Dear Parents/Caregivers:
It has been a year of challenges, disappointments, and successes. I want to thank you all for the support and patience shown these past 10 months, especially post- March 12, 2020. Despite the circumstances, we continued to work to ensure the safety and educational needs of our students. There are countless people to whom I owe an expression of gratitude. To mention a few, the teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, PTA and SATp maintained a strong presence and support, which made a much stronger working community supporting to achieve the school’s goals and ensuring our students’ are our top priority.
There are many things you don’t learn when you’re in school studying to become a teacher or support staff member. Thank you to our hard working and caring faculty and staff who have made a huge difference to our students. Their commitment is outstanding and our kids are the beneficiaries. Thank you for providing rich and engaging, well-rounded experiences for our kids and knowing that education is about wonder and fostering curiosity, along with development of social skills so needed to succeed. For these, and a million other things, we are truly grateful.
Thank you to our PARENTS, you have been the absolute glue that allowed remote learning to be a success. On March 12th, it was like a blink of an eye and everything changed, forcing us to appreciate what we once knew and requiring us to adjust and endure the unknown that was ahead. This has not been easy, there were many learning curves and obstacles, especially for YOU. You have juggled your own professions and work responsibilities, Google Classroom assignments, Google Meets, and all of the other circumstances of the pandemic.
Many lives have been lost to the coronavirus; as a school community we are deeply saddened by the loss of life, the pain for those who experienced and recovered from the virus; and the economic, social, and mental implications that exist and lie ahead. What I can say for us all is that you will never forget this experience. I hope this moment solidifies for you that you are stronger than you think, and that you can handle anything life has to offer.
And then when you thought you were overwhelmed, another layer to the storm of life approached. Tragic moments in our nation’s history continue to unfold demanding a resurgence of the racial injustice movement. I have said it before, but it needs to be said like a mantra for life. Conversations about race are not easy to have with family, friends, and children, however uncomfortable they must happen. I believe that ongoing conversations about race and racial injustice are critical in helping us as a community and country move toward a more just society for all. I call on all of our families to do the real work.
In closing, I take this opportunity to congratulate ALL STUDENTS of Hillside Elementary School! I wish you all a very happy, safe and enjoyable summer. I look forward to seeing you in September. To those of you who are leaving us for new places we wish you all the best!!
FAREWELL TO OUR TRANSFERS: We would like to extend a farewell to Mrs. Megan Wills and Mr. Jason Kaplan. Mrs. Will has requested a transfer to Montclair High School for the 20-21 school year. Due to district staff reductions in the physical education department, Mr. Kaplan has been transferred to Glenfield Middle School for the 20-21 school year. We wish you both all the best in your new assignments. We are very excited to welcome Jon Poff as our new Drama Teacher!!!
TEACHER REQUEST for the 20-21 SCHOOL YEAR:
There are many factors that go into scheduling our students every school year. As a district (school) we do not take teacher requests. We do not entertain in-person meetings and/or phone calls on this topic. I hope you do understand that there is no way we can equitably honor this type of request for all families. Our current grade-level teachers in conjunction with the Child Study Team assist administration with rising class placement. Should you have extenuating circumstances that are of an urgent nature and wish to provide us information regarding your child’s social-emotional development or wellness, then please email Mr. Thomas Adamo tadamo@montclair.k12.nj.us the specifics.
Field Day FlipGrid:
If you missed it, then here are the links to view last week’s Virtual Field Day activities.
Remote Learning MUSIC Done Right:
Mr. Golinski, our instrumental music teacher, mentioned to me that he had some ideas and possible scenarios for trying to keep our musical offerings strong during this time. Below is the product of a couple of very long days and nights. We can only hope that this brings a bit of a smile to your faces and excitement for what we see could be possible with our music curriculum. https://youtu.be/t_JI0ADu5SE
3rd & 4th Grade STUDENT BELONGING RETRIEVAL PLAN:
Contactless Pick-up of your child’s personal belongings will take place outside the front door of Hillside School on the scheduled day/time. You MUST wear a mask and gloves when retrieving items. Please park and come to the Orange Road distribution area entrance by the flagpole on the front lawn. Pickup will take place RAIN or SHINE.
| Wednesday, 6/24 | Thursday, 6/25 | |
| 9:30-11:00am | 3rd Grade Homerooms | 4th Grade Homerooms |
| 11:30-1:00pm | 4th Grade Homerooms | 3rd Grade Homerooms |
CI/AESTHETIC COURSE OFFERINGS & REGISTRATION:
CI and Aesthetic courses for rising 4th and 5th graders have been updated on Hillside’s website. Please take the time to review these with your child(ren). Click this link to go to the CI and Aesthetic section of Hillside’s website.
Course descriptions have been updated and are included on the website. Registration for Rising 4th and 5th grade CI and Aesthetic courses will remain open until July 17th, 2020.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES – ORDER FOR NEXT YEAR:
Order your 1st day Back to School Supply Kit. We know it’s hard to think about school supply shopping, especially right now. There will be a 1st Day of School next year even though we’re not sure what that will look like. That is why we are so excited to announce a new partnership with 1st Day School Supplies!
This year, 1st Day School Supplies is going to help parents and teachers get the exact supplies needed for next school year without the RISK of shopping at the store. It’s convenient, easy and hassle free! Plus, they have guaranteed competitive prices on the highest quality brands including the germ fighting brands like Purell and Clorox. So, with all the uncertainty this summer will bring, why not check school supply shopping off your list.
Order here: https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=66394.
You can also donate a supply kit to help children in need.
SpiritWear:
See below link to the online store *Just in!!!- MASKS*
https://hillsidepta.new.memberhub.store/store/items/113215
A MESSAGE FROM THE NURSE:
Hello Hillside Families and Friends,
I hope you have a wonderful, safe and healthy summer! I want to congratulate all our fifth graders! I enjoyed seeing everyone at the graduation ceremony! I am proud of all our Hillside students! They worked so hard with all of the challenges that were thrown at them! Relax and enjoy your summer!
Parents, if you have any medical forms you need to submit to me over the summer you can scan and email them to me. I will add them to your child’s file. If you need any medical forms they are located on the Montclair district website at https://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/cms/one.aspx?pageId=1109657
Sincerely, Nurse Boyle
A WORD FROM Ms. SCOTT:
CONGRATULATIONS to all the 5th graders!!! I will miss seeing your sweet faces next year. I’m sorry we didn’t get to wrap up the year in person but it was lovely seeing you virtually at the Moving Up presentation. I am so very proud of all of you! Remember, you will always be one of my Hillside babies. Continue to S.O.A.R. as you head into your next phase of life.
To the entire Hillside community, it’s been a challenging few months but we managed to move through with grace. As we end this school year I’m inclined to reflect on the last lesson I taught the children. The lesson was about social responsibility. During the lesson we discussed how personally responsibility is often easier because we have a vested interest in taking care of ourselves, but that it is really important to take care of each other. If ever there were a time to practice social responsibility the past few months have been it. Perhaps COVID-19 has not impacted you personally but it has impacted several people in our Hillside family in the worst way. Maybe you have never been on the receiving end of discrimination or hatred based on the color of your skin, your gender, or who you love but many in our Hillside family have felt that sting.
As we move through the rest of 2020 and beyond let’s continue to be compassionate towards each other. Let’s continue to self-reflect. Let’s continue to educate ourselves about the experiences of others that are not our own. Let’s continue to have open communication with each other. Let’s not settle on tolerating each other, but instead strive to appreciate and accept each other for the beautiful differences that make each of us unique and special in our own way.
Lastly, remember the most powerful weapon we possess is our voice. When you see, hear, or feel something wrong, bad, or unjust is happening to another person or group, it is our duty as part of the human race to speak up about it.
I wish you all a healthy, safe, SUPER FUN summer!
Sincerely, Ms. Scott
Be well,
Samanthaa
Samanthaa Lennon Anglin, Ed.D.
Principal
Hillside Elementary School ~ Gifted and Talented Magnet
54 Orange Rd., Montclair, NJ
Phone: (973) 509-4200
Fax: (973) 509-1448
Follow us on Twitter: @Hillside_MPS