Hilltop
Elementary School
Classroom Pages
Art
Balanced Wellness
Balanced Wellness
LIVE A LIFE OF BALANCE
~During our wellness lessons, we’ll be focusing on nurturing all parts of our well-being, including our physical, emotional, social, and mental health.
~Our time together will involve promoting healthy habits and activities that support everyone’s overall development and happiness AND so much more!
Our Wellness Wheel
~Emotional~ Foster emotional intelligence by guiding students in recognizing, expressing, and managing their emotions effectively in diverse situations.
~Social~ Encourages students to develop healthy social relationships and provide guidance on how to foster meaningful connections, improve communication, and resolve conflicts.
~Physical~ Develop and teach activities that promote physical fitness, healthy eating habits, and overall bodily well-being in an age-appropriate manner.
~Intellectual~ Inspire curiosity and a love for learning by fostering problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and strategies for maintaining mental agility and focus.
~Health~ Educate students about the importance of preventative health, hygiene practices, and making informed choices to maintain overall well-being.
~Family and Community~ Build connections by encouraging students to develop meaningful relationships with their families and participate in community initiatives that emphasize mutual support and collaboration.
~Financial~ Introduce basic financial literacy concepts, such as budgeting, saving, and making responsible choices tailored to age-appropriate understanding.
~Occupational Wellness~ Help students explore their interests, set personal goals, and explore community professions.
“WELLNESS IS NOT A DESTINATION, BUT A WAY OF LIVING.”
Innovation Center
Sam Sostaric
Email: ssostaric@d15.org
Hello! Thank you for your interest in the Hilltop Innovation Center! In the Innovation Center, all the students (K-3) have the opportunity to explore concepts of S.T.E.A.M throughout the year. Here at Hilltop, the students are mostly introduced to concepts of technology and engineering. In the Innovation Center, students get to explore things such as building, robots, 3D printing, coding, and so much more!
Feel free to visit the Innovation Center website to see which stations the students are currently working on. You can also see pictures of the students hard at work in the I.C.!
If you have any questions, or would like information about the Innovation Center, please feel free to email me at ssostaric@d15.org
Learning Media Center
About
The mission of the McHenry School District 15 library program is to provide students with the skills and resources to become independent critical thinkers, information users, and lifelong readers.
McHenry School District 15 library program will equip students for the demands and opportunities of the 21st century by supporting and enhancing the district’s core values of academic excellence.
Common beliefs:
- The school library is a vital part of the school community by providing:
- a central place for students and staff to collaborate
- access to resources both print and digital
- qualified school librarians to guide inquiry
- Students will:
- be prepared for higher learning and beyond.
- have experiences that show reading is fun and essential for success in life, both personal and academic.
- choose books based on what interests them.
- share and respect others’ viewpoints.
- have access to appropriate technology and digital resources while responsibly following ethical and legal guidelines.
All students have access to the library on a flexible basis. Learning Center Directors collaborate with classroom teachers on units of study based on the Common Core Standards. The library collections represent a wide variety of interests and topics that appeal to all students.
These are some of the skills your child will be taught when they come to the LMC.
Literature Appreciation:
- Author studies
- Children’s Book Awards
- Genre Studies
Research and Information Literacy:
- Formulating questions and notetaking
- Selecting and using appropriate sources
- Understanding plagiarism
- Crediting sources properly
Policies
Library Expectations
1. Be respectful of students and staff.
2. Be respectful of library books and equipment.
3. Use and inside voice.
4. Be safe.
Check Out Policy
Students may check out books at any time during the school week. Books may be kept for 1 week with the option to renew for an additional week or longer.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade: 2 books
Grades 2-3: 3 books or more if required for classroom research projects.
Overdue Policy
Overdue reminders are printed once a week. There are no overdue fines. However, if a student damages a book beyond repair or loses a book, they will be asked to pay for the item so that it can be replaced as soon as possible. If a book is found and returned within a school year, all fines will be refunded.
Student Library Account
To check a student's account, go to Follett Destiny. Choose your school and have your student log in using their user name and their password. To see which items are currently checked out and when they are due, click on Checkouts. Don't forget to logout when you're done! Check with the LMC director if you need access to your child’s account.
Follett Destiny
Student Resources
PebbleGo
PebbleGo is a database of articles on a variety of topics. It is available in both English and Spanish. Ask our teacher or librarian for the login information.
ImageQuest
ImageQuest is a database of images for student use. District 15 provides all students with access to the database. Please ask your teacher or librarian for the login and password.
World Book Online
District 15 provides all students with access to World Book Online. Ask your librarian or teacher for the login and password to access it.
National Geographic Kids
Nat Geo Kids inspires students to explore the world with magazines, books, videos, and events.
Area Libraries
Reading Recommendations
Music
Julia Mick
Welcome to MUSIC at HILLTOP! I have created a website to share music with you from our classroom. You can visit by clicking on the following link: Hilltop Music
Physical Eduation
Mason Amici
Email: masonamici@d15.org
Thank you for your interest! Physical Education, or P.E., is delivered twice a week to all Hilltop students. They receive an hour of Physical Education each week in the gym. Many skills are taught, including how to keep our bodies fit, and we have a lot of fun too! Drop by sometime to see us in action!