A Note from the Principal’s Desk - 11.4.22
Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
I can't believe it is already November! Where did the time go? The Boogie Bash and the Cast of Characters parade are behind us, and Election Day, Veteran's Day, and Thanksgiving are already right around the corner. As November marches on and the days grow shorter, don't forget to make time to enjoy the colorful foliage and mild weather that we have been experiencing while it lasts, because before you know it, it will be winter! Also, don't forget to set your clocks back this Saturday night at 2am for daylight savings time (which means an extra hour to sleep in on Sunday)!
School-wide News
GEOY - Is there a staff member you want to NOMINATE?
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program by completing the attached nomination form template and return it to my attention by Monday, 11/14/22. GEOY - Eligibility Criteria - GEOY Nomination Form(download form first)
Each candidate will be scored based on the criteria below:
· Serves as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school;
· Inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
· Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom;
· Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, administrators and colleagues; and
· Plays an active role in the community as well as the school.
Food Distribution Event
Friday, November 18, 2022 9 a.m.
Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex Codey Arena
560 Northfield Avenue West Orange, NJ
It will be held RAIN or SHINE
Food Distribution Flyer
SATp News
TAKE A HIKE ON THE LENAPE TRAIL
Hillside + Nishuane SATp Team Up!
Join us for the Grateful Hike of the Lenape Trail in honor of Native American Heritage Month! Parents, Caregivers, Students and Siblings of MCPK, Nishuane and Hillside will meet at Cedar Grove Community Park (near parking lot entrance) on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 9:25 am. Hike a portion of the Lenape Trail and learn more about the Lenape people, the original stewards of New Jersey. FREE!- Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094BADA82DA6FC1-satp1
Can’t make the hike? No worries. Join us at Nishuane School on Monday, Nov. 21 at 5pm for an evening with Cliff Matias of Redhawk Native American Arts Council. We will be discussing Indigenous history of the area and the state of NJ. Students will take part in singing and a drum session. FREE!- Register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094BADA82DA6FC1-satp2
CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS AND BRING US YOUR COATS
2 more weeks in our coat drive – So far we have collected 44 donated coats. Our goal is 190 coats- keep those donations coming! All coats received will be donated to the Montclair Police Department Community Service Unit. We will accept new or gently used adult, kid and infant coats. They will be given to local families in need. Collection bins will be outside of Door K (near parking lot). Last day to donate is Friday, Nov. 18.
PTA News
MEET HILLSIDE’S NEW ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Join the Hillside PTA for their next PTA Meeting scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be IN-PERSON at Hillside School (exact room TBD). Our special guest will be Hillside's new Assistant Principal, Mr. Edwyn Acevedo. While Mr. Acevedo is scheduled to start on Dec. 20, he is generously participating in the November PTA Meeting for a meet-and-greet with the Hillside Community.
Please RSVP here so we can plan for the number of in-person participants and space required.
HELP MAKE OUR ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE A SUCCESS
The Hillside Election Day Bake Sale is one of our few opportunities to raise funds for the school via the non-school community. Please consider donating your time and/or your baked goods! We need maybe half a dozen people and LOTS of goodies! Sign up below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4aa4a622a6fa7-ptaelection1
LET’S BEAUTIFY OUR GARDENS
Hillside will participate in May in Montclair, the township’s annual display of tulips in the Spring. We need your help planting hundreds of bulbs on school grounds. The Beautification Committee will hold a bulb planting after school on Monday, Nov. 14 at 3:45 pm. If you’re free, please join us. Bring gloves and a shovel. Rain date: Nov. 15.
VOTE YES TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS
Vote Yes to #RebuildMontclairSchools
We are just days away from Tuesday’s election. Montclair school buildings need urgent building repairs estimated at $187.7M Hillside School is expected to receive more than $25M if voters agree to fund the referendum.
The urgent need for repairs can only get worse, and cost more. To avoid an even higher and unpredictable tax increase, and for schools to meet basic 21st century educational and building code standards, #RebuildMontclairSchools by voting Yes to “Approve the Bond Proposal” on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Check out this handy guide to the referendum here.
For a breakdown of how much each school will receive, click here.
For a line by line breakdown of the repairs, read this guide.
WELCOME NEW PTA MEMBERS
Thank you to all who joined the PTA during our October membership drive, we gained 37 new members. We’ll conduct a drawing soon and let the winners know about their prize. So far, we have 115 members of the Hillside PTA. We’d still like to reach our goal of 200 members!
** Your financial contribution helps support the many activities and programs we sponsor throughout the year – from field trips and teacher stipends to school celebrations.
** Our dedicated volunteers are the engine that keeps our events running. Consider lending your talents to some of our initiatives by clicking here to join a committee.
Choose an individual membership for $12 or a family membership for $20. To join the PTA, click here .
Message from Ms. Scott (School Counselor)
Little Brother to Brother, is a community based program that offers all males in grades 4 & 5 an opportunity to work together with mentors and peers to make choices that bring them closer to fulfilling their goals. The group meets on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:15 at 11 Pine St. It’s a wonderful program for our little guys to be involved in. Additional information, as well as applications to join the program, can be found on their website at https://www.teenmentoring.org/
As always, I am here to support our Hillside families in any way I can. Here are the links to the In Need of Counseling and Counseling Consent Form to use if you believe your child could use my help, individually or in a small group. I can also be reached via email ([email protected]) or phone (973.509.4200 x14811). Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns about your child’s social-emotional well being. Have a great weekend! 😊
Notes from the Nurse
Hello Hillside Families and Friends! If your child has a diagnosis of asthma or food allergies I need the medication and the form. Field trips will be starting. Your child must have this in place prior to field trips. If your child needs crutches, has a cast, immobilizer or splint a note from the doctor must be sent to the nurse prior to your child’s return. Please contact me with any questions. I can be reached at 973-509-4200 press 2 or [email protected] Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle
Important Dates
- Monday 11/7:Student Council Election Day
- Tuesday 11/8: Closed/Election Day
- Thursday 11/10-Friday 11/11: Closed NJEA
Kind regards,