- Hillside Elementary School
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December 19, 2021
Posted by Carlos Gramata on 12/19/2021
Hello, Hillside Families!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It's hard to believe we have just four school days left in 2021!
We have our next Student Council Assembly scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Our amazing Student Council advisors and representatives will hold two separate, but simultaneous, assemblies in our gyms to ensure that we can still have them in person, but with a safe physical distance from others. This is a first for us, but we are excited and look forward to a fun time! Tomorrow is also a school spirit day, so please have your children wear school spirit gear or colors (blue and yellow/gold). Thanks so much!
The winner of the PTA's 50-50 Raffle will be announced after school tomorrow near the pillar doors. Thanks to all who supported this fundraiser and best of luck to you!
On Thursday of this week, we have our next Caring Communities session. The lesson for this session will be focused on worldly winter celebrations, namely Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, among others. The goal will be to continue fostering an appreciation of and respect for others by learning about and drawing comparisons between these celebrations and our own. Special thanks to the Caring Communities Committee, which is made up of staff members, who took the time to plan and prepare this lesson. Much appreciated!
Also on Thursday is our next Student Council School Spirit Day. Students are encouraged to wear their ugliest of sweaters, so we can show them off in our Caring Communities groups!
We have a partial day of school on Thursday. Students will dismiss at 12:00 p.m. Lunch is not scheduled on partial days of school, but students should still bring a snack to school, as always.
In light of the recent news and threats of school violence, I want families to know that Hillside School always takes school security seriously. The NJ Department of Education requires monthly security drills. In practice, we exceed the required number of drills yearly and are diligent about holding these drills with fidelity to our procedures, which are informed by local authorities. Moreover, a police officer is present for all of our monthly lockdown drills to help evaluate and inform our practices. We are well-rehearsed and go about our daily school lives with consistent vigilance. Staff is aware and attentive, and active in ensuring that we do what we can to keep our school secure, and our students and one another safe.
Please see the following section for reminder messages from prior weekly newsletters.
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REMINDER MESSAGES
1) Hillside School is supporting the Livingston Rotary Club's collection of gently used sneakers. The collection will take place through December 20 and a box will be available for collection near the pillar doors. Please see this flyer for additional information. Thank you!
2) Notes regarding extended absences and changes to daily dismissal:
- Extended Absences: While there may be instances during the school year when it is necessary for students to be out of school for extended periods of time (e.g., trips), the school cannot condone these absences and they will be unexcused. Families who find it necessary to pull their children out of school should carefully consider the school calendar and do so prudently. Families are advised that teachers are not obligated to provide any work in advance, as thoughtful instructional planning happens from week to week, but will do their best to make up any missed major concepts when students return. Families considering such absences should contact their children's teachers and the main office in advance as much as possible, and should be aware that any absences that exceed 10 consecutive school days may result in withdrawal from the school's roll. Thank you!
- Daily Dismissal: It is important that any daily changes to student dismissal are communicated to both your children's teachers and the main office at 973-535-8000, ext. 8151. Without advance notice, we will dismiss students according to the plan in the Genesis Portal. To the extent possible, we kindly ask that parents avoid making changes after 2:15 p.m. Thanks so much!
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Regarding lunch ordering, lunch orders can no longer be placed for this upcoming week. Lunch orders for January can now be placed. The January lunch menu can be found here.
As we close out this calendar year, I want to thank families for their continued support and understanding as we forge ahead in these unpredictable times. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to lead such an amazing school community, and have very high hopes for 2022!
Have a wonderful holiday season if you celebrate, a restful break and fun time off with your children, and best wishes to all for the new year!
Best regards,
Mr. Gramata
P.S. All of my messages are posted on the school's site under "Principal's Messages" for easy future reference.
P.P.S. Please be sure to review the calendar below with each new message as events/activities are sometimes added, deleted and/or changed.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember!
Week of December 20, 2021
Monday, 12-20: PTA's 50/50 Raffle Winner Announced!
Student Council School Spirit Day–Wear School Gear or Colors!
Student Council Assembly, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, 12-23: Partial Day for Students; 12:00 p.m. Dismissal
Student Council School Spirit Day--Ugly Sweaters!
Caring Communities Session 2, 9:45 a.m.
Friday, 12-24: Christmas Eve, Schools Closed
Saturday, 12-25: Merry Christmas!
Sunday, 12-26: Happy Kwanzaa!
Week of December 27, 2021
Schools Closed for Holiday Break! Happy New Year!
Week of January 3, 2022
Monday, 1-3: Schools Back in Session!
Tuesday, 1-4: BOE Re-organization Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
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