PHT Paws-itively News

Dear Page Hilltop Families:

We started the summer with a continuation of the mostly rainy weather that we experienced for most of the spring. Now, as the month of August has begun, we are seeing some sunny and pleasant weather. Hopefully this will continue for the school openings that are only a few weeks away.

Please keep in mind that we actually celebrate 3 separate school openings for students in different grades. You will see them all listed in a different section of this newsletter.

Whether you are "veteran" parents who have already had at least one child attend Page Hilltop, or parents who will be members of our school community for the very first time, please know how happy we are to connect with you for the 2023 - 2024 school year.

We haven't even begun the year but I already know that it will be an outstanding year of learning, growth and exciting adventures!

You will be receiving this newsletter every other week via your email. Please watch for it and enjoy reading it with the entire family. There will be all kinds of news updates along with lots of photos.

Thanks, as always, for sharing your children with us!

Fred Deppe, Principal

Matt Lutinski, Assistant Principal

As previously mentioned, we will host 3 different school openings:

• August 30th - all grades 1 - 5 students come to school for the first day
• September 5th - all kindergarten students come to school for the first day
• September 11th - all preschool students come to school for the first day

For students in grades K - 5 the school day runs from 8:45 - 3:15.

Preschool students attend either a morning session or an afternoon session. You will soon be receiving additional information if your child will be attending preschool.

Parents may choose to have their child ride a big yellow school bus OR drive them to school in private vehicles. You may also switch off between these two options.

• If your child will be riding a school bus, you will see the bus routes posted on the school district website in the next couple weeks. They will list bus #s, routes, individual bus stops and approx. P/U times. Students do NOT need a bus pass. However students are only allowed to ride one bus. They can NOT ride different busses on different days, etc.
• If you are planning to drive your child to school, you should plan to arrive at the Page Hilltop entrance (top of the hill) between 8:25 - 8:40. You will see a single line of traffic. You follow the line and do not need to get out of your car. School staff will greet you and help escort your child inside.

We are pleased to announce that school lunches will be FREE for ALL students again this year. This includes breakfast if you want your child to have some. At the beginning of each month you will receive a lunch menu for that month. The lunch menu will also be posted in the Smores newsletter. Students may swap between school lunch and home lunch any day they like. You may want to sit with your child, read over the monthly menu, and highlight the days that they wish to take school lunch.

Help us "Fill the Fridge" with different drinks for our teachers and staff for back to school trainings starting August 28th.

You can drop off sodas (regular or diet), waters, sports drinks, snacks, etc. at the front office starting today! If no one is available, feel free to leave it labeled with your student's name and "Fill the Fridge".

If it is easier, you may also choose to send some snack directly to Page Hilltop using our Amazon Wishlist and it will be added to our teacher's room for our staff to enjoy!

We have 2 open positions on our PTO Board for this year. This is a great way to be involved in the school community and help decide what fundraisers / events / activities our school should participate in.

If any parent is interested in joining the PTO Board, or would just like to hear more about these positions, please contact the school and we will connect you with the right people.

PTO Website -- LINK

PTO Facebook Page -- Link

BOX TOPS
YES, Page Hilltop can still earn with Box Tops! CLICK HERE to learn more about Box Tops for Education.

We will be hosting our annual building tours for all of our families.

• Building tours are for students of all grades.
• Building tours are open to any new student / family or our returning students / families.
• Tours will be hosted by some of our student leaders as well as former students.
• Mr. Deppe, Mr. Lutinski and our school adjustment counselors will be there to greet students & families as well as answer any questions you may have.
• Students will have an opportunity to pick up a new backpack and / or some school supplies if they should need any.
• Students will be treated to an ice cream sundae at the conclusion of the tour.
• Please note that this is not a "teacher meet & greet time".
• You may attend a tour at any of the following dates / times. Just come to the Page Hilltop entrance. No reservations are required.

Tuesday, August 22nd from 9:00 - 10:30 am

Thursday, August 24th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Thursday, August 24th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

All incoming kindergarten students and their families are cordially invited to join us for a special event on Thursday, August 24th from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. This will be held on the school playground.

• You will have a chance to meet teachers and staff
• You will have a chance to network with other parents and, possibly, set up some future playdates
• You will get to check out the play structure
• There will be PTO parents present to answer any question
• All K students will receive a bottle of bubbles and a popsicle

Be sure to mark the date September 27th on your home calendars. This is the evening of our amazing Open House & Welcome Back Picnic! More details regarding these awesome events will be send home but, for now, we wanted to make sure that you kept the date open.

As you enter these upper grades, you will have the opportunity to be involved with our

SCHOOL CHORUS and STUDENT LEADERSHIP CLUB

Stay tuned for more details!

2023/2024 Open Enrollment for students entering Kindergarten-Grade 5

The Ayer Shirley Extended Day Enrichment Program is a fee based program and offers “wrap around” care for students that attend Lura A. White Elementary School and Page Hilltop Elementary School. The program opens at 7:00am and closes at 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. We have space available at both sites.

We have dedicated space in both elementary schools. We are a P.L.A.Y. (Purposeful Learning All Year) based program. We will offer opportunities that will challenge your child to explore, discover, create, and grow at their own pace. Children learn to be cooperative members of a group and how to make their own choices; responsible, decision making, self-regulation and interpersonal skills.

If you are interested in sending your child/ren to the ASRSD Extended Day Enrichment Program this coming school year, fill out the attached 2023/2024 registration form. You can mail it to the Extended Day Enrichment Program, Attn. Maribeth Higgins, 115 Washington Street, Ayer MA 01432, scan (PDF) and send it to mhiggins@asrsd.org, or drop it off at our office at the Page Hilltop Elementary School or the Lura A. White Elementary School front office.

If you have any questions please call Maribeth Higgins at 978-772-8600 ext. 1467 or email at mhiggins@asrsd.org.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SIGN UP FORM