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Letter From Principal O'Brien
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Dear Families,
We’re one month into the new school year! I hope your student is settling into the rhythms of Hillview. One of the things that sets our school apart is the elective program. Hillview offers 38 electives across grades 6–8—an opportunity not typical in most public middle schools, made possible by the support of the One Community Campaign.
Students can explore year-long courses like world languages, music, leadership, and Hawk Talk or trimester-based electives such as woodworking, art, robotics, video production, engineering, and yearbook. Sixth graders often begin with the Exploratory Wheel, a way to sample various offerings, while seventh- and eighth-grade students can branch into more advanced and specialized offerings.
For families new to Hillview, the elective program is one of the clearest ways to see how middle school opens new doors. Your student now steps into a broader, more specialized curriculum than in elementary school, with opportunities to explore interests, discover passions, and access technical and academic courses of their own choosing that ordinarily would not be available until much later in their educational journey. Ask your student which elective they’re most excited to take next—you may be surprised by the answer.
There are only six more days to donate to the One Community Campaign. Every family’s participation helps ensure opportunities like our electives—and the discovery they inspire—continue for all Hillview students. Make your donation or pledge today.
In gratitude and partnership,
Danielle
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Hillview Middle School, 1100 Elder Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
News & Announcements
![Read our Latest Newsletter]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766006271/districtmpcsdorg/ukteyjxlxnmgtuiuwyyf/Dec2025newsletterfront.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766006271/districtmpcsdorg/ukteyjxlxnmgtuiuwyyf/Dec2025newsletterfront.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766006271/districtmpcsdorg/ukteyjxlxnmgtuiuwyyf/Dec2025newsletterfront.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766006271/districtmpcsdorg/ukteyjxlxnmgtuiuwyyf/Dec2025newsletterfront.png","width":1156}])
Read MPCSD's December 2025 family newsletter! Our upcoming new family information sessions, recent English Proficiency Celebration, mosaics in Hillview's art program, and more are covered.
![Hillview's Relay for Life Event Earns Recognition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766175354/districtmpcsdorg/wk7byk2vthwrx9lyhukl/HVRelayforLifeRecognitionatDecBdMtg.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766175354/districtmpcsdorg/wk7byk2vthwrx9lyhukl/HVRelayforLifeRecognitionatDecBdMtg.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1766175354/districtmpcsdorg/wk7byk2vthwrx9lyhukl/HVRelayforLifeRecognitionatDecBdMtg.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1766175354/districtmpcsdorg/wk7byk2vthwrx9lyhukl/HVRelayforLifeRecognitionatDecBdMtg.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1766175354/districtmpcsdorg/wk7byk2vthwrx9lyhukl/HVRelayforLifeRecognitionatDecBdMtg.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1766175354/districtmpcsdorg/wk7byk2vthwrx9lyhukl/HVRelayforLifeRecognitionatDecBdMtg.jpg","width":2200}])
The 220 students of Hillview Middle School’s Relay for Life student event, were recognized by the board for their extraordinary service, team spirit, commitment and compassion. They raised $111,000 for cancer research through the American Cancer Society, making this event the largest Relay for Life middle school relay in the country, and earning recognition as the West Region’s Spirit of Relay Campus Event of the Year by the American Cancer Society! Hillview will now represent the West Region at the National ACS Spirit of Relay Awards in February 2026! Congratulations, Hillview!
![Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Laurel School's Student Newspaper]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1766081698/districtmpcsdorg/mfybxs3u0bt9albvsyxa/SquirrelScoopDec2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1766081698/districtmpcsdorg/mfybxs3u0bt9albvsyxa/SquirrelScoopDec2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1766081698/districtmpcsdorg/mfybxs3u0bt9albvsyxa/SquirrelScoopDec2025.png","width":653}])
Ever wonder what goes on at 5th grade Outdoor Ed or what it's like to be in a school play? How about learning more about all the fall holidays we enjoy? Laurel's student newspaper The Squirrel Scoop is created entirely by 4rd-5th grade students and is ready for you to enjoy: Squirrel Scoop Vol. 2, Issue 1.
![E-bike Policy Enforcement Begins December 1]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763667554/districtmpcsdorg/n1sdcuoxpbk4uu4gyzou/Screenshot2025-11-20at110408AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763667554/districtmpcsdorg/n1sdcuoxpbk4uu4gyzou/Screenshot2025-11-20at110408AM.png","width":365}])
Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed on school district property, for students under 16 years old, as this new policy is now in effect. MPCSD thanks the Hillview community for its support and for helping make our school commute safer for all students! Student safety is the district's top priority. See this recent KPIX news story.
![World Kindness Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763061320/districtmpcsdorg/psiflucxxovfced5lryi/Worldkindnessdayposter2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763061320/districtmpcsdorg/psiflucxxovfced5lryi/Worldkindnessdayposter2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763061320/districtmpcsdorg/psiflucxxovfced5lryi/Worldkindnessdayposter2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763061320/districtmpcsdorg/psiflucxxovfced5lryi/Worldkindnessdayposter2025.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1763061320/districtmpcsdorg/psiflucxxovfced5lryi/Worldkindnessdayposter2025.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1763061320/districtmpcsdorg/psiflucxxovfced5lryi/Worldkindnessdayposter2025.jpg","width":2200}])
Did you get a coffee sleeve with an uplifting message at Menlo Park's Coffeebar? It was made for you by Hillview students, partnering again to design, make, and provide these inspirational messages to our community to honor World Kindness Day on November 13, 2025. Have a great day!
![Award Winning ELC Preschool Enrolling for Fall 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762283958/districtmpcsdorg/xmil7st1qkl0odsk5fmh/ELCregphoto2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762283958/districtmpcsdorg/xmil7st1qkl0odsk5fmh/ELCregphoto2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762283958/districtmpcsdorg/xmil7st1qkl0odsk5fmh/ELCregphoto2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1762283958/districtmpcsdorg/xmil7st1qkl0odsk5fmh/ELCregphoto2025.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1762283958/districtmpcsdorg/xmil7st1qkl0odsk5fmh/ELCregphoto2025.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1762283958/districtmpcsdorg/xmil7st1qkl0odsk5fmh/ELCregphoto2025.png","width":2200}])
MPCSD's award winning Early Learning Center is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 school year lottery for our Laurel and Oak Knoll sites. Preschool is offered at both sites and our two-year old program and Spanish-immersion program are offered at our Laurel site. Applications for the initial lottery are available until January 7, 2026. In-person tours are available at Laurel and Oak Knoll. Please visit the ELC website for tour dates and our application.