Office Hours

The office will be open during the summer as per the schedule below.  Please call (250) 832-7195 during these times if you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with Mr. Ritchie (Principal). If you did not pick up your report card in June or you would just like to stop by and say “hi” please feel free to pop in as well.

Monday August 30 – Friday September 3 (8:00am – 2:00pm)

Tuesday Sept 7  (8:00am – 3:00pm) – Regular Hours Begin

New Registrations

New student registration will take place on Tuesday August 31st from 9:00am-2:30pm. Please bring the following documents with you when registering your child.

• Birth Certificate
• Care Card
• Immunization Record
• Proof of Residency (ie. a hydro bill, rental agreement etc. with your name and address on it)

If you cannot make it in to register during this time, please contact the school by phone at (250) 832-7195 or by email at hil@sd83.bc.ca.

First Day of School

Grade 1 – 5 students will start school on Tuesday, September 7.  When the Welcoming Bell rings at 8:08am, returning students will line-up at the exterior door of last year’s classroom and new students will report to the office for an orrientation. Students will spend the first day in their last year’s classrooms, so we can determine who has moved away and who has recently registered.  Students will be dismissed at 11:16 am on Tuesday, September 7. 

Assuming we are able to finalize our class placements on Tuesday September 7, Grade 1-5 students will be able to go to their new classrooms on Wednesday, September 8. Parents will be notified who their child’s new teacher is by email on Tuesday evening. Students will report to the outside door of their new classroom at 8:08am on Wednesday September 8.

Kindergarten students will begin their Gradual Entry on Wednesday, September 8.  Information about Kindergarten Gradual Entry was sent home in June at our Kindergarten Gift Bag event. There will also be a follow-up email sent to parents during the first week of September.

School Supplies

Families do not need to go out and purchase school supplies for their children. The school has purchased school supplies for each classroom, and families are charged a School Supply Fee to cover the cost of the supplies used over the course of the year. In preparation for the first day, students will need to have a backpack and a clean pair of indoor runners (with non-marking soles). A School Supply Fee Letter will be sent home as part of a newsletter during the first week.

If you have any questions, please give us a call.  Have a wonderful summer!

Welcome to the final few days! It has been quite a journey this school year.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Brennan would like to extend his thanks to parents for their graciousness and understanding as the District has navigated its way through the tremendous challenges that the pandemic showered on the school year.

Just a reminder that Thursday, June 24th is the final day of school for our students. Students will be dismissed, and buses will be running, four hours earlier than usual.

“As the year draws to a close I’d like to say another special congratulations to our graduates, the Class of 2021. You have persevered and accomplished a great deal. Best of luck with your future endeavours.”

“I’d also like to say farewell to our retiring staff, and to the three District leaders who are moving on to new challenges. Thank you for your dedication to SD83 and the students we serve.”

“Also, a warm welcome to Donna Kriger, who will be joining our district in August as the new Superintendent/CEO of Schools, and to Mishel Quaal, the new District Principal of Indigenous Education.”

He noted that as planning continues for the 2021-2022 school year, they are optimistic that school will look very much like what we remember pre-pandemic. More information about what things will look like in the fall will be shared via the District website and social media in August.

He added that if you are looking for some summer time games and activities to help your children practice their literacy and math skills over the summer, SD83 staff have put together some activities for children from kindergarten to grade eight. Go to the drop-down menu entitled Parents and Students and look for Summer Learning Opportunities.

Also, there is a new K-3 Indigenous Summer Reading Boost Program, developed in BC and entitled Joyful Literacy, to support teachers and parents who want to help prevent their young learners of Indigenous ancestry from experiencing more reading loss when schools are closed for the summer break. This home-based and research-based program is comprised of 10 videos that teach parents how to teach and practice Foundational Skills (K-3) . Each video is supported with a handout package of over 100 games, activities, and read-aloud strategies. These videos and information can be found on the SD83 Indigenous Education webpage at https://ie.sd83.bc.ca/

Have a wonderful summer!

Congratulations to all of our grade 4 and 5 classes on an awesome show last Friday during Battle of the Bands! It was wonderful to see so many of our students getting the chance to step out of their comfort zones and come together as a team as they performed live for their peers. Below are the links to the videos of each performance for your viewing pleasure.

Div 5 (Mrs. Smith) – https://youtu.be/0NPqCpuGxFU

Div 4 (Mrs. Gecse) – https://youtu.be/rkv75rt7KlM

Div 3 (Mr. Smith) – https://youtu.be/Fz9cJlU2aRg

Div 2 (Ms. Tyssen/Matuga). – https://youtu.be/uf9ZmBiabwo

Div 1 (Mrs. Menzies) – https://youtu.be/QhEW2vVaXEs

In light of the news last week regarding the remains of the 215 children found at the Kamloops Residential School, schools across the province and beyond will be holding an “Orange Shirt Day” tomorrow (Monday May 31, 2021). Join us in wearing something orange as we support all Residential School survivors and remember those that didn’t survive, their families, and the greater community during this difficult time.

We look forward to meeting all of our new Kindergarten students, and their parents, on Wednesday June 16 during our modified Kindergarten Orientation event. Parents can visit the information booth set up beside the Kindergarten Playground anytime between 1:00pm and 2:00pm on this day. Staff will be there to provide a gift bag for each of our new students and answer any questions you have.

Below is a link to the information sent to parents of new Kindergarten students on May 12, 2021. If you know of a family in your neighborhood with a Kindergarten aged child, please check with them to make sure they are registered and have received this information. Thank you for your help with ensuring all of our families are kept in the loop.

Dear Hillcrest Families,

Next week our modified swim program will begin. Each class will participate in two Recreational Swim times this year according to the schedule below. Thank you to the many parent volunteers who will be helping to supervise in classes that have students under the age of 7! If you are one of those volunteers, please be at the pool 10 min before your child’s scheduled swim time. 

On the days your child is scheduled to go swimming please remind them to…

• Come to school with their swimsuit on under their clothing. This is not optional as students will be required to change on the pool deck before entering the pool.
• Bring a towel and a plastic bag to put their wet swimsuit in. Students will be changing in the changerooms following their swim.
• Bring a bag/backpack large enough to hold all of their clothing (including shoes) while they are swimming.
• Dress for the weather, if they are in one of the classes walking to the pool.

Note: students who have opted out of swimming or do not have their swimsuit will be required to stay at school instead of going to the pool with their class. The pool does not allow any spectators at the moment.

K-5 Swimming Schedule – May 2021

	Tuesday May 25	Thursday May 27
9:00 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 3 – C Smith	Div 4 – Gecse
9:45 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 1 – Menzies	Div 5 – M Smith (*Bus Back?)
10:30 (Walk Down, Bus back)	Div 8 – Wessely	Div 11 – Boyd (*Bus Down)
11:15 (Bus Down & Back)	Div 12 – Kehl	Div 13 – Porter
	Tuesday June 1	Thursday June 3
9:00 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 2 – Tyssen	Div 5 – M Smith
9:45 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 6 – Rushton	Div 7 – Larmand
10:30 (Walk Down, Bus back)	Div 10 – Corbett	Div 9 – Meerza
11:15 (Bus Down & Back)	Div 14 – Knipe	Div 11 – Boyd
	Tuesday June 8	Thursday June 10
9:00 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 3 – C Smith	Div 4 – Gecse
9:45 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 1 – Menzies	Div 7 – Larmand
10:30 (Walk Down, Bus back)	Div 8 – Wessely	Div 9 – Meerza
11:15 (Bus Down & Back)	Div 12 – Kehl	Div 13 – Porter
	Tuesday June 15
9:00 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 2 – Tyssen
9:45 (Walk Down & Back)	Div 6 – Rushton
10:30 (Walk Down, Bus back)	Div 10 – Corbett
11:15 (Bus Down & Back)	Div 14 – Knipe

Thank you again for your support and please feel free to call the school at (250) 832-7195 if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely, 

Gord Ritchie

Principal – Hillcrest Elementary School

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We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Wentworth’s Children’s Library is open for use by the children in our community!

The little book lending library pictured above has been installed near the main entrance of Hillcrest School. This library was created in memory of our dear teacher Ms. Wentworth, who loved books.

Please feel free to TAKE A BOOK. When you’re finished, share it with a friend or bring it back to the library for someone else to enjoy.

You can also GIVE A BOOK, by bringing an appropriate children’s book from home to share.

We hope this library inspires you to keep reading, as Ms. Wentworth has inspired so many of us!

It has been worderful watching so many of our students participate in Intramural Soccer this year! We have 12 teams in total at the grade 3/4/5 level taking part. All of the games have been extremely close and the students participating have displayed excellent effort and sportsmanship throughout. Way to go Hillcrest!

Thank you to all of our students who participated in Star Wars Day by either bringing in their Star Wars Art or dressing up as their favourite Star Wars character. May the 4th be with you all!

On behalf of our wonderful PAC I would like to inform you that our Spring Flower Orders have arrived! Please arrange to pick-up your order at the Multi-Purpose Room Door (NE corner of Parking Lot near Red Gate) between 5:00pm and 6:00pm on Monday May 3. If you cannot make it during that time, there will be an alternate pick-up time on Tuesday May 4 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm. 

Thank you for your support!

All students are invited to participate in the following activities planned over the next few weeks!

Tuesday May 4 – STAR WARS ART ATTACK!

To celebrate Star Wars Day students are invited to participate in a STAR WARS ART ATTACK!

• Draw your favourite character
• Colour or paint a Star Wars picture
• Create a new light saber
• Build a small droid
• Any artsy idea will work!

Please bring in your creations on May 4th. If you really want to get into the theme, you could dress like your favourite character on that day too. May the 4th be with you!!!!

Thursday May 20 – Twin (Multiples) Day!

This is your chance to dress up with your friend(s)! Wear the same color shirt, wear your hair the same way, wear the same shoes etc.! This day is not meant to be exclusive in nature, so please help your child explore the option of including many friends when choosing what to wear.