Hilltop Elementary School

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Welcome to…

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Kick Off to �Kindergarten 2026!

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Agenda

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• Welcome and Introductions
• School Highlights
• Typical School Day & � Ways to Prepare for Kindergarten
• Application Process
• Summer Prep Items
• Introduction to PTSA
• Q & A
• Tour of Classrooms and personal questions
• Kick-off Concludes

Introductions

�Melissa Somoza, Principal

Michelle Howell, Office Manager

Evelina Shuvarikov, Office Secretary

Kindergarten Team

PTSA

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Purpose for Tonight’s Meeting

• Provide highlights about our school & The Edmonds School District.
• Explain the enrollment process
• Share ways to prepare your child for Kindergarten

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• Most importantly, to answer your questions.

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Introductions

Our Kindergarten Team

Kristina Parkhurst

Shana Dumo

Kim Swartz

Lane Amador

Lanei Brown

Activity - Who’s in the Room?

HIlltop Elementary

The Husky Way

Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe

Diversity at Hilltop

Diverse Native Languages of our Families

.35%

Punjabi

Amharic

Kannada

Chinese-Mandarin

.17%

Marwari

Khmer

Chinese-Unspecific

Chinese- Cantonese

Bosnian

Sinhalese

Tigrinya

Turkish

We have interpreters for parents

and ways to translate communications.

Language Hotline

425-431-1100

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El Distrito Escolar de Edmonds ya tiene una linea

en espanol para las familias y estudiantes!

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425-431-1304

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Hilltop Has...

• Experienced, warm, caring staff who believe it is our purpose to support both academic and social development.
• Strong community where our families are very supportive and feel connected.
• Balanced curriculum including literacy, math, science, art, social/emotional learning and creative play.
• A positive, restorative approach to discipline with

clearly taught expectations.

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Students support each other at Hilltop Elementary!

Sixth Grade Kindergarten Buddies in action!

Support Staff in Every Classroom

Hands-on learning

Joyful Learning!

Joyful Learning!

By the end of the year, your child

will be able to:

My Kindergarten Goals

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• Read grade level text with purpose and understanding.
• Write opinion, informational and narrative texts.
• Count and Compare numbers to 20 and understand that adding is “putting together” and subtraction is “taking from”.

Specialist Classes

Physical Education

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Library

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Music

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Recess

What about Lunch?

• Kindergarten students eat lunch in the classroom.

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• You may pack a lunch, buy a lunch, or apply for free/reduced lunch.

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• Free/reduced lunch applications are available in late August.

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• Your student will get a personalized lunch card to use when purchasing lunch.

Preparing for Kindergarten

Getting Ready for School

Preparing for Kindergarten

Teach your child to…

• Put on their own coat and shoes.
• Use the bathroom independently.

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Do together…

• Visit our school on the weekends.
• Read to your child every day!
• Count everything! 1… 2…. 3….
• Chant and write the alphabet.
• Practice writing their name with a capital letter at the start and the rest in lowercase letters.

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August Playdates

Summer Kindergarten Play Dates

For incoming Kindergarteners and their families.

Join us to meet other Hilltop families.

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Location: Hilltop playground.

Tuesday, June 23rd 4:30-5:30 PM

Tuesday, August 11th 9:30-10:30 AM

Tuesday, August 18th 10:30-11:30 AM

Parent Information Meeting in August

Kindergarten School Start Information Meeting

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Parents/Guardians are invited to an Information Meeting to get your questions answered about the start of Kindergarten.

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Thursday, August 20th

10:00- 11:00 AM in the Hilltop Gym or

5:00-6:00 on Zoom ID: 85853844569 Passcode: 574561

Enrollment

Enrollment Requirements

Entrance age:

• Your child must be 5 years old by August 31, 2026

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Must live in our service area:

• https://esdfinder.site/

Enrollment Requirements

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Enrollment packet:

• Complete an online enrollment at:

https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/academics/elementary-school-learning/kindergarten

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• Or pick up a paper copy at Hilltop Elementary office, 9:30-2:30.

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**Important Note: The first parent/guardian that you list during enrollment is often the first person contacted by the teacher or office staff.

Your Enrollment is Complete When We Have…

• Current proof of residence in our service area
• utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage statement
• Proof of birth (i.e. birth certificate, passport, adoption papers, etc).
• Immunization records including all required immunizations.
• List of emergency contacts, in case we can’t reach you and your child is ill.
• Student Health Form is complete and signed.
• We verify the packet is filled out completely.
• We will follow-up if you are missing any information

If you prefer to enroll using a paper application, you can pick one up at the �Hilltop Elementary office between 9:30am & 2:30pm or download one at:�https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/fs/pages/8375

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Immunizations and Health Information

Immunizations

• Washington State law requires vaccinations be in place before school entry
• BEAT THE RUSH! Schedule those appointments now.
• If you are new to the area and need a referral to a healthcare provider or have questions, please contact our nurse Amy Helgoe by email at HelgoeA@edmonds.wednet.edu

For Medical Needs

• Let the office know of any health information that may affect your student.
• Our school’s nurse may reach out to for additional information and to create a school plan.
• If your student requires medication during the school day, a medication order signed by your student's primary care provider must be in place before we can administer medication. This includes non-prescription medications as well.
• All prescription medications need to have the pharmacy label attached and not be expired.

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First Day of School &

Family Connection Meeting

• First Day of School for Kindergarten is Wednesday, September 9th.

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• Family Connection Meetings
• September 2nd, 3rd, & 8th.
• Individual family meetings with the teacher.
• These are required meetings for your family to learn about Kindergarten and for your teacher to get to know your family.

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Additional Information

• Classroom Placement: �
• You will receive notification of your child’s teacher by email by August 27th.
• We do not take requests for specific teachers or to be with friends.
• We do want to hear about your child’s needs and strengths, and the type of learning environment that they learn best in.

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• Supply lists: �
• Lists will be available on the school website in June, and emailed to families.
• PTSA sells pre-packaged boxes of school supplies in May at www.hilltopptsa.org . Boxes will be delivered to your child’s classroom before school starts.

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Hilltop Community

School is a Community

School Is a Community

425-431-1100

425-431-1100

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Please Join the PTSA!

They do so much.

for our school!

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Questions?

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COMMUNITY

• Back to School Events
• Fall Festival
• Skate Night
• Mariners & AquaSox Night
• Movie Night
• Game Night

COMMUNICATION

• Facebook
• Newsletter
• Website
• Membership

FUNDRAISING

• Donations
• Fun Run
• Basket Bonanza Raffle
• Restaurant Nights
• Fred Meyer Rewards
• Spirit Wear

SCHOOL SUPPORT

• Classroom Grants
• School Grants
• Volunteers
• Art Docent Program
• Multicultural Potluck
• Open House
• Staff Appreciation School
• Grounds Clean-up

FUND ALLOCATION

• Become a Member!
• Come to a Meeting
• 1st Thursday @ 5:30�In the library AND on ZOOM
• Volunteer Your Time or Services
• Donate to Fundraising Efforts

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www.HilltopPTSA.org

www.HilltopPTSA.org/Packet/Join

Important Information

Principal – Melissa Somoza

Office Manager – Michelle Howell

Office Secretary – Evelina Shuvarikov

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20425 Damson Rd, Lynnwood WA 98036

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School phone: 425-431-7604

School attendance: 425-431-7600 (available 24x7)

School hours: 8:45 am to 3:15 pm M-Th

8:45 am to 2:00 Fridays

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Enrollment hours: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm

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Your Questions?