It’s Time to Make Your Donation to the PTO and MPAEF

We get it – the demands on your money and time never seem to end, particularly at the start of the school year. It’s tempting to wait until the last minute to give, but please give early; some Hillview programs will have to be cut starting immediately if we don’t raise our target funds. The sooner you give, the fewer emails our parent volunteers will send out.
Go here right now, and make your donation or pledge of $250/student to the PTO and $1,500/student to the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF). This is the most important PTO and MPAEF fundraising campaign of the year. As a reminder, here are a few of the many things the PTO funds: 
  • Lunchtime clubs
  • Hawk Hurrahs
  • Student of the Month
  • Honor Roll
  • After-school programs, such as Homework Center, Math Clinic, and mentorship in HawkStars and Flight School
The MPAEF, in addition to supporting nearly 50 electives, funding critical on-site mental health resources, and enabling one of the smallest class sizes in the Bay Area, made one of the most innovative STEM programs in California a reality this year. You’ll see the results shortly in your child’s classroom! Donate today here. Thank you for contributing to this wonderful community!
Five important facts about our district funding that you may not have known,
  1. Only 18% of our district’s property taxes go to our local schools
  2. This equals only 62% of the cost to educate our children
  3. California ranks 46th in the nation in funding per student (adjusted for cost of living)
  4. Our school district spends $15,000 to educate each student, but we only receive $10,000 per student from California, leaving a $5,000 gap that the MPAEF needs to help fill
  5. Our spend per student is the lowest among neighboring districts (for example, Las Lomitas spends $18,000 per student)
If you believe, as we do, that your child’s education is enriched by
  • Art, Music, Science, Library, Field Trips, and Drama programs
  • Qualified teachers
  • On-site mental health resources
  • Smaller class sizes
…don’t let them be cut due to lack of support. Donate or pledge $250/student to the PTO and $1,500/student to the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) today here today. We can only succeed as one community, investing together.

Personal Electronics

A reminder to students that personal electronics of all kinds, including AirPods, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, phones, etcetera, should be off and put away during the school day. We want our students to be interacting with each other and building social skills in person while they are at school.

Bike Safety

Follow all bike safety laws – stop signs and traffic laws apply to bicyclists as well as cars. When riding in the bike lane or parking bikes, do so in single file to ensure that roadways and sidewalks are clear. Motorized scooters are not allowed on campus and should not be driven by students. Motorized vehicles cannot be legally operated by middle-school students.

6th-Grade iPads

6th-grade students have received their iPads. Be sure to have conversations with your students about healthy boundaries around technology at home. You can refer to our Acceptable Use Policy here. Common Sense Media’s parent education site covers all kinds of technology and digital citizenship issues here. Our Digital Drivers License lessons start Friday, September 21. The lessons will run for six weeks. Each weekend for you will have access to each lesson.

Back to School Night Follow-Up

Thank you for joining us at Back to School Night! It is always exciting to see everyone and officially get the year started! A few quick reminders:
1. Donate or pledge to the PTO and Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) today here. To hear a message from our Superintendent Erik Burmeister about the important programs that your contributions fund, go here.

null

2. If you have not already donated, one of our dedicated parent volunteer stewards listed below may be reaching out to you. If you have any questions about the campaign, or how your donations help fund our school’s programs, feel free to contact them or our steward leads, Paige Arata here and Sarah Thayer here.
Hillview stewards:
Joy Shih
Tricia Mulcahy
Patricia Zahedani
Ryan Downey
Jason Banks

Friends of the Library – Funding Needed

This is a vital program, the library relies on your funds for special projects including:
  • building the OverDrive digital collection (eBooks and Audiobooks)
  • supplying the book club with books
  • ordering extra copies of popular books
  • acquiring new books in popular series
Donating to this program benefits all students. You can donate online here or download the form here and drop off a check at the office or at our table during Back To School Night.

Medication at School

  • If your child requires any medication at school, including over-the-counter medication, authorization from your child’s health care provider is required.
  • If your child carries medication at any time during the school year, medication authorization is required.
  • If you received forms in the mail in June 2018 and you have not brought your completed paperwork and medications to the school office, please do so immediately. Medications should expire in June 2019 or later.
  • If your child no longer requires medication at school, you must indicate so in writing to Nancy McMahon here.
  • Forms may be printed from the district website here or email Nancy McMahon here for the necessary forms.

Technology-Free at Brunch and Lunch

This new policy restricts the use of smartphones, cell phones, iPads, tablets, Apple watches, gizmos, etc. Fitbits are allowed, since these cannot send messages or access social media.

8th-Grade Students and Parents

Menlo-Atherton High School is presenting “Get-to-Know-M-A Programs” for prospective M-A students and their parents to learn about the school. Here are important dates and information.

MPCSD Parent Education Speaker Series

Cancelled – Monday, September 17 
Our Parent Education Speaker Series was set to kick off with Karen Junker’s Restorative Parenting talk. Ms. Junker has experienced a death in her family and will be unable to present after all; our thoughts go out to Ms. Junker. We will reschedule and notify the community when we have a new date.
Our next event will be Wednesday, October 3 with esteemed Stanford Mathematics Professor Jo Boaler presenting “Promoting Math Mindsets.” We will see you then. More information on the speaker series here. Events are free and take place at Hillview Middle School.

Unique Committee Opportunity

Superintendent, Erik Burmeister, is seeking parent and community members for a Superintendent Advisory Committee. The Committee, known as the Full Funding Advisory Committee, will meet four to six times this fall and winter to provide input in the development of the definition of fully funded for MPCSD. As a community-funded district that relies on parcel taxes and foundation-giving for one quarter of the budget, it is essential that we are able to define fully funded as it pertains to our children’s education. This static benchmark will help us to achieve our targets, now and in the long term. If you have at least a basic understanding of our district funding sources and challenges, join us in this unique committee. Contact Superintendent Burmeister here for more information. The deadline to submit your interest is Friday, October 5.

Sup’s On is Back at the Menlo Park Farmers Market

We had such fun seeing you and the whole community at the Menlo Park Farmers Market last year, and we are back again starting TODAY from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.! Come say hello to Superintendent Burmeister and other district leaders as you shop for your fresh fruits and veggies.

Hillview Lunchtime Clubs

Quiz Bowl Club
Tuesdays at lunchtime in the Music Room. Does your student like the TV show Jeopardy? Do they wish they could buzz in to answer? Now they can. Come to the Quiz Bowl club. Our questions are easier than those on the TV show, and they cover a wide variety of topics. Have students bring their lunch and join us. Questions? Email Ms. Kayton here.

Hillview Academy Support Program

We are looking for parent volunteers for the 2018-19 Hillview Academy Support Program! Sign up to be part of the Academy Support Team – a group of parents who help with academy activities and events – or volunteer as the Academy Lead Parent – the middle-school version of a room parent, but with fewer events and less work. To volunteer for the 2018-19 school year, sign up here. For questions contact Gina here or Ashley here.

Meet Danny Chui, New Assistant Principal at Hillview

Mr. Chui worked in the educational non-profit sector for ten years, starting off as a teacher in the Western Addition before running his own site for six years. He eventually went back to his old high school to become a full-time social science teacher after graduating from Cal. While doing that, he earned a couple of national teaching awards from Stanford and The University of Illinois, Chicago. He then went on to become a Dean and then Vice Principal within the same school district. Last year, he won an outstanding administrator award from the California PTA. He is looking forward to being an ardent observer at Hillview, learning its culture, and developing relationships with the students and staff. He considers himself proactive and deliberate when it comes to discipline and restorative practices.

Outside of the education world, you’ll generally find him running. For about six years, he was a super competitive distance runner, completing several full marathons, a couple of ultramarathons, and many, many half-marathons. He also took on three Tough Mudder races and five Urbanathlons.

Hillview ASB

T-Shirts, Last Chance to Order!
Deadline to order is Monday, September 17. Use the order form here to get your very own 2018-2019 Hillview ASB Shirt or Sweatshirt. This tie-dye gear is the same shirt and sweatshirt that ASB student council members wear to their events. The back will be blank and the front will have our logo and motto/theme nullthis year. Check out the design pictured! Payment will be made by check to Hillview Middle School and is not due until orders are delivered at the end of the month. These will not be sold for the rest of the year, so this is it!

Hillview After-School Program

The information below is a correction from last week. There’s still time to register your student for an after-school course before fall programs begin!

The PTO is excited to offer a variety of fun and enriching after-school programs. Click on the links below to find out more information on each program, including class registration and pricing information.

Fall 2018 After-School Programs
Starfire Coding – Python Level I here Mondays
Starfire Coding – Python Level II here Mondays
Starfire Coding – Advanced Python here Mondays
LaCrosse offered by SixFifty LaCrosse here Mondays
Cross Country offered by Stella Bergan here Mondays and Wednesdays
Speech / Debate offered by Coach Brier Buchalter  here Tuesdays
Chorus Club with Mr. Vaughan Tuesdays and Thursdays
Bay Area Chess (will not be offered this Fall)
Mandarin offered by Hwa Shin Chinese School here Wednesdays
Writing Workouts offered by Omega Teaching here Wednesdays and Thursdays
Cooking with Junior Chef Stars here Thursdays

Contact Jamey Hawkins, ASP Coordinator, here for questions.

Homework Center and Math Clinic

Homework Center
  • Drop in homework space each day after school, Monday – Thursday
  • Monday – Tuesday:  3:20 – 4:45 p.m. and Wednesday – Thursday:  2:45 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Teacher in charge – Phil Eaton, email here
  • Located in main part of library
  • Students bring their own work each day and are self-directed
  • Students sign in each day so there is an attendance record
Math Clinic:
  • Math focused homework help and/or re-teaching, Monday – Thursday
  • Monday – Tuesday, 3:20 – 4:45 p.m. and Wednesday – Thursday,  2:45 – 4:30 p.m.
  • Located in a small library conference room
  • Teachers
    • Mondays: Ms. Park
    • Tuesdays:  Ms. Donahoe
    • Wednesdays: Mrs. Dutta
    • Thursdays: Ms. Donahoe

The Homework Center bus, will begin on Tuesday, September 4. See the schedule here.

Hillview Library

Book Drive
The library is accepting gently used books appropriate for middle school and young adults. You can drop off at the library or we will have a table during Back To School Night by the office.
Library Volunteers Needed
Fill out the volunteer form here under Specialist Support. Contact Alice Hom with questions here.
Teen Collection
All 8th-grade students automatically have access to the Teen Collection, which is recommended for 8th- and 9th-grade students but also includes books with more mature material. If you would prefer that your 8th-grade student not be able to check out these books from the Hillview library, turn in an opt-out form here. 7th-grade students may access the Teen Collection with parent permission here. Parents of students in all grades may give permission for individual Teen books with this form here. Email Tracy Piombo here and Aimee Mathenia here with any questions or concerns.

Hillview Music

Music News and Notes
The Music Department is up and running! If anyone has questions about the program, email Mr. Vaughan directly here. It is never too late to start an instrument!
Chorus Club Begins Tuesday!
We will meet Tuesdays, 3:15 – 4:15 p.m. and Thursdays, 2:40 -3:40 p.m. for an hour after school. Come join us! You don’t have to be able to read music or have any experience, just a desire to make music. There’s lots to work on–get ready to audition for a lead part in the Spring Musical, sing on tour with us during the holidays, and possibly during a Disney trip in May!
Jazz Band Update
Auditions for the Jazz & Lab Band begin this week. Look for a sign-up list online here and additional audition information here. All musicians are welcome to be a part of the music program. See Mr. Vaughan with any and all questions!
Come See Pirates of Penzance
Hillview is hosting the production in the Hillview PAC! Check the Community News section below for all the details.

Hillview Sports

After-School Sports
Volleyball and Flag Football registration are now closed. Students who have not signed up and would still like to participate, should email our new Athletic Director, Huck Hunt here.
Volleyball  
Mandatory workouts starting Wednesday, September 5. Times will be 6th grade, 3:30 – 4:50 p.m., 7th grade, 5:00 – 6:20 p.m., and 8th grade, 6:30 – 7:50 p.m.
Players will be put through drills, including hitting, setting, and serving. They will be observed and evaluated by the coaches. Teams will be chosen by the coaches in a separate meeting, ensuring even distribution among teams. Practices will be at Hillview Gym with specific time information to be announced. Games will be played at the Arrillaga Family Gymnasium.
Flag Football
Players will be assigned to a team at the first practice on Thursday, September 6, at 3:15 p.m., Hillview Field. Home games will be played at Hillview and away games at surrounding area school sites.

Hillview Service Team

Next Meeting!
Thursday, September 27, lunchtime, PAC. This student-driven, parent-run lunchtime club meets twice a month in the PAC with about 50+ students. Our goal is to give back to the community and have fun doing it! Students participate in activities – making pet toys, cards for troops, and toiletry kids for the homeless, seasonal drives and after school and hands-on volunteer activities that vary month to month. The year culminates in our school-wide Relay for Life – a huge highlight for the kids. Doing for others feels good. It’s a developmental asset that helps kids and teens learn and thrive. We want Hillview students to actively engage with service to others in a very meaningful way. Thanks for encouraging your kids to join us!

 

Summer 2019 Italy Trip – Informational Meeting

Tuesday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. in room C-9 at Hillview. Social Studies teachers Marianne Santo and Mike Rogers will be taking students and parents on an educational tour to Italy during summer break June 2019. You and your student have been invited to learn about this experience. Join us for an informational meeting where you’ll hear more details. RSVP here. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but are interested in joining us on this memorable trip, email Ms. Santo here. Hillview teachers will lead this activity, but it is not a Hillview-sponsored activity.

Community News

Pirates of Penzance at Hillview! Hillview will be hosting the Bay Area Opera Collaborative production of Gilbert and Sullivan, Pirates of Penzance September 8-23. Use discount code MERMAID for $20 tickets here for more information.

For the future and to help to save our planet: Go Paperless for Announcements

If you did not get a chance to go paperless yet and would like to save time and MPCSD money, please use this link to request your household receives only digital copies of announcements from the Hillview Office. This includes the Summer Mailer so keep an eye on your Inbox!

Calendar

Full Year Calendar

Click here to see Hillview dates for the year.

 

Featured News

Translate »