Hello, Hillcrest!

Welcome to a Brand-New School Year!

Welcome to a brand-new school year! Whether you have been part of the Hillcrest family for many years or are joining us for the first time, we are so glad you're here!

This year, we are excited to welcome many new learners to Hillcrest, including our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, first graders joining us from the SDSU Kindergarten program, students who previously attended Medary or Dakota Prairie, and families who have recently moved to Brookings. No matter how you found your way to Hillcrest, you belong here. We are proud to welcome each and every one of you to our school community.

We are thrilled to have you as part of the Hillcrest family. Hillcrest is a special place where children learn, grow, build friendships, and discover their unique strengths. Our dedicated staff is committed to creating a safe, caring, and engaging environment where every student feels valued, supported, and excited to come to school each day.

We know that the strongest learning happens when schools and families work together. Thank you for being an important partner in your child's education. Your encouragement, involvement, and support make a meaningful difference, and we look forward to working alongside you throughout the year.

It's going to be an exciting year filled with learning, new friendships, and memorable experiences. If you ever have questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by phone at 605-696-4600 or by email at kate.mogard@k12.sd.us.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child. Here's to an amazing year of learning, growth, and success at Hillcrest!

Kate Mogard

Hillcrest Elementary Principal

Regular, on-time attendance is one of the most important ways families can support their child’s success at school. When children are at school every day and on time, they have the best opportunity to learn, build relationships, develop routines, and feel connected to their classroom community.

We know that illnesses, appointments, and unexpected circumstances happen. At the same time, even occasional absences and late arrivals can add up over the course of a school year. Missing just two days of school each month adds up to about 20 days—or nearly a full month of school—over the course of a year.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to show up, belong, and learn each day. Families play an essential role by establishing consistent morning and bedtime routines, scheduling appointments outside of school hours whenever possible, and making daily, on-time attendance a priority.

If your family is experiencing challenges that are making regular or on-time attendance difficult, please reach out to us. We want to partner with you, problem-solve together, and help ensure that your child has every opportunity to be successful.

Every day matters. Every minute matters. And we love having your child here!

Please take a moment to review the attendance policy and the changes to "Exempt" absences (explained in b. + c. below).

All learners will be allowed 10 absences per semester (Absences will not be classified as excused or unexcused.).

a. Communication from the school will occur throughout the semester and school year with email updates when your child’s absences have put him/her on track to have excessive or chronic absences for the year.

b. Absences due to medical appointments and are accompanied by a doctor’s note will be coded as “exempt” and will not count towards your child’s absences. Doctor notes are required in order to exempt the absence. Absences for medical appointments without an accompanying doctor’s note will be coded as medical-excused and will count toward your child’s absences.

c. Absences due to club activities for a learner or a sibling will be coded as “exempt” if the club activity is reported to the school office by a parent/guardian. Please provide the club activity to the office in order for these absences to be coded correctly as “exempt” and not counted towards your child’s absences.

Drop Off:
All children should be dropped off at the front of the school each morning. Supervision begins at 7:30 am on each playground. JK/K/1st graders will walk to the Jackrabbit Playground (on 3rd Street) and 2nd/3rd graders will walk to the Bobcat Playground (on the North side of the building). Learners who are eating breakfast at school will walk in through the front doors (W2 doors). The first bell rings at 8:15 a.m. and the second bell follows at 8:20 a.m. Thank you for getting your child to school on time to begin our day of learning together.

Pick Up:

Please display your family hanger in your car. Cars should drive through the loop and up to the front of the school. Staff will call for your children after seeing your hanger and your children will be delivered to your car. Please continue moving forward with traffic. Staff will find you and deliver your children!

**We prefer that cars follow this procedure for pick up, staying in vehicles with learners being brought to cars. This is the safest and most efficient way for us to handle dismissal. Thank you!

Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15a.m.

Morning Bell: 8:15 p.m.

Tardy Bell: 8:20 a.m.

Dismissal: 3:22 p.m.

Wednesday Dismissal: 2:22 p.m.

Hillcrest Picture Day is Thursday, September 17th.

Order forms were sent home with your child.

The Access Code is: E76XH9 (expires at 11:59 p.m. on September 20th)

Retakes are scheduled for October 29th.

The Hillcrest Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) plays a huge role in making our school community strong and connected. From hosting book fairs and BINGO nights to providing meals for teachers during conferences, their impact is felt all throughout Hillcrest.

Hillcrest PTA Homecoming Store!
Preorder forms were sent home and are due on Tuesday, September 15th.

The Homecoming Store will be open Tuesday, September 22, from 3:15 -5:30 p.m. outside the front entrance of Hillcrest.

Volunteers are needed to help run the store - sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4BAAA92AABFB6-65593032-homecoming

September 17: Hillcrest Picture Day

September 22: Homecoming Store @ 3:15-5:30 p.m.

September 25: Noon Dismissal for Homecoming Parade @ 2:00 p.m. Downtown

Email: Kate.Mogard@k12.sd.us

Website: https://www.brookings.k12.sd.us/o/hes
Location: 304 15th Ave. Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: (605) 696-4600
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