HILLTOP FAMILY NEWSLETTER
October 2016
early release: OCTOBER 7 at 11:45 am
EARLY RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2016 at 11:45 AM
Día de salir temprano: 07 de octubre, 2016 a las 11:45 AM
DATES TO REMEMBER
OCTOBER AT A GLANCE
- EARLY RELEASE: Friday, October 7th at 11:45am
- FIRE PREVENTION WEEK: October 10th-14th
- CARE/CID FIELDTRIP: Tuesday, October 11th to Dodge Nature Center
- PTSA MEETING: Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30pm
- CONFERENCES: October 17th, 18th, 19th
- BOOK FAIR: Held during Conferences in Hilltop's IMC
- NO SCHOOL: October 19th, 20th, 21st
- KINDERGARTEN FIELDTRIP: Monday, October 24th to Dodge Nature Center
- FUNDRAISER PICK-UP: Wednesday, October 26th 3:10pm-6:00pm
- GRADE 5 TO ORCHESTRA HALL: Wednesday, October 26th
- PICTURE RETAKES: Thursday, October 27th
UPCOMING DATES IN NOVEMBER
- LITERACY NIGHT: Tuesday, November 15th, 6:00pm-7:30pm
- NO SCHOOL: Thursday and Friday, November 24th and 25th ~HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
- GRADE 3 TO ORCHESTRA HALL: Wednesday, November 30th
FUNDRAISER PICK-UP! ONE NIGHT ONLY!
WHEN: Wednesday, October 26th, immediately after dismissal from 3:10 -6:00 PM
WHERE: Hilltop Gym
kindergarten news
We have been working hard learning about the rules and routines at school. We have also been busy exploring the materials in our classrooms and practicing our names! Soon we will be learning about fabric and then going on a field trip to the Dodge Nature Center on Monday, October 24th. More information about the field trip will be coming home soon!
1st grade news
2nd GRADE news
Second grade has started the year with a bang! We are getting to know each other, making new friends, and having fun! In reading, we will learn to use pictures and words to help us understand the characters, setting, and plot. In math, we will learn about place value.
3rd Grade News
Third Grade has been working on place value, comparing numbers, and ordering numbers. In October, we will continue this Math work, but also add rounding. We are very happy that we will be starting Science. Fall is the perfect time to learn about the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Students will be taking home Moon Logs to draw and write sentences about the moon they see nightly, or before school in the morning.
A couple reminders: 1. Make sure to return your conference slips to sign up for a time that works for you. 2. Reading Logs should be turned in every Monday; these count as your child's Independent Reading Homework on report cards.
Happy Fall!
4th grade news
Hey Fourth Graders…did you know that you and your family can get into America’s National Parks for FREE? It’s part of a program called “Every Kid in a Park.” Head to this website for more information and to print out your pass for FREE admission to America’s natural wonders and historic sites: https://everykidinapark.gov/ We hope that you take advantage of this unique opportunity for you and your family!
We are enjoying getting to know each fourth grade student and we look forward to meeting with families during our Fall Conferences, which will be held on October 17-19. Thank you for all that you do to support your students each day!
5th grade
We have started out our school year with structured recess. We have been teaching outdoor activities that promote community, working together all while having fun. Some of the favorites have been Color Tag, Giants, Wizards, and Elves, and Red Light, Green Light. We will continue our structured recess on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the school year.
In October we are all looking forward to meeting our Little Buddies. Mrs. Dobesh’s class partners with Ms. Wattrus’ First Graders, Ms. Goodwin’s class partners with Ms. Tucker’s Kindergartners, Mrs. Quinlan’s class partners with Ms. Lugowski’s Kindergartners, and Mrs. Taufen’s class partners with Ms. Laska’s Kindergartners.
imc news - the book fair!
Bookaneer Book Fair: Where Books are the Treasure!
The book fair is coming! We need volunteers...we need YOU! Volunteering at the Book Fair is the perfect way to stay connected to your child at school and help students find the books they can't wait to read. It also helps to provide books for your child's classroom. Sign up now and get ready for a fun and rewarding volunteer experience. Use the link to sign up now!
phy ed
This Fall we will be outside as much as possible so please dress for the weather and remember to always wear Tennis Shoes on Phy Ed days. We want your child to be as active as possible in Phy Ed, and we are encouraging them to play outside every night for more exercise.
Ms. Schoeberl, Mr. Wieker, Ms. Schletty
music
Mrs. Engleking and Mr. Arntson are brand new music teachers to Hilltop, so we have spent the first week really trying to get to know the students of Hilltop. We've been playing lots of games, playing in rhythm circles, learning new songs, and doing lots of moving around. We are both excited to continue learning with all the students at Hilltop.
band
Band just got started and we are hitting the ground running! We got together and played as a Hilltop full band on our first morning of band, and then had some individual lessons. The hard work the 5th graders did over the summer has really paid off and they are sounding really good! It will be an exciting full year of band, can't wait to see what we can do by the March concert.
Title 1/WIN NEWS
We our fortunate to have added Mrs. Kokaisel to our team as our new Paraprofessional this school year - Welcome Mrs. K.!
Our team is busy reconnecting with students who received Title I support last year and are currently administering Fall Reading Benchmark assessments to all students K-5.
We are collaborating with classroom teachers and look forward to providing skill specific Reading support to students with the highest need. We will continue to use PRESS (Pathways to Reading Excellence in School Sites) interventions with students.
We look forward to meeting with as many families as possible during our Fall Conferences in October, but please feel free to contact us with questions anytime throughout the year.
SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, November 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. is our Hilltop Family Literacy Night. Watch for more information to come. We look forward to seeing you there!
PTSA News
Please join us for the next PTSA meeting on Tuesday, October 11th at 6:30 pm.
You do not need to be a member to attend or volunteer in any of the activities we facilitate for Hilltop.
Please consider the following open positions. We can't do this without help from parents or teachers.
- Fundraiser Chair- Fall and Spring fundraisers
- Chip Shoppe Product pickup October 26
- Yearbook Committee
- Winter Family Fun night Chair- Scheduled for December 1st
- Staff Appreciation committee
- End of the Year Party Chair
- Book Fair volunteers- Looking for 27 volunteers to do a 2 hours slot. Would like to get 1 parent from each classroom.
Attendance REminder
Did you know:
- Students who are having breakfast, can enter the school at 8:05 am.
- All other students can enter at 8:15 am.
- A warning bell rings at 8:25 am.
- Everyone is expected to be in their classrooms by the 8:30 am bell.
- Anyone not in the classroom by 8:30 am will be marked tardy.
Please remember:
3 Tardies = 1 Unexcused Absence
Any questions, please inquire at the front office. Attendance Line: 651-306-7403
Un recordatorio amistoso de cuán importante es tener a su hijo en la escuela y en el aula a tiempo.
¿Sabía usted que?:
· Los estudiantes que comen el desayuno, pueden entrar en la escuela a las 8:05 de la mañana.
· Todos los demás pueden entrar a las 8:15 am.
· Una campana suena a las 8:25 de la mañana para avisarles que el día escolar comenzará en 5 minutos.
· Todos deben estar en sus aulas antes de la próxima campana a las 8:30.
· Si no están dentro del aula a las 8:30 am se registra que llegaron tarde.
Por favor recuerde:
3 tardanzas = 1 ausencia injustificada
Cualquier pregunta por favor pregunte a Verónica en la oficina (se habla español) en 651.306.7403
MORNING DROP- OFF REMINDERS
- Drop-off driving lane (closest to the school) is for drop-off only (driver does not exit their car). Have student exit car door onto the sidewalk (right side of car), not the passing lane.
- If you need to exit your car, then please park in the parking lot and walk your student into the school.
- Student drop off is not permitted before 8:00 am.
- Please be sure to make a complete STOP at the crosswalk.
Thank you for your continued cooperation to make
all aspects of our school as safe as possible!
Hilltop Elementary School
Email: Sue.vallafskey@isd199.org
Website: http://www.isd199.org/schools/hilltop_elementary
Location: 3201 68th Street East, Inver Grove Heights, MN, United States
Phone: 651 306-7400
Twitter: @HTPrincipalSV