A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 10.29.2021
Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
In India, festivals are at the heart of celebrating culture and tradition. This month, many Indians celebrate Diwali (Festival of Lights – 11/4), the Festival of Lights. Diwali is a Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, and goodness over evil. People celebrate with fireworks, by displaying clay lanterns called Diyas, or string lights. They may also visit temples, exchange gifts or sweets with family and friends. To learn more about how Diwali is celebrated in India, please watch this short video with your family.
Consider lighting a candle or offering some type of light this Diwali. This could even be in the form of an act of kindness that brings light into the life of others. Kids and families may enjoy creating and decorating diyas, lighting sparklers and eating sweets. Here is a simple recipe for an Indian sweet called Doodh Peda if you are feeling adventurous. Happy Diwali!
School-wide News…Be in the Know
Governor’s Educator of the Year (GEOY):
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program by completing the attached nomination form template and return it to my attention by October 30, 2020.
Each candidate will be scored based on the criteria below:
- Serves as an exceptionally skilled and dedicated educator in a public or charter school;
- Inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn;
- Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the classroom;
- Has the respect and admiration of students, parents, administrators and colleagues; and
- Plays an active role in the community as well as the school.
Calling all Actors and Actresses
Announcing Auditions for Hillside School’s Production of:
Into the Woods Jr.
If you are a 4th or 5th grader who likes to act, sing, and dance, or just be in the spotlight, then come join the Hillside Drama Program’s production of Into the Woods Jr.! Please read the information below very carefully and follow the steps to sign up and prepare for auditions.
Performances: The performances are scheduled for Wednesday, March 16th AND Thursday, March 17th, unless otherwise notified.
Students MUST be available on those dates.
Auditions: Auditions will be held on Wednesday, December 8th, Thursday, December 9th, and Friday, December 10th during the day. Specific times will be determined as we come closer to auditions.
Rehearsals: We will be having rehearsals during periods 4 and 5 EVERY DAY. Students involved in Play Production 2 will have an abbreviated lunch. Rehearsals will begin for all students THE WEEK AFTER auditions, Monday, December 13th.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The below forms must be filled out and returned before Friday, December 3rd before your child can audition for this year’s production. Just click on the underlined purple and pink links below to fill out the necessary forms.
- Student Agreement Form (Students fill out this form via computer and submit it)
- Parent Agreement Form (Parents fill out this form via computer and submit it)
In addition, please have your child pick up a Student Audition Form from the Drama Callboard on the Ground Floor of Hillside School, outside of the Stage and Gym doors.
Both Students and Parents must fill out the Student Audition Form and return it to the Into the Woods Jr. basket outside of Mr. Poff’s room.
Should you have any questions, please email Mr. Poff at jpoff@montclair.k12.nj.us.
Desk Shields:
In regards to the district’s communication regarding student desk shields, if you would like for your child/children to no longer use a desk shield during academic instruction, please email your child’s teacher directly.
When to Quarantine Guidelines
PTA Happenings
Election Day Bake Sale
We Need YOU to work the Election Day Bake Sale. November 2th 11am-2pm.We need volunteers from 1pm-2pm. Please sign up here.
Hillside Coat Drive
Starting Monday, October 18, until Friday, November 19th, 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 over 150 coats for the Jersey Cares Coat Drive. Let’s show our Hillside spirit and get to 175 coats this year!!!
Sabor Montclair
Let’s celebrate the unique “sabor” that our Latinx community members bring to Montclair! On October 30th, the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE) is hosting Sabor Montclair, a fundraiser to support the growth of its newest program Navegadores Escolares. Simply pre-order a tasty take-out meal, and you will be donating to help grow and expand Navegadores Escolares. And now all donations up to $5,000 will be matched by an anonymous donor! Navegadores Escolares supports our growing community of English Language Learners. ELL students and their families face significant barriers to meaningful participation in our schools and community; language and other barriers also make it difficult to access resources. MFEE has been recruiting, training and supporting Spanish-speaking “parent navigators” who are matched with an ELL student and their family. The Navegador provides direct hands-on support to help the student and family thrive in our schools and community. To learn more, donate, and to reserve your dinner, visit givebutter.com/sabormontclair
Hillside PTA Fall Book Fair
Join us from November 8th to November 12th for our Fall Book Fair, featuring a special FAMILY SHOPPING NIGHT on Thursday, November 11th from 3:35pm to 7:30pm.
Hillside PTA Meeting – 11/19 @ 9:30am, Zoom
All are invited to join our November PTA meeting. Dr. Anglin and Mr. Adamo will be in attendance! Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Meeting Registration Here.
SEPAC Liaison
Hillside, we are looking for a SEPAC liaison for our school. If you are interested, please email ptapres@hillsidepta.org
Join the Hillside PTA
It’s never too late to get involved with our school community: https://hillsidepta.memberhub.com/store
Message from Ms. Scott (School Counselor)
I am here to support our Hillside families in any way I can. In addition to email (sscott@montclair.k12.nj.us), I can be reached at 973.509.4200 x4297. Additionally please ask your child to join Ms. Scott’s Google Classroom (class code jzelps7) where they will be able to access the I Need to See Ms. Scott Google form. Lastly, here is the In Need of Counseling Survey parents can use to let me know if your child could use my help. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns about your child’s social-emotional well being.
Note from Nurse Boyle
Hello Hillside Families and Friends!
I hope you are all doing well! Please remember to give your child one or two extra masks. Sometimes they break or get soiled during the course of the day. Please contact me if you have any questions about illness in your home. If a child is testing for Covid symptoms all unvaccinated siblings must stay home until the student testing obtains a negative PCR. The Montclair Schools are only accepting PCR Covid tests.The test must have the student’s name on it. Please make sure you email or fax me the PCR test. My email is rboyle@montclair.k12.nj.us. My fax number is 973-509-1882. If your unvaccinated student is traveling please let me know when they will be returning to NJ. They will have to quarantine prior to returning to school. I will be happy to discuss the quarantine guidelines with you. All this information is on the district webpage. Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Friday 10/29: Cast of Character Parade 245PM/ Trunk or Treat 530PM
Tuesday 11/2: School Closed/Election Day
Thursday 11/4 & Friday 11/5: School Closed NJEA Convention
Monday 11/8-11/12: Book Fair
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