles:
Challenge Volleyball - follow skill development path designed by former Team USA Volleyball player
Challenge Soccer - improve your foot skills in a soccer development path
Challenge Cross Training - follow a path to improve general fitness
Students will compete both as individuals AND as an Academy team across all Hillview grades for some great prizes. Students can progress at their own pace through a series of challenges within each of the above disciplines and will be guided by human coaches through a digital platform to help skill development.
Each challenge path requires registration and a registration fee of $12.99 (scholarships are available). Registration will be available here.
|
|
MenloHelps
The Menlo Park City School District wants to thank you for your unbelievable generosity to the MenloHelps program during these difficult covid 19 times. Our families have been overwhelmed by your kindness. Each and every recipient is grateful for the food donations, gift cards and clothes that have come their way since March of this year. As we move forward into the holiday season we ask that you please consider us once again. Our MenloHelps page here on the district website outlines several options to help our families and allows you to donate directly so that we may purchase gift cards and groceries. Donations through our website allow us to limit the exposure to this terrible virus for our most vulnerable. Thank you all for considering MenloHelps here. We can do this together!
|
|
New COVID Testing Option
Curative here, the COVID testing company MPCSD has been partnering with to offer the Hillview events, is now also partnering with San Mateo County here to offer drive-through testing for anyone aged 5 and up on weekdays from 1:00-8:00 p.m. at the San Mateo Event Center. Sign up for an appointment online on Curative website here. MPCSD recommends testing every other week for students who are back to in-person learning. Other local testing options are listed at our COVID FAQ "Testing and Contact Tracing" page here.
|
|
School Board Meeting Report
At the School Board meeting on October 22, Superintendent Burmeister again updated the Board and public about the state of MPCSD's reopening. Now four weeks into the phased return of students, grades K-6 are back. The 7th and 8th graders return on November 2 (A Week) and November 9 (B Week).
Mr. Burmeister gave a snapshot of San Mateo County's data which continues to trend downward. A change in tiers would not affect MPCSD's reopening. The San Mateo County Office of Education expects to remain operating under the health and safety guidelines of the Pandemic Recovery Framework here for this school year. There were also updates to the PRF in a new edition published October 21. Updates include new guidance on travel, singing and band practice, and staff testing. See the full presentation here for more detail.
In other business, the Board heard a report on MPCSD's Beginning of the Year Data here which does show some areas of learning loss in ELA and math compared to pre-pandemic assessments. The district will provide targeted instruction and intervention. Benchmark assessments each trimester will be administered to monitor student progress learning of grade level standards.
The Principals and Assistant Superintendent Jammie Behrendt presented MPCSD's Site Goals here for this year for Equity and Bias, Academics, English Language Learners, Socio-Economically Disadvantaged, Integrated Wellbeing, and Parent Engagement. All goals support the district's Whole Child Learning and Development Framework and the state-required Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan here.
View the full meeting agenda, video, and any attached presentations here.
|
|
We want to take the opportunity to show our appreciation for our business and realtor partners in the community. Thank you for your support!
Gold
Coldwell Banker Realty here
|
|
And this year’s Jeanie Ritchie Grant Awardees are….
The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded over $39,000 in Jeanie Ritchie Grants. These grants provide funding for teachers to integrate innovative curriculum, projects, and experiences in the classroom during the 2020-2021 school year.
The grant program began in 1984 to honor Jeanie Ritchie, a founder of the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation. District teachers have been applying for these grants for over 36 years. Each year, teachers with unique teaching concepts prepare a comprehensive proposal and present their idea to the Jeanie Ritchie Grant committee who evaluate the proposal to see if it meets the program's three key qualities of innovation, curriculum enhancement, and sustainability.
A full list of this year’s awarded programs is available here, which will be implemented during the 2020-2021 school year.
Thank you to everyone who donates to MPAEF and to all of the Jeanie Ritchie Grant awardees who go above and beyond to make our school district the very best!
|
|
National Charity League The Mid-Peninsula Chapter is now conducting its membership drive for girls in the Class of 2027 - current 6th-graders. A non-profit philanthropic organization of mothers and daughters, from 7th through 12th grades, who journey through a six-year program together that encompasses community service, educational opportunities, and leadership development. For more information contact our membership drive team here. For more information about NCL and the Mid-Peninsula Chapter of NCL here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
