Hillcrest News
July 2024
As we get ready to start a new school year, I wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the families who have been such incredible partners in their children's education. Your support, encouragement, and involvement have made a world of difference in our classrooms and in the lives of your children.
I appreciate all the support, patience and flexibility shown throughout the construction process. Making adjustments throughout the year have caused changes with drop-off, pick-up, and general routines for our students and staff. With construction of a new building will come some adjustments and changes to processes and procedures. As the new year is upon us, I wanted to share a few thoughts and changes with all of you as we begin to prepare for a new building in the fall.
After much discussion and consideration among our staff, we have decided to make a change in how our building operates in regard to building level teams. Starting in the fall, we will be working more collaboratively in grade level teams. This change will assist our building in providing balanced classrooms, equity for all students, age-like social interactions, and a better opportunity for our staff to collaborate. This adjustment will also allow for common time for staff to support each other on grade level standards and ensure the best instruction possible for each student that attends Hillcrest Elementary. Though this is a change, we believe that this is what's best for our students and are excited to provide this opportunity for our students and families. Please watch for an email announcement in August that will provide more information on your students' classroom teacher and our back to school events.
With the opening of our new building we will also have changes in our drop-off/pick-up routines and locations, as well as breakfast and morning supervision. Further details will be shared with our families in August as construction concludes and we are closer to the start of the school year.
Thank you for your continued support and entrusting us with your child's learning journey. Wishing you all a wonderful July and looking forward to the adventures ahead in the new school year!
Calling all 3rd grade Girls and Coaches for Girls on the Run (GOTR) Fall 2024 Season! 5 coaches are recommended for a team of 16.
We are excited to announce the upcoming season of Girls on the Run. We are looking for enthusiastic participants, coaches, and a coordinator. If your daughter would like to join or if you're interested in being a Site Coordinator or Coach, we need to hear from you! This is open to any adult, community member, or family member.
We are accepting applications for Junior Coaches (high school girls ages 16-18).
Season Dates: Sept. 12 - Nov. 9
Practice Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:00
Practices will be held at Hillcrest.
For more information or to sign-up, please contact the elementary school office or email Mrs. Smith at shannon.smith@k12.sd.us.
New Coach Application
https://www.pinwheel.us/.../Fall2024-GOTR-SD-Volunteer...
Junior Coach Application
Locker Vestibule
Each student will have their own locker (no lock). Students will enter and exit to the playground through this space.
Media Center
Our new media center (library) will be a place for students to check out books, meet in small groups, and engage in STEM activities.
This notice is to inform our families and staff of the Brookings School District of a change in the Child Nutrition Department’s online payment platform.
Effective Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Child Nutrition Department will now use EduTrak (formerly Wordware) for accepting payments online. EduTrak will still be used to view your family account balance and transaction, but we are adding the option of online payments through this program.
If you already have a family account set up with EduTrak, you do not need to set up a different account. The only step necessary would be to add a funding source to your EduTrak account to make payments online, if you choose.
If you are new to having a family account with EduTrak, there are instructions attached for creating an account, and setting up online payments, if you so choose. For new accounts, when you get to step 4 and it asks for a family key, please email me at laura.swier@k12.sd.us stating you need a family key. Once I receive a request, I will prompt an email to be sent to you with the details to finalize your account registration.
It is not a requirement to have an EduTrak account.
A family may choose to have an EduTrak account, to view your family account balance and transactions, without making online payments. Check and cash payments are still accepted at any of our schools.
As of May 31, 2024, Efunds will no longer be used for the Child Nutrition Department. Please note Efunds may still be used as a payment option by other departments within the Brookings School District.
Hard to believe it's that time of year again!!!! Please use the following link to register for the Family Back2School Project event this year!
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdP.../viewform
Project event being held August 7, 2024, Faith Reformed Church 1330 Main Ave South Brookings.
Make sure you follow and like our Facebook page for reminders and updates!!
