Hillsdale Herald

Hello Hillsdale Families -

This week we had a visit from Philadelphia Union soccer players and their mascot, Phang. The students learned about teamwork, good sportsmanship, and perseverance while playing soccer or cheering on their classmates! As we head into the weekend, it looks like more snow is on the way! We wish all our families a safe and cozy weekend, and as always, please stay tuned for weather updates.

Next week will be a busy one with No School Monday for MLK, Jr Day, our Title 1 Parent Information Night on Tuesday 1/21 6:30pm, and our second Buddy Reading activity on Thursday. Plus the PTO is hosting BINGO next Friday night 6:30 - 7:30 in the gym!

Our Buddy Read book this trimester is If I Built A School by Chris Van Dusen. Students will be challenged to work together with their buddy to design and build a prototype for a new area in our school! All inventions will be on display for your viewing during March Conferences. It will be so fun to see our students applying what they are learning in Design Lab to thinking about a new school!

We’d love some help providing all of our students with the materials they need to build their prototypes! Below are some of the materials we could use:

• Cardboard - just regular shipping boxes (large boxes are not necessary)
• Hot glue guns & sticks
• Tape (duct, washi, scotch, masking)
• Paper Plates
• Straws
• Pipe Cleaners
• Plastic cups
• Popsicle sticks
• Paper towel/toilet paper rolls

If you have any of these supplies laying around, we’d greatly appreciate any donations.

Renovation Update

At last night's PTO meeting the plans for our 3-year renovation were shared and attendees were able to ask questions. While we cannot share the presentation for security reasons, there will be another meeting later in the Spring for the Hillsdale community. It is important to note that the 25-26 Kindergarten will be at Hillsdale in the existing Kindergarten classrooms!! In 26-27 Kindergarten classes will be in the NEW ADDITION!

Please see a flyer below for Science Explorers as well as a NEW link to WCASD Community Bulletin Board. The Community Bulletin Board is a great place to find events and activities in the area for your family!

Please note that each child is permitted 5 Family Vacation Days each school year.

The WCASD partners with our local preschools and their families to offer events and activities for preschool children. The purpose of the Preschool Parent Group is to attract and transition children and families into the WCASD. One of the most well-attended events is our Kindergarten 101 session.

Kindergarten 101 is an informational night for families to learn what to expect when their child enters elementary school. The WCASD will be hosting Kindergarten 101 again this school year! This informational session will be on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Fugett Middle School. You may register for Kindergarten 101 here.

****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.

Calling all 4th & 5th grade parents /guardians! We are excited to announce that our annual fourth & fifth grade district-wide track meet will be held in May. Our students will enjoy a day at the WCU Farrell Stadium track participating in friendly competitions with other WCASD elementary schools. WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP!!! The success of the track meets relies heavily on parent/guardian volunteers. YOU WILL NEED YOUR CLEARANCES. You can visit this link- CLEARANCE INFORMATION WCASD for information about obtaining your clearances. We suggest you apply for your clearances now as they sometimes take a bit of time to get back.

SAVE THE DATE- Please consider helping your child’s school out the day of their track meet found below. More information will come with specific times & event responsibilities. This is a school field trip held during school time hours.

· May 13, 2025 (rain date – 5/15): East Goshen, Hillsdale, Greystone, Glen Acres, & Westtown Thornbury

· May 14, 2025 (rain date – 5/16): East Bradford, Penn Wood, Starkweather, Exton, Fern Hill, Mary C. Howse

1/21 - Title 1 Parent Information Night

1/23 - Buddy Reading Event

1/24 - PTO Bingo night 6:30 - 7:30pm

1/29 - Lunar New Year

February

2/6 - Kindergarten 101 @ Fugett Middle School 6:00pm

2/7 - K Animal Assembly

2/10 - Beginner Strings Concert 2:30pm

2/12 - HDE hosts Preschool Club 5:00pm; Middle School 101 via Teams

2/13 - Kids Heart Challenge during Specials

2/14 - Early Dismissal (12:05) - Teacher Inservice

2/17 - No School - President's Day

2/25 - Title 1 Family Night 6:30pm

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.

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1. Haga clic en el botón para traducer

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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