Weekend Update!
Friday April 19th, 2024
Good Evening!
I hope you and your families had a wonderful week off together, and that your children had a great week back from spring break!
Next week begins our Social Emotional Learning (SEL week)! Our mental health team (consisting of counselors, social worker, school psychologist, and behavior interventionist) and Mrs. Laird organized a week of meaningful activities for our students and staff. It all culminates with a pep rally on Friday!
For those who will begin observing Passover on Monday, Chag Sameach!
Please See The Following For Next Week And Beyond!
SEL Week 2024!
Dress Code
After a long, cold lonely winter, the sun is finally coming out and spring is here with summer right around the corner! With the (occasional) spike in temperatures, naturally our students have to change their wardrobe to adapt to the warmer weather. We ask that you please review the district's dress code policy with your children:
1. Caps, hats and bandanas will not be worn in school except for religious and medical reasons.
2. Footwear is required, must be appropriate and safe for indoor and outdoor activity.
3. Shirts and tops must completely cover the midriff and lower back when sitting or standing. Clothing should also provide appropriate coverage at the neckline. No tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, muscle shirts, or see-through shirts shall be worn in school.
4. Outwear (coats, jackets, windbreakers, etc.) shall not be worn in the classroom during the school day.
5. Shorts, skirts, dresses and other clothing must completely cover the mid-thigh.
6. No clothing or accessories shall be allowed that promote the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and/or controlled substances; displace racial, ethnic, and/or gender slurs/symbols; depict violence, profanity, gang involvement or is of a sexual nature; or is otherwise of a disruptive nature.
7. Undergarments shall not be visible at any time.
8. Prohibited items include (1) any attire and/or accessory that may present a safety hazard to the student, other students or the staff, (2) sleepwear and (3) sunglasses, except for medical reasons.
Paraeducator and Teacher of the Year Nominations!
Monday is the deadline to nominate a colleague for the Paraprofessional or Teacher of the Year awards! We are incredibly fortunate to have SO many individuals who would be incredible ambassadors for our school. Click here to nominate one of our staff members.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Please see this flyer from the PTA regarding teacher appreciation week!
Blues and Beyond!
Thanks to the generosity of our PTA, our 8th grade students were able to take in a concert this morning from the Blues and Beyond group! They heard performances of songs ranging from Chuck Berry, to George Clinton, to Bruno Mars! Some students even heard their own lyrics come to life! Thank you to Mr. Manuel and the THS team for being such gracious hosts!
5th Grade Student Tours
This week we had 5th grade students from Frenchtown and Middlebrook came to tour their next school! Visits from Booth Hill and Daniels Farm are right around the corner. We are looking forward to welcoming their families at 5th grade parent night on Thursday!
Yearbook News
We have less than 100 yearbooks left, and we are on track to sell out completely. Don’t miss out! Guarantee a 23-24 Hillcrest yearbook for your student by ordering online today: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01090300. Not sure if you’ve already ordered? Check your email for a receipt from Jostens.
Late Buses
The last day for late buses will be Thursday May 23rd.
8th Grade Lawn Signs!
Trumbull Veterans
Please see the following message from our Trumbull Veterans: As you know we have a strong partnership with our Trumbull Veterans. They asked us to share the following information with our families: There will be a groundbreaking on Friday May 10th at 11 AM for the new Veterans Center on 1 Veterans Dr (corner of Whitney Ave. & Teller Rd.) and we’d like to extend an invitation to all your Veteran dads/moms. Aside from being the new home for the Trumbull American Legion and VFW it will serve as a venue for community organizations, such as the Father’s Club & PTA, to hold events and activities. We are going to need support from Veterans of all ages and we’d like to meet the ones at your school to go over our vision for the center and how they might help us. For more information reach out to Mr. Ray Baldwin (raygbaldwin@gmail.com)
District Climate Survey
The Trumbull Public Schools are conducting their annual District Climate Survey. The link can be found here. This information will help us narrow our priorities for the 24-25 school year. Thank you for your participation!
Student Fees
Now that we are in the third trimester of the school year, the district has asked schools to make a pointed effort to collect outstanding fees. These fees could be from missing library books, missing sports uniforms, and/or damaged Chromebooks. We will work with families to reconcile these balances so that students do not miss out on any spring/end of the year activities. Thank you for your support with this!
Trumbull Kids Triathalon!
What Are We Reading at Hillcrest?
1. This week, our staff read this article detailing different lesson closure activities.
2. Mrs. Laird and I are currently reading Middle School Matters by Phyllis Fagell. Phyllis is a middle school counselor, and this is the second book of hers we are reading this year.
Binky Patrol Event!
Stay Connected with the PTA!
Want to be the first to know when fun student activities are happening? Or where to buy Spiritwear? All PTA information can be found on Membership Toolkit. Sign up today at https://hillcrestmspta.membershiptoolkit.com
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedure
As a reminder, please be cautious of the students who are walking to school as you are driving through our parking lot and campus. Also, students should not be dropped off or picked up in the Agriscience parking lot. Thank you!
Safety
We strive on a daily basis to provide a safe environment for all students, and to promote safe practices with them as well. We will continue to educate students about what safe behavior looks like and what our expectations are for safe behaviors. We see this as a partnership with our families. I ask that you please remind your children to be kind to each other, to keep their hands to themselves, and that there is never an acceptable time or moment to use slurs of any kind. This article from the American Psychological Association gives families tips on how to potentially address way to have these discussions.
Hillcrest on Social Media!
Did you know that Hillcrest has its own Instagram page and Twitter feed? Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hillcrestmshawks/. Follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HMSTrumbull/ . This is a great resource for families to get a glimpse of day to day life at Hillcrest!
Volunteer Forms
If you think you may be interested in volunteering at some point this year for a Hillcrest event, please fill out this form and return it to the main office. Thank you!
Bus Tracker
If you are interested in using the Durham Bus tracker app, directions can be found here.
Infinite Campus
Please see this flyer on helpful tips to navigate the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus.
Mr. Bryan Rickert
Email: brickert@trumbullps.org
Website: https://hms.trumbullps.org/
Location: Hillcrest Middle School, Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull, CT, USA
Phone: 203-452-4466
Twitter: @HMSTrumbull