Friday Family Forum

Week of 1-12 to 1-16

Family/Parent Reflection of the Week

Parent Hack/Tip of the Week:

Hold off on smart phones as long as you can!

Screen Free Home-Try these Podcasts instead!

January Book of the Month:

I recommended this book last year but I can't recommend it enough! It talks a lot about how we have overprotected our kids in the real world and under protected them in the digital world. MUST READ!

January Book of the Month Video Trailer

January Spill With Hill:

Kindess Challenges for the Month of January

I would LOVE your family to join us in these challenges at home each week!

The “Kindness Counts!” Weekly Challenge

Goal: Practice small, meaningful acts of kindness every day How it works: One kindness focus per day, Monday–Friday Who can join: Students, teachers, and staff

💛 Week of 1-7

Challenge ideas:

  • Give at least 3 genuine compliments
  • Say “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome”
  • Write or draw a kind note for someone

Kindness reminder: Words can make someone’s whole day better!

🤝 Week of 1-12

Challenge ideas:

  • Help a classmate with schoolwork
  • Pick up something that fell on the floor
  • Help clean up without being asked

Kindness reminder: Helping doesn’t have to be big to matter.

😊 Week of 1-20

Challenge ideas:

  • Invite someone new to play or sit with you
  • Talk to someone you don’t usually talk to
  • Make sure no one is left out in group work

Kindness reminder: Everyone belongs.

🌱 Week of 1-26

Challenge ideas:

  • Throw away trash or recycle
  • Take care of classroom supplies
  • Say thank you to the custodian, lunch staff, or office staff

Kindness reminder: Taking care of our space is kindness too.

❤️ Week of 2-7

Challenge ideas:

  • Thank a teacher, friend, or family member
  • Share something you’re grateful for
  • Draw a picture or write a note of appreciation

Kindness reminder: Gratitude spreads happiness.

Happenings Around Hill This Week!

Lots of new year resolutions, goal setting, one word, BINGO connections and more in classrooms this week as we head into our second wonderful semester together!

Upcoming Dates:

  • January 12th-22nd: Cinderella's Closet-Donate gently used girl dresses to Hill for the Daddy/Daughter Dance on January 23rd!
  • January 19th-Student and Staff Holiday
  • January 28th-Math Family Engagement Night
  • January 29th-Science BM for 5th grade, closed campus
  • Every Wednesday in February-Hill U Returns
  • February 3rd-3rd-6th Grade Reading BM, closed campus
  • February 10th-3rd-6th Grade Math BM, closed campus

Family Surveys: Spill with Hill Input and October Monthly Feedback

Remember, the more specific you are, the more I can address your needs!

Upcoming Character Trait: Perseverance

If you want to work on perseverance at home with your learner in these next 4 weeks which is what we will be doing on announcements and in our classrooms, here is a great resource to use!

Caught in the Matrix! These learners were caught in the matrix this week for being ready, respectful and responsible in the cafeteria!

  • Rachel S and Ariel J in 3rd Grade: Clean up champions and voice level heroes
  • Madelyn Manson: Following all 3 expectations of ready, respectful and responsible in the cafeteria!
  • Angel S Kinder-Angel is always respectful and following directions during lunch by staying in his seat and cleaning up after himself.
  • Ally M-Kinder-Mrs. Hubbard said Ally always eat her lunch quietly, stays in her seat, raises her hand when she needs something, and cleans up after herself and others. Way to go Ally!

Matrix Challenge for the Week of 1-12: Restroom Challenges! See Below to Reinforce at Home!

🧼 Restroom Challenge #1: Clean Hands Champion

Goal: Wash hands the right way Challenge:

  • Use soap
  • Scrub for 20 seconds
  • Rinse and dry hands completely

💡 Bonus: Teach students to hum a short song while washing!

🚽 Restroom Challenge #2: Flush & Check

Goal: Leave the toilet ready for the next person Challenge:

  • Flush every time
  • Check the seat and floor
  • Tell an adult if there’s a problem

👍 Message: “Leave it better than you found it!”

🤫 Restroom Challenge #3: Quiet as a Mouse

Goal: Use calm voices Challenge:

  • Whisper or stay silent
  • No shouting or playing
  • Return to class quickly

🐭 Fun tip: Pretend the restroom is a library!

🧻 Restroom Challenge #4: Paper Towel Pro

Goal: Use supplies responsibly Challenge:

  • Take only what you need
  • Throw towels in the trash
  • No clogging or wasting

🌱 Connection: Saving supplies helps our school and the planet.

👟 Restroom Challenge #5: Walk, Don’t Run

Goal: Stay safe Challenge:

  • Walk at all times
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself
  • Respect others’ space

⭐ Reminder: Safety first—even in the restroom!

School Wide Expectations! Teach them at home!

We have school wide expectations we have been meeting over this week! Cafeteria, Hallway, Recess, Assemblies, and Restroom! If you wanted to also encourage learners to follow these expectations at home, we would LOVE that! See below what it looks like to be Ready, Respectful and Responsible in these spaces!

Reflections Contest goes LIVE today!

If you want your learner to participate, pick up a packet at the front of the school!

Things to Note:

  • Student Birthdays-Beginning this year there will be no edible treats allowed for student birthdays. This is to be in accordance with our food and nutrition days and to make sure from grade level to grade level we are following the same policies and procedures.
  • Student Water Bottles: This year the only liquid allowed in student water bottles is water. This is to prevent sticky spills and create a hydrated healthy environment!
  • Dismissal: PK will dismiss from the front of the school this year! They will sit right inside the front foyer and we will walk them out when their car is out front! Our 5th and 6th grade learners will dismiss from the side gate and if they are a car rider they will come to the front of the school. All other learners will walk home or walk to the park next to Hill to get picked up. If your child is a day car rider, we will ensure they get to their bus on time. If they are part of our after school care program, we will make sure they get to their spot in the cafeteria on time as well.
  • Student Absences: If your child is going to be absent this year, please email or notify the front office (Whitney Durr) it is helpful for her to have that information along with the classroom teacher. Her email is wdurr2@aisd.net
  • Announcements: They will start at 8:10 every day! We will be unpacking our Character Traits for the week and teaching social/emotional lessons tied to it. I will also be doing birthdays, attendance pop ups, and other student IMPACT celebrations. Please have your kiddos here by then so they don't miss the announcements!
  • Discipline: Every year we follow the Student Code of Conduct when managing and dealing with discipline. Each level allows us to determine the severity of the consequence. On our Family Night on August 26th, Mr. Baylor and I will do 4-15 minute breakout sessions and we will go in depth over the Student Code of Conduct and how each level works!

All THINGS PTA! If you want to see what is going on with our AMAZING Hill PTA click the link below!

Hill Creed

We will say this CREED every day at the end of our announcements! It is centered around our 5 Respect Agreements: Be Interested, Demonstrate You Matter, Intentional Appreciation, Empathize and Apologize, and Accept the Other Perspective and Find Opportunities for Agreement so it will not change year after year!

Important Dates this School Year:

Student Picture Dates:

  • October 17th: Fall Picture Day
  • February 19th: Spring Picture Day

Student Holidays/Early Dismissal:

  • September 1st: Student Holiday
  • September 19th: Student Holiday
  • September 22nd: Student Holiday and Parent/Family Teacher Conferences
  • October 10th: Student Holiday
  • October 13th: Student Holiday
  • November 3rd: Student Holiday
  • November 4th: Student Holiday
  • November 24th-November 28th: Thanksgiving Break
  • December 19th: Early Dismissal at 12:10
  • December 22nd-January 6th: Winter Break
  • February 13th: Student Holiday
  • February 16th: Student Holiday
  • March 16th-March 23rd: Spring Break
  • April 3rd: Student Holiday
  • May 22nd: Last Day of School, Early Release 12:10

Special Appreciation Dates:

  • 9-7: Grandparents Day
  • 9-26: PTA Appreciation Day
  • 9-26: Teacher Assistant Appreciation Day
  • 10-2: Custodian Appreciation Day
  • 10-6: Instructional Coach Appreciation Day (Arryn Williams)
  • 10-13 to 10-17: School Lunch Week
  • 10-27 to 10-31: School Bus Safety Week
  • 10-27 to 10-31: Red Ribbon Week
  • 11-3 to 11-7: School Psychology Week
  • 11-11: Veteran's Day
  • 11-20: National Parent Involvement Day
  • 11-21: Substitute Teachers Day
  • 12-2: Special Education Day
  • 1-9: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
  • 1-19: MLK Jr Day
  • 2-2 to 2-6: School Counseling Week
  • 2-3: 100th Day of School
  • 2-10: Cross Guard Day
  • 2-15: School Resource Officer Day
  • 3-1 to 3-7: School Diagnostician Day
  • 3-2: Read Across America Day
  • 3-2 to 3-6: School Breakfast Week
  • 3-2 to 3-6: Texas Public Schools Week
  • 4-4: School Librarian Day
  • 4-6 to 4-10: Assistant Principal's Week
  • 4-22: Admin Professional Day (Whitney Durr and Sherry Lopez)
  • 4-20 to 4-24: Volunteer Recognition Week
  • 4-28: School Bus Driver Day
  • 5-4 to 5-8: Teacher Appreciation Week
  • 5-6: School Nurse Week
  • 5-18: Speech Pathologist Day

Coffee with the Principal:

  • October 9th: 9:15 in Person and 5:15 via Zoom
  • April 21st: 9:15 in Person and 5:15 via Zoom

Holiday Parties and End of Year Awards and Parties

  • 10-31: Fall Parties
  • 12-19: Winter Parties
  • 2-12: Valentine's Day Parties
  • 5-12: PK EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-13: K Grade EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-14: 1st Grade EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-15: 2nd Grade EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-18: 3rd Grade EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-19: 4th Grade EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-20: 5th Grade EOY Awards and Party
  • 5-21: 6th Grade EOY Awards and Party

Hill Lunch Times:

You are welcome to eat lunch with your kiddo any day of the week! Check in the front office with Whitney and you will scan your license. Your child will only eat with you. Other learners are not allowed to eat with parents who are not their own for safety reasons!

  • PK: 10:20-10:50
  • K: 10:30-11:00
  • 1st: 10:50-11:10
  • 2nd: 11:05-11:35
  • 3rd: 11:25-11:55
  • 4th: 11:45-12:15
  • 5th: 12:25-12:55
  • 6th: 12:40-1:10

How do I put money on my child's account?

Click here to put money on your child's account! https://paypams.com/

How do I become an AISD Approved Volunteer?

Click here to become an AISD approved volunteer: https://www.aisd.net/community/volunteer/

If you need to re-apply for Free and Reduced Lunch, please do so below with the link!

Beginning and End Times and Drop Off and Pick Up:

  • Doors open at 7:50 AM and learners may go eat breakfast or walk straight to class
  • The Tardy Bell rings at 8:20 AM. PLEASE have them here prior 8:20. 8:10 is IDEAL! QR Code for tardies will begin August 18th at 8:20. Officer Garza will wait out front until 9:00 to ensure all families come inside to do the QR code.
  • We dismiss at 3:35 PM. PK will wait inside the front foyer until they hear their learner being called over the walkie talkie and then help their child walk out front to either their parent who walks up or help put them in their car. K-4th grade will dismiss out the front doors. 5-6 grade will dismiss from the back of Hill and walk around to either the park if they are a walker or front of the school if they are a car rider. LOTS of our learners walk to the park or walk home. All other learners will walk out the front of the school with their teacher and we will call your name through the drive thru lane. We will then walk each learner to their car! We are ONLY on duty at the park until 3:50. PLEASE SUPERVISE your learner after 3:50. Mr. Baylor and myself deal with a LOT of park drama (LOL) so your supervision is highly important after 3:50.

Attendance/Tardy Policy for 25-26 SY

You can click below to see the entire 25-26 Attendance Plan, but here are the big rocks:

No checking out early after 3:00 PM each day. If there is an emergency, a doctor's note will be required the following day or when your learner returns to school.

  • More than 5 absences or 5 tardies: a letter will be sent home
  • More than 9 absences: a parent/family meeting will be required with myself, counselor or AP. Family Meetings with learners who have more than 9 absences and tardies. We will jointly create an attendance plan to monitor and track attendance and ensure that learners are in school, present, and not missing more than 8% of their entire school year.
  • Reinforcements such as 6 weeks attendance parties/lunches for learners who have perfect attendance
  • Raffles every 4 weeks with learners who have been present every day at school
  • 6 weeks GL parties for the GL with the highest attendance to date.

Join Our Hill Facebook Page!

https://www.facebook.com/HillElementaryHighlanders

Follow Our Hill Website!

https://www.aisd.net/hill-elementary/

How do I contact my child's Teacher? See below for ALL email addresses of all staff at Hill!

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2025-2026 AISD Calendar:

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Hill Elementary Campus Roster