Hillcrest Newsletter
HILLCREST HAPPENINGS
MAY, 2010
Spring has sprung at Hillcrest! Many students, with the assistance of our environmental staff, have been contributing to the greening of our school. You will notice the beautiful plantings in the beds outside the front door, as well as the little garden as you walk up the ramp in the north yard. Additionally, a team of parents, staff and students are cleaning up the courtyard and making a “living” classroom for everyone to use.
With the spring comes new games and activities in the school yard. Trading cards continue to be very popular and we support it, however, please be aware that your child is trading with others. The staff cannot monitor this game, so please chat with your child, and if you are not comfortable with them giving away cards to others, please consider keeping them at home. Further, we encourage bikes and scooters to be ridden to school in the nice weather, with helmets, of course. We are kindly requesting that all bikes and scooters are walked into the school yard and put away, as there have been a few injuries recently. Thank you for your cooperation.
Cell phones- The TDSB has a policy that bans the use of cell phones in every school throughout the school day. Our students are well aware of this policy, and we have found several students using their phones to make calls, or send text messages during the day. Please note that students can bring phones to school, however, they must stay in their bags between 9:00 and 3:30. If you need to communicate with your child throughout the day, please call the school office at 416-393-9700. If your child is using their cell phone, it will be confiscated until we have a meeting with you and your child. Your support is much appreciated.
Track and Field- Our annual Track and Field Day has been confirmed for Friday, May 14 at Forest Hill. We will forward more detailed information shortly. Parent volunteers are most welcome. Please contact Mr. Mckeown or Ms. Whitfield if you are interested in helping out. Thanks very much!
School Organization- 2010-2011- We are actively engaged in the staffing process for the school year. At this time, we have had our school organization approved. Please note, that depending on enrollment changes over the summer, there may be changes in September. Student classroom placements for next year will be forwarded on the last day of school, June 29. The teachers and I devote considerable time and care in placing students, considering individual academic and social needs. At this time, there still may be changes to our teaching staff. When this is finalized, it will be shared with you later in the spring. I appreciate your thoughtful notes regarding placement and we do consider each one carefully. Finally, kindergarten parents, please note, that while we make every effort to meet your request for morning or afternoon placements, it is not always possible. If you have arranged an alternative private child care or nursery program, please advise them of this. Thanks.
Safe Schools Committee- Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Safe Schools committee, we now have a fence that closes in the Nina entrance. While we appreciate that getting used to this change will take some time, we are grateful that it does deter potentially unwanted situations from entering our school yard. Further, we are now getting some responses from Councillor Mihevic’s office regarding traffic and parking safety issues. Once confirmed, we will be able to share it with all of you.
HILLCREST FUNFEST!!- SATURDAY, JUNE 5- 11:00-3:00
Many parents have been working tirelessly to organize another fabulous event for our community. This year, there will be another silent auction. If you are able to donate any items, please email Bev Daniels directly at: daniels_bev@hotmail.com. Also, we are looking for little toys that are in good shape for small loot bags. Please drop them in the box outside of the office. Many thanks to everyone!
DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 5- Welcome to Hillcrest Kindergarten Breakfast- 8:00-8:45- lunch room
May 6- Family Chess Night
May 12- School Council Meeting
May 10- Track and Field Day- Forest Hill- note date change
May 17- Symphony trip- Juniors and rm. 206/201
May 21- Pizza Lunch
May 24- NO SCHOOL- Victoria Day
May 31- Blue Jay Night
Looking Ahead:
June 2, 3, 4- grade 6’s write EQAO
June 7,8,9- grade 3’s write EQAO
June 15- rooms 201, 206, 208, 210 go to Pioneer Village
June 18- Pizza Lunch
June 24- Grade 6 Graduation
June 29- Last day of school for students- 3:30 dismissal