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Monday, October 19
BLUE 6th grade students in Everest and Vesuvius academies in-person week (Olympus BLUE is the DL academy)
New 6th grade bell schedule in effect here
Wednesday, October 21
Early Release for in-person students, 1:40 pm
Thursday, October 22
Service Team meeting, Pets in Need Virtual Puppy Playdate, 2:30 pm, via Zoom
Early Release for in-person students, 1:40 pm
Friday, October 23
Deadline to request as change in program (Hybrid or Distance)
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Monday, October 26
GOLD 6th grade students in Everest, Olympus, and Vesuvius academies in-person week
7th and 8th Grade parent and student orientation about Return to School,
5:00 - 6:15 pm via Zoom here
Friday, October 30
Notification to families about Hybrid or Distance program change requests
7th and 8th grade Student Welcome Back Orientation, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, here
Meeting ID: 995 7243 2635; Passcode: 514029
Monday, November 2
BLUE 6th - 8th grade students in-person week
Monday, November 9
GOLD 6th - 8th grade students in-person week (Mavericks and Pioneers GOLD remain the DL academies)
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Quicklinks bottom of newsletter
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Dear Hillview Families,
Monday is a momentous day as we begin to welcome students back on campus for our Hybrid in-person program, with 6th grade BLUE students in Everest and Vesuvius being the first groups. It is an exciting time and also one that raises our anxiety about what to expect. In our 6th grade Student Welcome Back Orientation Friday, I framed the return as forming new habits. The kind of program we are returning to is entirely new: the size of our classes, how we move about campus, our adherence to health and safety protocols, where and how we eat lunch, and much more. So it is completely normal to feel anxious, to have lots of questions, and to wonder how it will all go. The Hillview Team is dedicated to guiding all students in adjusting to the new learning experience and forming these new habits together.
One big shift on Monday will be a new bell schedule for our 6th graders here, as they will be following the staggered schedule that all students will move to come November 2. This means an earlier morning routine: on campus between 8:10 and 8:25 (if in-person), or ready for Launch as early as 8:15. Please make plans for the earlier start this weekend. 7th and 8th graders will remain on the current Distance Learning schedule until November 2.
Our Return to Campus Information webpage here is chocked full of useful information. Please refer to it for any questions you have. You may also want to review the presentation we gave to our 6th graders this past Friday here, or watch the recording here (Passcode=9^Jv803a). While specific to 6th graders, it provides a good overview for all students. Note in Looking Ahead that we have a similar student-facing orientation for our 7th and 8th graders on october 30.
Be safe and be well. We are thrilled to see students back starting Monday!
All the best,
Willy
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Medications at School
If your child requires any medication, prescribed and/or over-the-counter, medication authorization is required. For returning students, forms were either given to you when you picked up medications last spring, or were mailed home in June. For new students, these forms were available at registration.
Carry/Self-Administer If you check the "Yes" box on the authorization form for your child to carry/self-administer medication, and the healthcare provider checks "No", the healthcare provider's orders supersede parent/guardian request.
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Students returning on October 19, completed forms and medications must be brought to the school office by Thursday, October 15, (though sooner would be better) for proper processing. Medications should expire in June 2021 or later.
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Students returning at a later date, return completed forms and medications to the school office at least one week prior to your child's start date.
Medication must be provided in the original package or container and should expire in June 2021 or later. Provide Epinephrine auto-injector pens in the original box with the pharmacy label. Provide unopened over-the-counter (OTC) medications. For prescription and OTC pill medication, provide in the original bottle with the pharmacy label (if applicable) and correct dosage and expiration date. You may need to ask the pharmacist for an additional container or bottle. Loose medication will NOT be accepted. Place all medications in their original package in a ziploc bag with the completed authorization forms. You may also want to write your child's first and last name on the bag.
Forms are located on the district website here.
Food Allergy If your child has a food allergy, both the Medication Authorization Form and the FARE form must be completed by parent/guardian and healthcare provider.
Insect sting/bite If your child has an insect sting/bite allergy, both the Medication Authorization Form and the Allergy Health Care Plan form must be completed by parent/guardian and healthcare provider.
Other For other medication at school needs (e.g., asthma, headaches, ADHD) the Medication Authorization Form needs to be completed by parent/guardian and healthcare provider.
Contact Nancy McMahon, health services assistant, here for any questions.
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See 8th grade offerings from high schools in Community News section:
- M-A 8th Grade Information Night
- Notre Dame Belmont Shadow Visits
- Discover Serra High School
- TIDE Academy 8th-Grade Parent Information Night
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We Did It!
Thank You Hillview Community
Thank you to all of our amazing families who donated to support our school! This is such a different and difficult year and we are extremely grateful that our community came together to make our fundraising a success. Supporting our school today ensures we will be ready for the future.
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Moe Hawk is Principal for a Day
Hillview students voted and it came down to a difference of 1 vote. The winning vote was for Hawk as principal for the day! Watch what happens when Moe is in charge for the day here.
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Academy and Parent Communications via Schoology
Parents who have created an account in Schoology have been added to their student's Academy Group. You will receive communications from the academy leads about volunteering for your student's academy when there are needs.
Tips on how to find messages from your academy team:
- Your Academy Group is located in GROUPS on the parent-facing portal (will not appear in your student’s portal)
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All parents who have a Schoology account linked to their student, have been added to the student's academy. If you do not see your academy, email here.
- Look for periodic updates from your academy parent leads. Make sure you have notifications for email or mobile set to “on” for “School Groups”.
Hillview has a webinar called Schoology for Parents to help parents navigate our new Learning Management System here. All parents are encouraged to have a parent account for Schoology to allow them to access their student's accounts and get updates related to their academy.
If you do not yet have an account, email here.
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Now serving Free 7-Day Meal Kits
Mondays till December 28, 3:30 - 6:00 pm, Encinal carpool lane
The hot lunch program is open to all families in Menlo Park school district and city wide with children 18 years and younger. Families must have The LunchMaster account to order their own 7-day boxed meal kits that include both breakfast and lunch options. There are NO economic status requirements at this time. The program will run through December 31 and free to all. All orders MUST be placed by Thursday 10:00 am for the following week. Additional information here.
Social distancing practices in effect, therefore, remain in the car, the boxes will be loaded for you.
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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 “Mr. D” Doroquez
Teacher 8th grade math and has been at Hillview for 19 years!
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When not teaching Mr. D enjoys planting and cultivating in the yard; collecting Transformers, Legos, and Star Wars memorabilia; computer building; reading; obsessing and stressing over my sports teams.
Favorite Quote: "Living life is a choice, making a difference in someone else’s isn’t.”
Favorite Movie: The Flight of Dragons
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Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies ‘n’ Cream
Favorite Subjects as a Middle School Student: Drafting and Wood Shop
Words of Wisdom for Hillview students: "Life is hard. It has been hard since the beginning of time. However, if you are able to make the journey of life a little easier for a fellow human being, do it. If we as human beings would spend more time helping each other rather than putting each other down, our world would be such a better place.”
What you probably didn’t know about me: I spent two years in a small country in Africa called Malawi for the Peace Corps right after college.
I taught both math and science with only one math book and one science book for the entire school. My average class size was about 100 students sitting on the ground. I taught Forms 1-4, which is the equivalent of grades 9-12 in the US.
One more thing: Teaching has been the hardest, most gratifying, emotionally taxing, and most satisfying job that I've done in my life. I would never trade it for anything. It has shaped who I am as a person, how I relate to other people, and how I deal with challenges in life.
Even though I won't say it out loud, it waters my eyes when I see that what I taught brings a light of self-realization or an "a-ha moment" to a student's life. Lastly, I draw inspiration from my colleagues, my thousands of students that I've taught through the years, and their parents.
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Pets in Need Meeting
Thursday, October 22, 2:30 pm, via Zoom
Love puppies and kittens? Join us for a virtual "puppy/kitten playdate"! You will make dog toys and learn more about Pets in Need here, a local no-kill animal shelter, and meet some of their four-legged residents!
Visit the Service team Schoology site or email here for zoom location and clear instructions for this easy-to-do at home project.
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Go Virtual with TopYa!
The After School Athletics team has teamed up with TopYa! to offer three unique virtual competitions for our Hillview students set to kick off mid October and last through November 20. TopYa! was created on the premise that almost everyone receives joy when they learn and accomplish something whether that be in sport, school, work or a personal passion.
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.
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2019-2020 MPAEF Annual Report:
Investing in Our Schools and Community
The 2019-2020 MPAEF Annual Report celebrates all of our donors - parents, businesses, grandparents and community members - as well as the many dedicated volunteers, who together made possible the $3.85M grant to MPCSD! The report also shares key financial information and an update on the MPAEF Endowment for Excellence in teaching. Together we can!
Please note: All information shared in the report is specific to the 2019-2020 school year (last year) and reflects donors and donations received by MPAEF between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.
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October Feast All Month Long. Guilt-Free Take Out!
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The whole month of October, order for pick-up from one of our restaurant partners below and up to 25% goes back to our schools! Promo is for pick-up only! And don't forget to mention MPAEF when ordering. DoorDash, UberEats and delivery orders do not apply. For more information, visit here.
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Curieus Connects is a free, virtual course taught by local high schoolers who have a passion for teaching and learning. Every week, kids will perform a fun and educational science experiment under the guidance of our trained teachers. For more information: visit our website here and sign up for our biology, chemistry, and physics classes!
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Halloween Events
M-A Leadership presents Trick-or-Treat Street
Wednesday, October 28, 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Menlo-Atherton High School
O ur annual Trick-or-Treat Street celebration to give back to our community by providing a sanctuary for young children to enjoy their Halloween trick-or-treating. This is an invitation for your family to come spend time with us (driving-through). More information here.
Encinal Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October 24, 6:00 - 9:00 pm, Encinal carpool lane
A drive-through Halloween spectacular featuring all of your seasonal favorites - pumpkins, ghosts, witches, Día de los Muertos, along with characters from Peanuts, Dr. Seuss, Paw Patrol, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Get into the Halloween spirit by wearing costumes or decorating your cars. A socially-distant, drive-through community event (no bikes or walk-ups), all guests must remain in their car. Sponsored by the Encinal PTO through the support of Encinal families’ generous donations to the One Community Campaign.
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8th Grade Information
M-A 8th Grade Information Night 2020 Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 - 7:00 pm. Register here for the 8th Grade Information Night webinar. Also 9th grade curriculum and pathways information will be presented by department on Friday, October 16 for you to view before the 8th Grade Information Night webinar on Friday, October 20 here. A Google Form will be made available for families to ask questions. Those most frequently asked will be addressed during the webinar October 20. All presentations will be available in Spanish and Spanish translation will be available during the webinar. More information here.
TIDE Academy 8th-Grade Parent Information Night Thursday, October 22, 7:00 pm, via Zoom here. We would like to invite all 8th grade families to join us virtually.
Notre Dame Belmont Shadow Visits open for families with 8th grade daughters, spend a virtual shadow day experiencing classes, meeting students, and getting a taste of all that Notre Dame has to offer. Parents will learn about the admissions process, hear from current students, and have their questions answered by the Director of Admissions. Shadow dates run through November 19. Registration is also open for Becoming Notre Dame (Virtual Open House) on October 25 and Notre Dame Night on November 12. Register here for a shadow visit or other event. Learn more about Notre Dame here.
Discover Serra High School We invite you to explore our website to find out what makes Serra an extraordinary college preparatory. From challenging and rigorous academic courses to extracurricular activities, which include stellar performing arts, competitive athletics, an incredible music program and more than 40 unique clubs, Serra has so much to offer every young man. No matter his passion, we promise to challenge your son to reach new heights. Visit here.
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