Hello, Hillside Families! 

 

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

 

The Scholastic Book Fair was a great success and we appreciate your support of it.  Special thanks to the PTA's parent coordinators and all of the volunteers for their leadership and assistance!  I'm excited to announce these Coin Drive updates:

• We raised over $2,000 in coins as a school!  These funds were used to purchase books for our own classrooms.  Scholastic will match the collection and donate to a school in need.  Thanks so much for your support!

• Second grade rounded out both the first and second place winner spots in the drive.  Miss Pizzi's/Mrs. Hinds' second grade class took first place and will get a pizza party with yours truly (I love pizza and our second graders, so I can't wait!)  Mrs. Levine's second grade class took second and will enjoy a PJ Day with some popcorn and other goodies.  Congratulations to both classes!

The Hillside Online Scholastic Book Fair continues through April 2. Any books ordered through the link that follows until then will count towards our total funds raised. If anyone still has E-Wallet money that was not spent at the Book Fair last week, and would like to use it online, you can do so and there will not be a delivery charge if the order is placed by April 2. If the E-Wallet money is not used, it will carry over for next year.

Kids Books, Books for Children | The Scholastic Parent Store

 

Second marking period report cards for students in grades 1-5 were made available through the Genesis Parent Portal on Friday.  Families are encouraged to review their children's report cards as soon as possible.  Any questions regarding them should be directed to teachers.  Thank you!

 

We look forward to our second-annual Women's Career Day assemblies on Tuesday morning.  The PTA has recruited some of our own amazing Hillside moms to come and share about their careers and work/life experiences.  We are very excited for the assemblies and are grateful to each of the panelists for sharing their time with us.  Special thanks to the PTA's Diversity Celebration Committee and fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Gribbon, for coordinating and preparing this experience for our students!

 

We also have our next Student Council School Spirit Day on Tuesday.  It's Career Day!  Students are encouraged to come to school dressed like what they want to be when they grow up.  If they aren't sure, we always welcome Hillside gear or school colors!  Thank you for your support!

 

On Tuesday evening, we have our annual Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) Meeting.  This meeting is by invitation only and begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Hillside School Library.  The main entrance will open for guests at 6:50 p.m.

 

Hillside has Spring Photos scheduled for Thursday, March 30.  Information was already sent home with students.  This is a great opportunity for the many new families to Hillside since the last Picture Day to capture memories and ensure that students have photos for the yearbook.  We will also take any outstanding student group photos, like Peer Mediators and TREPS, on this day.  

 

We have our monthly School Store on Friday.  Students wishing to shop will do so during their recess periods.  Parents should send funds in envelopes/baggies marked with student names (especially for our younger students). Thank you!

 

Thanks so much to all who have already donated to our Ramadan Toy Drive!  The collection continues through this Friday, and collection boxes can be found outside of door 9.  Students can also bring donations to school.

 

Registration information for Hank's Art Club for students in Kindergarten and first grade will be made available via email on Monday at about 10:00 a.m.  Please note that registration is limited to 20 on a first-come, first-serve basis.  We will not make exceptions.  Thank you, in advance, for understanding!  

 

Another call for incoming Kindergarten Huskies!  The district is currently accepting registrations for incoming Kindergarten students for next school year.  Information can be found here.  Please note that in order to be notified about school placement by June 1, registration must take place by May 15.  Thank you!

 

In staff news, Mrs. Hinds returns to Hillside on Monday and will assume teaching responsibilities for Miss Pizzi's second grade class.  Miss Pizz's last day with us is Tuesday.  We welcome back Mrs. Hinds and thank Miss Pizzi for her time spent at Hillside and wish her well on future endeavors.  Additionally, instructional aide Miss Keane, will spend her last day at Hillside on Wednesday.  She is leaving to pursue another opportunity associated with her field of choice. We thank Miss Keane for her time with us and wish her well, too!

 

Note from the PTA Yearbook Committee: 

 

We are very excited to announce that it is time to place your 2022-2023 Hillside Elementary Yearbook orders!!!  Order by April 30, 2023 using this link: 

https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=101565891156127 

 

Please note, you also have an opportunity to create and purchase yearbook messages to acknowledge and congratulate students, teachers, administrators, and staff for an amazing year.  Your message will appear in the back of the yearbook.  Use the link below to create and purchase a yearbook message:-

https://hillsideschoolpta.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/226193

  

NOTE FOR PARENTS of 5th GRADERS: 5th graders will receive a yearbook for free as a graduation gift from the PTA. Please remember you do NOT have to order a yearbook for your 5th grader, but you may choose to purchase additional copies for siblings. 

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REMINDERS:

1)  Ramadan begins this Wednesday and ends on April 21.  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 on Wednesday and ends on Friday, March 31.  Collected toys will be donated to Artists, Athletes, Activists, a non-profit organization that serves the underserved in the NYC area.  Please see this flyer for information and thank you, in advance, for your support!

 

2)  The PTA's Spring Fling is almost here! On May 11th, from 6pm to 8pm at The Hanover Manor, Hillside PTA is hosting its biggest fundraiser of the year. It's a fun event that both Hillside parents and staff enjoy attending! There will be dinner, drinks and baskets filled with prizes to bid on. Tickets are on sale now! Early bird prices are available until April 11th. Please see the flyer attached for information and registration link. If you are interested in reserving a table for 10 people please email Nusrat Vastani nusvastani@gmail.com to reserve your table. This is a fun night out, we hope to see you there! 

 

3)  Livingston Public Schools is, once again, offering a Summer Academy with enrichment opportunities for students.  Information about the academy can be found in this document.  

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Thank you for reading, have a wonderful week ahead, and a wonderful Spring Break!  Happy Passover and Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

 

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 Twitter at @Hillside_Elem!

 

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Upcoming Dates to Remember!

 

Week of March 27, 2023

 

Monday, 3-27: Mrs. Hinds Returns to Hillside; Welcome back, Mrs.Hinds!

 

Tuesday, 3-28: Ms. Pizzi's Last Day at Hillside; Thank you, Ms. Pizzi!

Student Council School Spirit Day–Career Day Dress Up!

Women's Career Day Assemblies, AM

Hank's Art Club, Grade 3, 2:40 - 3:40 p.m.

Hillside SEPAC Meeting (by invitation only), 7:00 p.m., Library

 

Wednesday, 3-29: Hank's Art Club, Grade 2, 2:40 - 3:40 p.m.

 

Thursday, 3-30: Spring Photos

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

 

Friday, 3-31: Ramadan Toy Drive Ends

School Store

 

Saturday, 4-1: April Fool's Day!

 

Sunday, 4-2: Palm Sunday

 

Week of April 3, 2023

 

Schools Closed for Spring Break!  Happy Passover!  Happy Easter!

 

Week of April 10, 2023

Monday, 4-10: Schools Closed for Students; Staff In-Service

 

Tuesday, 4-11: Spring After School Enrichment Classes Begin

Hank's Art Club, Kindergarten, 2:40 - 3:45 p.m.

 

Wednesday, 4-12: Hank's Art Club, First Grade, 2:40 - 3:45 p.m.

 

Thursday, 4-13: TREP$ Workshop 4, 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.

District ESL Parent Night, 7:00 p.m., LHS Media Center

 

Friday, 4-14: Student Council Assembly, PM

PTA After School Bake Sale

 

Sunday, 4-16: Orthodox Easter