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Back To School Edition of The Heron Nest

Posted Date: 08/11/26 (12:07 PM)
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The Heron Nest newsletter announces "Back to School" for Hillcrest Elementary in August 2026.

Summer Office Hours

August 11 - 31 | 9:00 AM - Noon | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

A banner with the text "Dates to Know" and a calendar icon. The banner is a light green color.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ON OR ABOUT AUG. 24: Elementary Transfer Request Notifications
AUG. 24: Kinder Camp | 10:00 AM - Noon
AUG. 26: Class Lists Post | 4:00 PM
AUG 26: WA Kids Conference Scheduler Opens | 4:00 PM
AUG. 27: Open House 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
SEPT. 1: First Day of School (1st - 4th Grades)
SEPT. 1-3: WA Kids Conferences (K Only)
SEPT. 4: First Day of Kindergarten
SEPT. 4: Boo-Hoo Breakfast | 9:00 AM
SEPT. 7: Labor Day | NO SCHOOL

HILLCREST BELL SCHEDULE 2026-27

A table displays school daily schedules for Monday (Early Release) and Tuesday-Friday.
 
A portrait of a smiling woman with long, light brown hair, set against a teal background with the text 'From the Principal's Desk'.

WELCOME BACK!

One of the best parts of my job is welcoming our new and returning Hillcrest families to a new school year! Our staff is so excited to partner with your family to make this the best possible year for your child.

During August, our main goal is to ensure that you and your family have everything you need to make this year a successful one. To kickstart the school year, we have gathered important information and dates for you to take note of. Please read through this newsletter carefully, as it will help you stay on track and be well-prepared.

Our August 27 Open House is just around the corner! Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. It will be a fantastic opportunity for your student and your family to explore our school, meet the teachers, and get a glimpse of all the amazing things Hillcrest has to offer.

Please reach out to our office (279-5200) if there is anything we can do to support your family as we head back to school. It's going to be another awesome year at Hillcrest!

Respectfully,
Paula Seaman
Hillcrest Principal
 
The words 'School Supplies' are displayed above a large yellow pencil and a collection of school items.

GEAR UP FOR LEARNING: SUPPLIES CHECKLIST

Oak Harbor Public Schools are committed to reducing expenses for families. We are able to provide some school supplies to all classes through the incredible generosity of our community’s support of our local levy.

Below is a list of supplies we ask families to provide from home. 

Grades K-1
  • Pencils
  • Crayons
  • Glue Sticks
  • Backpack
  • Headphones (wired)
  • Water Bottle

Grades 2-4
  • Pencils
  • Colored Pencils
  • Glue Sticks
  • Backpack
  • Headphones (wired)
  • Water Bottle

If you need assistance with the purchase of school supplies, please contact our office at 279-5200.
 
HCE Spirit Wear Store featuring various apparel items with the Hill Crest Elementary logo.

ORDER YOUR BACK TO SCHOOL SWAG TODAY


Get ready, Hillcrest families — it’s time to stock up on Heron swag before the school year kicks off! Our Hillcrest Elementary School PTA Early Bird Spirit Wear Sale is happening now through August 23.
You'll find t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, water bottles, and so much more!
Order now, and your gear will be ready in time for Hillcrest's first Spirit Wear Friday!
Don’t wait — grab your gear and show off your Heron Pride all year long!
 
A banner for "Notes From The Nurse's Office." It features medical icons like a first aid kit, a clipboard, a stethoscope, a nurse, and prescription bottles. The banner also includes the name of the nurse, Rhonda Coker, MSN, RN.

IMPORTANT MEDICATION REMINDERS

All health plans and healthcare provider orders are good for one school year only. If your child needs a health plan or needs to take medication during the school day for the school year 2026-2027 (this includes any prescription, over-the-counter medications, or inhalers used at school, or after-school activities), please download the Parent Information and School Medication Form from the district website. The district's Health & Wellness page also has information regarding inhalers and Epi-Pens at school. Forms may also be picked up in our school office. Our nurse's office opens on August 17 or you may call to leave a message for Nurse Coker at 279.5241.
A yellow school bus is shown with the text 'Transportation' and '2026-2027 Requests Now Being Accepted'.

INFO FOR BUS RIDERS

Regular transportation is provided for students outside the one-mile walking area of the Hillcrest attendance area.

  • If you rode a bus last year and nothing has changed related to your residency, you DO NOT need to request transportation this year.



Route assignments for the new school year take place at the end of August. 
For any questions, please get in touch with the OHPS transportation team at 279.5570.

STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DROP OFF

Student security and safety are a priority for Hillcrest. To this end, students may not be on school grounds before 8:30 AM to be properly supervised.

  • Parents dropping off students must do so in the student drop-off area. View a map here.
  • For everyone’s safety, students may not walk through the parking lot without an adult under any circumstances.
  • Unless they are having breakfast, all students enter through the playground.
  • Students getting breakfast before school will enter through the gym doors where they eat and are then dismissed to the playground
  • If your child is not having breakfast, please consider a drop-off time closer to 8:45 AM - 8:55 AM to help lessen traffic congestion.

STUDENT DISMISSAL AND PICK UP

The safety of our students is the most important goal when we release them from school. Students walking or riding bikes are expected to exit the school grounds and make their way home immediately following dismissal

  • Parents should park in the visitor parking area. Once the dismissal bell has rung, parents may enter through the playground access gate and pick up their child from their teacher at their POD line-up area.
  • Walkers will be released out the POD doors and immediately leave campus through the playground access gate.
  • Bus riders will line up in their bus lines in the gym and load onto buses through the gym doors. As a matter of safety, students may not be picked up from bus lines or loaded buses. Please come to our office if you need your child from the bus line or the bus.
  • Students must be actively supervised if their family stays on campus after school to visit the playground.

If there is any change in how your student is to leave school, or if any other arrangements have been made, please send a note from home, or phone the office by 1:00 PM. Otherwise, students will be sent as previously arranged.

If you are picking up your child any time before dismissal, you must come to the office to sign them out.

Please note: there is no early student pick up.


  • Mondays: No early student pick up after 2:00 PM
  • Tuesday - Friday: No early pick up after 3:00 PM
A banner for Food Services. The banner features the text "Food Services" and a circular image of a school lunch tray with a sandwich, fries, lettuce, and a cup of yogurt.
A table displays meal prices: Breakfast $2.65, Lunch $3.60, and Milk (with no meal) 40¢.

ALL HILLCREST FAMILIES: PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION

To maintain free meals, applications for free and reduced lunch must be submitted by families every year.

Free and reduced benefit eligibility from the last school year remains in effect until mid-October. Submitting a new application early prevents any lapse in benefits. Early application submission also ensures schools qualify for state or federal programs that are determined by free and reduced percentages.

How to Apply
To expedite your application, we encourage you to fill out an electronic application. You only need to fill out one application for all of the members of your family.

  1. Visit Skyward Family Access. Enter your login and password the school has provided. If you need your account information, please call your school.
  2. Select Food Service on the left side of the screen
  3. Choose a Child  
  4. Select the Applications Tab
  5. Click Add Application
  6. Follow the instructions on the left-hand side of the screen. Instructions are listed on each page. Click the Next button at the top of each page to be sure you are completing all the required steps.

Send questions to Rachel Frankwich or call 360.279.5015.

WHY ALL FAMILIES SHOULD FILL OUT A FREE AND REDUCED MEALS APPLICATION

  • Even if you don't plan on using the free & reduced option or you always pack a cold lunch for your child, we still urge every Hillcrest family to complete the application.
  • In addition to determining a family’s qualification for daily free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch, applications determine an elementary school’s eligibility to provide no-cost meals. Hillcrest is currently the only elementary school in the Oak Harbor School District that does not have free breakfast and lunch for all students.
  • Applications also help maintain other state educational funding like Learning Assistance Programs and Title funds, which pay for classroom resources and reduce school fees.

HOW TO SET UP FUNDS IN YOUR CHILD'S LUNCH ACCOUNT

We are pleased to offer a service for families and students called e~Funds for Schools. This user-friendly program offers various options for parents/guardians who choose to make meal payments online. Parents can pay fees by having funds electronically withdrawn from their checking account, credit card, or debit card. e-Funds For Schools is a secure service provider. There is no service fee for families. You may need to check your spam folder for emails related to your e~Funds account.
prefer to not make online payments, there is no need to sign up. Families may also pay by cash or check using the drop box located just outside our the Hillcrest office.
Click to Sign Up for e-Funds
 
The ParentSquare logo with the text 'Register Your Account' and 'Download the App'.

OUR PARENT COMMUNICATION PLATFORM

Hillcrest Elementary and Oak Harbor Public Schools use ParentSquare for communication between home and school. ParentSquare provides a simple and safe way for everyone at school to connect. With ParentSquare you can:
  • Receive all school and classroom communication via email, text or app
  • Communicate in your preferred home language with automatic translation
  • Direct message teachers and staff
  • Have access to your school's documents and pictures/videos that come in your ParentSquare messages
  • Easily sign up to volunteer and/or bring items
Registering with ParentSquare allows you to customize your experience and verify that your contact information is correct.
  • Check your contact information on Skyward and make sure a cell phone number is listed in the second phone number line
  • Activate your account on the ParentSquare website.
  • Set your notifcation preferences
  • Mark your preferred language
Important ParentSquare Links


 
A sign welcoming visitors to Hillcrest Elementary School. The sign is located in front of the school building and features the school's name, logo (a heron), and the designation of "National Green Ribbon School." The sign is surrounded by trees and a grassy area.

CONTACTS AND LINKS

OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

1500 NW 2nd Avenue
(360) 279.5200
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
A banner for Hillcrest Elementary School. The banner features the school's name, logo (a heron), and the designation of "The GREEN School" and "Best of GREEN Schools" from the Washington State Green Schools program and the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools program.