Hello, Hillside Families!  I hope you are enjoying this first weekend of Spring!

 

We look forward to a great week ahead with our next Caring Communities session and our special guest author visit from Sarah Weeks.  Our GT Art students are also taking a trip to the Newark Art Museum.  Fun!

 

The PTA is offering its last installment of After School Enrichment programs for this year.  Spring ASE information can be found in this flyer.  Note that registration opens tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on a first-come, first serve basis. Thank you!

 

Please see Nurse Lisa's April Health Newsletter here.  It offers some great tips for the Spring season.  Enjoy!

 

Second marking period report cards will be made available to families of students in grades 1-5 via the Genesis Parent Portal on Friday after 4:00 p.m.  As always, questions about report cards should be directed to your children's teachers.  Thank you!

____________________________________________________________________________

REMINDERS from the Hillside PTA:

 

1)  PARENTS NIGHT OUT at the PTA Spring Fundraiser 2025!  The biggest fundraising event of the year will be held on Thursday, May 1st!  In keeping with the year's 70th Anniversary theme, the Hillside PTA invites families and friends to "get into the 70s groove" and enjoy an evening of fun and prizes.  Please see this flyer for information!

 

2)  Hillside Apparel Sale - starting now, the sale will be open indefinitely and you can go on and purchase any Hillside gear anytime you want without worrying about end dates or missing your opportunity!  The apparel sale format has changed and this link https://www.likewear.com/pages/hillside is open for you and your children to peruse and order at your convenience. This flyer contains information about the new apparel sale format.  Thank you!

 

3)  Attention Fifth Grade Families!  New this year is the Fifth Grade "Pick a Day" Fundraiser.  This fundraiser encourages fifth graders to show the pillars of character while raising funds for fifth grade activities.  See this flyer for details, and good luck to our fifth graders!

____________________________________________________________________________

COMMUNITY REMINDERS:

 

REMINDER:  Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 is now open!  If you have an incoming Kindergartener, please see registration information on the district website.  Looking forward to meeting next year's Kindergarten class soon enough!  Thank you!

 

REMINDER:  The Livingston Public Library is hosting a Bookmark/Library Card Design Contest.  Please see this flyer for more information.  

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Thank you and enjoy the week ahead!

 

Best,

Mr. Gramata

 

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of March 24, 2025

 

Wednesday, 3-26: Caring Communities Session 5, 9:45 a.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 3-27: Author Visit: Sarah Weeks

TREP$ Workshop 3, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 3-28: GT Art Trip to Newark Art Museum

Grades 1-5 Second Marking Period Report Cards Available to Families 

after 4:00 p.m.

 

Sunday, 3-30: Eid al-Fitr

 

Week of March 31, 2025

 

Monday, 3-31: Schools Closed in Observance of Eid

 

Tuesday, 4-1: April Fools' Day

Delayed Opening for Students; Staff Professional Development

LYCS Leaders Grade 5, 2:45 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 4-2: Fifth Grade Musical Rehearsal, 1:00 p.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 4, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

All Township Concert, LHS, 6:30 p.m.

 

Thursday, 4-3: LYCS Leaders Grade 3, 2:45 p.m.

TREP$ Workshop 4, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 4-4: First Grade Trip to Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium

PTA's Color Run

 

Week of April 7, 2025

 

Monday, 4-7: All Township Concert, LHS, 6:30 p.m.  SNOW DATE

 

Tuesday, 4-8: Kindergarten Trip to Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

LYCS Leaders Grade 2, 2:45 p.m.

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 4-9: LYCS Leaders Grade 1, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 4-10: TREP$ Workshop 5, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Multilingual Learner Family Night, 7:00 p.m., LHS

 

Saturday, 4-12: Passover

 

Sunday, 4-13: Palm Sunday

 

Week of April 14, 2025

 

Schools Closed for Spring Break

 

Friday, 4-18: Good Friday

 

Sunday, 4-20: Easter and Orthodox Easter

 

Week of April 21, 2025

 

Monday, 4-21: Schools Closed - Unused Snow Day Giveback (tentative; awaiting BOE 

approval)

 

Tuesday, 4-22: Earth Day

PTA's Spring ASEs Begin: Golf & Science

GT Art Show Grades 4-8, 5:30 p.m., Livingston Public Library

 

Wednesday, 4-23: Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 4-24: Take Your Child to Work Day

ASEs: Fitness & Robotics

TREP$ Marketplace!  6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Upper/Lower Gyms at Hillside

 

Friday, 4-25: Student Council Assembly, 1:30 p.m.

ASEs: Dance & Engineering

Color Rain RAIN DATE

Saturday, 4-26: PTA's Earth Day Cleanup at Hillside

Hello, Hillside Families!  I hope you are enjoying the weekend!  

 

At Friday's Student Council Assembly, we were treated to some traditional Irish dance by members of our own staff, including secretary, Mrs. Schroeder, STEAM teacher, Mrs. Szelingowski, teacher, Mrs. Hanna, and instructional aide, Mrs. Keane.  We even had some special guests and competitive dancers join us from a local Irish dance school!  Lots of fun!  At the assembly, we also recognized our next Huskies of the Month for exemplifying the pillar of caring, and awarded Hank and Holly to their new classroom homes, Miss Destro's and Miss Trebbe's classes, respectively.  Congratulations!

 

March is Youth Art Month, and we continue our observance of the month.  The St. Jude's Art Supply Drive ends tomorrow (3-17) and the "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest (March 10-21) continues through Friday.  Please see this flyer for information.  Thanks, in advance, for your support!

 

On Tuesday, we will have our fourth annual Women's Career Day assemblies, featuring some of our very own Hillside moms!  The students and teachers have worked hard to create questions to ask of the panel, and we are grateful to the PTA and staff committees for their efforts!  Moreover, we are thankful to the moms who are volunteering their time to join us and speak about their professions.  We look forward to learning about you!

 

Tuesday is also our next School Spirit Day–Career Dress Up–in support of our assembly.  Students are encouraged to dress up like what they might want to be when they grow up!

 

On the evening of March 19, the district science supervisor, Dr. Gemellaro, and the sixth grade STEMBassadors Club at MPMS are hosting a distrct Science Fun Night for students in grades 2-5 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  Please see this flyer for more information.  

 

The Livingston High School Chess Club is hosting its second annual "Lancer Chess Classic" on Sunday, March 23rd.  This is open to elementary school students, and information can be found here. 

____________________________________________________________________________

REMINDERS from the Hillside PTA:

 

1)  PARENTS NIGHT OUT at the PTA Spring Fundraiser 2025!  The biggest fundraising event of the year will be held on Thursday, May 1st!  In keeping with the year's 70th Anniversary theme, the Hillside PTA invites families and friends to "get into the 70s groove" and enjoy an evening of fun and prizes.  Please see this flyer for information!

 

2)  Hillside Apparel Sale - starting now, the sale will be open indefinitely and you can go on and purchase any Hillside gear anytime you want without worrying about end dates or missing your opportunity!  The apparel sale format has changed and this link https://www.likewear.com/pages/hillside is open for you and your children to peruse and order at your convenience. This flyer contains information about the new apparel sale format.  Thank you!

 

3)  Attention Fifth Grade Families!  New this year is the Fifth Grade "Pick a Day" Fundraiser.  This fundraiser encourages fifth graders to show the pillars of character while raising funds for fifth grade activities.  See this flyer for details, and good luck to our fifth graders!

____________________________________________________________________________

REMINDER:  Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 is now open!  If you have an incoming Kindergartener, please see registration information on the district website.  Looking forward to meeting next year's Kindergarten class soon enough!  Thank you!

 

REMINDER:  The Livingston Public Library is hosting a Bookmark/Library Card Design Contest.  Please see this flyer for more information.  

 

Thanks, and have a great week!

 

Best,

Mr. Gramata

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of March 17, 2025

 

Monday, 3-17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Youth Art Month St. Jude's Art Supply Drive Ends

Second Marking Period Ends, Grades 1-5

ASEs: Art & Golf

 

Tuesday, 3-18: Third Marking Period Begins, Grades 1-5

School Spirit Day-Career Dress Up Day!

Women's Career Day Assemblies, 8:30 & 9:30 a.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 2, 2:45 p.m.

ASEs: Science & Dance

BOE Voting Meeting/Adoption of Tentative Budget, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 3-19: LYCS Leaders Grade 1, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

District Science Fun Night, Grades 2-5, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., MPMS Cafeteria

 

Thursday, 3-20: Fifth Grade Trip to Liberty Science Center

TREP$ Workshop 2, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, 3-21: Youth Art Month "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest Ends

 

Week of March 24, 2025

 

Wednesday, 3-26: Caring Communities Session 5, 9:45 a.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 3-27: Author Visit: Sarah Weeks

TREP$ Workshop 3, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 3-28: GT Art Trip to Newark Art Museum

Grades 1-5 Second Marking Period Report Cards Available to Families 

after 4:00 p.m.

 

Sunday, 3-30: Eid al-Fitr

 

Week of March 31, 2025

 

Monday, 3-31: Schools Closed in Observance of Eid

 

Tuesday, 4-1: April Fools' Day

Delayed Opening for Students; Staff Professional Development

LYCS Leaders Grade 5, 2:45 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 4-2: Fifth Grade Musical Rehearsal, 1:00 p.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 4, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

All Township Concert, LHS, 6:30 p.m.

 

Thursday, 4-3: LYCS Leaders Grade 3, 2:45 p.m.

TREP$ Workshop 4, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 4-4: First Grade Trip to Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium

PTA's Color Run

 

Week of April 7, 2025

 

Monday, 4-7: All Township Concert, LHS, 6:30 p.m.  SNOW DATE

 

Tuesday, 4-8: Kindergarten Trip to Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

LYCS Leaders Grade 2, 2:45 p.m.

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 4-9: LYCS Leaders Grade 1, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 4-10: TREP$ Workshop 5, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Saturday, 4-12: Passover

 

Sunday, 4-13: Palm Sunday

 

Week of April 14, 2025

 

Schools Closed for Spring Break

 

Friday, 4-18: Good Friday

 

Sunday, 4-20: Easter and Orthodox Easter

Hello, Hillside Families!  

 

I hope you are enjoying the weekend!  Don't forget to "spring" your clocks forward one hour!

 

March is Youth Art Month, and we will begin our observance of the month starting this week.  Our wonderful and talented art teacher, Mrs. Mondanaro, has planned a variety of activities, including a St. Jude's Art Supply Drive (March 10-17), a Dress Up Day (March 13), and a "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest (March 10-21), in addition to fun classroom lessons.  Please see this flyer for information about how you can help.  Thanks, in advance, for your support!

 

This week's PTA meeting date has been changed from Wednesday to Thursday at 7:00 p.m.  Please see the calendar below for the Zoom link.  Thank you!

 

We have our next PTA's School Store and monthly Student Council Assembly on Friday.  Looking forward to both!

 

On the evening of March 19, the district science supervisor, Dr. Gemellaro, and the sixth grade STEMBassadors Club at MPMS are hosting a distrct Science Fun Night for students in grades 2-5 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  Please see this flyer for more information.  

 

The Livingston High School Chess Club is hosting its second annual "Lancer Chess Classic" on Sunday, March 23rd.  This is open to elementary school students, and information can be found here. 

 

In staff news, Friday is our grades 3-5 math interventionist, Mrs. King's, last day at Hillside.  We wish her well as she will soon enjoy her growing family.  Congratulations, Mrs. King!

____________________________________________________________________________

REMINDERS from the Hillside PTA:

 

1)  This year, the Hillside PTA is hosting a first-ever Color Fun Run!  The event will take place after school on Friday, April 4.  Details can be found in this flyer.  Note that registration is required and closes on Friday!

 

2)  PARENTS NIGHT OUT at the PTA Spring Fundraiser 2025!  The biggest fundraising event of the year will be held on Thursday, May 1st!  In keeping with the year's 70th Anniversary theme, the Hillside PTA invites families and friends to "get into the 70s groove" and enjoy an evening of fun and prizes.  Please see this flyer for information!

 

3)  Hillside Apparel Sale - starting now, the sale will be open indefinitely and you can go on and purchase any Hillside gear anytime you want without worrying about end dates or missing your opportunity!  The apparel sale format has changed and this link https://www.likewear.com/pages/hillside is open for you and your children to peruse and order at your convenience. This flyer contains information about the new apparel sale format.  Thank you!

 

4)  Attention Fifth Grade Families!  New this year is the Fifth Grade "Pick a Day" Fundraiser.  This fundraiser encourages fifth graders to show the pillars of character while raising funds for fifth grade activities.  See this flyer for details, and good luck to our fifth graders!

____________________________________________________________________________

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 is now open!  If you have an incoming Kindergartener, please see registration information on the district website.  Looking forward to meeting next year's Kindergarten class soon enough!  Thank you!

 

REMINDER:  The Livingston Public Library is hosting a Bookmark/Library Card Design Contest.  Please see this flyer for more information.  

 

Thank you, and enjoy the week ahead!  

 

Best,

Mr. Gramata

 

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of March 10, 2025–Youth Art Month Celebration Week!

 

Monday, 3-10: Youth Art Month St. Jude's Art Supply Drive Begins (ends 3-17)

Youth Art Month "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest Begins

ASEs: Art & Golf

 

Tuesday, 3-11: Student Council Meeting, 11:03 a.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 5, 2:45 p.m.

ASEs: Science & Dance

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 3-12: LYCS Leaders Grade 4, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

Thursday, 3-13: Youth Art Month Dress Up Spirit Day-Healing Through Color-Wear 

Colorful Clothing/Tie-Dye!

TREP$ Workshop 1, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 3, 2:45 p.m.

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

 

Friday, 3-14: Mrs. King's Last Day at Hillside; Congratulations, Mrs. King!

School Store

Student Council Assembly, 1:30 p.m.

 

Week of March 17, 2025

 

Monday, 3-17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Youth Art Month St. Jude's Art Supply Drive Ends

Second Marking Period Ends, Grades 1-5

ASEs: Art & Golf

 

Tuesday, 3-18: Third Marking Period Begins, Grades 1-5

School Spirit Day-Career Dress Up Day!

Women's Career Day Assemblies, 8:30 & 9:30 a.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 2, 2:45 p.m.

ASEs: Science & Dance

BOE Voting Meeting/Adoption of Tentative Budget, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 3-19: LYCS Leaders Grade 1, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

District Science Fun Night, Grades 2-5, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., MPMS Cafeteria

 

Thursday, 3-20: Fifth Grade Trip to Liberty Science Center

TREP$ Workshop 2, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, 3-21: Youth Art Month "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest Ends

 

Week of March 24, 2025

 

Wednesday, 3-26: Caring Communities Session 5, 9:45 a.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 3-27: Author Visit: Sarah Weeks

TREP$ Workshop 2, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Friday, 3-28: GT Art Trip to Newark Art Museum

Grades 1-5 Second Marking Period Report Cards Available to Families 

after 4:00 p.m.

Hello, Hillside Families! 

 

I hope you are having a great weekend!

 

Ramadan began on Friday evening and ends on March 29th.  Ramadan Mubarak to all of our families and friends who observe the holiday!  We wish you all an easy fast and wonderful month.  

 

Since charity is one of the pillars of Ramadan, the PTA's Diversity Celebration Committee is conducting a Toy Collection that begins tomorrow and ends on Friday.  Collected toys will be donated to the Care and Share Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves the underserved in the New Jersey area.  Please see this flyer for information and thank you, in advance, for your support!  

 

Moreover, special thanks to the families who helped to create the video, presentation, and craft about Ramadan/Eid that we will share with students this month.  We are so fortunate to have a family community supportive of the school's diversity, and who are willing to help educate us about their special holidays!

 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are this week.  We have partial days of school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  Student dismissal is at 12:00 PM.  Please note that lunch is not served on partial days, but students are still welcome to bring a healthy snack to school.  Families must ensure that children are picked up on time, so that our teachers can attend their scheduled conferences.  Aftercare and buses will run as usual.  Thank you, in advance!

 

It is also Read Across America Week at Hillside, and a staff-based committee has planned some fun learning activities to celebrate.  This year's anchor text, Speak Up by Miranda Paul, will kick off the week's theme related to speaking up for what is right and advocating for oneself.  Throughout the week, students will explore the idea of using words as a form of empowerment.  Buddy classes will work together to discuss small acts of bravery, and the week will conclude with guest readers from all over the district and community, including Central Office administrators, Board and Town Council members, middle and high school principals, and Livingston Police Chief Marshuetz.  Should be fun!  Throughout the week, we will even have Dress Up Days!  Please see this flyer for information.  Thank you for your support!

 

March is Youth Art Month, and we will begin our observance of the month starting the week of March 10.  Our wonderful and talented art teacher, Mrs. Mondanaro, has planned a variety of activities, including a St. Jude's Art Supply Drive, a Dress Up Day, and a "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest, in addition to fun classroom lessons.  Please see this flyer for information about how you can help.  Thanks, in advance, for your support!

 

This year, the Hillside PTA is hosting a first-ever Color Fun Run!  The event will take place after school on Friday, April 4.  Details can be found in this flyer.  Note that registration is required and closes on Friday!

 

From the PTA:  We have some exciting news about our Hillside Apparel Sale - starting now, the sale will be open indefinitely and you can go on and purchase any Hillside gear anytime you want without worrying about end dates or missing your opportunity!  The apparel sale format has changed and this link https://www.likewear.com/pages/hillside is open for you and your children to peruse and order at your convenience. This flyer contains information about the new apparel sale format.  Thank you!

 

Attention Fifth Grade Families!  New this year is the Fifth Grade "Pick a Day" Fundraiser.  This fundraiser encourages fifth graders to show the pillars of character while raising funds for fifth grade activities.  See this flyer for details, and good luck to our fifth graders!

 

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 is now open!  If you have an incoming Kindergartener, please see registration information on the district website.  Looking forward to meeting next year's Kindergarten class soon enough!  Thank you!

 

The Livingston Public Library is hosting a Bookmark/Library Card Design Contest.  Please see this flyer for more information.  

 

REMINDER:  PTA Spring Fundraiser 2025!  The biggest fundraising event of the year will be held on Thursday, May 1st!  In keeping with the year's 70th Anniversary theme, the Hillside PTA invites families and friends to "get into the 70s groove" and enjoy an evening of fun and prizes.  A flyer with information can be found here.  Family Sponsorship information can be found in this document.  We hope you will join us, and thank you for your anticipated support!

 

Thank you, and enjoy the week ahead! 

 

Best,

Mr. Gramata

 

Click here for the school's online lunch menu!

____________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of March 3, 2025–Read Across America Week!

 

Monday, 3-3: Parent-Teacher Conferences; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Fairness Pillar Unit of Study Begins

Ramadan Toy Drive Begins

Schoolwide Reading Train, 9:45 a.m.

 

Tuesday, 3-4: Parent-Teacher Conferences; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

 

Wednesday, 3-5: Parent-Teacher Conferences; 12:00 PM Dismissal for Students

Ash Wednesday

LHS Jazz Band Performance at Hillside, 10:30 a.m.

 

Friday, 3-7: Guest Reader Day!

Ramadan Toy Drive Ends

 

Sunday, 3-9: Daylight Savings Time Begins

 

Week of March 10, 2025–Youth Art Month Celebration Week!

 

Monday, 3-10: Youth Art Month St. Jude's Art Supply Drive Begins (ends 3-17)

Youth Art Month "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest Begins

ASEs: Art & Golf

 

Tuesday, 3-11: Student Council Meeting, 11:03 a.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 5, 2:45 p.m.

ASEs: Science & Dance

BOE Workshop Meeting, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 3-12: LYCS Leaders Grade 4, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

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

 

Thursday, 3-13: Youth Art Month Dress Up Spirit Day-Dress

TREP$ Workshop 1, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 3, 2:45 p.m.

 

Friday, 3-14: Mrs. King's Last Day at Hillside; Congratulations, Mrs. King!

School Store

Student Council Assembly, 1:30 p.m.

 

Week of March 17, 2025

 

Monday, 3-17: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Youth Art Month St. Jude's Art Supply Drive Begins

Second Marking Period Ends, Grades 1-5

ASEs: Art & Golf

 

Tuesday, 3-18: Third Marking Period Begins, Grades 1-5

School Spirit Day-Career Dress Up Day!

Women's Career Day Assemblies, 8:30 & 9:30 a.m.

LYCS Leaders Grade 2, 2:45 p.m.

ASEs: Science & Dance

BOE Voting Meeting/Adoption of Tentative Budget, 7:00 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 3-19: LYCS Leaders Grade 1, 2:45 p.m.

Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 3-20: Fifth Grade Trip to Liberty Science Center

TREP$ Workshop 2, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

Friday, 3-21: Youth Art Month "Free Little Art Gallery" Contest Ends