Embedded Files
Be Nice. Be Safe. Work Hard.
*Photo: National Civil Rights Museum at The Lorraine Motel*
Hello Merton Williams Families!
I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year. I appreciate your partnership and it is my greatest professional privilege to work with your kids every day. As we reflect over next week's long weekend, I ask you to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and to think about how we, as a community, can carry that legacy forward.
Thank you for keeping consistent with our communication expectations. Students are encouraged to have direct, in-person conversations with their teachers as a first step if a question arises.
Please take a look at the video and important information below.
Be Nice. Be Safe. Work Hard.
~Dr. D'Amico: Principal
~Mr. Sorensen: 8th Grade AP
~Mrs. Wallace: 7th Grade AP
As Always
As Always
MW Info
Please take a look at this video to help you out: Navigating the MW Family Post
Sent via IC Messaenger every other week (typically on Fridays)
Occasionally there will be an additional message sprinkled in
Links to all posts are on the MW Family Post HOMEPAGE
As always, check out the MW Student Info Site--this is constantly being updated
Code of Conduct
As we approach the new school year, please review the HCSD CODE OF CONDUCT
Nominate MW Staff
Chromebook Repairs
If a Student Chromebook is damaged, a repair ticket must be filed via Incident IQ. Upon receipt, a district technician will evaluate and assess the Chromebook
Based on the type of damage the Chromebook has sustained, a deductible fee of $50 may be required per repair ticket submitted
More information on the process can be found on the 1:1Student Technology Page
If you submit a ticket through Incident IQ, check your SPAM folder in the event an update message get filtered
If We Ever Have a Snow Day
During a normally scheduled five-day week, when the closing of school falls on an A – H day, the I/J schedule is eliminated and we proceed with the schedule as planned for the next week. If the closing falls on the I/J day, that day is eliminated and we proceed with the schedule as planned for the next week.
New Information
New Information
Quarter 2 ends 1.23
Q2 Ends on January 23rd
Grades viewable in IC by 3:00 on 1.30
DC Updates
Once you register with payment, you will automatically be charged on your payment method on the dates below:
$100.00 — Amount due at booking (Non-refundable)
$222.25 — 1st payment due Jan 18, 2026
$222.25 — 2nd payment due Feb 17, 2026
$222.25 — 3rd payment due Mar 19, 2026
$222.25 — Final payment due Apr 18, 2026
NOTE: Roommate Forms will be handed out on Jan 30 during Activity Set. Medical Forms will be posted on the same day. Directions forthcoming.
For information regarding the DC Trip, please refer to DC Trip Updates
Survivors April 28th
For the 3rd year in a row, we are proud to offer an in-district field trip to the HS Auditorium for 8th graders
They will see a performance of Survivors from JCC Centerstage
The Date is April 28th; 8th grade students will be out of classes from approximately 9:00 to 11:45
FBI: Your Device, Your Safety, Your Future
On January 30th, a Community Outreach Specialist from the FBI will visit to present Your Device, Your Safety, Your Future
Your Device, Your Safety, Your Future is an online safety presentation provided by the Buffalo Division of the FBI. It is designed to teach middle school students, in an age appropriate and interactive way, on who an online predator is, what an online predator wants (to include the definition of sextortion and online enticement), and how to be empowered to protect themselves and make good digital choices. All this information is presented in a way to educate, inform, and empower, not frighten. The presentation also touches on their online character, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, hoax threats, doxing, and simply “Thinking Before You Post”. Students are also provided resources on what to do and who to go to if they find themselves a victim of these types of crimes. This presentation has been given all over Western New York to over 10,000 students in the past several years. School districts in the Niagara County region who have benefited from this presentation include RoyHart, LewPort, Lockport, and Niagara Falls.
We will plan the 7th grade presentation for approximately 10:45-11:15
We will plan the 8th grade presentation for approximately 11:47-12:17
NYS Testing Update: Simulation 2.6
This year's NYS assessments in ELA and Math (grades 3-8) as well as Science (grades 5 & 8 only) will be administered as computer-based assessments. In preparation for the transition to testing on Chromebooks, we will be holding a computer-based testing simulation on the morning of February 6th. This short simulation will be for practice purposes and does not count as an assessment or grade for students.
NYS ELA Exams will be April 9-10
NYS Math Exams will be April 23-24
NYS Science 8 Exam is May 1st
New York State Education Department’s 2025-26 Digital Resources Survey
This survey is designed to collect data on student access to digital resources, including devices and internet access, in their places of residence. Click here for more information about the survey.
The survey will ask nine short questions about your family’s digital access and should take about five minutes to complete. Your answers will be used to help identify school and district needs, target resources and funding opportunities, and used to inform state policy and legislative initiatives. If you need clarification while responding to these questions, please consult the guidance from NYSED here.
To access this survey log onto your district's Infinite Campus Parent Portal and select the survey link in your inbox. You will answer the survey for each of your children. The survey is available now and should be completed by January 21, 2026.
Electric Bus Community Forum 1.20
The Hilton Central School District will be holding a community forum to discuss the New York State mandated conversion of all school bus fleets to zero emission vehicles by 2035. The forum will be held on January 20, beginning at 6 p.m. in the QUEST Elementary School auditorium. District representatives as well as individuals from Matthews Buses and Rochester Gas and Electric will be on hand to answer questions regarding the purchase of electric buses, as well as the infrastructure requirements to accommodate the transition.
Important Dates
1.19-No School
1.23- End Q2
1.30- FBI Presentation
2.6- NYS Testing Simulation
2.13- Evening of Jazz
2.16-2.20- February Recess
THERE ARE NO LATE BUSSES: February 6, March 11, May 21
Distraction Free Learning
Distraction Free Learning
Distraction Free Learning
Helpful Resources for Making the Transition at Home
Not New, but Very Relevant Information
Not New, but Very Relevant Information
Chromebook Repairs
If a Student Chromebook is damaged, a repair ticket must be filed via Incident IQ. Upon receipt, a district technician will evaluate and assess the Chromebook
Based on the type of damage the Chromebook has sustained, a deductible fee of $50 may be required per repair ticket submitted
More information on the process can be found on the 1:1Student Technology Page
If you submit a ticket through Incident IQ, check your SPAM folder in the event an update message get filtered
7th Grade Course Selection
Current 7th graders will complete their course selection for next year on February 13th
Erin’s Law
Each year, our Health teachers conduct lessons in accordance with Erin’s Law and in partnership with The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, formerly Bivona
HCSD and The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester held a parent forum several years go. Recording Below:
Teen Safety Matters Parent Forum: Passcode: X$A94@uk
Safety Matters Lessons will begin for 7th graders in March in the Health/Health Science Classes
Lessons for 7th grade are conducted by Health/Health Sciences Teachers
Safety Matters Lessons will be shared with 8th graders in December during their CTE classes
Lessons for 8th grade are conducted by a Community Educator from The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester
Thank you to our Health Teachers and The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester for taking the time to prepare and deliver these important lessons
More Information can be found here: SEL/Erin's Law Page, https://www.cacgroc.org/ , HCSD Child
Evening of Jazz Update
The 22nd Evening of Jazz is listed in the district calendar as taking place on February 27. However, it will actually be held on February 13.
Safety and Security Update
Safety and security is a priority.
At this point in the school year, we:
Completed Multiple Evacuation Drills
Completed one Loackdown drill
Reviewed our Full Evacuation & Reunification process at our 9.23 staff meeting.
Completed our Full Evacuation & Reunification drill with buses on 9.24.
Trained all staff in use of the Tap App, which enables all staff to initiate a lockdown as well as functions as a tool to utilize for communication in an emergency response.
In the future we will:
Review Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), including identifying, supporting, communicating, and documenting DASA related incidents with all staff
Particpate in our annual Suicide Prevention Training as a staff
Test our automatic door closures, PA system, and Tap App functionality
Conduct additional lockdown drills.
Conduct Hold in Place Drills; first one of the year was held on November 5th
Conduct evacuation drills in the spring.
Important Parent/Guardian Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminders
Please use Collamer to avoid Village Traffic
Do not drop off prior to 7:10 AM (students not admitted until 7:10)
**Student AM drop-off is in the front loop at the Main Entrance
**Student PM pick-up is near the pool in the back of the building
Drive Safely and watch for pedestrians
Please do not drive through or between any traffic cones
Student drop off and pick up during the school day is in the front loop at the Main Entrance
Relevant Information
Relevant Information
Sports
These resources can be found on the HCSD Athletics Homepage
Parents as Partners Webinar Series
Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, the District will be offering access to a webinar series developed for parents/caregivers to provide information and strategies to support you as you raise children/teens. These one-hour webinars cover a wide range of topics and will each include a presentation by an expert followed by time for questions. Those interested in participating can register by accessing links for each session on the website below. Each webinar has its own registration link so you can sign up for individual sessions and do not have commit to the entire series. If you are interested in a topic but cannot attend the live webinar, recordings of each session will be available after it occurs and can be accessed at any time through the end of this school year.
Please contact Liz Thornton, Director of Student Services at ethornton@hilton.k12.ny.us for access to any of the recorded sessions.
Yearbook Info
If You Are Picking Up Your Child Early
Please email the Attendance Office as early as possible. Info can be found on the MW Attendance Page
This helps us issue passes and record attendance in a timely fashion
It is appreciated
Acknowledgement Forms
Hard copies of pages 9-10 of the 2025-2026 MW School Wide Info & Expectations document were handed out 9.12
Signed Forms due 9.26
Students who need to turn in their forms to counseling should do so ASAP
Curriculum
The Hilton Central School District curriculum documents are now available on the Office of Instruction website. You can access these documents by going to the Hilton Central School District webpage. In the drop-down under departments, click Office of Instruction and then click Curriculum title on the left-hand side of the page.
School Supplies
For the 2025-2026 school year the district budgeted for and is providing the necessary school supplies for students so there is no list to share with students and families.
If students elect to bring a backpack, that is something that they will be responsible to get/have.
Students should come to school each day with their charged chromebook as well as writing utensils. Some classes have students utilize their chromebooks to watch videos with sound so students can bring their own headphones or earbuds.
We will also provide all students with 1 pair of WIRED headphones for instructional use at the discretion of teachers
Chromebook Reminders
Please have your child charge the Chromebook leading up to the first day.
Prior to the first day, please turn on the Chromebook and log in to make sure it is working correctly, is updated, and fully charged.
Need a charger? Replacements are available for $20
District-issued Chromebooks use lithium-ion batteries, which can occasionally fail. To prevent potential issues, follow these guidelines:
Charge with Supervision: Only charge the device when someone is present.
Limited Charging Time: Charge the Chromebook for a few hours; the red light next to the charger port will turn green when fully charged. Avoid overnight charging.
Hard Surface: Always charge the device on a hard surface. Avoid fabric surfaces like chairs, couch cushions, blankets, pillows, or beds.
Monitor Heat: If the Chromebook becomes hot while charging, unplug it and report the issue to the school.
Remember, adhering to these best practices can help prevent battery failure and potential damage.
Student Agendas
Generic Student Agendas are available for purchase in the Main Office at the start of the school year
Students Agendas are $5. **Please see your AP if you need financial assistance
Student Agendas are meant to help keep students organized and it also contains hall passes
Food Service Information
We are thrilled to announce that, during the 2025-2026 school year, Hilton Central School District will offer free meals (both breakfast and lunch) to all students through the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program.
To ensure the continued success of this program for our entire District, it is very important that families who meet the income eligibility guidelines complete the Household Income Eligibility Form through Campus Parent. Don't have a Campus Parent account? Click Here to learn more. Directions to assist in the completion of the form can be found here.
In addition to free meal programs, completing the Household Income Eligibility Form may also qualify you for discounts on Internet services, Amazon Prime, State and federal programs such as P-EBT or Summer P-EBT, Advanced Placement Exams, International Baccalaureate exams, SAT and ACT exams, college admissions, college coursework (reduced or free college tuition through Hilton CSD (dual credit courses), instrument rental outside of the district
Completing the Household Income Eligibility Form provides increased funding to the district to help support programs such as Girls on the Run, Robotics, computers and technology, and equipment grants to improve meal quality.
Your completed application will be sent to: Hilton Central School District, 400 East Ave, Hilton NY 14468
We look forward to providing free breakfast and lunch for all students. There will continue to be snacks and a la carte items available to purchase for a fee. Please contact Scott Ziobrowski, Director of Food Services, at (585) 392-1000 x2152 with any questions.
Pesticide Notification
Parent Resources
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