Hillcrest Newsletter
October 2023
Hello, Hillcrest Families!
Our first month of school is complete! We have been creating routines and reteaching school expectations. These routines, learning, and reteaching help us with our self regulation. When we can stay calm, we can solve problems more effectively and feel in control. We will also continue to work to grow as readers. Teachers will be providing information to families at Parent Teacher Conferences in November about how to support students in their reading growth.
A resource families could take a deeper look at to support self regulation skills is Conscious Discipline. Conscious Discipline is an approach that is being implemented in our 4K Sites across the district and is beginning in our elementary schools this year. Our goal is to empower our students to be able to stay in control of their emotions so that they can make good choices and solve problems.
Another resource we have access to this year to support our students and families is ENGAGE Wisconsin. This program will provide our students and families with an extra layer of support for the school year. Our state has partnered with Graduation Alliance to boost school engagement and academic success during the school year. When students choose to participate in the program, they will be assigned an Academic Success Coach who will answer questions, connect them with resources, and develop a plan to help them stay on track and engaged with their schooling!
Working together with families is a vital aspect of our school community. We believe that collaboration between educators and parents/guardians is essential for a child's success in their educational journey. When we work together, we create a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive. Together, we can provide our students with the best possible opportunities for growth and learning, ensuring a brighter future for all our children.
Go Mini Cardinals!
Mrs. Hebert
Start of Day
Dates to Remember
October 3: Hillcrest School Pictures (during school day)
October 3: 5th Grade to Conservation Day
October 6: No School
October 9: Hearing Screenings for KG/2nd at school
October 12: KG to Niblett's Apple Shed
October 16: Hillcrest PTO Meeting
October 26: Optional Flu Shot Clinic for students @ Hillcrest
October 27: Hillcrest Halloween Party (sponsored by PTO)
November 3: No School
November 6 & 9: Hillcrest Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 7: Picture Retake Day
November 20-24: No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 11: HC Singers Tour
December 15: 5th Grade Volleyball Tournament @ 9 a.m. @ Southview (Dec. 18 make-up date)
December 18: HC Singers Concert
December 22: HC Christmas Concert (all grades)
December 25-January 2: No School, Winter Break
January 19: No School
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!
Items From Home – Toys / Electronics
Toys from home are becoming an issue on the playground during recess time. Please see the article from the Parent Handbook regarding toys and please remind your child(ren) to not bring toys/Pokémon cards to school.
From the Handbook: Every year, toys that serve no purpose in a school setting are brought from home, causing situations in which students argue, fight and have hurt feelings. These toys are a disruption at recess time and can cause negative issues to arise in the classroom. Some examples of problematic items include:
- cars, trucks, remote control vehicles
- fidgit spinners
- cell phones
- MP3 Players
- dolls
- trading cards of various kinds
- electronic games
It is our expectation that students not bring toys to school unless requested to do so by a staff member for school-related purposes. Toys can be a negative temptation (e.g. theft) to some students. They can be broken at school, resulting in hostile or hurt feelings. For these reasons, we ask that toys stay at home. If a student brings any item from home that is not acceptable at school, the item will be taken to the principals office and kept there until picked up by the parent.
School Pictures
All students need to have their pictures taken for school purposes even if you do not plan to purchase a picture package. We will try to have students take their picture before recess and/or phy-ed.
Picture envelopes went home during the middle of September with each student. If you need another one, please contact the office.
To Order Online:
- www.strawbridge.net
- Click on the "Order Pictures and Yearbooks" red button.
- Online Order Code is: FM414039
- When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at school.
- The code expires 5 days after picture day so Strawbridge can begin processing the orders that will ship to school. Students/families that have not placed an order within the 5 day time period will receive a portrait proof when picture packages are delivered to school. A unique online ordering code for their student and instructions for online ordering will be included with the portrait proof.
Picture Retake Day will be held on November 7th.
If you have any questions, please contact the Main Office at 715-726-2405.
Prepare for Cold Weather!
As it starts to get colder, please send your child with appropriate clothing, (boots, hats, and mittens)!
Lost & Found Changes
The Lost & Found area has been moved to just inside the library. Any unclaimed lost and found items are donated to local charities several times a year. Parents are always welcome to come in and take a look.
The Winter Items area is now in the Main Hallway, just outside the library. This is for students who forgot tennis shoes, boots, hats, or gloves. Because of lack of space, each grade level was given one set of extra coats/snowpants.
*Please remember to dress your child(ren) appropriately for the weather, especially now when it's cooler in the morning and gets warmer throughout the day.
Handle With Care
Continuing this year: In an effort to provide staff with information about a student’s emotional state, we are sending out "Handle With Care" emails when we find out about an upheaval in a student’s life.
If there is a major life situation, please let the office or your student's teacher know. We typically do not give out details to staff, however, the purpose for the email will be to let staff know that the student may be especially emotional or act out. It will be a way to let everyone know that some extra care and patience would be appreciated.
You Have a Place in our Space!
Below are links to the book and videos Mrs. Hebert has been using with our K-5 classes to learn about personal space, setting boundaries, and how to respond when someone invades their personal space or they invade someone else's space.
It's a good opportunity to use common language when helping students work through personal space issues. These are some of the terms we used and discussed:
- Personal Space
- Comfort Bubble
- Boundary (Gr. 1-5)
- "Please stop", "I don't like that", "I feel uncomfortable", "I need more space"
- Don't take it personally
Personal Space Camp Book - Video
Personal Space Song Video - Kindergarten
School Directory
Paper copies of the school directory went home the last week of September with each student. If you did not receive one and would like one, please let Ms. Heidi know!
School Safety Drills
Every year, we practice numerous safety drills to make sure students and staff know what to do in the case of an emergency. We practiced two fire drills already in September and everyone has done great with them!
In the spring we will practice severe weather drills which coincide with the state drills. Also in the coming months, we will practice our lockdown drill.
If you ever have any questions about the drills we practice, please let Mrs. Hebert know.
Spirit of Christmas
Spirit of Christmas serves Chippewa County residents who are in need of gifts during the holiday season. The organization's main focus is on the children.
For information on how to submit an application, click here.
Hillcrest PTO Meeting
PTO Meeting
Join us at 6 p.m. in the Hillcrest Library to plan for the Halloween Dance and upcoming Hillcrest Holiday Shop.
Meeting Agendas
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FGnPEkURKCy5easI-xMIr2c4UHZOp89m35nferL_oN4/edit?usp=drivesdk
Meeting Minutes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QnuGIUUG8XtsgdwpggAET3TdQBl2v3lpxcnZpSV25qY/edit?usp=drivesdk
Sign up here for PTO emails and volunteering opportunities.
Hillcrest Halloween Dance & Costume Party
Put on your costume and dancing shoes! Join Hillcrest families October 27 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for a dj dance, cookie decorating, movie, and snacks.
*Please follow Hillcrest costume guidelines when selecting your costume.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held November 6 & 9. More information will be coming as we get closer to those dates!
Free Flu Vaccinations
CFAUSD Health Services is partnering with Chippewa County Public Health to offer Free Flu Vaccinations to students in an effort to keep our students safe and healthy this school year.
This is an OPTIONAL offer and is not a required vaccination for CFSD students.
If families choose to utilize this resource, they have the option to have their students receive either the Influenza (Flu) Mist or Influenza (Flu) Shot.
- FluMist will be the primary vaccine used this year. It protects against seasonal influenza.
- Flu shots will be made available for those that need it. This includes those with asthma, underlying medical conditions, on an aspirin regimen, or for those that live/care for someone that is immunosuppressed.
No insurance information is needed. We hope that this event helps to save families time and money. This is a limited time offer and only available in schools as part of a preparedness activity for Chippewa County.
Consent forms went home toward the end of September to each family. If you need another one, click here, or you can call the office. Please complete the consent form and return to your student’s school by Friday, October 13th if you would like your student to participate in this free immunization clinic.
The clinic will be at Hillcrest on Thursday, October 26 in the afternoon.
If you have any questions, please contact Chippewa County Department of Public Health at 715-726-7900 and ask to speak with the Public Health Intake Nurse.
Thank you, Caitlin Maranell, RN
All Elementary Schools
From the Nurse
*Immunization Reminder*
State Law requires that all immunizations be up-to-date within 30 days of entering the school system. New students will be asked to complete the immunization card at registration, all others are requested to notify the school nurse when your child receives additional immunizations. Waivers for personal, religious, or health reasons remain an option for parents.
From Health Services:
Here are some important guidelines to consider when you hear those words, “I feel sick; I don’t want to go to school today.” These guidelines are the standards of practice the CFAUSD School Nurses follow for the comfort and safety of all of our students and staff.
Temperature over 100.4 degrees in the last 24 hours. If you suspect that they may be sick, please check their temperature with a thermometer before sending them to school. If they have a fever, it is not appropriate to send them to school, even if you give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen and their fever breaks. Your child will still be contagious to other children and will also not be feeling well enough to learn. Coming to school sick (and possibly contagious) not only exposes other children to the illness, but also delays your child’s healing time. Once the medicine wears off and the fever returns, your child must be picked up anyway, and valuable healing time has been lost. Children must be fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of medication, before returning to school.
Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours. If vomiting or diarrhea occur, you must keep your child home. Even if these things happen only one time before school starts and your child feels better immediately afterwards, it is still wise to watch for a few hours to see if it happens again before sending him or her on to class. Your child may not return to school until they have not had an episode of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. If your child is spending all his or her time at school feeling sick, then not much learning is taking place!
An unexplained rash - Anytime a rash is associated with fever, the child may not come to school until that fever is gone for 24 hours without medication. Sometimes a rash is a sign of a contagious disease such as chickenpox. Sometimes, rashes are not contagious, but are uncomfortable and itchy from contact with something the child is allergic to.
Any contagious disease that requires antibiotics (ie. strep throat) Students can return after they have been on antibiotics for 24 hours and are fever-free.
Flare ups from asthma, that would make it difficult to work in school
It is recommended that your student stays home if the following apply:
- Headache, cough, sore throat, or congestion severe enough to interfere with attention to school work.
- Flare ups from asthma that would make it difficult to work in school.
DOCTOR NOTES FOR LIMITATIONS/RESTRICTIONS IN SCHOOL: If your child has an injury or a health issue that requires limitations or restrictions while in school, the district requires a note from the doctor with the restrictions. If the note does not have a date when normal activities can be restarted, a note will also be required to allow the student to again participate in activities.
CLOTHING: The health office is in need of children’s clothing, especially pants, both boys and girls.
Homecoming Week Celebrations
Twin Day!
Hawaiian Day!
Color Day!
Chi-Hi Pep Band Visited Hillcrest!
From the Chiropractor
The 2023-24 school year is off to a great start and On-Site Chiropractic is excited to be part of so many kids’ school days. It’s been fun getting to see our returning students and hear about their summers, and we look forward to getting to know this year's new students that have started chiropractic care.
Fall brings the changing of the seasons and cooler weather. Sometimes it also brings on seasonal allergies. The sneezing, stuffy nose and congestion are all uncomfortable but did you know that chiropractic can help with those symptoms? An adjustment can ease congestion & relieve sinus pressure. Chiropractic care also helps strengthen the immune system by correcting misalignments in the spine, especially the neck. It allows the spinal nerves and brain to communicate better, meaning the body has a better chance against allergens.
Enjoy the beautiful Fall weather and if you are interested in your child receiving chiropractic care at school, please contact onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com for more information.
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!
Family Connections Fall Newsletter: This contains school and community event links
Board of Education Update
October RCU School Sense!
Starting October 17, 2023, Royal Credit Union School $ense will be open at Hillcrest every Tuesday morning! Student team members have been hired from 5th grade classes and are being trained to help young savers with their deposits.
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