Dear Crocker Families,
Many of you know that my wife is also an educator. She has diligently and thoroughly worked to provide the best learning opportunities for 3rd graders and preschoolers, and often reflects on the day's learning. In our many conversations about our schools, our classes, our districts, and our personal research, we often find ourselves sharing resources or offering advice to one another from our two differing lenses. The conversations are often centered around what is best for kids, both yours and our own.
We were discussing the unique stages of development for children from pre-elementary school through middle school. As we discussed these stages, we began discussing the book "Yardsticks" by Chip Wood. In short, Yardsticks measures the milestones of development at each grade level and helps both parents and educators understand the complexities surrounding our youth. Below are some tidbits:
A twelve year old’s social-emotional growth pattern may include:
Peers are more important than adults
Enjoy both group and individual work
Can be self-aware, insightful, empathetic
Capable of self-awareness, insight, and empathy
A thirteen year old’s social-emotional growth pattern may include:
Concerns about personal appearance, but unconcerned about the neatness of their personal environment
Moody and sensitive; anger can flare up suddenly
Increasingly punctuate their humor with sarcasm
A fourteen year old’s social-emotional growth pattern may include:
Crave adult connection even while fighting for their own identity; need adults to listen and negotiate rules and requirements
Are often embarrassed to be seen with their parents; fiercely critical of parents’ dress, habits, friends, and ideas
Are typically loud and rambunctious
Are in a “know it all” stage in which they especially dislike and respond poorly to adult lectures, feeling they know what will be said once they hear the first few words
Do any of these sound familiar? The good news is that it’s all part of the growing process and we are always happy to partner with you and your child to build the skills necessary to support this growth. Additionally, if you want to learn more about adolescent development check out Dr. Daniel J. Siegel’s book "Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain." This is a great resource to support your own learning in collaboration with your developing adolescent.
This is a key time in your child’s development and supporting the whole child is our goal here at Crocker. It certainly takes a village and we are here to partner with you through the process.
A few other texts to peruse include:
Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live Without Barriers by Jo Boaler
In partnership,
Keith J. Rocha, Principal and Proud Crocker Viking
Parent Conferences
For new families to middle school, our parent conferences scheduled for September 28, 29, 30 and October 3 and 4 look a little different than you may have experienced in the past.
Because teachers have 120+ students at the middle school, please know that they will need to prioritize the parents/students with the most need during the limited time available. Teachers will reach out directly to those families. However, if you do not receive an email, but are still interested in participating in the OPTIONAL needs-based parent-teacher conferences, please reach out to your student’s teachers directly. As a reminder, we will run an early dismissal schedule on these days with students being excused at 2:16pm. Thank you for your understanding.
IT'S SCHOOL PICTURE DAY(S)!
Thursday, October 6th & Friday, October 7th
Memory Makers Images will make picture day less of a hassle and more of an experience to look forward to by offering an entirely online ordering system that cuts out the envelope and order form process. Each student is photographed for free with no pre-ordering beforehand needed. You will be able to view and order photos online 7-10 days after photos are taken.
Please mark your calendar now so picture day doesn’t sneak up on you! Visit Memory Makers Images for more information about us and tips for a successful photo
Crocker Clubs
Crocker Clubs will begin the first week in October. Please have your child check out the list of clubs.
2022-2023 CLUBS
Artify
A Crocker Newspaper.
Get Togetherness Club
Book Club
Environmental Club
Computer design
Art Club
Rock Painting Club
Speech and Theatre Club
Chess Club
Dungeons and Dragons Club
Community Carnival
This year we will host our first Crocker's HCSD Community Carnival! This event will be on Sunday, October 30th from 12-2pm on Crocker's Blacktop. Students will come up with a fun game or activity for children Pre-K through 5th. Students may run a booth by themselves or with up to 5 people. This will be an opportunity for our elementary students to see how amazing Crocker can be! Please have your child sign up to support our community! Examples of booths can include: pin the nose on the pumpkin, arts and crafts booth, shoot the hoops and so much more! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Slater at bslater@hcsdk8.org
Dues are Due!!!
Pay here: http://crocker.corecommerce.com/
In addition to paying for the school yearbook, parent dues help fund grade level social events, teacher appreciation efforts and more!! CPG Committee members are already busy in the works planning for a great school year. Thanks to those families who have already paid their dues for the 2022-2023 year.
Any questions please email Katrina at crockertreasurer@gmail.com
Be a Viking Volunteer! Take a look at Signup.com for the Crocker volunteer opportunities in the 2022-23 school year. Click HERE to get started. There are opportunities to help with many events/school activities, including 6th and 7th Grade Socials, Turkey Trot, Lunar New Year, Library, Hot Lunch, HTV, Staff Appreciation, 8th Grade Memory Video, and 8th Grade Events (Grad Dance, Parent Cocktail Party, Grad Rehearsal Lunch, Grad Ceremony). If you have any questions, please feel free to email Wendie Leung (wendietran@gmail.com) or Jen Keane (jenprentiss@gmail.com), Co-VP of Volunteers. Thank you for getting involved, we welcome your participation!
LUNCHMASTER REMINDERS
Meal orders for LunchMaster are at least four business days ahead on every Tuesday by 9:00 AM. If you ordered breakfast, please make sure to drop off your students between 8:00-8:20 AM to allow them time to eat before school starts. Meals that are not picked up by students are not reimbursed by the State, so please remind your middle schoolers to retrieve their meals each day. Thank you!
Crocker’s 6th Grade Parent and New Parent Reception
Thursday, October 6th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
The Evans' Home
45 Knightwood Lane, Hillsborough
Join us to meet fellow 6th grade Crocker parents, newbies to the Hillsborough School District and to celebrate the start of a great school year!
Please RSVP to Paperless Post
Cocktails and light apps
Casual cocktail attire
Adults only
PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Priority Enrollment (P1) is just around the corner! P1 will be from Nov 7, 2022 - Feb 10, 2023. Here are the documents and tutorials to assist families with the enrollment process (ie: tutorial videos, flyers, slides, pamphlets, etc.). All items are available in 3 languages (English, Spanish, Chinese). Families can complete the entire process electronically, appts are NOT necessary unless they are missing documents or need assistance with completing the enrollment.
Please note: The form will be available on our District website starting Nov 7. The Intra District Transfer/Sibling Transfer form will also be available starting Nov 7.
Families can contact our office at enrollment@smuhsd.org if they have any questions.
PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION REMINDER
To Do:
Go to Crocker Parent Resources Page
Click on Recommendation Request Form
Fill out the Form by November 18th at noon
Transcript requests are sent to Mrs. Murphy- $10 flat fee for transcripts kmurphy@hcsdk8.org
Checks made payable to to HCSD for transcripts
The Recommendation form will be sent to the teacher(s) and administrator that you would like to write your letters of recommendation
Information about your child is sent directly to the administrator and teacher you requested
Your family is invited to join Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) and the IDEA Committee for Building Belonging Week, a special district-wide initiative designed to enhance students’ sense of belonging in their school and community. This week-long celebration aims to honor the wonderful diversity in our school community and help students learn that they have a role to play in making our schools feel welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) is a district-wide, parent-led group that supports the families, faculty, and staff of the Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) to create an environment that welcomes and is informed by diversity, fosters a sense of belonging, and prepares our students to make a positive impact on the world. To get involved visit our website and follow us on Insta @hcsdideacommittee.
2022 Annual Hillsborough Classic by 10/1
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 | TENNIS TOURNAMENT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 | SHOPPING, FASHION SHOW, LUNCH
It’s a Classic, reimagined with a modern runway just like NY and Paris fashion week, two shows featuring district moms and dads, and VIP tickets that are right along the runway!
Enjoy a reception-style lunch 🍡🍢 so you can mix and mingle with friends and meet new people. Unassigned seating will be available.
And shop til you drop with over 15 hand-picked vendors, many who are participating for the first time!
Hello Parents,
As you know, there is a substitute shortage throughout the bay area. We are looking for dynamic, caring, and supportive parents who may have a little time in their schedule, would like to give back, and would be able to help fill vacancies at Crocker this year. If you'd like to know more, please contact Margaux Mansfield at the Hillsborough City School District Office at: mmansfield@hcsdk8.org/(650) 342-5193 or complete the online application through Edjoin.
Thank you!
Crocker Middle School
Email: crockervikingnews@gmail.com
Website: http://crocker.hcsd.info/
Location: 2600 Ralston Avenue
Phone: 650-342-6331