Monday, March 22
Blue students on campus this week
Tuesday, March 23
Deadline for Parent Survey here on MPCSD Cuts and Parcel Tax
Thursday, March 25
Distance Learning Day for BLUE Students (see Mr. Haug's message below for more details)
MPCSD Special Board Meeting, Open Session, 5:00 pm, Zoom here
Friday, March 26
No School - Staff Development Day
Sunday, March 28
The newsletter will not publish due to Spring Break
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Monday, March 29
No School - Spring Break
(through Friday, April 2)
Tuesday, April 6
MPCSD Speaker Series, "The Story of Plastic," movie and panel discussion, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, Zoom
Friday, April 16
PTO Executive Board Meeting, 8:30 - 10:00 am, Zoom
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Quicklinks bottom of newsletter
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Dear Hillview Families,
The coming week is a momentous one for us as our staff receive their second vaccine doses on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. A reminder that for BLUE students, Thursday, March 25 will be a Distance Learning day, with students following their in-person schedules from home to the greatest degree possible. This day allows our over 50 staff who are getting their vaccines to recover from potential side effects, and yet still provide as much learning as they can. If you are unable to have your child stay home this coming Thursday, please complete this form so we can expect them and provide supervision. GOLD students may also experience some asynchronous learning; it depends on how a teacher reacts to the 2nd dose of the vaccine. Please see my email to A week families and my email to B week families for more information.
This past week many of us were reeling from the news of the shooting in Atlanta, where a gunman killed eight people, six of them of Asian descent. This event was just the latest in a series of anti-Asian hate violence incidents, and even the progressive Bay Area has seen its share of crimes, attacks, and prejudice. MPCSD’s Board issued this statement in response, and at Hillview, we have encouraged our teachers to process this event with our students, and have more programming in the works. The shootings in Atlanta and the recent anti-Asian hate crimes in the Bay Area only reinforce our need to continue to push into racism of all kinds, and to affirm that MPCSD embraces the diversity of all its families and staff.
Finally, as we approach Spring Break, we hope that you noted the updated guidance in MPCSD’s monthly newsletter about travel and quarantine. The district now recommends quarantine not simply for the distance one travels, but instead for the behaviors one engages in while traveling. Please review this guidance. If these behaviors (including air travel) are ones you are engaging in while traveling, help keep our school community safe by quarantining for 10 days upon your return and requesting an independent study plan (ISP). Thank you, and be well.
All the best,
Willy
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ACTION REQUIRED! Attention: Parents of Current 6th Grade Students
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Tdap Vaccination, Two Doses Varicella, New Medical Exemption Law
All incoming 7th grade students in 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), a second dose of Varicella (chicken pox), or if your child has had Varicella, a medical exemption document from CAIR-ME. Please read the following carefully.
In order to receive a class schedule and to avoid exclusion on the first day of school, provide an updated copy of your child's immunization record with your child's first and last name, date of birth, proof of Tdap administered on or after the 7th birthday, and a second dose of Varicella. Do not mark the record.
If your child has had the Varicella disease, any medical exemption on file will no longer be valid due to a new immunization law that went into effect on January 1, 2021. To request a two-page CAIR-ME document, you must follow the instructions for parents on the CDPH CAIR ME website here.
Do not mark the record. Provide the record by email to Nancy McMahon, health services assistant here by fax to 650-292-2200, or bring a hard copy to the District office.
ACT NOW and avoid the back-to-school rush! For more information, visit the Shots for School website here.
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2021-22 Hillview PTO Committee Opportunities
The Hillview PTO offers a range of opportunities for parents to get involved with the school. If you are interested in leading a committee next year, please take a minute to review and fill out any role(s) that might appeal to you by visiting the form below.
2021-22 Participa en el Comité de PTO de Hillview
El PTO de Hillview ofrece múltiples oportunidades para que todos los padres puedan ser voluntarios en la escuela de Hillview. Si estás interesado en participar en algún comité el próximo ciclo escolar, por favor contactanos o visita el siguiente enlace:
2021-22 Hillview PTO Committee Lead Opportunities here
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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.
Aimee Mathenia
Aimee is the teacher librarian at Hillview and has been here 19 years! When not teaching or overseeing the Hillview library Aimee enjoys reading, buying books, hiking, walking 10k steps/day, online shopping, baking
Favorite Quote: "I am the one thing in life I can control" from Hamilton! I love the musical, and the quote speaks to me this year!
Favorite Movie: Star Wars - the entire series!
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
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Favorite Subjects as a Middle School Student: Workshop with Mr. Hunt
Words of Wisdom for Hillview Students: It's important to have positive self-talk when you are dealing with something challenging and tell yourself "I can do this!"
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What you probably didn’t know about me: I'm the youngest of five kids
One more thing: Get some amazing books from the Hillview Library! Students can safely browse the books in the library, order books to pick up curbside or get eBooks or audiobooks from Sora.
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"The Story of Plastic:" Movie and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 pm, Zoom register here
It's the final Speaker Series of the 2020-21 season! In honor of Earth Day 2021, we're focusing April's event on the environment. Watch the documentary "The Story of Plastic" on your own (you will receive a link from us), and then join us on Tuesday, April 6 to hear from MPCSD faculty and parent volunteers as well as local environmental experts about how plastics affect the Bay Area and learn what we can do to reduce our use and help the environment.
All those who register will receive instructions on how to watch the movie prior to the April 6 event. This topic is great for families to engage in together.
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March 11 School Board Update
Special Education Services Dr. Stephanie Sheridan reported that MPCSD was the first district to bring students with special needs back to campus, and has also provided an individualized distance learning plan for every student in the district who received support through an IEP. Parent surveys showed very high support for the services MPCSD has provided through special education throughout the year. At a future meeting, Dr. Sheridan will present what MPCSD plans to do going forward to provide more mental health and wellness programming to students as we come out of the pandemic.
English Language Development Assistant Superintendent Jammie Behrendt detailed how the district will move toward an equitable and collaborative model of providing English Language Development. In order to ensure that students across the district receive equitable support, going forward staffing will change to match the services with the numbers of ELD students enrolled at each school.
Pandemic Response Superintendent Burmeister confirmed that MPCSD will offer a summer school program for all students this year with project-based, grade-level curriculum. More information to come regarding sign up for your students. All district staff have received the opportunity to be vaccinated, including substitute teachers and childcare partners. The district is planning for a full reopening in the fall, but remains flexible in order to meet the county health guidelines. MPCSD cannot bring all students to campus at the same time if we must still have a 6-foot distance between students, but he believes this requirement will probably be reduced in time for fall. Parents who want to advocate for new guidelines at the county level should email SMC here.
Cost Savings Measures Mr. Burmeister made several recommendations, including to eliminate site-based science aides while keeping one district science materials position; eliminate the health services administrative assistant position; reduce sub and overtime costs in MOT; and reduce the annual set aside for deferred maintenance. Together, these actions would save over $500,000.
Assistant Superintendent of Talent and Technology Superintendent Burmeister announced his intention to submit Kristen Gracia to be appointed as the new Assistant Superintendent of Talent and Technology. There will be public discussion and a Board vote at the March 25 meeting. Email here prior to March 25 if you would like to give a comment to the Board.
World Language Program Mr. Burmeister recommended that the Board not make any programmatic changes to the world language program for the 2021-22 school year, except changes that reflect COVID-related program modifications or lack of student interest in an elective class. The Board supported moving forward with all these recommendations. Final decisions about cuts will be made at a forthcoming meeting, and a robust conversation about the world language program will take place in the future.
MPCSD Calendar The Board approved the 2021-22 school start date of August 19, 2021 and end date of June 10, 2022. The calendar committee will continue negotiating for the other dates, after a conversation among Board members about whether the MPCSD calendar should align with SUHSD. As soon as the full 2021-22 calendar is approved, we will share it with parents and post it on the district website.
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The MPAEF Auction Was a HUGE Success!
We are thrilled to announce that through the MPAEF Online Auction and Fund-a-Need, we raised a total of $194k in support of our schools! Auction items earned $118k (this year, every single item sold!) and Fund-a-Need raised $76k, which significantly exceeded our $50k goal! Thanks to all of you!
Click here to see the Fund-a-Need Donor Roll as of March 16. All three special drawings will be held soon, so stay tuned for the lucky winners.
Email us here if you have questions about item pick-up, party guest lists and confirmations, etcetera.
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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.
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Gold
Tom LeMieux, Realtor here
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Titanium
Ricky Flores, Realtor
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Legends Baseball Camp The 2021 Legends Summer Baseball Camp is an unforgettable 5 day experience where campers ages 7-13 develop new skills, friendships and a deep love for baseball! Perfect for both beginners and experienced all stars, Legends Baseball has a perfect Covid safety track record and over a decade of experience running fun, memorable and safe camps! Register here for the 2021 Legends Summer Baseball Camp at Encinal Elementary!
VA Palo Alto Veterans - COVID Vaccine availability The COVID 19 Vaccine is now available for all VA Palo Alto veterans. If you're a veteran who receives care through the Palo Alto Healthcare System (Palo Alto VA, Menlo Park VA, Livermore VA, San Jose VA, Capitola VA, Monterey VA, Stockton VA, Modesto VA, Sonora VA, and Fremont VA) call to schedule at 650-496-2535. The VA Palo Alto is currently using Pfizer.
Palo Alto Humane Society "Ambassadors of Compassion" Story-Writing Contest 7th or 8th grade students in San Mateo county can be Ambassadors of Compassion by writing a fiction or nonfiction story about animals and people helping each other - and win cash prizes! There are many ways that animals help people, such as companionship, therapy and healing, safety and rescue, support for soldiers, and helping on the farm. People also help animals in return. Stories submitted should illustrate a sense of kindness in their characters. The winning author will receive $500, and two runners-up will receive $200 each. PAHS will publish the winning stories, which will highlight PAHS’ 2021 Creating Compassionate Communities campaign. The deadline for submission is May 31. More details here.
Artificial Intelligence Education Program by Stanford Graduate Students: AI Scholars Live Online, a pre-college enrichment program that teaches high and middle school students fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project in a domain such as healthcare, robotics, sustainability and more! Our team provides a personalized, interdisciplinary learning experience with a student-teacher ratio of 4:1. Applications for summer programs due March 31. Visit our websites for high school here and middle school here to learn more!
Bay Area Grizzlies Girls Basketball Menlo-Atherton Girls Varsity Coach/LE 8th grade PE teacher Steve Yob is starting an AAU Girls Basketball program for 6th-8th graders this summer. Have fun while learning the game from CCS Championship coaches. Practices are twice a week and there are 4-5 tournaments per season. Contact Steve Yob here for more information.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 109 A virtual open house on Tuesday, March 23, 6:45 pm or Tuesday, March 30, 6:45 pm. All interested boys who will be starting 6th grade or high in the fall and their parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend. Come learn about our troop and scouting from current and former scouts, parents, and troop leaders and learn why a boy who joins Scouting will see things, do things, and BE things that he never imagined. Register here for Zoom call information.
Acterra has launched a free three week educational climate and environmental based after school program designed for middle school students in 7th and 8th grade. Our You(th) Be the Change educational program gives students the tools, knowledge, and agency necessary to advocate for themselves and their community when it comes to taking meaningful environmental action! Sign up here. Contact us here if you have any questions.
All Students Matter Help Students Who Need You Most - Learn about volunteering next school year, 1x/week in a K-8 classroom in eastern Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. Join us for an Information Session, Thursday, March 25, 10:00 am, Zoom (RSVP for link here.) Over 80% of East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park students are performing below grade level in reading and math. As a classroom volunteer, you will work with the same teacher and student for one hour, every week during the full school year; an opportunity to build a relationship with a student and impact his or her life. We provide training and coordinate logistics with you and your schedule in mind. Learn more or sign up to volunteer here.
Alpine Strikers FC We are back to playing GAMES!!! Register NOW for the upcoming Spring soccer season for Alpine Strikers FC. Go here to register and gain more info on our return to playing games safely!
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