CROCKER LINGO AND DEFINITIONS

• ACE:  Actual Cost to Educate - the gap between the funds our district receives and the actual cost to provide the excellent education we expect.

• APG: Associated Parents’ Group - our version of the PTA for all four district schools. The president of each school’s parent group sits on the APG Board. APG frequently schedules speakers for parent education events. 

• Blue & Gold Days: Crocker runs an alternating schedule of Blue and Gold Days. Physical Education (PE), world languages, and electives rotate based on these days.

• BRTB: Boucin' Round the Bay -the ultimate summer camp adventure for your incoming 6th, 7th, or 8th grader. Led by beloved Crocker teachers like Mr. Carroll and Mr. Collins, it's the perfect way for middle schoolers to get out, explore, and stay active during the summer! Every day features action-packed day trips across the Bay Area, including thrilling days at Great America, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and SF Giants games.

• Chromebook:  Each student is provided with a Chromebook laptop computer for use during the school year. Chromebook protective covers are required, and purchasing Chromebook insurance is strongly recommended.

• Class Competitions: 6th, 7th, and 8th graders compete throughout the year to earn points for their grade, culminating in a surprise grade-level field trip to an amazing park at the end of the school year.

• Class Schedule: Class schedules are distributed to students on the first day of school during first period. Any scheduling issues with classes or electives are managed during the first week through the school office.

• Community Service: Crocker provides various opportunities for students to perform community service. While community service hours are not required, they are highly encouraged. You can find out about upcoming projects through Ms. Bonnie Slater or the Viking News.

• Conference Week: A week of shortened school days, similar to the elementary schools, where parents can schedule optional conferences to meet with teachers. 

• Cotillion: An optional enrichment program for 6th graders to socialize and learn to dance. Cotillion normally consists of four sessions held on Monday evenings in January and February.

• CPG: Crocker Parent Group executive board - Crocker Parent Group Executive Board—CPG roles are filled by Crocker parent volunteers and include the President, VP of Volunteers, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Chair, Networking Chair, Trustee, and 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade.

• Dances: Crocker hosts school dances for 7th and 8th graders. 6th graders are invited to attend the final dance of the school year.

• DREAM:  Developing Responsible Empathetic Adolescent Mentors - 8th-grade student leaders who serve as mentors to the incoming 6th graders. Students apply for this leadership program at the end of their 7th-grade year.

• Electives: In addition to a world language, students select their preferences from a list of elective courses. This selection process usually occurs in the spring for the following school year. Electives can be year-long (such as Band or HTV) or consist of three different electives that rotate each trimester (such as photography, art, or Maker Space). Flex is required for all 6th graders and does not count as their elective choice. Flex becomes an optional elective choice in 7th and 8th grade. 

• First Period: Your student’s first period class doubles as their homeroom, where morning attendance is taken and daily HTV broadcasts are viewed.

• Flex: Every 6th grader takes Flex, a dedicated period to learn organizational skills, complete homework, make up tests, meet with teachers, or read. 7th and 8th graders have the option to continue with Flex or replace it with another elective. 

• Fly-offs: A 40-year Crocker tradition usually held just before winter break. Students build model airplanes and compete to see whose plane flies the longest during a school-wide assembly. 

• Grade Reps:  Instead of individual classroom room parents, each grade level has two designated parent representatives on the Crocker Parent Group Executive Board.

• HCSD: Hillsborough City School District - includes North, South, and West Elementary Schools alongside Crocker Middle School. 

• HREC: Hillsborough Rec -provides extracurricular sports and enrichment classes for both students and adults. Learn more at www.hillsboroughrecreation.org

• Homeroom:  See First Period.

• HSF: The Hillsborough Schools Foundation - a charitable foundation established to ensure educational excellence in our schools. HSF enables tax-deductible gifts to the district through its Annual Giving Campaign, community events, and business partnerships. HSF supports vital programs at Crocker, including the Maker Space, music, world languages, counseling, the library resources, and the maintenance of small class sizes.

• HTV: Hillsborough Television - broadcast through our Hillsborough Vimeo Channel. Links to these broadcasts can be found in the Viking News. Crocker students view a student-produced HTV broadcast every morning during first period.

• Intercultural Food Festival: A festive event where students set up booths to share information, traditional food, and cultural dances. All students attend during lunch and can purchase food items, with all proceeds donated to charity. This festival typically takes place just before spring break.

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• Intramurals: Organized sports and activities held by grade level during lunchtime. Students can earn class competition points for their grade by participating 

• Lunch:  Every day except Thursday, lunch and recess run from 12:42 PM to 1:20 PM. On Thursdays, lunch and recess run from 11:58 AM to 12:38 PM. Students may bring a lunch from home or receive school provided lunch.

• MPR:  Multi Purpose Room — the indoor space where hot lunch is served. Traditionally, 6th graders eat lunch inside the MPR, while 7th and 8th graders eat outside in the courtyard. Currently under construction.

• Networking Meetings:  Grade-level meetings where parents gather to socialize and discuss pertinent middle school topics. Speakers are occasionally scheduled to present on relevant themes.

• Powerschool:  The online portal used to check student grades and academic progress throughout the year. Access credentials and login instructions are provided to parents after the start of the school year.

• Scholars Circle: Families who donate to the Hillsborough Schools Foundation (HSF) at the leadership level of $10,000 or more annually. 

• Site Council: A leadership group composed of faculty members, elected parents, and student council officers who collaborate on curriculum and program decisions. 

• Student Store: Located temporarily in the portable and open during every recess, the Student Store is a place where students can purchase snacks and soda. 

• Turkey Trot: An optional campus race held just before Thanksgiving break where students across all grades compete. This is a favorite Crocker tradition where alumni are welcome to return and run as well!

• Viking News:  The official school e-newsletter emailed to all Crocker families every other week. It is the primary resource for updated school news, important dates, and upcoming events.

• WTEN:  What To Expect Night - Crocker’s annual back-to-school night, offering parents a firsthand look at the academic year ahead. This event provides a valuable opportunity to tour your child’s classrooms, meet their teachers, and learn about the grade-level curriculum.