Hillside School

A Note from the Principal’s Desk - 10.28.22

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

On Monday, October 31st at 2:30pm we will host our annual Cast of Characters Parade around the school grounds. For the parade ONLY (not the school day in its entirety) students will be allowed to dress like their favorite character, using their imagination, and allowing their creativity to shine!

• Absolutely no character/costume masks, (toy) weapons, and/or violent images are allowed
• For the school day, dress your child in clothing they can put their costume over
• Students are not allowed to wear their costumes to school in the morning
• Families are welcome to be spectators of the outside CAST OF CHARACTERS PARADE
• Cast of Characters Parade - Information for Families

We will host our annual Curriculum Night on Thursday, November 3rd (6:00 - 8:00pm). Our subject-matter leaders for ELA and Math will facilitate an in depth exploration into these content areas. You will have the opportunity to review the program materials/resources that support our district curriculum, explore hands-on activities, and ask those burning questions about math and literacy content. If you are interested in attending, then please complete the Curriculum Night Sign Up. Completion of the form is necessary for attendance and for our planning purposes. 

Topic: Curriculum Night - ELA & Math

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2022 (6-8pm)
Location: In-person Hillside School (parking available in the school lot)

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.

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 bins will be outside of Door K (near parking lot).

PTA News 

BOOGIE BASH IS TONIGHT

We can’t wait to see all our costumed friends tonight. A few things to remember so everything goes smoothly: 

• If you purchased advanced tickets, please remember to bring your wristbands and food tickets with you. They were sent home in your child’s backpack this week.
• Tickets can be purchased at the door. $15 for general entry and $25 for the package. 
• Boogie Bash is NOT a drop off event.  Please stay with the child/children you bring and supervise them.
• No weapons and no masks (full face covering).
• Respect all students, staff members and parent volunteers. 
• Respect the Hillside School building, facilities and Boogie Bash event decorations.
• Respect others' belongings. Avoid touching others' costumes and personal belongings.
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself. 
• Only school appropriate language is permitted.  Avoid using foul and inappropriate language and gestures.
• Everyone must remain on the Ground Floor of the Hillside building, and in the designated areas. No one is allowed to roam the school grounds freely.  
• Adults should use the bathrooms designated for adults/staff, and not student bathrooms.

Message from the PTA: 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.

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 . 

BUY FROM AMAZON, DONATE TO HILLSIDE

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

Message from Ms. Scott (School Counselor)

Hello Hillside families! As you know, October is National Bullying Prevention month so our lessons this month were about bullying prevention. The lessons are scaffolded so that each year the children learn new information they can add to their anti-bullying “toolbox”. Through the reading of the story My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig, our 3rd graders learn about the roles in a bullying situation (bully, target, bystanders, upstanders), as well as, 3 of the the 4 types of bullying (physical, emotional, and social). They also learn about the importance of setting healthy boundaries in friendships. For our 4th grade lessons I use the story Say Something by Peggy Moss and the Bystander Revolution video to help the children understand that being a bystander is not helpful at all. Instead we should strive to be upstanders so we can help bring an end to the bullying. The children learn how they can be upstanders by either speaking directly to the bully, partnering with the target to tell an adult, and/or sending a secret note. Lastly, our 5th graders learn about the dangers of cyberbullying. The book Bully by Patricia Polacco, highlights how cyberbullying can happen very quickly and have widespread impact. The children and I discuss how cyberbullying can be more harmful than the other types of bullying because things can go viral, be done anonymously, and take place 24/7, in addition to other things. During the lesson, an emphasis is put on safe, respectful internet use and notifying an adult immediately if they are being cyberbullied. Here is some helpful information for parents and students as we continue to work together to prevent bullying at Hillside.   

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 10/31:Cast Of Character Parade@2:30pm
• Thursday 11/3: Curriculum Night @6:00PM