Dear Hillcrest Families,

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, we are excited to continue our journey of learning, growth, and connection. January is a wonderful time to refocus and renew our commitment to academic success, positive behavior, and strong relationships.

Academic Progress

Our students have made great strides in their learning so far, and we are excited to build on this momentum. Teachers will continue to support learning goals and celebrate the hard work each student puts into achieving their best. You can help by reviewing progress updates and setting aside time for reading and homework routines at home. Students are expected to read 20 minutes each night and spend 10 minutes reviewing math facts each evening.

Behavioral Expectations

We encourage our students to uphold our core values of respect, responsibility, and kindness. Reaffirming these expectations ensures that everyone can learn in a supportive and respectful environment. Thank you for reinforcing these values at home as we work together to help our students grow both academically and socially.

Building Relationships

Strengthening our school community remains a top priority. We value the connections between families, staff, and students and invite you to engage with us through upcoming events, parent-teacher communications, and school activities. Together, we create an environment where everyone feels welcomed and empowered to succeed.

Thank you for being a vital part of our Hillcrest family.
Wishing you all a joyful and successful start to the year!

• Click the button below to start the pre-screening process.

• Eligibility: Your child must turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year.

• For Junior Kindergarten and SDSU Kindergarten:

• Register your child using the same form for Kindergarten Screening. There is an option to indicate your interest in these programs at the end of the form, so make sure to do so.

• During the process, you'll learn about Junior Kindergarten and SDSU Kindergarten and how students are selected.

• Junior Kindergarten and SDSU Kindergarten students must also turn 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025.
  
  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC06MQXrgqmau0VQC3yU02yNskjJHAvjaTkOjuXeo1N2CSHQ/viewform

Thank you for your continued support in making our school community welcoming and inclusive for everyone. As part of this, we kindly ask that families reserve the designated handicap parking spots for those who need them.

Additionally, when waiting in line during drop-off or pick-up, please be mindful not to block access to these spaces so they remain available at all times. Your cooperation helps ensure that every member of our community can navigate the campus safely and comfortably.

We appreciate your understanding and thoughtfulness in helping us create an accessible and supportive environment for all.

To help maintain a focused and engaging learning environment, we kindly ask that students leave toys, trinkets, and non-school-related items at home. While we understand the excitement these items can bring, they can sometimes become distractions during the school day.

Our goal is to ensure that all students can fully participate in learning and social activities without unnecessary interruptions. If your child needs to bring an item for a specific classroom activity or project, teachers will communicate directly with you.

Thank you for your support in fostering a positive and focused atmosphere for our learners.

To ensure a smooth and safe morning drop-off for everyone, we kindly remind families that if you need to get out of your vehicle for any reason, please park in the designated parking lot.

Remaining in your vehicle during drop-off keeps traffic moving efficiently and helps us maintain a safe environment for our students. When vehicles are stopped in the drop-off lane for extended periods, it can create congestion and safety concerns for other families.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to making drop-off a safe and positive experience for all. Your partnership is greatly appreciated!

For student safety, all parents must have a visitor badge to be on the playground or nearby sidewalks. This includes walking your child around the building, as we can’t determine if it’s a quick drop-off or if you’ll stay longer. Without a badge, you will be asked to acquire one in the office. Please do not park in the drop-off lane. If you leave your vehicle or someone waits for you in your vehicle, park in the lot. Thank you for your cooperation!

To ensure a smooth dismissal, please communicate any pick-up changes by 2:30 p.m. This allows us time to deliver messages effectively, as we cannot guarantee they’ll reach students after this cutoff. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and organized!

At Hillcrest Elementary, we expect students to be respectful, responsible, and safe in all areas of the school. This means following directions from adults, using kind words and actions with peers, and taking care of school property. In the classroom, students should be ready to learn, participate actively, and listen when others are speaking. During recess and lunch, we ask students to play safely, include others, and resolve conflicts peacefully. By following these guidelines, our students help create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone. Please talk with your student about appropriate behavior at school.

Consistent school attendance is essential for your child’s academic success and social development. Each day of learning builds on the last, helping students stay engaged and confident in their progress. Regular attendance also fosters strong relationships with peers and teachers, creating a sense of community and belonging. Thank you for making daily attendance a priority to support your child's growth and achievement.

As the weather changes, we want to remind everyone to dress your child appropriately for outdoor activities. Please ensure your student comes to school with weather-appropriate clothing such as coats, hats, gloves, and waterproof shoes, as we follow our outdoor guidelines and will have recess and activities outside unless conditions are unsafe. Layers are also a great option as they help students stay comfortable throughout the day.

Thank you for helping us keep your child comfortable and ready for a great day of learning and play!

If you use Pinterest, check out this link! It has fun and easy activities you can do at home with your child. These ideas are a great way to keep learning exciting and enjoyable.

This resource may say it’s for distance learning, but it has wonderful activities for kindergarten learners to try at home. The ideas are fun and help support learning in an easy way. Give them a try and see how much your child enjoys them!

Jan. 17: End of Quarter 2

Jan. 20: No School...Staff Development Day

Feb. 11: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4:00-7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4:00-7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14: No School for ECE - 5th Grade

Feb. 17: No School, President's Day

Feb. 21: Kindergarten Screening, No School for Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Students

Feb. 24: Kindergarten Screening, No School for Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Students

Feb. 25: Spring Pictures

March 7: No School, BSD Hosting the State Debate & Individual Events Tournament

March 21: End of 3rd Quarter

April 18-21: No School