Hillside News and Information
Family Newsletter - Week of January 1st
Mark Your Calendars
December 22- January 2: No School
January 3: School Resumes
January 4: 3rd Grade Field Trip - History Museum
January 8: PTO Meeting (6pm Media Center)
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Welcome Back!
We hope you had a wonderful and restful winter break that was filled with family and fun! We can't wait to see everyone back at school on Wednesday.
As we head into the new year, we are sharing our parking lot protocols. We are sharing these reminders to help ensure a safe parking lot for all our students, families and staff. Read through and know it takes everyone to follow these expectations to help drop off/pick up move smoothly.
Parking lot and crossing guard updates:
- Through winter months, there will no longer be patrols or an adult crossing guard at both Hillside/Ideal and Hillside/Hyde intersection due to lack of need. This will help us increase the supervision in the parking lot.
- In the parking lot, please pull all the way towards the orange cone (past the flagpole) instead of stopping at the front doors when space allows. Please move ahead as the car in front of you leaves. Children must be dropped off and picked up in front of the school and not on the side.
- If you need to leave your vehicle, please use the designated parking spot.
- Crosswalks help keep our children safe. Please enforce this by using them as you drop off or pick up your child.
- Most importantly, be patient. It is critical that we all work together, respecting the adult crossing guards and patrols to help everything run smoothly and safely for your child/ren.
SoWashCo Community Education Youth Activities
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online.
The latest activities and classes can be found on our website under Get Involved > Youth Activities.
Register now for winter classes! View the catalog at commed.sowashco.org/catalogs.
Featured Class
ArtVentures Club, Grades K-5
Join Young Rembrandts for all new drawing lessons, including a vibrant pop art dog and a powerful unicorn. Improve your drawing skills while exploring different drawing styles, art history, proper technique and color selection.
Offered after school at:
- Cottage Grove Elementary on Thursdays, Jan. 11-Feb. 15
- Grey Cloud Elementary on Tuesdays, Jan. 9-Feb. 13
- Hillside Elementary on Mondays, Jan. 8-March 18
- Middleton Elementary on Fridays, Jan. 12-Feb. 9
- Red Rock Elementary on Wednesdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 14
- Royal Oaks Elementary on Fridays, Jan. 12-Feb. 9
Staff Spotlight
Meet our First Grade Team!
Lost and Found
It is that time of year where our lost and found is piling up! Please encourage your child/ren to check out the items we currently have in our lost and found. As always, it is very helpful to label all items to ensure items get returned to the rightful owner š
Be prepared for Winter Weather!
Just a reminder, students do go out for recess on cold days. Please be sure your child/ren come prepared with appropriate outside weather gear that is labeled so it won't get lost.
We will have indoor recess when the actual temperature is below zero degrees or if the wind chill is less than -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Hats, mittens or gloves and a warm coat are definitely "musts" on these cold days.
Yearbooks are now for sale!
Lunch Room Visitors
Use the link below to sign up if you are interested in joining your child for lunch. Note the lunchroom expectations below.
Lunch Room Visitors for January
We ask families to review the process below so that we can ensure this practice is available:
- Sign up for the visit no later than the day prior to your visit.
- Upon arrival for the visit, present identification and complete the Raptor screening.
- Wear the visitor badge so that it is visible during the entirety of the visit.
- Go directly to the lunchroom and eat in the guest space with your student.
- No friends or additional students will be permitted to join the guest space.
- Visitors may not visit recess time.
- The visit is limited to guest space during the studentās identified lunch period.
- Any outside food brought in can only be shared with your student.
- Do not take pictures, record, or film while at school. Use of cell phones is strongly discouraged for safety and privacy.
PTO Board Information
PTO Board Members
Dale Houghton, President
Tiffany Maher, Vice President
Ann Doucette, Treasurer
In case you missed it! The information below has been in the last newsletters.
Student Cell Phones/Smart Watches/ Personal Technology:
Birthday Treats
We are continuing our practice of NO EDIBLE TREATS sent in to classrooms to celebrate birthdays. We will make your childās birthday special in the classroom without edible treats.
If you would like to send a little something to honor their day please consider an alternative to a birthday treat such as pencils or a book donated to the classroom. We ask that no edible treats be sent in due to varying allergy conditions and other issues related to edible treats in the classroom. Thank you for your help with following this new practice of celebrating birthdays in the classroom.
SCHOOL HOURS
7:30 am - School office opens
8:15 am - Breakfast Opens
8:25 am - School opens to students
8:40 am - School day begins
3:10 pm - School day ends
3:30 pm - School office closes
NOTE: The earliest students can arrive at school in the morning is 8:20 am. All students must be picked up at 3:10 pm if not riding the bus home.