Hillsdale Herald
Hillsdale Elementary School, September 2020
Sept 13, 2020
4th & 5th grade parents see below for a message from Dr. Belczyk
Interested in Orchestra?
3rd, 4th & 5th grade parents see below for a message from Mrs. VanLenten
Update from Mrs. DeWitt, our School Counselor, below.
Be sure to click her newsletter for a lot of great information.
Instructional Tech News
Email sent to grades 2-5 to check ipad settings.
Would you like more support with Seesaw or Schoology? Drop-in for a support session with one of our instructional technology coordinators. See below for details. The attachment below the picture has links for zoom sessions, if you want to join.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or our elementary Instructional Technology Coordinators, Mrs. Ashley Melanson (amelanson@wcasd.net) or Ms. Sam Zang (szang@wcasd.net).
Counseling Corner
I hope you and your family had a fun and relaxing summer despite the limitations of COVID! My name is Mrs. Kathy DeWitt and as Hillsdale’s school counselor, I wanted to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year. I especially want to welcome any new families to the Hillsdale community—I look forward to getting to know both you and your children. We have an exciting start of the school year ahead and it is my hope this year will be full of successful experiences for all students.
I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that I have a West Chester University School Counseling graduate student, Ms. Marissa Difilippo, interning with me until DecemberFor More Information, please download the attached newsletter.
Join the Band in 4th Grade!!!
Hello 4th Grade Parents!
Now that your son/daughter is in 4th grade, they have the opportunity to join the school band. In music class last week, your child saw a video demonstration of the different band instruments. In case they missed it, or if you’d like to watch it, you can see it at the following link: https://youtu.be/3FXbkxbIeD4
Here is a link to a pdf document with all the information you need to sign up for the band.
If your child is interested in joining the band, please fill out the short form here:
https://forms.gle/t84A6GYn63QFtG9fA
Please fill out the form by Sept. 18, 2020 so that I can make up my lesson schedules. Lessons will start the week of October 5th, 2020.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns: mbelczyk@wcasd.net
Thanks!
Dr. Belczyk
Join the Orchestra in 3rd grade!
Your child has the opportunity to learn a stringed instrument this year. Your child observed a live demonstration of instruments with the Orchestra Teacher, Mrs. Van Lenten, during their music class. Registration is due by Friday, 9/25 and the first lessons will begin the week of 10/5.
You can review the instruments, program details, and enroll in the program via this link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1F2RKq3mr-QhxvlqiTJ96pfh7gG7wjKV1fbVGlFbZw7Q/edit?usp=sharing
Attendance
If your child is going to be absent for any reason - illness, appointment, vacation - please call the Safe Arrival Line 484-266-2010 and leave a message. When your child is returning to learning, please send an excuse note to Mrs. Fithian (sfithian@wcasd.net). Doctor’s notes are appreciated whenever you see a doctor due to illness.
Each student may take up to 5 vacation days per year, please email me (pmerten@wcasd.net) with vacation requests.
Plan your outfit for Tuesday to include dots!
Sept 8, 2020
Thank you to all the parents and caregivers that worked to get their students on SeeSaw, Schoology and Zoom last week! Hopefully each day is getting a little easier. We are up for the challenge!
PBIS Update
At Hillsdale, we encourage all students to Be Respectful, Responsible, Safe and Caring every day. On Wednesday 9/9 at 9:00am we are having a Watch Party/Assembly to kick off our PBIS Online Learning Expectations with all students. Just like in regular school, this will replace instruction at that time. I will send the link via SeeSaw & Schoology announcements on Wednesday morning.
Remote Learning 2.0 & Specials Schedules - update
Some parents have asked about the times of Specials on the Remote Schedule. Please be aware students in K - 2 are given a 60-minute block in the afternoon that includes their 30-minute Special, so please follow the times in the schedule shared by your teacher.
Technology Questions
Please go to the WCASD technology website first, link below. If you need assistance with parent portal or username and password, call us at school: 484-266-2002
Announcements
Each day we will post a recording of the morning announcements via SeeSaw and Schoology. Our Green Ticket winners names will be announced there on Fridays.
NURSE NOTES
I hope you all have had a good start to the school year and that you and your families are well. I don’t want to overwhelm you with information but there are a couple items of importance that I need to communicate to you.
- The PA Department of Immunizations has given a two month extension for immunizations. We started school on the August 31st. Therefore, the new immunization due date to November 9th. If you have not submitted updated PA State mandated immunizations to me, please send them to me ASAP to avoid being excluded from school on November 10th. If you have submitted the information to me, you do not have to re-submit it.
- The Chester County Health Department has opened up again for vaccines, but with appointments only. You can call for an appointment 610-344-4414.
- If you registered your child(ren) at HDE for the first time this school year or if they transferred to the WCASD from another school district or state, please submit completed physical examination and dental reports to me ASAP. These documents must be dated after September 2019.
- 3rd graders are required to have an updated dental examination, dated after September 2019.
If you have sent any of this information in to me, you do not have to re-submit the documents. If I am missing information from you for your child(ren), I will notify you via email.
For your convenience and reference, below is information about PA State mandated immunizations and physical and dental reports:
IMMUNIZATION requirements include – Exclusion date is November 10, 2020.
- DTap/Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): Four doses – one dose on or after the fourth birthday
- IPV (Polio): Four doses – one dose on or after the fourth birthday
- Hepatitis B: Three doses
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): Two doses
- Varicella (chicken pox) : Two doses
PHYSICAL
· All students entering WCASD for the first time, Kindergarten students need to have an updated physical examination report on record in the nurse’s office.
DENTAL
· All students entering WCASD for the first time, Kindergarten and 3rd grade students need to have an updated dental examination report on record in the nurse’s office.
Please do not hesitate contacting me at cdugan@wcasd.net if you have any questions about any of the above information or any other health related questions/concerns you might have.
Looking Ahead. . .
9/4 - NO SCHOOL
9/7 - NO SCHOOL
9/9 - School-wide PBIS assembly 9:00am
9/15 - DOT DAY - wear your best polka-dots!
9/28 - NO SCHOOL
YEARBOOKS!
Yearbooks are $30 each, payment by cash or check made out to Hillsdale PTO
Spanish Language Phone Line
Si usted prefiere comunicarse en español por favor llame al 484-266-1690 para contactarse con personal escolar.
(If you prefer to speak to a Spanish speaking operator, please call 484-266-1690 to connect with school personnel.)
About Hillsdale Elementary
Email: pmerten@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/602
Location: 725 West Market Street, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 484-266-2001
Twitter: @HDEelem