The Nest

Dear Hillcrest Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am thrilled to embark on this journey with you and your children. As we enter this new school year, our commitment to providing a nurturing and inspiring learning environment remains steadfast. Throughout the year, we will focus on cultivating a culture of curiosity, respect, and academic excellence.

Our hard-working and conscientious custodians have thoroughly cleaned the facility the entire summer. I would like to thank our main office staff, who worked with me behind the scenes to prepare for the new year. Their support and dedication are greatly appreciated. Our teachers and support staff have been busy preparing classrooms and gathering resources to support your children's instruction.

In addition, the Hillcrest PTO and PBIS team is gearing up to welcome families, provide volunteer opportunities, and offer other exciting events and programs for all of our students and families.

The first day of school for grades K-5 will be Thursday, September 5th. The first day of school for Pre-K will be Monday, September 9th. Before school starts, please review the guidelines for a successful year, as outlined in the Hillcrest Parent Handbook posted on the school website. Preparedness is essential!

Information regarding your child’s teacher, bus information, lunch forms, and emergency forms will be posted in Genesis. We ask that all families complete and return the Free/Reduced Lunch paperwork, as it aids the district in receiving state funding. Please log into your Genesis Parent Portal account to receive all this critical information. School Supply Lists are available by grade level on the HIL website. Please remember to label all of your child’s removable clothing, as well as their book bag and snack box or bag. This helps the student and staff keep track of belongings.

Communication is a key pillar of our school community, and we encourage open dialogue to ensure a successful partnership. Our school website, weekly newsletters sent via email, and regular parent-teacher meetings will inform you about important events, updates, and your child's progress. You may also access the newsletter on our school social media accounts and the Hillcrest Website.

This year's theme is “Hillcrest School is a CommUNITY of learners!” Every member of the Hillcrest community is a learner; administration, faculty/staff, parents, and students...we are all in this TOGETHER!

The start of each new school year brings excitement and enthusiasm, and we look forward to filling the school’s halls and classrooms with your children. My door is always open, and I genuinely welcome your input and support. If you need anything, I can be reached at lvaccaro@franklinboe.org or 732-246-0170.

Thank you for your partnership. On behalf of the Hillcrest School Staff, I would like to express our gratitude for your support. We look forward to a wonderful school year and the start of a strong home-school connection. We are looking forward to seeing you and your children soon!

Warmest Regards,

Mrs. Vaccaro

Summer is not just for staff and students rejuvination. Our building has also been refreshed as well. In addition to the deep cleaning of every nook and cranny in the building, Hillcrest saw the following upgrades/changes:

• Twelve classrooms had new flooring installed.
• Instrumental Music has a dedicated space to conduct their lessons.
• The Main Office, hallways, and front entrance were repainted.
• Hillcrest Banner installed in foyer and main hallway.
• The display case in the foyer will be utilized by our PTO.

Thank you to Mr. McNamara, Mr. Ortiz, the Hillcrest Custodial Team, and the entire Buildings and Grounds staff. They have our grounds sparkling and ready to receive our teachers and students!

Regular attendance is essential to school success. Parents/guardians must ensure that all school-aged children attend school regularly. School personnel will promptly communicate attendance problems or concerns to parents/guardians per Board Policy.

When a child is unable to attend school, please call the attendance office (732) 246-0170 prompt #1 or email Ms. Coriell at HILattendance@franklinboe.org as soon as it is known that your child will be absent but not later than 9:30 A.M. on the day of the absence and leave the following information:

Student’s first and last name

Teacher’s name

Date of Absence

Reason for absence

It is important to remember that parents/guardians must submit a note or medical documentation explaining each absence. A medical excuse from their physician is required when a student is absent for more than three (3) consecutive days. Such notes must be submitted within five (5) days of the student’s return to school.

➔ Under New Jersey law and regulation, individual Boards of Education determine categories of absences, which the District will consider “excused”. Regulation 5200 states the Franklin Township Board of Education’s definition of excused and unexcused absences. Any absence that does not fall into one of the categories listed in the policy is considered “unexcused.”

Notes must also be submitted for absences for family travel or vacations, performance of household or babysitting duties, and other daytime activities unrelated to the school program; however, these are “unexcused” absences.

Parental permission is not considered an excused absence.

If you, as a parent/guardian, are planning an extended leave from school for more than 10 consecutive school days, it's important to follow the correct procedure. You must visit the Franklin Township Board of Education webpage and complete a transfer out form. This will result in the student being withdrawn from school. Upon return, you must re-register the student online before they can resume their studies.

When a student accumulates four (4), eight (8), and ten (10) days of unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be notified by mail. By communicating and working together, parents/guardians, students, and the school can develop and implement effective strategies to improve student attendance and academic achievement.

It should be noted that students who accumulate ten (10) unexcused absences or who show a pattern of truancy will be referred to the Truant Officer. Additional unexcused absences or truancy will result in referral to the Franklin Township Municipal Court.

Students must be present for at least four hours to be considered present for a full day of school.

School is in session from 8:55 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. We strongly encourage all students eligible for district-provided transportation to utilize the service.

Students who are not arriving at school by bus are to arrive at 8:35 A.M. Students must not be “dropped off” earlier as we do not have supervision of students available before this time. Doors will close at 8:50 A.M. to allow students to reach their class by the start of instructional time. Students will be marked “tardy” after 8:50 A.M. Late arrival disrupts class and causes a loss of instruction time. Any student who arrives at school after 8:55 A.M. is considered tardy. The parent MUST accompany the child into the building and sign the student in. The student will be provided a tardy slip.

Below is a map of the building with designations of the arrival and dismissal process.

All students riding buses will be sent home on their assigned bus unless the school has been notified in writing or via email that a parent will pick the child up at school prior to the dismissal of students. Parents can enter the main office no later than 2:45 P.M. and dismiss their children from school by signing the Student Sign In/Out Book.

→Students may only change their bus assignment or bus stop with explicit permission from the transportation department (732) 828-6620.

→If a change in bus assignment is needed because of childcare, the parent or guardian must complete a “Babysitting” transportation department form no less than four (4) days before the required change. Transportation to a babysitter must be available every day of the week. Babysitting transportation is only available if a stop is on an already-established bus route.

→A bus number is displayed on all buses/vans. Please make sure that your child knows his/her bus number. The driver will assign all students a seat on his/her bus. Good conduct is expected; bus misconduct will be handled through a bus referral/parent reporting system. The student code of conduct lists the consequences for misbehavior.

→When parents change their addresses, they MUST bring proof of residency to the Board Office and allow three (3) workdays to implement the transportation change.

➔All questions should be directed to Ms. Teri Peterson, Transportation Safety Coordinator, at 732.828.6620 tpeterson@franklinboe.org.

Every attempt should be made to ensure that students remain at school for the entire instructional day. Should a situation require you to pick your child up during the school day, please notify the classroom teacher AND the main office as soon as possible.

Before leaving, you must sign your child out in the office. If you are sending someone other than yourself, you must provide written permission. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of your child. No one will dismiss students without written parental consent. Individuals should be prepared to present identification.

Instruction continues until the end of the school day. Therefore, after 2:45 p.m., students will not be dismissed until 3:10, and parents are to pick up their students on the pickup line.

September 1- Labor Day

September 5- First Day of School Grades K-5

September 9- First Day of School for Pre-K

September 11- October 10- PBIS Fundraiser: Battle of Spare Change

September 12- Family Fun Event- Back to School Bash- 5:00-6:30 PM

September 17- Back to School Night @ 6:00 PM

September 26- Board of Education Meeting @BAC 7:30-9:30 PM

September 27- Spirit Day

Looking Ahead:

October 15- PTO Meeting & PTO/PBIS Pumpkin Painting Fundraiser 7:00 PM

October 24- PTO Trunk or Treat/Clothing Drive

Click to view the 2024-2025 District Calendar

Hillcrest is now on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter)!! We will be utilizing these social media platforms to share the amazing things happening in our school. Be sure to follow us!

Instagram: hillcrestschool_ftps

X: @HIL_FTPSchools

Stay tuned for posts throughout the 2024-2025 school year!

The Hillcrest Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) consists of dedicated parents and teachers who volunteer their time to enhance the school experience at Hillcrest School. We aim to create a more enjoyable and enriching environment for students, teachers, families, and staff.

Why Join the Hillcrest PTO?

• Support Educational Programming: Help plan and run events and programs that benefit all Hillcrest students.
• Build Community: Connect with other parents and teachers, fostering a strong school community.
• Make a Difference: Contribute to making Hillcrest a fun and engaging place for learning and growth.

Membership Details:

• Dues: $5.00
• Meetings: Held on the third Tuesday of every month @ 7:00 p.m.

Translation will be available.

Stay tuned for more information on how to get involved and positively impact Hillcrest School!