Hillsdale Herald

Hello Hillsdale Families!

It has been a busy couple of weeks around here! Last Friday we had our first Buddy Reading Activity of the year. Students read Be a Bridge by Irene Latham and Charles Waters and worked with their buddy to create a quilt square about how they can "be a bridge" We also celebrated International Dot Day by wearing dots.

Pick Up Patrol

It is essential that parents/guardians accurately update Pick Up Patrol any day that there is a change in a child's dismissal plan. We will send your child on the bus, to car line, or walker based on their default plan. When students are not updated in Pick Up Patrol it slows dismissal for everyone.

PBIS Update

Today we had our first assemblies in two sessions K-2 and 3-5 where we learned about our school side expectations of being RESPECTUL, RESPONISBILE, SAFE and CARING. Students that have turned in PAWS tickets were drawn to participate in games that connected to our expectations.

Lost and Found

As the weather is cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon, our Lost and Found pile is growing! Please encourage your child to check for any missing hoodies!

PTO is sponsoring our 1st Annual Color Run next Friday. Please consider volunteering to help make this a great event for our families! Sign up below.

Please see information at the bottom about our Community Bulletin Board - this is where all extra-curricular opportunities will be posted going forward.

Thank you,

Mrs. Paige Merten

Principal

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) is a time to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latine Americans. Throughout the month, we’ll highlight influential figures, share stories, and explore traditions that help make our community vibrant and diverse. We’re excited for our students to learn, appreciate, and celebrate together!

September

Mon 9/22 - Early Dismissal (12:05) - Teacher Inservice

Tues 9/23 - NO SCHOOL - Rosh Hashana

Wed 9/24 - Student ALICE Training Assemblies

Fri 9/26 - PTO Color Run

October

Thurs 10/2 - No School - Yom Kippur

Tues 10/7 - Picture Day

Mon 10/13 - PTO Fall Fitness Fundraiser

Fri 10/17 - Early Dismissal (12:05) - Teacher Inservice

Mon 10/20 - No School - Teacher Inservice

Fri 10 /24 - PTO Trunk or Treat

Fri 10 /31 - Halloween parade & parties

If you would like to volunteer in our school this year, please note:

1) Volunteers must have clearances.

2) Younger siblings are not permitted at school while you volunteer.

3) Volunteers are held to the same confidentiality standards as any WCASD employee.

4) While you may see and interact with your child when you are volunteering, you are here to assist all children.

We are always looking for volunteers in our Library. You can contact Ms. Szczesny directly at aszczesny@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 $28.00. Once you have paid the Activity Fee, your child may participate in one or multiple-funded activities. If you have any questions or concerns with the Activity Fee, please see here for more information.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are pleased to introduce a new, districtwide attendance reporting system which will go live on the first day of school.

Through the Parent Portal, you will now be able to:

• Report your child’s attendance.
• View attendance data on an easy-to-read dashboard.
• View attendance notifications.
• View history of attendance and codes.

Please note:

• Doctor’s notes must still be submitted to your school’s attendance secretary.
• College & Career Visit Forms and Family Vacation Forms must continue to be submitted to the building principal. These absences can be entered into the Parent Portal, with physical documentation sent separately.
• Once your attendance report is received, you will automatically receive a confirmation email from the district.
• You can monitor your child’s absences and attendance codes directly in the Parent Portal.

The PickUp Patrol system will no longer be used for attendance reporting. Some schools may continue to use this program for dismissal purposes only.

Detailed instructions for entering attendance in the Parent Portal can be found here along with a video.

There is an update to the district’s Attendance Administrative Guideline regarding early dismissals and tardies, please review here. Reminder, families have a total of fifteen parent notes or combination of up to 5 family vacation days and ten parent notes per year.

If you have questions regarding your child’s attendance, please contact the attendance secretary at your child’s school. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to streamline attendance reporting across the district.

Melissa Kleiman, Ed.S

Director of Pupil Services

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.)

Los enlaces para los boletines del distrito WCASD y desde el correo electrónico del director pueden encontrarse también en los sitios web del distrito y de la escuela. La traducción será generada por una máquina por lo que no será completamente exacta.

1. Haga clic en el botón para traducer

2. Haga clic en la fecha para seleccionar el idioma

3. ¡Disfrute el boletín! Las imágenes con palabras no se pueden traducir, para obtener una traducción, envíe un correo electrónico al director.

Hillsdale's new look - coming in 2028!

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