It has been a treat to be able to walk the halls of Hillside again and hear classrooms in action. We are settling into our school days, though they are not exactly as we would like them to be...yet. Teachers, administrators, and support staff are all awaiting the day we can all be back together again; until then, we are adjusting to the "new normal."

Parents, we are two weeks into the school year and our YELLOW schedule. Each day is better than the one before. We are working hard to get the word out about WebEx, schedules, and assignments. When your student is not physically at school (for those attending), then he or she should be logging in for instruction on the other two full days and adhering to whatever schedule you have received from the classroom teacher. All students should log in on Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m. for an SEL lesson. Students who are fully remote learners should be logging in daily to receive instruction and do assignments (Wednesdays are Social-Emotional Learning for all).

While we are in YELLOW mode, this is the plan. Please know we understand there might be occasions your student misses logging in for instruction and assignments. If this is a pattern, you will receive communication from Hillside! We care about each and every student, and we want to make sure our Hillside tigers are working hard and learning as best they can!

It continues to be a privilege to serve as principal of Hillside. Please let us know how we can serve you.

Cynthia Bailey, Principal

Even though your student is learning from home, they are still students in attendance at Hillside. If your student will be missing the eLearning for the day, PLEASE call the office! You should also email the classroom teacher to let him or her know. Thanks for helping us keep our students engaged in school and working hard!

Remember: September 7 is coming up soon. There will be no school for students on Labor Day.

Specials teachers (art, P.E., music, library) would like you to have some information about the schedule for students in those subject areas:

During YELLOW, all elementary students, whether extended or on-campus, get 2 specials every week (music/pe OR art/library). Extended campus students only log in on Thursday and Friday. They match whatever the in-class students are doing (for example, students will join music on Thurs and PE on Fri during week 1 and then go to art and library during week 2). Extended Campus students can absolutely check out the optional enrichment we have listed under their grade level special! It is still a work in progress for most of the specials teachers, since the app was new shortly before school started. Specials teachers are still working out kinks. As for Mon-Wed, specials can be at parent's or student's discretion. There is nothing specifically assigned those days.

However, if parents want a more concrete plan on the days when students are at home, here is a possible SAMPLE schedule. Make sure you are looking for Group A or B OR Extended Campus.

YELLOW Week 1 - A Group

Mon - In person Art

Tue - In person Library

Wed - student choice

Thur - optional enrichment Music from specials app

Fri - optional enrichment PE from specials app

YELLOW Week 2 - A Group

Mon - In person Music

Tue - In person PE

Wed - student choice

Thur - optional enrichment Art from specials app

Fri - optional enrichment Library from specials app

YELLOW Week 1 - B Group/Extended Campus

Mon - optional enrichment Art from specials app

Tue - optional enrichment Library from specials app

Wed - student choice

Thur - In person OR Webex in to Music

Fri - In person OR Webex in to PE

YELLOW Week 2 - B Group/Extended Campus

Mon - optional enrichment Music from specials app

Tue - optional enrichment PE from specials app

Wed - student choice

Thur - In person OR Webex in to Art

Fri - In person OR Webex in to Library

We hope this helps you to understand our Extended Campus schedule more fully. Please continue contacting your teacher with any questions you may have about the schedule.

Hello! At this point in the school year, your student should have attended each specials class at least one time. If you missed a class, please don't worry about it! We are all getting used to the schedule and figuring out where to go and when.

In library class, students were set up on their MackinVia app. Here is a link on how to get students signed into the app once they have it downloaded from the Manager.

In Art class, students were to reinstall or update their Artsonia app. Once this is done, students can find the QR code in the inside cover of their yellow art sketchbook.

Hello parents and 5th grade students! We were so excited to see all of you this week either online or in class to talk to you about joining the band or strings class this year. As promised, you will find below a link to our Virtual Recruitment Video. So sit back, relax, and even grab a snack to watch our fun video! When you are done, have your parent/guardian fill out the Sign Up Google Form to join the band or strings program. We can't wait to work with each of you!

Watch HERE: https://youtu.be/SQEKyAD32YY

Sign Up HERE: https://forms.gle/BWw2Na6FPtXqu4Ey7

Musically, Mr. Freeman (band) and Mrs. Matheson (strings)

Need support with technology? We have a site for that! Click the button below to access the Westside Parent Tech Support site.