Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
I hope this message finds you well. I understand there remain many pressing questions regarding:
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classroom ventilation – I anticipate receiving information from the district next week, which will be disseminated to you all.
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hybrid/remote student schedules – I will communicate our hybrid/remote daily schedule next week. Our current schedule will need to be adjusted in order to accommodate our school needs.
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delivery of multi-modal instruction – The Department of Equity, Curriculum and Instruction is in the process of planning professional development for teachers.
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special education, 504, and intervention programming – The hybrid/remote student schedule issued will be inclusive of this information.
Mr. Adamo and I will continue to seek answers for your inquiries while preparing the school building for in-person learning.
4th & 5th Grade Aesthetic Classes:
Week of Monday, 10/26: B-day aesthetics for 4th & 5th graders
3rd Grade Aesthetic Rotation:
The 3rd grade rotation schedule has been revised and updated for weeks 8-13. We recommend printing out the updated schedule for your reference. This schedule is based on your child’s homeroom teacher as listed on Genesis. 3rd Grade Rotation for Parents 2020-21.pdf
School-wide Topics:
PTAC How To Raise A Reader Event – 10/26
The Montclair PTA Council presents How to Raise a Reader with former New York Times children’s books editor and co-author Maria Russo. Maria will share how to have positive experiences with your child when it comes to literacy, finding books your child will like and releasing yourself from parental academic pressure. The Montclair Public Library will share literacy resources. Q & A session to follow. Zoom will focus on grades K-5 but all are welcome!
October 26th at 7:00-8:30PM
https://zoom.us/…/tJMlcuiqqjMuG9IeeAx1F61ThdKF_smMPPR9
Register by October 23rd & Pick up your copy of How to Raise a Reader at Watchung Booksellers!
Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) meeting – 10/27
Please join the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for our next Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 7:00-8:30pm. We are excited to feature Dr. Jill Saxon, presenting “Stuck in the Muck Doesn’t Have to be So Yuck: Developing Flexible Responses to Difficult Thoughts.” This discussion aims to introduce participants to a variety of ways they can support children who are experiencing difficult thoughts.
Join the Zoom Meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88967328352?pwd=WFJKTXFkL3BQNXNPOU9PUlVueFpnUT09
Meeting ID: 889 6732 8352 Passcode: 131784
MFEE ShowUp Montclair – 11/07
MFEE (The Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence) is bringing back its award-winning Showdown Montclair talent battle on November 7th. ShowUP features local hidden talent gems, success stories from Montclair schools — and even some familiar, super-talented Montclair Public School staff members! Check out this highlight reel that gives you a peek at what ShowUP is all about. Funds raised will support MFEE and its new Arts Open Hearts Fund which fuels innovative arts programs that nurture students’ social and emotional health.
Hillside Music Teacher Mr. Park will be showing off his virtuoso piano talents, and Hillside Dads Mike Burke and Dave Harrison are hosting the VIP pre-party. You won’t want to miss a special appearance from our two fearless leaders! Get your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/showupmontclair
Virtual Cast of Characters Parade 10/30
Costumes & our Virtual Parade: Staff and students are allowed to wear costumes on October 30th. We are organizing a Virtual Parade. If you choose to participate, then please submit your Costume Photo to
Virtual Parade Submission – Submit Your Child’s Costume Photo, Full Name, and Teacher Name to hillsideschoolmpsd@gmail.com by 12pm Oct.30th.
******2 Different Events*****
Costume Day and Contest – 10/30
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. We are looking for volunteer judges! Email ptapres@hillsidepta.org to volunteer.
Hillside Coat Drive – 10/19-11/20
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!
Class Liaisons Communication Google Form Due 10/30
All parents/caregivers, if you have not already done so, please review and complete the google form using the link below to receive communications from your Class Liaisons. Participation is optional. If you opt out, you will NOT receive ANY communication about the class from the Class Liaisons. Please complete the form by 10/30. Class Contact Permission
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
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.
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
Hello Hillside Families and Friends,
Halloween is fast approaching and I wanted to share some helpful information. The CDC has stated it is moderately safe to go trick or treating. Remember to wear a face mask if you plan on trick or treating. Costume masks do not provide the same protection. Children should not eat any candy prior to washing their hands. Proper hand washing is twenty seconds with warm water and soap.
If you are preparing treats for Halloween visitors the best practice is to provide individual wrapped treats that can be lined up and spaced apart. This way people are not going through a bowl of items and touching them all. Since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year I will be lining up goody bags on a table outside my house. If you are attending Halloween parties the best practice is to attend outdoor parties. Stay safe!
Sincerely,
Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Friday, 10/30 – Virtual Cast of Characters and Evening Halloween Celebration
Tuesday 11/3- Election Day/School Closed
Thurs 11/5 & Fri 11/6- NJEA Convention/School Closed
Mon 11/9-Fri 11/13- Virtual Book Fair
Have a wonderful weekend!
Best 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