Husky E-News

Hillendale families,

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Below, please see important information regarding attendance communication especially as it relates to the many clubs and after school activities we have this fall and information from Mrs. Walter, our School Nurse, about screenings upcoming.

Please check out our PTO section below including details about our Husky Hayride (this Wednesday!), Book Fair, "Donuts with Grown-Ups" event, and our Husky Hustle T-Shirt design contest all quickly approaching.

Unionville High School's homecoming football game is this Friday (9/26) at 7 PM. Lenny the Longhorn, along with members of UHS cheerleading, football team and marching band will visit Hillendale this week to get students excited about the game!

As a reminder, school is closed on Tuesday, 9/23.

Have a great week!

Joshua Leight

Hillendale Elementary Principal

If your child is participating in any after school activities here at Hillendale, whether it is a UCFSD led activity or an outside activity organization hosting an after school event at Hillendale, you must email HESattendance@ucfsd.net to alert us of your child's enrollment and confirmation that your child has permission to stay after school for the club. Communicating with the club/organization is not enough - you must also communicate with our office team to ensure accurate dismissal for your child.

When communicating with our office about attendance (absences, early dismissal, tardies, family trips, etc.) please always copy your child's homeroom teacher.

Hearing, vision, and growth (height and weight) screenings of students will be conducted during the school year by school nurses as required by Pennsylvania state regulations.

Why is screening important?

Hearing (K-3rd) The ability to communicate effectively impacts the well-being of a child, in terms of education, physical and social development. Early identification and intervention of hearing loss is critical in supporting speech/language development and full participation in the learning process. Even mild hearing losses may be educationally and medically significant.

Vision (all grades) Vision problems are common amongst school aged children and adolescents. If vision problems are not detected and treated early, they can lead to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties. When a child has an undiagnosed vision problem, it makes it much harder for them to succeed in school, sports, social situations, and in life.

How will the results be shared?

You will receive a health screening report later in the school year summarizing all results.

If your child passes the screening, you will not be immediately notified by your school nurse. You are welcome to contact the nurse to learn the screening findings.

If your child does not pass the screening, the school nurse will contact you to share the results and may make a recommendation for further evaluation by a specialist. School screening provides only a snapshot of how your child performs on the day the screening was administered and is not a substitute for a complete exam.

If you have any questions about the school screening programs, please contact our School Nurse, Mrs. Walter via email at mwalter@ucfsd.net.

Each week this fall, our students and staff will participate in a drill within the Standard Response Protocol.

This past week, students participated in a "Secure" drill. When a "Secure" is called, all students and staff are required to come inside the building. Within the building, it is business as usual. The most common situations for use of a "Secure" are when there is a threat in the local community that does not impact our happenings within the school. Your children and our staff did a terrific job!

I encourage you to spend a few minutes reviewing this parent handout associated with our districtwide framework for crisis management, the Standard Response Protocol, that emphasizes a uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident: https://iloveuguys.org/downloads/SRP-K12-2025-Parent-Handout_EN.pdf

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you might have!

September

23 - School Closed: Rosh Hashanah

24 - Husky Hayride (6pm-8pm) (Rain Date: Oct. 1). * The last day to purchase tickets is Tuesday, September 23rd. Purchase your tickets below! *

October

1 - Rain Date: Husky Hayride (6pm-8pm)

2 - National Custodian Appreciation Day

2 - School Closed: Yom Kippur

6 - PTO Board Meeting (9:15am)

6-10 - Book Fair

10 - Donuts with Grownups (8am-8:50am)

16 - Picture Day

20 - School Closed: Diwali

31- Halloween Parade (10:30am)

Full year PTO Calendar

Join us for Donuts with Grownups on Friday, October 10th! 🍩🎉

This event is free for families. The Book Fair opens at 8:00 AM, so you’re welcome to visit before or after enjoying donuts together. We can’t wait to see you there!

Adults must remain with children until 8:50 AM.

📚 The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!
The Hillendale PTO is excited to host the Scholastic Book Fair, October 6–10! Every student will visit the fair with their homeroom class, and families can shop together during our “Donuts with Grownups” event on Friday, October 10th, from 8:00–8:50 AM.

🙌 Help Us Make the Book Fair a Success!
We need parent volunteers to set up, assist students while shopping, and help during the event. Click the link below to sign up for a shift that works for you:

👉 SignUp Here

🐾 The Husky Hustle Fun Run is back!

Save the date: Friday, Nov. 7 (Rain Date: Nov. 10)

This year’s Husky Hustle theme is “Racing to Lift Up Hillendale”.

Husky Hustle T-Shirt Design Contest

👕 We’re kicking things off with the T-Shirt Design Contest! Students can submit their designs by September 30th for the chance to see their artwork featured on this year’s official Husky Hustle shirt that all Students and Staff will receive.

💛❤️ Racing to Lift Up Hillendale—let’s show our school pride and make this year’s Husky Hustle the best yet!

Contest Rules:

Theme: Must connect to the Husky Hustle theme: “Racing to Lift Up Hillendale”
Include school spirit (husky, paw prints, or Hillendale pride).
Shirts will be 1 shirt color with up to 3 ink colors.
Graphic designs welcome!
Use the attached template. Put your name and grade on the back only.
Submit your designs to the office by September 30th.

📣 Sponsors Needed!
Be part of the 2025 Husky Hustle and show your support for Hillendale! Every student & staff member will receive an event t-shirt — and your business name can be featured on the back.

👉 Contact hespto@ucfsd.net for more details.

🌿 HES PTO Garden Club 🌿

Join us on select Mondays to help sustain our beautiful outdoor learning spaces. Whether you’re tending plants, pulling weeds, or simply enjoying the peace of the outdoors, every hand makes a difference. Bring your gloves and tools, and come connect with nature and friends!

👉 SIGN UP HERE

❤️💛 HES PTO Community Service ❤️💛

Our Hillendale Husky Hearts continue to make a difference! From coat and food collections to Bagged Lunch and MLK Day service projects, our students and families lend a helping hand throughout the year. We’d love for you to get involved—whether by helping with deliveries, organizing opportunities for students, or building connections in our community.

👉 SIGN UP HERE

So Close to Our Goal!

The Hillendale PTO Annual Fund Drive is our most cost-effective fundraiser—100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly toward programs and activities that benefit our students and staff.

Your support funds classroom supplies, teacher grants, grade-level programs, assemblies, staff appreciation, outdoor spaces, library books, and furniture. Every dollar makes an impact—thank you for helping us make Hillendale the best it can be!

📲Donate today by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer or visit hillendale.square.site!

*Tickets will be available to purchase on the Square site until Tuesday, September 23rd.*

This year's Husky Hayride will take place on Wednesday, September 24th, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Your pre-purchased ticket includes s’mores by the fire! Families are also welcome to bring their own food to enjoy in the picnic area during the event. Bring your flashlights!

Click on the flyer below to purchase your tickets!