A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 2.12.2021
Dear Hillside Community,
It is with a heavy heart that we share some sad news. On Saturday February 6th, Dr. Anglin’s father, Robert Lennon, passed away. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to Dr. Anglin and her family during this difficult time.
SCHOOL-WIDE MENTIONS:
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
2/16/21-2/19/21 A Week
Attention Grade 5 Parents/Caregivers
New Jersey Administrative Code requires all children entering Grade 6 in September 2021 be in compliance with the following vaccinations for school attendance:
· Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap)
· Meningococcal Vaccine
There will be no grace period for students who have reached age 11 by August 15, 2021.
Students with birthdates between August 15th and December 31st must have documentation of these vaccinations submitted to their middle school nurse within two weeks of their 11th birthday.
It is strongly suggested that you submit the vaccination documentation to your child’s current elementary school nurse as soon as the vaccination is received.
Please call or email your child’s elementary school nurse with any questions you may have.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation.
-Betty Strauss
Hillside Drama Department
Our Hillside students are busy preparing for their upcoming virtual production of Hopes and Dreams: A Hillside Broadway Revue. The Drama students are working extremely hard to make every line, every song, and every dance, as perfect as can be.
To keep our Drama department going strong, we have partnered with Chipotle (235 Prospect Ave. in West Orange) to host a fundraiser on Saturday, March 6th, between 5pm and 9pm. During those 4 hours, for any menu item ordered online or in person, using the code R9N8EBL, Chipotle will donate 33% of the proceeds to Hillside Elementary School Drama Program.
All our welcome, so tell your family and tell your friends to come out and support Hillside’s Drama department. Help us to continue to deliver the magic of performing arts to our students.
Fundraiser Flyer:
Fundraiser Instructions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ovGCf1oZJPWN38P_yAAgsPBQCdY-o1UL/view?usp=sharing
Montclair High School Black Student Union Presents:
Black History Month Moment through Games and Stories
Montclair High School students wanted to create an opportunity to not only celebrate but share with others during Black History month.
Students from all elementary schools are invited to join one game time and/or story session during the week of February, 14, 2021. Young people will meet some high school students and learn about important people, moments, and ideas in Black History through play. In addition to game time, there will be a day dedicated to story time. Below is the schedule for these events. Please be sure to join using one MPSDNJ.US account per household .
Game Time #1
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 2:30pm 3:15pm 4:00pm
Story Time Wednesday, February 17, 2021 3pm 4pm
Game Time #2 Thursday, February 18, 2021 2:30pm 3:15pm 4:00pm
Invitation information: This link will be used for all events above Join Zoom Meeting https://mpsdnj.zoom.us/j/2594336613
Meeting ID: 259 433 6613
Lunar New Year
Happy Lunar New Year on this first day of the holiday. Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated with the first new moon of the lunar calendar in several Asian countries: Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Seollal, Tibetan Losar. It is also known as Spring Festival. Now it is celebrated all over the world where there are significant populations with roots from these countries, including many cities in the US. It has been estimated that ⅙ of the world’s population honors the Lunar New Year.
All classes will get an overview of this holiday and its background and traditions during their SEL period on Feb 16. Our Mandarin teacher, Ms. Li will provide a deeper dive into the Chinese New Year with trivia and games on Feb 26 4-5pm, the day before the Lantern Festival which marks the end of this holiday period. We invite the entire family to join us to find out more about this family-centered holiday and its wonderful traditions. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4EAFAB2DA6F9C34-chinese
In the meantime, you can join in the festivities with events sponsored by cultural institutions in and near our community.
– Montclair Public Library Lunar New Year in Korea with children’s author Tina Cho 2/13 https://montclairlibrary.libnet.info/event/4798425
– Museum of the Chinese in America (MoCA) Lunar New Year Family Festival 2/11-19 https://www.mocanyc.org/event/lunar-new-year-family-festival/
– New York Chinese Cultural Center’s Lunar New Year VIrtual Celebration 2/14 https://www.nychineseculturalcenter.org/upcomingprograms
– New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Lunar New Year Celebration Concert (recorded)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xBaLYCtBYXI
– NYC area events with China Institute, Flushing Town Hall, Children’s Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum – https://www.newyorkfamily.com/how-to-celebrate-the-lunar-new-year-families-new-york/
As you are aware, culture and diversity are key ingredients to making the Hillside community what it is. To that end, our Cultural Infusion committee will be curating events through the remainder of the school year to expose kids and families to different cultures from around the world. If you’d like to volunteer or get involved, please reach out to Jenn jenndilullo@gmail.com or Bonni bonni.hendrix@gmail.com
Hillside Talent Show
Virtual Talent Show Movie Time – 2/19 at 6:30pm
There’s still time 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
How well do you know Montclair?
A Trivia Trifecta! We welcome Glenfield into the trivia competition! Let’s see who knows their town the best as we battle on “How well do you know Montclair?”
Join us Saturday, February 20 at 5:00 pm for some family fun playing trivia! We will use Zoom and Kahoot for the trivia.The trivia questions this month will be focused on Montclair – the history, geography, and notable people, places and things. Don’t forget to show your Montclair spirit and wear your Montclair garb!
Please RSVP for Trivia Night by completing the short form on CheddarUp. We are requesting donations however they are not required to play and you can go directly to the RSVP form. (suggested donation is $5 but any donation value is greatly appreciated.)
Proceeds raised from our Trivia Night will be split between the three schools for 2nd, 5th and 8th grade moving up/graduation ceremonies.
https://my.cheddarup.com/c/february-family-trivia-night-trifecta-2021
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.
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 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!
I hope you have a long restful weekend. It looks like we may have some more snow coming our way so get some outdoor activities in now before we have to shovel again! Happy Chinese New Year, to all who are celebrating!
Reminder for anyone who has a student in the fifth grade when they receive their Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines please provide me with a copy. I will add it to their medical file. They need these vaccines to start sixth grade. If you are a new student to the Montclair school district I need your physicals. Please send them via email to rboyle@montclair.k12.nj.us or fax (973) 509-1882
If you have questions or concerns please contact me at 973-509-4200 ext 4192.
Take care and stay healthy! ~Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Friday 2/12: Chinese New Year/ Year of the Ox
Sunday 2/14: Valentine’s Day
Monday, 2/15: District Closed President’s Day
Friday 2/19: Virtual Talent Show 6:30PM
Saturday 2/20: #3 Trivia Night 5PM