Monday, May 24
Blue students on campus this week
Pfizer Vaccine Clinic at Hillview, 8:00 - 5:00 pm, by appointment only
Tuesday, May 25
Return School Materials, all A-week/blue and 6th grade virtual academy
(through May 28)
Thursday, May 27
Hillview Open House, students to share reflection with their parent(s)/guardian(s)
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Monday, May 31
No School - Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 1
Return School Materials, all B-week/gold and 7/8th grade Virtual Academy
(through June 3)
Wednesday, June 2
Last day to send your gift to End-of-Year Staff Gift Fund here
Thursday, June 3
Regular Board meeting, 5:00 pm, Zoom
Monday, June 7 - Friday, June 11
Last week of school. Review special schedule here
Wednesday, June 9
PTO Executive Board Meeting, 9:00 - 10:30 am, Zoom
Thursday, June 10
Regular Board meeting, 5:00 pm, Zoom
Friday, June 11
8th Grade Graduation event here
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Quicklinks bottom of newsletter
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Dear Hillview Family,
On Friday, May 21, the Safeway-sponsored COVID-19 vaccine clinic here at Hillview served about 250 individuals. There are still plenty of slots available on Monday, May 24; register here and bring the required consent form here (en espanol aqui').
And did you watch the 2021 Hillview Talent Show,” Love, Hope, and HV” yet? We had some technical difficulties with the original link, and sent out a correction. The show is now archived and can be watched in its entirety here. You won’t want to miss the amazing talents of our Hillview Hawks, and the work of our 8th grade ASB students providing outstanding emcee commentary and a frame story! What a treat for our community.
Upcoming this week, on Thursday, May 27, is Hillview’s annual Open House. As noted in my May 2 message here, because we cannot have parents and students come to campus, we have engaged students in a reflection assignment that they have been working on during available SMART periods or Work Blocks. All students will have the next four days, May 24 - 27, to polish up their presentations. You should schedule time with them on Thursday evening to have them share their reflections with you. We will send a reminder on Thursday so you can see the assignment and engage in a conversation with your child.
A final note: Be sure to review the special schedule for the last week of school, June 7 - 11 that I shared in my April 25 message here, and which has been posted on our website here. All hybrid students will be on campus at some point that week, with 8th graders coming every day, am or pm, Monday-Thursday. This did represent a change from the original instructional calendar of the school year.
Be well, Hawks! We are in the home stretch, the last two-week instructional cycle of the 202-21 school year.
All the best,
Willy
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DAILY ParentSquare Health Screener Reminder from Mr. Haug
Hawks, we need to do a better job of completing the ParentSquare daily health screener. This past Friday, May 21, for example, only 216 of 352 students, or 61% logged in to ParentSquare and answered the health screening questions.
Even though COVID transmission continues to decline in San Mateo County, and even though vaccination rates continue to rise, the health screener is still a necessary requirement this year, and will likely be a part of our protocols in 2021-22. This is critical information for our nursing staff and helps to keep our community safe. Complete the health screener any time your child is scheduled to come to school, even if he or she is home sick.
For a reminder on how to use ParentSquare for this purpose, see this help document here (en espanol aqui').
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Return School Materials
Students are asked to return all of their materials:
- Textbooks
- Novels
- Logitech Keyboards (green/white stand alone keyboard)
- Library books
- No iPads
All A-week/blue and 6th grade virtual academy students Tuesday, May 25 - Friday, May 28
All B-week/gold and 7/8 grade virtual academy students Tuesday, June 1 - Friday, June 3
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
7:30 - 4:00 and Friday 7:30 - 3:30 to the front office
If your student has lost or otherwise unable to return materials, families will be required to pay for the missing items. Prior to May 24 your family will receive via email a list of items due back to Hillview and their costs so you know what needs to be. If you don't receive this email, contact Ms. Bosch here.
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iPad Return
6th and 7th grade students will NOT return their iPads this year. Students are asked to keep their iPad at home in a safe and secure location. All iPads will have internet access disabled during the summer. If your family is NOT planning on returning next year, then you MUST return the iPad by the last day of school Friday, June 11.
8th grade students will return iPads Monday, June 14, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. If you need to arrange a different time contact Ms. Bosch here.
Like last year, we will be conducting a car line return process. Students may also bike or walk. Return iPad, case, cable, and charger. Normal wear and tear is expected, however a charge will be assessed for items that have been disfigured or abused.
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8th Grade Parent and Student News |
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Hillview Graduation Registration and Gown Reservation
We are asking that all 8th grade families take a minute to fill out the Hillview Graduation Registration and Gown Reservation here. Per the county guidelines, registration for in-person graduation events is required and even if you are not attending, we need to ensure we get a proper headcount for the day’s events. If you are attending and would like to borrow a gown, you will indicate this on your registration form. Gowns will be distributed to in-person students the week of June 7. Virtual students will have a pick-up in the office with timing to be announced.
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8th Grade End-of-Year Information
We have created a webpage to help with details of the graduation event as well as other 8th grade important dates and news. Visit Class of 2021 here for more information on end-of-year events, deadlines and important to-dos.
Important Dates
Monday, June 7 - Awards Ceremony via Zoom 5:00 pm
Friday, June 11 - Virtual presentation of Capstone project
Friday, June 11 - Promotion ceremony, 2:30 - 6:10 pm
Monday, June 14 - Return iPad 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
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Summer Reading Assignments
8th grade students heading to Menlo Atherton, Woodside, Sacred Heart Preparatory, Sequoia, and Menlo School high schools here is a corrected link with summer reading assignment information, brought to you by Librarian Aimee Mathenia.
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Attention 6th and 7th Grade Parents
We are thrilled to be honoring our 320 8th grade graduates at our celebratory walk on Friday, June 11. In order to ensure this day runs smoothly, we need parent volunteers! In the spirit of “paying it forward” we encourage current 6th and 7th grade parents to help with the day. Choose from four shifts, two set-up and two event shifts. Sign up for 8th Grade Graduation Volunteers here.
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End-Of-Year Staff Gift Fund
As we reflect on our historic school year we know our students wouldn’t have been able to obtain the academic enrichment they received without the creativity and tireless work of our entire Hillview staff. It has been a long standing tradition at Hillview to gift the staff as a community. Parents are encouraged to contribute here to a centralized Teacher and Staff Gift Fund (organized by the PTO) and ALL proceeds will be redistributed to our staff and teachers.
The benefit of this approach is that no one is overlooked. The Gift Fund is used to recognize all 100 plus Hillview employees, including academy teachers, elective teachers, specialists, custodians, and staff. You have the option to donate via PayPal, check or cash here. The Hillview staff will receive the distribution via check the last week of school. We ask that your donation be received by Wednesday, June 2.
For more information on how to donate visit End of Year Staff Gift here. Thank you for helping us show our staff the appreciation they deserve!
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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.
Medea Yob teaches 6th grade math and has been at Hillview for 4 years! When not teaching Medea enjoys playing golf, working out, and camping.
Favorite Quote: To row upstream is to never advance
Favorite Movie: Tommy Boy
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Strawberry
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Favorite Subjects as a Middle School Student: Math!
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Words of Wisdom for Hillview Students: Never give up, never surrender!
What you probably didn’t know about me: English is my 3rd language
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Hillview Book Fair
Ends soon! Tuesday, May 25
You can shop in-person at Books Inc. Town & Country Palo Alto to stock up on books. Remember to mention that you would like to support Hillview Middle School, and Books Inc. will donate a portion of the sale back to the Hillview Library.
Shop online here and remember to add Hillview to the coupon code before you check out.
More information and the Books Inc. catalog can be found on the Hillview Library website here.
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Summer Reading
Hillview summer reading assignment is two chapter books that you have not read before. We hope you read more than two! The information for Hillview Summer Reading 2021 here includes book recommendations for middle school and YA books.
For 8th grade students heading to Menlo Atherton, Woodside, Sacred Heart Preparatory, Sequoia, and Menlo School high schools here is a corrected link with summer reading assignment information.
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May 13 Board Meeting
The Board recognized the twenty-seven English Language Learner (ELL) students who were reclassified this year as English Proficient! This special ceremony happens every year as students who have been receiving English Learning services are now able to graduate from the program with the gift of bi- or multi-literacy. MPCSD is fortunate to have thirty-six home languages represented among our students. Groups of students from each school were presented by their EL teacher and congratulated on their great accomplishment by Superintendent Burmeister and Board members.
The Board welcomed incoming Oak Knoll Principal Alicia Payton and approved her new contract for next year. They also approved the new financial analyst position that will replace the district’s retiring Director of Finance Jill Frederiksen, and a new job description for ELC lead teachers to recognize that lead teachers who are currently finishing their BA degrees are capable and should have a path towards teacher certification while they perform their job. They did not approve the reclassification of the Health Services Assistant position.
The Board approved the resolution here and ballot question here and language here for a replacement parcel tax, which now goes to the citizen committee to plan the campaign. The earliest this measure will be on the ballot is November 2021.
During Superintendent Burmeister’s usual Pandemic Response Update, he previewed what next year may look like in terms of health and safety protocols, including masking at least until all students are able to be vaccinated, 3-foot distancing, some form of health screening, and the continuation of quarantine procedures for COVID exposures. He reiterated that the pandemic is not over, and schools will need to move towards living with COVID as is the rest of society. Mask mandates are currently in flux as the CDPH and San Mateo County have yet to adopt the CDC’s new guidance. MPCSD will maintain its current health and safety protocols under the guidance of local health experts. There is currently no change to MPCSD’s protocols. See the full Pandemic Response presentation here. This was the 27th Pandemic Response Update, and Mr. Burmeister announced that these updates will no longer be a regular part of Board meetings. Board members may request specific updates as needed going forward.
The Board also heard Mr. Burmeister’s Budget Development Assumptions Update here. The district’s reserves will dip below the Board policy of 15% next year and were offered three options to address that: accept the staff recommendation of saving $300-350K by freezing 2 world language and 1.5 FTE science aide positions; direct the superintendent to look for additional cuts from the original list discussed earlier this year; suspend the Board policy of 15% reserves. Board members directed Superintendent Burmeister to proceed with option one, freezing the open positions that will be reflected in the 2021-22 budget presented in June. World language and science will be provided by existing staff, including a pilot virtual world language program for elementary students next year.
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We Rocked The Run Around the World!
Congratulations and thank you to all who trained, logged miles, competed and fundraised as we ventured around the world!
Here’s a recap of all that we accomplished together between May 1 - May 16:
Special thanks to our Schoolhouse Rocks Run Around the World Committee:
Tom Lento and Ben Wang (event co-chairs), Jessica White, Jessica Gilmartin, Melisa Gourley, Paige Arata and Sarah Thayer!
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Draft ’20-’21 MPAEF District Family Donor Roll
Take a moment to review the Donor Roll to ensure your name is listed accurately. View the Draft ‘20-’21 MPAEF District Family Donor Roll here
This list reflects donations received by MPAEF from MPCSD district families between July 1, 2020 and May 17, 2021.
Donor level calculations include all donations to the OCC, MPAEF, MPAEF Endowment, auction sponsorships, Fund-a-Need, Run donations and any business/realtor partner donations by a district family. Unpaid pledges are not included in the donor level calculations, but are inclusive of any portion of the pledge that was paid by May 17, 2021.
We make every effort to list each name correctly and apologize for any errors. Send an email to Carrie Chen here no later than Friday, June 4 with questions or corrections. Any feedback received will be incorporated into the 2020-2021 MPAEF Annual Report.
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You Deserve a Break from Cooking!
Skip the cooking and the dishes! Plus, you’ll support a local restaurant and donate to our schools at no additional cost.
Mention “Menlo - Atherton Schools” when ordering dinner from Galata Bistro on the last Wednesday in May and 15% of your entire order goes back to our schools!
Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, May 26!
Check out these 3 easy ways enjoy dinner at Galata and earn 15% back to our schools:
- Dine in at Galata Bistro at 827 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park
- Call (650) 325-7900 to place your take-out order
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Order dinner online for take-out via their website here.
Remember to mention “Menlo Atherton Schools” when placing your order! For more information, visit here.
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Washington DC 8th grade trip Update If you were unable to attend the meeting May 12, you may review the recording of the meeting here. There has been an overwhelming response to this trip and space is very limited at this point. There will be a waitlist so it is still worth registering. From past experience, spaces will likely open up in the coming months. If you have any questions, email Ms. Carolyn Malquist here. **Reminder, this is NOT a school-sponsored trip.**
AYSO Let's play soccer! The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) provides a great soccer experience for ages 4 through 18. Menlo-Atherton AYSO is the largest youth soccer program in the area, and we are excited to return to offering our Fall Core season this year after the COVID interruption. Registration here is in progress for our Fall Core 2021 program, with no fees required now. During the summer, we will ask registered families to return to the system to complete payment. Financial aid will be available. For more information, contact registrar here.
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