Hello, Hillside Families!
Thanks to the Hillside PTA for sponsoring last Thursday's Spring Fundraiser! It was a fun time with great prizes! Congratulations to all winners! Staff basket winners should email Mrs. Schroeder in the main office at jschroeder@livingston.org, so that she can notify teachers, who will reach out to families to coordinate a date/time for the prizes. We ask that families do this by May 9. Prizes will not be redeemable next school year. Thank you!
This week is Staff Appreciation Week, and we celebrate the incredible staff who make our school such a special place. From our dedicated teachers who inspire our children to learn and grow, to the caring support staff who ensure our students' needs are met, I am truly grateful for their tireless efforts. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence are an inspiration to us all. I thank them for going above and beyond each and every day to create a nurturing, enriching environment where our students can thrive. I appreciate them more than words can express, and I encourage families to join me in celebrating the amazing Hillside School staff this week. Thanks to the families who spent time door decorating on Friday, and we look forward to the treats throughout the week and the PTA's Staff Luncheon this Friday!
The New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) continues this week. Third graders did a great job last week and will conclude the assessment on Thursday and Friday. Fourth and fifth graders will begin the assessment this week with the math portion on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. As always, we are confident that our students are well-prepared, and we simply encourage them to try their hardest, do their best, and show what they know! We would appreciate it if families could ensure that students are well-rested for testing days, have a healthy breakfast, and show up to school on time with fully charged computers and wired headphones. Thanks so much!
Please see the next installment or Mr. C.'s "Hank's PE Highlights" here. Thank you, and enjoy!
May is Jewish Heritage Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We know that the PTA's Diversity Celebration Committee has been in touch with families about helping us observe these two heritages. Thank you, in advance, to families who are preparing presentations and activities, and we look forward to continuing celebrating the diversity that makes up our amazing school community!
Note to Kindergarten families: For your planning purposes, the Kindergarten Celebration will take place on Monday, June 16th, at 8:30 a.m. A letter with additional information is forthcoming, but please save the date!
Note to fifth grade families: For your planning purposes, the Moving Up Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 19th, starting at 8:30 a.m. Additional information is forthcoming. The Fifth Grade Clap Out will take place on the last day of school, June 24th, at noon in the front loop. Save these dates!
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REMINDERS from the Hillside PTA:
1) Hillside's Multicultural Night will take place on May 15th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Please come to enjoy the performances, displays, and tasty cuisines that represent our amazing school. If you would like to showcase a country, please submit your registration forms by May 5th. Please see additional information and the registration form here. Thank you!
2) Note from the PTA Yearbook Committee: We are very excited to announce that it is time to place your 2024-2025 Hillside Elementary Yearbook orders!!! Order by using this link: Yearbook Link. If you'd like to include a special message/dedication in this year's yearbook, please see this link.
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! ____________________________________________________________________________
In staff news…
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Math interventionist, Mrs. King, had a healthy baby girl, Adelaide Mary, on March 28th. Congratulations to the King family!
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Our Speech & Language Pathologist, Mrs. Bacon, had her baby boy, Brody Arlo, earlier than expected on April 27th. Thankfully, the baby and mom are doing well. Congratulations to the Bacon family!
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Mr. Jose Sendon is no longer the head custodian at Hillside School. I know he enjoyed his three years at the school and wishes families well.
In personal news, I am pleased to announce that I successfully defended my dissertation this past Tuesday afternoon, bringing three years of coursework, research, and writing to a close. The experience was fulfilling, and I look forward to formally graduating in a couple of weeks! 😀
Thank you for reading, and enjoy the week ahead! Happy Cinco de Mayo to all who are celebrating tomorrow!
Best,
Dr. Gramata (that's going to take some getting used to!)
Click here for the school's online lunch menu!
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Upcoming Dates to Remember!
Week of May 5, 2025–Staff Appreciation Week!
Monday, 5-5: ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
NJSLA Grades 4 & 5 Math, Day 1
ASEs: Art & Basketball
Tuesday, 5-6: NJSLA Grades 4 & 5 Math, Day 2
ASEs: Golf & Science
LYCS Leaders Grade 5, 2:45 p.m.
BOE Executive Meeting on Personnel, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 5-7: NJSLA Grades 4 & 5 Math, Day 3
Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.
LYCS Leaders Grade 4, 2:45 p.m.
Thursday, 5-8: NJSLA Grade 3 ELA, Day 1
ASEs: Robotics & Fitness
LYCS Leaders Grade 3, 2:45 p.m.
Friday, 5-9: NJSLA Grade 3 ELA, Day 2
PTA Staff Appreciation Luncheon
ASEs: Dance & Engineering
Sunday, 5-11: Happy Mother's Day!
Week of May 12, 2025
Monday, 5-12: NJSLA Grades 4 & 5 ELA, Day 1
Parent Class Placement Surveys Due
Hillside Band Rehearsal w/Composer, Patrick J. Burns, 1:15 p.m.
ASEs: Art & Basketball
Tuesday, 5-13: NJSLA Grades 4 & 5 ELA, Day 2
Second Grade Trip to Great Swamp/Raptor Trust (Williams/Gursky)
ASEs: Golf & Science
LYCS Leaders Grade 2, 2:45 p.m.
BOE Workshop/Voting Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 5-14: Second Grade Trip to Great Swamp/Raptor Trust (Hazelcorn/Campbell)
LYCS Leaders Grade 1, 2:45 p.m.
Fifth Grade Musical Practice, 2:45 p.m.
PTA Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, 5-15: Fifth Grade Musical Rehearsal, 1:00 p.m.
ASEs: Robotics & Fitness
Hillside's Multicultural Night, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
District Art Show, 6:00 p.m., Livingston Community Center
Friday, 5-16: School Store
ASEs: Dance & Engineering
If you are interested in subscription bus service for the 2025/2025 school year, please read: LPS Subscription Bus Service 2025/2026.
Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year will open on January 15, 2025 FOR CURRENT LIVINGSTON RESIDENTS ONLY. All registration will be done via our online registration portal. Children must be 5 years old on or before October 1, 2025 to register for kindergarten. LEARN MORE ...