HCSD Friday Newsletter
Happy Thanksgiving, HCSD!
Happy Thanksgiving to our Amazing HCSD Community!
Dear Educators,
Wow! One year ago... green badges to start the day, Virtual Classroom and In-person programming, Ambry and Omecare PCR tests with Rapid Antigen Testing on the horizon, 6 feet of distancing, the promise of vaccinations for all educators, San Mateo in the Purple Tier coming back from Thanksgiving Break, and not only did we survive but WE THRIVED! We never gave up, even during some of the most challenging days. I thank you with all my heart. With our youngest students getting vaccinated, our community is taking another significant step towards normalcy and that is simply fantastic.
There is so much to be thankful for in our lives, even with the daily challenges we face during this pandemic. It is a gift to be a part of a school community where trust and respect form the foundations of our work. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for the people I work with and the students and families we serve. Thank you for always giving of yourselves - I am deeply appreciative. Please do find time to rest over this break. The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us and this respite - albeit short, is welcomed and needed.
With gratitude and wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving,
Louann
Thank you, HCSD Medical Professionals!!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Within a week’s notice, and with the tremendous support of West parent, Neda Pakdaman, M.D. and HCSD Director of Technology and now, Director of All Things COVID(!!) Maureen Sullivan a vaccination clinic was held for 100 HCSD students at Crocker Middle School this past Saturday. Dr. Pakdaman, recruited her staff from Crescendo MD including: Alan Greene, M.D., Cheryl Greene, Jessica Favreau, M.D., Jennifer Austin, R.N., Rebecca Genauer, R.N., Cary Galarraga-Duran, M.A., and Michael Diehl, Clinic Manager to help give shots, and take care of our students.
In order to make the clinic as efficient as possible, I reached out to our HCSD Parent Medical Professionals and within no time at all, the following parents volunteered their time to help at the clinic: Suzy Butler, M.D., Flora Chen, M.D., Ken Chern, M.D., Edward Koo, M.D., and Maricar Pacquing, D.O. Shout out also to Trustee Kim Oliff and parent volunteer extraordinaire, Linda Willey for keeping the clinic running smoothly.
Thank you to Neda and Maureen for their hard work and long hours in making this clinic a success. My heart was filled with joy at the coming together of medical professionals, parent volunteers and our brave students! Thank you to all!
With gratitude,
Louann
Please note: There will be no Friday Newsletter on Friday, Nov. 26th. Look for the next HCSD Newsletter on Monday, Nov. 29th. Happy Thanksgiving!
New Times Available for Children’s “Playland” Clinic
A new batch of appointment slots are now available for children ages 5 to 11 to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the “Playland”-themed clinic at the San Mateo County Event Center.
Operated by the County of San Mateo, the clinic offers the COVID-19 vaccine in a kid-friendly setting that invokes Candy Land and other amusements along with superheroes and more for entertainment.
“This clinic is designed to bring smiles to the children’s faces,” said Dr. Anand Chabra, who is helping to lead County Health’s vaccination drive. Appointments are required through the state’s MyTurn system.
The “Playland” vaccine clinic for children aged 5 to 11 will be open:
► Wednesday, November 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
► Friday, November 26, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
► Saturday, November 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A medical provider will be on site at the children’s clinic to answer parents’ questions.
Vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 are widely available through private health care providers and pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.
To date, over 12,000 children 5 to 11 have been vaccinated in San Mateo County.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Navigating TikTok Challenges
With recent TikTok challenges like "Devious Licks" and "Slap a Teacher" making headlines, families might want to discuss these troubling stunts with their kids. Parents and caregivers might find these tips and conversation starters helpful to address the latest challenges and get kids to think about their consequences. And if you're unfamiliar with the app or would like a refresher, check out the Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok.
We are excited to host our 5th Grade students and families at Crocker Middle School. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for additional details!
COVID Testing during Thanksgiving Week and Returning to School
Your child should have brought home a BinaxNOW box yesterday which contains two tests. These are intended for you to test your child twice during the 3-week period of 11/22-12/10:
One of these tests should be used between 11/28-12/3, targeting 5 days after any higher risk activity. Examples:
- large gathering on Thanksgiving --> target test date 11/30
- flight home on Sunday 11/28 --> target test date 12/3 (Please remember to check the CDC guidelines for Travel - below)
The other test can be used at another time during the 11/22-12/10 period, such as if you have another large gathering, travel day, or timed to be spaced out from your other tests.
Supplies are limited. Please do use the HCSD given Binax tests when they are handed out, or have your child decline or return them (return whole unopened Binax box only)
if you do not need it. Thank you!
If you make an error or have an indeterminate result, you may pick up another test kit from your child's school office or contact the district office at 650-342-5193 to schedule an on-site BinaxNOW test. Thank you!
HCSD CARES Updates on Travel!
If you do have a question regarding traveling and quarantine, please reach out to Superintendent Carlomagno via email at lcarlomagno@hcsdk8.org. Thank you!
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR THE 2022 - 2023 SCHOOL YEAR
New Student Priority Online Registration
Dates: December 6, 2021 - December 10, 2021
(December 6, 2021 through December 10, 2021) will be given top priority for enrollment in their home school (second to those students enrolling with siblings attending their home school – see above).
Click HERE for the New Student Registration for the 2022 - 2023 School Year Priority Online Registration PDF. Additional information can also be found on the HCSD website.
Transitional Kindergarten in HCSD
The HCSD Board of Trustees approved moving forward with Transitional Kindergarten (TK) in the 2022-23 school year. We are still in the process of developing the program and there are still questions to be answered. Please refer to the Transitional Kindergarten page on our website for more details.
We are excited to support our youngest learners in the community. If your child will be turning 5 between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023, your child is eligible for Transitional Kindergarten.
Thank you,
Louann
Curative Van at Crocker Middle School Every Sunday
San Mateo County Vaccination Clinics
The Vaccines.gov website links you to many local (and distant) locations for vaccinations.
Stanford (for anyone): https://myhealth.stanfordhealthcare.org/ (You do not need to be a patient at Stanford for those appointments. You do need an account with MyHealth, which is free.) Clinics are in Redwood City and Palo Alto.
For Stanford patients: Stanford Children’s Health COVID-19 vaccination appointments for children 5-11 years old are now available and can be made here.
- MyTurn: appointments and walk-in clinics for ages 5+ began on Nov 4
- Kaiser: Vaccine scheduling for ages 5+ opened on November 4
- San Mateo County Health: Now including vaccine clinics for ages 5+ in their clinic calendar, keep checking for additions. New appointments open regularly.
- Santa Clara County Public Health: offers links to many healthcare providers (including PAMF) and county clinics
- CVS: began administering youth vaccines Nov. 7
- Walgreens: began administering youth vaccines Nov. 6
Hillsborough City School District
Email: news@hcsdk8.org
Website: www.hcsdk8.org
Location: 300 El Cerrito Avenue, Hillsborough, CA, USA
Phone: 650-342-5193
Facebook: facebook.com/hillsboroughschools
Twitter: @HCSD_k8