In This Issue
Make-up Pictures
Monitoring Air Quality
Smartwatch Policy
Conference week:
 no bus or after-school  programs
Conference Sign-Ups
Summit/Everest
Message-Counselors

Spirit of Community
General PTO Meeting

MPCSD News
"Open" Board Meeting
Anxiety/Depression
Online Directory

ASB Survey
Library- 
 6th Parent Volunteer 
 eBook/Audiobook
 NaNoWriMo
 Books Come Alive
Music - Free "Annie"
Disaster Relief Event
After-School Sports
Register Basketball

8th-Grade Info Night

Why MPAEF?


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This Week ThisWeek
 
Sunday, Oct 15 and Monday, October 16
  • Sign-up for School Picture Make-up
Sunday, October 15 - Friday, October 20
  • Conference Sign-Ups continue via online scheduler, until October 20, 11:59 p.m.
Tuesday, October 16 - Friday, October 20
  • ASB Spirit Week
Monday, October 16 - Wednesday, October 25
  • Online Registration for After-School Basketball
Monday, October 16 - Friday, November 3
  • ASB Canned Food Drive, 7:55 - 8:20 a.m., carline and PAC 
Wednesday, October 18
  • M-A 8th-Grade Information Night, 6:15 - 8:45 p.m., M-A
Thursday, October 19
  • iClickSmiles Make-up Picture Day
Looking Ahead LookingAhead

Friday, October 20
  • Halloween Dance, 7/8 Grade, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Hillview PAC
Monday, October 23 - Thursday, October 26
  • MPAEF Dine Out For The Kids
Tuesday, October 24 
  • Special "Open Session"/Community Input Board Meeting Long-Term Financial Planning, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., MPCSD TERC building
  • Hillview Disaster Relief Event, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., PAC
Tuesday, October 24 - Friday October 27
  • Minimum Days - Conferences, dismissal at 11:45 a.m.
  • No p.m. SamTrans or After-School Programs
Wednesday, October 25
  • General PTO Meeting, 9:00 a.m., Hillview PAC
  • Summit and Everest High School Information Session, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Hillview PAC
Friday, November 3
  • MPAEF Annual Parent Campaign ends
Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5
  • Mandatory Team-Placement Workout for After-School Basketball, 6/7th on Saturday and 8th on Sunday

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Make-up Pictures  
Make-up Pictures will take place on Thursday, October 19. In order to be photographed, you need to sign up for make-up pictures. Please send an email here to sign up for make-up pictures. Be sure to send your first and last name, grade, and school. Make sure you are signed up for make-up pictures by Monday, October 16.

Monitoring Air Quality
Due to the fires to our north, we experienced poor air quality last week. Last Monday, more than half of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Hillview observed Shelter in Place protocol as a result of the Air Quality Index (AQI) being "unhealthy." This meant that all PE classes were kept indoors, and that students ate brunch and lunch indoors and school-sponsored after-school activities were cancelled. Families may want to limit bike riding and/or walking to school if possible due to the air quality. For more information on air quality, check out the Spare the Air website here and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District website here. Please know that student safety is always our primary concern.

Apple Watch and Smartwatch
These devices are included in our cell phone policy. and should be "off and invisible" during the school day.

Conference Week and After School Programs
During our Conference Week, October 24 - 27, students will have minimum days with dismissal at 11:45 a.m. Due to minimum day schedule, there will be several changes to our after school offerings:
  • There will be no afternoon SamTrans bus service. Please find alternate transportation home from school. Morning "bus" service will remain the same.
  • No after school programs.This will allow teachers to conference with families. No PTO programs, Homework Center, Math Clinic, Flight School, Hawk Stars or after school Mastery Center.
  • Yellow bus will leave after school at 11:50 am. Morning yellow bus service will remain the same.
Hillview Parent Teacher Conferences  
Hillview will hold conferences during the afternoons of October 24 - 27, 2017. Conference days are minimum days and students are dismissed at 11:45 a.m. Hillview employs a third-party online conference scheduler to help teachers and parents schedule meetings. The time frame for parents to sign on and schedule a conference began October 14 continues through October 20, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. If parents want to schedule a meeting after this window, they must contact the teacher directly. Please note that it is not possible for our teachers to conference with all families. Hillview's practice is to set up high-priority conferences first, and then open up the conference scheduler for the remaining slots on a first come, first served basis.  All Hillview families should have received an email with instructions for scheduling a conference on Monday, October 9, 2017.

Summit and Everest High School Information Session with Q & A
Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Hillview PAC. Students and parents are invited to hear from the executive director of Everest. Summit Public Schools is a public charter school network with two high schools in Redwood City - Summit Prep High School and Everest High school. Hear how Summit students reach their highest potential:
  • College-prep curriculum, six AP classes, and 99% of graduates are accepted into 4-year college.
  • Personalized learning experience - move at their own pace and learn how they best learn.
  • Real-world learning projects - students develop the life skills and habits they need to be successful.
  • World-class teaching faculty from the nation's top teacher-preparation programs.
  • Small, safe, and diverse community - every student has a mentor, is truly cared for and known.
Hillview School Counselors  
We have compiled some resources for Hillview families in light of the events in Las Vegas. This senseless act of violence could cause fear among our students, and we want to equip you with resources to thoughtfully respond and process the information with your student. We recommend keeping the message simple, focusing on the things that are in place to keep our children safe, such as first responders and school personnel. Many of the resources listed, for example, here,  advise similar actions on the part of parents, such as taking breaks from the news, making ourselves available for conversations, and remaining calm and reassuring. More resources here , here , here , and here .


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In the Spirit of Community
As we all pause and reflect on the current devastation we are witnessing with our
northern neighbors, we count our many blessings. Others are not so fortunate. In the spirit of community, Hillview PTO and staff are working with other district schools on a plan to support a number of causes. Currently, we are told that the most basic supplies are aplenty due to the overwhelming generosity of the surrounding areas. This does not mean the giving should stop. If you are interested in opportunities to give today, please send an email here.  Thank you to all who have reached out for your willingness to help others in need during this time of tragedy.

General PTO Meeting
The Hillview Community is invited to attend the general meeting, October 25, at 9 a.m. in the Hillview PAC. On the agenda will be the approval of the r evised 2017-18 Budget and the proposed changes to the Bylaws-Standing Rules: adding After-School Activities and After-School Sports volunteer positions to our Hillview PTO Board. You are invited to view the budget  here and the bylaws  here, as well as in the Hillview office.      


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MPCSD NewsMPCSDNews

Special "Open Session" Community-Input Board Meeting
Make your voice heard about district priorities and financial planning!  Community input is sought for the District's Long-Term Financial Planning Initiative at the school board's public information and input session on October 24,   6:00 p.m. in the TERC at 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton .

Measure X revenues combined with $2.2 million in cuts only mitigate the district's increasing costs for about the next four years, so now is the time to have a community-wide conversation regarding how we will prioritize the myriad of programs, staffing, and resources in the longer term. High-level financial information will be provided at the input session prior to public comment.

The October session will focus on general comments, with a follow-up session in February on specific options. Superintendent Burmeister plans to present the results of the Long-Term Financial Planning Initiative at the regular Board meeting scheduled for June 5, 2018. If you can't make the meeting and wish to give comment, email here. 

MPCSD Parent Education Speaker Series
Anxiety and Depression in Teenagers 
Wednesday, November 8, 6:30 p.m. , Hillview PAC. Come listen to Jacob Towery, MD talk about anxiety and depression in teenagers. The evening will include time for questions and answers. 

Does your child struggle with symptoms of anxiety or depression?  Do you wonder what you can do about it?  Or are you looking for strategies to help keep your child on track? 

Jacob Towery, MD, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist; Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Stanford University Department of Psychiatry; author of "The Anti-Depressant Book: A Practical Guide for Teens and Young Adults to Overcome Depression and Stay Healthy."  Dr. Towery will be available to sign books after the event. Books will be available for purchase. 

Free childcare for potty-trained children. Light refreshments and beverages will be served.  More information, as well as videos of past parent education events are available here, including 10/3/2017 "The Future Of Education, in MPCSD and Beyond."

Online Directory Reminder
Quick reminder that the district student/family directory is available online at  mpcsd.directory .  If you've had trouble signing on, try the password-help link to get access. If you are still having issues or need to change your information, contact  [email protected]  for help.  Your student can also access the online directory using their @ mpcsd.org  email address!


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Programs & Activities Programs 

ASB
Block Day Schedule-Change Survey
The ASB proposes a change of the start time for school on block days from 8:25 to 9:00 a.m. The end time for all five days then, would be 3:05 p.m. The ASB is conducting a survey to collect your opinion on this proposal. More information about the proposal is presented with the survey. Choose the survey for parents  here , for staff here , and for students here.  B e sure to let us know your thoughts by the end of day October 22 when the survey closes. 

Library
6th-Grade Parents!
At the end of October and through November, sixth graders will be starting a big research project. We need a few parents to help students during the visits to the library.  The sign-up, dates and times for your student's teacher, and more information are available here . Thanks!

eBooks and Audiobooks now available to all Hillview students! Your student ID gives you access to over 80 audiobooks and over 800 eBooks through the OverDrive app. It works on your school iPad or virtually any device, tablet, computer or phone. Use your student ID and ask the library if you need any help!        
Text books

Books Come Alive this Halloween at your library! Come dressed up as a character from a book. Come to the library before school or at brunch to get a prize and a block H point. We will also take your photo and display it in the library!

NaNoWriMo is right around the corner! All creative writers interested in meeting up with other writers are invited to bring your lunch to the library this Tuesday for an organizing meeting of the Writing Club. 

Music
Congratulations to the Hillview Band for their performance at the M-A varsity football game last week. Thank you to the M-A Music Department for their kind invitation to join them in the stands!

Special Announcement to the Hillview Community
Woodside Community Theater invites all Hillview students and families to their Preview Night of "Annie," Thursday, October 19, 7:30 p.m., Woodside High School PAC, a s a thank you for their use of the Hillview PAC, music, dance, and drama rooms to rehearse. The preview performance is free! Just let the box office know you are with Hillview and enjoy the show!  

Service Team
Hillview Disaster Relief Event  Tuesday, October 24, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., Hillview PAC. Sponsored by the Hillview Service Team, this afternoon event occurs on a minimum day, turning a half day of school into a full day of education with a twist on service. We will have lunch, movie, guest speakers and card-making opportunities.

We are suggesting a minimum donation of $5 to attend the event supporting California Wildfire relief efforts by the American Red Cross. Any donations above and beyond the minimum will be accepted with gratitude. Family members are also welcome to attend. Register to participate here. We will have a list of participants registered at the door, so no need to bring a ticket.  Many more details available here.

After-School Sports
Flag Football   Games this week:
Tuesday, October 17
6th grade Blue v. JLS at Hillview, 4:00 p.m.
7th grade at JLS, 4:00 p.m.
8th grade at JLS, 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 19
7th grade at La Entrada, 3:45 p.m.
6th grade Gold at Terman, 4:00 p.m.
Friday, October 20
6th grade Gold v. Woodside Elementary at Hillview, 3:45 p.m.
8th grade v. Woodside Elementary at Hillview, 4:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball   
League Games at Arrillaga Family Gym this week:
Monday, October 16, 7th/8th-grade teams
Tuesday, October 17,  6th-grade teams
Best of luck to all Hillview Teams!

Basketball Registration
Registration is  October 16 - 25; available online here. There are mandatory b asketball team-placement workouts in November, as follows:
  • Saturday, November 4, 6th Boys 8:30 - 9:50 a.m.; 6th Girls 10:00 - 11:20 a.m.
  • Saturday, November 4, 7th Girls 11:30 - 12:50 p.m.; 7th Boys 1:00 - 2:20 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 5, 8th Boys 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.; 8th Girls 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Basketball is by far our most popular sport; Hillview normally fields 25 or more teams. If your student intends to play, we strongly recommend registering early. The deadline for registration is October 25, but teams usually fill up before the deadline.  We can only field as many teams as we have coaches. If we have 25 teams, we'll need at least 50 coaches. We will have some non-parent coaches, but most of the coaching staff is made up of parent volunteers. Consider coaching when you register your student to play; experience is not necessary.

Scholarships are available for all Hillview-supported sports. Refunds are not available for after-school sports after October 31, 2017.

For more information regarding these programs, click  here to contact Harry Bell, Athletic Director, at 650-483-4049 or here to contact Matt Ericksen, PTO Registration Coordinator.

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Menlo Atherton High School News  menloathertonhighschoolnews

M-A 8th-Grade Information Night
October 18,  6:15 - 8:45 p.m.  This event will highlight the strengths of M-A as an academic and social community; share information about our athletic and enrichment opportunities; and personalize M-A through presentations by our students and faculty. The night begins at  6:15 p.m.  with the Principal's welcome and a special student performance. At  6:45 p.m. , groups will rotate through various sites on campus to learn more about our excellent academic programs from our teaching staff and hear from students about their M-A experience. Group tours will be led by students and PTA volunteers. 

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MPAEF News
  mpaefnews

Why MPAEF?
Because of your donations to the MPAEF, your children have a significantly different experience from children in the average California public school:
  • Our children experience 23% fewer students per class compared to the California average.
  • Our children experience art, music, and physical education programs, while most California public schools do not.
  • Our children benefit from dedicated school counselors and psychologists, not standard at most CA public schools.
Check out Superintendent Erik Burmeister, in the video here, explaining how important your MPAEF donation is in creating the Menlo Park City School District experience for all our kids.

Our MPAEF Annual Parent Campaign continues until November 3. Make your tax-deductible gift to the MPAEF  here.

Curious about other local Education Foundation asks? Look how MPAEF compares to our neighbors.
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Community News communitynews      

AYSO Spring Select Soccer Try-Outs  October 29 , Willow Oaks Park.  AYSO Spring Select is a competitive soccer program running from February 2018 to May 2018 for U9 and up players who played AYSO in the Fall of 2017. $265 registration fee. Learn more and register online here by October 27.

Family Fall Festival  October 29 ,  2 - 6 p.m. , Home of Christ,  71 Bay Rd .  The Home of Christ invites the MPCSD community to its Family Fall Festival! Giant inflatable dual slides, 15x15 bounce house, hi-striker, electronic basketball, baseball toss, plus many more Carnival games, a full length fire truck from Menlo Park Fire Department, best costume contest, and spring rolls, California rolls, curry pastries, too! Everything is free! Everyone is welcome!

Youth League Tennis Registration Open  Saturdays, October 7 through December 2, Rinconada Park. Youth League Tennis was created by a former Wimbledon player to give all kids ages 5-14 the opportunity to learn, play, and compete in their own neighborhood. YLT groups kids into five levels of play ranging from beginners through advanced players. Our goal is to help players get ready to play High School Tennis. Scholarships are provided for eligible families. Register here  through our website or send us an email here.

Community Service Opportunities
Challenge Day 2017 Volunteers needed. October 16 - 18, from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at M-A. Join us for a memorable one-day workshop that promotes compassion, communication, and community building, and that helps our teens break down barriers and create new levels of empathy and respect. Adult volunteers are critical to the program's success. Contact Taylor Perkins here to volunteer.

Girl Scout Halloween Buddy Fest  October 27 ,  5 - 8 p.m. , Hillview PAC.  Girl Scout Troop 61791 is running the Buddy Fest as part of their Silver Award requirements. This event helps 5th-grade girls learn more about the challenges of friendships. Discussion and activities will help prepare girls for their friendships in middle school. All girls are welcome; they don't need to be in the Girl Scouts. Contact Rena Hafeez here  for more information.  

Random Acts of Flowers Looking for Volunteers
Local non-profit Random Acts of Flowers improves the emotional health and wellbeing of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement and personal moments of kindness. They need floral volunteers who process and arrange donated flowers (requires a training session). Youth volunteers can host vase drives at their school and join floral activities in our shop during seasonal availability, as long as their parent completes the training. Contact Sara here or go to the website here for more information.

Parent Education Opportunities
"Fostering Resilience in Children and Teens and Why it Matters," October 20, 7:30 p.m. Join Challenge Success, a non-profit organization affiliated with Stanford's Graduate School of Education, for our annual public parent-education program. This year's event features Dr. Ken Ginsburg and Challenge Success Co-Founders Dr. Denise Pope and Dr. Madeline Levine. For more information and event tickets, go here.

"Tips, Tales & Truths for Teens: Advice from a College Admissions Expert," Cynthia Colón, Ed.D. offers a practical road map to follow throughout high school. October 25, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Sequoia High School, Carrington Hall. Register here. October 26, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., Woodside High School, MUR. Register here.

"ANGST: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety," Documentary Film and Panel Discussion
November 9, 7:00 p.m., Carlmont High School PAC. This powerful film includes discussions with mental health professionals about the causes of anxiety, as well as help, resources, and tools for students and parents. Register here.

"Growth Mindset Parenting: The Myths, the Meanings, the Approaches," November 16, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., M-A PAC. What is Growth Mindset Parenting? Join Eduardo Briceño, Co-Founder and CEO, Mindset Works, to learn about the latest research in growth mindset - the myths, the meanings, the approaches. Register here.

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Newsletter Details Newsletter
 
T his newsletter is published by Hillview School parent volunteers every Sunday of the school year, except for Sundays preceding a full week of vacation.
 
Submissions : The deadline to submit for the Sunday Hillview Newsletter is the preceding  Wednesday at noon . Email your submission to [email protected] . Note that submissions may be edited for content and/or length. Submissions received after the deadline will be eligible for inclusion the following week. Submissions are eligible to run for up to two weeks.
Submissions for Off-campus Community Event: Email your announcement to  [email protected]. The submission deadline is  Wednesday at noon for the following Sunday newsletter. 

Archives: Missed an exciting edition of the Hillview Newsletter or other communications from the school? Look up past issues in our  online archive.