Important information about our attendance policy can be found here. If your child is going to have a full day absence please call the attendance line at 623-376-3390. No late calls will be accepted. For more front office tips please click here.

We’re excited to introduce a new, streamlined way to stay informed! Starting this week, we’ll be attaching the Falcon Focus: All You Need to Know on One Page. This week at a glance, one-page flyer will contain all the essential updates, announcements, and weekly events for Hillcrest Middle School, making it easier than ever to keep track of what’s happening in our school community. Thank you for staying connected with us.

Hillcrest cares about providing a positive and safe learning environment for our students and community. The 2023-2024 AZPBIS Awards recognize schools for successful implementation and outcomes with school-wide systems of Positive Behavior Interventions

This award recognizes the dedication of school staff and our community to uphold our school expectations every day: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Ready for the Future. Together we are building a school culture that is more positive, proactive, and supportive for all our students so that they can be successful citizens and leaders of our nation. Congratulations!

-Mr. Brazell and Mr. Larter

Our school is currently looking to fill a crossing guard position. This role is crucial for ensuring the safety of our students as they travel to and from school each day. If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference in our community, please reach out!

For more information or to apply, please email Lara Wesson at Lara.Wesson@dvusd.org or call 623-376-3304.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!

Please support us in keeping our Hillcrest campus clean. We are noticing an increased amount of Starbucks, Dutch and Dunkin (etc) on campus in the mornings. This is a reminder that outside food and drinks are not permitted. Drinks are messy and hard to clean up when spilled in classrooms, please refrain from bringing them to school. Thank you for your cooperation!

• Students may borrow chargers or Chromebooks from the library for the length of the school day but may not keep them overnight. After the 5th time a student borrows a charger or Chromebook they will be issued a lunch detention. Every 3rd time a student borrows a device after the first lunch detention they will be issued ANOTHER lunch detention.
• Chromebooks must remain in their protective case.
• Please buy Chromebook insurance

The Falcon Store is a special place where students can purchase snacks, puzzles, and other gift items using our unique Falcon Funds. Falcon Funds are earned by demonstrating the "Falcon Way"; positive behavior, going above and beyond in class, and actively participating in discussions. This system not only encourages good behavior but also rewards students for their efforts.

The Falcon Store is open during lunch every Tuesday in Room 611. To keep things exciting, we alternate weekly between the Falcon Store and a raffle where students can win one of three different prizes. This way, there's always something new to look forward to!

Hey 8th graders! Want to explore New York City and Washington D.C. with your friends next summer? Want to ride the subway, see the Statue of Liberty, watch a Broadway show? How about The Capitol? The Spy Museum? These are just a few of the places that you could see! Tell your parents and have them come to the informational meeting at 6:00 pm on September 10th in the media center.

The Hillcrest Spirit Shop is up and running! The Store is open through September 9th and can be accessed here. The Hillcrest Spirit Shop includes hats, shirts, shorts, and other Hillcrest attire and accessories.

Core shirts are now available! Get yours for free when you join the PTA, or purchase one for just $6 if you're not a member. Hurry—sales end on September 12th, so don't miss out! Show your support during Spirit Week and represent your core with pride.

Check out the Core Shirt Flyer for more details and order yours today!

Social Studies:

Social Studies is continuing with the American Revolution. We are learning about the different taxes put in place in the thirteen colonies, and creating protest posters against these taxes

Science:

In 7th grade science we are beginning to learn and explain Newton's Laws of Motion. We are working to create examples of each of the laws of motion using real world situations. Next week students will make a plan and create a presentation on video or another medium to show their understanding of the laws and how they apply to the motion of objects.

Social Studies: 8th Grade Social Studies classes continued to discuss the different forms of government that exist, including direct democracy, representative democracy (republic), autocracy, dictatorship, theocracy, monarchy and oligarchy. They also learned about the multiple theories of the origins of government and are preparing their Island Government Projects for presentations this week.

ELA: This week, 8th grade ELA focused on theme, character traits, and plot elements.

Performance & Literary Works: Performance and Literary Works is learning about Improv, and playing Improv games. They are also learning about Theatre Etiquette and the different aspects that make a performance. They have gotten their scripts very recently and are beginning to practice, so they can perform a play in front of their class.

Stem I: Stem I Is building the first major project the paper roller coaster.

Stem II: Stem II Is making Sphero Chariots which they will race on Tuesday.

After-School Band:

Join us every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM in Room 805 for after-school band practice. This is a great opportunity for students to practice, store their instruments, or catch up on any missing assignments that need to be recorded.

MRHS Band Feeder Night:

September 27th, call time TBD

Students wear athletic shoes and clothing

Bring your instrument and water

This is required for 8th graders and is a grade

DVUSD Choir Diamond Backs National Anthem:

Chase Field

September 27th, Game starts at 6:40pm

Students need to wear a red t shirt and closed toed shoes and meet at Gate J under the overpass

Ticket link was sent in an email from Mr. Leverage

REMEMBER… ALL sports require online registration and a physical, prior to tryouts. You can start your registration by clicking this link www.registermyathlete.com. Physicals and brain concussion certificates will be required for all 7th and 8th grade students who are planning on trying out for any sport. You must have a completed Register My Athlete account to attend camp, tryout for any sport or non-cut sport. Please see the following Athletic page on the Hillcrest Website for detailed information: https://www.dvusd.org/domain/8365

Interested in joining a great team? Come be a part of the defending Conference Champion Hillcrest Cross Country Team! We're hosting a Parent and Information Meeting on Tuesday, September 17th at 5:30 PM. The season kicks off on Monday, September 23rd with practice starting at 6:30 AM in the gym. Everyone is welcome—it's a fantastic experience!

September 3rd 4:30 PM: Hillcrest at Sonoran Trails

September 3rd 4:45 PM: Deer Valley at Hillcrest

September 3rd 4:15 PM: Union Park at Hillcrest

September 3rd 4:45 PM - 6:25 PM: Hillcrest at Deer Valley

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) focuses on sportsmanship to foster spiritual growth, character development, and leadership among its members and is is open to anyone interested in its mission.

There will be an FCA Leadership INFORMATIONAL meeting for all interested in joining FCA leadership on Thursday, Sept 5th at 7:15 am in room 306.

NJHS members, please check your Canvas for important announcements about leadership, Remind, and dues.

Leadership videos are due Tuesday, September 3rd.

Our first meeting will be on September 6th at 7:30 in Ms Brody’s room (411).

Student Council is currently accepting applications for officer and core representative positions. Students can grab an application from Ms. Harvey (503) or Mrs. Guy (303). They are due to Ms. Harvey or Mrs. Guy by September 6th.

Book club will be sponsored by our teacher Ms. Harvey. Book club will be a fun spot for people who love to read. Book Club Meets Wednesdays, from 3:00 to 4:00. This club will be held in room 503.

Dungeons and Dragons club meets on Wednesdays from 3:15 - 4:30 P.M in Mrs. Shays room

ASL Club meets Mondays after school from 3 - 4 pm in Mrs. Shays’ room

Model UN will have its first meeting on Tuesday, September 17th. After the first meeting, it will run on the first and third Tuesday of every month for the remainder of the year. It will be hosted after school in room 610, from 3:05 pm to 4:00pm.

Sandra Day O'Connor High School

25250 North 35th Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85083

623-445-7100

November 6, 2024

Last Names A-L

5:30 - 6:25 p.m. Orientation in auditorium

6:35 - 7:30 p.m. Campus tours

Last Names M-Z

5:30 - 6:25 p.m. Campus tours

6:35 - 7:30 p.m. Orientation in auditorium

Mountain Ridge High School

22800 North 67th Avenue

Glendale, AZ 85310

623-376-3000

November 14, 2024

Last Names A-L

6 p.m. Presentation in the auditorium

7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Gym and school tour

Last Names M-Z

6 p.m. Gym and school tour presentation in auditorium

7 p.m. -8 p.m. Presentation in auditorium

◦Last date to register to vote - October 7, 2024

◦First date to vote by early ballot - October 9, 2024

◦Last date to request early ballot - October 25, 2024

◦Deadline to Vote Early In-Person - November 1, 2024

◦Election day - November 5, 2024

"Falcon Flight Lessons"

Hillcrest Middle School understands that the social/emotional needs of our students vary day-to-day, year-to-year. That is why we are dedicated to ensuring that those specific needs are met by conducting quarterly school-wide surveys to see what our students need the most. Hillcrest Middle School's SEL program is based on providing social and emotional support and growth for every student; our "Falcon Flight Lessons" are created with our students' needs in mind as we prepare them to leave the Falcon nest.

In addition to our SEL program, Hillcrest Middle School is also dedicated to recognizing students that exhibit positive behavior and kindness to others by rewarding them with Kindness Kash that can be used to purchase items in our Falcon Store. If you are interested in donating new or gently used items, please contact Mrs. Gabaldon (jennifer.gabaldon@dvusd.org). You can also purchase items from the Falcon Store’s Amazon wishlist. Wishlist items are shipped directly to Hillcrest.

Thank you in advance for your contribution! Your donation will go toward our continuous promotion of academic achievement and behavioral competence. Please contact Jennifer Gabaldon if you have questions about the Falcon store, or donating items.

We all want our students to have the best opportunities possible, so this is a great way to jump in and help out, simply by grocery shopping. We would really appreciate each and every one of you taking the few minutes it takes to sign up. Please share with other friends and family members to really incorporate our community.

It is a brief and rather straightforward process that can make

such a huge difference in the lives of our 1000+ students.

Please click the link to follow the instructions to join Fry’s in their support of Hillcrest Middle School! instructions to Link Fry’s card to Hillcrest Middle School.