HILLCREST FAMILY HUSKY HAPPENINGS
4/6/26
Mrs. Saad--Principal
Phone (313) 278-0425
Website Hillcrest Elementary School | Home (csdmi.org)
Mrs. Chehab--Administrative Assistant
Email-- nchehab@csdmi.org
Join us on Social Media:
Instagram-- Hanginwiththehuskies
HUSKY GEAR, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY A SCHOOL SHIRT CLICK THE LINK BELOW! THER ARE A VAIRETY OF OPTIONS:
LETTER FOR 3RD AND 4TH GRADE PARENTS:
📚⏰ Attendance Matters!
Being on time = More learning, less catching up!
Let's keep the day running smoothly and start on schedule. 🚀📝
#BeOnTime #ReadyToLearn 🎒✨
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Attendance plays a vital role in supporting all students as they succeed in their educational pathways. We kindly ask for your support in ensuring your child arrives on time each day.
Please note that the first bell rings at 8:35 AM, signaling students to head directly to their classrooms. This gives them five minutes to be seated and ready to learn.
Students must be in their classroom and seated at their desk by 8:45 AM. If a student is not in the classroom at that time (for example, if they are still at their locker or in the hallway), they will be marked tardy.
While the front doors remain open until 8:50 AM, this does not mean students are considered on time unless they are already in class.
Teachers are required to keep accurate attendance records and must record tardies accordingly. These last few months of school are especially important, with assessments approaching, and every minute of instruction matters.
Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in helping your child succeed.
MSTEP COMING UP--
MSTEP AT HILLCREST FOR 3RD-4TH GRADES
Each spring, our 3rd–4th grade students participate in the M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress). This state assessment is one way we measure student learning in relation to Michigan’s academic standards—what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. It also helps us understand how our students are performing compared to others across the school, district, and state.
It’s important to remember that M-STEP is just one snapshot of your child’s progress. Our teachers use many tools and strategies throughout the year to understand each child’s learning and growth. A single test does not define a child. What matters most is that students put forth their best effort so the results reflect their strengths and areas for continued growth.
Families can help set students up for success on testing days by keeping routines consistent. A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a calm, on-time start to the day all make a difference. Encouraging words, a quick pep talk, or even listening to favorite music on the way to school can help students feel confident and ready to do their best.
You can also support your child by reviewing practice assessments at home. Please see the MDE parent letter for more information.
Headphones Reminder
Headphones are required for all ELA testing days. If your child does not already have a pair at school, please send them in prior to testing.
Following is a presentation provided to our families at last month's meeting:
Presentation in English: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CJ9G9vP-NsEEnsEsoF5cZ8VnKdN-yk9mT8UrC5xSllc/edit?usp=sharing
Presentation in Arabic: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KZ6IVLBEFvDIN8jqup_XL5Ic7CQfx6cHXAOhSH8XUHo/edit?usp=sharing
Stay Informed with the CSD App
The Crestwood School District (CSD) App is one of the fastest and most convenient ways for families to stay informed about what is happening in our schools. The district and individual schools use the app to share important updates, school news, events, and weather-related school closures, so it is important that all families download the app and keep it up to date.
If you do not already have the app, we encourage you to download the CSD App on your phone to receive notifications and stay connected to district and school information. The app allows you to follow specific schools and easily find news, events, and resources.
If you already have the app but are not receiving notifications, you may need to delete the app and re-download it to ensure it is updated properly. This simple step can help restore notifications so you do not miss important time sensitive announcements.
Staying informed helps families stay prepared. Be sure to download or update the CSD App so you can receive timely information and updates from the district. Click here for more information on our app: https://www.csdmi.org/o/csd/page/download-our-app.
Crestwood Theater:
Join us for a magical morning of fun at our Character Party including a pancake breakfast! Kids and families are invited to enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, arts and crafts, story time, and much more while meeting their favorite characters like Anna and Elsa, Cinderella, SpongeBob, and friends.
The event takes place April 11 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and guests are welcome to arrive anytime and stay as long as they’d like during the event. The event takes place at Crestwood High School- 1501 N. Beech Daly. Enter by the theatre lobby.
Tickets are $15 per person, payable by cash, check, or Venmo, and all proceeds support the Crestwood Theatre Program.
Bring your camera, your appetite, and get ready for a day full of stories, smiles, and unforgettable character moments!
Email ckolbusz@csdmi.org with any questions.
TEACHERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE, LET'S CELEBRATE THEM!
MDE invites parents to submit 15-30-second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Cell phones easily capture videos. Please follow the directions on the flyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos will be accepted February 18 through April 15, 2026.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. The Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) social media pages will be promoting the videos throughout the month of May. If your child has great things to say about a teacher, use the instructions found on MDE’s website to submit a video today.
DENTIST COMING TO HILLCREST!
Dental Visit Date: Please confirm 04/16/2026, 04/17/2026
Website for Parents to Enroll: https://www.myschooldentist.com/HECWMI_schsrm
🚗 Reminder About Pick-Up Safety & Parking Rules
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone is doing well! 💛 We had a bit of a challenging pick-up lately at Hillcrest, so I’d like to remind everyone of a few important guidelines to help keep things safe and smooth for all families:
🚫 Please do not park or drive on the opposite side of Vernon during pick-up.
♿ Handicap spaces are reserved for vehicles with valid handicap permits only.
🏠 Please avoid blocking driveways or parking in front of homes on Vernon.
Your cooperation helps keep our community safe and respectful 🙏. Thank you so much for your understanding and support!
🧥🌬️ Weather-Ready at School
COLD WEATHER GEAR
It is important that your child is prepared with recess gear to match the weather as we go outside for recess twice a day as temperatures permit.
Closed shoes or boots are required to play on the grass or playground.
Labeling your child’s gear with first and last names can help us return any lost items.
Students will go outside for recess when the temperature is 20 degrees or above, including windchill. Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play.
🙌 Respect Starts With Us
Speech Services Update
Mrs. Amy Bagley started working with our students this past week to provide speech services. If your child mentions that they had speech today, that is correct! We are excited to have her working with our students and look forward to a great year together. 😊
🤒 Health & Wellness Reminder
If your child has a fever, please keep them home. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. If your child vomits, they must remain home for 24 hours.
Keeping children home when they are sick helps prevent the spread of illness to others. Thank you for helping us keep everyone healthy!
🍽️ School Lunch Option for Students Who Bring Lunch from Home
Hillcrest Family,
If your child brings lunch from home but would also like a school lunch, they are welcome to get a tray!
They simply need to choose “school lunch” during the classroom lunch count and then get in the lunch line at school.
Thank you!
EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY CHIP SALE!
REVIEWING SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS: