Hillsdale Herald

Today we held our third Buddy Reading activity of the year. To go along with Poetry and Earth month, we read In a Garden by Tim McCanna, and the students worked with their buddies to write poems together. Next Thursday all classes will have the opportunity to work in OUR garden to get it ready for growing season. Throughout the remaining school year, buddy classes will be able to visit the garden together for a variety of activities.

We have a busy end of April ahead of us with concerts, field trips, PSSAs and Title 1 family night.

Remember, there is NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, APRIL 21st.

Please see flyers below for Summer Basketball Camps and Peirce Middle School Musical.

Detailed information was sent to families in a separate communication on 4/4/23 and 4/11/23.

We are asking all students testing to bring in a gallon sized ziplock bag with 2 sharpened pencils, a yellow highlighter and a book to read by Monday, April 24. We will provide any other things needed for testing.

Opt-ing out of the test:

The only exemption given by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is for religious reasons. In order to obtain a religious exemption, parents must contact the building principal and make arrangements with the principal to review the test. To schedule an opt-out meeting, please email Mrs. Merten or Mrs. Dewitt.

Tests will not be delivered before April 11th. Once they have reviewed the test, parents must write a letter or email to the district’s superintendent, Dr. Kalia Reynolds (Assessment@wcasd.net), requesting the religious exemption for any of the individual PSSA assessments. The specific WCASD testing dates, windows during which assessments may be reviewed, and when the superintendent must be notified of a parent’s written request are as follows:

Para obtener una exención religiosa los padres deben contactar a la dirección de la escuela y hacer una cita con el o la director(a) para revisarla. Una vez que hayan revisado la prueba, los padres deberán escribir una carta al superintendente del Distrito, Dr. Kalia Reynolds (Assessment@wcasd.net), solicitando la exención religiosa individualmente para cualquiera de las pruebas de PSSA.

Las fechas de prueba específicas para West Chester, el período de tiempo para poder revisar los materiales y la fecha de cuándo los padres deberán notificar por escrito al superintendente son las siguientes:

Now that we are into the spring season, allergy season and illnesses that we have not seen since November of 2019 have returned.

Please keep you child(ren) home and treat their symptoms. Please consult with their doctor about whether or not Covid testing should be done.

Students should remain home until symptoms have significantly improved (especially a cough) and after they have been fever free for 24 hours without the benefit of fever reducing medication. Please update pick up patrol when your child(ren) is absent. Send a note in to Mrs. Fithian for any days they are absent. If your child(ren) test positive for Covid, please contact Mrs. Dugan as soon as possible so she can advise you about isolation, return to class and masking indoors timeline.

PA State Mandated Medical and Dental information for 22-23 school year:

• All students are required to be up to date with PA state mandated immunizations within the first 5 days of school in order to avoid being excluded from school.
• All kindergarten students and any student enrolling at HDE for the first time need to submit updated physical and dental examination reports to the school nurse within the first 60 days of school in order to avoid being excluded from school. Reports can be dated after September 2021.
• All 3rd grade students must submit an updated dental examination to the school nurse within the first 60 days of school in order to avoid being excluded from school. These reports can be dated after September 2021.

Absences related to exclusions for non-compliance of PA State school health mandates are considered unlawful.

If you have questions about these requirements, please contact Mrs. Dugan at cdugan@wcasd.net

This information is important, especially for kindergarten and all newly registered students. Please send all required information to Mrs. Dugan.

Colette Dugan, MEd, BSN, RN, CSN

Certified School Nurse

cdugan@wcasd.net

Hillsdale Elementary (M-F – 484-266-2006)

Now that Spring has sprung, it is healthy for children to get outside to play!

Here are some healthy tips:

1. When children come back inside for the evening, wipe their hair with a damp cloth. This removes pollen and is especially helpful for children who have seasonal allergies.
2. Have children wash their hands.
3. Launder clothing to remove pollens and allergens.
4. Wear a good fitting helmet when riding bikes, skateboards or wearing roller skates or roller blades and wear light colored or reflective clothing, especially at dusk.
5. Always drink lots of water.

Is your child in 4th or 5th grade? We are excited to share that our annual 4th and 5th District-Wide Track Meet will be held this May. Our students will enjoy a day at the WCU track in a friendly competition against other WCASD elementary schools. WE WILL NEED YOUR HELP!!! The success of the track meet rests heavily on the parent volunteers. YOU WILL NEED YOUR CLEARANCES. You can visit this link on the district website for information about obtaining your clearances. We suggest you put in for your clearances now as they do sometimes take a bit of time to receive them back.

May 17, 2023 (rain date – 5/19) : East Goshen, Hillsdale, Greystone, Glen Acres, and Westtown Thornbury

Please see the attachment and link below to volunteer!

• Mon 4/17 - 3rd gr McBrearty & Narducci field trip
• Tues 4/18 - 4th & 5th Strings and 5th Band Concert; DATE CHANGE - Disney Dress Up Day
• Wed 4/19 - 3rd gr Burgess & Lopez field trip
• Thurs 4/20 Garden Planting Day, PTO Meeting @ Hillsdale Library 7pm
• Fri 4/21 - NO SCHOOL- Eid al Fitr
• Tues 4/25 through Thurs 4/27 PSSA ELA Grades 3-5
• Thurs 4/27 Chorus and 4th Band Concert
• MAY DATES
• Tues 5/2 & Wed 5/3 PSSA Math Grades 3-5
• Thurs 5/4 & Fri 5/5 PSSA Science Grade 4 only
• 5/16 - NO SCHOOL
• Thurs 5/17 - 4th & 5th grade Track Meet @ WCU
• Tues 5/23 3rd Strings and Recorder Concert
• 5/29 - NO SCHOOL

Registration is open for new students. Please go to the District website to fill out an online application. Our school secretary. Mrs. Taggart, will be in touch to finalize the registration. Tell your neighbors and friends!

When your child is absent please update Pick Up Patrol to reflect this AND send us an email or note after the absence. Please also use PUP to communicate any appointments (late arrival/early dismissal) and/or any changes to your child's dismissal plan.

A few things to note:

• Pick Up means you are driving through the car line to get your child after 3:30
• Early Dismissal is for when you are signing your child out before 3:30pm for any reason
• Walker means you are walking to school or parking your car and walking up to retrieve your child.

Even with Pick Up Patrol, if your child is absent, we must have a note from you to explain the absence within 3 days of your child's return. Otherwise the absence is marked as Unlawful and you will be receiving a letter from the office. (No one likes sending or receiving these letters!)

Each child is permitted 10 parent notes and 5 family vacation days each year for absences. Please use the family vacation form below or email me (pmerten@wcasd.net) with vacation requests.

Doctor’s notes are appreciated whenever you see a doctor due to illness.

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.)