| Our Final Box Top Competition starts on Monday, May 14th and ends on Tuesday, May 29th! Collect the Box Tops and turn them into your classroom teacher. (Please check the Box Tops for expiration dates. Also, please cut the Box Tops on the dotted lines!) |
Upcoming Events
Today
- NWEA Testing - Gr 3 & 4Tomorrow
5/21/2012
5/22/2012
Hilltop News - 2011 - 2012. Office (952)491-8500. Sick Line (952)491-8505
Earth Day 2012
A “snapshot” of Earth Day activities on May 10th
Agate Hounds – The students learned about agates and how agates are formed. They used the playground area to find agates and were truly amazed that we have agates all over Hilltop. A special thank you to Tom Osborn, a retired teacher from Hilltop and Wolf Ridge Board Member, for volunteering for the day to teach the session.
Nature Photography – Using the iPads, students were outside taking pictures of nature formations. The students had to find different formations within nature and find out why these formations happened. Next, they came back in and uploaded their photos to create a slide presentation.
Trees and Keys – The students learned to identify trees by using the keys. This required many steps and patience!
Predator and Prey – During this activity, students learned how predators and prey are needed in the wildlife. They played a game to understand the cycle of the animal environment.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Students learned the process of what can be recycled and how recycling is impacting our earth.
Mrs. M’s Camps and Adventures – Mrs. M. was here to share various animals that we see out in nature – birds, chickadees, turtles, rabbits, etc. The students learned how the coats of animals protect them in the environment.
Mulch – We are in the process of mulching paths on the Dutch Lake Property. Mulch is important for our environment because it creates solid walking areas, saves on erosion, and keeps the habitat in a natural form.
Thank you to all of our outside agencies that worked with us on Earth Day: Minnehaha Creek Watershed, Tree Trust, Three Rivers Park District, Specialized Environmental Technologies, 4.0 Services, and the Sylva Corporation.
Congratulations to our "Responsibility" Students
Our Character Education Trait for the month of April was Responsibility. Congratulations to our students that were selected as portraying this trait and working on this trait during the month of April.
The Character Education Trait for the month of May is:
DECISION-MAKING
The Character Education Trait for the month of May is:
DECISION-MAKING
Science Fair Winners
The following students were winners at the Hilltop Science Fair:
Project Winners: Isabelle Kirk, Natalie Miner, Annika Hoisington, Tyler Albert, Hannah Drill, Henry Kluever, Aida Gormley, Nora Taets, Ian Kirk, and Katie Nyhusmoen.
Overall Project Winners included: Abby Hollenstein, Nicolas Doepnerhove, Brooke Pioske, and Amelia Proulx.
Grand Champions for the Science Fair include: Jack Patterson and Harry Moen.
Overall Project Winners included: Abby Hollenstein, Nicolas Doepnerhove, Brooke Pioske, and Amelia Proulx.
Grand Champions for the Science Fair include: Jack Patterson and Harry Moen.
A special thanks to our Science Fair Coordinators: Mrs. Ehalt, Mrs. Runke and Mrs. Kroll
It is Teacher Appreciation Week!
We are so fortunate to have such wonderful teachers at Hilltop! Please take time to thank our teachers for their dedication to education. The PTA will be having a "Coffee and Treats" morning and "Luncheon" on Friday, May 4th. Thanks PTA!
Celebrating Years of Service
Westonka is always proud of the "Years of Service" in the district. We would like to congratulate Mr. Schmidt (Grade 3 Teacher) - 15 years of Service, Mr. Steve (Custodian) - 41 years of Service, and Mrs. Sullivan (Title I Teacher) - 15 years of Service
Hilltop has a new Math series for 2012 - 2013
Hilltop and Shirley Hills Primary School will have a new Mathematics series for 2012 - 2013. We are excited to venture into Math Expressions for next year. The teachers have received training this Spring and will have more training in the Fall. Additional information about the mathematics series can be found in the May Newsletter.
It is the Great Hilltop Sleepover!
Did you know that Mr. Gallagher snores? Or, that Mrs. Harstad likes to sleep like a queen? How about that Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Borg cannot stay awake past midnight? Did you know that Mrs. Abernethy can work in her classroom past 10:00 pm? And, that Mrs. Hofstad likes her nightly snack of a banana? Ms. Benz scrapbooked all night and finished many, many pages! Did you know we had over 100 students that spent the night at Hilltop Primary School on Friday, April 27th? It was the Great Hilltop Sleepover sponsored by the Hilltop Soiree Committee! And.....it was a great time! Pictures will be posted on "Pictures through the Year" on the left hand side of the webpage! Finally, did you know that not one student went to bed before 11:00 pm (I guess we failed at getting the students to bed!)
How important are Helmets?
On Friday, April 27th, the students at Hilltop had a guest speaker from the Minnesota Brain Association. Kayla is a sophomore at New Prague High School and received a head injury during hockey. She discussed her injury with the students so that they could be aware of how important helmets are for protecting the brain and how brain injuries can be dangerous! This was a great program by the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota!
2012 - 2013 Westonka School Year Calendar
Please print this calendar for your future records. Also, please plan all family vacations and holidays around the timeframe of the calendar. The Hennepin County "Be At School" policy says that children need to attend school on school required days.
2012 - 2013 Westonka School Year Calendar
2012 - 2013 Westonka School Year Calendar
School Supply Lists - 2012 - 2013
The 2012 - 2013 School Supply List is now ready for the fall. Hopefully, the "Back to School" sales do not start yet! But, we want our parents to be prepared in case the signs start showing up at the stores.
2012 - 2013 School Supply List
2012 - 2013 School Supply List
Wanted: Reading Corp Tutor
You're ready for growth. Whether you're looking to explore a new career in education, reenter the workforce or simply want to work with kids, you're ready. So what are you waiting for? Become a Minnesota Reading Corps literacy tutor at Hilltop Primary School and start creating meaningful growth.
We are looking for 1 person dedicated to our community. You can be one of hundreds of trained literacy tutors placed in schools across the state, who guide students toward becoming successful readers by third grade. Tutors are parents, grandparents, recent college grads, and mid-career professionals. With Minnesota Reading Corps, you can see real results and make a lasting impact in our students' lives, as well as in your own career. During your eleven months of service, you'll receive training in proven strategies and support from Hilltop Primary School staff.
In addition to hands-on experience, you'll receive a living allowance of about $500/biweekly (full-time), and education award of up to $5,500 and may be eligible to receive health insurance. All necessary training is provided and no licensure is necessary.
Pass the word on to a friend or family member! Positions for the 2012-2013 program year begin in August. Learn more and apply at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org. Send questions to recruitment@mnedc.org
We are looking for 1 person dedicated to our community. You can be one of hundreds of trained literacy tutors placed in schools across the state, who guide students toward becoming successful readers by third grade. Tutors are parents, grandparents, recent college grads, and mid-career professionals. With Minnesota Reading Corps, you can see real results and make a lasting impact in our students' lives, as well as in your own career. During your eleven months of service, you'll receive training in proven strategies and support from Hilltop Primary School staff.
In addition to hands-on experience, you'll receive a living allowance of about $500/biweekly (full-time), and education award of up to $5,500 and may be eligible to receive health insurance. All necessary training is provided and no licensure is necessary.
Pass the word on to a friend or family member! Positions for the 2012-2013 program year begin in August. Learn more and apply at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org. Send questions to recruitment@mnedc.org
Parent Handbook
Please take time to read the Parent Handbook. It has very important information about Hilltop!
Parent Handbook
Parent Handbook
Best Place to Raise Your Kids!
Congratulations to Mound (and Minnetrista) for being the BEST PLACE TO RAISE YOUR KIDS FOR 2012! We are all proud to be part of this community! Check out this link: images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20111115/the-best-places-to-raise-your-kids-2012/slides/24
Day 1 - 4 Schedule
Hilltop works on a Day 1 - 4 schedule. This schedule will let you know which days your child will have Phy Ed/Art or Music/Media.
Day 1 - 4 Schedule
Day 1 - 4 Schedule
2011 - 2012 Hilltop Event Calendar
Hilltop is a BUSY place during the school year. Please click on the link below to print the Event Calendar for the 2011 - 2012 school year. This Event Calendar contains information on Back to School Curriculum Meetings, School Pictures, Conferences, etc.
2011 - 2012 Event Calendar
2011 - 2012 Event Calendar
2011 - 2012 Calendar
This is the Westonka School District 2011 - 2012 school year calendar. Please plan all vacations around the students days that are not in session. 2011 - 2012 Calendar
Guided Reading Levels
Have you ever wondered what the Guided Reading ranges are per grade level? Is your child reading at a Level B, Level L or Level Q? How do you find books in the level that your child is reading? These are all great questions that parents ask during the school year. Click on the reading level chart to see the ranges for each grade level.
Reading Level Chart
A great site to find books at your childs level is:
Reading Books by Level
Many times the local libraries do not have the Guided Reading Levels on the books. Therefore, we have added a link to the Scholastic Webpage ("Find Just the Right Book") where you can look up books by level.
1. Click on "Find Just the Right Books"
2. Click on "Books by Level" on the left side,
3. Click on "Guided Reading" in the upper right side and then click SEARCH. A list of books will come up in the level.
Reading Level Chart
A great site to find books at your childs level is:
Reading Books by Level
Many times the local libraries do not have the Guided Reading Levels on the books. Therefore, we have added a link to the Scholastic Webpage ("Find Just the Right Book") where you can look up books by level.
1. Click on "Find Just the Right Books"
2. Click on "Books by Level" on the left side,
3. Click on "Guided Reading" in the upper right side and then click SEARCH. A list of books will come up in the level.
See Student Artwork on Artsonia.com
Artsonia is a website where we upload student art work from throughout the year. Parents can print items with their child's artwork on it - cards, mugs, calendars, and pictures. Artsonia also creates a digital portfolio of your child's artwork from throughout their years at Hilltop Primary School. Click on the picture to be directed to the link.