Hillcrest Academy South Campus

This June students finished strong with attending school and completing coursework through June 21st. I think back on the year and remember many good times and laughter with students, families, and staff. I look forward to seeing all students who are returning in September and wish only the best for all HAS students graduating with their Elizabeth Academies!

• June 6 Senior Recognition & Awards Ceremony

• June 7 Career Day

• June 13 Senior Trip

• June 17 Last Full Day of School

• June 17 LGBTQ+ Movie Incentive Day

• June 18-21 End of School BBQ

• June 21 Last Day of 23-24 School Year!

Congratulations to our Student of the Month for April, Alondra! When asked about her work ethic, her teachers replied;

• Extremely dedicated to her school work
• Very kind and very respectful
• Always polite
• Willing to work hard

Congratulations to our Student of the Year, Nathan! He has excelled in all aspects of his senior year; academics, attendance, and conduct. Nathan is looking to enlist in the US Airforce and we wish him the best of luck!

Dr Balsamello has been with UCESC for the past 21 years. He first started his career as a teacher at the SCESC before coming to the Commission. His first two years at UCESC were as a Supervisor of Instruction at Centennial High School then he became the principal of HAS. Some interesting facts about Dr B... When he himself was in high school, and in college, he played trumpet. Dr B has been married since 2002. Dr B has stated that one of his many achievements is that he received a 3rd Dan (Black Belt) in Taekwondo. Martial arts is his family's activity of choice as his father received a 4th Dan and his daughter a 1st Dan.

Mrs D'Emilio has been very busy with end of the school year protocols. She planned our Senior Recognition & Awards Night ceremony where seniors and underclassmen who won awards were celebrated for all of their hard work this year. She also helped with our end of the year bbq by organizing, ordering supplies, and physically helping with the distribution of food. When Mrs D'Emilio is not helping the students, She is working diligently with the staff behind the scenes. She is making sure teachers' end of year orders are in on time and that any assistance we need is available.

As the school year nears an end, we are happy to report that ALL seniors at Hillcrest Academy South had their learning portfolios approved by the State! Thanks to their hard work, as well as the efforts of Ms. Cioffi, Ms. Fern, Mrs. Ferrari and Ms. Vlastaras, these students were able to reach their benchmark targets in English and Math. A database of their work has been developed as proof of their achievements. Next stop, graduation!

This year's Awards Night was extra special because it was the first one we've had since 2019. First it was the pandemic and then last year the Canadian Wild Fires that caused this ceremony to be canceled or shifted to a school luncheon. Seniors, underclassmen who won awards, and their families came to celebrate. Students received their awards and certificates while dining with family, faculty, and staff in celebration for all their accomplishments from the year.

Mrs Schulhafer planned and executed an extremely successful Career Day. With the help of faculty and staff, students met individuals from many different fields such as law enforcement, military, technology, medical, banking, airlines (flight attendant), construction, mechanics, entrepreneurship, etc. It was so successful that a few students during their down time that same day, looked up and researched these professions and applied for available opportunities!

For the month of June, we focused on the SEL themes of diversity and celebrating different perspectives. These themes were perfect with this also being LGBTQ+ month. During this month, as we have done with all other themed months, we made sure that our students who celebrate Pride Month are seen and understand that they are loved. For those who do not celebrate, we used this month as a means of education and understanding.

Every year to honor our seniors, they are treated to their own trip where they can celebrate the promise of graduation. Whether they were here for 4+ years or less, our seniors are always shown they are welcomed, celebrated, and always loved here at HAS and they will be missed dearly. This year's trip was to a hibachi buffet where they had their own private room and got a chance to reminisce, have fun, and eat to their hearts' content.

Congratulations to Alex L. & Giselle V. who were recipients for the UCESF Outstanding Scholarships that will assist paying for college.

Yearbook distribution is always the highlight of June. Students get the chance to see memories from the past year and the seniors run around trying to get as many signatures as possible before graduation. Students and staff get to relive, through these books, the growth of the year and how things have changed in these short 10 months.

The last week of school is a very momentous occasion; it marks the completion of a 10 month school year. Here at HAS we take that last week to relax and celebrate all the accomplishments of the school year by having a bbq! Hamburgers, hotdogs, and side dishes were plentiful for our students, faculty, and staff to enjoy while enjoying the hot summer weather (or the ice cold air conditioning based on preference). A big thank you to Mr Barone and Mrs Flores for grilling and to those faculty who brought in extra sides like Mrs W's delicious mac and cheese and Mrs Fern's famous tres leches cake!

We are very proud of our Senior class. Some of our seniors are ready and have registered for college courses in the fall. Some of our seniors already have lucrative jobs lined up and waiting for them to get that coveted high school diploma. Some of our seniors are enlisting into the armed forces with Marines and Airforce already listed. Either way, the administration, faculty, and staff here at HAS wish all of our graduates the best of luck! We will miss you!

This month's newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Anthony C. We love and miss you!

Hillcrest Academy South is an alternative high school for students from the Elizabeth Public School District. Students are referred to HAS by their Elizabeth Academy guidance counselor and administration for an interview at HAS. We provide a small educational learning setting with opportunities to make up courses through our Credit Retrieval Program in a caring environment in order to meet Elizabeth’s graduation requirements.

Website: www.ucesc.org

Instagram: ucesc_has

Facebook: Hillcrest Academy South
Location: 1571 Lamberts Mill Road, Westfield, NJ, USA-Door 3B
Phone: 908-233-9317