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Husky E-News
December 31, 2023
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From the Principal
Hillendale families,
I hope you are having a terrific winter break with your huskies!
We are excited to share that while you all have been away, our contractors have been hard at work on our Outdoor Pavilion Classroom! Although not quite finished yet, check out the progress below and get excited!
With many students eager to try out new devices and wear new smart watches to school after the holidays, please see guidance below about how best to speak to your children about how they may and may not use them in school.
As a reminder, school reopens on Tuesday, January 2nd.
On behalf of our entire staff, Happy New Year!
Joshua Leight
Hillendale Elementary Principal
Hillendale Updates
New Year, New Pavilion!
After a long journey through grant writing, fund raising, local zoning requirements, and construction delays we are extremely excited to announce that we received our installation for our Pavilion Outdoor Classroom has begun! Expect minor parking/traffic inconveniences the week of January 2nd in the area closest to our meadow. We are so excited for the possibilities that this new space will open up for our school community and so thankful to all of you for making this dream a reality for our staff and children. Get excited!
Smartwatch & Device Guidance
As a parent, I completely understand the need to stay connected with your child. Although my boys are still only 1 & 4 years old, I can already imagine the conversations that will take place in our house around how we communicate with each other before, during, and after school. I also appreciate that, from a safety perspective, families wish to be able to communicate with and know the whereabouts of their children at all times.
We have learned over the past few years as cell phones and smart watches become more prevalent in our elementary school classrooms that we need your partnership to help us minimize distraction and avoid communication breakdown between home and school.
We ask that, at the elementary level, students and parents not engage in back and forth communication via a smartwatch, cell phone, or similar device during the school day.
If your child is not feeling well, they should alert their teacher or closest support staff member rather than reaching directly out to you via a smart device. The teacher or support staff member will ensure your child is seen by our school nurse. At that point, communication home via the school nurse will be initiated if warranted.
Thank you for your support in reinforcing this message at home and keeping our students safe and engaged in the classroom!
For reference, please see the information within our UCFSD Elementary Parent Handbook regarding electronic devices and see UCFSD Board Policies #237 and #815 regarding electronic devices.
CHIP Renewal Notice
Thousands of Pennsylvania kids under 19 could lose their CHIP health plan coverage if they fail to renew their eligibility now that the public health emergency has ended. This has a direct impact on the health and wellness of our students. CHIP families are again required to complete their renewal information using the state COMPASS system to maintain their child’s State coverage.
Highmark HEALTHY KIDS can provide helpful details and assistance for those families who need to complete their CHIP renewals or no longer qualify for Medicaid. CHIP coverage, an HMO offered by Highmark Healthy Kids is affordable, comprehensive health insurance. All kids who are under 19, residents of PA, are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or qualified alien, and do not qualify for Medicaid are eligible for CHIP, regardless of income.
HES Clearances Guide
In an effort to simply and streamline information about clearances required across different events at HES, we created an "HES Clearances Guide" in partnership with our PTO. Please refer to it as you need and reach out if you have any questions about specific events or specific clearances. Click the button below to access the document that will eventually live within the E-News near our weekly lunch menu.
4th/5th Grade Afterschool Event (run by UHS students)
From the PTO
Calendar
January
2 - Pavilion Outdoor Classroom Installation Continues
8 - Luminaria Trail Walk (see flyer)
9 - Chipotle Dine and Donate (see flyer)
10 - PTO General Meeting - 6:30pm on zoom
15 - MLK Day of Service (see flyer)
16-26 - Penny Drive
26 - Bingo Night (see flyer)
Luminaria Night
Chipotle Dine and Donate
MLK Day
Coat Drive
We are continuing to accept donations for the Winter Collection through MLK Day, January 15.
Bingo Night
NEW this year, you can also pre-buy raffle tickets.
They will be waiting for you to fill out when you check in on Bingo Night.
Volunteers needed! - sign up here
(Earn 5 free raffle tickets and get in the doors early if you volunteer!)
Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale - Order Yearbook Here
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Our Yearbook Chairs are looking for volunteers to help plan pages for the yearbook.
Get more info and sign up HERE
Also, please upload any pictures you've taken at events to this Google Drive
Any Questions, email yearbook.hillendale@gmail.com
Questions or comments for the PTO? Email us at HESPTO@ucfsd.net