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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
Upcoming Events
News & Announcements
![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.
![Read our Fall Community Newsletter]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760581230/districtmpcsdorg/cvstciqdhukgfk1mntib/Screenshot2025-10-15at71950PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760581230/districtmpcsdorg/cvstciqdhukgfk1mntib/Screenshot2025-10-15at71950PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760581230/districtmpcsdorg/cvstciqdhukgfk1mntib/Screenshot2025-10-15at71950PM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760581230/districtmpcsdorg/cvstciqdhukgfk1mntib/Screenshot2025-10-15at71950PM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760581230/districtmpcsdorg/cvstciqdhukgfk1mntib/Screenshot2025-10-15at71950PM.png","width":1224}])
MPCSD's Fall 2025 Community Matters newsletter is available to read here. Our Financial Exercise including a priorities survey, Measure U updates, e-bike concerns, the district's position on housing, and more are covered.
![Fall 2025 Annual Report to the Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726764509/districtmpcsdorg/uvxoiugqirzmctlnu6qt/Frontpageof2024CommReportimage.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726764509/districtmpcsdorg/uvxoiugqirzmctlnu6qt/Frontpageof2024CommReportimage.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1726764509/districtmpcsdorg/uvxoiugqirzmctlnu6qt/Frontpageof2024CommReportimage.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726764509/districtmpcsdorg/uvxoiugqirzmctlnu6qt/Frontpageof2024CommReportimage.png","width":1058}])
The 2025 Annual Report to the Community features financial and staffing information, Measure U projects, and progress on our strategic directions: grow student belonging, strengthen academic excellence, and create inspiring environments. Read it here.
![MPAEF Grants Over $4M to MPCSD for 2025-26]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751049870/districtmpcsdorg/sogeyzkkqgkyz7bzumho/2025MPAEFgrantpresentationwithBd.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751049870/districtmpcsdorg/sogeyzkkqgkyz7bzumho/2025MPAEFgrantpresentationwithBd.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751049870/districtmpcsdorg/sogeyzkkqgkyz7bzumho/2025MPAEFgrantpresentationwithBd.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751049870/districtmpcsdorg/sogeyzkkqgkyz7bzumho/2025MPAEFgrantpresentationwithBd.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751049870/districtmpcsdorg/sogeyzkkqgkyz7bzumho/2025MPAEFgrantpresentationwithBd.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751049870/districtmpcsdorg/sogeyzkkqgkyz7bzumho/2025MPAEFgrantpresentationwithBd.jpg","width":2200}])
The School Board gratefully accepted the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation's grant for the 2025-26 school year in the amount of $4,101,673. MPCSD thanks its generous community for supporting our schools through this annual grant which allows the district to invest in excellent educators. Thank you!
![Measure U Program Underway]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1758850050/districtmpcsdorg/vg1ciqsacmrdob7bpnz1/Screenshot2025-09-17at110612AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1758850050/districtmpcsdorg/vg1ciqsacmrdob7bpnz1/Screenshot2025-09-17at110612AM.png","width":474}])
The district has completed many initial Measure U projects: new trees and shrubs at Encinal, asphalt and play structure resurfacing at Laurel Upper Campus, door access control and intrusion alarm piloting, HVAC electrical service assessments to prepare for planned HVAC projects, and upgrading cable and data wiring. Read more at our Measure U page. Thank you for your support of safe and secure schools!