Hillcrest Family Newsletter

It takes all of us working together to make sure everyone is safe at drop off and pick up. PLEASE help us with these morning reminders:

1. The parking lot requires very slow moving traffic. Plan on leaving plenty of time for drop off so everyone can go slow.

2. Please stay off of your cell phone. Our parking lot requires your complete attention.

3. Only walk from the parking lot to the playground/school at the designated crosswalk. We have staff members posted at this crosswalk and this is the only safe place for anyone to cross. When you cross at a different area you are crossing traffic.

4. Only use the drop off lane if your child is able to get out of and back in the car by themselves. Only use the sidewalk side for entering and exiting your vehicle. Do not have children get out of the vehicle on the traffic side of your car. Drivers do not leave their vehicles in the drop off lane.

4. Do not use the circle drive unless you have a pass to use the circle drive. This requires office permission because of the needs of your passengers.

We need everyone's help in following these expectations to keep all kids and adults safe.

Today, Friday, January 31st is the last day to purchase Springs Water Park event tickets. Remember, they are at a reduced rate prior to the event on Thursday, February 6th from 3 pm to 6 pm. The rate for the preorder tickets are $16 for those swimming and $6 for those not intending to swim.

Tickets can still be purchased at the Springs Water Park on the day of the event, but for $30. You will not receive the reduced rate.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Any questions, please reach out to the Hillcrest PTO at: Hillcresthuskiepto@gmail.com

Hillcrest Family Fun Night, a night to play, win, celebrate Hillcrest. This event is one of our biggest family events of the year, and will take place on March 3rd through March 7th. If you love to shop after holiday sales or if you have items to regift, here are the baskets that we will be filling come next year. Each grade level fills its baskets with the items identified below.

4K and Kindergarten: Let your Imagination Run Wild (ex. Arts and Crafts, Gift cards to Art stores)
1st Grade: Toy Box (ex. Legos, Barbies, Pokemon, American Girl)
2nd Grade: Gift Card Galore (ex. Gift cards for iTunes, Starbucks, Target)
3rd Grade: Rainy Days Just Got Better (Movies, Puzzles, Board Games, Blankets)
4th Grade: Family fun in the Outdoors (Beach, Camping, Fishing, Frisbees, Kites)
5th Grade: All Things Wisconsin Sports Teams (Brewers, Badgers, Admirals, Wave, Packers, Bucks)

For all 3, 4 and 5 graders in the School District of Waukesha. No charge to participate! Join us for this swim program sponsored by the Waukesha Express Swim Team, School District of Waukesha, and Optimist Club of Waukesha. All practices and the swim meet will be at Waukesha South High School. Hillcrest students will be on the Spring City Sharks Team!

No charge to participate! Each swimmer will receive a team t-shirt and cap. Register at www.waukeshaexpress.org! Or turn in your permission slip at school. Deadline to register: March 7! Questions? Email us at info@waukeshaexpress.org

Winter weather is a part of life in Wisconsin and we send students out for outdoor recess two times each day. As long as temperature with the windchill is above zero, we will go outside for recess. Boots, snowpants, coats, hats and mittens should be sent to school every day. Please make sure your child has shoes for the school day too, especially on the days that they have phy ed.

To report your child's absence, use one of the two methods:

--> Report via Infinite Campus (directions attached below)

--> Reporting absences via attendance line 262-970-1816 (New number)

Preplanned absences (especially more than one day) need to be reported via a form linked here. Copies of the form are available in Hillcrest's office as well.

There are 10 allowable days for a parent to excuse their child from school each school year. If your child has an appointment or sees a doctor for an illness, get a doctor's note from your provider. This allows us to code the student's absence as medically excused.

Every month, each family receives an automatic email from the school district regarding your child's absences. We often get questions from families about these emails so we thought we would answer some of the frequently asked questions:

• In the emailed report, it does not differentiate between medically excused and parent excused absences. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check the specifics of each absence. In order for an absences to be marked medically excused, we need to have a doctor's note showing that the student was at a doctor's appointment or that they are excused from school for an illness.
• Attendance is taken twice a day in the elementary school, in the AM and PM. If a student is absent one day, this will be recorded as "2 counts" in the attendance report. The system records it as one day but the count on the emailed report is "2". Again, check your IC Parent Portal will help you make sure your child's attendance has been recorded correctly.
• Tardies are also shared in the emailed report. If a student arrives after 9:50, they are marked Tardy and if they arrive after 10:00AM it is marked as an AM absence. We always denote the actual time of arrival or leaving if for early pick ups and late drop offs.
• Please remember that preplanned absences over one day in length require a pre-planned absence form. The district form is linked HERE and we always have copies available in the office.

Thank you for taking the time to review your child's attendance records. We want to have your child here each day! With so many colds and flu symptoms this time of year, it is important to keep in mind our district's Too Sick for School guidelines, as well. Planning family vacations to align with school day vacations allows for your child to have those parent excused days when they may be sick.

We are here to help! Sometimes families aren't quite sure who to reach out to for specific needs or requests. Take a look at the list below to see who to reach out to:

• Dilini Williams - Building Secretary - 262-970-1805, dwilliams@waukesha.k12.wi.us: Urgent student needs, Attendance support, After school PM dismissal changes, Infinite Campus access, School Fees
• (Madi) Joirmadith Oliveras-Borrero - Health Clerical Assistant - 262-970-1815, joliverasb@waukesha.k12.wi.us: Attendance support, After school PM dismissal changes, Medical attendance excuses, Pre-planned attendance needs, Health Room forms, Medications, Blessings in a Backpack

-Before 2:00 PM for Kindergarten to 5th grade students.

• Transportation questions or concerns, please contact First Student directly.
• To communicate with the teacher directly, please reach out via email. Phones do not ring into the classrooms during the school day and teachers find time to check their emails once or twice a day. Staff Directory
• Jodi V. has retired, pls don't email her regarding absences, we are not able to check her email