Parent Newsletter

March 14, 2010

MS Curriculum Update - March 11, 2010

Hillcrest MS Curriculum Update
March 11, 2010
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Earth Science (6th & 7th)

Curriculum Notes
We are working from the California Science Standards for Earth Sciences, and are currently on Unit 4: The Shape of the Earth’s Surface, which includes the study of rock weathering, beaches, and natural hazards.

Classroom Commentary
Activities: We are working on Chapter 12, Beaches, that covers formation of beaches, waves, and sand transport.

Lab: Students completed a lab creating a beach with different kind of waves and observing the effects on the movement of sand and shape of the beach..

Text References: CPO Focus on Earth Science (CPO Science); Chapter 12: Beaches.

Upcoming tests and due dates: Science Fair Materials and Procedures due March 19.
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Physical Science (8th)

Curriculum Notes
We are working from the California Science Standards for Physical Sciences, and are currently on Unit Five: Motion and Force, which includes speed, forces, and motion.

Classroom Commentary
Activities: We are starting Chapter 13 on Forces. Students are learning about the difference between mass and weight.

Lab: Students completed a lab measuring weight and mass as well as friction force. Students graphed the data to see the relationship between mass and weight on Earth.

Text References: CPO Focus on Physical Science (CPO Science); Chapter 13: Forces

Upcoming tests and due dates: Science Fair Materials and Procedures due March 19.
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Information Technology

Classroom Commentary
Over the last 2 weeks the 6th and 7th graders have continued working on their web pages. In addition to learning the basic structure of a web page and some of the basic codes for controlling text and images, they have learning how to create graphics in Photoshop, which they can then add into their web pages (for example a banner along the top). After looking at examples of local restaurant web pages, each student/group is creating a web page for their own imaginary restaurant.

In addition to the web page, we have started a new project in which students become "experts" in a particular technology, product or technology-related issue. For example, students have chosen topics from the iPad to Biometrics. After doing online research (and listening for their topic on the news), students will create an online blog and write on their topic.

Other Notes
You can learn more about either topic by going to the "MS-Lectures" and "MS-Projects" links on the Hillcrest Computer Class web page.
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Spanish (6th)

Classroom Commentary
Acerca de nuestras clases de Español
• Students have been learning about time and how to use it correctly in different phrases and situations.
• In terms of grammar, they are learning about prepositions. They have been writing funny stories using prepositions and they have been acting their own stories in classes.
• Students are also learning about the possession "DE" in Spanish writing sentences using vocabulary that they already know. They watched the first video of this chapter and wrote down general ideas about that video in Spanish.
• Next week, they will learn about the verb "to be" and how to apply it correctly in different contexts. Using the "to be" verb, they will be able to describe people using the adjectives that they already know.

Upcoming tests and due dates: On Monday the 15th, they have a test, which will include time, definite articles, adjectives, the verb "to be" and the possession "DE" in Spanish. Also, as a class, we have made a commitment about homework: it will be posted online on Tuesday, and it will be due on Thursday.

Other Notes
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at taniafmena@hotmail.com

Text References: Ven Conmigo! Chapter 3; Online access to text activities: http://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/arbiter/pRedirect?project=hrwonline&siteId=400&pageId=4605
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Posted by Sarah Holliman at 10:33 PM

March 08, 2010

MS Curriculum Update - March 4, 2010

Earth Science (6th & 7th)

Classroom Commentary
Activities: We are finishing up working on Chapter 11, Water and Weathering that covers sediment and the formation of sedimentary rocks.

Lab: Students completed a lab creating layers of sediment from sand and dirt. They observed how different events create different layers. Students examined different sedimentary rocks to determine where in a river they came from.

Text References: CPO Focus on Earth Science (CPO Science); Chapter 11: Water and Weathering

Upcoming tests and due dates: Chapter 11 Test, Monday. Science Fair Materials and Procedures due March 19.
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Physical Science (8th)

Curriculum Notes
We are working from the California Science Standards for Physical Sciences, and are currently on Unit Five: Motion and Force, which includes speed, forces, and motion.

Classroom Commentary
Activities: We are finishing up Chapter 12 on Speed and Motion. Students completed a number of activities interpreting graphs of motion.

Lab: Students completed a lab using the energy cars and tracks. They took data from a car accelerating down a ramp using the photogate timers. They then graphed the data and were able to compare results from different groups with different angle tracks.

Text References: CPO Focus on Physical Science (CPO Science); Chapter 12: Distance, Time and Speed

Upcoming tests and due dates: Chapter 12 Test, Friday. Science Fair Materials and Procedures due March 19.
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Information Technology

Other Notes
You can learn more about either topic by going to the "MS-Lectures" and "MS-Projects" links on the Hillcrest Computer Class web page.
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Art

Classroom Commentary/Projects
‘Good painting is like good cooking: it can be tasted but not explained.’ Vlaminck

Last week 6th and 8th graders finished their self portraits in the “Cubist” style. Most students then had plenty of time to devote to a written project for the rest of the period.

In this additional lesson students were instructed to “paint a picture with words”, using the Japanese art of Haiku. Haiku is a form of poetry in which each poem is constructed of 3 lines; with the pattern: 3 syllables - 5 syllables - 3 syllables. Haiku also requires that, rather than referring to the object or event that the poem describes, the writer use words to inspire the reader with the poet’s experience.
Students were offered a choice of several art prints as their springboards for their haiku. Following is a lovely example penned by Niamh Collins (6th grade):

“Flowers”
A calm young woman
sits on her couch with flowers
as her only guests.
(inspired by Henri Matisse’s “Purple Robe and Anemones”)

7th graders, who were all finished with their paintings, with one exception, had a different project, also using the written word. This project required each student to write 2 paragraphs each answering/discussing 2 questions: “What is art?”, and, “What is art for?”

We began this project with an open discussion of the 2 questions. I let the students know that I did not expect a “correct” answer: that these 2 questions have been discussed/argued for over 2,000 years: and that what I was looking for was thoughtful, personal opinions. Students were given 10 minutes to discuss their ideas amongst themselves, after which they were required to work in silence.
This project was intended to have the students reflect on what it is that we do when we make and view (listen to, experience) art, and what value it has for them and for others. These brief essays yielded some pretty pithy comments, as well as some very moving descriptions of what may motivate us to make art. Following is a sneak peek of the students’ writings, most, if not all of which, I hope to have on view in legible form at the upcoming art show:

Art is the way that many choose to show what happens within one’s mind. Some cannot say what they feel like to others with ease. They may feel trapped inside without anyway to escape. So they become artists...’ by Morgan Malone

‘What defines art is how other people perceive it... Art can be painfully beautiful, or painstakingly ugly...Art is art. And that is that.’ by Victoria Mariolle

Other Notes
These lovely creations will be on view at the upcoming annual Hillcrest Art Show, Thursday, March 11th at 7pm. Accompanied by LIVE music!!! I look forward to seeing you there.

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 09:36 AM

February 26, 2010

MS Curriculum Update - February 26, 2010

Earth Science (6th & 7th)

Curriculum Notes

We are working from the California Science Standards for Earth Sciences, and are currently on Unit 4: The Shape of the Earth’s Surface, which includes the study of rock weathering, beaches, and natural hazards.

Classroom Commentary

Activities: We are working on Chapter 11, Water and Weathering that covers sediment and the formation of sedimentary rocks. Students will participate in a demonstration of sedimentary rock, and then create their own sedimentary rock. Science Fair Projects were assigned and we will be working on them over the next few months.

Lab: Students completed a lab with the stream tables to model stream formation. In the stream table students were able to observe erosion, river deltas, and other geographic features.

Text References: CPO Focus on Earth Science (CPO Science); Chapter 11: Water and Weathering

Upcoming tests and due dates: Science Fair Projects proposals due March 5. Chapter 11 Test late next week.
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Physical Science (8th)

Curriculum Notes

We are working from the California Science Standards for Physical Sciences, and are currently on Unit Five: Motion and Force, which includes speed, forces, and motion.

Classroom Commentary

Activities: Students are continuing to work through speed and velocity problems. Science Fair Projects were assigned and we will be working on them over the next few months.

Lab: Students finished a lab graphing a moving student and analyzed the data.

Text References: CPO Focus on Physical Science (CPO Science); Chapter 12: Distance, Time and Speed

Upcoming tests and due dates: Science Fair Projects proposals due March 5.
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Information Technology

Check out the web site – it has lecture, projects, lab updates, links and other cool stuff!

http://sites.google.com/site/hillcrestcomputer/Home

Spanish (6th)

Curriculum Notes

We recently started chapter three of the “Ven Conmigo!” book. In this chapter students will learn about Mexico, school topics, new classes, and new friends.

Classroom Commentary

In terms of grammar, they are going to review and apply the nouns, definite articles (el, la, los, las), and adjectives agreement. They also will learn telling the time and simple phrases related to time, talking about things they like (and explaining why), talking about being late or in a hurry, and finally, describing people and things.
Students learned about time last week, and they had a quiz about it last Friday. This week they will watch a video about being late or in a hurry and reinforce the time topic.

In order to review past lessons students are working as teams doing games, creating puzzles and acting out phrases or writing funny stories in Spanish. In two weeks they will have a test about time and how to correctly apply it in phrases.

If you have any question please don’t hesitate to email me at taniafmena@hotmail.com

Text References: Ven Conmigo! Chapter 3; Online access to text activities: http://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/arbiter/pRedirect?project=hrwonline&siteId=400&pageId=4605

Upcoming Tests and Due Dates: Test on application of “time” in one week (date tbd)
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Spanish (7th)

Curriculum Notes

We finished Segundo paso last Friday and had a test on Monday. Now we start Tercer Paso, the last part of chapter 4. If you remember, Segundo Paso was “Telling where people and things are.” Now students will talk about where they and others go during free time. We will be using the verb ir (to go). Ir is an irregular verb; the conjugation follows its own pattern. To ask where someone is going, use the question word ?adonde? (where to?).
To ask where someone goes,say: Adonde vas? (Where do you go?), Adonde va Maria Ines? (Where does Maria Ines go?)

Your friend might answer: Voy a la biblioteca para estudiar. (I go to the library in order to study.). Maria Ines va a la piscina. Luego va al cine para ver una pelicula. (Maria Ines goes to the pool. Later, she goes to the theater to see a movie).

Students will discuss what they like and dislike doing, what they do in their free time and how to tell where people and things are.

Classroom Commentary

In class skits are Tuesday March 2nd, and the goals are to accomplish the three main adjectives from tercer paso: ask where someone is going; discuss what you like or dislike to do; and, where people and things are.

Text References: Adelante Primer paso pages: 171-177

Upcoming Tests and Due Dates: Friday, March 5th
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Spanish (8th)

Curriculum Notes

We finished Segundo Paso with a skit that counted as a test; students spent time on Friday preparing to present on Monday.

Now, to finish chapter 9 we start Tercer Paso, in which students will learn to express preferences, ask about prices and discuss how to pay for things.

They will use expressions such as: this, that, these and those. In Spanish these are called “Adjetivos demostrativo”. Students will learn to apply it appropriately to their subject based on gender and number. We will have a conversation: Going shopping for presents for themselves, family members and friends.

There are a lot of good conversation activities in Tercer Paso. Please check text references.

Classroom Commentary

As I said in my last update we are doing a lot of conversations and this can be a challenge for some students but I am amazed to see how easily they learn from these activities; they listen to each other and they, by themselves, correct their mistakes.

Text References: En camino. Chapter 9 Primer paso pages: 148-160

Upcoming Tests and Due Dates: Friday, March 5th
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Art

Classroom Commentary/Projects

This last week, as well as the upcoming week, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Hillcrest are working on self-portraits in acrylic paint on canvas. Our model was loosely based on several prints from the Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, during the period when he was considered a major mover in the “Cubist Movement” (1907 - 1921).

Considering several of his examples, we discussed typical characteristics of the “Cubist Movement”:

• the planes of the human face interpreted in geometrical and angular terms
• visual space “flattened out” - as opposed to the illusion of 3-d space so beloved of the Renaissance depicted on a 2-d surface
• the unusual, and, characteristic of the Cubist’s, habit of placing facial characteristics in an unexpected or “primitive” placement
In the interest of inviting exploration of the qualities of acrylic paint - mixing colors, tints and shades (from a previous lesson), the texture of the paint on the page - students were encouraged to use Picasso’s model loosely, and in an imaginative and fanciful manner.

Other Notes

Again, these lovely creations will be on view at the upcoming annual Hillcrest Art Show, Thursday, March 11th at 7pm. Accompanied by LIVE music!!! I look forward to seeing you there.

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 03:57 PM

February 19, 2010

MS Curriculum Update - February 19, 2010

Earth Science (6th & 7th)

Curriculum Notes

Classroom Commentary

Activities: We finished up Chapter 10, Volcanoes this week and will begin Chapter 11, Water and Weathering that covers sediment and the formation of sedimentary rocks.

Lab: Students observed the formation of salt crystals under different conditions to learn about how crystals form in rocks. Next week we will begin labs for Chapter 11.

Text References: CPO Focus on Earth Science (CPO Science); Chapter 11: Water and Weathering

Upcoming tests and due dates: Science Fair Projects will be introduced next week, so please ask your student to share the assignment with you.
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Physical Science (8th)

Curriculum Notes

We are working from the California Science Standards for Physical Sciences, and are currently on Unit Five: Motion and Force, which includes speed, forces, and motion.

Classroom Commentary

Activities: Students are working through speed and velocity problems in class and for homework. These problems require students to apply their algebra knowledge in science class.

Lab: We completed two labs for this chapter so far. The first lab students used our energy tracks, cars and timers to collect velocity data. Students graphed and analyzed the data. In the second lab, Walking Functions, students worked in groups to collect data about one student moving in a line at different velocities and then graphed and analyzed the data.

Text References: CPO Focus on Physical Science (CPO Science); Chapter 12: Distance, Time and Speed

Classroom Commentary/Projects

This week the 6th and 7th graders began work on their web design project. They are learning how to build web pages by “hand coding” the HTML code - this means learning how to use the actual codes that make up a web page rather than using a program like DreamWeaver which lets you just design the page and does the coding for you. In addition to acquiring the technical skills to build a web page this way they also learn logic, problem solving, and the importance of detail!

8th Yearbook

References

Check out the Hillcrest Computer Website to see what students are doing, look at the curriculum, or look at past years' work: click on Computer Class under Enrichment or click on the Computer Corner logo on the right side of the school page.
Upcoming due dates: NA
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Spanish (6th)

Curriculum Notes

We recently started chapter three of the “Ven Conmigo!” book. In this chapter students will learn about Mexico, school topics, new classes, and new friends.

Classroom Commentary

If you have any question please don’t hesitate to email me at taniafmena@hotmail.com

Text References: Ven Conmigo! Chapter 3; Online access to text activities: http://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/arbiter/pRedirect?project=hrwonline&siteId=400&pageId=4605

Upcoming Tests and Due Dates: Test on application of “time” in two weeks (date tbd)

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 04:33 PM

February 18, 2010

MS Curriculum Update - February 10, 2010

Earth Science (6th & 7th)

Curriculum Notes: We are working from the California Science Standards for Earth Sciences, and are currently on Unit 3: Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Structure, which includes the study of plate tectonics, volcano’s and earthquakes.

Classroom Commentary

Activities: Last week, students learned about the impact Volcanoes have on the lives of people who live nearby by watching “In the Path of a Killer Volcano”.

Lab: Students picked one volcano to study in detail, and are making a clay model showing the interior and exterior structure of the volcano. We will be painting and adding more details next week.

Text References: CPO Focus on Earth Science (CPO Science); Chapter 10: Volcanoes

Upcoming tests and due dates: (to be added in future editions!)
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Physical Science (8th)

Curriculum Notes: We are working from the California Science Standards for Physical Sciences, and are currently on Unit Four: Matter and Change, which includes the chemistry of living systems.

Classroom Commentary

Activities: Students are learning about the connections between Chemistry and Biology. This week we are focusing on macronutrients and vitamins. In groups students are creating a healthy daily menu of recipes that meet the USDA guidelines for a balanced diet. We will compile all the healthy recipes into a classroom cookbook for each student to take home to promote healthy eating at home.

Lab: Last week we did two labs modeling and extracting DNA. This week, healthy daily menu of recipes.

Text References: CPO Focus on Physical Science (CPO Science); Chapter 11: The Chemistry of Living Systems

Upcoming tests and due dates: (to be added in future editions!)
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Information Technology

Curriculum Notes: This week starts the new semester and we have some big changes in the computer lab. Classes are now being organized by grade, which is good news for the long-suffering 8th graders who can finally begin work on their Yearbook in earnest! For the last semester they have been working in 3 separate groups, trying not to duplicate work and communicating outside of class. Now they can start to put the project all together and come up with their themes.

Classroom Commentary/Projects:
6th and 7th grades: have finished learning Excel and spreadsheets and have moved on to Web Design. We started this week by talking about how the Internet works (ask your child why it is designed as a web) and tracing the path of a web page from a person typing in a URL into a browser to the page appearing on the screen (it's much more complicated than you might realize). Next week we'll start making our own web pages!

8th grade: Yearbook

References: Check out the Hillcrest Computer Website to see what students are doing, look at the curriculum, or look at past years' work: click on Computer Class under Enrichment or click on the Computer Corner logo on the right side of the school page.

Upcoming due dates: (to be added in future editions!)
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Spanish (6th): Coming Next Time!
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Spanish (7th)

Curriculum Notes: The students just had the first quiz for this semester. We are on chapter four paso uno. Students are learning how to tell what they and others like to do during free time, what is their hobby, and what chores they do at home.

Related vocabulary includes phrases such as: I watch television, I play video games, I walk the dog, I take care of my brother, I like to listen music, etc. They are using the following verbs: to have, to like, and present tense of regular -ar verbs. They are also able to tell with whom and when they are doing these activities in their free time.

Classroom Commentary: The class is doing skits once a week on Tuesdays, wherein they have an opportunity to practice what they have learned during the week. They have lots of fun doing this activity. We also do a lot of conversations in groups of 2 or 3 where they finish by presenting to the group.

Text References: Adelante Primer paso pages: 148-158

Upcoming Tests and Due Dates: (to be added in future editions!)
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Spanish (8th)

Curriculum Notes: We started the second semester with chapter 9 paso uno. The class is learning to tell about giving gifts. For example to find out what gift a friend has in mind for someone else they can ask: What kind of gift are you looking for? Who is the gift for? What are you planning to give to your brother? They are learning vocabulary that helps them have a conversation about what family, friends and themselves likes to be able to find the perfect gift.

They are also learning to ask for directions. For example, asking for and giving directions to downtown they might ask: Where are you? Where is it? Related vocabulary includes words for: next to, to one side of, beside, there, here, near, under, beneath, on top of and far from.
Classroom Commentary: With this class we are doing more conversation. They work in groups of 4 to be able to create a long the conversation. Students love to do this and they challenge themselves to create the best conversation. This class knows a significant amount of Spanish, and they show it in this activity.
Text References: Text book En camino. Chapter 9 Primer paso pages: 130-135

Upcoming Tests and Due Dates: (to be added in future editions!)
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Art

Curriculum Notes: These past few weeks Hillcrest middle schoolers have been working on a “Book Arts” project.

For those of you who have never heard of “Book Arts” as an art form, it is a relatively young (3 decades old), cutting edge field in art that has only caught on in the past decade. This past year Mill’s College expanded their “Book Arts” department to include a program in which students can receive a degree in that field. The field of “Book Arts”, as opposed to conventional “books” - as primarily vehicles for information - is an art form that treats the book as an object of art: often taking highly sculptural forms, that may or may not include text.

Classroom Commentary/Projects: Our current project is a “Flag Book” made with an accordion spine and envelopes as “flags” (pages). The theme of this book is fictional pen-pals. Students were assigned a partner to collaborate with, and instructed to create fictional characters, as well as encouraged to be quite imaginative in their constructions. Suggestions from the instructor included: a pet rock, an alien from another galaxy/time, a wolf, a human, anyone but yourself. Some examples of their wonderful creations are: a rabbi from Israel who writes only in Hebrew, a drop of water who lives in a lake, a secret agent who can tell her pal nothing about herself, and a girl who writes only in “text-speak”.

Other aspects of the project involved drawing a map for their pen-pal to come visit them, making faux-postage stamps from their world, and, of course, building the book structure.

Beginning next week all middle schoolers will be working on self portraits in the style of Pablo Picasso, using acrylic paint on canvas.

Other Notes: These fabulous creations will be on display at Hillcrest’s annual art show in March. Please contact me if you would like to help out in setting up our art show.

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 04:05 PM

June 22, 2009

Summer Book Report

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer! All current and incoming middle schoolers should have come home the last week of school with guidelines for their summer book report, as well as a school supply list for the 2009-2010 year. If you have not seen those documents and/or you would like a copy, Mr. Kloess has posted both on his Google site, at the following locations:

http://sites.google.com/site/mrkloess/summer-2009-book-report

http://sites.google.com/site/mrkloess/school-supply-list

Please let me know if you have any problems accessing these documents.

- Sarah

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 08:56 PM

March 17, 2009

Volleyball Begins!

Basketball is scarcely over and volleyball begins! Starting tomorrow, March 18th, the volleyball season will start. Practice will be held at St. Augustine's from 3:00 - 5:00 pm on Wednesdays and 3:30 - 5:30 on Fridays. The first game is already scheduled for next Tuesday!

All your child needs to participate are comfortable clothes, knee pads (try Sports Authority or Montclair Sports) and tennis shoes. This is a fun, coed sport, so encourage your middle schooler to play!

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 03:48 PM

January 07, 2009

Basketball Games Begin with Impressive First Win!

In an impressive first game showing, the Hillcrest JV Boys Basketball team had a commanding 37-29 victory over Archway today. What is perhaps most astounding is that they did it with only five players to Archway's constantly rotating roster of nine. With the scheduled game time already well-past, and only four players in attendance (including Harley Coldiron, Connor Holliman, Jonah Oderberg and Carlo Silvestre), Coach Shawn Fenn made a last minute decision to add Connor's younger brother, Chase Holliman, a 4th grader clad in jeans and "wheel-less" Healy's, to the team for the day. Having never been on a basketball team before, Chase was understandably nervous, but with a little bit of pre-game instruction from Fenn, Chase rose to the occasion and played like a regular member of the team.

Hillcrest scored first with a basket by Oderberg and dominated the entire game, losing the lead only once. The sixth grade dynamic duo of Oderberg and Coldiron led the team in points, scoring so many it was hard to keep track. The Holliman brothers also put points on the board with Connor scoring 4 and Chase (who surprised even himself), 2. Silvestre led the team in an impressive number of rebounds. With no chance to sub in or out, the boys showed the true meaning of teamwork and athleticism. After only a quarter of play, the small Hillcrest fan section (READ: four people including the Coach) realized that these boys weren't going to let a larger, better-uniformed team show them up. Much to the surprise of everyone in the gym, including the much-larger Archway fan section, Hillcrest became "the little team that could". If this game is any indication, JV Boys games will be must-attend events! Go Cardinals!!

Posted by Sarah Holliman at 10:32 AM