Hillview Elementary School 1822 Francis Street ● VERNON BC V1B 3A5 Phone (250) 542-5465 ● Head Clerical: Mrs. Shonnette Pyefinch Principal: Ms. Lisa Quiring ● Vice Principal: Ms. Jenn Trydal |
✨ Welcome Back, Hillview!
Welcome back to our returning students and families—and a warm welcome to those joining the Hillview community for the first time. Our staff has been busy preparing classrooms, organizing learning spaces, and getting everything ready for another wonderful year of learning, growth, and connection.
We are excited to welcome a few new staff members to our team and extend a heartfelt thank you to our custodial staff for helping make our school shine.
We can't wait to welcome students back on Tuesday, September 8!
✅ Quick Start: What Families Need to Know
First Day of School (Grades 1-7)
📅 Tuesday, September 8th
The warning bell rings at 8:35 AM
⏰ Dismissal at 11:40 AM
First Full Day (Grades 1-7)
📅 Wednesday, September 9th
⏰ Dismissal at 2:40 PM
Kindergarten Gradual Entry Begins
📅 September 9th (Refer to Group A / Group B schedule sent from school office in July)
First PAC Meeting (ALL parents welcome)
📅 Tuesday September 15th
📍 School Library
⏰ 6:30 PM
Open House for Parents
📅 September 24th
☕ 8:35–9:05 AM
🧑🏫 First Days of School & Class Placements
To ensure a smooth start to the school year, students in Grades 1–7 will return to their previous year's classroom teacher on September 8 and 9 while enrolment is finalized. Students will gather on the basketball courts near Francis Road to meet with their previous year’s classroom teacher before heading to class. Our goal is to have students settled into their new classrooms on Wednesday OR Thursday by recess.
✨New Students
New students will check in at the “Welcome Table” on September 8, will start their day with Mrs. Britton and Mrs. Curtis. They will be assigned to a grade-level homeroom until final placements are completed. If enrolment exceeds projections, temporary placements may continue through September 9. We appreciate your patience as staff carefully create learning environments that support the success of every student.
Important Note Regarding Class Placements
Our staff spends hours carefully creating classes that are balanced and designed to meet the needs of all students. Academic, social, behavioural, and learning considerations are thoughtfully reviewed to ensure every classroom is set up for success.
Once class placements have been finalized, changes will not be made. Adjusting one student's placement has a ripple effect on many other students and can disrupt the balance that has been carefully established.
We appreciate your partnership in supporting your child as they transition to their new teacher and into their new classroom community. With encouragement and a positive mindset, students typically settle in quickly and form new friendships and connections.
👶 Kindergarten Families
Kindergarten students will begin school through a gradual entry process starting September 9. We are excited to welcome them to their first school experience. If you have not received your child's gradual entry schedule, please contact the school office.
✅ First full day of Kindergarten: September 18 (8:40am to 2:40pm)
☕ Parent Open House:
We invite all families to join us to visit your child’s classroom in action.
Thursday, September 24th📍 Hillview Classrooms
🏫 8:35–9:05 AM — Visit classrooms, meet teachers & observe your child in their class
📞 A Few Important Reminders
Safe Arrival: If your child will be absent or late, please call the school office @ 250-542-5465 before 8:30am to leave a message and alert the school that your child will not be in.
🚗 Parking & Student Safety
Our parking lot is extremely busy before and after school. Please help us keep students safe by following these guidelines:
✅ Use visitor parking only when spots are available
✅ Park along Francis Street when visitor parking is not available
✅ Use the back field gates whenever possible
❌ Do not enter the bus lane
❌ Do not block the bus path near the exit gates (the bus needs room to swing out onto Francis Street
✅ The left lane beside the median is for quick drop-off only. Drivers need to remain in their vehicles and move as soon as possible to allow for continuous flow of traffic.
Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe for everyone.
📱 Cell Phones at School
To support student learning and minimize distractions, we want to remind you that students are not permitted to use personal cell phones during the school day. Students who bring phones to school must keep them powered off and stored away until they are heading home after dismissal. If you need to contact your child during the day, please call the office and leave a message.
If students are using their phones during school time, they phone may be confiscated. Repeated incidents will require a parent or guardian to pick up the device from the office.
Thank you for supporting a distraction-free school day.
🏫 School Fees & Supplies
Hillview has pre-purchased school supplies for all students.
Fees cover:
· Classroom learning supplies
· Art and craft supplies
· Student agendas ($10)
· Cultural activities fee ($5)
Fees
Kindergarten — $60
Grades 1–7 — $70
Payment can be made on MyEd in September, or by cash / cheque sent to your child’s classroom teacher or to the office. If you need assistance with the fee, please contact the office in September. There are options for families who require financial support.
Update Information: Please ensure the office has current:
· Phone numbers
· Email addresses
· Authorized pick-up persons
· Medical information
Nut-Aware School: Please do not send foods containing peanuts or tree nuts to school.
🌟 Join Our PAC
Hillview's PAC plays a vital role in creating opportunities for students and supporting our school community. ALL parents are invited to attend meetings to discuss issues that impact your child and the school. You don’t have to be a volunteer to attend PAC meetings!
The PAC helps organize:
· Hot lunch programs
· Supports for classroom teachers
· Community events
· Fundraising initiatives
· Volunteer opportunities
📅 Meeting are held the second Tuesday of each month starting at 6:30 PM
📧 For more information email: hillviewpacvernon@gmail.com
📅 Important Dates
Aug 31 to
Sept 4 Office open for registrations and questions (8:30 AM–3:00 PM)
Sept 8 First day for Grades 1–7 (8:40am-11:40 AM dismissal)
Sept 9 First full day for Grades 1–7 (8:40-2:40 PM)
Kindergarten gradual entry begins
Sept 15 First PAC Meeting (6:30 PM)
Sept 18 First full Kindergarten Day
Terry Fox Run
Sept 24 Classroom Open House (8:35-9:05 AM)
Sept 25 Pro-D Day – No school for students
Sept 29 Orange Shirt Day
Sept 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Schools closed.
📞 Stay Connected
Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education. If you have any questions, call the office (250-542-5465) or reach out via email to Shonnette Pyefinch, our head clerical (spyefinch@sd22.bc.ca). We are looking forward to another fantastic!
Lisa Quiring
Principal (lquiring@sd22.bc.ca)
Jenn Trydal
Vice Principal (jtrydal@sd22.bc.ca)