Middle School handbook
2007-2008
Hillcrest School Philosophy
The Hillcrest Story
The Middle School Story
Course of Study
Homework
Grading Schedule
Community Service
Teachers
Sports
Field Trips
Fund-raising
Lost books/fine policy
Discipline
Medication
Personal appearance
Hillcrest School Philosophy
The Hillcrest School philosophy is to provide all students with a firm foundation in basic skills, fine arts, sciences and humanities in a supportive nurturing environment. Its environment fosters positive interpersonal relationships, a positive self-image, critical thinking, creative expression, and a sense of community responsibility. It affords opportunities for decision-making, problem solving, and independent and group learning.
The Hillcrest Story
In January 1950, construction began on what was known as Rockridge Highlands School. The school was originally designed to house a maximum of 210 students in grades K-3. In May 1951, the PTA voted to rename the school "Hillcrest." A 4th grade was added in the fall of 1951; 5th and 6th grades followed in 1966. A Middle School was added in 1993. Today, 55 years later, Hillcrest has an enrollment of about 300 students in grades K-8, with 67 in the Middle School.
The Middle School Story
The devastating October 1991 fire displaced 67 Hillcrest students and impacted the entire school attendance area. The district proposed closing the school and merging students to the Kaiser school site. The district was also exploring reconfiguration for the entire district. In response to these and a number of other factors, the Hillcrest School community submitted a proposal to the Oakland Unified School District to add middle school grades to its configuration. This proposal was approved in 1993. With a K-8 configuration, Hillcrest preserves the academic culture of a small, neighborhood school through the middle grades. Students benefit by receiving a quality education with easy access to staff and a high level of parent involvement. The result is high levels of student achievement.
Course of Study
The middle grade classes of Hillcrest revolve around the Core Curriculum of the Oakland Unified School District and the California State Frameworks. Also see the weekly schedule for times/days of courses. An overview is provided below.
Social Studies/Language Arts
In Grades 6-8, Language Arts and Social Studies are taught as integrated curricula. District and state adopted texts are used as a basis to develop understanding, and competencies in language arts. Students are encouraged to reflect on literary works relevant to particular time periods in history and comment on them through discussion, writing, and art. Novels are read to build an understanding of "the context" of events in social sciences. We cover the three middle school topics of Ancient World, Middle Ages, and U.S. History over three years. This year (2007-2008), the core curriculum will cover American History, from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Our study will also include the Industrial Revolution and Westward Expansion. This approach has been successful at several Bay Area schools in providing deeper understanding of historical events, and the context and influences that shape those events.
Mathematics
Instruction in Mathematics is provided through the use of district adopted texts and supplemental texts. All students are assessed for math level in the first few weeks of school. Students take a diagnostic test at the start of the year. The Middle School offers courses in Algebra I, Pre-Algebra and Sixth Grade Math.
Science
Mr. Yosaif Solov will be teaching Physical Science to eighth graders and Earth Science to sixth and seventh graders. The content will match the Middle School Physical Science content standards and will combine demonstrations, hands-on investigations and reading material.
Enrichment Classes
Enrichment classes are provided through the efforts of the core teachers and supported by the PTA.
Sixth Grade: Sixth grade students will take a creative writing class that will include computer skills.
Seventh Grade: Middle School Spanish will be offered to all 7th grade students. This is a full year course and will satisfy high school requirements. Students will also work in the computer lab one day per week.
Eighth Grade: Eighth Grade Students are given the option of selecting positions as Teacher Assistants, Office Assistants, or Journalism/Yearbook Committee.
In addition all students will have the opportunity to study Art.
Homework
The school curriculum is structured so that each student should have homework in each of the core subjects. According to District Standards, students should expect to have at least 30 minutes of homework per subject per day. This means about 2-3 hours per night, including reading. This is only an average. Homework assignments vary greatly. It can include math practice, reading, writing assignments, studying for tests, research projects, and culminating projects.
We believe reading is a lifelong habit that should be nurtured. To that goal, students will be required to read one book and create a report based on their reading each month, including the summer. For the summer project students will be assigned one title and expected to read a second book of their choice.
Makeup: When absent from school, it is the student or family's responsibility to get the homework assignments, and turn them in on time. If a student is absent for an extended period of time, it is the student/family's responsibility to contact the teacher to arrange for appropriate academic support.
Grading Schedule
The school year is divided into six week reporting periods. Report cards are issued approximately one week after the end of each grading period. See District Calendar (PDF file) for specific dates.
Community Service
All students will be expected to participate in Service Learning. Its objectives are to engage in collective learning and service to their class, their learning school community and the larger community of Oakland, and even the world. Students learn that their effort and work can make a difference in the world around them. We also hope to develop in the students a stronger sense of self and a stronger sense of community. The students will be expected to volunteer at least 15 hours during each semester in some form of community service, and have the volunteer organization document their service.
Teachers
Mr. Michael Kloess 6/7/8 core teacher (Language Arts/Social Studies, Math)
Mrs. Eileen Massey 6/7/8 core teacher (Language Arts/Social Studies, Math)
Mr. Jesse Inclan – P.E.
Mr. Yosaif Solav – Science
Ms. Sharon Green – Art
Ms. Yolanda Gayton – Spanish
Ms. Lanette Jimerson – Creative Writing
Mr. Kenn Pitts – Capoeria
Sports
Hillcrest Middle School participates in an after-school sports program through the Middle School Sports League (MSSL), comprised of other small, mostly private, middle schools. This is a parent-run program, and is not sponsored by the PTA or Oakland School District. The focus is on participation not competition. There is a fee of $30 per sport, which helps to pay for coaching, league fees, referee fees, and some gym rentals. The fees, however do not completely cover all costs, so fundraising and donations are solicited. Some possible fund-raisers are a car wash, and flea market.
Football:Any boy or girl who signs up becomes a part of the Hillcrest Cardinal Flag Football team. Practices are held after school and the season lasts approximately two months.
Basketball: This past year we had two teams, a girls and a boys team. Basketball starts in January and runs for about three months.
Volleyball: This is a co-ed sport which typically runs in either late fall, or late spring.
Field Trips
Throughout the year students participate in field experiences that complement their course studies. There have been Alvin Ailey performances, Oakland Museum visits, and Cal-Berkeley "altar" exhibits. However, in recent years, each class has been able to continue a new tradition of major middle school field trips centered on field science studies at Yosemite Park and Pinnacles National Monument. As part of a three-year cycle, this year we have arranged a field trip to an ocean environment near Santa Barbara.
Fund-raising
The Middle School, in large part, depends on the financial support of parents. The Hillcrest PTA sponsors the Middle School program by providing funds, which are used to pay for instructional resources such as enrichment courses, instructors, and supplies. The Middle School also raises its own funds to help pay for educational trips for all middle schools students and to support school/community service projects. Fund-raising efforts require support from the staff, parents, and students to ensure success.
The following is a list of fund-raisers we have undertaken over the past few years:
Pizza/ Snack Bar sales, Halloween Pumpkin Patch, and See's Candies Sale.
Lost Book/ Fine Policy
Students will be using many items that belong to the school and school personnel. These include tools, books, instruments and many other kinds of materials. Students should sign their name in ink in the book that is issued to them. If the condition of the book is poor, students should indicate that to the teacher immediately. Otherwise, students are expected to return all material in good condition. Lost books must be paid for before a new book is issued. Report cards will be held in the office until all outstanding charges are paid.
Students who fail to clear these charges are not eligible to participate in school activities and programs; transcripts and report cards are held; 8th grade students do not receive an official promotion certificate.
Discipline
We strongly believe that learning must take place within a safe and positive environment. Thus, our discipline policy is intended to be progressive, balanced, and applied in a fair and consistent manner. It is however only a guideline. Instances may arise that are not specified in the policy. We will address those issues in a manner consistent with the intent of our policy. Detailed descriptions of offenses and consequences are delineated in the Parent Guide to Oakland Public Schools.
Medication
Students who take medication during the school day on a limited and/or regular schedule, must have a written prescriptive/authorization from their doctor on file with the school. Appropriate forms are available in the office. All medication must be kept in the office.
Personal Appearance
Students need to come to school dressed in a manner that is conducive to work and learning. Hillcrest does not require students to dress in uniform. Pants, shorts and skirts must be worn on the waist and have a waistline no larger than two inches larger than the student's waist. Tops must cover the upper half of the body to the hip, leaving no gap through which the body/skin beneath is visible. Shorts and skirts must be of reasonable length, and not be distracting to classmates or teachers. Shoes must be secured firmly to the feet, provide safe support to the feet and have a heel that allows for safe daily activity – including running or other rigorous physical activity. Flip-flop style sandals or shoes are not considered safe.
Sleeveless and tank tops are acceptable, but spaghetti strap tops are only acceptable when paired with a sleeved top. Hats and caps, other than religious headgear, and dark glasses are for outdoor use only.
Students, who wear clothing that is determined as inappropriate, distracting to the educational process, and/or dangerous to health and safety will be sent home.