Friday News - March 20, 2020

Friday, March 20, 2020

 


 

Hillcrest Elementary School

Friday News

March 20, 2020

 

Dear Hillcrest Families,

So much has transpired since last week’s edition of Friday News!  The past several days have been confusing for everyone . . . from preschooler to grandparent and everyone in between. There has been so much information for families to navigate -- CDC guidelines, State of Emergency declarations, and communications from GMRSD.  All week long, I have been communicating daily with our Hillcrest teachers and with my administrative colleagues in order to chart a course in this new territory. I am grateful to work in a community with so many knowledgeable, competent and caring people!  

Today, I want to share some small bits of information to keep you well-informed and to avoid overwhelming you with unnecessary details:

  • Each Hillcrest family should have received an email from their child’s teacher this week. If you have not received an email, that means we do not have an active email address on file for you. If that is your situation, please email me directly at sarah.burstein@gmrsd.org so that we can reach out to you with pertinent information.

  • Each grade level has prepared Learning Resource sheets (sent via email) to support families in providing enrichment opportunities during the school closure.  The activities and resources included in these documents are not required; they are offered as opportunities that you may want to participate in. 

  • By next week, you will hear from your child’s teacher about their plans for parent conferences. Most Hillcrest conferences will be conducted via email.  

  • Please be sure to check your email as well as the district and school websites daily for important updates and resources.  On the websites, you will find details about breakfast and lunch pick-up sites, learning resources and community news. 

This time away from school is challenging for all of us and we all miss spending time together!  The predictability of school routines and the opportunities to socialize are a source of comfort for young children and adults as well. That said, the current crisis requires us to put a stop to our usual routines and to follow strict guidelines for social distancing.  Telling our children that playdates are not possible and that hugs and high fives for our friends are off-limits can be very difficult, but those messages are essential right now. The best way for us to stay healthy is to stay home. Until we can all be together again, please know that the Hillcrest staff will be working to find ways to connect virtually and to provide families with learning resources.  Please do not hesitate to contact me via email at sarah.burstein@gmrsd.org with any questions or concerns.

Wishing you good health --

Sarah Burstein, Principal