Dear White Hill Families,
Quarter #3 is underway and all is well at White Hill. This weather has been beyond amazing, which certainly makes running a lunch program much easier although we all feel a bit guilty enjoying the weather. Grades are in and report cards will be mailed out next week. You should have them by Friday. In the meantime, you can see your child's grades via the Aeries parent portal, if you just can't wait until they come in the mail!
PLEASE NOTE: Ross Valley Emergency School Closure Hotline is 721-4751. As winter approaches, keep this number in your phone for updates in case our schools are closed due to power outages, flooding, etc.
On Monday, January 6th, all of the White Hill staff spent half of their day working on emergency preparedness and student safety. During the afternoon, the staff worked with three experts to help us all to get ready in case of a big emergency, such as an earthquake. Craig Carroll from the Ross Valley Fire Department worked with our Search and Rescue committee here on campus. The training helped our staff know how to react in case of a big earthquake.
We had two other work groups here that day working on First Aid and Student Release. First Aid was taught by Laura Kandall, a Wade Thomas parent coming to White Hill with Kate next year. The session included basic education on first aid and supplies needed and how to set up a first aid area. The staff in this session felt like they would like more practice using the first aid supplies so we are looking into that.
Student Release was taught by our own Tina Hunerberg (7th-grade parent) who has worked extensively in emergency preparedness for the Ross Valley as well as Countywide. Student release is a set of procedures that we will use if we ever have a big earthquake and we have all of our students in safe and secure place and we want parents to be able to come get them. These procedures are in place so that we can keep track of every student and release them to parents as they arrive.
Our biggest lesson concerned the student Emergency Cards. Tina explained the essential role that these Emergency Cards play in the event of an emergency. They are called Emergency Cards so that in case of emergency we know who we can allow to pick up your student if you are unable to. So please make sure your emergency cards are accurate and include names of people who could come get your child in an emergency, perhaps someone who works in Marin and someone who your student would be comfortable hanging out with until you get to them.
Please come in and review and update your card, they are important documents. If you have Grandma from Topeka as the only emergency contact, then the card may not be as useful as you would think. See any of the staff in the main office here at White Hill to update your emergency Card.
Thanks again to Ross Valley FD, Tina and Laura for helping White Hill be even more prepared!
Whitney Hoyt, WH Assistant Principal
Congratulations to Brendan Wilhelmsen on placing 1st -chair trumpet and Thomas Faville for placing 4th-chair trombone in the All-Northern Honor Band. This is a great achievement, and we are all proud of you!
A special congratulations goes to Brendan Wilhelmsen as well for being accepted to the All-State Honor Band. Brendan will head to Fresno in February to audition live to be placed in the band. Brendan is the first student in White Hill history to be accepted into the California All-State Honor Band!
White Hill Band Concert is next Thursday, January 23rd, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at White Hill Gym.
5th-Grade Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet and Trombone (Band) Concert is on the following Tuesday, January 28th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at White Hill Gym. This event includes guest performances by the White Hill 8th-Grade Advanced Wind Ensemble and Award-Winning White Hill Jazz Band! All students should arrive at 6:30 p.m. at the White Hill Gym in performance attire (plain black or white shirt with black pants and black closed-toe shoes). Includes 5th-Grade band students from all elementary schools (plus the selected White Hill guest artists).
Violin and Cello and Orchestra Concert is scheduled for Thursday, January 30th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at White Hill Gym All 5th-grade violine and cello students should arrive at 6:30 p.m. in performance attire (black and white, same as for band students above). The concert will also feature performances by the White Hill orchestras. Includes all 5th to 8th grade orchestra students from all our schools.
We are having some issues with cleanliness in our boys' bathrooms on campus - especially in the new bathrooms - and can use your help. If you have a boy, please talk with them about responsible use of school facilities. Kids are putting things in the urinals, toilets, etc. If you have a girl, it won't hurt to remind her about how to take care of our school as well. Just a quick check in and reminder about personal responsibility. Thank you!
Wildcat Basketball: White Hill hosts 4 home basketball games this week! Please come cheer for your school team. Go Wildcats!
Tuesday, the 6th-grade boys play at 3:45 p.m. against Hall and the 6th-grade girls play at 4:45 p.m. against Lagunitas. Wednesday, the 7th-grade boys play at 3:45 p.m. against Hall and the 7th-grade girls at 4:45 p.m. against Lagunitas.
Lunchtime and After-School Clubs: Missing your favorite clubs from the fall? Clubs start the week of January 27th. Join us in the gym this coming Friday, January 24th to see all of your awesome choices!
If you have questions about these or any other Wildcat Actvities, please email or call our White Hill YES Activities Coordinator, Amy Forrest, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 485-9255.
Our next parent club meeting will be on January 29th from 3:45 - 5:00 p.m. We will meet in the White Hill School Library. Please try to join us as we review our budget, discuss expenditures and plan for our spring fun run!
Please see an important document here pertaining to all current 7th-grade students and the CA Healthy Kids Survey.
If you are calling White Hill, be sure to call 454-8390. If you return a call from us or from your child and use the number that comes up on your phone, it is possible you may be calling back one of our "pool" lines that does not ring through to the office. The number you must call to reach our school office is 454-8390. Thank you - please put this number in your phones!
Please see our minutes here.
The White Hill Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Committee will meet again in the White Hill Library on Thursday, January 23rd from 3:30 - 5 p.m. A committee has been formed to address this important issue but we welcome any and all input so please join us.
For the latest news from RVSD Board of Trustees, read the Board Brief on the most recent RVSD Board meeting.
Have a great weekend! I always try to cheer for the Niners but I can't do it with Russell Wilson (former Badger QB) at the helm of the Seahawks. Good luck - Go Seahawks!
David