Hillcrest Newsletter
April 2024
As we welcome the blossoming beauty of spring, I am excited to share with you the latest happenings and upcoming events here at Hillcrest Elementary.
As we approach the end of the school year, I want to remind everyone about the importance of upcoming assessments and testing. These assessments provide valuable insights into your child's progress and help us tailor our teaching to meet their individual needs. I encourage all students to approach these assessments with confidence and a positive attitude, knowing that their hard work throughout the year will shine through.
4th & 5th Grade Concert:
Under the guidance of our dedicated music teachers, our 4th and 5th grade students have been hard at work rehearsing and perfecting their pieces. Scheduled for May 2nd at 8:15 a.m., our concert will showcase the incredible musical talents of our budding musicians.
Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead filled with joy, growth, and achievement.
Go Mini Cardinals!
Mrs. Hebert - Principal
Before School
A reminder that playground supervision starts at 7:15 a.m. Please have your child(ren) head directly to the playground unless it's an Indoor Recess day. Students should not be left waiting out front unattended until the bell rings.
Thank you!
Dates to Remember
April 8: PTO Meeting
May 1: Forward Bowling-3rd grade
May 2: 4th/5th Grade Concerts
May 6: 4th Grade to Beaver Creek
May 8: Forward Bowling-5th grade
May 9: 1st Grade Grandparents Day Concert
May 9: Kindergarten Spring Sing
May 9: 3rd Grade to Past Passed Here
May 10: 4th Grade Wax Museum
May 15: Forward Bowling-4th grade
May 17: Safety Patrol to Action City
May 21: 5th Grade Track & Field (May 23 rain date)
May 21: 2nd grade to Pioneer Village
May 22: 3rd Grade to Irvine Park Zoo
May 27: No School, Memorial Day
May 29: HC Carnival Day
May 29: NEW LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
May 30: NO SCHOOL, Staff Professional Development Day
Ms. Heidi's Last Day in the Office
The Hillcrest staff are amazing people who truly care about all of the students. I'm going to miss being part of this family and I'm grateful for the relationships I've gained along the way!
Important Update: Change in Last Day of School for Elementary Students
We wanted to inform you of a change in the last day of school for elementary students. The new last day will be on May 29, 2024, instead of the previously scheduled May 30, 2024. Please note that this change is only for our K-5 students. 4K, MS, and HS students will still have school on May 30th.
This adjustment is necessary to provide teachers with dedicated time to begin training as mandated by the state under Act 20 for all public schools. Act 20 initiates a statewide adherence to science-based early literacy instruction to address low reading proficiency across the state.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Susan Kern, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Katie Coppenbarger, Director of Curriculum and 4K
Are You Moving?
Please fill out this form to alert the school to any changes in your child’s attendance area for next school year as soon as you are aware of changes (upcoming moves, parochial school, etc.)
We are starting to create class lists for the 2024-25 school year and need to know of changes that will affect our student count.
WI Forward Exam
Wisconsin students in grades 3-5, will be participating in the Forward assessment during the March-April testing window. State assessments, including the Forward Exam, are required by both State (Wis. Stat. § 118.30) and Federal ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Law. Our school is scheduled to take the Forward assessment between March 25 and April 26, 2024.
The Forward tests students in the area(s) of English Language Arts and Math with 4th graders taking additional tests in Science and Social Studies. One or more subtests may be administered daily during our selected time frame. Students not in school on testing days will be scheduled for a make-up test prior to the close of the testing window.
Enclosed is an Information for Families brochure that gives more information about the assessment. The Forward assessment measures the knowledge and skills students should have for their grade-level. Students' performance on the assessment will not affect their grades. Please encourage your child to do the best they can. The results of these tests will be used to help school staff make determinations regarding curriculum, placement, and services to best support students.
If you have any questions, please contact Lori Hebert at 715-726-2405.
Bowling Field Trips
To celebrate completing the Wisconsin Forward Exams, 3rd-5th grade classes will be going to Falls Bowl. The cost of the field trip and bussing are covered.
Students will leave school around 8:50 a.m. the day of their trip. They will bowl for around two hours and will be back in time for lunch. There is not enough bowling shoes to go around, so please have them wear tennis shoes that day.
Dates
May 1st-3rd grade
May 8-5th grade
May 15-4th grade
Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week
Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 8-12, 2024. This annual campaign encourages everyone in the state of Wisconsin to prepare for the tornadoes and severe storms the state experiences during the spring and summer months.
Each April, Hillcrest reviews our severe weather safety procedures with students by participating in a drill. If you have any questions, please contact the office.
From the Hillcrest PTO
The next PTO meeting will be Monday, April 8 at 6:00 in the Hillcrest Library.
Sign up here for PTO emails and volunteering opportunities.
Upcoming Concerts
Door #6 (gym door) will be open a half hour before each concert!
Hillcrest Happenings
Hillcrest Happenings is produced by 5th grade students, along with Mrs. Kjelstad and Mrs. Vergin. The news crew has both behind the scenes and on-screen roles. The behind the scenes roles include set design, script writer and teleprompter. The on-screen roles include the anchor and special reporters.
Parent/Caregiver Survey
Our district is working each day to provide a great place for students to learn, teachers to teach, employees to work, and parents to send their children for an excellent education. We are committed to listening and responding to your experiences as a parent in our district. Our partners at Huron/Studer Education are providing an opportunity for you to provide feedback anonymously, at the link below.
Please take a few minutes to complete the Parent/Caregiver Satisfaction Survey at this link: Survey Link (Esta encuesta está disponible en Español)
The survey will remain open through April 12th.
Your input is valuable. Your feedback will be utilized appropriately to create action plans that allow for continued success and to address those areas where attention is required for improvement.
Thank you for your commitment to our district’s success.
CFMS Incoming 6th Grade Orientation
Hello!
We are excited to hold two orientation nights in April for families of incoming 6th grade students to come to CFMS. On these evenings we will give a general overview of the school and provide time for a self-guided tour. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a great learning environment, and we want you to have a chance to explore it!
These orientation evenings are optional and are scheduled for April 22 & 23 from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Chippewa Falls Middle School. Please enter through door 2 or 3 and head to the auditorium. There will be a 20 minute presentation in the auditorium at 6:00 PM.
In order to accommodate the number of families joining us on these evenings, we ask families to consider the following schedule. However, we understand if the night that aligns with your elementary school does not work and you need to attend the other night instead.
Monday, April 22 - Parkview, Halmstad, Jim Falls
Tuesday, April 23 - Southview, Hillcrest, Stillson
Open House - August 28, 2024
In August, the middle school will host an Open House on Wednesday, August 28, from 1:00 - 7:00 PM.
The first day (Tuesday, September 3, 2024) of school will be WEB Day! WEB Day is a specially designed day just for incoming 6th graders and their 8th grade mentors.
Ms. Arendt, 6th grade Assistant Principal, and I will also be meeting (or have already met) all 5th graders at their schools, sharing a little bit about CFMS, and answering questions that they have prior to the April Family Orientation nights. We are SO EXCITED about our new crew of 6th graders who will join us next year!
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Derrick Kunsman
Principal - Chippewa Falls Middle School
750 Tropicana Blvd, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Ph: 715.726.2400 ext. 1144 | #mightycardinals
From the Nurse
Wisconsin Immunization Requirements for the 2024-2025 School Year
FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS:
Wisconsin state law requires all students to show that they have received the following required immunizations or have a signed waiver within 30 days from the start of school:
4 doses of DTaP, DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/whooping cough) or DT(diphtheria, tetanus) vaccine. A dose may be needed for children entering kindergarten if one of the DTaP doses was not given after the fourth birthday.
4 doses polio vaccine
3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine - at least one dose must be after 6 months old
2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
FOR INCOMING 7TH GRADERS:
The Wisconsin Student Immunization law requires a Tdap, the adolescent combination vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), within 30 days from the start of the 7th grade school year.
If your child still needs any of these vaccines, we encourage you to have your child immunized well before school starts to avoid the late summer rush at the Health Department or at your doctor’s office. Please bring your updated immunization records with you at registration. Please contact your school nurse with any questions.
CFAUSD Sick Procedure:
Keep your student home if any of the following apply:
Temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher in the last 24 hours before medication (Tylenol/Ibuprofen)
Vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours
They have been diagnosed with a contagious illness (e.g.; strep throat) and have been on medication for less than 24 hours if medication is required
They have an unexplained rash
Are you interested in mentoring?
Mentor Chippewa is a local non-profit, founded right here in Chippewa Falls, 35 years ago! We work closely with local school systems to bring our school-based mentoring programs to their students and offer the opportunity for adults to connect with youth in a safe setting.
We value all kids, right where they are, while recognizing that school can be tough, and mentors can help tough days go better! Everyone can benefit from having a caring adult in their lives to help them realize that when days go better, years go better.
If your student could benefit from a mentoring relationship, please contact us and we will make the connection between the student, the school, and one of our amazing volunteer mentors.
Kindergarten Registration
The public elementary schools in Chippewa Falls are beginning to plan for kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
Students who presently attend one of the Chippewa Falls School District’s 4-year-old Kindergarten programs do not need to re-enroll. Students are automatically enrolled in Kindergarten. More information will be provided from your child’s elementary school about Kindergarten registration.
Children who will be 5-years-old on or before September 1, 2024, and who will be entering Kindergarten in the Chippewa Falls School District for the 2024-2025 school year, and are not enrolled in the Chippewa Falls 4-year old Kindergarten program, need to enroll. Those students who attended a 4K program in the 2022-23 school year, but were not in school this past year will need to enroll as well.
To enroll your child, please visit the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District website. If you do not have internet access, please contact Tami at (715) 720-1850 or visit the Administration Office located at 1130 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI. You may also visit your child’s elementary school for assistance in registering.
From the On-Site Chiropractor
Hello & Happy Spring from On-Site Chiropractic!
One of the students we see at school said that Wednesday is her favorite day of the week. When asked why she said, “Because that’s the day I go to the chiropractor!”
What does chiropractic care do? Chiropractic helps the brain and body have a strong signal with each other so the body can function just as it was intended to. Each chiropractic adjustment helps the nervous system by removing any interferences the nervous system may have. An adjustment optimizes the communication between the brain and every cell in the body!
A teacher told us that “as a teacher she has seen great results from the chiropractic care provided by Dr. Amanda. In the past two years my two students that have received this care have benefited greatly. The true results were in their change of attitude and behavior upon returning to the classroom.”
If you’re interested in at school chiropractic care for your child, contact us at onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com. We accept Forward Health/Medicaid insurance and would be happy to check into coverage for any other insurance you may have.
Parent Communication
Parents/Guardians should set up an Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
Gives You Access To:
- attendance
- report cards
- schedules
- homework assignments
- pay fees/lunch
If you are a split household, you can have two accounts.
Please keep your information updated in case of emergency! You can update your address, phone numbers, email addresses in Infinite Campus.
Need help? Call our help desk at 715-726-2413 for assistance.
Treats in the Classroom
Treats brought in to school should be:
- store bought with a clear nutrition label
- be mindful about choosing treats that may contain tree nuts and/or peanuts (can ask teacher or health office if classroom is nut free)
Why?
- certain students and staff with health conditions that may require dietary accommodations
- important that they are able to review a food's nutrition label before choosing to omit or consume certain foods.
Office Procedures
Arriving Late?
- Parents do not need to enter school
- Students report to the office to sign in
- Call or email Ms. Heidi if running late or have appointment
Picking up early?
- Call the office beforehand
- Guardian will need to come into the office to sign out
Keeping Your Child Home?
- Call the Main Office before 8:45 a.m. or an automated dialer will be sent out. If you do not call in, your child will be marked unexcused.
- Please let the office know and don't rely on the teacher to relay the message
715-726-2405 or email solinhm@chipfalls.org to report absences.
Breakfast/Lunch
Meal prices for 2023/2024
Elementary Breakfast: $0.35
Elementary Lunch: $2.25
**If you qualify for free or reduced price lunches there is no charge for breakfast or lunch.
**You can use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to put money onto your child's lunch account or you can send exact cash/check to the Main Office.
Transportation Changes
- Call ahead (by 2:15 p.m.) if you have a transportation change for the day.
- For the safety of your child, unless it's an emergency, we ask that you do not make changes after 2:15 p.m.
- Contact Chippewa Yellow Bus more than 24 hours in advance at 715-726-2454 if you have any bus changes or requests.
- Hillcrest can't authorize bus changes.
ALL changes need to be called in to the Main Office and not to the teacher in case there is a sub in the room that day.
Hillcrest: 715-726-2405
Cardinal Community Learning Center
Cardinal Community Learning Center has programming opportunities to meet the needs of our students, families, and community!
School Board Update
Here is the March Board Consideration.
April RCU School Sense!
April is Credit Union Youth Month, a month-long initiative that helps teach and encourage kids to develop good financial habits.
District Notice
Upon request to the building administrator, submitted twenty-four (24) hours in advance, the District shall make reasonable accommodation including the provision of informational material in an alternative format as necessary for a disabled person to be able to participate select activities.
About Us
Email: solinhm@chipfalls.org
Website: https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/hillcrest/
Location: 1200 Miles Street, Chippewa Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 715-726-2405