A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 3.4.2022
Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:
This school year, adjustments to our performance schedule were made and we had to combine the Gymnastics Show (cycle 2 performance) and the Dance Show (cycle 3 performance) into a single Gymnastics & Dance Showcase. This adjustment presented many challenges, however, Mrs. Smeriglio, Mrs. Lever, and our STUDENTS rose to the occasion. As I hosted teacher/class observations over the past few months I was wowed by the delivery of instructions and ultimately the SHOW. Students beamed with happiness as they showcased their talents to their school community!
This week we kicked off Women’s History Month!
Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. Women’s History Month 2022 will take place from Tuesday, March 1-Thursday, March 31, 2022.
The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
As per Superintendent Dr. Ponds’ Masking Decision 3.1.22: Effective March 7, masks will be optional for all students, staff, and visitors (PREK-12) in all indoor and outdoor school settings, as well as on school buses.
If you wish for your child to continue to wear a mask while at school, then I encourage you to have a conversation with your child this weekend regarding your expectations of them. Hillside staff members do not have the capacity to monitor/police your decisions.
The new mask protocol has implications regarding other health and safety mitigating measures we have implemented as a district. Building principals have forwarded C.O. questions regarding protocols associated with: social distancing, COVID testing, quarantine/isolation timeframes, contact tracing, indoor eating, visitor protocols, hosting large events, conferences, I&RS/504/CST meetings, desk shields, seating charts, etc., etc. When I have a district response regarding our burning questions, then I will update you all accordingly. **Please do not send me individual emails regarding our Into the Woods production. With 80 cast and crew members, I will send a collective email should this event become an in-person evening event for parents to attend.** Thank you for your patience.
School-wide News…Be in the Know
Traveling Troupe Auditions (4th and 5th Grade Students)
Greetings everyone! Get ready to fire up the Tour Bus, because the time has come for Hillside School’s Traveling Troupe auditions for Spring 2022. Students involved with Traveling Troupe will rehearse an original script that combines acting, singing, and dancing, to perform for our annual Spring Concert this coming May. Our Traveling Troupe will then take their show on the road, literally, and present their showcase to various venues around the Montclair area. To find out when and how your child can audition for Traveling Troupe, as well as be provided with some audition pieces, please click HERE. More information regarding Traveling Troupe auditions will follow soon, so STAY TUNED!!!!!
Science Day Supplies
We are in need of paper towel TUBES (not toilet paper) for Science Day. Please have your child bring all donations to Ms. Bartol in room 206.
News from the PTA
PTA General Meeting 3/11 @ 9:30am
All are invited to join our March PTA meeting. The meeting will be followed by the SATp presentation of the Social Justice Committee. Register HERE in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Hillside Talent Show
Hillside PTA Production Presents Hillside’s Got Talent 2022! Please click the link below to see the creativity and talent of the students in the Hillside community.
Talent Show YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsrY-_DgvjM
Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser
Congratulations Hillside! We had an AMAZING 4 days of popcorn sales. We were able to sell $3,014 in popcorn in 4 days. As a result, Hillside made $1,507!!! Our timing was perfect! We received an emergency request from Dr. Anglin to fund the troubleshooting and repair of the stage lighting system at Hillside which is so critical for all our performances. Thank you all for your support!
Fireball Volunteers Needed
Fireball is coming. The Fireball is a fundraiser to benefit Nishuane and Hillside Elementary Schools and is held every other year.. The Fireball is a great time to connect with Hillside friends old and new! Get jazzed up and get ready to enjoy a night out.
Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!! We need your help to make Fireball 2022 a success. We are looking for a wide variety of volunteers to help out. Please review our Fireball Committee Sign Up Form and sign up if you can donate your time or talents.
Explorers Committee Volunteers needed NOW
Programming for the spring session will begin soon. This is the last chance to shadow the team and learn the ropes. Without volunteers, the program is in danger of not running next year. If you are interested in volunteering, please email explorershillside@gmail.com.
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! Free Covid-19 Vaccines are being administered this weekend at Charles H. Bullock School, Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 10AM-3PM. No appointments are necessary. Have a great weekend! You can also obtain vaccines at the old Kmart in West Orange. Go to https://www.essexcovid.org/vaccine/vaccine_availability
to schedule an appointment. You can go to the old Kmart Tuesdays through Fridays from 2PM-7PM for Covid testing and on Saturdays from 8AM-2PM. Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle
Important Dates:
Women’s History Month
Tuesday 3/8: School Closed/Election Day
Friday 3/11: PTA/SATp Meeting 930 AM/ 630PM Skate Event
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