Hillsdale Herald

Welcome to May! We have many exciting events planned for the month! Field trips, Concerts, Track Meet, Hauling for Hillsdale and the High School Senior Walk!

Teacher Appreciation Week

Next week is National Teacher Appreciation Week. We love our teachers every day, but like to especially recognize them this week each year. If you could take the time to send your child's teacher a note of appreciation, it will mean the world to them!

PSSAs

3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students worked hard on their ELA, Math and Science PSSA tests last week and this week. Congrats to all of them!

Thank you!

Thank you to all the parents that came out to help with our 4th Annual Planting day! We are so grateful for the leadership of our Garden Committee and Mrs. Quinn! All 541 students put their hands in the dirt and had a part in preparing and planting our garden for this Spring growing season.

Please scroll down for several opportunities.

You may have seen the dumpsters and materials being delivered to our parking lot as well as the installation of a new fence around the area where the addition will be constructed over the next year. We are expecting construction of the new stairwell outside rooms 109 and 309 to begin soon.

Additionally, you may notice movement in the fields behind the building as we prepare for the upcoming addition. Trucks, trailers, and equipment will be part of our routine moving forward.

This summer, we are completely renovating the Upper and Lower Pods to include 18 large classrooms, a new Reading suite, and other spaces for support teachers. Our office will be relocated to Glen Acres Elementary School from June 16th until August 16th.

As we wind down the school year we would like to acknowledge some of the BIG accomplishments of the Hillsdale Wait Until 8th parent group.

• -Hillsdale is now an active member of the Wait Until 8th pledge group. Over 10 families in 3rd and 1st grade signed the pledge to delay phone use until 8th grade.
• -3rd grade classrooms were gifted with indoor recess "mystery bins" for students to use instead of iPads when they are unable to go outside (see pictures)
• -Local businesses (Urban Air, Treehouse World, Painted Plate, Bowling Palace and others) donated gift cards to share with families to encourage free play and non-screen time activities.

The parent group has grown and is still adding new members. Interested in joining? Email Caroline Gatto @ carolinemalbert@gmail.com to be added to the GroupMe.

Future projects include expanding the "mystery bins" to all grade levels, promoting the parent group at Hillsdale events, partnering with other elementary buildings and getting the word out through community outlets such as the weekly Hello, West Chester newsletter.

Parents who sign the pledge and send confirmation to carolinemalbert@gmail.com will be entered into the lottery for the gift cards to local fun spots for kids.

Most students participate in 2 Field Events & Hurdles, which are where we need the volunteers. These events occur at the same time, so please sign up only once. We may need to change your job day of. Additional jobs for other events will be assigned at the Meet.

Prior to Meet, please visit your school to get your badge to wear on the field. Volunteer Clearances are also required.

Other important directions:

• Park next to the stadium. Do not park in the coned “Buses Only” section. Dismissal Safety is a must.

• When exiting, drive out at the far exit at the bottom of the lot away from buses.

• Report to the 50- yard line at 9:15 for orientation.

• Dress for the weather (layers, rain gear, sun glasses, sun block, hat, water bottle).

• Bring a lunch - no set break, eat between jobs / events when time permits.

• It is unsafe for toddlers or younger children to be on the field when volunteering.

• Weather Reschedule- Only if lightning / heavy rain. Decisions will be made the morning of.

• After the meet, students must ride the bus returning to school to finish their day.

May

5/5 - 5/9 Teacher Appreciation Week

5/12 - 3rd grade concert - Kona truck will be here!

5/13 - 4th & 5th Track Meet

5/15 - PTO meeting 6:30pm

5/16 - Hauling for Hillsdale 5k

5/20 - No School - Teacher Inservice

5/21 - 3rd trip to USTC

5/26 - No School - Memorial Day

5/28 - 5th trip to TCHS

5/29 - 4th trip to Colonial Plantation

5/30 - Field Day

Please note that each child is permitted 5 Family Vacation Days each school year.

Please see K/1 Lunch Duty and K-5 Gaga Pit links below.

With our new Flex Library Schedule, we will no longer be using a sign up link. If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please contact Ms. Szczesny directly at aszczesny@wcasd.net.

If you would like to volunteer in our school this year, please understand the following:

1) Volunteers must have clearances.

2) Younger siblings are not permitted at school while you volunteer.

3) Volunteers are held to the same confidentiality standards as any WCASD employee.

4) While you may see and interact with your child when you are volunteering, you are here to assist all children.

Cómo traducir los boletines Smore Newsletters

Los enlaces para los boletines del distrito WCASD y desde el correo electrónico del director pueden encontrarse también en los sitios web del distrito y de la escuela. La traducción será generada por una máquina por lo que no será completamente exacta.

1. Haga clic en el botón para traducer

2. Haga clic en la fecha para seleccionar el idioma

3. ¡Disfrute el boletín! Las imágenes con palabras no se pueden traducir, para obtener una traducción, envíe un correo electrónico al director.

Si usted prefiere comunicarse en español por favor llame al 484-266-1690 para contactarse con personal escolar.

(If you prefer to speak to a Spanish speaking operator, please call 484-266-1690 to connect with school personnel.)

Email: pmerten@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/Domain/602
Location: 725 West Market Street, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 484-266-2001
Instagram: @hdehuskies