Dear Hilltop Families,

It has been another great week at Hilltop Primary School. Students have been slipping into their routines and jumping into their regular learning schedule. We are grateful to our families that have worked hard to transition students back to earlier bed times and being on time to school the next day. It's tough work when it still feels like summer. Thanks for all of your help.

Our big news this week is, our receptionist, Mrs. Petersen has accepted a new position and won't be with us at Hilltop. We will miss her and especially miss her organization of everyone's schedule changes! Starting on Friday, September 22, we welcome Catherine Ottenbreit. Mrs. Ottenbreit has served as a paraprofessional in our building for many years and is making her way back to a new position in the office. We are excited to have her. In the interim we will have substitutes at the front desk, so please help us by doing the following to ensure we are accurate for student schedule changes and absences:

1. In the case of an absence for an appointment or illness you may call 952-491-8505 or email htattendance@westonka.k12.mn.us. Please indicate the reason for the absence and if there are any symptoms that accompany the illness. We are required to track illness symptoms.

2. Email your child's homeroom teacher so they are aware of the absence.

3. Contact Adventure Club to let them know about the change or absence, if your child attends.

Thanks,

Mr. Moch

Hilltop Primary School Principal

Just a reminder for current families and an update for new families: Our lost and found is a two week cycle process. If students lose an item for one week we leave it hanging by the cafeteria/blue circle, after the one week we sort it and return any labeled items to students to take home. The remaining items go into the blue bin in the front entrance of the school. Following the second week they are donated to Penny Wise Thrift Shop.

Please, please label all of your items. We happily return them if they are labeled. Thanks!

Please join us for our first Hilltop PTA meeting of the school year. Our guest speaker, Mr. Borg, will update us on the upcoming election information and we will approve our budget and PTA goals for the school year. Now is a great time to learn more about Hilltop and be an active member for your children. Our meeting will be from 6:30-7:30 pm and free child care is provided.

Octoberfest is coming on Saturday, October 14th from 11 am- 3 pm!

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up to donate, volunteer or become a sponsor! Check out all of the important information below: WE NEED ALL OF YOU TO MAKE OUR DAY A SUCCESS!

It's easy to volunteer. Just check out the Octoberfest Volunteer Sign Up and find a spot that works for you. We need MANY volunteers to make the day a success.

We have some great opportunities for your family or business to sponsor the Octoberfest Carnival FUN! Your sponsorship is tax deductible, will be recognized at our event or can be anonymous, and will help more funds directly benefit our students! Email Janell Schmieg/Lindsey Lallas at htoctchair@277apps.org or Mr. Moch at mochm@westonka.k12.mn.us if you would like to sponsor the fun or if you have any other questions. Thank you for your consideration and support!

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Food $800 (STILL AVAILABLE)

New Octoberfest games/attractions $500 (STILL AVAILABLE)

Bounce houses $800 (STILL AVAILABLE)

Indoor Maze $300 (Thank you to our sponsor: Minnesota My Home)

Prizes $700 (Thank you to our sponsor: nology: simply making IT work)

Dunk Tank $100 (Thank you to our Cub Scouts for your sponsorship!)

Raffle Prizes $1,400 (Thank you to our sponsors: Eddie's Auto and Marine, The Uptowner Cafe on Grand, Sonder Behavioral Health and Wellness, and Dirk Bak at SDQ)

Didn't get the Octoberfest Packet? Please contact the school office. For a preview, check out the links below:

Octoberfest Information

Octoberfest Raffle Information

Octoberfest Ticket Information

Please don't forget... Our silent auction isn't possible without your generous donations. Please check out the sign up list below:

1. Click on this link Octoberfest Silent Auction Donations

2. Pick an item (or items!) that you'd like to donate.

3. Choose to have the item shipped to Hilltop PTA c/o Lori Soule

4. You're done! Pat yourself on the back for helping :)

Don't have time to shop online? We will do it for you! You can Venmo the PTA @HilltopPTA

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email the Octoberfest Co-Chairs, Janel Schmieg or Lindsey Lallas at htoctchair@277apps.org.

Thanks again,

The Hilltop PTA and Octoberfest Team

We have an outstanding group of staff that serve as our licenced Special Education providers. Meet the team: Lori Springer (school social worker), Michaela Hatfield (school psychologist), Janessa Cetin (special education teacher), Mikayla Bebeau (special education teacher), Kelli Finck (special education teacher), Ellyn Hayes (speech pathologist), Janel Miller (occupational therapist) and not pictured Amanda Myers (speech pathologist).

In the case of questions or referral information, you may reach out to Lori Springer or Michaela Hatfield for additional information. Thanks to this awesome team for the service they provide!

PBIS @ Hilltop: Check out past information on our PBIS efforts.

School Hours 9:00 am- 3:40 pm: School doors open at 8:50 am. Prior to that, please have students wait in your vehicle or at home. Buses arrive to Hilltop at 8:50 am. We have no supervision before this time and we want our students to be safe with an adult at all times.

Start of Day Routines Students will go directly to their classrooms. Drop off doors will open at 8:50 am. For families dropping off, please look for a sandwich board sign that says STOP and GO. If the sign says STOP, please remain in your car and when it says GO students can exit and make their way into their classrooms. All students may enter in Door 15S.

End of Day Routine: Please make sure you have your pick up cards displayed in the front window of your car with your child's name. Pick up cards will be handed out at Open House. If your family had end of the day changes, please contact the attendance office at htattendance@westonka.k12.mn.us prior to 3 pm each day.

Book Vending Machine Donations: You may have noticed a pretty cool vending machine at the front of our building by the school office. The book vending machine has been bringing joy of free books to students over the last two years. We want to keep it going! Please consider donating to the Scholastic Book Vending Machine Campaign this year. Your donation is greatly appreciated!

Hilltop Calendar Overview: Want a quick overview of the important dates throughout the year, check out the Hilltop Calendar.

Spiritwear Fridays:

We love Fridays and spiritwear! Each Friday, don't forget to wear your spiritwear (or anything red, black or white) and if your child's name is called over the announcements they will win a little prize for showing their spirit. We started today!

Water Bottles to School:

Please send a water bottle with your child to school. It sure helps to have a water bottle in the classroom to keep them hydrated.

Youth Spanish Classes

Free Farmer's Market

Kid Create Classes

Westonka Youth Basketball Association Registration

Daddy Daughter Dance

Penny Wise Thrift Shop Info

SEAC Meeting Updates

September Lunch Menu

Minnetonka Orchard School Support Sunday

Learn about SEL

Save Receipts for Educational Expenses: MN Dept of Revenue Info

We are HIRING paraprofessionals at Westonka- join the team!

9/17: Hilltop PTA: Minnetonka Orchard Night

9/18: Hilltop PTA meeting, 6:30pm (Media Center)

9/24: Hilltop PTA: Chipotle Night

9/29: Homecoming Parade, 5pm

10/12: Picture retake day

10/14: Octoberfest, 11am-3pm

10/18-10/20: No School

Hilltop Parent Resource Page: Find information on all things Hilltop

Volunteer Background Check Form: Background checks are required for all volunteers

Skyward Family Access: Check report cards, lunch balances and contact/health information

Family Choice Day Request Form: Complete the form to inform the school of an upcoming vacation or family choice day for your child

Hilltop Lunch Schedule

Attendance