Husky Family News

November

• November 8th <> No School
• November 10th <> Math Night at School 5:00 - 7:00
• November 13th - 19th American Education Week
• November 14th <> Hispanic Family Connections 4:30 - 6:00 ES-MS-HS at Hillcrest

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is a federally assisted program that provides fruits and vegetables to eligible elementary schools. Hillcrest is one of two schools in Frederick County that has been chosen for this program.

Here is the link that shows the calendar of what foods will be given to the students usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during the school year. When your child gets home, ask him/her what fresh fruit or vegetable they got to try that day and if they liked it or not. This is a great way to get children to try new foods that are nutritious for them. Thank you!

Hearing and Vision Screening will take place on November 7th, 9th and 10th.

Vision Screenings will include ALL students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st grade, and new students to the Maryland public school system.

Hearing Screenings will include all students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, (if not screened in pre-kindergarten), 1st grade, and new students to the Maryland public school system.

Maryland State Law mandates this screening. Parents/guardians who have an objection to this screening based on their church or religion must submit a request for their child to be exempt from screening. All written requests must be submitted to the health room by November 7th. Please make sure if your child wears glasses or contacts that they have them on the screening days. If you have any questions, please contact the health room at 240-236-3209.

November is National Gratitude Month

Did you know that having an attitude of gratitude can be one of the simplest ways to improve satisfaction in your life? Not only does expressing gratitude help build positive relationships with those around you, but it also helps you feel more positive emotions, boost your health, and increase resiliency. The ChildMind Institute published 10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids. Take a look by clicking here! (The article is in English and Spanish)

Support language development at home in any language:

1. Storytelling: by telling stories, you can develop your children's vocabulary and oral language skills. Encourage children to add to stories or make up their own.

2. “Read” wordless picture books: tell stories through pictures, even if they are family photos. This way parents and children can sit down together with books and pictures and talk about stories. This way, children can learn how stories progress, make predictions, and develop a love for books.

3. Say rhymes, sing songs: rhymes, songs, and chants can develop oral language skills such as intonation and word stress.

4. Engage in meaningful conversations: whether at the dinner table or at the grocery store, you can ask children questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer.

Hillcrest Elementary SIOP Website

Raising or Working with Bilingual Children

Supporting Literacy Development at Home

How Children Learn to Read

Research studies show that bilingualism can increase children’s language abilities and help their progress in school.

• Children who can read, write and speak two languages will have an advantage in school and in future jobs

• The more communication children experience at home, the better they will develop language skills.

• Families can use conversations during shopping trips as an opportunity to develop children’s vocabulary about shapes, colors, sounds, textures, and objects around them.

• Conversation with children in everyday situations expands and develops thinking skills.

• Families can encourage reading skills by reading or telling stories in their home language and asking children to share stories.

Learn English for Adults <> Monday and Wednesday 9:00 - 10:30 Call Michele Lucena for details 240-236- 3285 All are welcome.

Spanish Foundations for Spanish Speakers <> Tuesdays and Thursdays November 8 - December 13 <> 9:00 - 10:45 Call Michele Lucena for details 240-236- 3285 15 spots available

English

Spanish

Parent SIP Hotsheet HES SY23 - this reference sheet will review each area of our school improvement plan as well as share ways you can help at home. If you have any questions on how you can help, please reach out to your child's teacher.

Play Groups for Children at Hillcrest PRC

Wednesdays <> Judy Center Toddler Play Group 9:00 - 10:00

Thursdays <> Judy Center Play Group 9:00 - 10:00

Call Michele Lucena for Details 240-236-3285

We are the Husky PACK. Daily we demonstrate Pride, Academic Effort, Citizenship and Kindness. We are proud to be a husky! #ALLIN

Email: justin.mcconnaughey@fcps.org
Website: https://edu.fcps.org/hes/
Location: 1285 Hillcrest Drive, Frederick, MD, USA
Phone: 240-236-3200
Facebook: facebook.com/HillcrestHuskies

FCPS has shared the following COVID procedures for the 2022-2023 school year.

FCPS COVID-19 Procedures

• All persons who test positive for COVID-19 or who have suspected COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, are not permitted in schools or offices.
• Individuals and parents are responsible for following our screening guidelines if they or their child have primary COVID-19 symptoms or are positive for COVID-19. Primary COVID-19 symptoms include:
• Fever of 100.4 or higher
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• New onset of severe headache
• New loss of taste or smell

• FCPS is enforcing isolation of positive/symptomatic individuals and will continue to send ill individuals with Primary COVID-19 symptoms home and require isolation or testing before they return. FCPS is accepting the results of COVID-19 Home Test Kits.
• COVID-19 Home Test Kit Form and Instructions
• Formulario de Prueba y Instrucciones de COVID-19
• All individuals who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, are to isolate at home for at least 5 full days from the onset of symptoms. If returning before the 11th day of symptom onset, a face covering must be worn at all times when indoors on days 6-10 except while eating or napping. Those who are unable to mask may return unmasked with documentation of a negative COVID-19 test on day 5 or later.
• Class letters are sent home when a report of a positive case of COVID-19 in the classroom/cohort is received.
• The Maryland Department of Health confirms COVID-19 outbreaks in a school community. An approved COVID-19 outbreak communication is then sent, via Find Out First, to that school's community.
• FCPS is no longer contact tracing or requiring quarantine of close contacts regardless of vaccination status. If you or your child have been in close contact with a positive individual please follow the CDC recommended masking guidelines when inside FCPS schools and buildings.

Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning | CDC