A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 10.16.2020
Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
Thank you for attending last night’s PTA meeting. My report addressed many of your questions regarding the reopening hybrid plan forwarded by the district this week. Here are a few highlights:
School Day – Four hour school day (9:10am – 1:10pm)
Arrival Entrance Plans – Plans are being finalized and will follow the health and safety procedures and protocols established by the district.
Protocols for Symptoms & Positive Cases – Plans are being finalized and will follow the health and safety procedures and protocols established by the district.
Ventilation Report – A presentation will take place at the Monday, 10/19 BOE Meeting.
Daily Schedule – Grade-level schedules are being finalized; our goal is to provide core and related arts instruction during the in person time.
Devices – Students with District Chromebooks are asked to bring them to school. If a student has not been issued a district device, then they will be given one for daily use when they arrive to their classroom. This does not need to be pre-arranged. Please do not send personal devices to school.
Mounties or Bulldogs – The assignment will depend on sibling assignments and the number of students who are returning for in person instruction.
Zoom – Yes, all in person students will continue to engage in learning through Zoom. This is to ensure continuity of instruction, engagement and connection for those students who remain all remote.
YMCA Before and After Care – The District is in communication with the YMCA to determine if this will be offered.
Please understand that there are some parts that are still being developed and will be shared as soon as possible.
4th & 5th Grade Aesthetic Classes:
Week of Monday, 10/19: A-day aesthetics for 4th & 5th graders
3rd Grade Aesthetic Rotation:
Rotation is still in effect. Check with your HR teacher for aesthetic of the week.
School-wide Topics:
Cast of Characters Survey
Please fill out the attached survey regarding our Virtual Cast of Characters Parade.
Costume Day and Contest – The PTA will have a Costume Day on Friday 10/30, children can dress up for class if they wish. If you would like to enter our virtual Costume Contest, please email your photo to ptapres@hillsidepta.org. You can send pictures of your child or family in costume. We’re also accepting pictures of home decorations, carved or decorated pumpkins. Pictures are due on Friday 10/30.
Class Liaisons Communication
All parents/caregivers – if you have not already done so, please review and complete the google form using the link below, if you would like to receive communications from your Class Liaison. Participation is optional. If you opt out, you will NOT receive ANY communication about the class from the Class Liaisons.
Hillside Coat Drive
Starting Monday, October 19, until Friday, November 20th, please drop off your CLEAN and GENTLY-USED Adult, kids and infant WINTER coats in the collection bins outside of door K, parking lot entrance. Last year, Hillside collected 121 coats for the Jersey Cares Coat Drive. This year’s goal is 125 coats!
Learning Enrichment Community – YMCA
The YMCA of Montclair offers in-person support to help families with 5-day all remote or 3-day hybrid remote school requirements and provide a safe space for kids. Scholarships are available, see attached flyer for more information.
Hillside PTA Membership
Thinking about how you can support your Hillside Elementary School? Become a member of the PTA! As a member, our goal is to support and advocate on behalf of our students in school and in the community. We provide parent education and support many school activities that strengthen the home, school and community partnership. It’s easy and we’d love to have you be a part of what makes our Gifted and Talented magnet so great. Find out more about your Hillside PTA at https://montclairpta.org/hillside/. And remember, you’re just a few clicks away from becoming a member at https://hillsidepta.new.memberhub.store/store?category=Memberships. Join us!
Hillside Spirit Wear and Gear: https://hillsidepta.new.memberhub.store/store
PTA website: montclairpta.org/hillside/
PTA Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/2527911263932164/
PTA Email: ptapres@hillsidepta.org
Thanks to all who attended the PTA/SATp meeting yesterday. Our next meeting will be on 11/13 at 9:30am.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
Cyberbullying is less common in elementary school than in middle and high school, but it can still happen, and with our kids online more often now than ever, it’s good to recognize the signs.
According to Connect Safely, your child may not show any signs that he or she is being cyberbullied, but you might notice that your child has difficulty sleeping, a change in online habits (such as checking social media constantly), declining grades, not wanting to go to school, feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem.
If your child does experience cyberbullying, Connect Safely recommends that your child not react or retaliate, but to block the person who is bullying and save the evidence in
case it’s needed. The most important thing to do is talk with your kids about what’s
happening, help them think it through and discuss how you will respond. Be sure that they are involved and that you are there to help and be supportive.
For more information on how to define, recognize and respond to cyberbullying visit https://www.connectsafely.org/cyberbullying/
A Message from Ms. Scott:
Thank you to all the families who have participated in the anonymous survey. Teachers have expressed this information has been helpful in supporting and engaging with their class as a whole. If you haven’t had an opportunity to complete the survey, and would like to, the following link will direct you to it. Hillside Social-Emotional Survey This anonymous survey has four questions and will take you less than three minutes. The survey is designed to gather general information about ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) within our school, in an effort to help Hillside school better meet the social and emotional needs of our students. This is especially important during this phase of remote learning. More specifically, this survey will help us to identify the needs of the homerooms, which in turn will help me to program and provide social-emotional supports.
Wear ORANGE on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 21st! As part of Bullying Prevention Month, we will celebrate Unity Day. We celebrate this day as our way of demonstrating that we stand together against bullying. We wear orange as a vibrant, visually compelling expression of solidarity. Let’s show everyone that we are united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion of all students!
Here is the link and code for my Google classroom for anyone who would like to join.Ms. Scott’s Google Classroom. The class code is y5znwsx. There are daily affirmations, mind moments, and meditation activities to help calm some of the angst the children may be experiencing at this time. Signing up for the daily summary email will allow parents to experience some of these activities too. 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend! ~Ms. Scott
Notes from Nurse Boyle
I hope you are all enjoying this cooler fall weather we have been experiencing! Try and get outside this weekend and go on a hike, or pumpkin or apple picking. I love this fall weather!
A few friendly reminders for when we return to the school building. Please make sure your child is comfortable wearing his or her mask. Please check that your phone numbers and emails are listed correctly in Genesis. If your child takes daily medication or needs emergency medication at school please email me the medication forms. Forms are located on my google nurse’s office at
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding health issues for your child.
Sincerely,
Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Thursday, 10/22 – Abbreviated Day/Curriculum Thursday – Students will attend periods 1-6, the school day ends at 2:05pm.
Friday, 10/30 – Virtual Cast of Characters and Evening Halloween Celebration
Kind regards,
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