April 15, 2015 Newsletter - Hillside Traditional Academy

Hillside Traditional Academy
April 13, 2015
Principal: Kathryn Day| Tel: 604-826-4187 | www.hillside.mpsd.ca
Dear Hillside Traditional Academy Families,
At this time of year, we notice an excitement that starts to brew as the weather
warms up and summer is just around the corner. Please help us keep the focus
on education by ensuring that homework is still completed nightly, that planners
are signed and that children get plenty of sleep (particularly as the daylight lasts
longer). Also remember that all clothing needs to meet Hillside Traditional
Academy uniform guidelines even when the temperature rises.
The students will be skipping on Monday, April 20 for Jump Rope for Heart.
This is both an activity that raises awareness of a healthy lifestyle as well as an
opportunity to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Students are
also able to wear jeans on Wednesday, April 29 and can bring a donation for
Children's Hospital on Jean Day.
Two exciting presentations are happening for parents at the Clarke Theatre over the next few weeks.
Barry Macdonald is speaking on the topic of keeping boys insterested in school this upcoming Monday
evening. And a very informative session about Social Media and how it is used by students is at the
Clarke on Tuesday, April 28. Look to pages 6 & 7 of our newsletter for details.
Kathryn Day
Principal
Class Photos
Class Photos will be taken on Thursday, April 30. It will be a formal day.
Students need to wear their white shirts with a blue sweater on this day.
District Track & Field Meet
The District Track Meet will be held in early May at Albert McMahon School:
grade 5/6 events are onThursday, May 9th and grade 4 events on Friday, May
10th. Students have been practicing hard and we will soon be finalizing lists for
those qualifying for their events. Students will receive information about the
specific times and events in the next few weeks. Please ensure your child comes prepared with proper
running shoes (no skate shoes) and PE shorts. They should also bring a water bottle and healthy snacks.
Also remember to pack other items appropriate for the weather: a jacket or blanket if it’s cool, a hat and
sunscreen if it’s hot. Remind your child that we are guests at McMahon and that we are representing
Hillside Traditional Academy with our best sportsman like conduct. Also remind your child that
recycling should be brought home and garbage disposed of in receptacles throughout the day. Good
luck to all of our athletes and a huge thank you to all of our coaches!
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Hillside Traditional Academy Newsletter – April 13, 2015
Field Trips and Waiver Forms
Many classes at Hillside will be going on end of the year field trips.
Please be advised that permission forms, and in some cases waiver forms,
must be completed well before the trip. Parents who are supervising on
these trips are also reminded that their criminal records check must be
completed as well. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this
manner.
Dress Code
As the weather warms up, we would like to remind you that the uniform
dress code still applies. Just as it was warm in
September and everyone wore their proper
uniforms, so is the expectation for the last two
months of the school year. In this final term we
are not going to have a formal uniform inspection
day. Rather random checks will be done and
students not wearing their proper attire will receive an infraction notice.
Students may wear shorts. The school uniform short needs to be a flat front,
straight leg, mid-thigh to knee length. No athletic shorts (other than for PE), no capris, cargo pants or
short shorts. Also, flip-flops are not appropriate footwear for school.
The school uniform requirements are for black shoes (no more than 10% colour).
Therefore outside black shoes are required for any activity that occurs during
instructional time. Take advantage of the last of the winter sales to purchase black
footwear for your child. Remember to change out the coloured or white laces for
black.
Uniforms & Mable Labels
Able Cresting will be open for business at Hillside Traditional Academy – room 135 from 8:00 am –
3:00 pm on Friday, May 29th for families to order their uniform items for September 2015.
Outstanding Achievement Awards and Grade 6 Farewell Ceremony
Our outstanding achievement awards assembly this year will be held Friday,
June 12 at 8:45 am. The Grade 6 Farewell Leaving Ceremony will take
place at 8:45 am on Friday, June 20. We anticipate a full house so be
prepared to arrive early and if possible to leave the car at home this day.
More info to follow.
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Hillside Traditional Academy Newsletter – April 13, 2015
Dates to Remember
April 17
Assembly: Div. 7 & 8
April 20
Jump Rope for Heart
April 20
Gr. 6 students visit Heritage Park Middle. Phil Boyte presentation: Transforming Culture
April 20
7:00 – 8:30 pm Barry MacDonald at Clarke Theatre “Get Boy Smart”
April 24
Assembly: Div. 4
April 24
Movie afternoon
April 27
Heritage Park Middle Counsellors come to meet with Hillside Gr. 6 students
April 28
7:00 pm Social Media presentation for Parents at Clarke Theatre
April 29
Jean Day
April 30
Class Photo, Formal Sweater Day
May 1
Assembly: Div. 11
May 5
Staff Appreciation Luncheon (National Teacher Day)
May 6
Aquavan
May 7
District Track Meet Gr. 5/6
May 8
District Track Meet Gr. 4
May 8
Assembly: Div. 10
May 14
PAC Meeting
May 15
Pro-D
May 18
Victoria Day Holiday
May 22
Music & Choir Assembly
May 28
Aboriginal Family Dinner & Recognition Ceremonies
May 29
2015 Kindergarten Orientation morning
May 29
Able Cresting & Mable’s Labels
May 29
Assembly: Div. 6
June 5
Assembly: Div. 10, 11, 12
June 12
Assembly: Outstanding Achievement Awards
June 19
Assembly: Grade 6 Farewell
June 22
Fun Day
June 25
Swimming: Div. 1 – 4
June 25
Last Day for Students
Victoria Day Weekend
Schools will be closed on Friday, May 16th and Monday, May 19th for Victoria Day.
Aboriginal Recognition Dinner
The Aboriginal Family Recognition Dinner will take place at HPSS on Thursday, May
28th. Mark your calendars to attend this rewarding evening.
Bicycles/Skateboards/Roller Blades/Scooters/Wheelies
We would like to remind you that roller blades, scooters and wheelies should not be
brought to school. There is no space to store them and we are very concerned about the
students’ safety on the roads. Students may ride their bicycles to school but must
remember to bring a lock and to not ride them on school grounds. All students riding
their bikes MUST wear a helmet. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
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Hillside Traditional Academy Newsletter – April 13, 2015
September 2015, Student Placement
Please let us know if you will be moving during the summer and will not be
attending Hillside Traditional Academy in September.
Staff will begin the process of building next year’s classes shortly. Our staff spends a
significant amount of time considering classroom placements for September and
decisions are not made lightly. Meetings are held with teachers from similar grades,
previous grades, and the next grade, as well as the learning assistance teacher and school administrators.
Decisions are made on the best educational environment for each student, as well as creating a
classroom that is balanced in terms of class size and composition. Criteria for making these decisions
include:
 academic ability
 gender balance
 class size
 behavioural concerns
 split grades
 special needs

teaching styles
 social compatibility
 learning styles
While we already know a great deal about your child, if there is a specific need of which we should be
made aware, please let us know. Keep in mind that the grade a teacher teaches, or whether or not they
are here at all may well change between now and next September. Therefore, please DO NOT just
request a specific teacher by name. Instead make a request about the type of learning environment
preferred. Requests should be made in writing to Mrs. Day, (or via email) and must be received no later
than May 14, 2015 to be considered. We will review and attempt to honour requests, but understand that
we may not be able to fulfill them all.
If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Next PAC Meeting
We welcome everyone to join us for our monthly PAC Meetings. Our next meeting is Thursday, May 9
at 8:45 AM. Come meet some new parents and be a part of your school. If there is something you
would like discussed or presented at our PAC meeting, please email
hillsidepac@gmail.com so that we can add you to the agenda for that
month.
Volunteer Opportunities Available!
The PAC calendar for the remainder of the school year went home last
month with details of what is coming up and when to expect notices and
due dates. Within the calendar was a timeline of volunteer opportunities.
Everyone is welcome to come count orders, chaperone movie events and
our golf tournament, contribute to the teacher appreciation luncheon, etc.
Emailhillsidepac@gmail.com if you'd like more information or to be
contacted.
PAC Executive Positions - Call For Nominations
Nomination forms will be available April 9th. Any parent/guardian of a
Hillside student currently enrolled who has the time and wants to be part of the PAC executive are
encouraged to let people know! Elections will be held at our Annual General Meeting Thursday, May
14th 8:45am. More information will be sent home, posted on the PAC bulletin board outside the office,
and on the Hillside P.A.C. Information Facebook page.
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Hillside Traditional Academy Newsletter – April 13, 2015
Afterschool at the Playground
As spring weather is just around the corner, I would like to remind you about
safety on the playground. A few minor accidents resulting in injury have
happened with students recently afterschool at the playground. Please remind
your child that the normal “hands-off” school policy should still apply as we are
always concerned about student safety. Parents, if you plan to stay after school
to let your child enjoy the equipment and their friends, remember supervision
becomes your responsibility.
Also this is a reminder that school district policy dictates that no dogs be on the school grounds. Please
respect this policy and enjoy an outing to the dog park at Centennial.
Mission Library is hosting several programs in April and May. Would it be possible to include this in
your next school newsletter?
Alternately, if space is an issue, could you put this in instead: Check out the latest Mission Library
programs at www.fvrl.ca.
Wiggle Time
Wednesdays, April 1-May 20, 10:30-11:30 am
No Need to sit still! Introduce your toddlers to the joy of books in a fun and friendly atmosphere! Kids
will enjoy a half hour of interactive rhyme, songs and stories,
followed by half-hour of play and social time.
Storytime
Fridays, April 10 - May 22; 10:30-11:00 am
Enjoy interactive stories, songs, rhymes, and more. Storytime
prepares children to learn to read.
Local Poets Corner
Saturday April 18, 2-3:30 pm
In honour of National Poetry Month, listen to several local poets and
be entertained with their poetry for adults and kids alike.
Keep Tuned for news about the Summer Reading Club!
Mission Library is located at 33247 Second Avenue .
Our phone number is 604-826-6610.
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Hillside Traditional Academy Newsletter – April 13, 2015
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Hillside Traditional Academy Newsletter – April 13, 2015
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