Friday News - December 16, 2022

Friday, December 16, 2022

Hillcrest Elementary School

Friday News

December 16, 2022

 

Dear Hillcrest Families,

 

While many children love a Snow Day, some of our students may have been disappointed because we were unable to hold our All School Meeting today.  Our students who had planned to present their learning today were really looking forward to their time on stage and they may be wondering about when their turn will come.  We will reschedule this All School Meeting and I will send home an announcement of the new date on Monday afternoon.  

 

A few important news items:

  • Report cards will now be sent home on Monday, December 20th due to the Snow Day.  Please take some time to review your student’s report card with them and acknowledge their accomplishments.  Each Hillcrest student has made important progress during the first trimester and that’s worth celebrating! 

  • With winter weather finally here, please keep in mind that we may have Two Hour Delays due to snow and ice.  On Two Hour Delay Days, 

    • The school day begins at 10:30. The building will open for students at 10:20.

    • Breakfast is not served.

    • There is no school for preschoolers in our half-day program.  If we have a Two Hour Delay on a Friday, there will be no school for all preschoolers. 

  • Despite several messages about vehicle safety during arrival and dismissal, we are still seeing  many drivers disregarding the school expectations and state regulations during this time of day.  Here is a reminder from our Hillcrest Family Handbook regarding Arrival & Dismissal: 

Arrival

  • Front Traffic Circle: Rolling Drop-Off in the front traffic circle for first grade and kindergarten students only. During Rolling Drop-Off, please keep in mind that you must follow all traffic regulations concerning school buses.  Drivers must remain in the drop-off lane until they reach the front of the line; drivers may not cut out of the line. Please be aware of the flashing lights and stop signs on our school buses and school vans. Students should wait for a Hillcrest staff member to assist them in exiting the vehicle (passenger side only). 

  • Griswold Street Parking Lot: Preschool Families should use this parking area and walk their children to their designated preschool doorway. 

  • Hillcrest staff members will be on duty to welcome students at 8:20 a.m. Please do not drop your children off at school prior to 8:20 a.m. 

  • Children who arrive via school bus will be dropped off at the front traffic circle and will be greeted by a Hillcrest staff member. 

Dismissal

  • First grade students will be dismissed to a family member or caregiver in their designated locations along the sidewalk adjacent to the first grade wing. 

  • Kindergarten students will be dismissed to a family member or caregiver in their designated locations in the Griswold Street Courtyard Area.

  • Preschool students will be dismissed to a family member or caregiver in the designated area adjacent to their classrooms. 

  • Families who transport their children home from school should park their vehicles in the Griswold Street parking lot.   Please be extra cautious as this lot gets crowded in the afternoons. Supervise your children carefully as you walk through the lot and be patient when parking and pulling out of the lot. There will be no Rolling Dismissal or family parking at the front traffic circle in the afternoon. This area will be used for bus dismissals only. 

  • Children who depart via school bus will be supervised by school staff while waiting for the bus and while boarding the bus. School buses will use the front traffic circle. 

  • Please review these expectations carefully and be sure to share them with all family members and caregivers who drop off or pick up your child.  Please use caution and drive slowly whenever you are in one of our school parking areas.  In the morning, the preferred mode of drop-off for kindergarten and first graders is Rolling Drop-Off. If you are going to park your car and walk your child to the entry doors, please use the Griswold Street Parking lot. 

  • On a related note, attached to this week’s email is a letter about the Walking School Bus from Stacey Langknecht, Gill-Montague Family Engagement Coordinator.  Please be sure to check out this letter and this opportunity to learn about a new initiative. 

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend –

Sarah Burstein, Hillcrest Principal

 

Important dates

  • December 23 - January 2 – School Vacation