HAWK HAPPENINGS
The official newsletter of Hillcrest Elementary Staff
September 30 -- LOOKING AHEAD
MUST READ
Reminder: TEACHER WEBSITES
REMINDER: SPLIT LISTS
REMINDER: SUB PLANS
NEW DISMISSAL PROCEDURES for PARENT PICK-UPS
- Classroom teachers will send pick-ups down to the Dual Language hallway when prompted by the dismissal announcements.
- Students will sit on the floor based on their last names (A-K one side, L-Z the other side)
- Parents will sign out students at the back door and we will call in the names of students so they can be dismissed.
- If parents ask you about this new procedure, feel free to explain that it is for the safety and security of their child that we have improved the pick-up system. Students get signed out at Oakside, and at almost every other elementary school in the country. Direct any complaints to Randy.
- Coming soon: We will also have a "Sign Out Sheet" for each classroom for students who are WALKERS who will sign themselves out when they leave so we also have a record that they, too, have left the building.
SUMMER READING CELEBRATIONS
RE-POSTING: Every Minute Counts
Every minute we have with them matters. Every minute counts. Please try to consider how you can make the most of every minute of every day. Can you start classroom learning a little sooner once students arrive in your classroom? Can you extend the learning a little later in the afternoon, as close to dismissal as possible? While students may earn free time once a week or so if they meet your classroom expectations, it's unrealistic for them to have free time at the end of every day, and unfair to deny them the opportunity to continue to learn. They deserve as much of your expertise and guidance as we can give them.
Math Assessment/Math Observations
The consultants from PACE will also need to observe classroom teachers teaching math on Tuesday. This is really just to observe our students and teachers engaged in math teaching and learning, and is not evaluative in any way. This is so that they can know what we are doing well as a school, and which pedagogical practices we may be poised to learn more about. I am compiling a list of teachers and times they teach math; I'm assuming that most people would not mind a visitor for a portion of their lesson, but if you would prefer NOT to be visited, please let me know. Otherwise, just know that you may have a guest during your designated math time on Tuesday. No need to plan or do anything special, as this is an opportunity for them to assess our collective practices.
SHOULD READ
Reminder: SUPPORT OUR PTO
Wouldn't it be amazing if we had 100% participation from our staff in the PTO? Please consider joining our PTO with whatever donation you can make. I know you make incredible contributions (financial and otherwise) already in your roles at Hillcrest, but what an incredible gesture of support, encouragement and gratitude it would be if everyone contributed to the PTO...even if it is $5. Every penny goes back to programs that support our students.
SHOPPING
Support the PTO when you shop! Here are some ways you can support the Peekskill PTO when you spend your money in certain places:
-Stop & Shop A+ School Rewards Program:
By registering your Stop & Shop Rewards card with the A+ Rewards program, you can earn points for our district every time you shop.
Online Sign-Up: https://stopandshop.com/ school-rewards/
Woodside - School ID: 08152
Oakside - School ID: 07319
Hillcrest - School ID: 18388
PKMS - School ID: 07242
PHS - - School ID: 07905
-Amazon Smile:
Amazon will donate .5% of all sales to our PTO at no extra cost, if you shop through the following link:
-Online Donations:
The PTO can accept online donations through the following link:
PTO MEETINGS
Lastly, the schedule for the General PTO meetings, which are held from 7:00 - 8:15 pm in the Ford Auditorium in the school administration building, is as follows:
-10/18- PTO Kick-Off (intro to PTO structure, committees, building leaders & Dr. Mauricio)
-11/8- Committee updates, Discussion of Community Engagement Initiative, break out into building-based discussions
-1/10- PHS Robotics Team Presentation
-2/7- Black History Celebration (please think about any building-based projects on this theme that you would like to highlight/incorporate)
-3/4- Committee updates, break out into building-based discussions
-4/11- Budget presentation
-5/6- BOE Candidate Forum
-6/13- End of year eval, officer election, volunteer recognition
Reminder: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1L3lmNaMvcdFpXN0GpzfOH01E6Cv-Ei3Ujh64rmW2Fy8/edit?usp=sharing
reminder: WALK LIKE MADD
Hello All,
I hope this finds you well! As you may have heard, the PTO is organizing a Peekskill CSD team to participate in the Walk Like MADD fundraising walk on Saturday, October 20th at 10:00 am at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights. All proceeds raised from the event will remain in NYS, and will be used to support services offered to victims of drunk driving and their families, and free community & school programs (like those being offered at PHS this year). We would love for you and your staff to join our team, and support our efforts to raise $1,000 for this important cause. Anyone interested in doing so can register with our team through the following link:
Peekskill City School District
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I hope to see you on October 20th!
Thank you,
Marisa