Hillcrest, Oct. Family Newsletter
Top 10 Reasons to Come to School Every Day
1. Stronger Learning – Each day builds on the last; missing even one makes it harder to catch up.
2. Confidence Grows – Regular attendance helps children feel prepared and successful.3. Better Friendships – Kids who attend daily are more connected with their classmates.
4. Positive Habits – Coming on time every day builds responsibility and lifelong routines.
5. Teacher Support – Children learn best when they can participate in daily lessons and receive immediate feedback.
6. Special Activities – Fun events, projects, and celebrations often happen throughout the week.
7. Teamwork Matters – Classmates count on each other to contribute and share ideas.
8. Improved Achievement – Good attendance is directly linked to higher reading and math growth.
9. Sense of Belonging – Being present every day helps students feel like an important part of their school community.
10. Future Success – Daily attendance in elementary school sets the foundation for middle school, high school, and beyond.
Attendance Matters!
Daily attendance is one of the most important factors in your child’s success at school. Even missing just a few days can make it harder for children to keep up. By making school attendance a daily priority, you are giving your child the best chance to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We have started some fun class and school rewards as we start tracking our daily school attendance.
Attendance Rockstars
One class from every grade level is awarded the "Attendance Rockstars" award each week to celebrate their class's efforts on improving their attendance. Those classes earn the travelling set of rubber ducks that get to join them for the week. This has been an exciting and fun addition to our week!
Show Up & Shine Bright!
Classes are also keeping track of days when they have perfect attendance - meaning every learner is in the classroom and ready to start learning by 8:30 a.m. If they have a day with perfect attendance, they will color a letter on a poster. When all of the letters are colored, that class will earn a reward, such as pajama day, hat day, or extra recess. Classroom teachers will communicate these rewards through Dojo when they are earned.
Please help us in our efforts to improve attendance at Hillcrest. We want every learner at school and on time as much as possible. We understand that illness and family trips happen - we are just working really hard to improve our overall attendance so that every child is at school and learning!
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's educational journey. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by phone, at 605-696-4600, or by email, at kate.mogard@k12.sd.us.
Kate Mogard
Hillcrest Elementary Principal
Attendance Rockstars
Mrs. Gunderson's Class
Go Bobcats!
Mrs. Leite's Class
Computer Skills
Mrs. Schneider's Class
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You can also view your balance and add money to your account here.
Help Needed! Our PTA has been busy planning and organizing events for the year. Our first upcoming events are the FALL BOOK FAIR and PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE MEALS. Please visit these sign-up links and consider signing up to help. Thank you to all parents who support Hillcrest and our staff!
Book Fair Helpers (sign up for 1-hour shifts): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BAAA92AABFB6-58778566-fall#/
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Meals (sign up to send in items to help with meals for staff): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BAAA92AABFB6-59115506-2025#/
Monetary Donations (to help with the cost of meals for staff): https://my.cheddarup.com/c/conference-meals-84485/items
Receive information from the school district and choose the buildings you want information from by downloading the app for your device below. Be sure you have Hillcrest checked for notifications!
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Important Brookings School District Dates
- October 7 & 9: Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 10: No School & Parent/Teacher Conferences
- October 13: No School (Native American Day)
- October 23: Picture Retake Day
- November 26 - 28: No School (Comp Day & Thanksgiving Break)
- December 19: Noon Dismissal (Bell Debate) & Start of Winter Break
- December 22 - January 4: Winter Break
- January 5: Teacher Work Day (No School)
- January 6: Welcome Back!
Visit our District Calendar Page for more dates and information!
