Monday, February 22
Blue students on campus this week
Tuesday, February 23
”Being an Askable Adult: The Why, What, When and How of Talking with your Child about Sexual Health," 6:30 pm, register here
Wednesday, February 24
Lunch Bunch, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, via Zoom
Thursday, February 25
School Board Meeting, 5:00 pm, Zoom
(Zoom link on MPCSD website)
Friday, February 26
8th Expectations and Graduation Requirements meeting, Gold and Virtual academy students, 12:00 - 12:45 pm, Zoom
Notification to families who have requested program changes (Distance to Hybrid or vice versa) for Trimester 3
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Thursday, March 4
“Extreme Science" Virtual Assembly in 6th Grade Science
Friday, March 5
8th Expectations and Graduation Requirements meeting, Blue students, 12:00 - 12:45 pm, Zoom
Yearbook orders - last day here, use Hillview number 10070
8th grade student's baby picture, last day to submit here, with code hillviewmiddle21, and information here
End of Trimester 2/Hexmester 4 (new elective and PE classes begin on Monday, March 8)
Tuesday, March 9
District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), 4:30 - 6:00 pm, Zoom here
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Quicklinks bottom of newsletter
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Dear Hillview Families,
This week we welcome back our BLUE students as we continue on our journey of in-person learning. All the recent focus in news media about plans for school reopenings across the country and in the Bay Area have only underscored the thoughtful, creative, and resilient work that MPCSD and Hillview teachers have managed to accomplish, as we now enter our fifteenth week with students on campus. Let’s be sure to do our part in preserving this precious gift. You can help by arranging for an Independent Study Plan this coming week if your student has traveled. I note that the highest numbers of COVID cases in our district community have directly correlated with weeks following breaks. For BLUE students to attend tomorrow, they should have arrived home on Thursday, February 11. For GOLD students to attend on Monday, March 8, they should have arrived home on Thursday, February 18.
I also hope you will continue to be engaged as MPCSD hones in on proposed cuts that will impact Hillview, as well as plans to go out for a parcel tax to replace Measure X in the fall of 2021. Read more in the “School Board Update” section, below. There are also multiple community engagement events in the coming week (see the “You’re Invited” section near the bottom of the newsletter) so that you can learn more and share your thoughts. Finally, the next Board meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, February 25 here.
All the best,
Willy
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Expectations and Graduation Requirements Meeting
We wanted to give everyone a heads up about the required 8th grade student event coming up. In a typical year, we would bring together our 8th grade students for a third trimester meeting about expectations and graduation requirements.
This year we will discuss these requirements and do a refresher on campus and Zoom protocols.
- Friday, February 26, 12:00 - 12:45 pm, Zoom, Gold and Virtual Academy students
- Friday, March 5, 12:00 - 12:45 pm, Blue students
To make sure all students are able to join the call, social studies and world language classes will be asynchronous for each of the dates. We will inform the students of these mandatory meetings and changes in their classes; together with your help, we can ensure that all students attend.
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iPad iOS update
Hillview would like all student iPads to be updated to iOS 14. This is important since we did not update 7th and 8th grade iPads this summer due to COVID. Ask your student to update his/her iPad to iOS 14 at your earliest convenience.
Directions to update:
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1. Go to Settings
2. Click on General
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3. Click on Software Update
4. Click Install Update
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ACTION REQUIRED!
Attention: Parents of Current 6th Grade students
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Tdap Vaccination
All incoming 7th grade students for the 2021-22 school year are required by law to provide proof of a whooping cough booster shot (Tdap), administered on or after the 7th birthday (Td does not meet the requirement) AND a second Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccination.
Act now and avoid the last minute scramble this summer! Call your child's healthcare provider to determine if a Tdap (given on or after the 7th birthday) and a second Varicella vaccination have been administered.
NEW LAW for Medical Exemptions: As of January 1, 2021 temporary and permanent medical exemptions can only be issued through the CAIR-ME website by physicians licensed in California. If your child has had the Varicella disease, and/or you have provided an exemption letter in the past due to immunity to any disease, you must contact your child’s healthcare provider for an official CAIR-ME form.
Do not mark the document. Provide an updated copy of your child's immunization record with your child's first and last name, date of birth, and proof of Tdap administered on or after the 7th birthday. Email the record to Nancy McMahon here, health services assistant here; fax to 650-292-2200; or bring a copy to the District Office to the attention of Nancy McMahon. For more information, visit the Shots for School website here.
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Submit Your Photos for the Yearbook!
Thanks to all the students who have submitted their photos so far!
Take a look at the updated flyer here and choose from 2 to 3 topics (max) and submit your photos by March 15. The yearbook staff will include at least one image of every student who submits a photo. Have fun with it!
Submit your photos here and use the code hillviewmiddle21
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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.
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Huckleberry Hunt
Mr. Hunt is a para educator in the AIMS class and has been at Hillview for 4 years. When not teaching he likes to dive, ride motorcycles and play sports.
Favorite Quote: Don’t let them win - Phil Eaton
Favorite Movie: The Goonies
Ice Cream Flavor: Peppermint
Favorite Subjects as a Middle School Student: History
Words of Wisdom for Hillview students: Keep trying!
What you probably didn’t know about me: I have never painted a fence.
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Attention All Hillview Artists!
Do you like to do art on your own time? Are you looking to share it with the Hillview community of other students who like art? Then, check out the new website here just for Hillview students and their art. Password: H1llv13w@rt
It is password protected and monitored daily by Ms. Kogan, the art teacher.
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District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
Tuesday, March 9, 4:30 - 6:00 pm, Zoom here
DELAC is a committee for the parents of students who are learning English. At our March meeting, we will be learning about and providing input on the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) as well as learning about state CAASPP state testing.
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School Board Update - February 11
Parcel Tax
There are many decisions still to make about the Parcel Tax here, including the amount and length. The Board will take input from the community at upcoming Board meetings on February 25, March 11, and 25, April 15, and May 13. We have set-up Community Engagement Sessions dedicated to receiving your input on February 22 (register here), February 25 (register here), and February 27 (register here), more information below in You're Invited.
Parcel Tax planning continues with the approval of a formal poll to be conducted by an outside agency, and the Friends of Menlo Park Schools volunteer campaign team soliciting interested volunteers. To volunteer or request more information, fill out the Google form here.
Cost Savings
Superintendent Burmeister presented $2.2M in staff-recommended cuts here that include the consolidation of roles at the district office including a new Assistant Superintendent of Talent and Technology; changes to the elementary music and world language programs; staffing adjustments in elementary grades and special education, among other efficiencies. The Board did not make any decisions about the recommendations at this meeting.
Middle School World Language Program
In response to a Board Member request that the Board look at high school level language classes offered in middle school, there was a robust discussion about possible changes to the Hillview French program here, specifically eliminating the French 1a and 1b path and keeping the French 1 and 2 options for 7th and 8th grader students only. Other new designs for middle school language will be assessed including adding French and Spanish to the 6th grade wheel. The Board will continue to consider this change and no decisions were made at this meeting.
Pandemic Response Update
Superintendent Burmeister reported that vaccination Phase 1b, which includes education workers, will be eligible in San Mateo County beginning February 22. This is a good step forward; the county superintendents are working together to plan events for all county educators to receive their vaccines, prioritizing special education and in-person staff.
MPCSD is planning to open in Fall 2021 with a full daily schedule for all grades, but does expect to keep many health and safety protocols in place, like masking, hygiene, and some amount of physical distancing. The district remains flexible to revert to the hybrid model should that be required; San Mateo County's protocols will be the guide.
New Science Curriculum
The Board approved Twig Science as its new curriculum.
Early Learning Center
An inspiring update about the Early Learning Center here - there are four in-person and one virtual class, and it is operating on budget. It is planning to expand to three classrooms at Oak Knoll and possibly at Laurel for Fall 2021.
Next Board Meeting
Thursday, February 25, 5:00 pm, Zoom
(link and agenda available on district homepage on the afternoon of Monday, February 22)
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You're Invited!
Superintendent Burmeister and the School Board are discussing the long-term financial plans for our district. From the Measure X renewal to cost savings this year and beyond, there is much to consider in practicing student-centered stewardship that achieves efficiency without sacrificing quality.
Join Erik and School Board Members at a Community Engagement Session:
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Monday, February 22, 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Register in advance here
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Thursday, February 25, 10:00 - 11:00 am. Register in advance here
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Saturday, February 27, 9:30 - 10:30 am. Register in advance here
Your voice matters!
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MPCSD Parent Education
Speaker Series
”Being an Askable Adult: The Why, What, When and How of Talking with your Child about Sexual Health," Tuesday, February 23, 6:30 pm, register here
A presentation by Vanessa Kellam, parent engagement coordinator, Health Connected, this parent-only interactive workshop will be facilitated by Health Connected, the leading provider of puberty and education in San Mateo County schools.
The session will provide tips and strategies for you, as a parent, to create an environment of comfort and trust with your child to discuss puberty and their emerging sexuality. This workshop is open to all parents and designed especially for adults who have teens and pre-teens.
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Reminder to Mark Your Calendars for March 10-15 for the Online Auction!
Thank you to the "Wish List" donors!
The MPAEF would like to thank all the members of our community who so generously sponsored items from this year’s Auction Wish List. View the list here.
Thank you to our Business Partner Auction Sponsors!
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For your support!
We want to take the opportunity to show our appreciation for our business and realtor partners in the community.
Platinum
Gold
Hessler Plastic Surgery here
Titanium
Koma Sushi Japanese Restaurant here
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Alpine Strikers FC Calling all Future Soccer Families! Register NOW for the beautiful game of soccer. Register for Spring Season here. Season runs from March - June; pre-competitive teams ages 3-6, competitive teams ages 6+; tryouts/games when county moves to orange tier; proudly adhering to all COVID-19 safety protocols.
Marine Science Institute (MSI) in Redwood City Registration is open for the Marine Science Summer Camp, an outdoor camp for K-8. Young scientists will explore the Pacific Coast and San Francisco Bay marine habitats and will observe live animals using scientific equipment in a safe and fun environment. Every week at camp includes at least one day aboard the R.V. Robert G. Brownlee, MSI’s 90-foot research vessel. One and two-week long camps are available. Visit the MSI website here for more details and to register.
Norcal Crew is happy to announce the return of our middle-school program for Spring 2021. All practices will be held at Westpoint Harbor, and each session will be limited to 12 athletes, so don't hesitate to register your athlete prior to the start date. The season runs from February 8 to April 29. Register here.
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