Dear White Hill Families,
 
We are off to such a super start here at White Hill that many of us didn’t want this week to end.  OK, that last part is a complete exaggeration but I must tell you – all of us at White Hill are thrilled with the smooth start to this school year and we send our thanks to each of you for setting the stage with your kids by sending them prepared to school each day.  It makes a big difference.
 
This is the first of 38 installments of the Wildcat Wrap – a Friday newsletter from me to you which is intended to give you up to the minute information on what’s happening at White Hill.  I will send out the Wrap each Friday we are in school and I hope you find it to be informative and helpful as the year moves forward.  Questions after reading the Wrap?  Please contact the referenced point of contact for any particular item or email me directly and I will make sure you get an answer to your question.
 
We wish you a super 2013-2014.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers or any of us in the office if we can assist you.

Back to School Night is September 3rd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Calendar this date now and plan to attend this important evening where you will meet your child’s teachers and learn more about what’s in store this year!

White Hill Related Items from August 6th and August 20th Board Briefs.

For the full reporst, please see the Board Briefs page.

Instructional Technology Lease Agreement:  The Board approved a lease agreement for technology for teaching staff at White Hill Middle School. The Board opted to use this form of acquisition as it strategically provides us options at such time the equipment needs to be replaced. At the end of the 3-year lease, there will be an option to either buy the technology for a small fee or return it and start a new lease on new technology, depending on the devices being used. In this manner, our schools get the maximum useful life of the equipment for the lowest cost. (8/6/13 meeting)


Bond/Construction / White Hill Middle School:  There are about 11 more weeks left until the buildings are ready to be occupied by the school.  The exteriors of the building are almost complete and the developer is concentrating on interior finishes, including acoustical treatments in the music rooms, casework and furnishings in classrooms and learning centers.

The remaining exterior landscape is starting to pull the campus spaces together, providing a real sense of how things will feel and look when construction is completed.  The amphitheater walls are being formed and the walkways and pavement projects will commence next month.

An improved and more robust technology infrastructure has been installed which will allow for much improved internet access, provide new switches for data transmission and in-classroom projection.  These improvements will substantially improve staff and students ability to effectively utilize technology in the classroom. (8/6/13 meeting) Note: The Board of Trustees took a tour of the new buildings on Thursday, August 8. 
 
Technology Coach:  At the request of the Foundation, a representative of the YES Foundation presented information and engaged the Board in a discussion regarding full funding for the proposed technology coach position.  The outcomes of this discussion were:
¥    The Foundation will engage their Board in a discussion regarding the possibility of allocating Schools Rule funds towards this position
¥    District staff recommend the Board not allocate additional funds at this time as uncertainty continues to exist around the new State funding formula for schools
¥    District has stated a preference that the position be funded at full time to attract a highly qualified, certificated teacher to support the integration of technology in the common core curriculum
¥    The Board expressed their gratitude and appreciation to YES for its generous support of this position and asked that the district and YES continue to work together to make  this position become a reality as soon as possible. (8/20/13 meeting)

Aeries Student/Parent Portal Log-In Information

If you have not yet done so, please make sure you log onto the student/parent portal through Aeries and get set up to check your child’s assignments, grades, and attendance throughout the school year. If you were set up last year you should be able to get right onto the system using your existing user name and password. If you are new to White Hill or want to add another user, please follow the instructions on the letter that went home with each student schedule. When setting up a user name and password you will be notified to wait for an email and then to click on the link to proceed. If this part of the process does not work please try logging on and you should get right in without following the link you received via email. Doesn’t work or confused? Contact our Registrar, Meg Heimbrodt, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

White Hill Bell Schedule

Wondering how our schedule works each week?  Check out the White Hill Bell Schedule.  Warning:  Trying to understand the ins and outs of this schedule is hazardous to your health! There are many variables that have gone into the creation of this schedule and you need to trust us when we tell you that is works great and is conducive to a first class learning environment.

6th Grade Parent Reps for School Site Council

We have openings for 6th parent representatives for our school site council.  Please contact Kristin Pederson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested.  Thank you!

Dress Code Updates/Clarifications

We’ve completed the first week with our new dress code and I want to thank our parents and kids for their cooperation. I recognize that this change is significant for some and we appreciate that many families have had to have more conversations around this topic than they would have liked. Please see the attached dress code information for a complete list of what works and what doesn’t.One issue that has come up more than once: Spaghetti straps or other non-approved tops with straps may only be worn with a shirt or blouse that covers up the straps. Kids may not wear tops with non-approved straps and a hoodie or sweater that opens in the front. Furthermore, the exact same expectations apply for boys and girls with regard to strap width on tops (2 inches minimum) – boys may wear tank tops as long as the straps are 2 inches minimum in width.

Finally, keep a close eye on skirt and dress length. Shorts must be mid-thigh or lower. Skirts and dresses must be no more than 3 inches from the knee. Some kids are confusing the mid-thigh shorts rule with skirts and dresses. They have different length expectations. Thank you for your attention to this information.

YES Theatre! Chateau La Roach

Please plan to join our fantastic theatre program for the production of Chateau La Roach, a slapstick performance that will be a wonderful time for our kids and the audience alike.  Cast Registraiton Form  KidTech registration Form

Campus Supervision Openings!

White Hill currently has three 45 minute openings for campus supervision during lunch.  Two of the openings can be combined for 1.5 hours/day of supervision while the other opening is a standalone 45 minute position.  Interested in seeing what happens out here during lunch and have a chance to interact with our terrific student body day in and day out?  Please contact Lori Ross in the HR department for more information.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PE Uniforms Information

More inventory of PE clothing is due in to T&B Sports on August 29th.  Call them today at 453-2433 to reserve clothing for your son/daughter and you can pick it up later this month in San Rafael.

School Picture Dates!

Please note the dates for school pictures at White Hill this year!  Calendar them and plan your haircuts and salon trips accordingly!  No paperwork is required for the pictures to be taken.  Proofs will follow after the photo shoot is complete.
6th Grade – 8/26
7th Grade – 8/27
8th Grade – 8/28

White Hill Cross Country – Run Wildcats Run!

Cross Country sign-ups took place this week but it’s not too late to sign up if you are interested!  Practices are on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-5, beginning September 3rd.  There are four meets in September and October.  All levels of running ability welcomed and encouraged.  Coached by Coach Alex.  For more information contact Coach Alex at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   The permission slip is attached for those kids who plan to participate.  Please bring it in to Coach Alex next week!

White Hill Sports and Activities Information - Funded by the YES Foundation!

White Hill has great sports and clubs that all students are welcome to join. In the Fall we have volleyball and cross country teams; in the Winter we offer basketball, and in the Spring students can participate in track, golf and wrestling. We also have two 10-week sessions of lunch time and after school clubs.  Students can check out a Strategic Games club, take Introduction to Jazz, or Mountain Bike with a group of White Hill friends.  Clubs will start mid-September.  More details soon!

CALLING ALL VOLLEYBALL COACHES!  Believe it or not, it’s back to school and volleyball season is here!

We are looking for coaches for our girls’ volleyball program, which consists of two “seasons” so that everyone has the opportunity to play.  In September we’ll have an instructional-intramural league to learn skills and positions and play round robins.  At the end of September, the coaches will have an assessment for those interested and select a smaller travel team of about 10 to 12 girls per grade that will continue practicing through early November and travel to weekly games.   We are looking for coaches that can help with either or both of these two seasons, especially in 6th and 7th grades.  We will hold a Volleyball Coaches’ Meeting at the White Hill Library next Thursday, August 29, at 6pm. Please contact Amy Forrest (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 485-9255) if you can help. The success of our program depends on our wonderful volunteer coaches!

CALLING ALL VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS!

We are excited to get our White Hill volleyball program under way. If you are interested in playing volleyball this year, please download and fill out the after-school sports permission slip and bring it to the White Hill office. We hope to have volleyball practices start the week of September 3. Please contact Amy Forrest (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 485-9255) if you have any questions.

CROSS COUNTRY STARTS SOON! WE ENCOURAGE & WELCOME ALL LEVELS OF RUNNING ABILITY!!

Cross Country sign-ups continue next Thursday, August 29 at both lunches, right near the White Hill Library. Practices will start on Tuesday, September 3 and will be held every Tuesday and Friday from 3:30-5. There will be four meets in September and October. Coach Alex Sebastian coached White Hill’s track team last Spring, and is excited about this Fall’s Cross Country team. For more information contact Coach Alex at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Questions or Comments, please contact Amy Forrest, White Hill Activities Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 485-9255.

Please see Community News for information from around our towns.
 
Please have a great weekend and we will see the kids back here Monday morning.
 
Go Wildcats!

David