A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 6.16.2022

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

BY NOW YOU HEARD THE GREAT NEWS, FIREBALL HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED for Friday, June 24 at 7:00pm at Pineapple Express in Montclair! ????

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN THE PARTY!!!  WE HAVE 30 TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE.

Get your tickets here: GET FIREBALL TICKETS HERE

We have also launched the silent auction for the Teacher Treat items since many items are time sensitive, such as the Priority Seating at the Moving Up ceremonies!

These 45 wonderful treats are live now – so you bid via GiveSmart BID HERE  This portion of the auction will be open for bidding uniti 9:00pm TONIGHT!!! so set your reminders and Go, Go, Go!!! You don’t want to miss out on our TEACHER TREATS!!!

The rest of the silent auction items, including some amazing trips, packages and Nishuane artwork, will be back in Giftsmart for preview next week and then will go live on FIREBALL day, Friday, June 24 for everyone (in person, on vacation, or home) to participate in.  We have some amazing items!!

June 16, Thursday –  2nd annual Children’s Juneteenth Celebration

Time:  5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Nishuane Elementary School

In collaboration with Nishuane School, we’ll be connecting students and families with the history of this groundbreaking holiday. Vendor and entertainment information coming soon. Stay tuned for more on this event. *Organizer: Tinu Joseph, Nishuane SATp, Hillside Social Justice

 

School-wide News…Be in the Know

Wear it Wednesdays – Please join us with Hillside Pride Day, 6.22.22.

 

3rd – 5th Grade Chromebook Return Information

As part of our end of the year procedures we will once again be collecting all student Chromebooks and their charging cables. Please read the Chromebook Collection Information handout for specifics that apply to your child.

We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with the collection of chromebooks. Please use the sign up genius to volunteer.

SUG for Chromebook Collection

 

5th Grade Mentions

5th Grade Picnic will be held on Tuesday, June 21 

• The 5th Grade Picnic is an all-day event, students MUST arrive to school on time (9:10am)
• Students should wear the 5th Grade T-shirt they were gifted (write their last name on the inside tag)
• Location of picnic, Montclair Art Museum (9:30am – 2:00pm)
• There will be a water slide activity. Students participating in this activity must wear their swimsuit to school under their clothing
• Students will need to provide their own:
  • Water bottle
  • Sunblock/Hats (sun protection)
  • Bug Spray
  • Change of clothes

• The celebration will have pizza, games, snacks, water slides, arts and crafts, sidewalk chalk, a quiet area and an ice cream truck.

 

5th Grade Moving-Up Day will be held on June 23 at 11:00 am 

• Moving-Up Ceremony will be outdoors at Woodman Field (10 Essex Ave, Montclair)
• The district will be live streaming the ceremony, click HERE to view!
• ALL fifth grade students will log-in remotely at 9:10am for attendance to be taken, directions will be given to students by their teachers
• ALL participating fifth grade students are to be dropped off at Woodman Field at 10:30am
• There are NO tickets for this outdoor event
• After the ceremony, ALL students will depart the event with their parents/guardian
• All students who attend the ceremony will receive credit for a full day’s attendance
• Please contact Ms. Best in the main office (973-509-4200) if you anticipate having a hardship with regard to transportation for your child

 

Live Streaming of the Moving-Up Ceremony:

Click HERE for live streaming of the ceremony! Please share the link with your family and friends that are near and FAR!!!

 

CI/Aesthetic Registration 2022-23 School Year

CI and Aesthetic course offerings will be viewable on Hillside’s website starting June 23rd. CI/Aesthetic eligibility letters will be available for parents to view on Genesis Parent Access on June 23rd. Registration for rising 4th graders and rising 5th graders will open on June 24th. Additional communications will be sent out ot families next week with instructions.

8:46 Committee’s “I See Me” Book Giveaway

To celebrate Juneteenth with the Montclair Community, the Montclair Education Association’s 8:46 Project will be having their first “I See Me” Book Giveaway, check-out the flier HERE. The 8:46 Project will provide FREE books that give voice to marginalized experiences that will engage readers of different ages, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. There will be raffles, snacks, drinks, and much more. Please join us on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 1:00PM to grab your next powerful summer read! Questions? Email:  846project@meanj.org

MFEE Teacher Toasts

This year, we have all the details about toasts in one central spot! Sign-up and attend a toast to support Montclair Teachers. Click HERE to see the Toast Schedule!

PTA News

NEW DATE & TIME! Last PTA General Meeting June 20 @ 10:00am

All are invited to join our final PTA meeting of the school year. All PTA members are encouraged to attend as we vote on our 2022-2023 PTA E-Board slate. You can register in advance to attend or the same day, after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting – PTA Meeting Link.

Year End Teacher Collection

This year, the Hillside PTA will be collecting donations for ALL teachers and staff. Instead of individual classes collecting for their teachers, the Hillside PTA will pool all the donations together and disperse the donations accordingly. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MATTER and we thank you in advance for the support of our teachers and staff. Please make all donations by MONDAY, June 20, 2022.

Please click below to contribute to the Year End gifts for the Hillside Staff – Teacher Contributions 2022.

 

SATp Announcements

Looking Ahead!

Have you seen all of the amazing initiatives and events

Hillside has? First Day of School Celebration, Bike Walk to School Day,

Hillside Cares events, Cultural Infusion participation, and many more! We are

proactive and would like to start to recruit some new faces for the upcoming

school year. It takes a team of us to make these things happen. Ask us about

participating and what you might want to sign up for. We’re always available

for questions. Email us at hillsidesatp@gmail.com.

 

Note from Nurse Boyle

Dear  Parents and Guardians: If your child has medication in the nurse’s office.  Please contact me to pick up the medication by June 28, 2022.  Please note: All medication left in the health office will be discarded.

If your child will need medication administered during the school day for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year a new form must be completed. Please return the form(s) to me on or before the first day of school in September along with the appropriately labeled medication.  As per New Jersey State Law, no medication may be administered without this form completed by the parent/guardian and the students’ health care provider.  Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle

Asthma Medication Form                Food Allergy Form

Important Dates:

Friday 6/17: School Closed/Juneteenth Observance

Tuesday 6/21: 5th Grade Picnic 10AM

Thursday 6/23: 5th Grade Moving Up 11AM

 

 

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

 

A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 6.10.2022

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

 

Hillside Field Day was a success! We had beautiful weather and the students showed good sportsmanship throughout the day’s activities.

Additionally, Mrs. Lever rallied the Hillside community to raise $5,455 dollars for a family displaced due to the war in Ukraine. The family was found through a connection from Mrs. Yeghiazaryan. Hillside Students watched a slideshow of the family that the money is being donated to. They got to see where they lived before the war started and where they are now. They also got to see the family. A huge thank you to Mrs. Lever and Mrs. Yeghiazaryan for collaborating to provide support to this family during such a challenging and traumatic time. We ended Field Day with a victory by Yellow!!

Juneteenth Observed on June 17 (District Closed): Juneteenth is also known as Jubilee Day or Freedom Day—a day that acknowledges the last days of slavery in the Confederate States (and some of the last days of slavery in the U.S.), in Texas on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth is one of several days which celebrate the End of Slavery in the United States. Last year was the first time,New Jersey recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday. Please view Montclair’s Juneteenth activities in the link below.

Juneteenth Poster

 

School-wide News…Be in the Know

Wear it Wednesdays – Please join us with Beach Day, 6.15.22.

 

5th Grade Mentions:

5^th Grade Moving-Up Day will be held on June 23 at 11:00 am 

• Moving-Up Ceremony will be outdoors at Woodman Field (10 Essex Ave, Montclair)
• The district will be streaming the ceremony and the link to this will be published as soon as we receive it from the tech department
• ALL fifth grade students will log-in remotely at 9:10am for attendance to be taken, directions will be given to students by their teachers
• ALL participating fifth grade students are to be dropped off at Woodman Field at 10:30am
• There are NO tickets for this outdoor event
• After the ceremony, ALL students will depart the event with their parents/guardian
• All students who attend the ceremony will receive credit for a full day’s attendance
• Please contact Ms. Best in the main office (973-509-4200) if you anticipate having a hardship with regard to transportation for your child.

 

RAIN CONTINGENCY PLAN – 5th Grade Moving-Up Day will be held on June 23 at 10:00am

• Moving-Up Ceremony will be indoors at Hillside Elementary School Auditorium
• If the Moving-Up Ceremony is to take place at Hillside, then you will receive notification on Wednesday, June 22nd
• The district will be streaming the ceremony and the link to this will be published as soon as we receive it from the tech department
• ALL fifth grade students are to arrive to school ontime (9:10am)
• We have limited seating in the auditorium, 3 TICKETS per family will be issued, 3 guests per family will gain entry to the auditorium
• After the ceremony, ALL students will depart the event with their parents/guardian
• All students who attend the ceremony will receive credit for a full day’s attendance

Viewing the Program:

A QR code and link will be sent in the near future for live streaming of the ceremony

 

PTA News

Last PTA General Meeting June 15th @ 7:00pm

All are invited to join our final PTA meeting of the school year. Join us as we vote on our 2022-2023 PTA E-Board slate. Please note that only members of the PTA are eligible to vote for the EBoard. You can register in advance to attend or the same day, After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

PTA Meeting Link

 

Fireball Postponed

Fireball has been postponed. Stay tuned for more information!

 

Spring Explorers

Please see the remaining Spring Explorers classes below. We hoped that your child(ren) enjoyed our final session of the school year.

Monday classes

Soccer, Show Cookies, Pottery – 2 classes remaining – 4/25, 5/9, 5/23, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

Tuesday classes

**Correction for Beginning Crochet – 1 class remaining – 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 6/14

 All other Tuesday classes ended

 Wednesday classes

Basic Sewing – 1 classes remaining – 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/8, 6/15

All other Wednesday classes ended

 Friday Classes

Drone Coding, Soccer, Chess – LAST CLASS 6/10 – 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 6/3, 6/10

 

Year End Teacher Collection

This year, the Hillside PTA will be collecting donations for ALL teachers and staff. Instead of individual classes collecting for their teachers, the Hillside PTA will pool all the donations together and disperse the donations accordingly. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS MATTER and we thank you in advance for the support of our teachers and staff. Please make all donations by June 20, 2022.

Please click below to contribute to the Year End gifts for the Hillside Staff

Teacher Contributions 2022

 

5th Grade Celebration

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 our 5th graders will celebrate together at the Montclair Art Museum from 10am -2pm. All students should wear a swimsuit, bring a change of clothes and a refillable bottle. The celebration will have pizza, games, snacks, water slides, arts and crafts, sidewalk chalk, a quiet area and an ice cream truck

 

SATp News

Montclair Pride Fest

Montclair Pride will be a day filled with performances, art, culture, food, and music celebrated on two stages across Downtown Montclair, with special guest speakers and LGBTQIA+ talent, surrounded and supported by more than 150 renowned institutions and businesses as partners and sponsors in one of the largest Pride festivals in the state’s history. The festival is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ people and allies, raising awareness and strengthening ties in our community and for our friends and allies in the region.

Leading up to the main event on Saturday, June 11th, Out Montclair has scheduled nine days of other events and performances. Learn more at www.montclairpride.org

 

In the Works!

Rainbow Cupcake Sale Fundraiser, Tuesday, June 14^th 3:45pm – 5:00pm

Our cupcakes will be topped with a rainbow design to show that we are proud that our inclusive community comes in all different colors of the rainbow! Ingredients will be listed. Funds raised to support future Hillside SATp initiatives and events.

 

Juneteenth Celebration, Thursday June 16^th 5:30pm – 7:30pm

In collaboration with Nishuane School, we’ll be connecting students and families with the history of this groundbreaking holiday. Vendor and entertainment information coming soon. Stay tuned for more on this event!

 

Looking Ahead!

Have you seen all of the amazing initiatives and events

Hillside has? First Day of School Celebration, Bike Walk to School Day,

Hillside Cares events, Cultural Infusion participation, and many more! We are

proactive and would like to start to recruit some new faces for the upcoming

school year. It takes a team of us to make these things happen. Ask us about

participating and what you might want to sign up for. We’re always available

for questions. Email us at hillsidesatp@gmail.com.

 

Message from Ms. Scott (School Counselor)

I am heartbroken that we keep having to have conversations about school shootings with our children. There are several news outlets online offering resources and advice about how to help children process this tragedy. I have listed a few links below that have resonated with me since Tuesday.

Psychologist on how to talk to talk to kids about the Texas school shooting

How should parents talk to their children about yet another school shooting?

How to talk to your children about shootings after Texas’ deadly elementary school attack  

 

Regarding conversations with the children, my personal advice is to begin by asking what they know so far. Although conversations may be limited in your own home, their peers may share more details at school. Allow them to express themselves, validate their feelings, and then offer information in small doses. Don’t overwhelm them with information. Younger children should receive simple details and adjust accordingly as they go up in age. Allow them to ask questions as they are ready to receive more information.

Reassuring the children they are safe can be very difficult in the first days and weeks following a tragic event.  Give them facts about all that is put in place to help keep them safe (i.e. drills, security officer in the building, limited access to getting in the building, any actions you and other adults in the family will take to help address mental health and gun control concerns, etc.).

Lastly, teach them to speak up if they see or hear something wrong, alarming, unjust, etc. So many of our children are concerned about “tattling” or “snitching”. They need to know that we need them as extra eyes and ears to help get ahead of situations that can be harmful to others.

As always, 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! Reminder for fifth grade parents and guardians.  Your child needs to have the Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccines to enter sixth grade. If your child had these vaccines please send me a copy and I will add them to their medical records.

The district now accepts home COVID tests along with lab tests for diagnosis.. Please email the nurse if your child has a positive Covid test or send a copy of the lab test. Please indicate the date the symptoms started and what they were. If you or a family want to get a Covid vaccine you can do so at the old Sears in the Livingston Mall located at 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston. Click HERE to schedule an appointment. You can go to the old Sears Thursdays and Fridays from 2PM-7PM for Covid testing and on Saturdays from 8AM-2PM. Note the Kmart site has closed.  Have a great, safe, long weekend! ~Nurse Boyle

 

Important Dates:

Monday 6/14: Flag Day/Cupcake Fundraiser 3:30PM

Thursday 6/16: PTA/SATp Meeting 630PM

Friday 6/17:School Closed/Juneteenth Observance

A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 5.26.2022

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

This has been an emotional week for us all in the shadow of school violence in Uvalde, Texas. Know that Hillside will continue to be available to support students when we return to school next week.

We are so proud of all of our students who participated in the spring concert.  A huge shout out to Mr. Park, Mr. Golinski and Mr. Poff for the phenomenal work they do with our students to put on such an impressive performance!

Another huge shout-out to our amazing Hillside School community that has been advocating via petitions and public speaking at last night’s Board of Education meeting, fighting for our magnet and staff. This is the true essence of equity: providing related arts opportunities and extra curricular opportunities for all.

June will be another busy month! June is the start of Pride Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month and Black Music Month. Please see the upcoming activities below.

 

School-wide News…Be in the Know

Field Day Spirit Week:

5/31: Twin Triplet/Quadruplet Day

6/1: Pride Day

6/2: Crazy Socks and Shorts Day

6/3: Team Day Blue and Yellow- Support Ukraine!!!

 

Wear it Wednesdays – Please join us with PRIDE Day, 6.1.22.

 

Junior Science Olympiad

Hillside’s Junior Science Olympiad team had the opportunity to visit with Glenfield’s Science Olympiad team on May 24.  Ms. Malloy from Glenfield, talked about the Science Olympiad competition and Glenfield’s history of participation.  Her students then partnered with ours to work on an actual competition event (there was no elementary event held this year).  The key take away from our meeting was that, you don’t have to know all the answers, but you do have to do the research, communicate, plan, take risks, try again and again, and be supportive of each other.

This was Hillside’s inaugural year for having a Junior Science Olympiad Course. Approximately 20 students participated in this course. Students apply for the course which takes place over 2 cycles.  Students engage in both science knowledge acquisition, hands-on engineering and teaching their peers.

Our trip to Glenfield was a special way to allow our older students to mentor our younger students in the fields of Science and Engineering.

Hillside Student Feedback:

“I enjoyed working with the middle school students.  They were nice, helpful and smart.” -Benji Rockmaker

“The middle school teacher was very encouraging.  She had lots of great stories and lots of cool materials to work with.”  – Tempest Barron

 

SATp News

For the month of June, we have 2 events coming up:

June 3, Friday – Caribbean American Heritage Children’s Celebration

Time:  5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location:  Nishuane Elementary School

*This event is open to the Montclair Community, and is being planned and sponsored by the Nishuane SATp, Hillside Social Justice, Montclair NAACP, and Montclair Public Library. 

 

****** PLANNING MEETING – Tuesday May 24 @6pm ***********************

Topic: Caribbean American Heritage Celebration – Planning Meeting

Time: May 24, 2022 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78168726318?pwd=Olrz1SAgdfEakMe4umOQa_TQLgrd6-.1

Meeting ID: 781 6872 6318

Passcode: 3Reff4

 

June 16, Thursday –  2nd annual Children’s Juneteenth Celebration

Time:  5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location:  Nishuane Elementary School

*Organizer: Tinu Joseph, Nishuane SATp, Hillside Social Justice

We look forward to providing additional details as we approach these dates!

 

 

Message from Ms. Scott (School Counselor)

I am heartbroken that we keep having to have conversations about school shootings with our children. There are several news outlets online offering resources and advice about how to help children process this tragedy. I have listed a few links below that have resonated with me since Tuesday.

Psychologist on how to talk to talk to kids about the Texas school shooting

How should parents talk to their children about yet another school shooting?

How to talk to your children about shootings after Texas’ deadly elementary school attack  

 

Regarding conversations with the children, my personal advice is to begin by asking what they know so far. Although conversations may be limited in your own home, their peers may share more details at school. Allow them to express themselves, validate their feelings, and then offer information in small doses. Don’t overwhelm them with information. Younger children should receive simple details and adjust accordingly as they go up in age. Allow them to ask questions as they are ready to receive more information.

Reassuring the children they are safe can be very difficult in the first days and weeks following a tragic event.  Give them facts about all that is put in place to help keep them safe (i.e. drills, security officer in the building, limited access to getting in the building, any actions you and other adults in the family will take to help address mental health and gun control concerns, etc.).

Lastly, teach them to speak up if they see or hear something wrong, alarming, unjust, etc. So many of our children are concerned about “tattling” or “snitching”. They need to know that we need them as extra eyes and ears to help get ahead of situations that can be harmful to others.

As always, 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! Reminder for fifth grade parents and guardians.  Your child needs to have the Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccines to enter sixth grade. If your child had these vaccines please send me a copy and I will add them to their medical records.

The district now accepts home COVID tests along with lab tests for diagnosis.. Please email the nurse if your child has a positive Covid test or send a copy of the lab test. Please indicate the date the symptoms started and what they were. If you or a family want to get a Covid vaccine you can do so at the old Sears in the Livingston Mall located at 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston. Click HERE to schedule an appointment. You can go to the old Sears Thursdays and Fridays from 2PM-7PM for Covid testing and on Saturdays from 8AM-2PM. Note the Kmart site has closed.  Have a great, safe, long weekend! ~Nurse Boyle

 

Important Dates:

Friday 5/26-Monday 5/30: District Closed for Memorial Day Weekend!!

Wednesday 6/1: 1st day of LGBTQ+Pride Month

Friday 6/3: Field Day (be sure to wear your team colors)

Saturday 6/4: FireBall

 

 

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

A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 5.20.2022

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

We have successfully completed NJSLA state standardized testing for all students and we are quickly moving along through the end of the school year. There are many events on the horizon, so please make sure you read the eblast in its entirety.

I would like to extend a huge SHOUT-OUT to the staff and parents that made our annual International Night a HUGE success!!!! Senora Scott (Spanish teacher) and Mrs. Li (Mandarin teacher) took the lead coordinating an evening filled with student and professional performances, food, music, and laughter. Our related arts teachers, PTA and SATp members volunteered and assisted with planning, preparation, and execution. More than 150 people joined Hillside International Night. We tasted more than 35 kinds of food and 15 different desserts from all over the world! Students who take Spanish presented dance (Vivir mi vida) and students who take Mandarin sang the song (我们一起来跳舞) and presented a rhythm (拍手歌)with motions. DOT students presented a new piece entitled, Salute to Taikos. We also had a Brazilian Capoeira performance and a West African drums/dance presentation. The entire community experienced so many cultures from around the world via music, dance, and feast! It was the first Hillside community event in a few years and the excitement and enthusiasm was contagious!!! Thank you, Mrs. Scott and Mrs. Li, for taking the lead!

Field Day June 3

This year we are Playing for fun, Playing for a cause…Ukraine United!! The School will be divided into 2 teams, Yellow and Blue, to represent the Ukrainian flag. Please have your child wear their designated team color shirt on June 3. We will be taking a school wide picture on the field in the shape of the Ukraine Flag.

We will be collecting donations to support Ukraine on May 12, 19, and 26. Students can donate each collection day, or for all 3 days at once. We will be accepting any type of monetary donation students want to bring in.

The top 3 classes who raise the most money for their grade will earn points towards their team total for the field day competition.

School-wide News…Be in the Know

Traveling Troupe Auditions

(For current 3rd and 4th 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 next Fall of 2022. Students involved with Traveling Troupe will rehearse an original script that combines acting, singing, and dancing, to perform for our annual Winter Concert next December. 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 how and when your child can audition for Traveling Troupe, as well as be provided with some audition pieces, please click HERE.

 

Wear it Wednesdays – Please join us with USA Day, 5.25.22.

 

MFEE News

‘Tis the season to host a toast or send a tribute to your favorite staff member! MFEE Toast to the Teachers is a long-standing tradition of the Montclair Public Schools. These family-hosted parties take place at the end of every school year. Choose a special teacher, para, coach, or other community member you would like to honor, and host a party – on your own or with other families – to celebrate their commitment to our kids.

Or buy a Teacher Tribute:  donate ANY amount to MFEE in honor of a staff member, and that person will receive a special handwritten card that acknowledges your honorary donation with a personalized message!  All funds raised by Teacher Toasts and Tributes go right back to Montclair classrooms in Fall 2022 in the form of teacher grants. These annual grants are often a bright spot for our teachers – a chance to have their professionalism, creativity and innovative ideas supported.  Visit MFEE.org to honor your teachers and boost learning!

 

PTA News

Car Wash

Please come to support Hillside’s Spring Car Wash this Saturday from 11am-3pm. We need a few more 3rd, 4th or 5th grade families (students and parents) to dry cars, hold signs and dry cars for our customers. We have the supplies; we just need YOU! The weather outside is PERFECT for a car wash. Please join in on the fun and raising funds for the Hillside community, sign up to volunteer HERE.

Welcome to Hillside, Nishaune!

Nishuane families, please join the Hillside PTA on May 25th at 6pm on the Hillside field for our Welcome to Hillside Picnic. Join us for snacks, spirit wear and fun! Families, please bring blankets, games and dinner. See you there!

Field Day 2022

Hillside’s annual Field Day is Friday, June 3rd!  Ms. Lever (PE Teacher) is asking for help the day off from our school community.  It’s a great chance for you to participate in an event DURING school hours. See signup for ways to volunteer, SIGNUP HERE.

Fireball 2022

Fireball tickets are SOLD OUT! You can submit your name to corsecy@nishuanepta.org to be added to a waiting list in case anyone cannot attend. You can still support by being a family or community donor, see opportunities HERE.

Fireball 2022 Volunteers 

Want to help 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!

 

SEPAC News

Hillside SEPAC Parent Liaison Group

SEPAC Upcoming Events/Resources

Monday, May 23rd – General Meeting, 7:00 pm via Zoom – The Montclair Pupil Service Team will join the meeting for a short presentation followed by time for questions.

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/

 

SATp News

What’s Happening?!

Hillside ROCKS! SATp is going creative and artsy for Hillside! Our newest initiative happening now is called Hillside Rocks! We are currently collecting your creative rock/stone art. Your rocks can be colored/painted/designed to your creativity! Our goal is to have enough rocks to be displayed in the shape of a heart during Pride month beginning on June 1st! Place your items inside of the bin that is currently located outside of “Door K.”

Come celebrate Caribbean American Heritage with us!

Would you like to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage with us? See the link HERE for more detail!

The SATp Hillside/Nishuane families, staff, and community will celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage at Nishuane School. This celebration will be curated for children.

Date: Friday, June 3rd (5:30pm- 7:30pm)

Location: Nishuane Elementary School, 36 Cedar Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042

Planning Meeting: Tuesday, May 24th @ 6pm

Zoom Link will be provided to those who sign up on the link above!

In the Works!

We’ve got lost more in the works and we wanted to let you know what else is coming your way! We’ve got a cupcake fundraiser in June! We’re also preparing for Juneteenth! We’ll be connecting students and families with the history of this groundbreaking holiday and we’re super excited to be coordinating with our sister school, Nishuane, on the Juneteenth initiative! Stay tuned for more excitement!

Looking Ahead!

Have you seen all of the amazing initiatives and events Hillside has? First Day of School Celebration, Bike Walk to School Day, Hillside Cares events, Cultural Infusion participation, and many more! We are proactive and would like to start to recruit some new faces for the upcoming school year. It takes a team of us to make these things happen. Ask us about participating and what you might want to sign up for. We’re always available for questions. Email us at hillsidesatp@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 well-being.

Note from Nurse Boyle

Hello Hillside Families! Reminder for fifth grade parents and guardians.  Your child needs to have the Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccines to enter sixth grade. If your child had these vaccines please send me a copy and I will add them to their medical records.

The district now accepts home COVID tests along with lab tests for diagnosis.. Please email the nurse if your child has a positive Covid test or send a copy of the lab test. Please indicate the date the symptoms started and what they were. If you or a family want to get a Covid vaccine you can do so at the old Sears in the Livingston Mall located at 112 Eisenhower Parkway, Livingston. Click HERE to schedule an appointment. You can go to the old Sears Thursdays and Fridays from 2PM-7PM for Covid testing and on Saturdays from 8AM-2PM. Note the Kmart site has closed.  Have a great weekend! ~Nurse Boyle

 

Important Dates:

Monday 5/23: Spring Concert Day Show 1:30PM-For students

Tuesday 5/24: Spring Concert Evening Show 6:30PM- For Families

Wednesday 5/25: 3rd Grade NIshuane Tours 10AM/ Nishuane Transition Picnic 6PM

Friday 5/26-Monday 5/30: District Closed for Memorial Day Weekend!!

 

 

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

A Note from the Principal’s Desk – 5.6.2022

 

Dear Hillside Parents/Caregivers:

Nurses Day ~ 5.6.22: From The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 4913-National Recognition Day for Nurses, 1982: Scientific advancements in recent years have dramatically expanded the role of nurses in our healthcare system, and their knowledge and skills have increased to keep pace with new technologies and methods of treatments. We owe many things to our nurses, but over the past year (hybrid & in-person learning) we owe our medical survival all to them. NURSE BOYLE has worked tirelessly WITHOUT a district nursing supervisor since last year (one only recently hired). Nurse Boyle has worked tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of this building for all. We, as a school community, could not have prevailed thus far without Nurse Boyle’s absolute diligence and dedicated time to ensure we were following CDC guidelines and district protocols. AND all of this while every other requirement and attention to student daily medical needs were addressed. Words cannot express the gratitude we have for Nurse Boyle, THANK YOU!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of our mothers and mother figures that multitask and manage more than one would like (sometimes). You leaders are fearless, because you have to be and because you love so intrinsically and conditionally. For all that you do, that may be unnoticed at times, I wish you a restful, enjoyable day with your family and friends.

 

School-wide News…Be in the Know

Crossing Guard

Starting this Wednesday, May 11, the crossing at Bloomfield Avenue / Orange Road will be eliminated. After conducting a survey at this location for several weeks, both morning and afternoon, we have realized that there are few, if any children, that utilize this crossing.

Wear it Wednesdays

Please join us with Sport Day, 5.11.22.

Week of State Testing – May 9 – 13, 2022:

Testing Tips for Parents:

• Tell your child to attempt to answer all of the questions and not to leave any blank. There is no penalty for guessing, and students can get partial credit on the open-ended items.
• Remind your child that the test is important. It sounds simple, but many parents fail to reiterate this. Most children will put forth their best effort when they know it is important to their parents.
• Remind your child to listen carefully to the instructions from the teacher and to read the directions and each question carefully. Encourage them to read every passage and every question at least two times. Teach them to slow down, trust their instincts, and give their best effort.
• Make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Do not add to your child’s stress. Do not argue with your child or bring up a touchy subject. Instead, try to do extra things that make them laugh, smile, and relax.
• Get your child to school on time – 9:10am. If they’re late, then they will NOT test and will need a make-up day.
• Ensure that your child gets a decent night’s sleep and a good breakfast before taking the test. **Please send your child in with a snack each day** These are essential to how your child performs. You want them to be at their best. Failing to get a good night’s rest or good breakfast can cause them to lose focus quickly.

Ms. Bartol’s Hatching!

After two years, Ms. Bartol is once again hatching chicks! The students love learning about egg/chick development, the types of breeds we receive and watching the chicks hatch. This year we received 28 eggs. Depending on our hatch rate, I may be able to provide chicks to approximately 2-4 families.  If you are interested in RAISING backyard chickens, I would be happy to give you 4-6 of our hatched chicks.  I do not send home chicks for overnights nor do I give families just 1 or 2 chicks.  I can’t determine the sex of the chicks either.  After several weeks of development, you will be able to determine the males from the females.  The town of Montclair does not permit you to keep roosters (male chickens).  You will be responsible for “re-homing” the roosters. Hatch date is expected to be around May 23 – 24.  Chicks will be ready to go home with you on Thursday, May 26.  Now is the time to do your research, build or order your coop and get ready to be a suburban homesteader!!!  First come, first served.  If you are interested in RAISING chickens, please email Ms. Bartol, sbartol@montclair.k12.nj.us.

Field Day June 3

This year we are Playing for fun, Playing for a cause. (Ukraine United!!)

The School will be divided into 2 teams, Yellow and Blue, to represent the Ukrainian flag. Please have your child wear their designated team color shirt on June 3. We will be taking a school wide picture on the field in the shape of the Ukraine Flag.

We will be collecting donations to support Ukraine on May 12, 19, and 26. Students can donate each collection day, or for all 3 days at once. We will be accepting any type of monetary donation students want to bring in.

The top 3 classes who raise the most money for their grade will earn points towards their team total for the field day competition.

Traveling Troupe

Traveling Troupe Auditions

(For current 3rd and 4th 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 next Fall of 2022. Students involved with Traveling Troupe will rehearse an original script that combines acting, singing, and dancing, to perform for our annual Winter Concert next December. 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 how and when 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!!!!!

 

PTA News

PTA General Meeting 5/13 @ 9:30am

All are invited to join our May PTA meeting. This month’s special guest will be our Nominating Committee. You can register in advance to attend or the same day, After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register HERE

Fireball 2022

Fireball tickets are going, going and almost GONE!  We only have 19 tickets remaining. Get your ticket(s) before they are all gone. This will be a sold out event. Can’t attend but still would like to donate?  We need your help procuring silent auction items for the June 4th Fireball fundraiser. Please complete this short form if your company/business or family can donate an item for the silent auction. Thank you in advance for supporting Nishuane and Hillside!

Click the link below to purchase tickets, sponsor or donate to Fireball 2022

(Fireball.givesmart.com) Fireball

Car Wash

Hillside’s Spring Car Wash is on May 21 from 11am-3pm. We need 3rd, 4th or 5th grade families (students and parents) to wash cars for our customers. We have the supplies, we just need YOU! Without your support, we cannot host this fundraiser. With the weather warming up, the car wash is sure to be fun for the entire family!

Sign up HERE to volunteer

International Night

Hillside’s International Night is on May 19th from 6PM-8PM and we are in need of more volunteers. Bless us with your FOOD by volunteering to prepare a dish, dessert or by helping out. We would love to try your family’s favorite dish or dessert. We need help with setting up the event and serving the day of.  This is a community event and we can not host it without our families donating their delicious dishes, desserts and volunteering their time.

Sign up HERE today to donate and or volunteer.

 

SEPAC News

Hillside SEPAC Parent Liaison Group

The Montclair Disability Pride Parade is this weekend! Please come to represent as Hillside allies! The Walk and Roll Parade and Rally is Sunday, May 1st 2-4pm (rain date on Saturday May 78th 2-4pm).  Assemble at 2pm at Heningburg field off Chestnut Street on Midland Ave, Montclair, NJ.  2:15-4pm: We will walk and roll to Rand Park for speakers and music.

We also wanted to extend a BIG thank you to Hillside SEPAC member, Caitlyn Cade, for all her efforts in having Autism Acceptance Week in April b as big success! Thank you Caitlyn for all your advocacy in our community and providing wonderful Autism related resources to the school. And thank you to all the Hillside Staff for helping in these efforts as well!

SEPAC Upcoming Events/Resources

Monday, May 9th – General Meeting, 7:00 pm via Zoom – Nicole Stewart and Cheryl Irwin from Solutions for Exceptional Children will present on IEP goals with a focus on the components of an iep, analyzing iep goals, and monitoring progress through iep goals.

Monday, May 23rd – General Meeting, 7:00 pm via Zoom – The Montclair Pupil Service Team will join the meeting for a short presentation followed by time for questions.

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 well-being.

 

Note from Nurse Boyle

Hello Hillside Families! Reminder for fifth grade parents and guardians.  Your child needs to have the Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccines to enter sixth grade. If your child had these vaccines please send me a copy and I will add them to their medical records.

The district now accepts home COVID tests along with lab tests for diagnosis.. Please email the nurse if your child has a positive Covid test. If you or a family want to get a Covid vaccine you can do so at the old Kmart in West Orange. Click HERE to schedule an appointment. You can go to the old Kmart Thursdays and Fridays from 2PM-7PM for Covid testing and on Saturdays from 8AM-2PM. Note the days of operation have changed.   Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers, aunts, cousins and guardians that help raise our children! Have a great weekend! Nurse Boyle

 

Important Dates:

Friday 5/6: National Nurses Day

Monday 5/9-Friday 5/13: Week of State Testing

Friday 5/13: PTA/SATp Meeting 9:30 AM

 

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