Hilton Weekly Newsletter
March 1st, 2019
Principal's Message
Ann Bollin - State Representative for Brighton Reads to Hilton Students
Thank you Mrs. Bollin for choosing Hilton Elementary!
Congratulations to our Science Fair Winners!
2nd Grade
Experiment - 1st - Carmen Ness; Tied for 2nd - Kahlan Ibrahim and Ryan Mack
Demonstration - 1st Gabriella Hill; 2nd - Andrew Murray
3rd Grade
Experiment - 1st - Hollan Urbain; 2nd - Sam Storch; 3rd - Ella Buck
Model - 1st - Tiergan Enerson; 2nd - Riley Masterson
4th Grade
Experiment - 1st - Caden Alexander; 2nd - Leona Williams; 3rd - Connor Copus
Model - 1st - Saycia Perkins; 2nd - Kira Draves; 3rd - Brandon Weber
Demonstration - 1st - Ava Calderaro; 2nd - Liya Stinchi; 3rd - Levi Birecki
School Security Improvements
As a precaution to provide additional security, visitors and volunteers to the Hilton office will be required to produce a driver's license in order to gain access into the building. Visitors will be required to scan their ID, which confirms that adult visitors are safe to be in the building. The device, The Raptor, prints out a sticker that visitors will wear while in the building. These devices are being installed in all Brighton schools, and will be up and running soon.
Momo Challenge
Much has been circulated about the character Momo, so I'm sure you are aware. However, I felt it was necessary to make sure parents were informed. Below is an article about the alleged character popping up in videos frequently viewed by children.
From the article:
Word of the Momo challenge is now so widespread that whether or not it represents a real threat, the subject has generated rumors that in themselves can be cause for concern among children:
Cyber Safety Expert Denise DeRosa, says the challenge, whether real or rumored, serves as a reminder for parents to know what their kids are doing online.
“You don’t need to know about every platform and every app and every device out there, but you do need to know and understand your kids favorite apps, their favorite games, their devices,” she said.
Experts say even if actual threats from Momo aren’t real, the rumors alone can be frightening for kids and can encourage teens to participate in risky dares.
Perhaps the best general advice is for parents to address such issues preemptively, not necessarily dwelling on any specific rumors but advising their children to be responsible and let them know if they encounter anything in the digital realm that appears frightening or threatening:
“Preemptively addressing something with your kid is always better,” said Dr. Meghan Walls, a pediatric psychologist.
She says it might be a good idea to gently ask your younger kids if they know about this.
“Something like, Ya know, there’s some scary things that pop up on phones and tablets and if you ever see something like that, come get me.'”
And for your older kids? Maybe get them to promise they’ll talk to you about the Momo Challenge if it’s sent to them. It’s not realistic to simply take their phone away, but let them know this is cyberbullying, it’s potentially dangerous, and that you’re trusting them to let you know what’s going on.
“Especially as kids get older and they are teenagers, they want some of that autonomy, and they deserve it as long as they can show you they’re responsible enough,” Walls said.
Most anti-virus software allow users to block specific words. In the case, entering Momo in to Kaspersky, Norton etc will allow you to block information.
Important Dates to Remember
3/4, 3/6, 3/11 - Hearing Screenings - Grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th Grades only
3/4 - Hilton Art Club Starts
3/7 - Recess Klub
3/8 - No School Grades JK - 6 - Records Day
3/8 - SkyZone BAS Pack of Dogs Fundraiser
3/13 - PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m.
3/18-3/20 - Hearing Re-screening
3/21 - Recess Klub
3/25 - 3/29 - Spring Recess - No School
4/19 - No School
A Note From Mr. Walker - Art
News from our Literacy Coach
How you can help your reader at home
Your child may or may not be on an Individualized Reading Improvement Plan this year. Did you know that EVERYONE can access our website that is full of literacy activities? These would be great to pull out on one of our many snow days! Visit https://sites.google.com/brightonk12.com/irip/home to see! This site is also linked on Hilton's homepage. If you have questions about how to support your reader at home, contact our Literacy Coach, Cody Alexander, at alexanderc@brightonk12.com.
Kids Read Now - Literacy News
In lieu of a summer school program, our district received a grant to partner up with "Kids Read Now" to provide all students with an IRIP (Individualized Reading Improvement Plan) an amazing summer reading program. Students are eligible to receive up to 9 self-selected books over the summer which they get to read and keep. The goal of this program is to improve reading skills, help prevent summer reading loss and get students excited about reading!
We are extending the "Kids Read Now" opportunity to all JK-3rd grade students currently enrolled at Hilton. The cost of the program is $60 per child. The benefits you will receive for your $60 are:
An invitation to a Summer Reading Kick Off Event, Thursday, May 30th, after school in Hilton's STEAM Center, where you will receive the first 3 books for your child to take home and begin their summer reading. (Students choose books at their reading level, ahead of time, with the help of their teacher).
Up to 6 additional books at your child’s independent reading level (Your child will receive 9 books total, as long as they complete the reading).
Books mailed to the home, addressed to your child!! - which is exciting because all children love to receive mail!
Each book your child receives will have questions on the inside cover for parents to help check for understanding and stimulate discussions on the books.
Ability to communicate by text or email with Kids Read Now to request your new books and to receive reminders.
Children who read all 9 books will receive a certificate and a special prize in the fall.
If you would like to know more, visit www.kidsreadnow.org.
We are very excited about this summer reading program! If you are interested, please send $60 per child, cash or check (made out to Hilton) by Thursday, March 7th. If you have any questions about this program, please our Literacy Coach, Cody Alexander at (alexanderc@brightonk12.com).
Shepherd of the Lakes Mom2Mom Sale
Mom2Mom Sale
Saturday March 9th
Shepherd of the Lakes
2101 S. Hacker Rd.
Brighton, MI
Early bird sale 8am-9am (2$ entrance fee)
Regular sale 9am-1pm (1$ entrance fee)
Brighton Public Library Event - Family Fun Day: Celebrate Early Childhood
Family Fun Day: Celebrate Early Childhood, Saturday, March 16, from 10am–12:00pm at 2/42 Church. This free family event is geared toward helping to promote early literacy practices for young children 0-5 years-old. Now in its second year, the Livingston Early Literacy Collaborative has worked to promote literacy practices that are easy and fun for parents to do with their children to help them succeed in school and later. Last year's event drew more than 600 parents and caregivers.
Your help promoting this event would be much appreciated! Please email me at mrvergith@brightonlibrary.info if you have any questions or need additional information.
Head Start and Great Start Readiness Programs - Time To Enroll
Livingston Educational Service Agency Early Childhood Programs are enrolling for the 2019-2020 school year. Head Start and Great Start Readiness Programs offer no cost/low cost preschool to income eligible or children “at risk” who qualify under federal and state guidelines.
Families meeting eligibility guidelines have access to learning opportunities, health and wellness, social and disability services, and other community resources. Children of all abilities are encouraged to apply. To find out more information about applying and to see if you are eligible, call 517-548-2100 or go to www.LivingstonESA.org.
GRASP - Program for Reading and Math during Summer vacation - Enrollment info
Brighton Area Schools has made arrangements again this year to acquire the GRASP program. GRASP is a nine-week correspondence program which helps students in grades K – 8 maintain reading and math skills during summer vacation.
It should take you and your child approximately one hour a week to complete each weekly lesson. Because it is a correspondence program, it can accompany you on vacation. Lessons are completed and mailed to a scoring center where they are analyzed, then returned to you. Instruction sheets found in each packet provide all the necessary information.
The enrollment fee is $38 for one subject and $63 for both.
You can enroll your child by completing the form below and paying the indicated enrollment fee or register online at:
BrightonCommunityEd.com, use CODE: GRASP K-3 and/or GRASP 4-8.
The form and the fee should be returned to the Community Education Office
at 850 Spencer Road, Brighton, MI 48116, NO LATER THAN FRIDAY,
APRIL 12, 2019.
PTO News
MySchoolAnywhere
Hilton PTO will be going paperless. For the 2019/2020 school year, MySchoolAnywhere.com (MSA) will be the only source of contact to sign up for events. If you have not done so already, please go to www.MySchoolAnywhere.com and create an account. The invitation code is “hiltonexplores”. You can also download the free MySchoolAnywhere app. This website hosts many features including the school directory, event forms, event registration, event planning and sign ups, and paypal access. If you have any questions please contact the Hilton PTO at hiltonpto@gmail.com
PTO Meetings
The next PTO meeting will be held on March 13 at 7:00pm. The meeting will take place in the STEAM Center. Childcare will be provided. Please join us to offer your support and ideas.
Jump Rope Club (Fridays February - May)
It is that time of year again to keep our students active during these cold winter months. Starting every friday from February 1 to May 10 (8:00am - 8:47am), student(s) can be dropped off early to “burn off” some energy prior to the start of the school day. Registration is only through MySchoolAnyWhere. There is a requested donation of $5 per family. You can come and jump for as many of the Fridays that you like. So if you missed the first one (or two or three) you can still join in the fun. We also ask to bring a change of shoes (gym shoes preferred) to keep our gym clean on wet and snowy winter mornings. We are also looking for volunteers to help turn ropes and supervise. To register and/or volunteer, please visit the MSA site at https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/login.a5w
Popcorn Friday (March 22)
The next Popcorn Friday will be on March 22. For $0.25 (or a Toe Token) your child(ren) can purchase popcorn popped by Hilton’s parents during lunchtime. To volunteer, just visit https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/login.a5w.
Hilton Hound Dog Apparel
The following websites are local businesses which now sell Hilton Hound Dog items. Please check them out.
Ivory Vines
Finland & Fawn Boutique
http://www.facebook.com/finlandandfawn
Artsonia Online Art Gallery
Everyone should have received an email to approve access to Artsonia. The artwork created by our students will be now uploaded to this new online art gallery. You will be able to view your child(ren)’s art online, share with others, create a fan club and order keepsakes. Volunteers are still in the process of uploading artwork to this new system. So please keep checking back. If you have not received an email for approval or have any questions, please contact your PTO at HiltonPTO@gmail.com.
Hilton Recycling Program
Hilton receives money for recycled paper! There is a green dumpster outside the school located next to Hilton Road. Every Friday, Ms. Michael’s class collects recycled paper throughout the school and places it in the dumpster. You can donate also! But only paper please (no cardboard or phone books). It is an easy way for our school to earn money while teaching students how to protect the environment!
Kroger Shoppers
Hilton is now enrolled in the Kroger Rewards Program. Please support the school by linking Hilton Elementary to your Kroger Rewards Card. Hilton’s number is 68151 or you can just type the school’s name in the search window at https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards.
Amazon Smile
How fun would it be to shop, while at the same time, earning money for our school? Amazon Smile (https://smile.amazon.com) is through Amazon.com, in which they donate money for most items purchased through their website. The fun part is that the website keeps a running total on your account to see how much money you donate to
the school just by shopping with them. Check out this 30 second video to see how you can add a shortcut to your (mobile) home screen to ensure all your Amazon purchases benefit Hilton Elementary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWgglu7ZCDE.
Coca Cola/Powerade Give
Attention all Coca Cola and Powerade drinkers! Another way to earn money for Hilton Elementary is through the Coca Cola Give Program. By collecting Coca Cola caps and codes, Hilton can earn money to purchase supplies for physical education, sports, technology and/or arts. Most Coca-Cola beverages that have a product code under its cap, or printed on its paper packaging, are eligible to be used for donation. Here is a link to the reference list of participating brands https://us.coca-cola.com/participating-brands. Please collect these clean items in a plastic bag and send to school with your child. There is a drawer in the office for collections.
Background Check
If you are planning to volunteer at school at all this year, BAS requires a background check. Here is the link to complete this step: http://www.applitrack.com/brightonk12/StartForm.aspx?id=3993825.
Hilton Elementary PTO Mission Statement
We as parents wish to support the entire teaching staff and administration to make sure each and every child at Hilton Elementary School has a variety of learning opportunities and experiences.
Preview YouTube video How to add Amazon Smile to your home screen
Parent Workshop
Great Start Livingston is excited to partner with MSU Extension to host a new parent workshop - "The Parent Talk System".
Workshop dates - Tuesdays: March 5, 12, 19 and April 2, 9, 16 (No class on March 26)
FREE Dinner & Child Care (Child care is limited!)
This 6-week parenting class explores the language we use with our children. The goal is to improve communication and provide practical verbal strategies to use with our children. Weekly topics include:
- Eliminating unwanted behaviors
- Setting limits
- Teaching about consequences
- Giving effective feedback
- Promoting independence
- Developing character
Training is geared towards parents of children ages toddlers to teens, but all parents are welcome.
To Register: Parent Talk Workshop Registration
Kathy Virden
Collaborative Support Specialist
Great Start Livingston & Livingston Promise
517-540-6860