Click to download the 2021-22 Hillside Calendar. You can also access the school calendar via the ESF App.

14-17 February: K2 Parent-Teacher Conferences

Dear Parents

I've moved our weekly newsletter to mid-week with an intention to capture any start of the week news or updates from the government or ESF. Unfortunately, as anticipated, the Education Bureau (EDB) announced that distance learning is extended until at least Monday 7 March. Given the rising numbers of COVID cases, this decision is to be expected, but it is still a massive disappointment to us all. 

We know the stringent regulations and further tightened restrictions have caused angst and distress across our community. Please do not hesitate to reach out at any time if you have any questions or concerns. 

Thank you to the K1 families for all your feedback during PTCs last week. Based on the K1 feedback, we understand that parents would like more resources or ideas on how to support the children during distance learning. 

We will be debriefing with our K2 teachers following this week's K2 PTCs and reviewing our provision to support better our families. Once again, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or feedback.

Kind regards
Audrey

Based on some of the PTC feedback, we're creating a Hillside Resource Bank (website) with helpful materials for children and adults for easy access during the class suspension period. For example, resources to support the K1 & K2 Units of Inquiry. There are also educational links and resources on literacy, virtual field trips, STEM activities, and free online stories. Plus, some health and well-being information to support your child understand and cope with COVID times. We will share this resource bank with you in the next few days.

A few parents have asked about the recent COVID vaccine. We do not normally offer vaccination at the kindergarten for several reasons, but one is that "ESF believes that it is your right and responsibility as a parent to make choices, decisions and arrangements as to whether and if so when your child should receive a vaccine."

For those parents considering the vaccine, you might be interested in the following resources:

• How to Prepare Your Child for Covid Vaccination - blog post by Occupational Therapist, Leith Stewart
• COVID Vaccine Booking Procedures 2022 - prepared by Bradbury School 

Your child's (How the World Works) Unit of Inquiry report is now available for viewing. Please refer to the graphics below to access your child's report. We would like parents to regularly refer to the Hillside VLE and contribute to your child's learning journey records by adding your comments. When viewing the report, we invite those parents interested in contributing by adding your comment in the "parent response to learning" box.