"Education is the movement from darkness to light." — Allan Bloom

Greetings Hornets!

This week finalizes Q1 for all students. Please make sure that students’ grades are accurate and that we have logged al grades in PowerSchool. Below are some updates as it relates to this week.

-Please be advised that we have a lockdown DRILL scheduled for tomorrow. Let’s make a more intentional effort to take this drill more seriously across the building than what was presented during the lockdown.

-Please see the weekly message provided to parents about updates for College Application Week. It is in your inbox.

-Consider and reflect on what best practices were employed in classrooms in Q1 that were not as effective for your students and yourself. Should there be a need to reinforce norms and expectations (social contracts/agreements) now would be a great time to reset.

-Special Thanks to Mr. Carrera, Ms. Henderson, Mr. Benkwith, Ms. Davis, and 1Sgt. Matthews for helping to provide a great showing to Congresswoman Valerie Foushee last week! She was very impressed by Hillside and how our students represented.

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow! Let's have an amazing week!

Hornet Pride!

Free College Application Week starts tomorrow. Students must have a CFNC account and complete the RDS to submit applications for free. Students can sign up for support sessions on Canvas. Please see Mr. Carrera for additional information.

Monday, October 21- "Dream Career Day"

• Lockdown drill @ 11am

Tuesday, October 22- "Dress for Success Day"

• Nesting Day

• Flag Football: Girls Varsity vs. Riverside @ Jordan 5:00 pm

• Soccer Boys: JV & Varsity vs. East Chapel Hill @ HHS 5:00pm & 6:45pm

Wednesday, October 23- "Dream College Day"

Thursday, October 24- "HBCU/ Greek Day"

• Soccer Boys: JV & Varsity vs. Chapel Hill @HHS 5:00pm & 6:45pm

• JV Football Game: HHS vs. Chapel Hill @ HHS 6:00 pm

Friday, October 25

• Teacher Workday and Q1 Ends.

• Varsity Football Game: HHS vs. Chapel Hill @ Chapel Hill 7:00 pm

Supervision Duties for the week 10/21/24 is the following:

Morning & Afternoon Duty---Week 9

Lunch Duty--- C Week

Our Good News Referral program is designed to recognize students who exemplify our PBIS tenets and core values at Hillside High School. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate those students who go above and beyond in their behavior and contributions to our school community.

Please take a moment to recommend students for Good News Referrals using the link below. We want to highlight those who perform exceptionally in the identified areas, encouraging positive behavior that aligns with our expectations as Hornets.

Remember, our goal is not to recognize students merely for meeting expectations but to shine a light on those who truly stand out and demonstrate exemplary behavior. Let’s work together to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our students and foster a positive school culture!

We're excited about the upcoming Practice ACT on October 26! Currently, 82 students are registered, but our goal is to reach at least 150 juniors.

How You Can Help:

• Highlight the Benefits: Remind students how the Practice ACT boosts their confidence and prepares them for the real test.
• Promote Registration: Encourage them to sign up and share the registration link.
• Incentivize Participation: Consider friendly competitions or rewards for those who register.

Incentives for Participation:
To encourage participation, students who take the practice test in person on October 26 and January 25 will receive a 100-bonus product grade. If students complete the practice test at home, they will earn a 100-bonus process grade. They can register for both exams NOW!

Please share the flyer with students below. Let’s work together to motivate our juniors! If you have questions or need materials, please reach out to Ms. Reid

Congratulations to Mr. Jones and The Immortal Sting Marching Band! Over the weekend, they competed at the E.E. Smith Gotham City Invitational in Fayetteville, NC, in Class 4A, and our talented students brought home several impressive awards:

• 3rd Place in Class 4A
• 2nd Place in Flag
• 3rd Place in General Effect
• 1st Place in Dance
• 3rd Place in Marching and Maneuvering
• 1st Place Majorette Overall (Perfect Score)

Mr. Jones has worked tirelessly to guide and inspire our band members, and his dedication is truly reflected in their achievements. Please join me in congratulating him on his outstanding leadership. 🎉

Welcome to our new team members at Hillside High School! We're thrilled to have Shilpa Agarkar joining us as a Math teacher, Heather Klausner joining us as a Technical Theater teacher, along with Brandon Henderson and Rosalyn Smith as our new EC Instructional Assistants. Your dedication and skills will be a great addition to our school community.

We also want to extend a big congratulations to Najee Reams on his transfer to the EC-OCS teacher position. We’re excited to see all that you’ll accomplish in this new role! Please join us in giving them all a warm Hillside welcome!

October is Principal Appreciation Month, a perfect opportunity for us to express our gratitude for Principal Joshua Mallory. Principal Mallory has already made a significant impact with his fresh perspective and commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. His dedication to our students’ success and his encouragement of innovative teaching practices inspires us all.

Let’s take this opportunity to thank him for his enthusiasm and vision, and to show our appreciation for his leadership. Make sure you let him know how much we value his contributions to our school!

Make sure to check out the district newsletters for your specific content area! These newsletters are a great way to stay updated on important news, upcoming events, professional development opportunities, and resources tailored to your field. Don’t miss out on valuable information to support your growth and success in the classroom. Keep an eye on your inbox or visit the district website to access the latest editions!

We are excited to share an update on the progress of our new stadium gate! The construction is moving along, and we are eager to see the beautiful entrance completed soon. The gate, which will proudly feature the Hillside Hornets logo, symbolizes our school spirit and community pride. It will also include naming rights plaques, sponsor bricks, and mezzanine recognition plaques, making it a truly inspiring and welcoming entry point for everyone who visits our campus.

Stay tuned for more details about the official opening ceremony, scheduled for October! We would love to have all staff join us in celebrating this new addition to our school. Together, let’s mark the beginning of an exciting new era for our stadium.

Keep an eye out for more information on how we will celebrate this wonderful addition and show our Hornet pride! We look forward to seeing you at the ceremony. Go Hornets!

This remarkable addition not only enhances our campus but also serves as a lasting symbol of our school spirit and community pride. But the celebration doesn't stop there—you can be a part of this legacy! We are offering staff an opportunity to contribute to the project through our "Buy A Brick" fundraiser. By purchasing a personalized brick, you can leave your mark on Hillside High School and support the construction of this iconic gate.

Bricks are available in three sizes:

• 4” x 8” Brick – $150
• 8” x 8” Brick – $250
• 12” x 12” Brick – $500

Each brick can be customized with your name, a special message, or even a symbol that represents your connection to Hillside High School. These bricks will be proudly displayed as part of the walkway leading to our new stadium gate.

If you're interested in purchasing a customized brick and becoming a permanent part of our school’s history, please contact Coach Grays for more details. Your support will not only enhance our facilities but also contribute to the continued success of our Hornets!

Let’s come together to support this exciting project and make our stadium a place where memories are made and legacies are honored. Go Hornets!

We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the insights from the recent video. It highlights the importance of understanding our students' perspectives and the challenges they face daily. As we consider how to engage our students more effectively, let’s think about the strategies we can implement in our classrooms to foster deeper connections and active participation.

The video also emphasizes the critical role of support systems; how can we enhance our support for students who may be struggling? Additionally, it prompts us to promote a growth mindset—not just among our students but also within ourselves as educators. Building a strong classroom community is vital, and we should explore ways to strengthen collaboration among students.

Points to Ponder

• Understanding Student Perspectives: The video highlights the importance of seeing the world through our students' eyes. How can we better empathize with their experiences and challenges?
• Engagement Strategies: Consider the methods presented for engaging students. What strategies can we implement in our classrooms to foster deeper connections and active participation?
• The Role of Support: Reflect on the impact of support systems for students. How can we enhance our support for those who may be struggling?
• Promoting a Growth Mindset: The video emphasizes resilience and growth. How can we encourage a growth mindset among our students and within ourselves as educators?
• Collaboration and Community: The importance of building a strong classroom community is underscored. What steps can we take to strengthen collaboration among students?
• Continuous Learning: How can we, as educators, commit to our own continuous learning to better serve our students and adapt to their needs?

...........From the Principal's Desk

Date of edition: 10/21/24