Weekend Update!
Thursday March 28th, 2024
Good Afternoon!
Happy Opening Day of the 2024 baseball season! Between that and some rainy weather today, spring is certainly upon us! Below you will see a growing list of updates on pertinent events as we wind closer to the end of the school year. At the top of the list, and not just metaphorically, is an update on the proposed new Hillcrest Middle School. We are incredibly fortunate to have a deeply committed and supportive board of education who are staunch advocates in seeing this plan come to fruition.
Please See The Following For Next Week And Beyond!
Important Update on the New Hillcrest Middle School
On Tuesday evening, the board of education unanimously voted to approve educational specifications on the new Hillcrest. The entire document can found here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1711116129/trumbullpsorg/ohhm7uqln62vj4ypgdjo/3-26-24.pdf
This is the document that the town/district intends to send to the state for consideration for construction reimbursement. It is our hope that a referendum appears on the ballot in the November election. It is critical that our families stay engaged in this process. This new building is not a want. It is a need. When reviewing this document and speaking with people in town about this project, please remember the following:
- While Hillcrest is not the oldest building, it has not seen a renovation or upgrade of any kind since its opening in 1967. That makes our building having gone the longest in the district without any major work done.
- Our building is the only school in the district without sprinklers.
- Our highest enrollment in the next ten years is projected to be 826 students. We currently have 789 students, which is the largest population we have had in my 11 years as an administrator at Hillcrest.
The document will now go to the town council. Please stay engaged and informed as this process unfolds. We cannot make this a reality without your support!
Spring Concert Dates
We are excited that our spring concerts are right around the corner! The schedule is as follows:
- 4/30: Band and Orchestra beginning at 7PM at THS
- 5/1: Chorus beginning at 7PM at THS
See you there!
Spirit Week!
Check out the flyer below with information on next week's Spirit Week!
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!
8th Grade Save the Date(s)!
I know many of our 8th grade families have been patiently waiting for information on our end of the year activities! I am excited to share the following:
- The 8th Grade Dance will be at THS on Thursday 6/6 from 6-8PM
- 8th Grade Stepping Forth with be at THS at 1PM on 6/7
- The 8th Grade Breakfast will be on the morning of 6/10 (time is TBD)
Stay tuned for more information soon!
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!
PTA Lake Compounce Tickets
Purchase your Lake Compounce Tickets now for the 2024 Summer season and play later! These tickets are valid for ANY day of the season, as the park opens in April. They are available for purchase by anyone, not just HMS students (providing they can pick up their tickets or are local and can arrange alternate plans). Spread the word! All of the profits will go directly to HMS media center and weight room improvements! Hurry- sale ends 3/29. The flyer can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pR09iidJeBN-fu0_HuQpmBMaGhiyn0a9/view?usp=share_link
Binky Patrol Event
Check out the flyer below with information on the next event with the Binky Patrol!
What Are We Reading at Hillcrest?
1.This week, our staff read an article about how to help improve the reading stamina of our students.
2. Mrs. Laird and I are currently reading Managing the Madness: A Practical Guide to Middle Grades Classrooms by Jack Berckemeyer. Jack is an extraordinary author, educator, and speaker who we have seen present at a number of workshops. This book integrates humor and innovative strategies on how to best educate and engage our students.
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