A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 1.10.2022
Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
Happy New Year! We have started this year with quite a bang, hitting the ground running!!! We are very busy at work to support the needs of our teachers and students with regard to curriculum and instruction. The Dr. Ponds’ Virtual Option opt-in period ended last week, please do not call and/or email requesting this option, the opt-in window has closed.
The Dr. Ponds’ Virtual Option is for 10 school days, which began on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Please note two key points from Dr. Ponds’ communication that was sent to you all on Friday, December 31, 2021.
- Virtual learning, for those who choose this option, begins Wed., Jan. 5.
- Virtual period is temporary for 10 school days.
We are recognizing the tenth school day as Wednesday, January 19, 2022. All Virtual Option students must return to school in-person on Thursday, January 2022.
If your child is participating in the Virtual Option, then they MUST:
- get out of bed and attend class from an appropriate work area; and
- keep their camera on at all times.
School-wide News…Be in the Know
PTA Happenings
Hillside T-Shirt Design Contest
Where are our Hillside ARTISTS??? All students are invited to create art that may be featured on our 2021-2022 Hillside Commemorative T-Shirts. Students will then choose the sixteen winning pieces of art. The chosen T-shirts will be on sale in February. Entries are due by January 21, 2022. We cannot wait to see what our students create!
Hillside B-I-N-G-O
Thank you, Hillside, for the many BINGO forms we received. We are working hard to go through all the forms so that we can award PRIZES! Stay TUNED…..
Hillside Cares Week of Service
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blessing Bags and Peace Notes Project
Let’s spread some kindness and love to our neighbors. This project will support the Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless (MESH).
Please bring fully assembled blessing bags to school during the week of Jan. 10-14. Bins will be located outside of each homeroom. Bags can also be dropped off outside the school on MLK Day (Jan. 17) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Cards for Peace Notes will be available to draft on site.
For the Peace Notes: Write a sweet note with words of kindness and encouragement. Use an index card or another small note card. Feel free to decorate it before including it in the bag. Please don’t put it in a sealed envelope.
Blessing Bags can include travel-sized toiletries, granola or protein bars, adult-sized socks, gloves, hats, Chapstick, Band-Aids and hand sanitizer. Please no child items.
For more information, contact Christina Joseph Robinson at classliaison@hillsidepta.org or Mrs. Samira Harris at sharris@montclair.k12.nj.us.
PTA Membership Raffle
The Hillside PTA Membership Game is BACK! The first ten NEW members to join will be entered into a raffle to win a $25 gift card to the local business of their choice.
Hillside PTA Membership
https://hillsidepta.memberhub.com/store?category=Memberships
Hillside Talent Show Auditions: LAST CALL
Calling all performers! If you can sing, dance, play music, tell jokes or any other talents, it is your time to SHINE! The last chance to audition is January 7th @ 5pm and January 10th at 4:30pm. Parents must complete the permission slip and select a time to audition in advance.
PTAC Executive Board Nominations
The PTAC will have at least two vacancies on the PTAC Executive Board next year. They need smart, engaged, informed people (like YOU) to join the nominating committee. You can be on the Nominating Committee AND run for a board position. The Nominating Committee must be elected at the January 11th PTAC meeting.
Winter Explorers
The online Registration for Winter Explorers opened on Thursday January 6th and will close on Thursday, January 13th at 8pm. All classes will begin on January 24th. To request a Explorers scholarship, please email explorershillside@gmail.com the following information, NO LATER THAN January 12, 2022
1) Your child’s first and last name, grade and homeroom teacher
2) Top 3 class choices
3) Any allergies (if requesting a cooking class)
4) Does your child go to aftercare? Y/N
5) Parent/Guardian contact information – name(s) and phone number(s)
The class schedule and descriptions are also posted on our PTA website – https://montclairpta.org/hillside/hillside-explorers/
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! Please note that the CDC changed its Covid isolation/quarantine guidelines for the general public. Our guidelines for schools have not changed. Positive cases must isolate for 10 full days. If your child develops Covid like symptoms please get them tested. Please do not send your child to school while waiting for test results. The health department does not accept home tests as a definitive Covid diagnosis. Please obtain a test from your child’s doctor or testing center. Please send me a copy of the test. If your child is not fully vaccinated and is exposed to a Covid positive person please contact me so I can review the quarantine procedure with you. Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Friday 1/14/22: Virtual MLK Assembly
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