A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 3.12.2021
Dear Hillside Community,
I hope this message finds you and you families in good health. It has been a year, a full year, of learning the new normal. If you did not have the opportunity to catch it last week, then please check out the lessons to be learned and experiences to be had for our students this month, Women’s History Month 2021.
Cycle 3 District-wide Officially Begins on Friday, 3/19, however, HILLSIDE will not begin cycle 3 aesthetic classes until Monday, 3/22.
Calling all Families – Your Application Matters
The District has an amazing opportunity to apply for and pursue Federal and State funding that would allow us to provide Pre-K education. In order to receive this funding, we need your help, and it’s simple. We need all families to fill out and submit the lunch application form. Please access the form, even if you are declining, by simply checking the box DECLINED. We need to be accountable for everyone. Additionally, if you applied in the past and were declined, and your situation has changed, you may qualify at this time. Also, printable applications are available in English and Spanish. If you cannot access the online application, please call your school’s principal or our Business Office at 973-509-4059 for a paper copy. Completing this application is critical and will get us closer to applying for resources that will help our students. We will have community volunteers willing and able to assist anyone, anytime with applications. As always, all information is secure and confidential. Thank you for your time in completing the application.
Hybrid In-Person Requests
- Pre-Deadline (2/26/2021) Requests: All requests that have been received are cued in Genesis and will be reflected by Monday, March 15th (4:00pm).
- Post-Deadline (2/26/2021) Requests: Dr. Ponds will be addressing the procedure for switching to hybrid in-person in his Friday Eblast. At this time, I am not certain of what this procedure will be. I am keeping a running list of names that have emailed me and I will be in touch early next week regarding a confirmation of a decision.
Aesthetics
3/15/21-3/19/21 A Week
4th and 5th Grade Aesthetics and CIs Update
Due to limitations of the remote and hybrid schedules, a number of CI and aesthetic courses needed to be cancelled for Cycle 3. We understand that this means some students will not receive their desired choices. We apologize for this inconvenience. We are working to schedule students into their 2nd and 3rd requested choices.
If your child is placed in a class they dislike, you can always request a change during our Add/Drop Period. We will open the Cycle 3 Add/Drop period on Monday, March 29th. At this time, you will be able to request changes to your child’s aesthetic and CI schedule. We strongly encourage you to consider registering your child for a World Language. We currently have openings at every level. Please see the list of cancelled courses below:
CI Law and Order
3D Design
CI Math Part 2
Solar System
Mythology
Problem Solving
CI Printer’s Paradise
CI Creative Writing
Fantasy Island
Simple Machines
Young Entrepreneurs
CI Problem Solving
CI Mathletics
MFEE Annual Appeal: Fund Public. Fuel Community. For Them.
Your gift to MFEE fuels programs that support Hillside teachers, parents, and students. Hillside teachers have boosted their learning through out-of-the box Professional Development grants; families have participated in MFEE Programs like America to Me, the Healing Huddles, the You Got This! Conference; and students benefit from the innovative grants funded below. Hillside, we are $382 short of our goal. Please click here to support today!
Science Day 2.0
VIRTUAL SCIENCE DAY 2.0
Who knew we would be offering Virtual Science Day 2.0?!?! Based on the tremendous success for version 1.0, we are currently crafting version 2.0 for our students.
Save the Date: April 23, 2021
One of our favorite components (well, we really love them all) is the Career Panel. We have always had a wonderful group of parents/relatives/community members participate in this part. This year, we will have one career panel, consisting of 3-4 panelists, for each grade level. A live ZOOM meet will happen from 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.. If you are interested in serving on the panel, please complete the Google Form by March 26, 2021.
Musical Theater Production Update
Hopes and Dreams: A Hillside Broadway Revue will be available for families to view on March 26th. We’re excited to see all of the hard work the students have put into the production! More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
PTA/SATp Meeting
Thank you for attending our March meeting on 3/11. Our next PTA/SATp meeting will be on 4/16 @ 9:30am
Hillside Peer Socialization Clubs
Hillside Peer Socialization Clubs are coming soon! Calling parent volunteers to facilitate, run and manage the clubs. High School and Middle School volunteers (including all interested older siblings) will do most of the work; planning and running club meetings and activities. Parent volunteers/Group Leaders are needed to assist the older kids plan and execute their “lesson plans.” Student volunteers will receive community service hours. We have more than 20 clubs to staff, we hope to run all of them, with your help!
Parent/Group Leader signup:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054EA9AF29A4F58-hillside6
A Message from Ms. Scott
“Hillside Hangouts” – 3/18
Does your child need a fun lunch break with friends? Ms. Scott is hosting a “Hillside Hangout” Zoom session that is JUST for socialization and fun. It will be a brief, open group time for children who want to pop in and chit chat with others. Since the whole purpose is to socialize, Ms. Scott is asking that everyone have their camera on. The next Hillside Hangout will be on Thursday 3/18. Ms. Scott has scheduled the available slots during the “off screen” blocks. Joining is completely OPTIONAL, just pop in the zoom to hangout with friends!
https://mpsdnj.zoom.us/j/83543271776
Passcode: GoodTimes
Session 1: 11:35-11:50am
Session 2: 12:25-12:40pm
Session 3: 1:15-1:30pm
A Message from Nurse Boyle:
Hello Hillside Families and Friends!
The countdown for Spring begins! We officially have one more week of winter! This weekend is supposed to be sunny with temperatures in the low 50° F range. So get outside, take a walk or jog. Open some windows and let the spring air seep into your homes!
Do you need COVID information? Please click here
Thank you parents and guardians that have sent their child’s sixth grade vaccines in! I have added them to their health records. Please keep them coming! Students need Tdap and Menactra vaccines to start sixth grade. If you are a new student to the Montclair school district I need your physicals. I need physicals and vaccines even during remote learning. 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:
Wednesday 3/17: Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Thursday 3/18: Curriculum Thursday, Classes end at 2:06PM
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