Hillsdale Herald

Hello Hillsdale families and WELCOME to all our new families!! We hope you are enjoying your summer!

We are working hard to get ready for the reopening of school on August 31st. Please check out the school supply lists below, if you did not purchase a school kit last spring. Please note, school kits that were ordered will be (have been) delivered to your home due to the construction at HDE this summer. Your child's teacher will let you know when they are ready for students to bring in their school supplies. Kits can no longer be ordered.

Class Assignments & First Day of School

You should be able to see your child's teacher through Parent Portal in mid-August. You will hear from your child's teacher before school starts and all teachers will be on the playground to meet their students the first day of school. Hillsdale is NOT participating in Elementary Sneak-a-Peek due to our renovations.

Back to School Night - Parents/Guardians only

Mark your calendars and plan to meet your child's teacher

• Tuesday, Sept 8th - grades K-2, 6:00-7:00pm
• Wednesday, Sept 9th - grades 3-5, 6:00-7:00pm

You will have the opportunity to meet your child's teacher and learn about the upcoming year.

We welcome these people to Hillsdale this year.

• Kindergarten - Ms. Patel (Mrs. Warner has moved to Mary C Howse, we wish her the best!)
• 3rd grade - Mrs. Keefe (Ms. Peterson is going to 4th grade)
• English Language - Ms. Gonzalez (Mrs. R. King is on sabbatical this year)

Please note, the school office is open Monday-Thursday 8am -4pm this summer. We are closed on Fridays through August 21st. We are located at Glen Acres Elementary this summer.

Thank you,

Mrs. Paige Merten

Principal

If you have driven by Hillsdale this summer, you have seen some MAJOR changes taking place!

The entire front of the school is being re-designed inside and out! We are very excited about the NEW student bathrooms across from the gym and cafeteria. The school office, nurse's office, and maintenance areas inside are almost finished and our driveways, bus lane, and drop-off/pick-up areas are changing! We will have new directions about all of that in our August Newsletter.

The Middle Pod is being completely updated to match our Upper and Lower Pods - walls and doors! As well as offices in the middle for our School Psychologist, Counselor, Instructional Coach and Speech and Language Pathologist. The Library is also getting a whole new look - renovations, new bookcases, flooring and layout!

Our office is relocated to Glen Acres Elementary School until August 20th.

Hillsdale's new look - coming THIS summer!

Please be reminded of the mandated health information that is required for students in particular grades. We want to be sure you have the information you need in order to comply with the state mandate.

Kindergarten and all newly registered students:

1. Physical examination report dated after September 2025
2. Dental examination report dated after September 2025. A blank dental form can be found below.
3. Report of up to date PA state mandated immunizations. The required immunizations include: Dtap, Polio, Hepatitis B, Varicella (chicken pox) and MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella). Immunization dates must be verified in writing by your Health Care Provider.

   
   

   The Chester County Health Department will provide immunizations free to any child who does not have insurance covering immunizations. Please contact them at 610-344-6468 for information when they will reopen.

3rd Grade Dental Exams

If you have a child(ren) who will be in 3rd grade for the 26 - 27 school year.

PA State mandates require that all 3rd grade students have a dental examination. The report can be dated any time after September 2025, and can be sent to me via email or brought to school.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Eileen Champi, School Nurse, at echampi@wcasd.net.

If your child is participating in Orchestra, Band, Chorus, Intramural Sports - an Activity Fee will need to be paid.

The Elementary Activity Fee for students in grades 3-5 is $29.00. Once you have paid the Activity Fee, your child may participate in one or multiple-funded activities and the maximum amount a family may pay per year is $250. If you have any questions or concerns with the Activity Fee.

Please see here for more information about the WCASD Activity Fee.

Our district is committed to ensuring that no student is denied participation in an extra-curricular because of cost concerns. Families experiencing financial hardship can find information regarding financial help on our website or through your school caseworker.

If you are new to HDE, you will receive an email from Pick Up Patrol to set up your account before school starts - usually the last week of August.

August

Mon 8/31 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

September

Fri 9/4 - Early Dismissal (12:05) - No lunch served

Mon 9/7- NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Tues. 9/8 - K, 1st, 2nd Back-to-School Night 6pm - English;

6:15pm - Spanish

Wed 9/9 - 3rd, 4th, 5thBack-to-School Night 6pm - English;

6:15pm - Spanish

Fri 9/11 - PTO Welcome Back Bash

Thurs 9/17 - PTO meeting 6:30pm in the Upper Library and on Zoom.

Mon 9/21 - NO SCHOOL - Yom Kippur

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://hde.wcasd.net/
Location: 725 West Market Street, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 484-266-2001
InstaGram: @HDEhuskies