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Weekend Update!
Friday January 26th, 2024
Good Afternoon!
This week has been a true New England winter: everything from ice, to rain, to snow, to warm, and cold temperatures. It's almost (almost) as unpredictable as life in a middle school! Thank you for your support with another positive week at school!
Now that we have officially crossed the halfway point of the school year, we are continuing to reinforce behaviors that will help your children be successful in school, including:
- Arriving to class on time
- Keeping electronics away until the end of the school day
- Being polite, courteous, and respectful of every individual in the building
- Keeping our hands to ourselves
- Avoiding roaming the hallways and bathrooms
- Taking direct routes to our classes
- Exhibiting safe behaviors on our busses
- Cleaning up after ourselves in the cafeteria
We have some fun events and activities coming up throughout the rest of the year for all of our students, and we are looking forward to sharing in those experiences! It looks like Saturday's weather is going to be the best of the bunch, so please enjoy!
Please See The Following For Next Week And Beyond!
Big Success at the Crosstown Showdown!!!
Thank you to all that came out to the Crosstown Showdown this past Saturday! We had so many parents, faculty, and students that made this third annual event a big success! The Hillcrest girls took the first game, and the Madison boys won the second game. We are so proud of their efforts and accomplishments! We had over 750 spectators, and almost another 300 viewing online! Thank you again to Mr. Alterman, Mr. King, and all of our PTA parents for making this happen! Go Hawks!
Enjoy the pictures below, courtesy of Mr. Frank Vitucci! He was so kind and generous to take some amazing shots of the big day!
Hillcrest Choraleers Performing at the Bridgeport Islanders Game!
On Friday 2/2, the Hillcrest Choraleers will be performing at the Bridgeport Islanders Game! Click here for more information.
Hillcrest Gear
Visit membership toolkit to purchase all of your HMS SWAG- from stickers and locker ladders, to magnets and spiritwear. Order now!
Box Tops
Join us in earning cash for HMS by using the Box Tops app. It’s an easy way to make a difference. All you have to do is buy Box Tops participating products (like Cheerios!) and scan your grocery receipt. The homeroom that earns the most for the second trimester gets EXTRA SOARR BUCKS! (ends Feb 23) Get started today at BTFE.com. Use referral code B0K59TK6 when you sign up.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are essential, and we are particularly prioritizing the need of the following roles: Co Treasurer (this is a role that will shadow the current Treasurer), Business Sponsor, Student Activities, Staff Appreciation Week - ideas welcome, Valentine Grams, Lock in. Register on membership toolkit or reach out to us via email at hillcrestmspta@gmail.com
Spring Season of Esports!
If you are interested in trying out for the Spring Season of Esports please complete this Google Form. We will be playing Rocket League on Mondays starting February 26th and will be participating in the Middle School Esports League. If your child fills out the form we will contact them about upcoming dates for tryouts. Tryouts will occur in the end of January and early February.
Valentine's Grams
Valentine's Day is almost here! Now through Feb 7th, send a special gift to your students, friends, siblings, teachers, coaches, or HMS staff! They will be delivered on Feb 14th during 7th period.
Students: Grab an order form from your homeroom and submit it with payment (cash only) to the box in the main office.
Parents: Visit the membership toolkit to place an order and make someone's day! View the flyer for more details!
Yearbook News
Last day to personalize your yearbook with your student’s name is January 26th. You can order online, and for orders over $30, pay in 3 equal installments at no extra charge! .Hillcrest yearbooks can be ordered at http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01090300
Student Spectator Expectations
We are excited that another basketball season is underway! We have been fortunate to have a great deal of attendance at our games, along with some wins to start the season! We would ask that you review this letter with your students to go over our spectator expectations. Thank you!
What Are We Reading at Hillcrest?
1.This week our staff read this article which provides insights and strategies regarding setting effective norms and routines in our classrooms.
2. Mrs. Laird and I are currently reading Hacking Deficit Thinking by Byron McClure and Kelsie Reed. This book tries to help educators reframe our thinking on how to help students grow and achieve in school.
Stay Connected with the PTA!
Want to be the first to know when fun student activities are happening? Or where to buy Spiritwear? All PTA information can be found on Membership Toolkit. Sign up today at https://hillcrestmspta.membershiptoolkit.com
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedure
As a reminder, please be cautious of the students who are walking to school as you are driving through our parking lot and campus.
Safety
We strive on a daily basis to provide a safe environment for all students, and to promote safe practices with them as well. We will continue to educate students about what safe behavior looks like and what our expectations are for safe behaviors. We see this as a partnership with our families. I ask that you please remind your children to be kind to each other, to keep their hands to themselves, and that there is never an acceptable time or moment to use slurs of any kind. This article from the American Psychological Association gives families tips on how to potentially address way to have these discussions.
Hillcrest on Social Media!
Did you know that Hillcrest has its own Instagram page and Twitter feed? Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hillcrestmshawks/. Follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HMSTrumbull/ . This is a great resource for families to get a glimpse of day to day life at Hillcrest!
Volunteer Forms
If you think you may be interested in volunteering at some point this year for a Hillcrest event, please fill out this form and return it to the main office. Thank you!
Bus Tracker
If you are interested in using the Durham Bus tracker app, directions can be found here.
Infinite Campus
Please see this flyer on helpful tips to navigate the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus.
Mr. Bryan Rickert
Email: brickert@trumbullps.org
Website: https://hms.trumbullps.org/
Location: Hillcrest Middle School, Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull, CT, USA
Phone: 203-452-4466
Twitter: @HMSTrumbull