Hillsdale Herald

Happy New Year!!

We hope everyone enjoyed some time with friends and family over the Winter Break. I am so grateful to our community! Over the holidays, many gift cards were donated that were distributed to our families in need along with other gift donations to make the holidays brighter. THANK YOU!

We also partnered with WC First Fire Company to bring joy to several HDE families for Christmas.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches

We have noticed several students with new smart watches this week. Please note that they are not permitted to be used during the school day. Students are asked to keep them in their backpacks.

I encourage you to review the Cell Phone and Smart Watch policy that is below. I have included it several times this year.

Winter Weather

As we seem to be having a lot of COLD days, we do ask that your child dress in layers and be prepared for the weather. We will always go outside, even if just for a few minutes to get some fresh air, if it is not raining or snowing! If a coat, hat, or glove does not make it home, please ask your child to check our lost and found. Please label your child's clothing with their name so we can return it to him/her.

Winter also means potential weather related delays, closings, and/or early dismissals. Please make sure we have your most current email addresses and phone numbers in the parent portal. Make sure you are signed up for WCASD alerts. If you are not, please check out the button below.

You should have received an email from Dr. Christopher, Superintendent, yesterday where he described a Flexible Instruction Day and when/if we would need to utilize this option. As part of this plan, we need to know if you have an apple charger at home for an ipad with a traditional/old port (not an iPhone 15 or higher USB-C). Please complete the survey linked below as soon as possible.

Please see a flyer below for Dance at the Rock School.

In an effort to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses (there are many circulating in our community), please keep your child(ren) home if they are sick. Children should be fever and symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school. We ask that you do not medicate your child with Tylenol or Advil and send them to school. If you are unsure as to whether you should send your child to school, please contact Mrs. Champi who can provide guidance/recommendations according to WCASD policy.

Also, please dress your child(ren) for the weather. Students will go out to recess on most days for fresh air, even if it is only for a few minutes.

This is a good time of year to open up your house and air it out. Open windows on all floors, in the front and back of your house and turn on ceiling fans for 30 minutes. This practice should be done once a month and more frequently if family members have been sick, to clear the air in your home. Also, change HVAC filters according to manufacturers recommendations.

****REMINDER****

Students need to wear sneakers to school on the day they have PE. They cannot participate without safe footwear.

Hillsdale Elementary is proud to partner with the American Heart Association to help kids with special hearts! Mark your family calendars NOW for our upcoming 20th Kids Heart Challenge event taking place on:

Thursday, February 13th

9:15-10:05……….5th grade

10:05-10:55………4th grade

10:55-11:45……....3rd grade

1:00-1:50………....Kindergarten

1:50-2:40…………1st grade

2:40-3:30………....2nd grade

The American Heart Association's Mission: To build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

1/2 - Return to School

1/9 - 3rd gr trip to Uptown!

1/15 - Philadelphia Union Assembly

1/16 - PTO mtg 6:30 - Come hear about Hillsdale's renovations - beginning THIS summer!

1/20 - No School - MLK, Jr. Day

1/21 - Title 1 Parent Information Night

1/23 - Buddy Reading Event

1/24 - PTO Bingo night

1/29 - Lunar New Year

Please know that while we understand why you may choose to give your children cell phones or smart watches, they are not permitted in our classrooms during learning time. Per Board policy below, cell phones and smart watches are to be put away in their backpacks during the school day. Please do not text your child during the school day. If you need to give them information, please call the school office and we will make sure they get it. Thank you for your support with this.

Purpose

In consideration of the recent proliferation and extensive utilization of both personal and district technology devices, the district recognizes the need to establish guidelines for the use of such so as not to disrupt the primary function of the schools.

Definitions

Personal technology devices (personal technology) shall be defined as any device capable of capturing, storing, and/or transmitting information, including text, audio, picture, and/or video data, not owned by the district. These include, but are not limited to, such devices as:

1. Cellular telephones and smartphones.
   
2. Handheld, tablet, and laptop computers.
   
3. Digital music players, including without limitation iPods and MP3 players.
   
4. Still and video cameras.
   
5. Wearable technologies including without limitation smart watches, smart glasses, or earbuds.

Devices With Cellular or Satellite Connectivity

Students shall not use cellular or satellite connectivity except when permission is granted by the building administrator for the following reasons:

1. Health, safety, or emergency reasons.
   
2. An individualized education program (IEP).[4]
   
3. Classroom or instructional-related activities, as outlined in this policy.
   
4. Other reasons determined appropriate by the building principal.

Please click on the following link to access Board Policy 237:

https://go.boarddocs.com/pa/wche/Board.nsf/Public#

Please see K/1 Lunch Duty and K-5 Gaga Pit links below.

With our new Flex Library Schedule, we will no longer be using a sign up link. If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please contact Ms. Szczesny directly at aszczesny@wcasd.net.

If you would like to volunteer in our school this year, please understand the following:

1) Volunteers must have clearances.

2) Younger siblings are not permitted at school while you volunteer.

3) Volunteers are held to the same confidentiality standards as any WCASD employee.

4) While you may see and interact with your child when you are volunteering, you are here to assist all children.

Cómo traducir los boletines Smore Newsletters

Los enlaces para los boletines del distrito WCASD y desde el correo electrónico del director pueden encontrarse también en los sitios web del distrito y de la escuela. La traducción será generada por una máquina por lo que no será completamente exacta.

1. Haga clic en el botón para traducer

2. Haga clic en la fecha para seleccionar el idioma

3. ¡Disfrute el boletín! Las imágenes con palabras no se pueden traducir, para obtener una traducción, envíe un correo electrónico al director.

Si usted prefiere comunicarse en español por favor llame al 484-266-1690 para contactarse con personal escolar.

(If you prefer to speak to a Spanish speaking operator, please call 484-266-1690 to connect with school personnel.)

Email: pmerten@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/602
Location: 725 West Market Street, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 484-266-2001
Instagram: @hdehuskies