Monday Messages June 2, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages June 2, 2025   Free Summer Meals Available for Kids and Teens - Find a Site Near You! This summer, children and teens 18 years and younger can receive free meals at select locations in Petaluma, Forestville, and Healdsburg. Use the following link to the CDE website: 2025 Summer Meal Sites in Sonoma County Meal types may include: B = Breakfast L = Lunch S = Supper AM/PM Snacks Sites are typically labeled as: Open = Anyone can go Closed = Enrollment may be required Camp = Camp enrollment required Note: The list will be updated regularly starting the week of April 14, 2025, as sponsors add more sites. Be sure to call the site contact to confirm participation and meal times. Let’s help make sure every child has access to healthy meals this summer!   Summer Learning Resources — Keep Growing All Summer Summer is a time for students to relax and recharge after a long school year. But we also know that students can forget some of what they learned over the summer months. To help with this, the Hillcrest and Gravenstein grade level teams have created a list of learning resources for students and families to use during summer break. These activities require little or no adult support and will help students stay sharp and get ready for the next grade. A list of these resources, as well as supply lists, organized by grade level, can be found on the District website under Family Resources (updates may be in process through the last day of school): Link to Family Resources Stay sharp all summer, start strong in fall!   Beyond the Bell — Now Enrolling for 2025/26! Our Beyond the Bell Program is now accepting student contracts for the 2025/26 school year at both Gravenstein and Hillcrest campuses. To enroll, please return your completed contract to: gusdbtb@gusdschools.org — or drop it off at either school office. If you have questions about the program, contact our Director: Meggan Young — myoung@gusdschools.org. Program details and contracts are available on our website (please use the following links): Beyond the Bell (Before & After Care) | Student Services Gravenstein Beyond the Bell Contract Hillcrest Beyond the Bell Contract Secure your child’s spot early for next year!   Mark Your Calendars Monday, June 2, 6pm - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Wednesday, June 4 - GUSD - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Tuesday, June 10, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Wednesday, June 18, 6pm - GPA - Meeting - All Welcome   School Lunches To view the June menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   Thank You GUSD Families! Gravenstein Parent Association is a volunteer run non-profit that fundraises our enrichment programs, mini-grant opportunities and classroom supports.  We are excited to support our district's award-winning academics paired with enrichment activities including Spanish, Art, Science, Dance, and Robotics.   While our school district and state funding cover the standard curriculum, our commitment to an enrichment program requires additional funding.  We rely on the contributions from student families via the Gravenstein Parent Association (GPA).  Thank you to all who have allowed our enrichment programs to continue for the 2024/25 school year and THANK YOU to the volunteers who serve as Gravenstein Parent Association.   Summer Recurring Payment Cancellation Reminder At this time, we would like to remind you to remove your recurring payment for the summer season if you wish to do so.  We truly appreciate your support!  Please email us at wearegpa@wearegpa.com if you need assistance with the cancellation process. Have a wonderful summer!    Upcoming Events We're looking forward to seeing you all at our many 2025/26 fundraising and community building events! For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website:  www.wearegpa.com​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, June 18th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Or Dial: +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com​   WHAT'S NEW at   Summer Message — Thank You for a Wonderful Year As we reach the end of another wonderful school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support, partnership, and involvement. This year has been full of growth, learning, and shared accomplishments. We are incredibly proud of what our students, staff, and families have achieved togehter. A special congratulations to our 5th grade graduates! We celebrate all you have accomplished and look foward with excitement to everything that is ahead in middle school and beyond. You have left your mark on our school, and we know you'll continue to shine. As we begin summer, I encourage everyone to take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends—whether you are traveling, reading a good book, exploring the outdoors, or simply taking it easy! Thank you again for being a part of our amazing community here at Gravenstein. I wish you all a joyful, safe, and restful summer break! Matt McDowell Principal Gravenstein Elementary School   Field Day — Let the Fun Begin! Each grade level will come together during the last few days of school to enjoy a variety of fun Field Day activities. Please make sure your child wears comfortable clothing, sunscreen, and brings a water bottle! Here is the schedule: TK — Monday, June 2 — 9:15 to 10:30 Kindergarten — Monday, June 2 — 9:15 to 10:30 1st Grade — Monday, June 2 — 10:50 to 12:20 2nd Grade — Tuesday, June 3 — 8:40 to 10:10 3rd Grade — Wednesday, June 4 — 8:30 to 10:00 4th Grade — Wednesday, June 4 — 10:30 to 12:10 We are looking forward to celebrating the end of the school year with fun, games, and great memories!   Last Chance to Donate — Online Donations Close June 4 Thank you to all the families who have supported field trips this year! These experiences are a special part of learning at Gravenstein Elementary School, and they are only possible with help from our community. If you missed a donation opportunity earlier this year, there is still time! The last day to make online donations is Wednesday, June 4, the final day of school. We will continue to accept cash or check donations (made payble to GUSD) after that date. Click the appropriate link below to be directed to our most recent donation requests. While donations are not required, your support helps us continue offering these valuable experiences for all students. Please note: All students were included in field trips this year, regardless of donation status. Donations simply help us to continue offering these opportunities in the future. TK Field Trips - Both Classes Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   Thank You!! I just wanted to take a moment and send out a heartfelt thank you to all of our students, families, teachers and staff for helping to make this another incredible year at Hillcrest Middle School.  When we look back to the start of the year, our students have been able to experience all that Hillcrest has to offer.  From Field Trips to sports to the Musical to Wednesday Enrichments and so many more, Hillcrest students receive a more well rounded educational experience than any other Middle School in the county.  Thank you for all that you do to support your students and our school.  I know I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of this school community.  We hope that you have a restful and relaxing summer.   And as always- SOAR HAWKS SOAR! Will Deeths Principal  Hillcrest Middle School   8th Grade End of Year Information 8th Grade Graduation The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, and the Graduation Ceremony will soon be here! 8th Grade Families - please take some time to review the information below, which covers all the details you need to know for a successful celebration week. 🎓 8th Grade End-of-Year Schedule It’s hard to believe, but 8th grade graduation is just around the corner! Here’s a quick look at the exciting events planned to celebrate our 8th graders: Monday, June 2 – Graduation Practice (During School Day) & Graduation Ceremony — All students participating in the ceremony must attend school and participate in practice to walk at graduation. Ceremony – 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Blacktop — Students must arrive by 5:30 PM and report to Hillcrest Hall. Tuesday, June 3 – Gravenstein Walk — Students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary. They’ll walk the halls, high-fiving students and staff to say goodbye to their elementary school days. Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation Breakfast & Field Day — Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30–10:00 AM. Parents of graduating students are welcome to attend. All-School Field Day – A fun-filled day of games and celebration on the field! 📬 Keep an eye on Monday Messages for more details about each event! 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony Graduation is Monday, June 2nd. Here’s what families need to know: Graduation Gowns — All 8th grade students will receive their graduation gowns on the afternoon of Friday, May 30th. Gowns must be worn during the ceremony, but should not be worn to rehearsal. Graduation Day Attendance & Rehearsal — Students participating in the ceremony must attend school on June 2nd and take part in the graduation practice earlier that day. Early Release — All students will be dismissed at 1:55 PM on June 2nd. Seating Information — Families should bring their own lawn or camp chairs for the ceremony. The blacktop and field will open at 4:00 PM for chair placement. Please do not bring canopies, umbrellas, or anything that could block the view of other guests. Ceremony Start Time & Student Check-In — The Graduation Ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Middle School blacktop. Students must check in at the Duck Pond no later than 5:30 PM. Diplomas — Students will receive a diploma cover during the ceremony. Actual diplomas will be handed out at the end of the school day on Wednesday, June 4th. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with our students and their families! 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday, June 4th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together. Ms. Parks, our secretary, is the staff member coordinating the event. 8th Grade Parents -- Please sign up here to attend the Graduation Breakfast: Graduation Breakfast RSVP. If you would rather make a monetary donation instead of bringing a food item, you may bring cash or checks made out to GUSD to the front office by Wednesday, May 28, OR donate through the 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Parent Square post.  Any questions - please email jparks@gusdschools.org 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Needs Donations! We’re excited to host a special Graduation Breakfast for our 8th grade students and their families—and we could use your help! To donate online use the following link to the Graduation Breakfast Post: Link to Post Prefer to donate in person? Cash or checks (payable to GUSD) can be dropped off at the school office. This event is extra special thanks to Ms. Reed’s 6th Grade Life Skills Class, who are excited to be preparing and serving the meal as their heartfelt Gift of Service to the Grads. The students are full of energy, enthusiasm, and pride about giving back to their school community in this meaningful way. If you’d like to support their efforts, they are looking for donations of the following ingredients: Brown sugar Eggs Cheddar cheese Jack cheese Potatoes Syrup Fresh whole fruit (pineapple, berries, melons, bananas) Salsa Sour cream Tortillas Butter Have questions? Please email jparks@gusdschools.org. Thank you for helping us make this event delicious and memorable!   Staff & Parents vs. Students Flag Football Game 🏈 We’re bringing back the tradition! The annual Staff & Parents vs. 8th Grade Students Flag Football Game will take place right after the 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast on Wednesday, June 4th. This fun event is only for 8th grade parents who want to join the game! If you're interested in playing, please contact Mr. Sotiras and make sure to sign a waiver before participating. 📧 Contact: gsotiras@gusdschools.org Come out, have some fun, and help us wrap up the year with a little friendly competition!   Textbooks — Please Return Social Studies Book We need your help! Please check to see if your child still has their green social studies textbook titled "History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond" These books cost the district $80 each, so it's important that we get them back. If you find one at home, please send it to school with your child by Tuesday. Thank you for helping us take care of our school materials!   Report Cards — Coming Home Wednesday, June 4 Trimester 3 Report Cards will be sent home with all students on Wednesday, June 4, at the end of the school day. Please check your child's backpack that evening. If you have any questions after reviewing the report card, feel free to reach out to your child's teacher.   Elective Forms — Don't Miss Your Chance to Choose! In early May, elective sign-up forms were emailed to all students who will be attending Hillcrest this fall. If you haven't turned in your form yet, please email Ms. Cole at scole@gusdschools.org as soon as possible for help. Reminder: Students who do not submit their form will have the elective chosen for them. Make sure your student gets the chance to pick what they're interested in!   Yearbooks — Coming This Week! Yearbooks will be delivered this week! 8th grade students will receive their yearbooks on Monday during 7th period. 6th and 7th grade students will receive theirs on Tuesday during 7th period. If your student has not purchased a yearbook yet, we still have a limited number of softcover copies available for $20. These will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If you didn't get a chance to order your yearbook (for delivery at school this week) you can still order the yearbook for home delivery, but it will arrive after school is out. To order online for home delivery use the following link and passcode: Link to purchase yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Last Chance to Donate Online — Deadline is June 4 Thank you to all the families who have supported field trips this year! These experiences are a valuable part of student life at Hillcrest, and they are made possible by the generosity of or school community. If you missed a donation request earlier this year, there is still time! The last day to make online donations is Wednesday, June 4, the final day of school. We will still accept cash or check donations (made payble to GUSD )after that date. Click the buttons below to access our most recent donation requests. While donations are not required, your support helps us continue offering these meaningful experiences to our students. Please note: All students were included in field trips this year, regardless of donation status. Donations simply help us to continue offering these opportunities in the future. 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, join the Athletic Families ParentSquare Group HERE to receive sports updates from Meggan Young, our New Athletics Director.   2025/26 Athletics Clearances/Physicals Reminders Our Fall Sports Season begins as soon as school starts next year! We are excited to kick things off with: 🏈 Boys Flag Football - all grades 🏀Girls Basketball - 7th and 8th grade 🏁 Cross Country - all students 🏐 Girls Volleyball - 6th grade If you know that your student would like to play sports next year, schedule a physical appointment now and send your completed form clearance form to the Hillcrest office! A sports physical is REQUIRED EVERY YEAR before a student can participate in any practices or tryouts. Athletic Clearance Packet   Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $40 per sport. For your convenience, you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check/cash, or you can donate via debit/credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Athletics Director — Here to Support Your Ahtletes If you have any questions or concerns, please contact, Meggan Young, our Athletics Director. For convenience, the Athletics Calendar link is included below. This calendar has the most up-to-date schedule for all school sports! myoung@gusdschools.org Athletics Calendar Athletics Clerical Support — Here to Help If you have questions about sports physicals or any required documentation for our Athletics Program, please contact Lisa Benz. lbenz@gusdschools.org Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   Reflection of the School Year As we approach the end of another school year, I want to reflect, celebrate, and express my gratitude for your continued partnership and support.  This year has been full of growth, resilience, and new learning experiences for our students, and it would not have been possible without the strong home-school connection we share with each of you. Whether your child is finishing kindergarten or preparing to transition to middle or high school, they’ve each taken important steps forward—academically, socially, and emotionally.  It has been an honor to witness their progress, help guide them through challenges, and cheer for their successes.  Their ability to adapt, support each other, and persevere is truly inspiring. Summer is a wonderful time for students to recharge, explore new interests, and spend quality time with family.  I encourage you to support your child in finding a healthy balance between rest and activity.  Encourage them to read, play outside, express themselves creatively, and—most importantly—enjoy being kids.  Small moments like family walks, journaling, or volunteering together can have a big impact on their emotional well-being. The transition to a new grade or school year can bring both excitement and anxiety.  As a school counselor, I want to assure you that we are already preparing for how we can support students as they return in the fall.  If your child has any ongoing concerns or needs additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for trusting us with your children, for your communication, and for the countless ways you support learning at home.  It truly takes a village, and GUSD is grateful to be a part of yours. Here are a few end-of-the-school-year reflection questions to ask your children: What was your favorite class or subject this year, and why?  What is one thing you learned this year that you didn't know before?  What was the most difficult thing you learned this year, and how did you overcome it?  What is one thing you are most proud of accomplishing this year? What is one thing you learned about yourself this year?  Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and restorative summer.  See you next school year!   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Local Rotary clubs join effort to promote reading-readiness in young children. Thanks to Rotary, Dolly Parton's book library is free to children, 0-5, in Sonoma County. These children can now receive free books in the mail every month thanks to a partnership effort by the county's 22 local Rotary clubs, the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, First 5 Sonoma County, all of the region's public libraries, a growing list of local schools - and country musc superstar Dolly Parton. Sign up for this amazing program thru First 5 Sonoma County by going to their website with the following link: First 5 Sonoma County Salmon Creek Summer Garden Camp. Looking for an engaging outdoor adventure for your children, check out the flyer to the right with information regarding the Summer Garden Camp. Scholarships are available on a need basis. Camp will be held at Salmon Creek School in Occidental, and they have added 2 weeks at Lucas Valley Elementary in Marin. To apply for a scholarship, click here. For more information see this flyer. For even more information and to register for camp, click here. Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes June 2025 Class Schedule - June Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths ———————————— Keri Pugno ———————————— Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org ————— kpugno@gusdschools.org ————— mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Jun 01 2025

Monday Messages May 19, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages May 19, 2025   Mark Your Calendars Tuesday, May 20, 5pm - HMS - Spring Concert Wednesday, May 21, 6pm - GPA - Meeting (All Welcome) Friday, May 23 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL EMERGENCY DAY Monday, May 26 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL MEMORIAL DAY Thursday, May 29, 9am - GRAV - Kinder Promotion Ceremony Friday, May 30, 9am - GRAV - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony Friday, May 30, 5:30pm - GPA - Cal Skate Fundraiser Monday, June 2, 6pm - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Wednesday, June 4 - GUSD - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Tuesday, June 10, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting   School Lunches To view the entire May menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   Read-A-Thon Winners! Congratulations to our Read-a-Thon winners!   Gravenstein: Mrs. Gloeckner’s class earned a pizza party for raising the most money as a class!  5th grader Alexander Inda won a Kindle Fire 8 with the most read minutes!  The top minutes per grade level each won a $10 gift card to Screamin’ Mimi’s: TK - Fischer A. K - Rhys H. 1st - Vesper S. 2nd - Riley K. 3rd - Spencer S. 4th - Finn T. 5th - Lucas H. Hillcrest: 8th grader Kimber Valdez took home a Kindle Fire 8 with the most read minutes!  The highest participant in each grade level won a pizza lunch! Thank you to everyone who participated.  Your contribution helps fund our enrichment programs, grant program, and classroom support.   Upcoming Events Skate Night at Cal Skate - Friday, May 30th For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com ​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com   WHAT'S NEW at   Field Day is Almost Here! We’re excited to announce our upcoming Field Day celebrations! Each grade level will enjoy a fun-filled morning of outdoor activities during the final days of school. This is a great opportunity for students to celebrate the end of the year with their classmates and teachers. Field Day Schedule: TK & Kindergarten – Monday, June 2 | 9:15–10:30 AM 1st Grade – Monday, June 2 | 10:50 AM–12:20 PM 2nd Grade – Tuesday, June 3 | 8:40–10:10 AM 3rd Grade – Wednesday, June 4 | 8:30–10:00 AM 4th Grade – Wednesday, June 4 | 10:30 AM–12:10 PM 5th Grade – Friday, May 30 | 12:45–2:30 PM We’re looking for parent and guardian volunteers to help run activity stations and make the day a success. If you're available to lend a hand, please sign up using the form below. (Adults only, please.) Field Day Parent Volunteer and Donation Form Let’s make this year’s Field Day one to remember!   Kindergarten & 5th Grade Promotion Ceremonies We are excited to celebrate two important milestones as our Kindergarten and 5th Grade students prepare for their next adventures! Please mark your calendars: Kindergarten Promotion – Thursday, May 29, 2025 – 9:00–10:00 AM – Gravenstein Courtyard 5th Grade Promotion – Friday, May 30, 2025 – 9:00–10:00 AM – Gravenstein Courtyard We look forward to honoring our students’ hard work and sharing this special moment with our school community. **Parking Reminder: Parking will be available in the lower lot during the events. Please plan to leave promptly after the ceremonies so students can use the playground for recess.**   CAASPP Testing Continues – Monday, May 19 Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades will continue taking the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) next week. To help our Gravenstein Grizzlies do their best, we ask that students: Carefully read all instructions Make sure they understand what each question is asking Review their answers before submitting Complete any skipped questions before leaving the testing session Get a good night’s sleep Eat a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water before school Let’s support our students and encourage them to show all that they’ve learned!   Parent Input for 2025–2026 Class Placement As we begin preparing for the 2025–2026 school year, parents of current TK through 4th grade students have the opportunity to share any information they feel is important for next year’s class placement process. Our teachers and staff work together to create well-balanced classes that support every student’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Important Notes: This is not a request form for specific teachers. The Placement Input Form is meant to share helpful insights with your child’s current teacher. All forms must be submitted by Thursday, May 22, to be considered. The form goes directly to Mr. McDowell. Thank you for being an active partner in your child’s education! 👉 Click here to access the Parent Input Form   Online Payments - Please submit your final Field Trip Donations Soon We are excited to announce that we are able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate link below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! TK Field Trips - Both Classes Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   Life Skills Students Help Prep for Graduation Breakfast Our amazing students from Ms. Reed’s Life Skills class were hard at work cooking and serving breakfast to teachers and staff as a warm-up for the 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast! We’re so proud of their teamwork, responsibility, and culinary skills. To help make the graduation breakfast extra special, we’re asking for donations — every dollar helps! Please consider supporting this memorable event for our 8th graders. To make a monetary donation click here: 8th Grade Graduation Post If you have any questions, email Jerie at jparks@gusdschools.org. CAASPP Testing Continues this Week Continuing on Monday, May 19, all Hillcrest Middle School students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). We will follow a special bell schedule on testing days. Testing Schedule: Tuesday, May 20 – 8:30–10:30 AM – Math Thursday, May 22 – 8:30–10:30 AM – Math To help students do their best, we ask that all Hillcrest Hawks: Get a full night of sleep before testing days Eat a healthy breakfast and drink water before school Arrive at school before the 8:30 bell Avoid scheduling appointments during testing times Please encourage your student to do their best: ✔️ Read all directions ✔️ Take their time ✔️ Double-check their answers before submitting Thank you for supporting your student during this important time!   HMS Spring Band Concert The HMS Spring Band Concert is coming up on Tuesday, May 20th at 5:00 PM. Our talented student musicians have been working hard, and they’re excited to perform for families and the community. Don’t miss this fun and memorable event!   2025 Color Run – Thank You! Thank you to everyone who supported the Color Run this year. We had an amazing day! We are still accepting donations and pledge forms that qualify for raffle prizes until 4:00 PM on Tuesday, May 20th. The raffle drawing and snow cone celebration for students who purchased five or more color bags will take place on Wednesday.   House Points Winner – Congratulations, Rifo-O’Farrell! Congratulations to Rifo-O’Farrell for being the 2024–2025 House Champions! The House Rewards Field Trip will take place this Wednesday at Scandia. Students and parents of Rifo-O’Farrell, please remember to turn in permission slips for the trip by Tuesday, May 20th at the latest. You should have received a hard copy of the permission slip last week, but in case you lost it, here is a link to the electronic version that was sent through ParentSquare last week. Click the following to access the ParentSquare Post - HMS Rifo-O'Farrell House Rewards   Staff & Parents vs. Students Flag Football Game Parents who are interested in playing in the Staff and Parents vs. Students Flag Football Game at the end of the year should contact Mr. Sotiras and complete a waiver prior to playing. The game will take place immediately after the 8th Grade Breakfast on Monday, June 3rd. To sign up or ask questions, please email Mr. Sotiras at gsotiras@gusdschools.org.   8th Grade Graduation The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, and the Graduation Ceremony will soon be here! 8th Grade Families - please take some time to review the information below, which covers all the details you need to know for a successful celebration week. 🎓 8th Grade End-of-Year Schedule It’s hard to believe, but 8th grade graduation is just around the corner! Here’s a quick look at the exciting events planned to celebrate our 8th graders: Tuesday, May 27 – Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags (Vallejo) — A full day of fun and celebration with classmates! Thursday, May 29 – Graduation Gown Distribution - 8th graders will receive their graduation gowns at the end of the school day to take home. As a reminder, gowns are reused from year to year. Families who do not wish to keep their gown are encouraged to donate it for future use. Gowns can be returned after the Gravenstein Walk on Tuesday, June 3rd. Monday, June 2 – Graduation Practice (During School Day) & Graduation Ceremony — All students participating in the ceremony must attend school and participate in practice to walk at graduation. Ceremony – 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Blacktop — Students must arrive by 5:30 PM and report to Hillcrest Hall. Tuesday, June 3 – Gravenstein Walk — Students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary. They’ll walk the halls, high-fiving students and staff to say goodbye to their elementary school days. Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation Breakfast & Field Day — Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30–10:00 AM. Parents of graduating students are welcome to attend. All-School Field Day – A fun-filled day of games and celebration on the field! 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast On the morning of the last day of school (Wednesday, June 4th) our 8th graders and their families will join together in the Hillcrest Duck Pond for breakfast and a chance to spend their last morning at Hillcrest together. Ms. Parks, our secretary, is the staff member coordinating the event. 8th Grade Parents -- Please sign up here to attend the Graduation Breakfast: Graduation Breakfast RSVP. If you would rather make a monetary donation instead of bringing a food item, you may bring cash or checks made out to GUSD to the front office by Wednesday, May 28, OR donate through the 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Parent Square post. Here is a link to that Post - 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast Post Any questions - please email jparks@gusdschools.org   2025-26 School Year Accelerated Math Please click the link below and take a moment to look over the information regarding Accelerated Math Accelerated Math Letter to Parents   Advanced Dance Auditions Students interested in joining Advanced Dance for next year are invited to audition on Monday, May 19, after school from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in Hillcrest Hall. Auditions are open to all current 6th and 7th grade students. Please note: Advanced Dance will only be available to 7th and 8th graders during the 2025–2026 school year.   Hillcrest Field Trip Information 7th Grade Field Trip – Renaissance Faire 7th Grade Parents – Our final field trip of the year will be to the Sebastopol Middle School Renaissance Faire at Ragle Ranch Park! The trip will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025. Permission slips were sent home on Friday, May 16th, with your child. Please sign and return the permission slip no later than Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Late submissions will place the student on a waiting list. Attendance is not guaranteed for late forms and will depend on availability. To ensure participation, please return the form on time. Students are welcome and encouraged to dress in Renaissance-style clothing for the trip! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, join the Athletic Families ParentSquare Group HERE to receive sports updates from Meggan Young, our New Athletics Director. Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   Breathing Techniques Candle Breath Pretend you are holding a cupcake in front of you. Smell the cupcake and visualize a flavor you like, for example chocolate Blow out the candle on the cupcake by breating out from your mouth. Hot Chocolate Breath Imagine you are holding a warm cup of hot chocolate. Breathe in deeply through your nose to smell the creamy, sweet scent of chocolate. Breathe out slowly through your mough to cool the hot chocolate. Dragon Breath Imagine you are a dragon breathing out fire. Take a deep breath and feel your belly filling up with the air while raising or stretching your arms to lift your wings. Exhale from your mouth, and lift your head while roaring like a dragon to breathe out fire. Whale Breath First, stand up and relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath through your nose and hold for 3 seconds. Imagine you are a whale spouting water. Breathe out as quickly as you can with your head tilted up and stretch arms above your head. Bring your hands down and repeat this 3 times.   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Tiny Tiger Summer Camp - Join the Analy Cheer for the best summer cheer camp ever! They will be hosting a 5 day long camp FULL of fun for tiny tigers! Cheers, dances, stunts, games, art, and MORE! Click the following for more information: Tiny Tigers Summer Camp Flyer Salmon Creek Summer Garden Camp. Looking for an engaging outdoor adventure for your children, check out the flyer to the right with information regarding the Summer Garden Camp. Scholarships are available on a need basis. Camp will be held at Salmon Creek School in Occidental, and they have added 2 weeks at Lucas Valley Elementary in Marin. To apply for a scholarship, click here. For more information see this flyer. For even more information and to register for camp, click here. Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes May 2025 Class Schedule - May Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdschools.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, May 18 2025

Monday Messages May 12, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages May 12, 2025   Parent Notification of Potentially Dangerous Tik Tok Challenge Dear GUSD Families, A concerning TikTok trend called the #ChromebookChallenge is occurring nationally and we are hearing of incidents in other school districts. This challenge encourages students to damage their Chromebooks, specifically by jamming objects or metal into the charging ports or the batteries. These actions can cause the computers to short out and potentially catch fire, posing a significant safety risk. As always, student safety - while both at school and home - is our number one priority. Please talk to your child about this challenge and the risks associated. If a student is found to have deliberately damaged or tampered with their Chromebook in this way, they will be financially responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement and face disciplinary consequences. To read more, please click this link. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued partnership in fostering a safe, respectful, and supportive school community. Sincerely, Keri Pugno   Mark Your Calendars Monday, May 12, 5:00pm - GRAV - Grades 4/5 Spring Music Concert in Hillcrest Hall Tuesday, May 13, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 16 - HMS - Color Run Tuesday, May 20, 5pm - HMS - Spring Concert Wednesday, May 21, 6pm - GPA - Meeting (All Welcome) Friday, May 23 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL EMERGENCY DAY Monday, May 26 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL MEMORIAL DAY Thursday, May 29, 9am - GRAV - Kinder Promotion Ceremony Friday, May 30, 9am - GRAV - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony Friday, May 30, 5:30pm - GPA - Cal Skate Fundraiser Monday, June 2, 6pm - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Wednesday, June 4 - GUSD - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Tuesday, June 10, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting   School Lunches To view the entire May menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   That's a Wrap for Read-A-Thon 2025! Winners will be announced this week. Thnk you to everyone who participated; together you read almost 50,000 minutes!   Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Thank you to everyone who donated for our Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! The teachers and staff enjoyed their week of treats and extras. We are very grateful for our generous community!!   Upcoming Events HMS Color Run - Friday, May 16th Skate Night at Cal Skate - Friday, May 30th - Hawaiian Theme! For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com ​   WHAT'S NEW at   Field Day is Almost Here! We’re excited to announce our upcoming Field Day celebrations! Each grade level will enjoy a fun-filled morning of outdoor activities during the final days of school. This is a great opportunity for students to celebrate the end of the year with their classmates and teachers. Field Day Schedule: TK & Kindergarten – Monday, June 2 | 9:15–10:30 AM 1st Grade – Monday, June 2 | 10:50 AM–12:20 PM 2nd Grade – Tuesday, June 3 | 8:40–10:10 AM 3rd Grade – Wednesday, June 4 | 8:30–10:00 AM 4th Grade – Wednesday, June 4 | 10:30 AM–12:10 PM 5th Grade – Friday, May 30 | 12:45–2:30 PM We’re looking for parent and guardian volunteers to help run activity stations and make the day a success. If you're available to lend a hand, please sign up using the form below. (Adults only, please.) Field Day Parent Volunteer and Donation Form Let’s make this year’s Field Day one to remember!   Kindergarten & 5th Grade Promotion Ceremonies We are excited to celebrate two important milestones as our Kindergarten and 5th Grade students prepare for their next adventures! Please mark your calendars: Kindergarten Promotion – Thursday, May 29, 2025 – 9:00–10:00 AM – Gravenstein Courtyard 5th Grade Promotion – Friday, May 30, 2025 – 9:00–10:00 AM – Gravenstein Courtyard We look forward to honoring our students’ hard work and sharing this special moment with our school community. **Parking Reminder: Parking will be available in the lower lot during the events. Please plan to leave promptly after the ceremonies so students can use the playground for recess.**   🎶 Spring Music Concert – 4th & 5th Grades We are excited to invite you to our Spring Music Concert featuring the talented 4th and 5th Grade Band and Chorus students! Date: Monday, May 12, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM Location: Hillcrest Hall – Hillcrest Middle School Campus This special evening is dedicated to celebrating the hard work and musical growth of our students. Families of participating students are warmly encouraged to attend and enjoy the performance. Important: If your 4th or 5th grade student is unable to attend, please contact Mr. Pulley – npulley@gusdschools.org or Mr. Burrows – sburrows@gusdschools.org We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of music and celebration!   CAASPP Testing Continues – Monday, May 12 Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades will continue taking the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) next week. To help our Gravenstein Grizzlies do their best, we ask that students: Carefully read all instructions Make sure they understand what each question is asking Review their answers before submitting Complete any skipped questions before leaving the testing session Get a good night’s sleep Eat a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of water before school Let’s support our students and encourage them to show all that they’ve learned!   Parent Input for 2025–2026 Class Placement As we begin preparing for the 2025–2026 school year, parents of current TK through 4th grade students have the opportunity to share any information they feel is important for next year’s class placement process. Our teachers and staff work together to create well-balanced classes that support every student’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Important Notes: This is not a request form for specific teachers. The Placement Input Form is meant to share helpful insights with your child’s current teacher. All forms must be submitted by Thursday, May 22, to be considered. The form goes directly to Mr. McDowell. Thank you for being an active partner in your child’s education! 👉 Parent Input Form   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! TK Field Trips - Both Classes Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   Hawks as Mentors – Disc Golf Enrich Highlight During a recent Wednesday Enrich disc golf competition, 8th grade Hillcrest Hawk Isaac Contreras Ochoa won first place and earned the contest’s prize—a brand new driver disc. In a great display of sportsmanship and leadership, Isaac voluntarily gave his prize to 6th grader Jose Mora, a new disc golfer, saying: “I already have a driver, and he is just starting.” This moment is a wonderful example of an older student mentoring a younger peer—sharing not only equipment, but encouragement and community. Isaac first discovered disc golf right here at Hillcrest, and now he’s helping the next generation enjoy it too. A big thank you to GPA for supporting opportunities like this through Enrich for All!   CAASPP Testing at Hillcrest – Begins Tuesday, May 13 Starting on Tuesday, May 13, all Hillcrest Middle School students will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). We will follow a special bell schedule on testing days. Testing Schedule: Tuesday, May 13 – 8:30–10:30 AM – ELA Thursday, May 15 – 8:30–10:30 AM – ELA Tuesday, May 20 – 8:30–10:30 AM – Math Thursday, May 22 – 8:30–10:30 AM – Math To help students do their best, we ask that all Hillcrest Hawks: Get a full night of sleep before testing days Eat a healthy breakfast and drink water before school Arrive at school before the 8:30 bell Avoid scheduling appointments during testing times Important: Test results will help determine whether students may need to be placed in an ELA or Math support class, which could replace an elective or Wednesday enrichment class. Please encourage your student to do their best: ✔️ Read all directions ✔️ Take their time ✔️ Double-check their answers before submitting Thank you for supporting your student during this important time!   🌈 2025 Hillcrest Color Run – Friday, May 16 Get ready—the Hillcrest Color Run is happening on Friday, May 16! This exciting event is a fundraiser packed with fun, color, and awesome prizes. Donation Pledge Sheets were sent home last week and can be returned to Ms. Jerie in the HMS Main Office with cash or checks made out to GPA. Raffle Info: For every $20 in sponsorships, students will receive 1 raffle ticket. Check out this year’s incredible prizes: Front of the Lunch Line Pass for the rest of this year and Trimester 1 of 2025–2026 10 Costco Pizzas – 10 lucky students will each win a whole pizza! BBQ Lunch for 7 – 1 student per grade wins lunch for themselves and 6 friends, cooked by Mr. Deeths and Mr. Benz Pancake & Sausage Breakfast for 7 – 1 student per grade wins breakfast cooked by Mr. Deeths Snow Cone Party for 7 – 2 students per grade win a snow cone party with 6 friends You Are the DJ – Pick the lunch playlist for a day (must be school appropriate) Open Gym After School – For you and up to 10 friends Lunch Movie Party – Watch a movie with lunch in a classroom with 10 friends Velvet Rope Pass (6th & 7th graders only) – Free admission to all 2025–2026 dances + front of the line access to entry and snack bar PE Teacher for the Day – Spend a day co-teaching PE with Mr. Sotiras 8th Grade Graduation Reserved Seating – 6 front-row seats for one 8th grade family 🎨 Color Powder Packs: $5 per pack – Sold at lunch all week (cash or check to GPA). Please note: Color powder purchases do not earn raffle tickets. Questions? Please see Mr. Deeths for more information!   House Points Winner – Rifo-O’Farrell! Congratulations to Rifo-O’Farrell, our 2024–2025 House Champions! Your hard work, teamwork, and spirit paid off! House participants will receive permission slips on Monday, May 12. These must be returned by Friday, May 16 to take part in the House reward event. Way to go, Rifo-O’Farrell!   🍳 Cooking & Life Skills – We’re Looking for Donations! Next time you’re at the store, if you’re able to toss in an extra item or two, our Cooking and Life Skills students would be so excited! These donations help them practice real-world culinary skills—and they love getting hands-on in the kitchen! Here are a few items we’re currently in need of: Butter! All-Purpose Flour Eggs Sliced Bread Onion Potatoes Cheddar Cheese Every little bit helps, and we appreciate your support in bringing these lessons to life!   8th Grade Graduation 🎤 Interested in Speaking at Graduation? Middle school students who would like to speak at our End-of-Year Celebrations are invited to attend an informational meeting: Date: Tuesday, May 6 Location: Mrs. Sporrer’s room At the meeting, Mrs. Sporrer and Mrs. Freese will share helpful tips and guidelines for writing and delivering your speech. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, May 13, during lunchtime in Mrs. Sporrer’s room. We encourage interested students to take part in this special opportunity! 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast On the morning of the last day of school, Wednesday, June 4, our 8th graders and their families will gather for a special breakfast at the Hillcrest Duck Pond to celebrate and spend their final morning together at Hillcrest. Event Coordinator: Ms. Parks, our school secretary. How to Get Involved: 8th Grade Parents: Please sign up to attend the Graduation Breakfast using this sign-up link. If you'd prefer to make a monetary donation instead of bringing a food item, you can bring cash or checks (made out to GUSD) to the front office by Wednesday, May 28 or donate via the 8th Grade Graduation Breakfast button below. Questions? Please contact Ms. Parks at jparks@GUSDschools.org. Graduation Breakfast Donation 🎓 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony Please make sure you have completed the form letting us know if your student will be attending Hillcrest's 8th Grade Graduation and how you would like their name announced during the ceremony. Form Deadline: Friday, May 9 Any student whose form is not returned by this date will have their name announced as it appears in Schoolwise. The form, titled *"Copy of 8th Grade Graduation - Action Requested UPDATED," was sent out on ParentSquare on April 14. If you have any questions, please contact us at: Phone: 707-823-7653 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM) Email: lbenz@gusdschools.org (anytime) 🎓 8th Grade End-of-Year Schedule It’s hard to believe, but 8th grade graduation is just around the corner! Here’s a quick look at the exciting events planned to celebrate our 8th graders: Tuesday, May 27 – Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags (Vallejo) — A full day of fun and celebration with classmates! Monday, June 2 – Graduation Practice (During School Day) & Graduation Ceremony — All students participating in the ceremony must attend school and participate in practice to walk at graduation. Ceremony – 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Blacktop — Students must arrive by 5:30 PM and report to Hillcrest Hall. Tuesday, June 3 – Gravenstein Walk — Students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary. They’ll walk the halls, high-fiving students and staff to say goodbye to their elementary school days. Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation Breakfast & Field Day — Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30–10:00 AM. Parents of graduating students are welcome to attend. All-School Field Day – A fun-filled day of games and celebration on the field! 📬 Keep an eye on Monday Messages for more details about each event! Link Crew Leaders of Analy High School The Link Crew is excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to the Link Crew 9th Grade Orientation! Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025 Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Location: Analy High School After the orientation, stay for lunch, registration, and class photos from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM! This is a great chance for incoming 9th graders to meet new friends, learn about life at Analy High, and get ready for the year ahead. We want you to come—it won’t be the same without you! If you have any questions, feel free to email VP Gianna at gdepersiisvona@wscuhsd.org. We can’t wait to see you there!   2025-26 School Year Accelerated Math Please take a moment to look over this information regarding Accelerated Math Accelerated Math Letter to Parents   Advanced Dance Auditions Students interested in joining Advanced Dance for next year are invited to audition on Monday, May 19, after school from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in Hillcrest Hall. Auditions are open to all current 6th and 7th grade students. Please note: Advanced Dance will only be available to 7th and 8th graders during the 2025–2026 school year.   2025-2026 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th Graders! Do you have an interest in team building, effective communication, and public speaking? Would you like to help plan school activities such as dances, rallies, lunchtime events, and special events? If so, consider applying for the Leadership elective class for the 2025-2026 school year! Becoming a member of the Leadership class is a great way to get involved and make a positive impact on our school community. How to Apply: Pick up an application in the school office. All applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2025. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org.   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now     Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Visit our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website to learn more: Click here to view Even if your student is not currently on a sports team, you can stay in the loop! Join the Athletic Families ParentSquare Group HERE to receive sports updates from our Athletics Director Meggan Young. Stay informed, get involved, and cheer on our Hillcrest Hawks!   Support Our Athletics Department with GUSD Night at the Ballpark! Join us on Friday, May 16th at this season's Battle of the Bay! The SF Giants will play their Bay Area rival the A's at Oracle Park in a GUSD Family Firework extravaganza!! Purchase tickets using the scan code or link below. You will get 30% off regular price, plus $5.00 for every ticket sold will go directly to our Athletics Program!! Buy Your Tickets Here   Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Time is running out, so place your order before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   #OneThing: Take Action to Support Mental Health A message from CYBHI: Check out these resources and tools to support the well-being of young people and those who care for them. Help us raise awareness during May Mental Health Awareness Month by using our digital toolkit. Link to full article here: #OneThing   Understanding Self-Harm: What Every Parent Needs to Know If the child you love is hurting so badly they're harming themselves, you probably feel the pain, too.  Parents and caregivers may feel confused, angry, and helpless when they see signs that their child or teen is engaging in self-harm. They realize their child needs immediate help, but many have no idea where to begin. When families bring up concerns about self-injury to their pediatrician, it provides the opportunity to talk openly about their child's situation and work out solutions together. Please click on the link to read more insights that address commonly held fears and misconceptions, along with ways to support your child. Continue reading in: English | Spanish | Korean   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Salmon Creek Summer Garden Camp. Looking for an engaging outdoor adventure for your children, check out the flyer to the right with information regarding the Summer Garden Camp. Scholarships are available on a need basis. Camp will be held at Salmon Creek School in Occidental, and they have added 2 weeks at Lucas Valley Elementary in Marin. To apply for a scholarship, click here. For more information see this flyer. For even more information and to register for camp, click here. Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes May 2025 Class Schedule - May Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdschools.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, May 11 2025

Monday Messages April 28, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages April 28, 2025 Hillcrest Band Shines at Apple Blossom Parade Our Hillcrest Band once again impressed everyone with their incredible performance of "Funky Town" at Saturday's Apple Blossom Parade. Congratulations to all our Band students and Band Director Nick Pulley.   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 28, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade Thursday, May 8, 5pm - HMS - Open House Friday, May 9, 6pm - HMS - Last Dance of the Year Monday, May 12, 3:30pm - GRAV - Spring Music Concert in the Hillcrest Hall Tuesday, May 13, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 16 - HMS - Color Run Wednesday, May 21, 6pm - GPA - Meeting (All Welcome) Friday, May 23 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL EMERGENCY DAY Monday, May 26 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL MEMORIAL DAY Wednesday, May 28, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Thursday, May 29, 9am - GRAV - Kinder Promotion Ceremony Friday, May 30, 9am - GRAV - 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony Friday, May 30, 5:30pm - GPA - Cal Skate Fundraiser Monday, June 2, 6pm - HMS - 8th Grade Graduation Wednesday, June 4 - GUSD - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL Thursday, June 5, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Tuesday, June 10, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting   School Lunches To view the April menu, click here for English or Spanish. To view the May menu, click here for English or Spanish. Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   Our Read-A-Thon starts Monday April 28, 2025! Ready, Set, READ! Our Read-A-Thon begins next week, and we are excited to see our students dive into great books! Event information and prize details went home with students on Friday. Gravenstein Prizes: The top reader in each grade level will win a $10 Screamin’ Mimi’s gift card. The student with the most minutes read overall will win a Kindle Fire 8. The class that raises the most money will earn a pizza party! Hillcrest Prizes: The grade level with the most total reading minutes will win a grade-level pizza party. The student with the most minutes read overall will win a Kindle Fire 8. Activate your child’s reader account using the easy instructions here: Read-A-Thon Reader Link Let’s make this Read-A-Thon our best one yet—happy reading!   Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is May 5–9 We Need Your Help to Celebrate! Let’s show our amazing GUSD teachers and staff how much we appreciate everything they do! The GPA is planning fun and thoughtful events at both campuses all week long: Monday – "Thanks a Latte!" A mobile coffee cart will visit each campus, hosted by our principals. Tuesday – Sweet Treats Staff will enjoy homemade and store-bought goodies from our GUSD families. Wednesday – Thank You Very Brunch for Everything You Do! A delicious brunch will be provided in each staff lounge. Thursday – Snack Attack! With help from our student leaders, every staff member will receive a personalized snack bag signed by students. Friday – Royal Lunch Catered lunch from Pasta King to end the week in style! How You Can Help: Please consider donating items to help make each day extra special! Click here to sign up: SignUpGenius Donation Link Thank you for supporting the wonderful staff who support our kids every day!   Upcoming Events Read-a-Thon - April 28th thru May 9th Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week - May 5th thru May 9th HMS Color Run - Friday, May 16th Skate Night at Cal Skate - Friday, May 30th For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com   WHAT'S NEW at   Open House! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Open House last week! It was wonderful to see so many families celebrating our students' hard work, accomplishments, and growth this school year. Reminder for 4th Grade Families: Your Open House is on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.   Order Your Yearbook Today! It's Time to Purchase Your Gravenstein Yearbook! Soft Cover- 13.55 + tax Hard Cover- 20.85 + tax -------------------------------------------------- To purchase your Gravenstein Yearbook: CLICK HERE -------------------------------------------------- Go to the website: https://www.treering.com/ School passcode: 1013806737444510 Any Questions: email mgorman@gusdschools.org   🍎 Change for Trees🍏 The Fundraising continues! The change drive is to raise funds for a special project—planting a variety of apple trees by the traffic circle! Every penny counts, and your spare change will help us grow something lasting and beautiful for our school. The grade that brings in the most change will get to choose first from the selection of apple trees—so rally your classmates and bring in that loose change! The change can be turned into the front office into Grade Level collection bottles! Let’s plant the seeds for a fruitful future—together! 🌳✨   Spring Music Concert – 4th and 5th Grades – May 12 Our 4th and 5th Grade Band and Chorus students will be performing in the Spring Music Concert on Sunday, May 12 at 5:00 PM. 📍 Location: Hillcrest Hall at Hillcrest Middle School 🎶 Who’s Performing: 4th Grade Band and Choir 5th Grade Band and Choir Families of performers are invited to join us and enjoy the music! If your student is not able to attend, please contact: Mr. Pulley at npulley@gusdschools.org Mr. Burrows at sburrows@gusdschools.org   CAASPP Testing Starts Monday, May 5 Starting Monday, May 5, students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). To help our Gravenstein Grizzlies do their best, we ask families to support their students by: Reminding them to read all instructions carefully Making sure they understand each question Reviewing answers before clicking submit Finishing any skipped questions before ending the test Getting a good night’s sleep Eating a healthy breakfast and drinking water before school These simple steps help students feel ready and confident. Thank you for helping our students do their best!   Campus Tours Now Available! Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? Sign up for a campus tour using the link elow, or join us at our upcoming Open House Event: March 8, 2025 We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! TK Field Trips - Both Classes Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   THIS MONDAY!! Incoming Middle School Parent Night Welcome to Hillcrest Middle School! Hillcrest is excited to welcome parents of incoming middle school students to a special evening just for you! We’ll talk about the joys and challenges of this important transition, what to expect in middle school, and how to support your child as they begin this exciting new chapter. Please join us: 📅 Date: Monday, April 28 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM 📍 Location: Hillcrest Middle School We look forward to seeing you there!   Spirit Week is Coming! Get ready to show your school spirit from May 5 to May 9 with a fun theme each day! Monday – House Color Battle: Wear your house colors with pride! Essentials of Design. Rifo-O’Farrell = Orange Rudee-Ballotti = Red Libby-Masuoka = Green Burbank-Byrd = Blue Tuesday – Twin Day Match outfits with your friend, or form a group and be triplets or quadruplets! Wednesday – Dress Like a Teacher Day Put on your best "teacher" look and come dressed like your favorite educator. Thursday – Sports Day Wear your favorite team gear and cheer on your team! Friday – Adam Sandler Day Get comfy in oversized t-shirts, fanciest basketball shorts, high socks, and slides—just like Adam Sandler!   Advanced Dance Auditions Students interested in joining Advanced Dance for next year are invited to audition on Monday, May 19, after school from 3:30 to 4:30 PM in Hillcrest Hall. Auditions are open to all current 6th and 7th grade students. Please note: Advanced Dance will only be available to 7th and 8th graders during the 2025–2026 school year.   🎤 The Hillcrest Talent Show – Auditions on May 8th! Do you have a special talent you’d like to share? The Hillcrest Talent Show is coming up, and auditions will take place on Thursday, May 8th, after school. 📝 Sign up here to audition Please note, you must attend auditions to participate in the Talent Show. If you have any questions, see Mr. L for more details.   🎓 8th Grade End-of-Year Schedule It’s hard to believe, but 8th grade graduation is just around the corner! Here’s a quick look at the exciting events planned to celebrate our 8th graders: Tuesday, May 27 – Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags (Vallejo) — A full day of fun and celebration with classmates! Monday, June 2 – Graduation Practice (During School Day) & Graduation Ceremony — All students participating in the ceremony must attend school and participate in practice to walk at graduation. Ceremony – 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Blacktop — Students must arrive by 5:30 PM and report to Hillcrest Hall. Tuesday, June 3 – Gravenstein Walk — Students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary. They’ll walk the halls, high-fiving students and staff to say goodbye to their elementary school days. Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation Breakfast & Field Day — Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30–10:00 AM. Parents of graduating students are welcome to attend. All-School Field Day – A fun-filled day of games and celebration on the field! 📬 Keep an eye on Monday Messages for more details about each event!   Graduation Ceremony Info & Family Form – Action Requested The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, and we’re excited to celebrate our 8th grade graduates! To help us prepare, families are asked to complete the Graduation Information Form. This form includes details such as how you would like your student’s name to be read during the ceremony. 🔗 Please use the version titled: "Copy of 8th Grade Graduation - Action Requested * UPDATED" (Note: Two versions were sent—no worries if you filled out the first one. We will still receive your response.) 📍 Printed copies are also available in the Hillcrest Main Office. 📅 Deadline to submit: Friday, May 9th Thank you for helping us make this event memorable and meaningful for all our graduates!   🗳️ Student Council Elections – Info Meeting Coming Soon! Are you interested in being a student leader next year? Student Council elections are coming up, and we’re excited to see who will step up to represent Hillcrest for the 2025–26 school year! There will be an information meeting on Monday, May 5th during lunch. 📌 Attendance is required if you plan to run for a position. At the meeting, students will learn about: Campaigning dates and guidelines Speech requirements Student Council responsibilities Got questions? Stop by and see Mr. L!   2025-2026 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th Graders! Do you have an interest in team building, effective communication, and public speaking? Would you like to help plan school activities such as dances, rallies, lunchtime events, and special events? If so, consider applying for the Leadership elective class for the 2025-2026 school year! Becoming a member of the Leadership class is a great way to get involved and make a positive impact on our school community. How to Apply: Pick up an application in the school office. All applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2025. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org.   🍳 Cooking & Life Skills – We’re Looking for Donations! Next time you’re at the store, if you’re able to toss in an extra item or two, our Cooking and Life Skills students would be so excited! These donations help them practice real-world culinary skills—and they love getting hands-on in the kitchen! Here are a few items we’re currently in need of: Butter All-Purpose Flour Eggs Sliced Bread Onion Potatoes Cheddar Cheese Every little bit helps, and we appreciate your support in bringing these lessons to life!   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Marin Headlands Overnight Trip – Important Info for 6th Grade Families Our 6th grade overnight trip to the Marin Headlands is coming up soon: Monday, April 28 to Wednesday, April 30. A packing list has been sent home with your student. You can also find the list online here: English | Spanish. Important reminders: Students must bring a disposable bag lunch on Monday, April 28. (Some have already requested a school-provided lunch.) When students arrive Monday morning, they should: Drop off luggage in front of Hillcrest Hall Go to the blacktop Head to 1st period and wait for the school-wide departure announcement Medications: All medications must be in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name and dosage instructions Turn in medications to Mr. L on Monday morning before departure Students should keep inhalers and EpiPens with them at all times Donations are due: If you offered to donate toward the trip, please bring your donation to the Hillcrest Office or use the online link/button below. If your child is not attending: Independent Study is available. Students must complete the packet to avoid unexcused absences. Please note: GUSD loses attendance funding for unexcused absences, so it’s important the packet is completed if your student is not going on the trip. We’re looking forward to a great adventure! Ashland Overnight Field Trip – Important Info for 7th Grade Families Our 7th grade trip to Ashland is almost here! Please read the reminders below to help your child get ready for departure on Tuesday morning. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m.: Parents should come with their child to the check-in table. Lunch money and any medications will be collected at that time. Students should bring: a sleeping bag, bath towel, and pillow. Students need $20: for lunch on the return trip. Please put the money in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name. Medications: must be in a Ziploc bag labeled with your child’s name. Be sure to include the completed Overnight Field Trip Medication Permission Slip. Spending money: should be in the form of cash or a prepaid Visa card (from the grocery store). Students will not have their cell phones during shopping. Please make sure your child packs these items in their backpack, not in their suitcase: lunch for the drive, water bottle, spending money, and cell phone. Thank you for helping your student prepare for this exciting trip. We’ll see you Tuesday morning! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, join the Athletic Families ParentSquare Group HERE to receive sports updates from Meggan Young, our New Athletics Director. 🎆 GUSD Night at the Ballpark! Join us on Friday, May 16th at this season's Battle of the Bay! The SF Giants will play their Bay Area rival the A's at Oracle Park in a GUSD Family Firework extravaganza!! Purchase tickets using the scan code or link below. You will get 30% off regular price, plus $5.00 for every ticket sold will go directly to our Athletics Program!! Join HMS Athletics Group Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Get Your Yearbook Before it is too Late! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Time is running out, so place your order before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   Teaching Our Children the Power of Words Teaching children about the power of words involves helping them understand that words can be used to build up or tear down, and that their impact on others is significant. This can be achieved through modeling kind behavior, discussing emotions, and encouraging children to think about the potential consequences of their words.  Modeling Kind Behavior: Lead by example: Show your children how you use kind and respectful language with others. Practice empathy: Point out situations where someone might be feeling sad or upset and ask your children what they would say to them. Be mindful of your own language: Reflect on your own tone of voice and the words you use when interacting with your children and others.  Discussing Emotions: Help children identify and express their own emotions: Encourage them to talk about their feelings and how different words might make them feel.  Explain how others might feel when they hear hurtful or unkind words: Connect the impact of words to the emotions they evoke in others.  Use books and stories to explore emotional themes: Reading stories about characters who experience different emotions can help children understand how words affect them.  Encouraging Thoughtful Use of Words: Ask guiding questions: Encourage children to consider the impact of their words before they speak by asking questions like: "Is what you are about to say true?", "Is it helpful?", "Is it kind?", "Is it necessary?".  Discuss the importance of choosing words carefully: Help children understand that their words can have a lasting impact on others, even if they apologize later.  Teach them how to apologize effectively: If a child says something hurtful, guide them on how to apologize sincerely and acknowledge the impact of their words. By consistently modeling kind behavior, discussing emotions, and encouraging thoughtful use of words, parents can help children understand the power of words and make mindful choices about how they communicate.   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  The fifth annual Zine Fest is coming up. Pre-events start next week and the main event is Saturday, May 3. Join us to celebrate a curious and quirky, wonderful and wacky celebration of creativity and self-publishing. Click here to see the flyer. CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes April. 2025 Class Schedule - April Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Apr 27 2025

Monday Messages April 21, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages April 21, 2025   Nominate Your Child's Favorite Teacher Congratulations to the GUSD Teachers who have already received a nomination for the Press Democrat’s Favorite Teacher Sweepstakes. There is still time to help give your child’s favorite teacher a chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Oliver’s Market and the Press Democrat. Click here to submit the teacher’s name for the coming sweepstakes:   HMS Kitchen Update The remodel continued this week with the backfilling over the new drainage systems with gravel and cement. Notice the rebar inserts to strengthen the structural integrity of the new cement with the existing floor.   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 24 - GRAV - Book Faire Tuesday, April 22, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 1st and 5th Grades Wednesday, April 23, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Wednesday, April 23, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for TK and 2nd Grades Thursday, April 24, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for K and 3rd Grades Monday, April 28, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade Thursday, May 8, 5pm - HMS - Open House Friday, May 9, 6pm - HMS - Last Dance of the Year Tuesday, May 13, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 16 - HMS - Color Run Wednesday, May 21, 6pm - GPA - Meeting Friday, May 23 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL EMERGENCY DAY Monday, May 26 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL MEMORIAL DAY   School Lunches To view the entire April menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   📚 Level Up Your Reading Game at GPA’s Literati Book Fair! Join us during Open House on April 22nd, 23rd, and 24th! 🕔 5:00–6:00 PM during all Open House nights 📍 All grade levels are welcome—including Hillcrest families! Families are invited to browse and purchase books, games, and more at the in-person Book Fair during each Open House event. This is a CARD ONLY event. We are unable to accept cash at the sale. 🛒 Can’t Make It in Person? The online store is now open! Shop from a wide selection of unique titles, educational games, and STEAM kits—only available online. You can also view and purchase from your teacher’s classroom wishlist to directly support learning. Shop the Online Book Fair Please share this link with family and friends—all purchases support our enrichment programs, mini-grants, and classroom resources.   🧑‍🏫 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week is May 5-9th! To show our gratitude to the incredible staff at GUSD, GPA is hosting a series of special events for all teachers and staff at both campuses during National Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week: Monday: Thanks a Latte! ☕ Mobile coffee cart hosted by campus principals. Tuesday: Sweet Treats 🍪 Staff are treated to your family’s favorite homemade and store-bought treats. Wednesday: Thank You Very Brunch for Everything You Do! 🍳 Brunch items provided in the campus staff lounges. Thursday: Snack Attack! 🍫 With the help of our leadership students, every teacher and staff member gets a personalized, student-signed snack bag! Friday: Royal Lunch 🍝 Catered by Pasta King. Please join us in this celebration by donating items to make each day truly special for all the people who support our students! Use the link below to find out how you can help: 📝 Volunteer to Donate for Teacher Appreciation Week   Upcoming Events Book Fair at Gravenstein - Tuesday, April 22nd thru Thursday, April 24th during Open House Book-a-Thon - Watch for information, coming soon!! Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, May 5-9th For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com   WHAT'S NEW at   🍎 Change for Trees🍏 We’re excited to launch a change drive to raise funds for a special project—planting a variety of apple trees by the traffic circle! Every penny counts, and your spare change will help us grow something lasting and beautiful for our school.  The grade that brings in the most change will get to choose first from the selection of apple trees—so rally your classmates and bring in that loose change! The change can be turned into the front office into Grade Level collection bottles! Let’s plant the seeds for a fruitful future—together! 🌳✨   Order Your Yearbook Today! It's Time to Purchase Your Gravenstein Yearbook! Soft Cover- 13.55 + tax Hard Cover- 20.85 + tax -------------------------------------------------- To purchase your Gravenstein Yearbook: CLICK HERE -------------------------------------------------- Go to the website: https://www.treering.com/ School passcode: 1013806737444510 Any Questions: email mgorman@gusdschools.org   Open House is This Week! We’re excited to welcome you to our upcoming Open House events! Come visit your child's classroom and let them show off the amazing work they've done this year---they've worked hard and can't wait to share it with you! The Open House will run from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 📣 Special note for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade families: Don’t miss a special student music performance in the courtyard from 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM on the evening of your Open House. Here are the dates for each grade level: TK: Wednesday, April 23rd Kindergarten: Thursday, April 24th 1st Grade: Tuesday, April 22nd 2nd Grade: Wednesday, April 23rd 3rd Grade: Thursday, April 24th 4th Grade: Wednesday, May 7th 5th Grade: Tuesday, April 22nd We look forward to seeing you there!   🎵 Spring Music Concert – 4th & 5th Grades Our 4th and 5th Grade Band and Chorus students will be performing in the Spring Music Concert on Monday, May 12th at 5:00 PM. 📍 Location: Hillcrest Hall at Hillcrest Middle School This concert is for families of students in 4th and 5th Grade Band and Chorus. If your child is unable to attend, please contact: Mr. Pulley: npulley@gusdschools.org Mr. Burrows: sburrows@gusdschools.org We’re looking forward to a wonderful evening of music!   Campus Tours Now Available! Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! TK Field Trips - Both Classes Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   🎤 The Hillcrest Talent Show – Auditions on May 8th! Do you have a special talent you’d like to share? The Hillcrest Talent Show is coming up, and auditions will take place on Thursday, May 8th, after school. 📝 Sign up here to audition Please note, you must attend auditions to participate in the Talent Show. If you have any questions, see Mr. L for more details.   UPDATED HOUSE POINTS Rifo O’Farrell - 430 Burbank Byrd - 380 Libby Masuoka - 355 Rudee Ballotti - 330   🗳️ Student Council Elections – Info Meeting Coming Soon! Are you interested in being a student leader next year? Student Council elections are coming up, and we’re excited to see who will step up to represent Hillcrest for the 2025–26 school year! There will be an information meeting on Monday, May 5th during lunch. 📌 Attendance is required if you plan to run for a position. At the meeting, students will learn about: Campaigning dates and guidelines Speech requirements Student Council responsibilities Got questions? Stop by and see Mr. L!   2025-2026 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th Graders! Do you have an interest in team building, effective communication, and public speaking? Would you like to help plan school activities such as dances, rallies, lunchtime events, and special events? If so, consider applying for the Leadership elective class for the 2025-2026 school year! Becoming a member of the Leadership class is a great way to get involved and make a positive impact on our school community. How to Apply: Pick up an application in the school office. All applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2025. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org.   NEW DATE!!! Welcome to Hillcrest Middle School Parent Night Hillcrest Middle School is excited to invite parents of incoming middle school students to a special evening event! This is a great opportunity to learn about the joys and challenges your student will face as they enter this important next phase of their school journey. Please join us on Monday, April 28th at 6:00 PM at Hillcrest Middle School!   🍳 Cooking & Life Skills – We’re Looking for Donations! Next time you’re at the store, if you’re able to toss in an extra item or two, our Cooking and Life Skills students would be so excited! These donations help them practice real-world culinary skills—and they love getting hands-on in the kitchen! Here are a few items we’re currently in need of: Butter All-Purpose Flour Eggs Sliced Bread Onion Potatoes Cheddar Cheese Every little bit helps, and we appreciate your support in bringing these lessons to life!   🎓 8th Grade End-of-Year Schedule It’s hard to believe, but 8th grade graduation is just around the corner! Here’s a quick look at the exciting events planned to celebrate our 8th graders: Tuesday, May 27 – Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags (Vallejo) — A full day of fun and celebration with classmates! Monday, June 2 – Graduation Practice (During School Day) & Graduation Ceremony — All 8th grade students participating in the Graduation Ceremony must attend school and participate in practice to walk at graduation. Ceremony – 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Blacktop — Students must arrive by 5:30 PM and report to Hillcrest Hall. Tuesday, June 3 – Gravenstein Walk — Students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary. They’ll walk the halls, high-fiving students and staff to say goodbye to their elementary school days. Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation Breakfast & Field Day — Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30–10:00 AM. Parents of graduating students are welcome to attend. All-School Field Day – A fun-filled day of games and celebration on the field! 📬 Keep an eye on Monday Messages for more details about each event!   ✅ Graduation Ceremony Info & Family Form – Action Requested The end of the school year is rapidly approaching, and we’re excited to celebrate our 8th grade graduates! To help us prepare, families are asked to complete the Graduation Information Form. This form includes details such as how you would like your student’s name to be read during the ceremony. 🔗 Please use the version titled: "Copy of 8th Grade Graduation - Action Requested * UPDATED" (Note: Two versions were sent—no worries if you filled out the first one. We will still receive your response.) 📍 Printed copies are also available in the Hillcrest Main Office. 📅 Deadline to submit: Friday, May 9th Thank you for helping us make this event memorable and meaningful for all our graduates!   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Support Needed for 6th and 7th Grade Overnight Field Trips Dear Hillcrest Families, The exciting overnight field trips for both our 6th grade students to the Marin Headlands and our 7th grade students to Ashland are rapidly approaching, and we need your help to make these memorable experiences possible! Both of these field trips provide incredible educational and social opportunities that our students may not otherwise have the chance to experience. We are still working toward our fundraising goal of $35,000 for each of these trips. While donations are not required, we greatly appreciate the support of our school community to ensure we can continue offering these valuable experiences. If you would like to contribute, please feel free to bring cash or check payments to the Hillcrest Office at any time. Make checks payable to GUSD and write your child’s grade level in the subject line. Alternatively, for your convenience, you can also make a payment online via the buttons provided below. Thank you for your continued support in making these educational opportunities possible for our students! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, join the Athletic Families ParentSquare Group HERE to receive sports updates from Meggan Young, our Athletics Director. 🎆 GUSD Night at the Ballpark! Join us on Friday, May 16th at this season's Battle of the Bay! The SF Giants will play their Bay Area rival the A's at Oracle Park in a GUSD Family Firework extravaganza!! Purchase tickets using the scan code or link below. You will get 30% off regular price, plus $5.00 for every ticket sold will go directly to our Athletics Program!! Button link text Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Currently, we only have 26 orders, so be sure to place yours before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   💚 Supporting Mental Health Over Summer Break Summer is just around the corner! As we head into May—Mental Health Awareness Month—it’s a great time to think about how we can support our children’s mental health during summer vacation. While summer is a chance to relax and recharge, it can also bring challenges like changes in routine and less social interaction. Here are some simple ways to help your child stay mentally healthy: Keep a bit of structure. A flexible routine with a mix of activities can help kids feel grounded and engaged. Stay connected. Plan regular time with friends, neighbors, or clubs to help prevent loneliness. Get outside. Fresh air and movement support a healthy mood—try biking, hiking, or just playing in the yard. Watch for changes. If your child seems withdrawn, down, or avoids favorite activities, check in with them and consider reaching out for support. Limit screen time. Set daily limits as a family, and balance it with activities like chores, reading, or exercise. Create opportunities to talk. Even something as simple as a walk after dinner can open the door to meaningful conversations. However you plan your summer, communicate those plans with your child so they feel secure and know what to expect. Looking for outdoor activity ideas? Check out: 🌐 100 Outdoor Summer Activities Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes April. 2025 Class Schedule - April Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Apr 20 2025

Monday Messages April 14, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages April 14, 2025   🥕 A Nutrition Services Update Even with the ongoing HMS kitchen remodel, our commitment to scratch cooking and fresh, local ingredients hasn’t skipped a beat! While the menu had to adjust a bit during construction, we’ve made exciting progress this past month. We’ve doubled our contract with FEED, a farmer-owned co-op, allowing us to bring in even more local produce—like mandarins, asparagus, and soon, fresh strawberries! We’re also proud to introduce sausages from Sonoma County Meat Company, featured on the menu starting April 16. Looking ahead to May, families can look forward to: Homemade egg bites for breakfast on May 7 Meatloaf featuring Zavala Farm ground beef for lunch on May 28 Thank you for supporting our efforts to bring fresh, wholesome meals to our students—one delicious bite at a time!   Mark Your Calendars Wednesday, April 16, 6pm - GPA - Meeting - Open to All Monday, April 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 24 - GRAV - Book Faire Tuesday, April 22, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 1st and 5th Grades Wednesday, April 23, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Wednesday, April 23, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for TK and 2nd Grades Thursday, April 24, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for K and 3rd Grades Tuesday, April 29, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade Thursday, May 8, 5pm - HMS - Open House Friday, May 9, 6pm - HMS - Last Dance of the Year Tuesday, May 13, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, May 16 - HMS - Color Run Wednesday, May 21, 6pm - GPA - Meeting Friday, May 23 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL EMERGENCY DAY   School Lunches To view the entire April menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   GPA Board Elections - April 18th! Board elections are happening at our Wednesday, April 16th meeting, and we'd love for you to get involved! The following positions are currently vacant: Executive Board Member, Secretary Grade Level Parents for TK, Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, and 5th grades. - Grade Level Parents help cultivate community within their grade level, promote GPA communications, and schedule fun, grade-level-focused meet-ups! Interested in learning more about GPA? Connect with your Grade Level Parents or email us at wearegpa@wearegpa.com to learn about available positions and how you can get involved. You belong in GPA!   GPA Literati Book Fair is Coming Join us during Open House April 22nd, 23rd, and 24th The online store is now open! We invite parents to support their child’s classrooms by browsing the online teacher’s wishlists. Filled with unique titles, educational games, and STEAM kits that are only available online! Follow our school link to locate the wishlists and entire catalogue. ALL sales fund our enrichment programs, mini-grants and classroom support. Gravenstein's Literati Online Book Store We need volunteers to help staff GPA’s Literati Book Fair. Can you come early or stay late to help set-up/clean-up our pop-up shop? If you'd like to help inspire the love of reading in our students, please consider volunteering during the sale. Volunteers receive 20% off our live in store purchases! Many hands make light work and your time and effort is always appreciated. If you are available to help at this event, please add your name to this Sign-up Genius: Book Fair Volunteer Sign-up Genius List   Upcoming Events Book Fair at Gravenstein - Tuesday, April 22nd thru Thursday, April 24th during Open House Book-a-Thon - Watch for information, coming soon!! For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Or Dial: +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com ​   WHAT'S NEW at   🍎 Change for Trees🍏 We’re excited to launch a change drive to raise funds for a special project—planting a variety of apple trees by the traffic circle! Every penny counts, and your spare change will help us grow something lasting and beautiful for our school.  The grade that brings in the most change will get to choose first from the selection of apple trees—so rally your classmates and bring in that loose change! The change can be turned into the front office into Grade Level collection bottles! Let’s plant the seeds for a fruitful future—together! 🌳✨   Order Your Yearbook Today! It's Time to Purchase Your Gravenstein Yearbook! Soft Cover- 13.55 + tax Hard Cover- 20.85 + tax -------------------------------------------------- To purchase your Gravenstein Yearbook: CLICK HERE -------------------------------------------------- Go to the website: https://www.treering.com/ School passcode: 1013806737444510 Any Questions: email mgorman@gusdschools.org   You're Invited to Our Open House Events! We’re excited to welcome you to our upcoming Open House events! Come visit your child's classroom and let them show off the amazing work they've done this year---they've worked hard and can't wait to share it with you! The Open House will run from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 📣 Special note for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade families: Don’t miss a special student music performance in the courtyard from 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM on the evening of your Open House. Here are the dates for each grade level: TK: Wednesday, April 23rd Kindergarten: Thursday, April 24th 1st Grade: Tuesday, April 22nd 2nd Grade: Wednesday, April 23rd 3rd Grade: Thursday, April 24th 4th Grade: Wednesday, May 7th 5th Grade: Tuesday, April 22nd We look forward to seeing you there!   Campus Tours Now Available! Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? Sign up for a campus tour using the link elow, or join us at our upcoming Open House Event: March 8, 2025 We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! TK Field Trips Both Classes Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   🎓 8th Grade End-of-Year Schedule It’s hard to believe, but 8th grade graduation is just around the corner! Here’s a quick look at the exciting events planned to celebrate our 8th graders: Tuesday, May 27 – Graduation Field Trip to Six Flags (Vallejo) — A full day of fun and celebration with classmates! Monday, June 2 – Graduation Practice (During School Day) & Graduation Ceremony — All students participating in the ceremony must attend school and participate in practice to walk at graduation. Ceremony – 6:00 PM on the Hillcrest Blacktop — Students must arrive by 5:30 PM and report to Hillcrest Hall. Tuesday, June 3 – Gravenstein Walk — Students will wear their graduation gowns and take a bus to Gravenstein Elementary. They’ll walk the halls, high-fiving students and staff to say goodbye to their elementary school days. Wednesday, June 4 – Graduation Breakfast & Field Day — Graduation Breakfast in the Duck Pond at 8:30–10:00 AM. Parents of graduating students are welcome to attend. All-School Field Day – A fun-filled day of games and celebration on the field! 📬 Keep an eye on Monday Messages for more details about each event!   🎤 Hillcrest Talent Show – Auditions Coming Soon! Does your child have a special talent they’d love to share? We’re excited to announce that auditions for the Hillcrest Talent Show will be held after school on Thursday, May 8th! Students must attend auditions in order to participate in the show. 👉 Sign up here: Sign-up Sheet If you have any questions, please see Mr. L. We can’t wait to see the amazing talent our students bring to the stage!   🎒 It’s That Time of Year Again… Anything But a Backpack Day is Back! Get ready, Hillcrest—it’s time for one of our favorite spirit days! Next Friday, April 18th is Anything But a Backpack Day. Instead of your usual backpack, bring your school supplies in something totally unexpected—a wagon, laundry basket, toolbox, cooler, or even a (clean and empty!) fish tank! We’ve loved seeing the creativity in years past, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with this time around! 🔔 Just a reminder: Make sure your “not-a-backpack” is something you can carry or roll on your own and that it’s safe and classroom-friendly.   🗳️ Student Council Elections – Info Meeting Coming Soon! Are you interested in being a student leader next year? Student Council elections are coming up, and we’re excited to see who will step up to represent Hillcrest for the 2025–26 school year! There will be an information meeting on Monday, May 5th during lunch. 📌 Attendance is required if you plan to run for a position. At the meeting, students will learn about: Campaigning dates and guidelines Speech requirements Student Council responsibilities Got questions? Stop by and see Mr. L!   2025-2026 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th Graders! Do you have an interest in team building, effective communication, and public speaking? Would you like to help plan school activities such as dances, rallies, lunchtime events, and special events? If so, consider applying for the Leadership elective class for the 2025-2026 school year! Becoming a member of the Leadership class is a great way to get involved and make a positive impact on our school community. How to Apply: Pick up an application in the school office. All applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2025. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org.   🎲 Exploring The Hero’s Journey – Student-Created Game Boards In Mrs. Sporrer’s Film, Literature, and The Hero’s Journey class, students recently took their learning to the next level by designing and building their very own Hero’s Journey-themed board games! This creative project followed the class reading of The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. Each game was thoughtfully crafted to include key stages from Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, including: The Call to Adventure Refusal of the Call Crossing the Threshold Road of Trials (1, 2, and 3) The Final Ordeal The Ultimate Boon The Return The students did a terrific job bringing literature and storytelling to life through gameplay. Way to go!   Welcome to Hillcrest Middle School Parent Night Hillcrest Middle School is excited to invite parents of incoming middle school students to a special evening event! This is a great opportunity to learn about the joys and challenges your student will face as they enter this important next phase of their school journey. Please join us on Tuesday, April 29th at 6:00 PM at Hillcrest Middle School!   🍳 Cooking & Life Skills – We’re Looking for Donations! Next time you’re at the store, if you’re able to toss in an extra item or two, our Cooking and Life Skills students would be so excited! These donations help them practice real-world culinary skills—and they love getting hands-on in the kitchen! Here are a few items we’re currently in need of: Butter All-Purpose Flour Eggs Sliced Bread Onion Potatoes Cheddar Cheese Every little bit helps, and we appreciate your support in bringing these lessons to life!   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Support Needed for 6th and 7th Grade Overnight Field Trips Dear Hillcrest Families, The exciting overnight field trips for both our 6th grade students to the Marin Headlands and our 7th grade students to Ashland are rapidly approaching, and we need your help to make these memorable experiences possible! Both of these field trips provide incredible educational and social opportunities that our students may not otherwise have the chance to experience. We are still working toward our fundraising goal of $35,000 for each of these trips. While donations are not required, we greatly appreciate the support of our school community to ensure we can continue offering these valuable experiences. If you would like to contribute, please feel free to bring cash or check payments to the Hillcrest Office at any time. Make checks payable to GUSD and write your child’s grade level in the subject line. Alternatively, for your convenience, you can also make a payment online via the buttons provided below. Thank you for your continued support in making these educational opportunities possible for our students! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, check out these amazing sports updates from Meggan Youn, our New Athletics Director. Weekly Hawks Headlines - April 7, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 31, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 24, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 10, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Be sure to place yours before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   📚 National Library Week Spotlight: A Quick Mental Health Tip In honor of National Library Week, we encourage you to take a moment to get lost in a good book! Reading is a simple and powerful way to practice self-care and reduce stress—for kids and adults alike. Check out this short article on the mental health benefits of reading: 👉 Why Reading is Good for Mental Health – NAMI California   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Tinker Academy is a FREE Summer program designed to engage and inspire students in grades 6-9 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on maker activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical, and artistic abilities, participants will gain experience and confidence to set them up for success in school. ​ Deadline: Tuesday, April 15 For more information and to apply click HERE Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Expanding Your Horizons! Sonoma State University is offering a one day event - A day full of hands-on STEM focused workshops on Saturday, April 12th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided and the cost is FREE! See the flyer to the right for more information. Expanding Your Horizons!  Flyer To register, visit their website. Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website Summer @ Sonoma Academy Flyer The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes April. 2025 Class Schedule - April Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Apr 13 2025

Monday Messages April 7, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages April 7, 2025   Mark Your Calendars Monday, April 7 - GRAV - Class Picture Day Tuesday, April 8, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Wednesday, April 16, 6pm - GPA - Meeting - Open to All Monday, April 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 24 - GRAV - Book Faire Tuesday, April 22, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 1st and 5th Grades Wednesday, April 23, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Wednesday, April 23, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for TK and 2nd Grades Thursday, April 24, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for K and 3rd Grades Tuesday, April 29, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade Thursday, May 8, 5pm - HMS - Open House Friday, May 9, 6pm - HMS - Last Dance of the Year   School Lunches To view the entire April menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   GPA Board Elections Coming in April! Board elections are happening at our Wednesday, April 16th meeting, and we'd love for you to get involved! The following positions are currently vacant: Executive Board Member, Secretary Grade Level Parents for TK, Kindergarten, 1st, 4th, and 5th grades. - Grade Level Parents help cultivate community within their grade level, promote GPA communications, and schedule fun, grade-level-focused meet-ups! Interested in learning more about GPA? Connect with your Grade Level Parents or email us at wearegpa@wearegpa.com to learn about available positions and how you can get involved. You belong in GPA!   Book Fair Volunteers Needed!! April 22, 23, and 24th: We need volunteers to help staff GPA’s Literati Book Fair.  Can you come early or stay late to help set-up/clean-up our pop-up shop?  If you'd like to help inspire the love of reading in our students, please consider volunteering during the sale. Volunteers receive 20% off our live in store purchases!  Many hands make light work and your time and effort is always appreciated. If you are available to help at this event, please add your name to this Sign-up Genius: Volunteer List. Upcoming Events Due to the kitchen renovation project, GPA's Movie Night at Hillcrest Hall scheduled for Friday, April 11th, has been postponed. Book Fair at Gravenstein - Tuesday, April 22nd - Thursday, April 24th during Open House For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com​   WHAT'S NEW at   Class Picture Day - Monday, April 7th! Gravenstein's Class Picture Day is tomorrow, Monday, April 7th! Please mark your calendars and get ready to capture a great memory of the school year. An order form will be sent home afterward. No need to pre-order class photos this year! Make sure your child is ready with their best smile!   Join Us for Our Open House Events! We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Open House events! Come visit your child's classroom and see all the amazing work they've accomplished this year. The Open House will run from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Important note for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade families: There will be a special music performance in the courtyard from 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM on the evening of your Open House. Here are the dates for each grade level: TK: Wednesday, April 23rd Kindergarten: Thursday, April 24th 1st Grade: Tuesday, April 22nd 2nd Grade: Wednesday, April 23rd 3rd Grade: Thursday, April 24th 4th Grade: Wednesday, May 7th 5th Grade: Tuesday, April 22nd We look forward to seeing you there!   Campus Tours Now Available! Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? Sign up for a campus tour using the link elow, or join us at our upcoming Open House Event: March 8, 2025 We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Want to See What is Happening at Gravenstein!? Stay connected with all the exciting events and activities happening at Gravenstein! Check out our social media pages, where we frequently post updates. Be sure to look for photos from our recent school-wide field trip to the Middle School to see the Matilda musical production! Follow us on: Facebook: Gravenstein Elementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   2025-2026 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th Graders! Do you have an interest in team building, effective communication, and public speaking? Would you like to help plan school activities such as dances, rallies, lunchtime events, and special events? If so, consider applying for the Leadership elective class for the 2025-2026 school year! Becoming a member of the Leadership class is a great way to get involved and make a positive impact on our school community. How to Apply: Pick up an application in the school office. All applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2025. If you have any questions, feel free to email Mrs. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org.   "Pi Day" Themed Math Competition 7th Grade students (Kohki Asahi, Rylee Stevens, and Mia Marano) participated in a "Pi Day" themed math competition at Maria Carrillo High School, Saturday March 29th. Kohki brough home the 2nd Place prize, competing against 5th - 8th graders from various districts in Sonoma County! Great job to all the participants!   Ms. Wittenberg's 7th grade Math Awardees: (left to right) Tatsu Coates-Hood, Kohki Asahi, Rylee Stevens, Mia Marano, and Everly Bernardi   Welcome to Hillcrest Middle School Parent Night Hillcrest Middle School is excited to invite parents of incoming middle school students to a special evening event! This is a great opportunity to learn about the joys and challenges your student will face as they enter this important next phase of their school journey. Please join us on Tuesday, April 29th at 6:00 PM at Hillcrest Middle School!   Cooking and Life Skills - We Need Donations! Next time you’re at the store, consider picking up an extra item to donate to our Cooking and Life Skills class! The students will be excited to practice their culinary skills with your generous donations. We are in need of: Butter All-purpose flour Eggs Sliced bread Onion Potatoes Cheddar cheese Thank you for supporting our students’ learning and growth in the kitchen!   Lost & Found - Unclaimed Items Will Be Donated Please take a moment to check the Lost & Found for any missing items. You can stop by in person or have your student look through the collection. All unclaimed items will be donated after school on Friday, April 11th. Thank you for helping us keep things organized!   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Support Needed for 6th and 7th Grade Overnight Field Trips Dear Hillcrest Families, The exciting overnight field trips for both our 6th grade students to the Marin Headlands and our 7th grade students to Ashland are rapidly approaching, and we need your help to make these memorable experiences possible! Both of these field trips provide incredible educational and social opportunities that our students may not otherwise have the chance to experience. We are still working toward our fundraising goal of $35,000 for each of these trips. While donations are not required, we greatly appreciate the support of our school community to ensure we can continue offering these valuable experiences. If you would like to contribute, please feel free to bring cash or check payments to the Hillcrest Office at any time. Make checks payable to GUSD and write your child’s grade level in the subject line. Alternatively, for your convenience, you can also make a payment online via the buttons provided below. Thank you for your continued support in making these educational opportunities possible for our students! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, check out these amazing sports updates from Meggan Youn, our New Athletics Director. Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 31, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 24, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 10, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 3, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Currently, we only have 26 orders, so be sure to place yours before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   Teaching Your Children Coping Skills for Anger Anger is a natural emotion that everyone experiences, including children.  However, how children learn to manage and express their anger is crucial for their emotional development.  If children are not taught how to cope with their anger, it can manifest in behaviors that may be disruptive, hurtful, or difficult to manage. Teaching your child coping techniques for anger management not only helps them express their feelings in healthy ways but also equips them with valuable life skills they can use throughout their life.  To read about some effective methods to teach your child how to handle their anger click the link for your language: English | Spanish | Korean   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Tinker Academy is a FREE Summer program designed to engage and inspire students in grades 6-9 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on maker activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical, and artistic abilities, participants will gain experience and confidence to set them up for success in school. ​ Deadline: Tuesday, April 15 For more information and to apply click HERE Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Expanding Your Horizons! Sonoma State University is offering a one day event - A day full of hands-on STEM focused workshops on Saturday, April 12th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided and the cost is FREE! See the flyer to the right for more information. Expanding Your Horizons!  Flyer To register, visit their website. Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes April 2025 Class Schedule - April Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Apr 06 2025

Monday Messages March 31, 2025

Monday Messages March 31, 2025   Summer JumpStart Enrollment for the Summer JumpStart program is now closed. We have, however, started a waitlist for each grade level. If you would like to place your child on the waitlist, please email jumpstart@gusdschools.org and include your child's first name, last name, and grade that your child will be in the 2025-2026 school year.   Mark Your Calendars Thursday, April 3, 5pm - GPA - Dine & Donate at The Rewind Friday, April 4 - GPA - Movie Night at Gravenstein Monday, April 7 - GRAV - Class Picture Day Tuesday, April 8, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Wednesday, April 16, 6pm - GPA - Meeting - Open to All Monday, April 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL - EMERGENCY DAY Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 - GRAV - Book Faire Tuesday, April 22, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 1st and 5th Grades Wednesday, April 23, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Wednesday, April 23, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for TK and 2nd Grades Thursday, April 24, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for K and 3rd Grades Thursday, April 24, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade   School Lunches To view the entire April menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   GPA Board Elections Comin in April Board elections are happening at our Wednesday, April 16th meeting. Interested in learning more about GPA? Connect with your Grade Level Parents or email GPA to learn about available positions and how you can get involved. You belong in GPA!   Movie Nights! Gravenstein MPR!! Join us for a FREE family movie night featuring Shrek. Doors open at 5pm, movie starts at 6pm! All GUSD families are welcome and snacks will be available for purchase. If you are available to help at this event, please add your name to this Sign-up Genius List: Sign-up Genius Movie Night Volunteer Hillcrest Movie Due to the kitchen renovation project, GPA’s Movie Night at Hillcrest Hall scheduled for Friday, April 11th, has been postponed.   Literati's Book Fair is Coming to Gravenstein We need volunteers to help staff GPA’s Literati Book Fair April 22, 23, 24th. Can you come early or stay late to help set-up/clean-up our pop-up shop? If you'd like to help inspire the love of reading in our students, please consider volunteering during the sale. Volunteers receive 20% off our live in store purchases! Many hands make light work and your time and effort is always appreciated. If you are available to help at this event, please add your name to this Sign-up Genius: Sign-up Genius Book Fair Volunteer   Upcoming Events Dine and Donate - The Rewind, THIS Thursday, April 3rd, 5-10pm Movie Night at Gravenstein - Friday, April 4th Book Fair at Gravenstein - Tuesday, April 22nd - Thursday, April 23th during Open House For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com ​   Upcoming Board Meeting Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com ​   WHAT'S NEW at   Class Picture Day - Mark Your Calendars Don't forget! Gravenstein's Class Picture Day is on April 7th. Be sure to mark your calendars and have your child ready for their photo. We look forward to capturing these special moments!   Open House Dates - Come See What We've Been Working On! We invite you to our Open House events! This is a great chance to see the classroom and check out all the amazing work your chuild has done this year. The Open House will run from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Special Note: For 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, there will be a music performance in the courtyard from 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM during their Open House. Open House Dates: TK: Wednesday, 4/23 Kindergarten: Thursday, 4/24 1st Grade: Tuesday, 4/22 2nd Grade: Wednesday, 4/23 3rd Grade: Thursday, 4/24 4th Grade: Wednesday, 5/7 5th Grade: Tuesday, 4/22 We hope to see you there!   Campus Tours Now Available! Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? Sign up for a campus tour using the link elow, or join us at our upcoming Open House Event: March 8, 2025 We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up   Want to see what is happening at Gravenstein!? Check out our social media page that is frequently updated with events and activities happening on campus! Make sure to look for our r3ecent school Wide field trip to Middle School for the Musical Production of Matilda! Gravenstein Elementary Facebook Or follow us on our Gravenstein Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Contact Info Don’t Forget!  Follow us on our updated and active Facebook Page and on Instagram! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   2025-2026 Leadership Application & Information Attention 6th and 7th Grade Students! Are you interested in team building, communication, and public speaking? Do you want to help plan school events lide dances, rallies, and lunchtime activities? Become an active member of the Hillcrest student community by applying to join the Leadership elective class for the 2025-2026 school year! To apply, pick up the application from from the school office. All applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2025. Have questions? Email Mrs. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org   Incoming and Outgoing Hillcrest Students Welcome to Hillcrest Middle School Parent Night Welcome to Hillcrest Middle School! Hillcrest is excited to host an evening for parents of incoming middle school students! We will discuss the joys and challenges as your student enters the next phase of the school careers! Please join us!! Date: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Location: Hillcrest Middle School   Welcome Future 6th Graders! Gravenstein 5th graders, we are excited to welcome you to Hillcrest Middle School! In just a few short months, you will become Hillcrest Hawks! As we approach the start of the new school year, we want to share some important information you’ll need to know: If you are already enrolled at Gravenstein, there is no need to fill out new enrollment forms. In the spring, we will email a Google form for students to sign up for their 6th grade Electives. All 5th grade students and families are invited to Hillcrest’s Open House on May 8th, 2025 at 5pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the campus, meet the teachers, and see the classrooms! We are also available to give guided campus tours for families. To schedule a tour, please call the Hillcrest Main Office at 707-823-7653. If you have any questions, please email Principal Deeths at wdeeths@gusdschools.org. We are looking forward to an incredible school year!   Hillcrest Field Trip Information Reminder for 7th Grade Parents - Field Trip Deadlines! Permission slips for the April field trips (San Francisco, Luther Burbank, and Ashland) were due by Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Late permission slips may not guarantee a spot, and participation will depend on availability. Donations Needed: Please send in donactions for the field trips as soon as possible. Your support helps reduce extra costs for the District. Donate using the 7th Grade Field Trip button below. Thank you for your continued support! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, check out these amazing sports updates from Meggan Youn, our New Athletics Director. Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 24, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 10, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 3, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - February 25, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Be sure to place your order before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER   Coping Skills A coping skill is the way that you handle your anger, stress, anxiety, fear or any other feeling! A GOOD coping skill is: one that helps you feel better in the moment without hurting yourself or anyone else. It is also one that doesn't get you into any trouble now or later. Using positive self-talk Deep breathing Taking a shower Going for a walk Doing something creative Exercising Talking to a friend Playing a sport or game Hanging out with friends Taking a time out Using an I-Feel message Counting to 10 A POOR coping skill is: one that might feel good when you use it, but it ends up hurting you or other people. Using a poor coping skill for a long time can be harmful. Name-calling or insulting Becoming violent Spreading rumors Yelling and screaming Hurting yourself Threatening Doing something dangerous Shutting down Pretending like you don't care Blaming other people Negative self-talk Avoiding family and friends   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Tinker Academy is a FREE Summer program designed to engage and inspire students in grades 6-9 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on maker activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical, and artistic abilities, participants will gain experience and confidence to set them up for success in school. ​ Deadline: Tuesday, April 15 For more information and to apply click HERE ​Try out Girl Scouts with us! Bring your family for a fun activity to "try out" Girl Scouts. You'll learn about Girl Scout opportunities in your community, and how to join or start a Gril Scout troop! This free event is open to all girls and gender-expanisve youth not yet in Girl Scouts. Questions? Contact hwilber@gsnorcal.org or call (707) 524-9200, or visit www.gsnorcal.org/join You can also check out these flyers (in English and Spanish) for more information. LINK TO FLYERS Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean Expanding Your Horizons! Sonoma State University is offering a one day event - A day full of hands-on STEM focused workshops on Saturday, April 12th from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Lunch and snacks will be provided and the cost is FREE! See the flyer to the right for more information. Expanding Your Horizons!  Flyer To register, visit their website. Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes April 2025 Class Schedule - April Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Mar 30 2025

Monday Messages March 24, 2025 for GUSD Families!

Monday Messages March 24, 2025   Kitchen Construction Begins! Our district took a big step forward in our on-going quest to improve school nutrition this week with the beginning of our Hillcrest kitchen remodel. In the works for well over a year, the earliest construction included closing off one door and creating another, demolishing the kitchen interior, cutting concrete to expose pipes and preparing new drainage systems. This project was fully budgeted a year ago and is largely grant funded. The kitchen is now fenced off so workers can continue to work isolated from students through the summer. Construction projects invariably include hiccups, so we'll beg your forgiveness in advance for any inconveniences caused by this facility improvement. Stay tuned for further updates! The new doorway linking the kitchen to the storage area. The installation of new drainage required cutting thorugh 10" of concrete.   JumpStart 2025 The GUSD is offering a Math & Language Arts Support Summer School - Jumpstart 2025!   The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between. Session 1 June 10th - June 27th 7:30am-5:30pm Instructional Time 8:30-12:30 Enrichments: 1:15-3:40 13 Day Session (June 19th is a Holiday) Session 2 July 8th - July 25th 7:30am-5:30pm Instructional Time 8:30-12:30 Enrichments: 1:15-3:40 14 Day Session We are pleased to share that we have a few spaces still open in some of our classes. Participation in these programs is optional, yet students who do sign up are expected to attend the minimum of the 4 hours of instructional time each day, 8:30am - 12:30pm. To maximize the benefit of this program we encourage your student to be present everyday. This program provides Breakfast (prior to 8:00), Lunch, and both a mid-morning and afternoon snack. Enrichment opportunities will be offered in the afternoon. These enrichments include experiences like Physical Education, Makers, Art, and others. At this time, we are unable to offer a space to students who cannot commit to the entire session. Please click the link below for more information and to sign your child up to participate. You will be notified of your child's enrollment or placement on a wait list. Enrollment closes 3/28/25 at 3pm. JumpStart Information and Sign-Up Link Contact jumpstart@gusdschools.org with any questions.   Mark Your Calendars Wednesday, March 26, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Meeting Wednesday, March 26, 6pm - GPA - Tentative date for Meeting. All Welcome! Friday, March 28, 6pm - HMS - School Dance Thursday, April 3, 5pm - GPA - Dine & Donate at The Rewind Friday, April 4 - GPA - Movie Night at Gravenstein Tuesday, April 8, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, April 11 - GPA - Movie Night at Hillcrest Wednesday, April 16, 6pm - GPA - Meeting - Open to All Monday, April 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 - HMS - Book Faire Tuesday, April 22, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 1st and 5th Grades Wednesday, April 23, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Wednesday, April 23, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for TK and 2nd Grades Thursday, April 24, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for K and 3rd Grades Thursday, April 24, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade   School Lunches To view the entire March menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests.   Gravenstein Parent Association   GPA Board Elections Coming in April! Board elections are happening at our Wednesday, April 16th meeting. Interested in learning more about GPA? Join as at our next board meeting, Wednesday, March 26th to learn about available positions and how you can get involved. You belong in GPA!   Movie Night at Gravenstein Friday, April 4th at 5:30pm in the MPR GPA will be hosting a Movie Night on the Gravenstein campus. All GUSD families are welcome. If you are available to help at this event, please add your name to this Sign-Up Genius List. Movie Night at Hillcrest Friday, April 11th at 5:30pm GPA will be hosting a Movie Night for students in 6th-8th grades. If you are available to help at this event, please add your name to this sign-up Genius List.   Upcoming Events Dine and Donate - The Rewind, Thursday, April 3rd, 5-10pm Movie Night at Gravenstein - Friday, April 4th Movie Night at Hillcrest - Friday, April 11th For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com   Upcoming Board Meeting Rescheduled for Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ Connect With Us Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com   WHAT'S NEW at   So Many Events! So Many Pictures! As we continue to improve our Monday Messages, we are no longer going to be including pictures from events here at Gravenstein. However, we are continually updating our Facebook and Instagram pages with all of these events. Please see the links below: Gravenstein Elementary Facebook Or follow us on our Gravenstein Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   Request for Independent Study - Important Information for Parents Dear Parents and Guardians, We hope this message finds you well. As we continue to support your child’s academic progress, we would like to remind you about the process for requesting independent study when your child will be absent for a family trip or event. We recommend providing at least a week's notice to teachers when requesting independent study. This allows our teachers the necessary time to prepare the appropriate assignments and resources for your child to stay on track while they are away.  We fully understand that unexpected circumstances arise, and we appreciate your flexibility and request for independent studies in such situations. However, if you are aware of an upcoming trip or event that will require your child’s absence, we kindly ask that you notify us at least a week in advance. This advance notice greatly helps our teachers ensure that your child has the materials they need to complete their work efficiently. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and support in this process. If you have any questions or need assistance with arranging independent study, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or school office. Thank you for your attention to this matter.   Campus Tours Now Available! Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? Sign up for a campus tour using the link elow, or join us at our upcoming Open House Event: March 8, 2025 We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up   Online Payments We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes   Contact Info Don’t Forget!  Follow us on our updated and active Facebook Page and on Instagram! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary   WHAT'S NEW at   Click here to see the above flyer in Spanish | Korean   Trimester 2 Awards Assembly The Trimester 2 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday March 28. Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 2 report card they will earn an award). We will also be recognizing students for excelling in the different subject areas and for exemplifying lifeskills. We will be holding individual ceremonies for 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Parents are welcome to attend. The schedule is as follows--  6th grade- 8:30 7th grade- 9:20 8th grade- 10:25   Spring Has Sprung Dance - Friday, March 28th Get ready for a fun night! Join us for the Spring Has Spring Dance on Friday, March 28th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Ticket Information: Tickets will be on sale at lunch in the Duckpond $5 presale tickets $8 at the door Important Notes: No refunds for students who do not attend the dance. Chaperones are needed! If you can help, please contact Ms. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org. School rules still apply at the dance. The dance is only for current Hillcrest students. Cell phones are not allowed to be used or seen during the dance. If your student is dropped off after 6:20pm, a parent must walk them to the entrance. Early pick-up: Students may only be picked up early by their parent, and the parent must come to the entrance to get them. Allo students must be picked up no later than 8:205 pm or they may not be allowed to attend the next dance. We look forward to seeing everyone there for a night of fun and dancing!   House Game Schedule This Week Wednesday, March 26 - 7th Grade Badminton - Singles Fifo O'Farrell vs Burbank Byrd Friday, March 28 - 7th Grade Badminton - Singles Rudee Ballotti vs Libby Masuoka Current House Game Standings Burbank Byrd - 335 Rifo O'Farrell - 335 Rudee Ballotti - 280 Libby Masuoka - 275   Incoming and Outgoing Hillcrest Students Future 6th Graders Gravenstein 5th graders, we are excited to welcome you to Hillcrest Middle School! In just a few short months, you will become Hillcrest Hawks! As we approach the start of the new school year, we want to share some important information you’ll need to know: If you are already enrolled at Gravenstein, there is no need to fill out new enrollment forms. In the spring, we will email a Google form for students to sign up for their 6th grade Electives. All 5th grade students and families are invited to Hillcrest’s Open House on May 8th, 2025 at 5pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the campus, meet the teachers, and see the classrooms! We are also available to give guided campus tours for families. To schedule a tour, please call the Hillcrest Main Office at 707-823-7653. If you have any questions, please email Principal Deeths at wdeeths@gusdschools.org. We are looking forward to an incredible school year! Future 9th Graders The Academy of Innovative Arts is a new specialized high school in the West Sonoma County Union High School District that reimagines education for the 21st century. Located on the beautiful El Molino campus, The Academy offers a collaborative learning environment where students can thrive through hands-on projects, real-world experiences, and personalized learning paths. For more information, click HERE!   Hillcrest Field Trip Information 7th Grade Parents ~ Field Trip Reminders All Permission Slips for the April field trips (San Francisco, Luther Burbank and Ashland) are due Wednesday (3/26/25). If a permission slip is returned after this date, the child is not guaranteed a spot on the field trip. Their participation will depend on availability. There is a Zoom Meeting for the Ashland, Oregon field trip Wednesday (3/26/25) at 6:30pm. This meeting is for all parents of students attending the Ashland field trip. A link will be sent out via email and ParentSquare on Monday. Please send in your donations for the April field trips ASAP! We are counting on those donations to reduce excess expenses to the district. There is a link to donate below. Use the yellow button marked 7th Grade Field Trips. Thank you so much for your support! Online Payments We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now   Hillcrest Athletics Connecting with Sports Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, check out these amazing sports updates from Meggan Youn, our New Athletics Director. Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 10, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 3, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - February 25, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - February 17, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! Athletics Donation   Hillcrest Weekly Reminders Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Currently, we only have 26 orders, so be sure to place yours before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake!   After School Reminders After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.    Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol   COUNSELORS' CORNER Subtitle for context   Meet the Counselors The school counselors in GUSD address the needs of students in all three domains; acadmeic, social-emotional, and career development as well as help to create a positive and safe learning experience. GUSD's Counselors also support students as they face issues that prevent their healthy development. Rosie Steen-Larsen, LMFT and GUSD Mental Health Coordinator Ms. Rosie enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending as much time as possible at the beach collecting seashells with her family. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years experience working with children and families. Samantha Cole, PPS & GUSD School Counselor Ms. Cole is a lover of video games, knitting/crafting, animals, and board games!  She has an MS in Counseling, with credentialing & specialization in School Counseling, as well as BAs in Teaching & Learning and Psychology.   Hillcrest Counseling Page Click on the link below to to view all the resources available to you and your family on the Hillcrest Counseling page. GUSD School Counseling Page   COMMUNITY CORNER   Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. Tinker Academy is a FREE Summer program designed to engage and inspire students in grades 6-9 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on maker activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical, and artistic abilities, participants will gain experience and confidence to set them up for success in school. ​ Deadline: Tuesday, April 15 For more information and to apply click HERE ​Try out Girl Scouts with us! Bring your family for a fun activity to "try out" Girl Scouts. You'll learn about Girl Scout opportunities in your community, and how to join or start a Gril Scout troop! This free event is open to all girls and gender-expanisve youth not yet in Girl Scouts. Questions? Contact hwilber@gsnorcal.org or call (707) 524-9200, or visit www.gsnorcal.org/join You can also check out these flyers (in English and Spanish) for more information. LINK TO FLYERS Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean ​Afterschool Animal Academy! Veterinary Medicine Edition! 12 Spots available. This 6 week adventure is every Wednesday, March 26th - April 30th! Learn from Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Registered Veterinary Technicians who are making a difference in the lives of animals everyday! Cost: $285 For students currently in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade. Check out this flyer for more information on how to register! English | Spanish Expanding Your Horizons! Sonoma State University is offering a one day event - A day full of hands-on STEM focused workshops. See the flyer to the right for more information. Expanding Your Horizons!  Flyer Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes March 2025 Class Schedule - March Class List   GUSD BOARD   Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org   DISTRICT WEBSITE   GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN   Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org

Sunday, Mar 23 2025

Monday Messages March 17, 2025 for GUSD Families!

​ ​ Monday Messages March 17, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ JumpStart 2025! ​ The GUSD is offering a Math & Language Arts Support Summer School - Jumpstart 2025!   The Jumpstart Program is broken into two sessions with a break in between. Session 1                                          June 10th - June 27th 7:30am-5:30pm Instructional Time 8:30-12:30 Enrichments: 1:15-3:40 13 Day Session (June 19th is a Holiday) Session 2 July 7th - July 25th 7:30am-5:30pm Instructional Time 8:30-12:30 Enrichments: 1:15-3:40 14 Day Session We are pleased to share that we have a few spaces still open in some of our classes.  Participation in these programs is optional, yet students who do sign up are expected to attend the minimum of the 4 hours of instructional time each day, 8:30am - 12:30pm. To maximize the benefit of this program we encourage your student to be present everyday. This program provides Breakfast (prior to 8:00), Lunch, and both a mid-morning and afternoon snack. Enrichment opportunities will be offered in the afternoon. These enrichments include experiences like Physical Education, Makers, Art, and others.  At this time, we are unable to offer a space to students who cannot commit to the entire session. Please click the link below for more information and to sign your child up to participate.  You will be notified of your child's enrollment or placement on a wait list.   JumpStart Information and Sign Up Contact jumpstart@gusdschools.org with any questions. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Mark Your Calendars ​ Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break Wednesday, March 26, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Meeting Wednesday, March 26, 6pm - GPA - Tentative date for Meeting. All Welcome! Friday, March 28, 6pm - HMS - School Dance Thursday, April 3, 5pm - GPA - Dine & Donate at The Rewind Friday, April 4 - GPA - Movie Night at Gravenstein Tuesday, April 8, 5pm - GUSD - Board Meeting Friday, April 11 - GPA - Movie Night at Hillcrest Wednesday, April 16, 6pm - GPA - Meeting - Open to All Monday, April 21 - GUSD - NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 - HMS - Book Faire Tuesday, April 22, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 1st and 5th Grades Wednesday, April 23, 3:30pm - GUSD - Site Council Wednesday, April 23, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for TK and 2nd Grades Thursday, April 24, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for K and 3rd Grades Thursday, April 24, 6pm - HMS - Welcome to Middle School Parent Night Thursday, May 1, 5pm - GPA - Dine and Donate at The Rewind Wednesday, May 7, 5pm - GRAV - Open House for 4th Grade ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ School Lunches ​ To view the entire March menu click here for English or Spanish.  Fruits &/or Veggies are offered with all meals.  Meals are not offered a la carte.  Menu items are subject to change.  All student meals are free of charge.  A completed Medical Statement to Request Accommodations letter to the office is required to accommodate any dietary restrictions or vegetarian/vegan requests. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Gravenstein Parent Association ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ GPA Board Elections Coming in April!! ​ Board elections are happening at our Wednesday, April 16th meeting.  Interested in learning more about GPA?  Join us at our next board meeting, Wednesday March 26th to learn about available positions and how you can get involved.  You belong in GPA! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ The Online Auction was a Huge Success! ​ Thank you to all of our auction coordinators, generous donors, families and friends who bid, shared and helped us exceed our auction goal of 35K!  These funds go directly to our enrichment programs, teacher grants and classroom support so THANK YOU! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Events ​ Movie Night at Gravenstein - Friday, April 4th Movie Night at Hillcrest - Friday, April 11th For more event information, or to sign-up to volunteer at future events, please visit the "Event Details" page on our website: www.wearegpa.com ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming Board Meeting ​ Rescheduled for Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 Hillcrest Middle School in Room 5 GPA Google Meet Link Join by phone ‪(US) +1 530-430-7704‬ PIN: ‪188 694 989‬ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Connect With Us ​ Stay up to date in the quickest way by following us on Facebook and Instagram.  Tag your photos with #wearegpa to show your school pride! email: wearegpa@wearegpa.com Website: www.wearegpa.com ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ WHAT'S NEW at ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ So Many Events! So Many Pictures! ​ As we continue to improve our Monday Messages, we are no longer going to be including pictures from events here at Gravenstein. However, we are continually updating our Facebook and Instagram pages with all of these events. Please see the links below: Gravenstein Elementary Facebook Or follow us on our Gravenstein Instagram: @gravensteinelementary ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Request for Independent Study - Important Information for Parents ​ Dear Parents and Guardians, We hope this message finds you well. As we continue to support your child’s academic progress, we would like to remind you about the process for requesting independent study when your child will be absent for a family trip or event. We recommend providing at least a week's notice to teachers when requesting independent study. This allows our teachers the necessary time to prepare the appropriate assignments and resources for your child to stay on track while they are away.  We fully understand that unexpected circumstances arise, and we appreciate your flexibility and request for independent studies in such situations. However, if you are aware of an upcoming trip or event that will require your child’s absence, we kindly ask that you notify us at least a week in advance. This advance notice greatly helps our teachers ensure that your child has the materials they need to complete their work efficiently. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and support in this process. If you have any questions or need assistance with arranging independent study, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or school office. Thank you for your attention to this matter. ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Open House Dates ​ Please join us for our Open House events! Come see the classroom and let your students show off all of the amazing work they have done this year! The open house event starts at 5pm and ends at 5:45. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades will have music presentations at 5:45!  TK - Wednesday, 4/23 K - Thursday, 4/24 1st - Tuesday, 4/22 2nd - Wednesday, 4/23 3rd - Thursday, 4/24 4th - Wednesday, 5/7 5th - Tuesday, 4/22 ​ ​ ​ ​ Campus Tours Now Available! ​ Campus tours are happening now and more are available throught the school year! Do you have children who will be eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) next school year? Would you like to learn more about our program? Do you have family or friends interested in our incredible school? Sign up for a campus tour using the link elow, or join us at our upcoming Open House Event: March 8, 2025 We look forward to showing you everything that our school has to offer! Click the button below to sign up for a campus tour. ​ ​ ​ ​ Gravenstein Campus Tour Sign Up ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Online Payments ​ We are excited to announce that we are now able to accept donations for field trips online!! In case you missed a field trip donation request or didn't have a chance to donate at the time, here is another chance. Clink the Appropriate button below to be directed to our recent donation requests. Donations are not required however in order for Gravenstein Elementary School to keep offering these amazing experiences to our students, we need our school communities' support!! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Kinder Field Trips - Hillier Kinder Field Trips - MacInnis Kinder Field Trips - Redfern Kinder Field Trips - Triv 1st Grade Field Trips - Clement 1st Grade Field Trips - Dellosa 1st Grade Field Trips - Gloeckner 1st Grade Field Trips - Gorman  2nd Grade Field Trips - All Classes ​ ​ ​ ​ 3rd Grade Field Trips - Haas 3rd Grade Field Trips - Mattish 3rd Grade Field Trips - Nordstrom 3rd Grade Field Trips - Sposato 4th Grade Field Trips - Brown 4th Grade Field Trips - Cervantes 4th Grade Field Trips - Stevens 4th Grade Field Trips - Sully  5th Grade Field Trips - All Classes ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Contact Info ​ Don’t Forget!  Follow us on our updated and active Facebook Page and on Instagram! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GravensteinElementary Instagram: @gravensteinelementary ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ WHAT'S NEW at ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Click here to see the above flyer in Spanish | Korean ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Trimester 2 Awards Assembly ​ The Trimester 2 Awards Ceremonies will take place in Hillcrest Hall on Friday March 28.  Students will be recognized for their Grade Point Average (if they earned a GPA of 3.0 or above on their Trimester 2 report card they will earn an award). We will also be recognizing students for excelling in the different subject areas and for exemplifying lifeskills.  We will be holding individual ceremonies for 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  Parents are welcome to attend.  The schedule is as follows--  6th grade- 8:30 7th grade- 9:20 8th grade- 10:25 ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Spring Has Spring Dance - Friday, March 28th ​ Get ready for a fun night! Join us for the Spring Has Spring Dance on Friday, March 28th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Ticket Information: Tickets will be on sale at lunch in the Duckpond $5 presale tickets $8 at the door Important Notes: No refunds for students who do not attend the dance. Chaperones are needed! If you can help, please contact Ms. Baird at lbaird@gusdschools.org. School rules still apply at the dance. The dance is only for current Hillcrest students. Cell phones are not allowed to be used or seen during the dance. If your student is dropped off after 6:20pm, a parent must walk them to the entrance. Early pick-up: Students may only be picked up early by their parent, and the parent must come to the entrance to get them. Allo students must be picked up no later than 8:205 pm or they may not be allowed to attend the next dance. We look forward to seeing everyone there for a night of fun and dancing! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ House Game Schedule This Week ​ Wednesday, March 26 - 7th Grade Badminton - Singles Fifo O'Farrell vs Burbank Byrd Friday, March 28 - 7th Grade Badminton - Singles Rudee Ballotti vs Libby Masuoka ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Current House Game Standings ​ Burbank Byrd - 335 Rifo O'Farrell - 335 Rudee Ballotti - 280 Libby Masuoka - 275 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Incoming Hillcrest Students ​ ​ ​ ​ Future 6th Graders ​ Gravenstein 5th graders, we are excited to welcome you to Hillcrest Middle School!  In just a few short months, you will become Hillcrest Hawks! As we approach the start of the new school year, we want to share some important information you’ll need to know: If you are already enrolled at Gravenstein, there is no need to fill out new enrollment forms. In the spring, we will email a Google form for students to sign up for their 6th grade Electives. All 5th grade students and families are invited to Hillcrest’s Open House on May 8th, 2025 at 5pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the campus, meet the teachers, and see the classrooms! We are also available to give guided campus tours for families. To schedule a tour, please call the Hillcrest Main Office at 707-823-7653. If you have any questions, please email Principal Deeths at wdeeths@gusdschools.org. We are looking forward to an incredible school year! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Academy of Innovative Arts ​ The Academy of Innovative Arts is a new specialized high school in the West Sonoma County Union High School District that reimagines education for the 21st century. Located on the beautiful El Molino campus, The Academy offers a collaborative learning environment where students can thrive through hands-on projects, real-world experiences, and personalized learning paths. For more information, click HERE! ​ ​ ​ ​ Hillcrest Field Trip Information ​ ​ ​ ​ 7th Grade Parents ~ Field Trip Reminders ​ All Permission Slips for the April field trips (San Francisco, Luther Burbank and Ashland) are due Wednesday (3/26/25). If a permission slip is returned after this date, the child is not guaranteed a spot on the field trip. Their participation will depend on availability. There is a Zoom Meeting for the Ashland, Oregon field trip Wednesday (3/26/25) at 6:30pm. This meeting is for all parents of students attending the Ashland field trip. A link will be sent out via email and ParentSquare on Monday. Please send in your donations for the April field trips ASAP! We are counting on those donations to reduce excess expenses to the district. There is a link to donate below. Use the yellow button marked 7th Grade Field Trips. Thank you so much for your support! ​ ​ ​ ​ Online Payments ​ We are excited to announce that we can now accept online donations for field trips! If you missed a donation request or didn’t have a chance to donate before, here’s another opportunity. Click the links below to access our recent donation requests. Donations are not required, but to continue offering these wonderful experiences to our students, we need support from our school community! ​ ​ ​ ​ 6th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now ​ ​ ​ ​ 7th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now ​ ​ ​ ​ 8th Grade Field Trips - Pay Now ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Hillcrest Athletics ​ ​ ​ ​ Connecting with Sports ​ Are you interested in the Sports program at Hillcrest Middle School? Check out our Athletics page on the Hillcrest website - just click this link. If your student is not on a sports team, but you are interested in what is happening with Hillcrest Athletics, check out these amazing sports updates from Meggan Youn, our New Athletics Director. ​ ​ ​ ​ Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 10, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - March 3, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - February 25, 2025 Weekly Hawks Headlines - February 17, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ Hillcrest Middle School does not require a fee to participate in athletics. The Athletic Department, however, funds its programs primarily through parent donations. All donations are used toward purchasing new uniforms and equipment for our student athletes. To help with this, we ask parents for a minimum donation of $30 per sport. For your convenience you can return the Donation form included in the Athletic Clearance Packet with check or cash, or you can pay via debit or credit card using the below button. No child will be prevented from participating in a team due to financial circumstances! ​ ​ ​ ​ Athletics Donation ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Hillcrest Weekly Reminders ​ ​ ​ ​ After School Reminders ​ After school, all students must be picked up from Hillcrest by 3:45 on regular days (Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.) 2:30 on Wednesdays If a student is attending Beyond the Bell, they must go and sign in at the BTB room immediately after the final school bell rings.  For student safety, if students are attending an after school practice, game or other event - they must be signed up for and go to Beyond the Bell or leave campus and return when the after school event is starting. Students must then be picked up within 15 minutes after school events end.  ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Yearbooks Are on Sale Now! ​ Yearbooks are now available for purchase! Get yours today for just $15 for a softcover or $20 for a hardcover. Be sure to place your order before it’s too late! To order, click on the link below and use the passcode: Link to purchase Yearbook Passcode: 1014223911784613 Don’t miss out on this memorable keepsake! ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hillcrest Middle School on Social Media ​ Want to keep up with what is going on at Hillcrest? Want to see photos and learn about what is going on in the classrooms of HMS? Want to make sure you are updated on all the latest information and events on the campus? If you said yes to any of these questions, be sure to follow Hillcrest’s Social Media Pages: Instagram - SoarHawksSoar Facebook - Hillcrest Middle School - Sebastopol ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ COUNSELORS' CORNER Subtitle for context ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ GUSD School Counseling Page ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Meet the Counselors ​ The school counselors in GUSD address the needs of students in all three domains; acadmeic, social-emotional, and career development as well as help to create a positive and safe learning experience. GUSD's Counselors also support students as they face issues that prevent their healthy development. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Rosie Steen-Larsen, LMFT and GUSD Mental Health Coordinator ​ Ms. Rosie enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending as much time as possible at the beach collecting seashells with her family. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years experience working with children and families. ​ ​ ​ ​ Samantha Cole, PPS & GUSD School Counselor ​ Ms. Cole is a lover of video games, knitting/crafting, animals, and board games!  She has an MS in Counseling, with credentialing & specialization in School Counseling, as well as BAs in Teaching & Learning and Psychology. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ COMMUNITY CORNER ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Below is a list of flyers/websites for non-profit organizations that have been shared with our District Office. If you have a flyer for a non-profit event or organization that you would like to share with the community. Please submit it to the District Office (mquirke@gusdschools.org) for approval. If approved it will be included here in Monday Messages. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Tinker Academy is a FREE Summer program designed to engage and inspire students in grades 6-9 in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Through hands-on maker activities that encourage the exploration and development of technical, mathematical, and artistic abilities, participants will gain experience and confidence to set them up for success in school. ​ ​ ​ ​ Deadline: Tuesday, April 15 For more information and to apply click HERE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Try out Girl Scouts with us! Bring your family for a fun activity to "try out" Girl Scouts. You'll learn about Girl Scout opportunities in your community, and how to join or start a Gril Scout troop! This free event is open to all girls and gender-expanisve youth not yet in Girl Scouts. ​ ​ ​ ​ Questions? Contact hwilber@gsnorcal.org or call (707) 524-9200, or visit www.gsnorcal.org/join You can also check out these flyers (in English and Spanish) for more information. LINK TO FLYERS ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Join the Sebastopol Sharks - A New Member of North Bay Youth Football & Cheer. We are looking for: Football Players (Ages 7-14) Cheerleaders (Ages 5-14) Football & Cheer Coaches Parent Volunteers Sign-up now at wcsharks.com ​ ​ ​ ​ For more information check out the flyer in: English | Spanish | Korean ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Afterschool Animal Academy! Veterinary Medicine Edition! 12 Spots available. This 6 week adventure is every Wednesday, March 26th - April 30th! Learn from Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Registered Veterinary Technicians who are making a difference in the lives of animals everyday! Cost: $285 For students currently in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade. ​ ​ ​ ​ Check out this flyer for more information on how to register! English | Spanish ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Expanding Your Horizons! Sonoma State University is offering a one day event - A day full of hands-on STEM focused workshops. See the flyer to the right for more information. ​ ​ ​ ​ Expanding Your Horizons!  Flyer ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Summer @ Sonoma Academy is back for another year of Summer Camps! This year, they are offering 3 weeks of camps from June 9th to June 27th. Camps are for current 5th-8th grade students and the camps range from Cooking to Storytelling to Athletic Adventures. See their website (to the right) for more information. ​ ​ ​ ​ Summer @ Sonoma Academy Website ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​GIRL SCOUT COOKIES FOR SALE!!! Help our very own Gravenstein Girl Scout Troup reach their goal of selling 1,500 cookies as a troop. All proceeds will help fund troop field trips and community service activities. For more information see their flyer. To order online use the link to the right. ​ ​ ​ ​ Troop 10297 Girl Scout Cookies Flyer - English | Spanish | Korean Online Ordering ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering Family Workshops. See Flyer to right. ​ ​ ​ ​ Virtual Workshops for Parents and Caregivers Offered in English and Spanish Flyer  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ CPI (Child Parent Institute) Classes ​ March 2025 Class Schedule ​ ​ ​ ​ - ​ March Class List ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ GUSD BOARD ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ Laura de la Roz, President - ldelaroz@gusdschools.org Gregory Appling, Clerk - gappling@gusdschools.org Paula Braunschweig, Trustee - pbraunschweig@gusdschools.org Jeri McNeill, Trustee - jmcneill@gusdschools.org Zachary Saltzbert, Trustee - zsaltzberg@gusdschools.org ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ DISTRICT WEBSITE ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ GUSD DISTRICT ADMIN ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Will Deeths -------------------- Keri Pugno -------------------- Matt McDowell wdeeths@gusdschools.org - kpugno@gusdscohols.org - mmcdowell@gusdschools.org ​ ​

Sunday, Mar 16 2025