Hollywood Hill Happenings
August Edition
From the Principal
Hi Star Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year, in which we finally have the opportunity to create together a new and better 'normal'. I'm profoundly humbled, honored, and grateful to join this community as we finally can focus more clearly on the task of helping each child in our community grow into their best selves.
We will start the year with an intensive focus on building positive and safe learning communities for our learners where we enable them to make the best choices. All of us are committed to tending to this soil in which the children will thrive.
As these communities take form, we will place greater emphasis on establishing strong foundations in literacy and mathematics, while assuring that our students are exposed to rich and varied learning experiences. It is our goal to inspire imaginations and hearts as much as minds per se.
Looking slightly forward to the time when our experience begins to transition from something new to our present reality, I'd like to express my hope and vision regarding effective partnerships between school and home. You all are the primary educators of your children, and the experts on who they are as people. We are the experts on education and your child's age/grade level, and at times we are able to see your child in ways that can be obscure for you. These different areas of expertise represent different strengths, and all of these strengths must be brought to bear if we are to succeed in our common task of doing everything we can for your child. Let us all humbly come together with ears ready to listen to achieve that end.
But for now let us rejoice in the face of bringing the children back together again. Elementary school is one of the most critical phases in anyone's life; indeed, that is why I'm here. But for our students this is a sorely needed return to learning how to live with others in a community that is peaceful, positive, and productive. It is left to us to come together to ensure that the community in which our students grow shows them the best of what shared community can be. I'm thrilled at the prospect of our forthcoming work for the benefit of our students!
Dr. Gregory E. Cox
Principal
Hollywood Hill Elementary School
(425)408-4700
Pronouns: he, him, his
Important School Information
Wednesday Early Release Time: 2:30 pm. Reminder: The first day of school (8/31/22) is not an early release Wednesday.
Kindergarten Dates for Families:
- Family meetings with your child's kindergarten teacher will be scheduled for August 31, September 1, or September 2. Sign-ups for scheduling information will be sent out by the teachers.
- Staggered Start Days: September 6 (only students with last names A-L attend), September 7 (only students with last names M-Z attend)
- First day of school for all Kindergarten students: Thursday, September 8.
Students are not allowed on campus before 9:15 am.
Before and After School Procedures
- Parent drop-off and pick-up are at the front of the school only. Students may not be dismissed from the back gate.
- We will have staff at parent pick-up for the first week of school to help direct students. On the first day, we will have extra staff available to show students where they should go.
- Students may drop off backpacks in their designated area and go to the playground before school - playground is supervised starting at 9:15.
- When the morning bell rings, students will line up in designated spots and teacher will walk them to class.
- After school, students being picked up by parents will be walked down to the parent pick up line, wait until their name is called and then get into their parent's car.
- Students riding the bus will be walked to their designated bus line and wait until they are called to get on bus.
Bus Information
If your student will be riding the bus, you can find out bus stop information at the district's Transportation website: https://www.nsd.org/our-district/departments/transportation
Please know that the times listed are approximate - please be at your student's bus stop at least 5 minutes before the listed time. For kindergarten parents, the bus driver will not let your student off the bus if a parent or pre-authorized person is not there to pick them up.
From the Office
When you know your child will be absent or tardy, please let the office know by either calling our attendance line, 425-408-4710, or emailing hhattendance@nsd.org. If your student is marked absent and we have no message, we will call you to verify the absence. Unverified absences will be marked Unexcused on their permanent record. Thank you for your help!
NEW RULE CHANGES
1. We will no longer be making any after-school transportation changes after 3:45 pm each day. In order to keep our students safe and organized in their transition to end-of-day transportation, we are unable to accommodate these last-minute changes. We, of course, will make exceptions for emergencies only. For changes to your student's after-school transportation, it is best to send a note with your student to give directly to their teacher.
2. To be consistent with all schools in the district, we will now be counting all early dismissals. They will be coded LE (Leave Early) in our system and will show up on report cards with Tardies. We understand some appointments must be scheduled during school hours, but we would like to ask, if possible, to make appointments outside of school hours. Thank you.
Device Preparation for Start of School
Returning NSD students
Before the first week of school, returning students should locate their Chromebook / iPad, Charger, and Carry case (Carry case not included for iPad).
Remember to charge and RESTART your Chromebook / iPad (Restart is not required for iPads). Student Chromebooks / iPad must be brought to school in the carrying case (Carry case not included for iPad) provided by the district.
IMPORTANT ONLY FOR CHROMEBOOK: Make sure your student's Chromebook charger is LABELED with their preferred name. Painters tape is ideal to label the charger.
If a student misplaced their Chromebook / iPad, charger, or carrying case over the summer, they can let their teacher know or check in with the School Technology Specialist.
Students new to Northshore School District
Students who are new to the Northshore School District or students who turned in their devices over the summer will receive a Chromebook from Hollywood Hill, once the school re-opens.
From the Health Room
Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a fun and relaxing summer. I am excited to again be working as your School Nurse. My goal is to have a safe and healthy environment for learning and look forward to working with you and your child in the coming year.
Please do not send any medication to school without the proper authorization – it cannot be given. If your child takes regular medication at home that should not be interrupted (i.e. medication for a seizure disorder) I strongly encourage you to obtain the necessary authorization and keep a 3-day supply of medication at school in case of an emergency - such as an earthquake.
State law requires that a child with a life-threatening condition must have medication or treatment orders in place on or before the child's first day of school. As a result, students with severe asthma, allergies that require epinephrine, diabetes or any other condition considered life threatening will need to have medication/treatment orders signed and in place at school on or before the first day of attendance.
There are new Covid guidelines from last year. Go to link for the latest protocols. https://www.nsd.org/covid19/protocols
I’m looking forward to a great year ahead! Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your child's health.
Darleene Matheson, RN
School Nurse
Care Team Liaison for Hollywood Hill
Hollywood Hill Elementary School
Email: dmatheson@nsd.orgOffice phone: 425-408-4706
From the Counselor
Hello, wonderful families of Hollywood Hill Elementary!
As an Elementary School Counselor, my role is to partner with staff and families to help students develop socially, emotionally, and academically. Uplifting students is my passion, and I am excited to bring my positivity and care to school each day for your student(s).
I earned my bachelor's degree in Community Psychology at the University of Washington and my master's degree in Education for School Counseling at Seattle Pacific University.
School counselors are educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. Comprehensive school counseling programs include providing:
school counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
short-term individual counseling and goal setting
small group counseling
referrals for long-term support
collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
advocacy for students at individualized education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
acting as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement, and opportunities for all students
From the PTA
From the President
The HHE PTA is thrilled to welcome you all back to school this year - some of you for the first time! We hope that those who were able to attend the Open House & PTA Ice Cream Social last week enjoyed connecting with your community and had a chance to grab a sweet treat from one of our PTA Board Members. A big thanks to Sarah Nelson, our VP of Events, for leading this event and the upcoming First Day Coffees! You can count on us to GO BEYOND by providing many opportunities to enrich this year's experience for ALL of our Stars. Our best days are ahead of us!
But, we can't do it alone. Parents, Caregivers & Staff, please consider joining us as a member today - with the opportunity to volunteer if you wish. CLICK HERE to get started. We also encourage you to "stay in the know" through our website, Instagram & Facebook pages. See you very soon, Stars!
HHE Serve Day: Let's Spruce Up Our Campus!
Sat 9/17 9am - 1pm on campus
HHE was unable to participate in NSD's annual Community Serve Day this summer due to the flooring project. Instead, we will have a PTA-sponsored campus cleanup event on Saturday, September 17. Please feel free to SIGN UP HERE for one time slot or more. Bringing your students is encouraged and whatever you can do is greatly appreciated.