Dear Hillside Community,
What a week?! In spite of the contention, we as a school community will continue to put kids first. Teachers continue to collaborate with planning and preparation for their delivery of instruction. Mr. Adamo and I, along with the Department of Equity, Curriculum and Instruction supervisors, conduct teacher observations, which afford us the opportunity to see first-hand the teaching and learning that is taking place. In spite of the worst case scenario our students are thriving in one manner or another.
Here are a few lessons to be learned and experiences to be had for our students this month, Black History Month Learning Objectives and Activities.
HBCU Lesson for Our Families: Each One, Teach One is an African proverb that originated in the United States during slavery when Africans were denied education. When someone learned how to read or write, it became their responsibility to teach someone else. As laws and policies based in racism continued to deprive Black people of the same education their White peers were receiving, the need to continue to live the words in the proverb became abundantly clear.
At a time when many schools barred their doors to Black Americans, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, were established to serve the educational needs of Black Americans. Largely founded through the efforts of black churches, these colleges and universities offered the best, and often the only, opportunity for Black people to receive a higher education. In 1837 Cheyney University became the first HBCU to be founded, paving the way for countless others. Holding true to the proverb, schools such as Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Lincoln University, Morgan State University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and many more, became the principle means for providing a postsecondary education to Black Americans.
Today, proud alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities can be seen from the halls of Hillside (Mrs. Land & Mrs. Matthews- Clark Atlanta University, Ms. Scott- Howard University, Mrs. Kersey- Lincoln University, Ms. Hankers- Morgan State University, Mrs. Barnes- Virginia State University, Mr. Johnson- Virginia Union University) to the halls of The White House.
SCHOOL-WIDE MENTIONS:
Facilities Update from Buildings and Grounds:
Upon entering the building, classrooms will be ready through mechanical ventilation, air purification, open windows and reduced class sizes. As per the most recent Ventilation Assessment Chart from Buildings and Grounds, the following rooms have been identified to have air purifiers and will have windows open six inches: 21, 23, 25, 125, 129, 130, 204, 225, and 229. We will continue to update the community as repairs are made to the ventilation systems.
Hybrid Requests
If a parent who selected remote now wishes to switch to hybrid in-person, then they must notify myself and Mrs. Mazur by February 26, 2021. Your child can then participate in hybrid instruction at the start of Cycle 3.
Aesthetics
2/8/21-2/12/21 B Week
Spanish Teacher Update
Our recommended candidate for Spanish teacher at Hillside is on the school board report for approval. When she is approved, she will be able to begin teaching Monday, March 1st. Unfortunately, all Spanish classes will be cancelled until that date. We are incredibly disappointed that we cannot offer Spanish instruction sooner to our students. In an attempt to provide students with synchronous or asynchronous Spanish instruction, we have explored a myriad of options. These options have not come to fruition. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience during this frustrating time.
Our next Hillside PTA/SATp Meeting will be on Friday 2/12 @ 09:30 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81306386011?pwd=bWNlZGFzTFIxL0dwbVpKelQ0eERGQT09
Meeting ID: 813 0638 6011
Passcode: W6uxp9
Hillside Talent Show
Virtual Talent Show Movie Time – 2/19 at 6:30pm
To purchase an ad for the Talent Show Movie or to dedicate a message (with pictures!) to your child and/or friends, see CheddarUp link below. Your support is greatly appreciated!
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/hillside-talent-show-booster-ads
For information or questions about the Talent Show, please contact:
LaNa Jones-Jules (lalajojul@gmail.com) OR Denise Pignato (denisepignato@yahoo.com)
Nishuane/Hillside/Glenfield Trivia Night #3- Saturday 2/20 @ 5pm
Mark your calendars!! Our big sister school – Glenfield Middle School – will join in the fun. Registration and zoom link forthcoming. GAME ON!!
Virtual Hillside Explorers classes started on Monday, 2/1
We hope your children enjoyed the first week of classes. If you have any questions about Explorers, please email us at explorershillside@gmail.com
Hillside Spirit Wear Committee volunteers
Looking for a way to get involved in the Hillside Community but not feel overwhelmed or overworked? The Hillside Spirit Wear Committee is looking for a 3rd or 4th grade parent (or two, or three) to take over for next year. Please let us know your interest ASAP so that the transition can begin this year – work alongside Tessa Vining so you can hit the ground running next school year! Please contact ptapres@hillsidepta.org if interested. Thank you!
PTA Membership: 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 School Counselor Ms. Scott:
If your children and/or you are having challenges managing stress and/or sadness, here are a few Healthy Coping Strategies and resources to help.
COPE Center is offering free workshops via Zoom to help parents/caregivers find ways to manage stress. The first workshop was Sunday, January 10th. Additional information can be found on this flyer.
The Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is offering two support groups facilitated by registered Art Therapists where children and teens can chat, create and de-stress. All of the services are free. Additionally, they offer emotional support groups and individual sessions for adults as well. If you or anyone you know is emotionally struggling during this pandemic, please feel free to reach out to them. MHA Information
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Division of the Children’s System of Care continues to offer free or low-cost access to behavioral health support 24/7/365. Please see their flyer here. NJDCF Information
As we head into the second half of the year, there may be a need to revisit skills and tips for managing organization, socialization and/or social-emotional challenges. If you feel your child could use support in any one of these areas and would benefit from counseling services, please do not hesitate to reach out. Need to See Ms. Scott Form. It is important that we continue to teach our children how to advocate for themselves and seek help when they need it. Therefore, a form is also available for students to complete in my Google classroom. Here is the link in case you would like to share it with your child(ren). STUDENT- Need to See Ms. Scott Form ~Ms. Scott
A Message from Nurse Boyle:
Hello Hillside Families and Friends, Now that the weekend has arrived I hope you have a chance to get outside and enjoy the snow with your children. Hopefully you are all shoveled and can enjoy the winter wonderland! Remember to dress in layers so you don’t catch a cold! Please remember if you are sleigh riding to wear a helmet and a mask at the parks.
Please note the change on our district homepage website to the COVID related guidance . We will no longer be excluding siblings of students with Covid-like symptoms. We will be excluding siblings if they have a brother or sister who is Covid positive. There is a new COVID testing site at the YMCA in Montclair please see the link. If you have questions or concerns please contact me via email or phone, 973-509-4200 ext 4192. Take care and stay healthy! ~Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Friday, 2/12: PTA Meeting 930AM
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