Hillside Summer News

Hello and welcome to all families of students who are embarking upon a year of school in unprecedented times. We are so happy you have chosen Hillside as the place where your student(s) will grow and learn this school year.

There are many elements of school that will remain the same, and there are many elements that will change because of the global pandemic we find ourselves navigating. COVID-19 may have changed the way we do school right now, but it hasn't changed our heart for kids. The need for extra precautions has not dulled our enthusiasm for teaching children or the focus on our purpose. Our mission at Hillside is to find effective and powerful ways to meet the needs of all learners, and we will remain committed to that mission each and every day.

Hillside's tremendously talented staff will continue to create a place of learning for your student(s) this year. If this is your child's first year attending Hillside, we hope that it will be a positive experience, despite the safety measures we must put in place to keep our staff and students safe.

Masks during the school day will be a requirement for both staff and students. Scientific research tells us wearing a mask is an effective way to avoid becoming ill with COVID-19. In addition, we will socially distance as much as possible and engage in frequent handwashing for all. How can you best help us? Have your child practice wearing a mask. We will be able to give children a break from their masks as needed in a socially-distanced setting, but their comfort level with a mask will be important in making that aspect less of a focus.

Please know that, normally, we welcome parents, guardians, and other family members into our building to have lunch with students. This year, visitors to our building will be able to be in the office area only (capacity will be limited). We do this to keep staff and students as safe as possible. We are going to do our best to limit access to our school right now. If your visit is something that can be accomplished with a virtual meeting or a phone call, we encourage you to use those media.

This isn't forever! We are going to take this quarter by quarter, carefully assessing as we go. Please know that we plan to use technology to connect with our families when we cannot do so in person. Before school begins, you will receive some information about your student's classroom teacher. In this newsletter you will find helpful resources as we begin our 2020-21 school year.

Stay well, and we will see you in August!

-Cynthia Bailey, Principal

We welcome four teachers to our Hillside faculty: Mr. Maloley (Counselor), Ms. Heisterkamp (Music), Ms. Schnieber (5th Grade), and Mrs. Felder (1st Grade). We can't wait for our students to meet these wonderful educators! Many students already know Mr. Maloley, as he was in our building for a bit second semester. Welcome to all.

Our school day now begins at 8:30 AM. This is an earlier start time by 10 minutes. Students are encouraged to arrive at 8:20 AM. when doors open. We ask that students not arrive before 8:15 AM unless they have a particular job to do before school, such as safety patrol. Teachers are involved in team meetings, staff meetings, individual planning, and preparing for the day from 8:00-8:15 AM. Supervision out in front begins at 8:15 AM.

Please note that Wednesday is early dismissal; school dismisses on Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Each school day begins with taking attendance. It is very important that students be in their classrooms by 8:30 AM so they are not missed during this procedure. We also take attendance immediately following lunch time, which means that if students leave campus for lunch with a parent, they need to be back when that attendance is taken. We worry about our students if they are not at school, so the school secretary or the health assistant will call the home or work of parents who have not called in and reported their child’s absence. Please help us with this by calling the office at 402-390-6450 by 8:40 AM when your student is not coming to school or will be late for school. Safety is our focus in making this request. Students coming in after 8:30 AM or after attendance is taken in the afternoon must come to the office and check in. Students coming or going during the day for appointments, illness, etc., must also sign in and out through the office.

Also, please let the office know if you are going to be out of town and someone else will be be taking care of your children. In the case of an emergency, we want to be sure we are able to get in touch with someone quickly.

The health office must have a written, signed and dated Medication Authorization form from the parent or guardian requesting that his/her child be given medication during the school day (prescription or over-the counter). This form is available in the office. All medication must be brought to school and taken home from school by a parent. It must be in the original container, labeled with the child’s name, date prescribed, name of medication, directions for use, dosage information, and the time the medication is to be given. Cough drops, and any over-the-counter medication must be in the original box/package, and a Medication Authorization form must be filled out. These medications are kept in the health office.

Please notify our health office if your child has severe allergies; this most likely will require a health plan which we will want in place before school begins. You can call our main number, 402-390-6450, to connect with our health office.

Lunch money will be taken in the classroom or you can go to www.myschoolbucks.com and add money to your child’s account. Checks should be made to Hillside Elementary School. If you are sending money for more than one child, please note the amount of money to be deposited in each child’s account.

For the school year, we ask families to consider donating school supplies. Parent support for school supplies is much appreciated! In the summer newsletter, you will find a list of school supplies needed for our building, organized by grade level. Please know that we carefully review these supply request lists every year to be sure there is nothing unnecessary on those lists. Supplies donated will go to the classroom, and teachers will dispense as necessary. Because we do it this way, there is no need to put a student name on an item. We appreciate anything you are able to provide; we will make sure all students have the supplies they need. Family support for school supplies has always been generous, and we are most appreciative! A copy of the supply request list is included in this communication.

Please note for parents of KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS: we appreciate these supplies and ask that you bring them on DAY 5 of school after all kindergarten students have been placed into classrooms. Thank you!

Teachers will enter every student's dismissal plan into a spreadsheet at the start of the year. It is important that we are aware of how every student will be getting home; this helps us to keep students safe. If you would like to change a student's dismissal plan for the day, please be sure to call the front office at 402-390-6450 to let us know. If something changes during the day and you need to get a message to your student, just call the front office. We do daily announcements near the end of the day, and we can call your student down to receive a message.

If you need to pick up your child during the day, please call us when you are no more than 10 minutes away from school. Our front office is a busy place, and we are unable to remember that your student needs to leave class at a specific time. When you call us, we will call your student down to the office to have him or her waiting for you!

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires each public school district to annually notify parents, staff, and employee groups of its asbestos management plans. A management plan is in place for Hillside Elementary and is available for review either at the school building or at the Westside Service Center, 9437 J St. Omaha, NE.

This school building was originally inspected in the1980’s and is re-inspected by a certified inspector every three years thereafter. The three-year re-inspection and a ceiling tile inspection was conducted in 2019, and periodic surveillance will be conducted as required. No abatement activities are currently in progress or scheduled for the 2020-2021 school year at this building.

The Designated Person responsible for managing the District’s AHERA compliance and the contact person for questions or to review a management plan is the Director of Facilities, Russ Olsen (402) 390-8331.