The Heron Nest
Hillcrest Family Newsletter | September 2021
Upcoming Events
Sept. 7 -8 | Family Connection Conferences | Grades 1 -4
Sept. 7- 9 | WA Kids Kindergarten Conferences
Sept.9 | First Day of School | Grades 1-4
Sept. 10 | First Day of School | Kindergarten
Sept. 23 | Picture Day | Grades K-2 and Life Skills
Sept. 24 | Picture Day | Grades 3-4
Our 2021-22 Bell Schedule
Notes From the Principal's Desk
I am so excited to see our returning students and meet the new students at HCE! Our focus this year is on building relationships with our families and students after such a difficult year. We will continue with social distancing, masking, and sanitizing to keep us all safe.
This edition of the Heron Nest has important information and dates that you will need to know prior to the start of school. Later this week, you will receive the parent informational handbook via email with specific information on school policies and procedures.
On an exciting note, HCE will have a certified emotional support dog, a labrador retriever named Scout. She will be attached to a fourth-grade classroom but be available for all students as needed. She is super fun, gentle, and loves kids.
Here’s to a great 21-22 school year!
Paula Seaman, Principal
Family Connection Conferences: Meet Your New Teacher
Teacher assignments will be posted via Skyward Family Access on Monday, August 30, 2021, at 4:00 PM. At this time, parents or guardians may access the Skyward Conference Scheduler to schedule a Family Connection Conference.
Back by popular demand, we are hosting Family Connection days to kick off the school year. Family Connection or Student Orientation days will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7 and all students will be at their school sites for regular length school days starting Thursday, Sept. 9. However, the first couple of days of school will look more like an orientation than a regular school day. The structure of these programs will be different based on your child’s grade level. Over the coming days and weeks, schools will directly communicate information about the start of the school year to parents.
Elementary | Family Connection Days
Tuesday, Sept. 7 (No Attendance Taken)
Wednesday, Sept. 8 (No Attendance Taken)
School Supplies: We've Got You Covered!
Our schools are committed to providing the necessary school materials to make sure they receive a quality education in Oak Harbor Schools. This is in large part due to the incredible generosity of our community through local levies. However, we understand many families enjoy the process of purchasing school supplies for their students including backpacks. If families still wish to purchase their own school supplies they are more than welcome to do so, but it won’t be required. If your child needs assistance in purchasing a backpack, please let us know and we will have one available for them.
In addition, each student who enrolled in OHPS will receive a district-issued Chromebook. The device is intended for school use at home or at our school sites.
School Supplies - Below are examples of the supplies our schools are equipped to make sure your child is ready for an #OHmazing education. The specific supplies offered to our families depend on the courses, instructional model, program, and level of the classes in which each student is enrolled.
Chromebooks and Case
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Dividers
Headphones
Lanyards
Notebooks
Paper
Pencils
Pencil Pouches
Pens
Rulers
Water Bottles
Student Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Please observe the one-way traffic arrows and 10 MPH speed limit.
Transportation Information
Be Sure to Sign Up for Bus Transportation
All families needing transportation to or from school are required to fill out the following transportation request form. Even if your child received transportation services in previous years, families still need to fill out the transportation form.Student Bus Routes and More Now Online
Bus route information for the 2021-22 school year is available. Families can use Infofinder to find their student's bus and route information. With just a few clicks, the user-friendly service can identify the location of the nearest bus stop, pick-up and drop-off times, and allow parents to sign up for transportation notifications and alerts. Just click on the link above and provide your student's home address, school of attendance, and grade level.
Please note that you must be outside a one-mile radius from your home school to receive bus transportation by state law.
Free Meals for All Students
Oak Harbor Public Schools is proud to serve FREE meals to all of our students for the 2021-22 school year!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the FREE meals program through the 2021-22 school year. This is excellent news for our families. However, even though FREE meals are provided to all students, we strongly encourage all parents to submit a free or reduced meal application for their household. Filling out a meal application may help provide many resources for your student and their school. In addition, eligible families who fill out the form before August 31 may qualify for P-EBT benefits. You may pick up an application at any school or the district office. Electronic forms are available on our district website or by accessing the Food Service tab in Skyward Family Access.
September Meals Menu
PURPOSEFULL PEOPLE FOCUS For September
The dictionary talks about Responsibility in a few ways: fulfilling your duties, being
accountable and having consequences, and the independence you can earn to make decisions on your own. We are using this definition at school:
Responsibility: to take action and understand how our choices affect others, ourselves, and the world.
All the choices we make impact the world around us in big and small ways. The responsible person works to be aware of this impact and makes decisions based on what is good for as many people as possible. This requires reflection, self-control, and a willingness to take ownership. We will spend time talking about how to build and use these skills so we can earn more Responsibility in our life. We will make sure everyone knows what role they play in creating a successful classroom and school community. When we work together, when we share the Responsibility of a better world, we can accomplish great things!
Purposeful People Welcome Letter
Responsibility K-2 Family Newsletter (English) | Spanish
Responsibility 3-5 Family Newsletter (English) | Spanish
PTA CORNER
Virtual Membership Drive
Would you like to have a say in Hillcrest PTA spending and activity decisions? Are you interested in supporting field trips and other unique learning opportunities for your child? Your paid membership gives you an easy way to do so and gives our PTA a stronger voice in our district. We strongly encourage and welcome you to join the Hillcrest PTA. Your support also entitles you to all the benefits and special discounts available through Washington State PTA. Our Virtual Membership Sign Up information can be found here.
Box Tops for Education
Earning cash for Hillcrest with Box Tops for Education just got easier and all you need is your smartphone. When you download the NEW and improved Box Tops app you’ll be able to scan your receipt, instantly identify Box Tops products, and automatically add cash to our earnings online!
Follow the PTA on Facebook @HillcrestPTAinfo
Contact us
Email: hceattendance@ohsd.net
Website: ohsd.net/hes
Location: 1500 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: (360)-279-5200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HillcrestElementary/