Week 7 - 10/21/22

A Note from the Principal’s Desk - 10.21.22

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

 

Hear, Hear to Mr. Adamo!

Every week I extend a shout-out to our staff highlighting a staff member’s inspirational best practice that should be shared with all. This week’s SHOUT-OUT is extended to the one and only MR. ADAMO!!!! Today is Mr. Adamo’s last day with us as he moves on to a new position as Principal in another district. 

Message to Mr. Adamo: It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, a person with such integrity and a strong moral compass. Thank you for your attention to student, teacher, and parent needs. Thank you for juggling this intense schedule, high demands, and the priority lists of stakeholders involved. You have handled yourself in a professional manner especially when met with intense and sometimes uncivil situations. You are absolutely prepared to manage anything your new position has to offer. You will always be a part of the Montclair educators community, your students, parents, and staff will dearly miss you!

Message from Mr. Adamo: It has been an absolute privilege to serve as Hillside’s Assistant Principal for the past 4+ years. I am extremely fortunate to have worked in Montclair as a public educator for over 17 years. My time at Hillside has been incredibly rewarding. I am immensely grateful for the relationships I have formed with the students, families, and staff. I will truly and sincerely miss working in such a nurturing and involved community.

 

Thank you for always being so caring. Thank you for entrusting your students to myself and the phenomenal staff at Hillside each day. I will truly miss seeing all of their little faces every day as well as seeing how fast they grow in the three short years they attend Hillside.

 

Thank you for your positivity and well wishes. As I step into my new role as principal next week, I will be reflecting on all the knowledge I have gained from my time in Montclair.

 

Very Sincerely, Thomas Adamo

Shubh Deepavali! Happy Diwali!

Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a “festival of lights” that celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanksrit dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” On the night of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the dark night. 

In most of India, Diwali consists of a five-day celebration that peaks on the third day with the main celebration of Diwali. In other places where Diwali occurs, usually only the main day is celebrated. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 24.

Because Diwali is celebrated by so many people worldwide, traditions are diverse, though there are a few common themes, including the lighting of candles and the gathering of families. The main celebration of Diwali takes place on the day of the new Moon, when the sky is at its darkest, so a big part of the celebration revolves around light. Candles, clay lamps, and oil lanterns are lit and placed throughout the home, in the streets, in areas of worship, and floated on lakes and rivers.

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, 11/14/22GEOY - 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.

3rd Grade Aesthetics/CI Registration Information

To all third grade families- information regarding registration for CIs and Aesthetics will be shared with you next week.

PTA News

7 DAYS UNTIL WE BOOGIE! 

We’re one week away until Hillside’s highly anticipated fang-tastic night. Tonight’s the deadline to purchase advanced tickets for $10 and $20. We’ll still have some tickets at the door – but you’ll pay more. So grab your costume and join us at the Boogie Bash. It’ll be a frightfully good time. There will be food, games, a costume contest and the ever-popular Haunted Hallway if you dare. 

 

Want to help? Find many opportunities below: 

Boogie Bash Student Volunteers

Boogie Bash Parent Volunteers

Boogie Bash Bake Sale

Amazon Wish List

SABOR MONTCLAIR 

There’s no better way to meet Montclair’s newest residents than through tasting their beloved food. On October 29th, you can reserve a delicious home-cooked tasting plate as part of a fundraiser from the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE).  Sabor Montclair celebrates the unique “sabor” that our Latinx community members bring to Montclair.  Familias in MFEE’s Navegadores Escolares program have helped design this event which features delicious take-out meals highlighting their culture, while also sharing recipes and family stories. In just one year, MFEE’s Navegadores Escolares program has expanded to support 60 families and over 105 Montclair Public School students – and it continues to grow quickly!  Donate and reserve your delicious dinner here: https://givebutter.com/sabormontclair2022.

 

No hay mejor manera de conocer a los residentes más nuevos de Montclair que comiendo su querida comida. El 29 de octubre, puede reservar un delicioso plato de comida casero como parte de una recaudación de fondos del Fondo Montclair para la Excelencia Educativa (MFEE).  Sabor Montclair celebra el "sabor" único que los miembros de nuestra comunidad latina traen a Montclair. Las familias del programa Navegadores Escolares de MFEE han ayudado a diseñar este evento que presenta deliciosas comidas para llevar que destacan su cultura, al tiempo que comparten recetas e historias familiares. En solo un año, el programa Navegadores Escolares de MFEE se ha expandido para apoyar a 60 familias y más de 105 estudiantes de las Escuelas Públicas de Montclair, y continúa creciendo rápidamente. Done y reserve su deliciosa cena aquí: https://givebutter.com/sabormontclair2022.

 

VOTE YES TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS

Vote Yes to #RebuildMontclairSchools 

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.

 

CLASS LIAISONS COLLECTING INFO

Your teachers and class liaisons are sending out notices to collect the contact information of every family. If you’d like to receive communications about class activities and events in your child’s class, please make sure to fill out the form. Much appreciated.

Any questions, email [email protected]

 

WHY JOIN THE PTA?

** 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. 

 

Help us reach our goal of 200 members by joining during the month of October.  You’ll be entered into a drawing to win Hillside Spirit Wear. 

 

Choose an individual membership for $12 or a family membership for $20. To join the PTA, click here .

SATp News

HILLSIDE CARES – COAT DRIVE

Give the gift of warmth this winter! Our coat drive runs through Friday, Nov. 18. Please consider donating a new/ gently used adult, kid or infant coat. All coats received will be donated to the Montclair Police Department Community Service Unit. They will give the coats to local families in need. Last year we received 173 donations- this year our goal is 190 coats. Collection bin will be outside of Door K (near parking lot).

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! ðŸ˜Š

Notes from the Nurse

Hello Hillside Families and Friends! If your child has any type of surgery please send a note from the doctor so they are clear to return to school.  They cannot return without a doctor’s note.  If your child needs crutches 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

10/24: District Closed/ Diwali

10/28: Picture Day/ Boogie Bash 7PM

10/31: Hillside’s Annual Cast of Characters Parade at 2:30pm. Cast of Characters Parade - Information for Families

Kind regards,
Dr. Samanthaa Anglin

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