Hilltop Herald Parent Edition
Be Respectful ~ Be Responsible ~ Be Resilient
Volume 2 ~ Issue 24 ~ February 5, 2024
“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” ~Maya Angelou~
My name is Ms. Mallari, and I am excited to be your next principal. You have often heard it said, "Change is the only thing that is constant." No more truer words have been said as you suddenly have had a change in principalship. You did not ask for it; the change was made for you. Experiencing change is not easy, especially, if you did not have a choice in that change. But what change will reveal is a person's character in his/her/their ability to adapt to change. You get to decide what to do with that change. We can't outrun change. What we can decide to do is to embrace the change and learn more about ourselves and grow from the change. While you may have not chosen me, I chose you. The major reason why I accepted this position is because I have heard that HTM has begun some transformational work that I want to be a part of. I am excited for all the possibilities for you and the future of Hilltop Middle School. I cannot wait to get to know you. Let's grow together from this change of principalship and make Hilltop Middle the best place of learning where you are inspired, guided and empowered to thrive!
February is African-American History Month
In honor of African-American month I want to honor an individual who has contributed to our SUHSD family and our country, Ms. Gail Devers. Because of the experiences that many African-Americans have faced, they are one of the most persistent groups that have ever lived. This week, I want to highlight an African-American who grew up in the South Bay but has made an impact in the world of track and field. Gail Devers, a graduate of Sweetwater High School, is such individual. She is a two-time Olympic champion in the 100 meters, the only second woman to accomplish such a feat. Her journey to Olympic gold was not an easy one. In 1990, she was diagnosed with Graves' disease. During her radiation treatment, Devers began to develop blistering and swelling of her feet. Eventually, the sprinter could barely walk and had to crawl and or be carried. A doctor considered amputating her feet. Amazingly, Devers recovered after the radiation treatment was discontinued, and she resumed training. At the 1991 World Championships, she won a silver medal in the 100 m hurdles. In 1992, she won her first Olympic gold medal. It wasn't until 1996 that she would win her second gold medal. She is a great example of enthusiasm, persistence and grit. As a former assistant principal at Sweetwater High School I was honored to see Ms. Devers honored for her Olymic gold medal and the stadium being named after her. It is so awesome to know that no matter the race our students can overcome odds and achieve their dreams.
Farewell to Mrs. Finley
While we will miss Ms. Finley's awesome leadership, we want to thank Ms. Finley for the excellent work she has completed in a short period of time and we assure our Hilltop Middle Community that we will continue moving forward and onward with all the great work that has been established. Please see her farewell video below.
HTM's Spelling Bee
We have approximately 146 students who will be participating in the Spelling Bee, on Thursday, February 8 at 8:15 am. Parents of participants please be here by 8 am and park in the over flow parking east of the cafeteria. You will need to check in the main office throught the Raptor system, with your government issue identification card. Looking forward to seeing you here!
2024-2025 Registration Update
Last week, the district sent you an email with your Campus Portal Activation Key so that you can start the Online Registration portion of enrolling your child. If you are a continuing parent, you should already have your user and password and you will add your incoming child's activation key to your existing account.
Families, if your child is continuing at HTM or enrolling for the first time as 7th grader or going to the high school or any other school in the district, registration for the next school year is now OPEN. All students must register for school each year. The 2024-2025 school year, you will see the return of the pre-Covid Immunization Requirements to be completed and submitted BEFORE students enter campus on Day 1, which is July 24, 2024. Click HERE to see the list of immunizations that your child must have. Below is a section dedicated to the registration process.
- For general registration information, please email Ms. Quintero at maria.quintero@sweetwaterschools.org.
- For FLAGS Program Information, please email Ms. Jarrett at aida.jarrett@sweetwaterschools.org.
Celebrating Semester 1 Academic Excellence
On Thursday, February 29 at 10:30 am we will celebrate students who demonstrated all semester long with a 3.5 gpa or higher. Parents, you will be receiving an email invite in the next two weeks. Parents, please reserve the date.
Eighth Grade Promotion Date is June 4, 2024
Eighth grade parents, HTM will host its promotion ceremony on June 4, 2024 at 6:00pm at Hilltop High Stadium. Remember, if students want to participate in this ceremony, they must have pass all 12 classes in eighth grade. If they failed a class, they need to be taking the credit recovery classes we are offering or in an incomplete grade program. Please talk to your child's counselor or Mr. Toms, who is in charge of credit recovery programs. His email is kenneth.toms@sweetwaterschools.org.
Save the Dates for Upcoming Student Empowerment Events
Families, we have two major events coming up in the next several months. We want to make sure that HTM is represented. Please read the sections below on these two events:
- BSU RISE Conference on February 10, 2024 @ Olympian High School
- Adelante Mujer Conference on April 20, 2024 @ UCSD.
ASB Events and Activities for February
Please see ASB section below for all ASB activity information.
Buy Your 2023-2024 Yearbook Now
Students, memorialize your school year by buying your yearbook now! Read the information below.
A Couple of Reminders
Families, please review our No Cell Phone Out Policy with your children. Another policy to review is the Bullying/Harrassment Policy for the district. These policies are included in this newsletter. Please scroll down toward the end of the newsletter.
Falcons, let's have a wonderful week in our time of transition!
Sincerely,
Ms. Mallari
This week is National School Counselor Week. Students and parents, let's take time this week to say thank you to our counselors. They work really hard to ensure that our students are successful. If you would like to, click on this LINK to download a thank you note so that you can write them one. Ms. Haug, Ms. Orozco, and Ms. Santana, we appreciate you!
Families,
Below is the registration process for 2024-2025 school year. Below are the links to the regisration information at the site and district levels;
- Hilltop Middle School Website - Registration Information
- SUHSD Student Services Website - Registration Information
First Day of School for the 2024-2025: July 24, 2024
ATTENTION!!! RETURN TO PRE-COVID IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS WILL BE ENFORCED
Starting the 2024-2025 school year, ALL STUDENTS must have submitted complete immunization records BEFORE the first day of school. No immunizations or incomplete immunizations will result in not being able to go to classes on Day 1. Please plan ahead so that this is not an issue on July 24, 2024.
TRANSFER STUDENT INFORMATION
Are you intending to transfer to HTM? If so, follow the steps below:
- Click on the School Locator Finder to see which is your feeder middle school.
- If you are not from Castle Park, Cook, Kellogg, Greg Rogers, Halecrest, Hilltop Drive or Rosebank, begin at your home school to start the registration process.
- Once you have your activation key for Campus Portal, complete the registration process for your school. Then, in Campus Portal, you can put in your application for an intradistrict transfer to HTM.
- Click HERE to read the Parent Letter on the Transfer Process.For Spanish, click HERE
- Click HERE to access Campus Portal.
- Click HERE to learn how to apply for a transfer to HTM.
- Click HERE to learn the Transfer/Open Enrollment Flowchart for 2024-2025. For Spanish, click HERE.
- Click HERE for Transfer/Open Enrollment FAQs. For Spanish, click HERE.
CURRENT 7TH GRADERS WHO WILL CONTINUE AS 8TH GRADERS
- Click HERE to read the steps to register your current 7th graders to continue as 8th graders.
ALL NEW 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS ENROLLING FOR THE FIRST TIME
Registration and enrollment into HTM MUST FIRST begin the process by providing a 2024-2025 Household Form, and submit the form electronically here. When submitting a form electronically, make sure to follow instructions indicated and that all requirements apply before sending the form.
Don't wait for your registration and enrollment to be completed. Choose your electives now to save your spot in that elective. Click HERE to learn about our available electives. You can also choose your 7th grade elective by completing this ELECTIVE FORM.
To complete your child’s 2024-2025 registration process, you must provide the following documents, in person only, on one the dates listed:
- Residency Affidavit
- Proof of Residency/Address
- Proof of Immunizations
- Studen’ts Birth Certificate
- Copy of Parent/Caregiver Picture ID
- 2024-2025 Online Registration Summary (from Parent Portal account)
- IEP (if applicable)
- 504 (if applicable)
- Transfer Approval (if applicable)
Date: Time:
Tuesday, June 11 1:00pm-6:00pm
Wednesday, June 12 1:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday, June 13 1:00pm-6:00pm
Eighth Graders,
There is one requirement for you: you must pass ALL your classes this year for both semesters, if you want to participate in the promotion ceremony on June 4 and receive a certificate of promotion.
By now, you have received your semester 1 grades. If you passed all your classes, you are on track to promote. If you failed class in either, English/ELD, General Science 2, Integrated Math 8, Integrated Math 1, US History, you will be offered to take credit recovery for one or more of these courses. These courses will take place on Saturdays during Saturday Scholars or during Spring Break. If you do not participate in these offerings, there is a high probability that you will not participate in promotional exercises in June.
We are in the process of planning these credit recovery courses. ALL CLASSES WILL BE ON SATURDAYS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PE, WHICH WILL BE DURING SPRING BREAK. We will be offering:
- English 8/ELD III Hour 1 - Ms. Holt
- General Science 2 - Teacher to be determined
- PE 8 - Mr. Rob Johnson, former HTM PE teacher
- Integrated Math 8 - Mr. Chaidez
- US History (will pilot the Incomplete Grades Program) - Mr. Horton and Mr. Stubbs
We are not offering credit recovery for Elective Courses.
A - Gi: Ms. Santana
Go - Mo: Ms. Haug
Morn - Z: Ms. Orozco
Gina Galvez-Mallari, Principal
Email: gina.galvez-mallari@sweetwaterschools.org
Website: htm.sweetwaterschools.org
Location: 44 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 619.498.2700