Hello, Hillside Families!  

 

It's hard to believe we are just two short days away from the end of this school year!  It's been a great one, and we look forward to an exciting final two days that will feature tomorrow's Fifth Grade Talent Show and the Fifth Grade Clap Out on the last day of school.  

 

At the Talent Show, pillar teams will present cheers/songs that they practiced last week. Please remember to send your children into school tomorrow with the color shirt that corresponds with their assigned character pillar (same as Wall Decorating and Field Day).  Thank you, in advance!  Can't wait to see all the awesome talent and cheers/songs!

 

We will have our Fifth Grade Clap Out on Tuesday at dismissal.  Families attending are asked to gather behind the cones in the circle near the pillar doors starting at around 11:30 a.m.  Fifth graders will start making their way through the school at 11:45 a.m. and will exit the building at the pillar doors at around noon, which for many, are the doors they first entered in Kindergarten.  A bittersweet moment, for sure, but we look forward to one final celebration of our awesome fifth grade class!

 

Note to Kindergarten and First Grade Families regarding pickup on Tuesday, 6-24:  In order to alleviate the congestion expected at door 9 on the last day of school due to the Fifth Grade Clap Out, families who pick up Kindergarten and first grade students should meet them on the upper blacktop near the annex (trailers).  Teachers will walk students out through door 8 to the blacktop.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

 

We have partial days of school on Monday and Tuesday.  Students will dismiss at 12:00 p.m. (11:55 a.m. for Kindergarten).  Families are asked to ensure appropriate pick up arrangements for these last two days of school.  Thank you!  Note that lunch is not served on partial days, but students are still welcome to bring a healthy snack to school.  

 

Final report cards will be available to families in the Genesis Parent Portal after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.  Families should ensure that all items that belong to the school are returned this week, particularly library books and classroom books to avoid delay in accessing student report cards. Thank you!

 

Former Hillside husky and current Harvard College student, Matthew Zhang, is co-founder of Omega Speech and Debate.  He and I had the opportunity to catch up recently, and he shared that his organization is offering a summer camp for students interested in speech and debate.  Information about the summer camp can be found here.  I know he'd absolutely love to have some huskies sign up!

 

Stay tuned for Summer Reading information!  I will send that either tomorrow or on the last day!

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REMINDER:  The Hillside PTA is looking to fill two executive board positions for next school year (VP and Treasurer).  Please see here for additional information. Thank you!

 

REMINDER:  Families whose children are not returning (i.e., those who are moving or attending a private school) to Hillside next school year should notify the office as soon as possible.  Please contact Mrs. Schroeder at jschroeder@livingston.org, and she will provide you with necessary information to withdraw your children and access school records.  Thank you!

 

REMINDER:  Checkmate to a Better Future, Inc., is hosting a Summer Chess Tournament and Fundraiser.  Information can be found here.

 

REMINDER:  The Hillside PTA is seeking parent volunteers for the 2025-26 school year!  Please see the following links for a Volunteer Interest Sheet and a Class Parent sign up sheet.  Please contact the PTA with any questions at hillsideschoolPTA@gmail.com. Thank you!

1. Volunteer Interest Sheet                                  

2. Class parent Sign Up

REMINDER:  School Supply Kits for the 25-26 school year are now available for purchase!  This convenient service saves parents the potential hassle of shopping for school supplies during the summer, especially late August when everyone else is doing it, too!  And, supplies get delivered right to students' classrooms for the first day of school!  Interested families can find information here.  The attached has the itemized supply list for those who would prefer to purchase on their own.  Please note that the purchase window ends June 30th.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA and School Supply Coordinator, Mrs. Litsky, for coordinating the process with us!

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The close of every school year is a bittersweet time for many reasons.  We will miss our fifth graders very much as they move onto the next phase of their educational journeys.  We will also miss students who are moving away or attending other schools.  Best wishes to them all!

 

We, too, will miss staff members who are moving on from their roles at Hillside School.  We say goodbye and thank you to the following members of the staff:

• Mr. Battista, our longtime General Music teacher and Chorus Director, who is retiring after 32 years in education, 24 of which were in Livingston, and 14 at Hillside.  Mr. Battista will be truly missed, and we wish him a joyful and relaxing retirement!

• Mr. Grossman, teacher at Hillside school for the last seven years.  Mr. Grossman has accepted a position as Elementary Instructional Facilitator for the Summit Public Schools where he will lead elementary professional development, instructional coaching, and curriculum development.  Mr. Grossman will also be truly missed, and we wish him the best as he enters the next phase of his career!

• Miss Sadowski, first grade teacher, who joined us in December as Mrs. Pezzulo's replacement for the year.  Thanks to Miss Sadowski for all of her hard work and dedication to her students, and the best of luck to her as she goes across town to teach Kindergarten at Mount Pleasant Elementary!

• Mrs. Campbell, second grade teacher who served in a leave replacement position this year.  Thanks to Mrs. Campbell for taking such great care of her students!  She will be missed, and we wish her well!

• Miss Perez, fifth grade teacher who joined us in February to replace Mrs. Gribbon who went on leave.  We are grateful to Miss Perez for her efforts in giving her fifth graders a fantastic end to their time at Hillside. All the best to Miss Perez!

• Mrs. Yeung, instructional aide who joined us this year to help us start the new class.  Her support of the students ensured a successful school year for them, and we wish her well as she heads over to Burnet Hill!

 

On a final note, I want to thank the students, staff, families, and the wonderful Hillside PTA for making this year a really special and successful one.  It continues to be a privilege to serve as your principal, a role that I shall never take for granted.  Hillside is a wonderful place because of the people who make up our school community–staff, students, and families alike–and we look forward to our continued success–together!

 

Have a happy and safe summer, Hillside School!

 

Best,

Dr. Gramata

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Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of June 23, 2025

 

Monday, 6-23: Partial Day of School; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Fifth Grade Talent Show

 

Tuesday, 6-24: Last Day of School!

Partial Day of School; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Final Marking Period Ends

Fifth Grade Clap Out, 12:00 p.m., Front Loop

Final Report Cards Available to Families After 4:00 p.m.

 

Happy Summer, Hillside School!

Hello, Hillside Families!  Happy Father's Day to all our awesome Hillside dads and all the dads in your lives!

 

Tricky weather notwithstanding (we did get a tad wet!), Monday's Time Capsule Ceremony was truly special!  The Hillside Band performed "March to Excellence", all students sang "Birthday" by the Beatles, and students were witness to what might be a once-in-a-lifetime burial of a time capsule that included student work, school apparel and documents, and PTA artifacts.  The capsule will, hopefully, be opened in 30 years as the school commemorates its centennial.  Please see here for a letter I wrote to the school's future principal and here for some photos and videos.  Thank you, and I am hopeful that your children will return as adults in 30 years to witness the capsule's unearthing!  

 

We look forward to a week of celebrations ahead, as we hold our Kindergarten Celebration on Monday, highlighting our youngest learners' first year at Hillside School, and the Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony on Thursday, honoring and celebrating our fifth graders' time and achievements at Hillside.  An emotional week ahead, for sure, and we look forward to celebrating with families this week!  Please note that the main entrance will open at 8:15 a.m. for guests for both events.  We will also make arrangements for school-aged siblings to attend both events.  For those who responded to the RSVP forms, we are able to accommodate your requests for seats.  Space for the Fifth Grade Ceremony may be tight, but we can make it work.  Thank you!

 

We have our Student Council Election Assembly Monday afternoon.  After all of our fourth grade candidates share their speeches, the student body will select the next Student Council Executive Board.  Good luck to all!

 

Yearbooks for families of K-4 students who ordered them will be delivered to classrooms this week.  All fifth graders will receive them tomorrow in time for their Yearbook Signing Breakfast on Tuesday.  All other students will receive yearbooks on Tuesday.  Special thanks to the Yearbook Committee for a job well done!  

 

Our Student Council will hold its final Smencils sale of the year on Wednesday during lunch and recess.  Please see this flyer for information. Thank you for your support!

 

The Hillside PTA is looking to fill two executive board positions for next school year (VP and Treasurer).  Please see here for additional information. Thank you!

 

Families whose children are not returning (i.e., those who are moving or attending a private school) to Hillside next school year should notify the office as soon as possible.  Please contact Mrs. Schroeder at jschroeder@livingston.org, and she will provide you with necessary information to withdraw your children and access school records.  Thank you!

 

REMINDER:  Checkmate to a Better Future, Inc., is hosting a Summer Chess Tournament and Fundraiser.  Information can be found here.

 

REMINDER:  The Hillside PTA is seeking parent volunteers for the 2025-26 school year!  Please see the following links for a Volunteer Interest Sheet and a Class Parent sign up sheet.  Please contact the PTA with any questions at hillsideschoolPTA@gmail.com. Thank you!

1. Volunteer Interest Sheet                                  

2. Class parent Sign Up

 

REMINDER:  School Supply Kits for the 25-26 school year are now available for purchase!  This convenient service saves parents the potential hassle of shopping for school supplies during the summer, especially late August when everyone else is doing it, too!  And, supplies get delivered right to students' classrooms for the first day of school!  Interested families can find information here.  The attached has the itemized supply list for those who would prefer to purchase on their own.  Please note that the purchase window ends June 30th.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA and School Supply Coordinator, Mrs. Litsky, for coordinating the process with us!

 

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful week!

 

Best,

Dr. Gramata

 

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of June 16, 2025

 

Monday, 6-16: Kindergarten Celebration, 8:30 a.m., Upper Gym

Student Council Election Assembly, 1:30 p.m.

 

Tuesday, 6-17: Third Grade Trip to Ellis Island

Fifth Grade Breakfast/Yearbook Signing, 9:00 a.m.

MPMS Walkthrough for Fifth Graders, 5:30 p.m.

BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 6-18: Smencils Sale!

Character Color Wars Cheer Practice, 8:15 a.m.

 

Thursday, 6-19: Juneteenth

Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 8:30 a.m., Upper Gym

Fifth Grade Luncheon (students only), 11:00 a.m., Lower Gym

Kindergarten/Fifth Grade Buddy Assembly, 1:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 6-20: Schools Closed in Observance of Juneteenth

 

Week of June 23, 2025

 

Monday, 6-23: Partial Day of School; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Fifth Grade Talent Show

 

Tuesday, 6-24: Last Day of School!

Partial Day of School; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Final Marking Period Ends

Fifth Grade Clap Out, 12:00 p.m., Front Loop

Final Report Cards Available to Families After 4:00 p.m.

 

Happy Summer, Hillside School!

Hello, Hillside Families!

 

We had a great time at the Fifth Grade Boat Trip this past Wednesday!  Congratulations to our fifth graders on their final Hillside trip, and we look forward to celebrating their time with us even more very soon! 

 

We also enjoyed welcoming next year's Kindergarten families at Parent Orientation on Thursday evening!  We have some returning families, but there were also many new faces, and we look forward to starting our journeys with all their husky pups next school year!

 

We are excited to hold our Time Capsule Ceremony on Monday afternoon!  At this ceremony, Mr. Hegedus and the band will play "March to Excellence", the piece we had specially commissioned to celebrate this milestone.  Mr. Battista will also lead the school in a sing-a-long of the Beatles classic, "Birthday".  We will conclude the ceremony with the capsule dedication and burial.  Following the ceremony, students will share their service-learning projects at our school-wide "Service-Learning Showcase" assembly in the upper gym.  Looking forward to a fulfilling afternoon!  I will share some photos of the ceremony in next week's message. 🙂

 

The last PTA meeting of the year will take place this Wednesday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. Please see the meeting's Zoom link in the calendar below.  Hope to see you there!

 

On Thursday and Friday of this week, we will have our school-wide Literacy Celebration, where buddy classes will share their literacy work over the year with one another and celebrate all the learning that took place in literacy this year.  Additionally, we will have our second annual Vocabulary Parade as part of the celebration on Friday morning.  Information about the parade can be found here, and we thank you, in advance, for your assistance and support in making the parade a success!

 

Mr. Caraballo put together a compilation video highlighting our Field Day and Fifth Grade Games.  It can be found here for your enjoyment.  Special thanks, again, to Mr. C. and Mrs. Alamorian for their efforts in making the day a great one!  

 

Checkmate to a Better Future, Inc., is hosting a Summer Chess Tournament and Fundraiser.  Information can be found here.

 

REMINDER:  The Hillside PTA is seeking parent volunteers for the 2025-26 school year!  Please see the following links for a Volunteer Interest Sheet and a Class Parent sign up sheet.  Please contact the PTA with any questions at hillsideschoolPTA@gmail.com. Thank you!

1. Volunteer Interest Sheet                                  

2. Class parent Sign Up

 

REMINDER:  School Supply Kits for the 25-26 school year are now available for purchase!  This convenient service saves parents the potential hassle of shopping for school supplies during the summer, especially late August when everyone else is doing it, too!  And, supplies get delivered right to students' classrooms for the first day of school!  Interested families can find information here.  The attached has the itemized supply list for those who would prefer to purchase on their own.  Please note that the purchase window ends June 30th.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA and School Supply Coordinator, Mrs. Litsky, for coordinating the process with us!

 

REMINDER:  The Livingston High School Chess Club and Team is hosting a "Livingston Community Chess Fair" on Sunday, June 8th.  Information can be found here. 

 

Thank you for reading, and have a great week!

 

Best,

Dr. Gramata

 

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of June 9, 2025

 

Monday, 6-9: Fifth Grader MPMS Orientation w/Mrs. O'Leary at Hillside, 9:00 a.m.

70th Anniversary Time Capsule Ceremony/Service Learning Showcase, 

1:00 p.m.

ASEs: Art & Basketball

 

Tuesday, 6-10: 70th Anniversary Time Capsule Ceremony/Service Learning Showcase, 

1:00 p.m.  RAIN DATE

ASEs: Golf & Science

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 6-11: Incoming Kindergartener Screening

PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. (click for Zoom link)

 

Thursday, 6-12: Literacy Celebration Day 1

 

Friday, 6-13: Literacy Celebration Day 2

 

Saturday, 6-14: Flag Day

 

Sunday, 6-15: Happy Father's Day!

 

Week of June 16, 2025

 

Monday, 6-16: Kindergarten Celebration, 8:30 a.m., Upper Gym

Student Council Election Assembly, 1:30 p.m.

 

Tuesday, 6-17: Third Grade Trip to Ellis Island

MPMS Walkthrough for Fifth Graders, 5:30 p.m.

BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 6-18: Character Color Wars Cheer Practice, 8:15 a.m.

 

Thursday, 6-19: Juneteenth

Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 8:30 a.m., Upper Gym

Fifth Grade Luncheon (students only), 11:00 a.m., Lower Gym

Kindergarten/Fifth Grade Buddy Assembly, 1:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 6-20: Schools Closed in Observance of Juneteenth

 

Week of June 23, 2025

 

Monday, 6-23: Partial Day of School; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Fifth Grade Talent Show

 

Tuesday, 6-24: Last Day of School!

Partial Day of School; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Final Marking Period Ends

Fifth Grade Clap Out, 12:00 p.m., Front Loop

Final Report Cards Available to Families After 4:00 p.m.

Hello, Hillside Families!  It's June!

 

Although the week was short, we had a fun-filled time, where we were treated to the Fifth Grade Musical, Matilda Jr., and the Spring Concert.  We also enjoyed Field Day and the Fifth Grade Games!  Congratulations to the students who participated in both the musical and concert, and thanks to all of the amazing staff members who made all three days of activities a huge success!

 

You may have already noticed the ongoing Mural Project on the retaining wall adjacent to the parking lot.  This Monday and Tuesday, Mrs. Mondanaro will support Buddy Classes with their contributions as we complete the project in honor of the school's 70th!  Stay tuned, and special thanks to Mrs. Mondanaro for her artistic vision and for making that vision a reality with our students!

 

We look forward to Tuesday's PTA Carnival!  The event will take place on the school's grounds from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Families who did not register in advance are still welcome to attend.  Walk-ups are welcome; please see the registration table upon arrival.  Additionally, it is NOT a drop-off event; there must be at least one responsible adult with each child in attendance to ensure a safe time for everyone.  Thanks so much!

 

Our fifth graders will attend the Fifth Grade Boat Trip on Wednesday, courtesy of the Hillside PTA and the Fifth Grade Committee.  This trip, the last these students will take as Huskies, will serve to celebrate our fifth graders' time at Hillside, and we are very grateful to the PTA for all its work in making this happen.  The students will surely have a great time!

 

We have our next Student Council School Spirit Day on Thursday. It's Sports Day!  Students should come to school wearing their favorite sports gear!  School apparel or colors are always welcome, too!

 

The Livingston Public Library is coming to Hillside on Thursday morning to share about its summer programs.  Information will also go home with students.

  

Third graders will be treated to an Instrument Demonstration Assembly on Thursday afternoon.  The purpose of this assembly is to showcase the available instrumental options for next school year.  Information about band and orchestra for next year for third grade families is forthcoming.

 

We look forward to welcoming new and returning Kindergarten families on Thursday evening at Incoming Kindergarten Parent Orientation.  The event will start at 6:30 p.m.  The main door will open at 6:15 p.m.  Families will first be able to tour each of the Kindergarten classrooms, followed by a presentation in the upper gym at 7:00 p.m.  Looking forward to it!

 

Fourth graders will participate in our annual 24 Game Tournament on Friday morning.  Good luck to our fourth graders as they showcase their mental math skills!

 

The Hillside PTA is seeking parent volunteers for the 2025-26 school year!  Please see the following links for a Volunteer Interest Sheet and a Class Parent sign up sheet.  Please contact the PTA with any questions at hillsideschoolPTA@gmail.com. Thank you!

1. Volunteer Interest Sheet                                  

2. Class parent Sign Up

 

REMINDER:  School Supply Kits for the 25-26 school year are now available for purchase!  This convenient service saves parents the potential hassle of shopping for school supplies during the summer, especially late August when everyone else is doing it, too!  And, supplies get delivered right to students' classrooms for the first day of school!  Interested families can find information here.  The attached has the itemized supply list for those who would prefer to purchase on their own.  Please note that the purchase window ends June 30th.  Special thanks to the Hillside PTA and School Supply Coordinator, Mrs. Litsky, for coordinating the process with us!

 

REMINDER:  The Livingston High School Chess Club and Team is hosting a "Livingston Community Chess Fair" on Sunday, June 8th.  Information can be found here. 

 

Thank you for reading, and have a great week!

 

Best,

Dr. Gramata

 

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of June 2, 2025

 

Monday, 6-2: Mural Painting w/Mrs. Mondanaro

ASEs: Art & Basketball

 

Tuesday, 6-3: Mural Painting w/Mrs. Mondanaro

GT Music Testing at Hillside

New Chromebook Distribution to Fourth Graders (must bring in old ones!)

PTA's Spring Carnival, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

BOE Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 6-4: Fifth Grade Boat Trip

 

Thursday, 6-5: Student Council School Spirit Day–Sports Day!

GT Art Testing at Hillside

Livingston Public Library Summer Reading Assembly, 10:00 a.m.

Third Grade Instrumental Demonstration Assembly, 1:15 p.m.

Kindergarten Parent Orientation, 6:30 p.m.

 

Friday, 6-6: Fourth Grade 24 Game Tournament

ASEs: Dance & Engineering

 

Week of June 9, 2025

 

Monday, 6-9: Fifth Grader MPMS Orientation w/Mrs. O'Leary at Hillside, 9:00 a.m.

70th Anniversary Time Capsule Ceremony/Service Learning Showcase, 

1:00 p.m.

ASEs: Art & Basketball

 

Tuesday, 6-10: 70th Anniversary Time Capsule Ceremony/Service Learning Showcase, 

1:00 p.m.  RAIN DATE

ASEs: Golf & Science

PTA's Spring Carnival RAIN DATE

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 6-11: Incoming Kindergartener Screening

PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m. (click for Zoom link)

 

Thursday, 6-12: Literacy Celebration Day 1

 

Friday, 6-13: Literacy Celebration Day 2

 

Saturday, 6-14: Flag Day

 

Sunday, 6-15: Happy Father's Day