Hillcrest Newsletter
January 2023
Happy New Year!
As we step into the month of January, it's a time filled with new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and exciting adventures in our elementary school community. Here at Hillcrest, we're thrilled to continue on this journey of learning and discovery together in the new year.
We're also excited to announce our upcoming events for January. Look forward to our Cereal Box Challenge where our students will work with our Chi-Hi National Honor Society to provide cereal for the food pantries at the middle and high school. We will celebrate our project with "Choose Your Own Adventure" time and a school assembly on the last day of the semester, January 18. More information on cereal donation dates will be coming home with students soon.
Additionally, during January we will continue to challenge our bodies with Jump Roping and on January 17 we will hold the Hillcrest Jump Offs to see who will have the opportunity to compete at the next level.
As we enter the second half of the year together, we can all approach it with enthusiasm, positivity, and a love for learning.
Wishing everyone a fantastic start to the new year filled with joy, success, and endless opportunities!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Hebert
Dates to Remember
January 5: Chi-Hi Wire Choir @ HC
January 11: HC PTO Meeting
January 17: HC Jump Rope Contest
January 18: School Assembly/Cereal Box Challenge (more info to come!)
January 19: No School
February 2: PTO's Cardinal Kindness Night
February 29: 2nd/3rd Grade Concerts
February 23: No School
March 5 & 7: Hillcrest Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 11-15: Spring Break
March 29: No School, Easter Break
April 1: No School
May 2: 4th/5th Grade Concerts
May 9: 1st Grade Grandparents Day, Kindergarten Spring Sing
May 21: 5th Grade Track & Field (May 23 rain date)
May 27: No School, Memorial Day
May 30: Last Day of School!
Jump Rope Contest
Hillcrest's annual Jump Rope Contest will be held on Wednesday, January 17. Mr. Bestul and Mr. Hetke will determine the top jumpers from each grade in the next several weeks and the top jumpers will be notified that they are jumping on this day.
January 17:
Grades 1-2: 1:00-1:30
Grades 3-5: 1:30-2:15
Our Hillcrest contest determines who gets invited to the World's Rope Jump Contest in Bloomer!
All events will be livestreamed.
Go to cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us
Click the video camera icon up in the toolbar at the very top of the page
Scroll down to select “Hillcrest Elementary”
The event that is currently live streaming will be the first window open (otherwise click on “High Res” or “Low Res”)
Push play and enjoy!
RCU Deposits
Hillcrest is doing awesome with RCU deposits. We have lots of Hillcrest savers! We already earned our first $250 check for the 2023-2024 school year. This money is used for items around the school. Keep up the good work!
Hillcrest Happenings
Hillcrest Happenings is produced by 5th grade students, along with Mrs. Kjelstad and Mrs. Vergin. The news crew has both behind the scenes and on-screen roles. The behind the scenes roles include set design, script writer and teleprompter. The on-screen roles include the anchor and special reporters.
Hillcrest PTO
Next PTO Meeting: January 11 at 6 p.m. in the Hillcrest Library
Cardinal Kindness Night will be on Friday, February 2nd with musician, Randy Peterson, starting at 6 p.m. Hillcrest families are encouraged but not required to bring packages of Ramen or pantry items for the Cardinal Markets (food pantries) at the middle and high schools. Attendees can also bring new sets of twins sheets or new youth pillows for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Free popcorn and water for attendees.
Sign up here for PTO emails and volunteering opportunities.
From the Nurse
From the Nurse
Just a friendly reminder as it is that time of year where viral and bacterial illnesses are on the rise and we are in cold and flu season. Please help remind your children to cover their coughs – cough/sneeze into an elbow, Kleenex, sleeve. Wash hands often! If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. Handwashing is always the preferred method, but if unable use hand sanitizer until you are able to wash with soap and water. Follow these steps:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Also practice the following every-day good health habits to prevent the spread of illness:
• Cover your cough or sneeze. Preferably do this with a tissue that you then throw in a trashcan. Next best is covering your cough with your inner elbow.
• Avoid touching your own eyes, nose, or mouth
• Don’t share food or drinks
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Always contact your doctor’s office if you have questions or concerns regarding you or your child’s health
If you do get sick, stay home, get lots of rest, and drink plenty of fluids. There are some over-the-counter medications you can take to help you feel better at home. Tylenol and ibuprofen can help with fevers. (Reminder: students are allowed to return to school only after being fever free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication) Please remember that children should not take aspirin, particularly if they have flu-like symptoms. Antihistamines and decongestants can help with nasal drainage or stuffiness.
WINTER HEALTH TIPS
Exposure to cold can lead to injury or serious illness such as frostbite or hypothermia.
Follow these tips to keep your children safe in cold weather:
Dress your children appropriately before coming to school. The air temperature does not have to be below freezing for your child to experience cold emergencies such as hypothermia or frostbite. Wind speed can create dangerously cold conditions even when the temperature is not that low.
Dress your child in layers so they can adjust to changing conditions from indoors to outdoors.
Most of your child’s body heat is lost through their head, so they should wear a hat, preferably one that covers their ears.
Mittens provide more warmth to a child’s hands than gloves.
Your child should wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite by keeping their feet warm and dry and to maintain their footing in ice and snow.
Hillcrest Luminaries
Hillcrest students created luminaries for the 3rd year in a row. This tradition is a Hillcrest favorite and centers around a book that connects to our building-wide social emotional wellness theme. This year we read Stardust by Jeanne Willis.
The story follows a young girl and her dreams as she learns that we all shine in different ways. Hillcrest students each created a luminary that is unique to them and their talents, bringing together a beautiful collection of shining lights!
4K Enrollment
Do you have a child that turned 4 years old before September 1, 2024?
It’s not too late to enroll them into 4K for the current school year. The Chippewa Falls School District partners with community daycares that offer 4K.Transportation is also provided at no cost to you.
Check out our webpage at https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/schools/cardinal-4k/
Please contact Marilyn Burish at 715-726-2414 ext. 2783 for more information about enrolling your child.
From the Chiropractor
Happy New Year!
Children’s young bodies are usually flexible and resilient, and can usually take a lot of falls, bumps and bruises without much difficulty. But some signs that chiropractic care may benefit your child are: complaints of pain, limited head mobility, uneven shoulders and irregular sleep patterns.
Even if your child doesn’t have a specific condition that you are concerned about, regular chiropractic care can be part of a healthy lifestyle that promotes regular development & wellbeing.
We realize that parents considering chiropractic care for their child may have a lot of questions and we’d be happy to answer any concerns you may have. Give us a call or text at 715-382-6864 or email onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com.
Parent Communication
Parents/Guardians should set up an Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Gives You Access To:
- attendance
- report cards
- schedules
- homework assignments
- pay fees/lunch
If you are a split household, you can have two accounts.
Please keep your information updated in case of emergency! You can update your address, phone numbers, email addresses in Infinite Campus.
Need help? Call our help desk at 715-726-2413 for assistance.
Treats in the Classroom
Treats brought in to school should be:
- store bought with a clear nutrition label
- be mindful about choosing treats that may contain tree nuts and/or peanuts (can ask teacher or health office if classroom is nut free)
Why?
- certain students and staff with health conditions that may require dietary accommodations
- important that they are able to review a food's nutrition label before choosing to omit or consume certain foods.
Office Procedures
Arriving Late?
- Parents do not need to enter school
- Students report to the office to sign in
- Call or email Ms. Heidi if running late or have appointment
Picking up early?
- Call the office beforehand
- Guardian will need to come into the office to sign out
Keeping Your Child Home?
- Call the Main Office before 8:45 a.m. or an automated dialer will be sent out. If you do not call in, your child will be marked unexcused.
- Please let the office know and don't rely on the teacher to relay the message
715-726-2405 or email solinhm@chipfalls.org to report absences.
Breakfast/Lunch
Meal prices for 2023/2024
Elementary Breakfast: $0.35
Elementary Lunch: $2.25
**If you qualify for free or reduced price lunches there is no charge for breakfast or lunch.
**You can use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to put money onto your child's lunch account or you can send exact cash/check to the Main Office.
Transportation Changes
- Call ahead (by 2:15 p.m.) if you have a transportation change for the day.
- For the safety of your child, unless it's an emergency, we ask that you do not make changes after 2:15 p.m.
- Contact Chippewa Yellow Bus more than 24 hours in advance at 715-726-2454 if you have any bus changes or requests.
- Hillcrest can't authorize bus changes.
ALL changes need to be called in to the Main Office and not to the teacher in case there is a sub in the room that day.
Hillcrest: 715-726-2405
Cardinal Community Learning Center
Cardinal Community Learning Center has programming opportunities to meet the needs of our students, families, and community!
School Board Update
Here is the December Board Consideration
January RCU School Sense!
District Notice
Upon request to the building administrator, submitted twenty-four (24) hours in advance, the District shall make reasonable accommodation including the provision of informational material in an alternative format as necessary for a disabled person to be able to participate select activities.
About Us
Email: solinhm@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/hillcrest/
Location: 1200 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-726-2405