Hello, Hillside Families!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and are enjoying the long weekend with your children!
The Hillside PTA's Coat Drive begins tomorrow and ends on Friday, December 8. In this act of service each year, the school community collects and donates new or gently used coats to Jersey Cares. Please see this flyer for additional information, and thank you, in advance, for your support!
We are excited to announce that our Fifth Grade Play this year is…Shrek, Jr.! We have auditions for interested fifth graders after school on Wednesday, December 6th. Special thanks to the Hillside PTA for its continued support of this special activity, and to the staff directors, Mrs. Williams, Miss Trebbe and Miss Reid for spearheading the performance, which will take place May 29th!
We have our next Student Council Assembly on Friday, and look forward to learning about our next pillar of character, Citizenship, awarding Hank and Holly to their new homes, honoring our Huskies of the Month, among other items. At the assembly, we will also have a very special announcement–this year's Hillside Teacher of the Year! I will share that good news with families next weekend!
Mrs. Mondanaro is offering Hank's Art Club this year to second and third graders only. A sign-up link will be sent to second and third grade families via email on Monday, December 4 at around 10:00 a.m. Please note that the club has a participant limit of 25 students, and registration is first-come, first-serve. Thank you!
Note to Kindergarten Families: Our Kindergarten students will receive their district-provided Chromebooks this Thursday, November 30th. Kindergarten teachers will follow-up with additional information, but you should expect for your children to bring the machines home either that day or shortly thereafter.
The PTA's annual Holiday Shoppe will take place on December 4, 5, and 6. At the shop, students will have the opportunity to holiday shop for their families, which they love doing! Information will go home with students this week. The shopping schedule by day and class can be found at the end of this document after the calendar. Please note that while we do have a couple of "make-up" shopping slots scheduled, it is important that children come to school prepared to shop on their scheduled days. Thank you, and happy shopping!
REMINDERS:
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1) Item Drop-off Bin: In an effort to both improve security and reduce disruptions to the main office, families who come to school to drop off forgotten student items, like instruments, lunches, computers, books, etc., will be asked to place items in the bin right outside the main entrance (see below). Please make sure your children's names and teachers are on items. Sticky notes and markers are available in the bin. Main office staff will check the bin multiple times a day to retrieve any items placed in it. There is no need to ring the bell to notify the office that you are dropping something off unless it is urgent in nature. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation and understanding!
2) The Livingston High School Theatre Honor Society is holding a special event called "Play Date" that will be held on December 1. Elementary-aged students are invited to participate. Information about this event can be found here.
3) The Livingston Youth and Community Services will once again offer after school programs called "Young Leaders" (grades 1-2) and "Leaders" (grades 3-5). For many years prior to the pandemic, these programs were offered on-site, but were halted until now. These programs will be offered starting in January. Additional information, including how to register, can be found here.
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Best regards,
Mr. Gramata
P.S. These weekly messages are also posted on the school's site for your convenience.
P.P.S. Follow Hillside School on X/Twitter at @Hillside_Elem!
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Upcoming Dates to Remember!
Week of November 27, 2023
Monday, 11-27: PTA Coat Drive Begins
Tuesday, 11-28: ASE: Soccer & Chess
BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 11-29: Third Grade CogAT Testing
ASE: Science & Mosaic Storytelling
Thursday, 11-30: Third Grade CogAT Testing
Kindergarten Chromebook Distribution
District Band Day, Grade 5, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., LHS
ASE: Robotics & Engineering
Friday, 12-1: Student Council Assembly, 1:30 p.m./Teacher of the Year Announcement
Week of December 4, 2023
Monday, 12-4: Reading Interventionist, Mrs. Bauer, Returns from Leave
PTA's Holiday Shoppe for Students
Tuesday, 12-5: PTA's Holiday Shoppe for Students
ASE: Soccer & Chess
Wednesday, 12-6: PTA's Holiday Shoppe for Students
First Marking Period Ends, Grades 1-5
Fifth Grade Musical Auditions, 2:45 p.m.
Thursday, 12-7: Second Marking Period Begins, Grades 1-5
Hanukkah Begins
Friday, 12-8: PTA Coat Drive Ends
District Strings Day, Grade 5, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., LHS
Week of December 11, 2023
Tuesday, 12-12: BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, 12-14: District ESL Field Trip to Paper Mill Playhouse
Friday, 12-15: PTA's Staff Holiday Luncheon
First Marking Period Report Cards Available to Families after 3:00 p.m.
(Grades 1-5)
Week of December 18, 2023
Thursday, 12-21: Caring Communities Session 2, 9:45 a.m.
PTA's 50-50 Raffle Winner Announced, 2:45 p.m.
Friday, 12-22: Partial Day for Students, 12:00 PM Dismissal
Sunday, 12-24: Christmas Eve
Week of December 25, 2023 - Schools Closed for Winter Break!
Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year!
Week of January 1, 2024
Monday, 1-1: New Year's Day, Schools Closed
Tuesday, 1-2: LYCS Leaders Program Grade 5, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, 1-3: LYCS Leaders Program Grades 3 & 4, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
BOE Re-Organization Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, 1-4: LYCS Young Leaders Program Grades 1 & 2, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
Friday, 1-5: Student Council Assembly, 1:30 p.m., Upper Gym
As we head into the middle of the 21st Century with record high enrollment, Livingston Public Schools is faced with some important questions. What are the district's future facility needs? What building repairs, improvements and replacements are needed moving forward to provide our students with the best possible education? Livingston Public Schools remains committed to maintaining the legacy of excellence that attracts residents who place a high value on education and who wish to live in a community that exceeds expectations in all areas.