Principal Message

 QUEST Families,

Happy October! I hope this month finds you and your child in well established routines, while also enjoying plenty of family time. We are quite busy at QUEST, and our students have all settled in well as we dive deeper into this year. This month's blog is loaded with goodies, so please take a close look. 

Conferences

Our three-way conferences begin this month, with a heavy amount occurring on the evening of the 28th, and then again right before Thanksgiving. Although  the classroom teachers are the primary source for conferences, please know that special area staff, AIS providers, and special education teachers are also available to conference. 

For those new to QUEST, you will notice that students are included in our conferences. The purpose of this is to put the child in the driver's seat of their learning--agents of their learning we like to say. After all, it is their learning. The goal is that the student attends and together, alongside the teacher, we all establish learning goals that will be focused on for the coming months. This is a meaningful process, and I can say that as a QUEST parent, it is quite remarkable to hear your child talk about their learning in a thoughtful, structured way. 

Halloween

QUEST does allow Halloween costumes, and our school will celebrate this holiday on October 28th. For those that do not celebrate this holiday, please communicate with your child's classroom teacher and meaningful accommodations will be made for your child. This is a half-day of school (smart move on our part, right?!). We will have an outdoor parade (time will be shared by the classroom teachers soon), and many classrooms also celebrate with classroom parties. Please be aware of the following expectations around costumes: 

• No blood should be part of the costume that is worn to school.
• Toy weapons that go with the costume should not be brought to school.
• If a child has a mask with their costume, they should bring that in their bag; their classroom teacher will instruct them when it is an appropriate time to put it on.
• Costumes should not be offensive or discriminate against others.

IB Coordinator and REACH at QUEST

Mrs. Andrea Geglia, current IB Coordinator and REACH teacher at QUEST, has accepted a position as a Principal in Greece. Congrats to her on her new job--QUEST will certainly miss her, but we could not be happier for her. She begins in Greece at the end of this month.

This leaves a vacancy at QUEST. We are in the process of hiring for the IB Coordinator, and once we have a person assigned to that role, we will communicate out. This role is an important one as they work alongside the district and building leadership to help build and sustain our IB Programme. 

Please join me in wishing Mrs. Geglia the very best! 

I hope you are able to find some time to pick apples, check out one of the fall-based offerings here in Hilton, or to jump in some leaves! Thank you for sending us such awesome learners. We appreciate you!

WE are QUEST!

Yours in Education,

Derek Warren

QUEST Principal 

Make A Difference Day

 13th Annual Make a Difference Days - Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23

 We're back! After cancelling what would have been the 13th Annual Make a Difference Day due to the pandemic in 2020, the event will be back this year...and we can't wait! The Make a Difference Day Committee is currently working on logistics and scheduling projects, so that this year's event can again serve our community. Here is how you can help:

 

Friday, October 22

• Red Cross Blood Drive in honor of 2013 Graduate Jordan Ott - Jordan is a former Hilton student athlete battling cancer. She was a 2013 HCSD co-athlete of the year and is currently head coach of King’s College Women’s Ice Hockey.
• Blood Drive is from 1-6 p.m. by appointment only. Schedule appointments at www.redcrossblood.org/give and enter sponsor code: HiltonCentralHS. ID and mask required.

Saturday, October 23

• Donate Food for the Hilton Parma Emergency Food Shelf – “Stuff a Bus” Food Drive at Tops Plaza, South Ave., Hilton – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Recycle Documents – Certified Document Destruction sponsored by Wegmans, Hilton High School, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Donate New & Gently Used Coats, Hats & Mittens – Winterwear Drive sponsored by Hilton High School Model U.N., Hilton Cares and Hilton Baptist Church, Hilton High School – 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Donate New Socks - Drop off at St. Leo's Church, Lake Ave, Hilton - 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Donate Pet Supplies - Pet Shelter Supply Drive to benefit Flower City Critters Small Animal Rescue, Hilton Village Community Center - 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

 

About Make a Difference Day: For 13 years, the Hilton School District has joined forces with the Village of Hilton and Town of Parma to participate in Make a Difference Day on the last Saturday in October. Teams of students, staff, teachers and community members come together to make the community a better place by rolling up their sleeves and pitching in on a variety of projects throughout the area.

Other Projects:

• Hilton Rotary/Village Elementary students: Sorting donated food
• Hilton Lion's Club: Yard cleanup for senior citizens
• Hilton Parma Historical Society: Painting Dunbar Rd. Cemetery fence
• St. George's Episcopal Church: Community garden cleanup
• Parma Christian Fellowship: Salmon Creek cleanup
• Merton Williams Middle School Student Council: Beautification of school grounds
• Northwood Elementary School Student Council: Personal care packages and letters for military
• Hilton Garden Club: Parma Library garden beautification
• Parma Public Library: Card making for military and essential workers
• Girl Scouts: Parma Park community garden cleanup and restoration

Library Update

 Welcome October!  

We are so glad to have kids in the library, loving books and learning!

We had TEN prize winners who were our top SORA readers!  Sora is our online e-reader system which features thousands of books you can access from any device with wifi.  We are now having a FALL READING COMPETITION!   Prize packages for the top two readers at each level will be awarded on December 15th so every book your QUEST student reads online will count!  Instructions can be found here: http://questrockstar.pbworks.com/w/page/133716039/Sora%20Instructions%202020-21#wearequest… #summersorareading

QUEST Library will be joining Special Areas for Open House Zoom.  Join me for any library questions you may have!

October 5, 2021 at 7:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/2651471341?pwd=V003ZEppQmhIVmRUdGJacnE0d0hGUT09

Meeting ID: 265 147 1341

Passcode: awesome

Safe School Helpline

 Hilton CSD introduces Safe School Helpline

Hilton Central School District is introducing a Safe School Helpline® to help prevent threats of violence and drugs that endanger public schools nationwide.

It is designed to assist our learning community in reporting any wrongdoing that impact our schools, our students or our staff – anonymously, so as to protect one's privacy. For example, one may wish to report acts of violence, theft, drug or alcohol use, weapons or sexual harassment.

Just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave the information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240, then type: TIPS. The message will not be traced, and the caller/text will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax the message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken.

Commonly Asked Questions:

Q. How do we know it is anonymous?

The district has contracted for this service through Security Voice, an outside company with no ties to our school.

Q. How does it work?

A toll-free number has been assigned to Hilton School District. When you dial this number from a touch-tone phone, you will be advised how to leave your information – and not to include your name or other facts that could identify you. Then, record your message.

Q. What type of information should be reported?

Please report any facts, remarks, or actions that could jeopardize the safety of our students, staff or school. Examples of harmful or threatening behavior might include:

• Bullying
• Violence
• Theft
• Drug or alcohol use and abuse
• Talk of suicide
• Sexual harassment
• Weapons

Q. What happens next?

Security Voice will send a typed copy of your message to the school. The school will then investigate the report, and determine how best to act on it.

Q. When and where can I call?

You may call toll-free anytime, day or night – from a home, mobile or pay phone. Take care that your call is not overheard.

Q. Can this service help troubled students, too?

Yes. If you see a student who is very troubled, or overhear remarks like "I can't go on," please report it. The call will e-routed to a Community Counseling and Crisis Center that provides a 24-hour crisis intervention service. Trained counselors are available 365 days per year to talk with persons seeking assistance in coping with suicidal thoughts, depression, or feelings of loneliness and loss. Callers need only press "3" when prompted.

Q. Who can call this number?

Everyone within our Hilton Schools, including:

• Students
• Teachers
• Staff
• Parents/Guardians
• Administrators

Q. Can I change my message later? How will you know who is calling?

Yes. When you leave a message you are given a case number that is yours alone. Enter that same case number when updating your message or answering additional questions.

Q. How will I know if any action has been taken?

After three school days, call the toll-free number and enter your case number when prompted. A recording will let you know your message was heard and may ask for more information. Your answers will be transcribed and sent to the school administration for further investigation. Administrative actions may sometimes be confidential, but your call is always important.

Help keep our schools safe
with the Safe School Helpline

Break the Silence ... Prevent the Event

1-800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359
(1-800-418-6423 ext. 359)

Text 614-426-0240
Then type TIPS

Download the Safe Schools Helpline app on Apple and Android Devices

PTSO Update

 Happy Fall Quest families! 

October is a busy month for PTSO. This week we will be having our Fall book fair. The book fair runs Oct. 4th - Oct. 7th. Please remember to send in money with your student or set up an e wallet. Monday and Tuesday night from 5p-7p Barton's Parkside hots food truck will be at Quest. Come with the family, get dinner and shop at the book fair!

We will kick off our Read-A-Thon fundraiser on Oct. 11th. We are really looking forward to seeing all the reading Quest will do! It will look very similar to last year where you will be able to track their reading online. Be on the look out for more info soon!

We are in the process of setting up the fall apparel sale. We know you will all love the great options we will have for you! You should be seeing that the first week in November.

If you have any Questions or would like to get more involved with Quest PTSO please email

questptso@gmail.com

Thank you for all your support!

Quest PTSO

Co-Chairs 

Mindy Sullivan & Amanda Spriggs

Kindergarten Application for QUEST

 Kindergarten applications for Quest Elementary School due Feb. 3, 2022

Quest Elementary is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme school of choice and an application is required to attend. Quest is open to all K - 6 students in the Hilton School District, including special education and academically-gifted students.

If you have a child who will be entering elementary school in the 2022-23 school year, and would like them to attend Quest, please apply by completing the online form. A printable version is available below. The application must be received by Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. If more applications are received than can be accommodated, a lottery will be held on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. You will be notified by mail immediately if your child has been accepted or placed on our waiting list. 

If you have a child that is currently in UPK in the Quest location, it does not automatically enroll you in Quest for Kindergarten. An application needs to be completed to enroll into Kindergarten.

Health Office Updates

 

IB News Letter and Update

 

Level Updates

 Kindergarten:

The Kindergarten team is off to a wonderful start! Our friends are getting to know their new surroundings and routines, and making lots of new friends. Each day brings something new and exciting, we can't wait to explore what the rest of the year has to offer.

 

We inquiring about ourselves and what makes us unique, with our current planner This is Us. We are reflecting on how we have grown and changed, being open minded about our similarities and differences, and being risk-takers when sharing special talents we have.  

 

This month, we’re also looking forward to participating in some Quest and Kindergarten team Halloween traditions and celebrations. Stay tuned for more info in the weeks to come.  

Primary:

The Primary teachers are very happy to have everyone back for the start of the 2021-2022 school year.  We are so excited to offer more opportunities this year for children to explore the school!  Due to the different school year, we experienced last year, we are teaching things that we have never had to teach before. For example, how to go through the lunch line or how to return books to the library.  If you or your child are unsure of something, please do not hesitate to ask.  We sometimes forget that the children have not had these experiences yet.  

Our first planner of the year is "Problem Solving for Peace".  The children are learning about different systems in their lives and how they provide order.  We will be learning about rules, laws, and responsibilities.  The students really enjoy learning ways to problem solve in the classroom, for example playing "rock, paper, scissors," to fairly see who goes first.  As well as,  discussing "little deals and big deals." To support this planner at home try discussing the systems you have in your house that your children may not be aware of.  In addition, problem solve together when your child has an issue. If your child is forgetting their snacks, what system could they put in place to fix that?

As a team, we are asking that your child reads every day.  Reading 10 minutes a day, or being read to, can greatly improve reading skills which will impact all parts of your child's education.  We are looking forward to an amazing school year!  Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Elementary:

The Elementary Team has been hard at work! Students and teachers spent the first few weeks of school busily engaging in get to know you activities, learning classroom routines, and beginning workshops in reading, writing, math, and inquiry.  Our first planner of the year focuses on Indigenous Peoples. In this planner students learn about the Haudenosaunee culture and way of life. Students engage in research and discuss the similarities and differences among various Native American groups. We learn about how people of Native American heritage help to shape and make contributions to our world.  All of the students have enjoyed working together, learning, and having fun! 

Intermediate:

Thanks to Mr. Gibbs, the intermediate level had an engaging provocation into our first unit of the year. He supplied us with ancient artifacts and students had to use what they know and questions they had to conduct research. We learned that these artifacts were ancient coins, varied in size and metal type, often had someone of power on one side (a ruler or famous athlete) and were very old. These coins led us into the inquiry of civilizations from local and global perspectives.

 

Our current inquiry unit is Artifacts tell a story of exploration, power, trade and moral reasoning.

Our lines of inquiry are:

• analyzing and interpreting world maps

• How, why, when, and where people moved

• learning about the past from artifacts

 

In this unit, we will also research explorers, their motivations, geography and more.

Student Council

 

Monologue Club

 Monologue Club! Open to Primary, Elementary and Intermediate students. See Ms. McCormick or Mrs. Pestilli for a permission slip 😊 Click below to watch some students explain monologue club!

 

https://www.wevideo.com/view/2394281391

Picture Day

 Picture Day is Thursday, October 14th. Below is the order form, which also went home with each student.

QUEST Band Update