Hillcrest Newsletter
March 2024
New Adventure
Dear Hillcrest Families,
It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you of my upcoming departure from Hillcrest Elementary. After 3 years of serving as Hillcrest’s principal, I have accepted a new opportunity in another district as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. While I am excited about this new chapter in my career, leaving behind this incredible school community is certainly bittersweet.
This new position will not be official until March 18th when the new district's board will consider my contract, which would begin July 1. However, I wanted you to hear the news from me and not someone else.
While I may be leaving Hillcrest, I will always carry with me the spirit of this remarkable school community. I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Hillcrest Elementary students and staff.
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Hebert
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
March 5 & 7: Hillcrest Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 11-15: Spring Break
March 29: No School, Easter Break
March 31: Yearbook Ordering Deadline
April 1: No School
May 2: 4th/5th Grade Concerts
May 6: 4th Grade to Beaver Creek
May 9: 1st Grade Grandparents Day, Kindergarten Spring Sing
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 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
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
Order the Hillcrest Yearbook Now!
Yearbooks are $10. There are 2 ways to order:
1) Paper order forms have gone out. Fill out the envelope and send it back to school before Friday, March 29. Please make checks payable to Strawbridge. Late orders will not be accepted.
2) To Order Online:
- Go to strawbridge.net
- Click on "Order Pictures and Yearbooks"
- Enter the Code YB29472 and Click "Find"
The deadline to order yearbooks online is Sunday, March 31st. Paper copies need to be turned in by Friday, March 29th, 2024.
**There will be no additional yearbooks available for purchase after this date. There will not be extras for purchase in the office. Order Now!**
Classroom Request Forms
We would like to discourage parents from requesting class assignments for their child(ren). We work very hard to achieve a balance between the classes at each grade level. This balance takes into account equity, academic information, and gender ratio, social, emotional and behavioral concerns. Any requests make our efforts far more difficult in achieving overall classroom balance.
Occasionally parents request a specific teacher for their child or to not have their child in a class with another student. We will try to honor parent requests only when there is a specific exceptional educational reason for their request. Parents should note that we may not be able to honor every request we receive due to equity issues that we must comply with.
Click on this teacher request form link to obtain a form, and return it to Mrs. Hebert, Principal, by Sunday, March 31st. You can also request a paper copy from the office. Because of the amount of work involved in the development of class lists and the number of factors we must consider, we will not honor requests that arrive after the March 31st deadline.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on March 5 & 7. Please contact your child's teacher with any questions.
From the Hillcrest PTO
Next PTO Meeting: Wednesday, March 6 in the Hillcrest Library after the Referendum Presentation.
Public Referendum Presentation at Hillcrest, March 6th
Attend in person March 6th at 6pm in the Hillcrest Library or attend online using a smart device. Please email CFhillcrestpto@gmail.com for a link to attend virtually. The 30 minute presentation will include time for questions. Stay afterwards for a Hillcrest PTO meeting from 6:30-7pm.
Help Feed Hillcrest Staff During Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 7th 4:00pm
Can you bring dessert, tortilla chips, or a beverage? The Hillcrest PTO is providing a meal for Hillcrest staff during parent/teacher conferences on March 7th. Please bring in items to the Hillcrest Main Office by 4pm on March 7th. Sign up here to bring an item to feed our Hillcrest team.
Sign up here for PTO emails and volunteering opportunities.
Apologies for camera issues that cut a few kiddos out of the picture!
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.
Battle of the Books
Congratulations to Hillcrest's 4th and 5th grade Battle of the Books participants! These students have been reading and practicing together since October and competed in a trivia style competition in February. The 3 Musketeers represented Hillcrest for our state battle!
The 3 Musketeers 18 points
Cecilia Downey
Jayden Lowe
Mamie Zook
Book Girls 14 points
Tiegan Custer
Clara Kunsman
Rebekkah W
Macy Hauser
Opal Stary
The Bad Seeds 11 points
Bryce Peterson
Marcus Goettl
Raegan Riley
Linken Hrdlicka
From the Nurse
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we enter the peak season for illnesses, I wanted to take a moment to remind you of some important steps you can take to help prevent the spread of illness among our students. As the school nurse, ensuring the health and well-being of our students is my top priority, and your partnership in this effort is invaluable.
1. Hand Hygiene: Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good alternative.
2. Respiratory Hygiene: Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze. Discourage them from using their hands, as this can spread germs. Proper disposal of used tissues is also essential.
3. Stay Home When Sick: If your child is experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue, or vomiting, please keep them home from school. Returning to school too soon can prolong illness and increase the risk of spreading it to others.
4. Rest and Hydration: Ensure your child gets plenty of rest and stays hydrated, as these are crucial for supporting the immune system and aiding in recovery from illness.
5. Healthy Habits: Encourage your child to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious foods, getting regular exercise, and managing stress. A healthy body is better equipped to fight off infections.
6. Vaccinations: Ensure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccinations. Vaccines are one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
7. Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and electronic devices. By following these simple steps, we can work together to create a healthier environment for our students and reduce the risk of illness spreading throughout our school community. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.
Sincerely,
Nurse Caitlin
________________________________________________________
POISON PREVENTION AND TREATMENT TIPS
March 17 – 23 is Poison Prevention Week. Over 2 million potential poisonings are reported in the U.S. every year, with over 90% of these occurring in the home and the majority of them being young children. The majority of poisonings that occur in the home are accidental. Among children, these things often can cause poisonings:
Medicines
Pain killers
Household cleaners
Hydrocarbons (such as lamp oil, kerosene, gasoline, lighter fluid)
Plants
While children younger than 6 years old make up a larger percentage of cases, poisoning can affect all age groups-infants to seniors.
Ways to prevent accidental poisoning:
Store medicine, cleaners, paints/varnishes and pesticides in their original packaging in locked cabinets or containers, out of sight and reach of children
Install a safety latch that locks when you close the door on child accessible cabinets containing harmful products
Purchase and keep all medicines in containers with safety caps. Discard unused or expired medication
Check the label each time you give a child medicine to ensure proper dose
Never tell a child that medicine tastes like candy
Never place poisonous products in food or drink containers
Keep coal, wood, or kerosene stoves in safe working order
Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Treatment
If your child is unconscious, not breathing or having seizures due to poison contact or ingestion, call 911. If your child has come in contact with poison and has mild or no symptoms, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222
Immediate treatment tips
Swallowed poison: Remove anything remaining in the child’s mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container’s label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning.
Poison on the skin: Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15-20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.
Poison in the eye: Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives.
Inhaled Poison: Take the child outside into fresh air immediately. If the child has stopped breathing, start CPR and do not stop until the child breathes or help arrives.
**If the child vomits, turn their head to the side to prevent choking**
Empowering Digital Citizens: Essential Tips for Kids' Online Safety
In today's digital age, the internet is a vital part of a child's life, whether they're at school, home, or anywhere else. While internet-connected devices can enhance learning and social interactions, they also pose risks that concern both parents and educators.
Protecting children from online dangers such as inappropriate content and contact is crucial. But when should we start teaching them about security awareness? Ideally, children should be introduced to these concepts as soon as they begin using the internet, even under supervision. With children spending an average of four to six hours daily on screens by the age of eight, and more than half of teenagers dedicating at least four hours a day to social media, the need for early education on online safety is evident.
Who takes on the responsibility of educating children about online security? Initially, parents or guardians play a significant role, followed by educators once children enter school. However, not all adults are proficient in security awareness, making it essential to know where to begin. Keatron Evans from Infosec suggests tailoring security education based on age groups:
For grade school children: Establishing good habits like not sharing personal information and being cautious with links and downloads.
For middle school children: Teaching them to separate school and personal accounts, and educating them about email safety and phishing attempts.
For teenagers: Focusing on privacy settings, using unique login credentials, and implementing multi-factor authentication.
Parents play a crucial role in fostering security awareness in their children. Numerous resources, such as cybersecurity-themed books and educational videos, are available to aid parents in this endeavor. Additionally, parental control features in apps can be effective for younger children, although older ones may find ways to bypass them.
Modeling good security behavior is essential, as children often mimic the actions of those around them. Ultimately, both parents and educators must work together to equip children with the skills and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. By instilling security awareness in kids, we empower them to take control of their online privacy and security. For additional resources, visit Infosec’s Security Awareness and Training Resource Center or Common Sense Media’s Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between website.
Information taken from "Security Awareness for Kids: Tips for Safe Internet Use" (Video)
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.
4K Enrollment
Do you have a child that turned 4 years old before September 1, 2024?
It’s not too late to enroll them into 4K for the current school year. The Chippewa Falls School District partners with community daycares that offer 4K.Transportation is also provided at no cost to you.
Check out our webpage at https://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/schools/cardinal-4k/
Please contact Marilyn Burish at 715-726-2414 ext. 2783 for more information about enrolling your child.
Chiropractic Care
We have luckily had a very mild winter so far this year, but we still may have spent more time indoors than we do in the warmer months.
Being outside in the fresh air is SO GOOD for everybody! It energizes our bodies, boosts our mood, improves our immune system, increases vitamin D levels, improves sleep, and reduces stress.
Paired with outdoor time, healthy food and restful sleep, chiropractic may be the piece you’re missing in your child’s health care. Email us at onsitechiroinfo@gmail.com for more information.
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 February Board Consideration
March RCU School Sense!
School Sense is hosting a March Money Madness! Each week, savers
will earn a small surprise in their pouch.
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