Dear Hill Community,
We begin another exciting school year journey on Monday! Thank you to everyone who came by, said hello, and set a positive tone on Friday at our Meet the Teacher event. We hope this letter prepares you for a strong start on Monday.
Here are some basics for the first day of school tomorrow. Our doors will open Monday at 7:15 am and students will be walked straight to their classes. Staff will be stationed around the campus to support you. For our Kindergarten families, we invite you to our Tears and Cheers Parent Coffee in the library once your student is safely in their classroom. Beginning Tuesday, our morning assemblies will begin at 7:35 am in the cafeteria/small gym area. We will assist all students into assembly as parents/guardians will not walk students into the building beginning Tuesday. Our doors will start to open at 7:00 am for the rest of the school year. Again, we encourage all families to have their students attend assembly by 7:35. The official attendance bell will ring at 7:40. Please see the Arrival/Dismissal letter from Thursday for more information.
For student technology, please know that we are working with Austin ISD on the distribution plan for the first couple of weeks of school. Here is what each student will have for their device this school year:
- PreK – 1st grade: classroom sets of iPads with power strips; devices will NOT be taken home
- 2nd grade: classroom sets of Chromebooks with charging stations; devices will NOT be taken home
- 3rd grade – 5th grade students will have individually checked out Chromebooks that may be taken home
It is still very hot outside! Please know that we will monitor the heat closely and follow appropriate guidelines for exposure. But hydration begins in the morning at home! Please ensure your student drinks plenty of water in the mornings. Please also ensure beginning day one, they bring a labeled water bottle that is refillable each day. Hopefully we get a break from this soon!
For arrival and dismissal information, please refer back to our communication on Thursday with everything you need for tomorrow. Be safe and mindful of creating a safe route to school for our kids. We’ll see you tomorrow morning, Hill families!
Principal Drummond
We can’t wait to see everyone on the first day of school, Monday, August 14th. Families are invited to walk their students to their classrooms on Monday. Beginning Tuesday, student drop off will take place at the front doors. The 2023-2024 bell schedule is 7:40am-3:10pm. Starting Tuesday, August 15th, assembly will be held in the cafeteria every morning at 7:30am.
We know the first day of school is full of lots of different emotions! Join both new and seasoned parents and caregivers on the first day of school for Tears and Cheers Coffee. We’ll meet you in the library after drop off!
Volunteering as a Hill Homeroom Parent is a great way to get to know your teacher, other students, and fellow parents. Our Homeroom Parents serve as the main points of contact for our classrooms. Homeroom parents are asked to attend a Zoom Training and Q & A at the beginning of the school year (date TBD) and will need to register as an official volunteer. The primary duties typically include:
- Assisting with classroom-wide communication
- Recruiting volunteers for Hill Country Carnival
- Planning of Winter party
- Planning of Valentine’s Day party
- Planning of Teacher Appreciation Week celebration and end-of-year gift.
We also added Homeroom parents for our essential teachers this year to help with various projects throughout the year. Please consider helping one of those groups as well!
$10.50 for an individual membership OR a $21 family membership
Your support matters and you must sign up annually! Our goal is 100% membership.
Why Join PTA?
- Dillo Donations is Hill Elementary’s 2nd largest fundraiser
- Hill Elementary PTA Funds classroom enrichment programs throughout the year.
- PTA funds staffing support to enrich education
- PTA funded programs include math pentathlon, math buddies, reflections & more.
- PTA funds weekend meals and scholarships for students
- PTA provides safety upgrades including locks and crossing guard equipment
- PTA funds provide technology for classrooms & books for the library
THANK YOU to our parents, teachers and staff who are already members of the Hill PTA.
If you are not a member yet, JOIN HERE! Please reach out to Kristen with any questions: VPmembership@hillelementary.com.
Will your Dillo be buying breakfast or lunch at school this year? Please visit the AISD SchoolCafe page and log in to your account to make payments, schedule automatic payments, set purchase restrictions, request low balance alerts, submit meal applications, view purchases, and check out the menus. If you need to apply for Free or Reduced-Price meals you may complete this step on SchoolCafe as well. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Drummond at jack.drummond@austinisd.org if you need assistance.
What about food allergies? Our cafeteria can accommodate food allergies/special dietary needs with a completed Request for Dietary Accommodation Form. AISD also offers reasonable accommodations within federal guidelines for dietary preferences (for example, dairy alternatives, gluten free bread, and vegan accommodations). Please submit your requests in writing to Jessie Rupert at jessica.rupert@hillelementary.com and she will get them to our cafeteria manager to review.
Are you new to Hill? There are lots of ways to serve and connect throughout the year and we invite you to come volunteer with us! Are you a returning volunteer at Hill? Thank you for all you do! Here are the required steps for volunteers, new and returning:
New Volunteers:
- REGISTER WITH VOLY (annual requirement)
- Attend Volunteer Training (TBD)
- Complete the Confirmation of Training Form
Returning Volunteers:
- REGISTER WITH VOLY (annual requirement).
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