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Monday, December 14
Hybrid GOLD students on campus this week
ASB Spirit Week GOLD Dress-up Days:
Monday - College Wear Day
Tuesday - Mismatch / Crazy Day
Wednesday - Pajama Day
Thursday - Comfy/Fuzzy Day
Friday - Winter Holiday Wear Day
Curative COVID Testing, Mondays - Fridays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, parking lot at 201 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park here
Hawks Nest, school newspaper, deadline for submissions today here
Wednesday, December 16
Hillview Coffee Talk, "Student Well-Being,"
9:30 - 10:30 am, Zoom (in Hillview School News)
Friday, December 18
Minimum Day early dismissal for all in-person schedules here and at-home schedules here all grade levels.
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Monday, December 21
No School - Winter Break
(through Friday, January 1)
Monday, January 4
No School - Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, January 5
Return to School after winter break
Hybrid BLUE students on campus this week
Wednesday, January 6
Panorama SEL and Cultural Awareness Surveys will be done during:
- SMART period, BLUE in-person students
- PE/Elective, Distance Students
Wednesday, January 13
Panorama SEL and Cultural Awareness Surveys will be done during:
- SMART period, GOLD in-person students
- PE/Elective, Distance Students
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Quicklinks bottom of newsletter
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Dear Hillview Families,
As we begin our final week of school in 2020, I want to wish you a safe and restful winter break, and I hope you and yours enjoy whatever traditions you follow over the coming weeks. This will be the last newsletter until Sunday, January 3. Despite the Bay Area Region’s newly assigned “Stay Home” status, Hillview will be in session and providing in-person instruction. Our GOLD students will spend the next week, December 14 - 18, with us, and we’ll usher in 2021 with our BLUE students back on campus beginning Tuesday, January 5.
The upcoming winter break and holiday season will again offer us opportunities to make decisions that support the continuation of in-person learning at Hillview and in MPCSD. With holidays approaching, families may decide to travel, and with travel, incur additional risk. Our state and nation are reeling with the consequences of Thanksgiving travel. It is clear that travel and gatherings did accelerate spread at a time when cases were already spiking. Travel in the next few weeks will only compound that spread. If you do decide to travel, please follow the CDC recommendation and make the additional responsible and community-oriented decision to quarantine for 14 days upon your return. Hillview stands ready to provide an Independent Study Plan for the duration of the quarantine. I wish I could say that all families followed quarantine recommendations after Thanksgiving. The presence on campus of students who traveled makes other students and staff feel uncomfortable and unsafe, and threatens our ability to provide in-person learning. This is really a simple, “if, then” calculus. If you travel, then quarantine. Period.
Regarding Independent Study Plans (ISP’s), for students who are quarantining, or for those who are nervous about being on campus with heightened spread in the community, we have made revisions to put more of the onus on students to log and complete the assigned work through Schoology. An ISP will never come close to the quality of in-person instruction, and should be viewed as an imperfect means to an end at this time to allow students to move forward with their learning. For those families who are concerned about sending students to school at this time, I do want to point out that school is one of the safest places your child can be. Recent studies have supported this, and indeed there has yet to be any known spread of COVID-19 at any of MPCSD’s school sites due to the comprehensive precautions and practices that we follow on a daily basis.
Stay engaged this week with district communications and our regular MPCSD Board meeting on December 17. Please be well, and let’s look forward to a rosier 2021 with approved vaccines beginning to roll out.
All the best,
Willy
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Hillview Coffee Talk "Student Well-Being"
Wednesday, December 16, 9:30 - 10:30 am, Zoom here
Join the discussion with counselors Kellie Raczkowski, Christina Johnson, Robyn Watts, and School Psychologist Niloufar Tarani
Meeting ID: 959 4535 1532 and Passcode: 170483
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iPad connectivity over Winter Break
Student iPad connectivity will be turned off over winter break beginning Saturday, December 19. This means internet access and internet based apps will not work during this time. If your student needs to do schoolwork over the break, be sure to download what is needed. Internet connectivity will turn on again on Saturday, January 2. Enjoy some tech-free time over winter break!
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Yearbook Orders
It's time to order the 2020-2021 yearbooks! Families are encouraged to place their orders no later than February 5.
The cost is $45.00 per book. An additional $10.00 and you can have your book shipped directly to your home. Order a yearbook today and use Hillview Number 10070 here.
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Yearbook Student Congratulatory Ads
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Hillview is breaking with tradition and now all grade levels can purchase a congratulatory ad for their student. Design and submit your ad by February 5.
- 1/8 Page Ad - 6, 7 and 8th grade families - $55.00
- 1/4 Page Ad - 8th grade families ONLY - $100.00
Our flyer here provides information on uploading and designing your page.
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Jamf Parent App
Interested in having control over your student's school iPad? Jamf Parent app offers parents a solution that allows more control on school devices. You can restrict the usage of applications (including the internet) on student iPads, and you are able to enforce restrictions on weekdays after 4:00 pm and all day on weekends.
Install the free app on your iPhone or personal iPad. Currently there is no Android, Windows, Mac OS or browser based version available. Refer to the JAMF Parent Guide for instructions here. For assistance in using the app, Getting Started with JAMF Parent here.
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How COVID Can Put a Special Focus on Character
School may be a bit of a mixed bag at the moment, and it may feel like traditional learning of core subjects is more challenging. But because families are spending a lot of time together and using screens, it's a great time to find opportunities to highlight other kinds of lessons, like perseverance, problem-solving, and empathy here. Modeling is the more impactful way for kids to start to embody these traits and skills, but since we're watching and playing a lot anyway, why not offer up some great examples of character strengths?
There's plenty of media that either shows examples of compassion here or offers opportunities to cooperate. Parents often worry about kids' sense of responsibility and integrity here, but there are ways to use media to open up those conversations as well. And we all want our kids to be lifelong learners, so inspiring a sense of curiosity here can keep your kid going, even through tough times.
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Everest Public High School presentation for parents and students, information available below in Community News.
Menlo Atherton High School music program instrumental audition information here. More information in Programs & Activities.
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Yearbook 8th Grade Baby Pictures Send us your cute baby pictures for our traditional "Guess the Graduate" section. Submit your 8th grade student's baby picture here. Use code hillviewmiddle21 and for more information see our flyer 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.
Tom Lyons
Tom teaches 7th grade science and has been at Hillview for 27 years! When not teaching, Tom likes hiking, small boat sailing, kayak surfing, snowshoeing and body boarding.
Favorite Movie: Stand By Me and Terminator
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate
Favorite Subjects as a Middle School Student: Science and PE
Words of Wisdom for Hillview students: The key to success is finding the right balance between living in the moment and planning for the future. When it is time to work then work hard...when it is time to play then play hard.
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What you probably didn’t know about me: I played organized soccer for 20 years and my high school and club teams won three state championships in New Mexico.
I played for the under 18 State Select team my senior year.
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One more thing: Hillview has been a great place to spend most of my teaching career and once we get through the pandemic I look forward to a few more good years.
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Staff December Birthdays
Cathy Garagozzo, Lynn Eisner, Kara Connelly, Kellie Kaczkowski, Libby Ellis, Anna Kogan
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Musical Director Richard Vaughan presents holiday festivities past |
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Winter break is quickly approaching; traditionally a time for school concerts in the evening and lunch time events in San Francisco. |
Hillview musicians relished the time preparing concert clothing, arriving at school to take the bus to San Francisco with all the excitement that performing and the holidays bring. |
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This year students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, are all missing the opportunities to share music. |
The Hillview orchestra looks forward to playing at San Francisco City Hall with its gorgeous acoustics next year. This is truly one of our favorite events! |
Watch and listen to the music here of a past performance by the Hillview Orchestra. Enjoy!
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Hillview Musicians learn about Menlo Atherton High School Music Program
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Menlo Atherton Music Director, Kent Kurrus, joined the 7/8 class to talk about the Menlo Atherton High School music program, orchestra, concert band, jazz band and all that the program has to offer. He provided the Menlo Atherton High School instrumental audition information here.
Join Menlo Atherton in their Fight Song here.
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The new choir director and guitar teacher at Menlo Atherton, Peter Reinman, checked in and provided the information-filled video here. He looks to be doing great things!
The events of this year have had an impact on all music programs. Hillview appreciated the opportunity to learn about scheduling, auditions, and school tours at Menlo Atherton High School.
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Get published in the School Newspaper
Monday, December 14 deadline
Send your submission to Hawks Nest for the December Holiday publication. The topic areas are: News, Entertainment, Sports, Local, Cartoons, #SpreadTheHolidayCheer, and Fun Facts.
Plan ahead and write over the holidays! January's submissions are due January 15! The categories will be the same with the addition of #LookingForwardandNewYearsResolutions!
Students will earn two Block H points for each submission. Send submissions to student editor, Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi here or to Ms. Slaughter here.
Check out the November Thanksgiving issue here. Anyone can submit a story! Join us, contribute, share, and provide feedback. We’d love to hear from you!
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ASB Roost December
ASB is compiling a monthly newsletter, entirely student written and produced. Check out the December version here.
Spirit Week Dress-up Days
Dress-up days this week for GOLD students.
See the details in the December ASB Roost here:
- Monday - College Wear Day
- Tuesday - Mismatch / Crazy Day
- Wednesday - Pajama Day
- Thursday - Comfy/Fuzzy Day
- Friday - Winter holiday Wear Day
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MPCSD School Board Meeting
Thursday, December 17, 5:00 pm, Zoom
The next regularly scheduled MPCSD School Board meeting will continue its ongoing discussion of local COVID data. We will also discuss the timing of a parcel tax to replace Measure X.
The full meeting agenda and details for joining the meeting will be published on the district website homepage by Monday evening.
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“Preparing Our Children for Tomorrow’s Headlines"
Tuesday, December 15, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, sign-up here
Project Cornerstone here, in collaboration with Common Sense Education, is offering a virtual, interactive parent workshop.
In this interactive workshop, using the Developmental Assets framework, participants will learn tips for navigating potentially sensitive news topics and ways to improve family relationships and digital citizenship skills. This workshop is for parents of children of all ages.
The district uses Project Cornerstone's 41 Developmental Assets as part of its character education curriculum.
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Curative COVID Testing
Mondays - Fridays, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, parking lot, 201 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park
The new Curative kiosk in Menlo Park is up and running! They serve anyone aged five and over. Make an appointment on the Curative website here. They also take walk-ups: you may simply show up during their open hours and start the registration process there, or you may pre-complete registration information here and walk-up for a test.
Thank you, MPCSD families, for being so diligent about having your in-person students tested. The district recommends testing every two weeks during a student's at-home week so you have results before the in-person week begins.
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MPCSD Parent Education Speaker Series |
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The MPCSD Speaker Series returns in January with a special Mini-Series:
Race, Prejudice & Policy: A Conversation on Segregation and its Legacy on Education around Menlo Park
This three part conversation will feature:
January 6, "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America....and Menlo Park"
January 13, "An Equity Walk through MPCSD"
January 19,"The Future of Educational Equity in the South Peninsula: How'd We Get Here and Where Are We Going," with panel of superintendents and elected leaders from Menlo Park and East Palo Alto
Join MPCSD as we take a meaningful look at how race impacts local and regional education and what we can all do to work for a more equitable future.
More details on each talk here.
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MPCSD Antiracism Advisory Team members are presenting book clubs as a complement to the speaker series. Seven books and one podcast each focusing on race, racism and antiracism.
Each club will meet two or three times for discussion between January - March, led by a parent-staff team. The holidays coming up may be a perfect time to read and join us in our journey toward becoming antiracist here in MPCSD. The books:
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Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
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The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
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So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
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Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
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Nice White Parents (Podcast)
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Real American by Julie Lythcott-Haims
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Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
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How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
Sign-up for a book by completing the form here.
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#GivingTuesday - together, we did it! |
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Thanks to generous donations from district families and community members - we raised $11,547 on #GivingTuesday!
Due to the tremendous outpouring of support and with the $2,000 matching donation we unlocked from two generous district families by reaching our one-day goal, we are now able to purchase grocery gift cards for 60 MPCSD families in need during the upcoming holiday season.
MPAEF and MPCSD thank you for your support! Learn more about the MPCSD Helps initiative here.
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It’s Time for Holiday Shopping!
Check out deals by clicking the image and help raise money for our schools!
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We want to take the opportunity to show our appreciation for our business and realtor partners in the community. Thank you for your support!
Gold
Coldwell Banker Realty here
Hessler Plastic Surgery here
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M-A Little League Spring Registration is now open. All interested players and families can go register and find more information here.
Parenting in Place 8-Week Masterclass Series (February 17 - April 7):
Are you burned out, concerned about your child's well-being and wondering how your family will manage during the winter as we near a year into the pandemic? There’s a SPECIAL LIVE MASTERCLASS SERIES designed to help you this winter: Parenting in Place: Helping Families Thrive in Challenging Times, with parenting experts including Julie Lythcott-Haims, Jessica Lahey, Janine Halloran, Michele Borba, Madeline Levine, Christine Carter, Ned Johnson and more. Registration for the entire series, the whole lineup here.
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8th Grade Parent Information
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Everest Public High School presentation for 8th grade parents and students
Wednesday, December 16, 4:00 pm here. A public and tuition-free high school here located in Redwood City is a part of Summit Public Schools here, a network of charter schools. Our mission is to prepare a diverse student population for success in a four-year college and to be thoughtful, contributing members of society. Currently enrolling for the 2021-22 school year.
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