A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 1.28.2022
Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
This month, Hillside Cares (SATp subcommittee) honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and showed support for the Montclair community by facilitating a Blessing Bags & Peace Notes Drive. Working alongside Glenfield student volunteers, many of whom are Hillside Alumni, Hillside families & staff donated nearly 500 bags to Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless and other local agencies. Thank you all for your support on this project. We would like to extend our gratitude for Mrs. Harris, 3rd grade teacher, began this initiative many years ago and still continues to work diligently to ensure its success.
Black Lives Matter Week of Action is a nationally recognized initiative during the first week of February each year. This week is dedicated to teaching lessons about structural racism, black identities, black history, and anti-racist movements. We look forward to an active month of learning and reflections.
While instructors may already have prepared lesson plans and/or in-classroom activities for the students for the remaining weeks of Black History Month, the Hillside Social Justice (HSJ) committee (SATp subcommittee) worked to provide teachers additional documents highlighting more content that can be worked into the lessons and/or activities throughout the remainder of Black History Month.
The 5 Day Week of Action Plan created by our SATp consists of:
Day 1: My History Matters – Black History from the Beginning (Hillside Parent Veronica Harris)
Day 2: My Music Matters – Freedom Songs (Hillside Parent Mendi Obadike)
Day 3: My Money Matters – History of the 1921 Tulsa, OK Business District Massacre (Hillside Parent Dee Thompson)
Day 4: My Hair Matters – The Impact & History of Black/African Hair (Hillside Parent Dee Thompson)
Day 5: My Thoughts Matter – A Day of Reflection and Critical Thinking (Hillside Parents Veronica Harris & Dee Thompson)
Additionally, Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is just around the corner. Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. In 2022, that is from January 31st to February 15th. Mrs. Li will be hosting an inhouse opportunity to have students celebrate and participate in Lunar New Year games and activities.
School-wide News…Be in the Know
Hillside Science Day 2022
We are approaching that time of year again…Science Day 2022!!! Our event will be held on April 1, 2022. It will be a combination of in-school activities and virtual presentations. We are looking for several parents/relatives/friends/neighbors to serve on our Career Panel. Each grade level will participate in a virtual panel discussion made up of 3 professionals in the science or engineering field. If you or someone you know would like to participate, please complete the Google Form by March 1, 2022.
Drama Department Fundraiser
Do you want a night off from cooking? How about a delicious, hot, mouthwatering pizza? By purchasing a delicious pizza pie from Little Pizza Heaven, you will also be able to help support Hillside School’s amazing Drama Department. In addition, you will be helping a local small business as well!
Tonight Friday, January 28th, Little Pizza Heaven will donate 10% of the proceeds of any pizza ordered through this provided LINK. They are open from 12pm – 8pm and you can order on 1/28 or any time before then! They are a food truck located in the parking lot on Church Street between the UUC of Montclair and Blue Mercury. The Hillside School Drama Program is so very grateful for all your support!
PTA Happenings
PTA General Meeting 2/10 @ 7pm
All are invited to join our February PTA meeting. Register HERE in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Upcoming PTA Events:
Popcorn..Popcorn..Popcorn…
Stay tuned for Hillside’s Double Good Pop Up Store School! The store opens Monday, Feb 21st at 2pm and closes on Feb 25th at 12noon. This is one fundraiser you do not want to miss!
Virtual BINGO Night with Nishuane
FREE BINGO night February 25 at 7pm. Be on the lookout for the Sign Up Genius, COMING SOON!
SATp News
SATp Presents Hillside Skate Date Fundraiser: March 11, 2022 from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Let’s go ICE SKATING! Join us for our first ever Ice Skating event at Clary Anderson Ice Arena.The proceeds from this event will support future SATp activities and events such as Juneteenth, the Caribbean Heritage event, AAPI celebratory events, the First Day of School Celebration, and Bike Walk to School Day. We’ll enjoy music, staking, and an evening of laughter. Masks required!
Clary Anderson Arena is located at 41 Chestnut Street, Montclair, NJ.
Purchase your tickets here at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/satp-presents-hillside-skate-date. Don’t forget to fill out your waiver! With the generous effort of our PTA Spirit Wear team, Hooded Sweatshirts and other Hillside merchandise will be available for purchase at this event!
Want to volunteer at Skate Date? Sure! Click HERE to sign up! For more information, contact hillsidesatp@gmail.com
2021-2022 Committee Volunteers Needed
Hillside Social Justice: We are currently looking for a volunteer to possibly work alongside Jenn DiLullo this year to take on her role as Parent Administrator in 2022. If you’re interested or would like more information, contact hillsidesatp@gmail.com
Hillside Talent Show
The presentation of the 2022 Hillside Talent Show has been postponed until February 4th. With so much great talent, we wanted to be sure that all participants had the opportunity to shine! Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.
You may still purchase a Booster Ad for the Talent Show. Feel free to give a shout out to your performer or simply advertise your business. Click the link to purchase an ad: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/2022-hillside-talent-show-booster-ads-fundraiser
Hillside SEPAC Parent Liaison Group
Here is the list of the upcoming SEPAC meeting this month and next. All SEPAC members, as well as members of the community, are invited to attend: Jan. 31, 2022 – 7:00 pm – Self Care for Parents and Caregivers
Professor Ashlee Martellacci from Montclair State will present a self care-workshop that will focus on the following: Did you know, due to the pandemic, 1 in 4 working parents and 83% of mothers are currently experiencing parental burnout? As a parent, stress is inevitable. However, what you do to manage that stress makes all the difference. Self-care helps you deal with the daily stresses in your life, ranging from professional pressures, interpersonal relationships, work/life balance, and future plans. Join us for an honest conversation regarding the effects of parental burnout and self-care, as well as why self-care can be the key to maintaining your overall parental success and well-being.
Click HERE to join the Zoom Meeting ID: (867 9732 0614) Passcode: 253823
Next month, Feb. 28, 2022 – 7:00 pm – Montclair SEPAC Meet the Candidates – SEPAC has invited the School Board Candidates to the February 28th General Meeting to share their thoughts and ideas in regards to special education. More details to follow.
If you have special education issues, concerns or disability focused topics you would like the Hillside SEPAC group to explore, please email us at sepac@hillsidepta.org. You can also follow SEPAC at (3) Montclair SEPAC | Facebook or check out SEPAC’s website at https://montclairpta.org/sepac/
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 wellbeing.
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:
Tuesday 2/1/22: First Day of Black History Month
Wednesday 2/2/22: BOE Meeting 7:30PM
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