Weekend Update!
Friday April 5th, 2024
Good Afternoon!
Spring break, here we come! I hope you and your families enjoy the time off. If you are traveling, please do so safely!
Please See The Following For Next Week And Beyond!
Eclipse Tips!
The Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th, and it will be an exciting event! Depending on where you are during our break, you will see varying amounts of the sun. If you can visit the path of totality, the experience you will see will be once in a lifetime (the next total eclipse that will pass through CT will be May 1, 2079!!).
The site below will allow you to pinpoint precisely what you will see at your location and when you should look (using solar glasses!!).
- Open this link https://eclipse2024.org/eclipse_cities/statemap.html
- Find and click the location you will be at during the solar eclipse on the map. A box will pop up.
- Click on the BLUE extension that says, “Open Eclipse2024.org's eclipse simulator for _______”
- Click the “I agree” box.
- The bottom right-hand side has the information you need for the day of the Eclipse, including how much of the sun will be covered and what time it begins, peaks, and ends!
Please remember when viewing the eclipse, you MUST do so using appropriate eyewear. Sunglasses will not cut it. Please refer to the CSDE Eclipse Memo provided by the State Department of Education for more information. I hope you are able to check it out! Thank you to Miss Ardito for putting this together!
Important Update on the New Hillcrest Middle School
On Tuesday evening, the board of education unanimously voted to approve educational specifications on the new Hillcrest. The entire document can found here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1711116129/trumbullpsorg/ohhm7uqln62vj4ypgdjo/3-26-24.pdf
This is the document that the town/district intends to send to the state for consideration for construction reimbursement. It is our hope that a referendum appears on the ballot in the November election. It is critical that our families stay engaged in this process. This new building is not a want. It is a need. When reviewing this document and speaking with people in town about this project, please remember the following:
- While Hillcrest is not the oldest building, it has not seen a renovation or upgrade of any kind since its opening in 1967. That makes our building having gone the longest in the district without any major work done.
- Our building is the only school in the district without sprinklers.
- Our highest enrollment in the next ten years is projected to be 826 students. We currently have 789 students, which is the largest population we have had in my 11 years as an administrator at Hillcrest.
The document will now go to the town council. Please stay engaged and informed as this process unfolds. We cannot make this a reality without your support!
Teacher Appreciation Week
Please see this flyer from the PTA regarding teacher appreciation week!
Author Visit
Thanks to the collaboration of our PTA and our ELA/Reading department leader, Miss Gabriel, our 7th grade students had a virtual visit with Caitlin Alifirenka, author of the Grade 7 book, I Will Always Write Back!
Yearbook News
We have sold 75% of our yearbooks so far, and we are on track to sell out completely. Guarantee a 23-24 Hillcrest yearbook for your student by ordering online today: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01090300. Not sure if you’ve already ordered? Check your email for a receipt from Jostens.
8th Grade Lawn Signs!
Spring Concert Dates
We are excited that our spring concerts are right around the corner! The schedule is as follows:
- 4/30: Band and Orchestra beginning at 7PM at THS
- 5/1: Chorus beginning at 7PM at THS
See you there!
District Climate Survey
The Trumbull Public Schools are conducting their annual District Climate Survey. The link can be found here. This information will help us narrow our priorities for the 24-25 school year. Thank you for your participation!
8th Grade Save the Date(s)!
I know many of our 8th grade families have been patiently waiting for information on our end of the year activities! I am excited to share the following:
- The 8th Grade Dance will be at THS on Thursday 6/6 from 6-8PM
- 8th Grade Stepping Forth with be at THS at 1PM on 6/7
- The 8th Grade Breakfast will be on the morning of 6/10 (time is TBD)
Stay tuned for more information soon!
Student Fees
Now that we are in the third trimester of the school year, the district has asked schools to make a pointed effort to collect outstanding fees. These fees could be from missing library books, missing sports uniforms, and/or damaged Chromebooks. We will work with families to reconcile these balances so that students do not miss out on any spring/end of the year activities. Thank you for your support with this!
Trumbull Kids Triathalon!
PTA Lake Compounce Tickets
SALE EXTENDED! Order your tickets by 4/15/24. Pick up at HMS on 4/18 (reach out to hillcrestmspta@gmail.com for alternate arrangements if needed).
The flyer can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZsiHFL1qOBvX4Et9KburguinUqi3T7z/view?usp=share_link
What Are We Reading at Hillcrest?
1. This week, our staff checked out this website to see more about the upcoming eclipse!
2. Mrs. Laird and I are currently reading Managing the Madness: A Practical Guide to Middle Grades Classrooms by Jack Berckemeyer. Jack is an extraordinary author, educator, and speaker who we have seen present at a number of workshops. This book integrates humor and innovative strategies on how to best educate and engage our students.
Stay Connected with the PTA!
Want to be the first to know when fun student activities are happening? Or where to buy Spiritwear? All PTA information can be found on Membership Toolkit. Sign up today at https://hillcrestmspta.membershiptoolkit.com
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedure
As a reminder, please be cautious of the students who are walking to school as you are driving through our parking lot and campus. Also, students should not be dropped off or picked up in the Agriscience parking lot. Thank you!
Safety
We strive on a daily basis to provide a safe environment for all students, and to promote safe practices with them as well. We will continue to educate students about what safe behavior looks like and what our expectations are for safe behaviors. We see this as a partnership with our families. I ask that you please remind your children to be kind to each other, to keep their hands to themselves, and that there is never an acceptable time or moment to use slurs of any kind. This article from the American Psychological Association gives families tips on how to potentially address way to have these discussions.
Hillcrest on Social Media!
Did you know that Hillcrest has its own Instagram page and Twitter feed? Follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hillcrestmshawks/. Follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HMSTrumbull/ . This is a great resource for families to get a glimpse of day to day life at Hillcrest!
Volunteer Forms
If you think you may be interested in volunteering at some point this year for a Hillcrest event, please fill out this form and return it to the main office. Thank you!
Bus Tracker
If you are interested in using the Durham Bus tracker app, directions can be found here.
Infinite Campus
Please see this flyer on helpful tips to navigate the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus.
Mr. Bryan Rickert
Email: brickert@trumbullps.org
Website: https://hms.trumbullps.org/
Location: Hillcrest Middle School, Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull, CT, USA
Phone: 203-452-4466
Twitter: @HMSTrumbull