Hillside School

A Note from the Principal’s Desk - 9.23.22

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

 

We extend well wishes to all for Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: ראש השנה), which means “head of the year”, is the Jewish New Year. It is the first of the High Holidays, celebrated ten days before Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is observed on the first two days of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. We wish you L’Shana Tovah tikatevu! (May you be inscribed for a good year!)

 

School-wide News

BTSN was a huge success! We were so happy to open our doors to everyone. For those who were not able to attend click the link: Back to School Night 2022-2023 Opening Presentation

 

Junior Science Olympiad

LAST CALL! 4th and 5th grade students interested in applying for Jr. Science Olympiad, which takes place in Cycles 2 AND 3, must join the Google Classroom and complete the application HERE. Application process is now open and CLOSES Sept. 30th at the end of the school day.

 

Please contact Susan Bartol if you have any questions about the course or application process, sbartol@montclair.k12.nj.us. For general information about New Jersey Science Olympiad, visit https://www.njscienceolympiad.org/about/

New Jersey Science Olympiad 2021 National Science Olympiad Brochures. National Science Olympiad:. The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers.www.njscienceolympiad.org

 

SATp News

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

The SATp team has planned a wonderful celebration showcasing local talent! It will be fun and informational for all. Music, dancing, read-a-loud, food and more will be taking place the evening of Friday, October 7th (5:30pm-7pm) on the Hillside playground. If you are interested in helping the day of the event please sign up HERE

 

BECOME A SATp VOLUNTEER

The School Action Team for Partnerships (SATP) is a school body devoted to supporting the Hillside Elementary School mission. We are a collective of diverse  families, teachers and community partners who work together to make school programs, instruction and activities fun and informative for all. If you would like to volunteer for our annual event or for our specific 2022-2023 focus- Individualized Instruction and Equity for All please feel free to reach out to [email protected] for more information. 

 

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SATp COMMITTEE MEMBER?

Or do you just want to learn a little more about what we do? Please join us virtually on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30pm for our first committee meeting - MEETING LINK

 

PTA News

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BOOGIE BASH

After a two-year hiatus, Hillside's spooktacular event, Boogie Bash, is back on the calendar for Friday Oct. 28. This schoolwide costumed bash is always a hit, but it takes a lot of hands to put together a thrilling night for our Hillside community.

If you're interested in learning more about what Boogie Bash is, or in joining or leading one of our Boogie Bash subcommittees to help plan and volunteer that night, please email [email protected]

 

WALK/BIKE TO SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 

Hillside School will host Bike/Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 12.  A few volunteers are needed to make the event a success.  Sign up HERE.

 

EXPLORERS REGISTRATION UNDERWAY

Registration for the Fall session of Explorers is underway and closes Thursday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m. Classes will begin Oct. 3 and run for 7 weeks. All classes will run in person at Hillside from 3:50pm - 4:50pm. 

 

A limited number of scholarships are available. Email [email protected] and include your name, email and phone number, your child's name, grade, homeroom teacher, let us know whether they are enrolled in YMCA aftercare, and list your top three choices for classes. Confirmations for approved classes will be sent by email. SCHOLARSHIP REQUESTS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH*** Any questions? Contact [email protected] 

 

Click the link for Hillside Explorers Class Schedule - Fall 2022

CHEDDAR UP REGISTRATION PAGE AND DONATIONS - Click HERE

 

BECOME A PTA MEMBER

Please consider becoming a member of the PTA by clicking here to join. Choose an individual membership for $12 or a family membership for $20. Your financial contribution helps support the many activities and programs we sponsor throughout the year. 

HILLSIDE SPIRIT WEAR– SWEATSHIRTS & T-SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE

Show your love for Hillside School with great spirit wear options for children and adults.  All sizes of youth and adult t-shirts and sweatshirts are now available. Order online here. 

 

SUPPORT YOUR TEACHER AS A CLASS LIAISON

Are you great at forwarding emails and keeping others in the loop? The PTA can use your talents as the Class Liaison Parent Coordinator. Class liaisons serve as a link between the PTA, teacher and class families – communicating important information, supporting the teacher and coordinating class events. Sign up to be the coordinator or a liaison for your classroom using this form. We still need volunteers to support the following teachers: Harris, C. Hart, Murphy, Gerdes, Senior, Gorcica, DesLonde/Solo and Matthews. For more information, email [email protected].

 

HELP SUPPORT HILLSIDE’S GARDENS

The Beautification Committee will hold another weeding/clean up event Saturday, Sept. 24 from 5-7 p.m. Please bring tools and gloves. We can always use donations. Email [email protected]  if you’d like to get involved or donate items. 

 

SHOP AND DONATE TO OUR SCHOOL

Is your porch or door front stacked with Amazon boxes? Good news. Hillside School can also benefit each time you click “Add to Cart.” Just designate the Hillside School PTA as your charity through Amazon Smile and we’ll get .5% of the purchase as a donation. Just set it and forget it. There’s no extra cost and you’ll still pay the same prices. To sign up, visit smile.amazon.com 

 

October’s Hillside/Nishuane Movie Night Postponed

October 14th’s Hillside/Nishuane Movie Night is postponed due to scheduling conflicts. The event will now be held in Spring 2023.

 

Message from Ms. Scott (School Counselor)

Hello Hillside Families!!!! Happy Friday! What a great week it was! I had a chance to  meet some of our Hillside families at Back to School Night. I was also able to have lunch with all of our new 4th and 5th graders. Shout out to my “lunch ambassadors” who helped me pull it off! Our new friends loved having a moment to meet other new children, and they especially loved their Welcome Note and “survival bag”. Of course I couldn’t forget about my lunch ambassadors, so I gave them a little Thank You treat too. 😊

 

As always, I am here to support our Hillside families in any way I can. In addition to email ([email protected]), I can be reached at 973.509.4200 x14811. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns about your child’s social-emotional well being. 

 

Lastly, 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. Please sign and return (via email or my mailbox) the Counseling Consent Form once you have completed the In Need of Counseling form. 

 

Notes from the Nurse

Hello Hillside Families and Friends! I hope you all had a great summer! I want to share some housekeeping items.  If you are new to the Montclair Schools the district needs a current physical, health survey and current list of your child’s vaccines. If your child needs medication in the nurse’s office please remember to have an adult bring the medication and forms to the nurse. I cannot administer medication without a physician’s order.  If your child has a cast, and or crutches please make sure the doctor fills out the paperwork prior to your child returning to school.  It helps me keep your child safe during the school day. All  medical forms are  located on the district webpage. Please call or email me if you have any questions regarding your child’s health. I can be reached at 973-509-4200 press 2 or [email protected] Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle

Important Dates

Monday 9/26 & Tuesday 9/27: District Closed in observance of Rosh Hashana

Wednesday, 9/28: 4th & 5th graders A-day (A2)