Hillcrest Newsletter
From the Principal; September 12, 2022
Dear Hillcrest Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! For those families new to Hillcrest, we are excited to get to know you and to welcome you to our amazing school. To returning families - welcome back! We hope all families are able to join us at Hillcrest's Open House on September 22nd. Please see details below.
Hillcrest has an amazing staff guided by the principle of doing what is best for students. Together, we strive to create a community of responsible, life-long learners, respectful of each other, the world, and themselves. We look forward to working collaboratively with families and community members - our partners in education - to support all students in reaching high levels of learning and engagement this year.
Finally, our August Newsletter included lots of important information (district calendar, school hours, supply list, free breakfast and lunch for all, etc). Here is a link to the August Newsletter in case you missed it!
If you have questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact me by calling 541-756-8348 or sending an e-mail to sfletcher@nbend.k12.or.us . Thank you, Hillcrest families!
Stacia Fletcher
Principal
Hillcrest Open House (and Annual Title 1 Meeting)
Thursday, September 22nd
Because parking at Hillcrest is VERY limited and because we want to do our part to reduce any possibility of community spread for COVID, we have two separate times for families to participate. Please honor the times listed below.
- Families of students with last names starting with letters A-M are invited to join us from 4:30-6:00pm.
- Families of students with last names starting with the letters N-Z are invited to join us from 6:00-7:30pm.
Parent/Family Survey; Please Provide Feedback!
We will draw three names from those who respond and prizes will be awarded to winners!
Attendance Matters More than Ever!
Join our Facebook Page!
School and Student Safety
Every school year we practice safety drills with students so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Each year, we have one fire drill a month, three earthquake/tsunami drills, and one Secure and one Lockdown drill. We try to practice most drills one time before mid-October so we are prepared.
Our first fire drill will be on Thursday, September 15th. Teachers will practice with their students in advance of the drill. During a fire drill, students exit the building quietly and line up on the black top or field.
During the week of September 18th, we will do a "Hold" drill. A "Hold" is used when there are situations that require students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of access areas. During a "Hold" students clear the halls and return their classroom. If students are outside at PE or recess, they remain there. Instruction and activity continue as usual. The following are some examples of when a school might initiate a Hold:
- An altercation in a hallway
- A medical issue that needs attention
On September 30th we will do a "Secure" drill. "Secure" is used when something is happening in the community or on school grounds outside of the school. The following are some examples of when a school or emergency dispatch might call for a Secure Action.
- An unknown or unauthorized person on the grounds
- Dangerous animal on or near the grounds
- Criminal activity in the area
- Planned police activity in the neighborhood
Safe, Respectful, Responsible
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting September 13th
To learn more about the PTA and ways you can support students at Hillcrest, please visit this link.
Morning Announcements
Hillcrest now has daily morning announcements at 8:15am. Morning announcements help us to build community and to start each day off on the right foot! We celebrate student and staff birthdays, talk about what we are doing well, discuss what we need to work on, and celebrate "National Days of the Year." Did you know that September 12th is National Chocolate Milkshake Day? On Fridays, we share a joke or a riddle!
Paws-itive Office Referral Program
Sometimes students make poor choices and end up with a referral to the office. We all make poor choices from time to time.
That said, MANY students regularly make great choices at school! We have started a new "Paws-itive Office Referral Program" in which teachers send a Paws-itive Office Referral to the office to recognize these kiddos. These students get a positive phone call home and they get called to the office during morning announcements to come pick up their Paws-itive Referral.
September Dates to Note
- Monday, September 12 (or soon thereafter); Families complete the parent/family survey!
- Tuesday, September 13th; Hillcrest PTA Meeting at 6:30pm at Hillcrest
- Thursday, September 15th; Fire drill - weather permitting
- Wednesday, September 21st; Hold drill
- Thursday, September 22nd; Hillcrest Open House
- Monday, September 26th; Vision Screening at Hillcrest for all students
- Friday, September 30th; Secure drill