Friday News - March 19, 2021

Friday, March 19, 2021


 

Hillcrest Elementary School

Friday News

March 19, 2021

Dear Hillcrest Families,

We’ve had a busy week of Parent-Teacher Conferences and I hope you enjoyed the chance to connect with your child’s teachers! Each year, conferences provide a valuable opportunity for our teachers to build strong relationships with families and for families to learn about their children’s progress.  I am so grateful for the investment of time and effort from our teachers and families.  Thank you very much! 

Some important news items for the week: 

  • Most Hillcrest families have completed the Return to In-Person Learning Survey that was sent home last week.  Mrs. Prokowich and Mrs. Pareja have also been making follow-up phone calls. If you have not shared your plans with us via the survey or a phone call, please call us at 413-863-9526 or use this link to complete the survey: https://forms.gle/pJ2JK1b9ycP6jHQC7.

  • Some families have had questions about our daily schedule for in-person learning when we shift from hybrid learning to full-time in-person learning.  Here are the key details:

    • The Preschool day will begin at 8:45 and end at 11:30.

    • The Kindergarten day will begin at 8:35 and end at 3:15.

    • The First Grade day will begin at 8:35 and end at 3:15. 

  • It’s Kindergarten Registration time in Gill-Montague!  All Gill-Montague residents who turn five before September 1, 2021, are eligible for full-day kindergarten during the 2021-2022 school year. Registration packets were mailed out to residents this week.  If you have a neighbor, friend or family member who needs a registration packet, please ask them to call the Office of Pupil Services at 413-863-7508. We would appreciate receiving all kindergarten registration materials by April 26, 2021. More information on registration can be found at www.grmsd.org.

  • Hillcrest Preschoolers who are eligible for kindergarten are already registered in our system and do not need to complete additional registration paperwork.  The only documentation needed are updated immunization records and documentation of your child’s five year old pediatric well visit. 

  • Details on registration for NEW preschoolers will be announced in early April.  

  • Pooled testing for Covid-19 is underway here at Hillcrest.  If you wish to have your child participate in pooled testing, please follow the consent process as outlined in the attached letter.  Pooled testing is one of many mitigation strategies that we have established to protect the health of our entire community. If you have questions about pooled testing, please contact Hillcrest School Nurse, Melissa Bednarski, at 413-863-2638.

 

PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES

  • Monday, April 5th -- Return to In-Person Learning -- 5 days a week

  • Tuesday, April 6th -- Hillcrest School Council Meeting @ 3:30

  • Wednesday, April 7th @ 6:30 -- Kindergarten Q & A via Zoom (more details to follow)

  • Monday, April 12th -- Friends of Hillcrest Meeting @ 5:00

Wishing you a wonderful weekend ---

Sarah Burstein

Sarah Burstein, Hillcrest Principal