Statement of Hillside’s Philosophy for Online School in 2020
Hillside is an educational institution, and we understand that education is not limited to academic knowledge or what ends up on a transcript. Education is also self-knowledge, and we are all learning about ourselves during this time. As a school, we care about the students as people as well as scholars, and are trying to build support and comfort into our online classes along with content knowledge. Based on recommendations from the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, we have implemented shorter class times and flexible grading options to help the students who are having a tough time learning virtually, while maintaining challenging options and assignments for those who have adapted more easily. Please be in touch with us with your feedback about learning during this time, as we want to make sure we are still helping support each student as they discover and explore their gifts.
What’s Happening at Hillside
Spotlight On…
Unlike many schools which do fundraising events like auctions, Hillside limits our fundraising to a few campaigns a year. The first week in may marks one such fundraiser, GiveBIG!
GiveBIG Washington is organized by 501 Commons, a 501c3 charitable organization. This event is open to IRS tax-exempt organizations serving and headquartered in Washington State. This year’s GiveBIG opens for early giving on April 15 and runs through GivingTuesdayNow and GiveBIG Day on May 5-6, 2020.
Based on feedback from parents, Hillside has scheduled a Zoom meeting with a family counselor. She will share a short presentation about parenting in this challenging time and share resources. Then we will open things up to a Q&A. If you have questions ahead of time that you would like her to address, feel free to email them toSigrid. For the actual event, we will send out a Zoom meeting invitation on Monday. Any Hillside parents are welcome. Please no students, as we want to be able to keep it an adult space only space. To learn more about Sarah, visit her website at https://www.sarahodellcounseling.com/about-sara.
Teachers Appreciation Week May 4-8
(from pta.org) Get emoji-tional with us and #ThankATeacher during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, 2020!
Teachers change the lives of millions of children every day—their immense work and impact moves us beyond words, so we need emojis to say how we feel. And with the abrupt end to the physical school year, our teachers have done even more to continue education with virtual classrooms and learning at home lessons. All to ensure every student has the tools they need to reach their full potential.
So, let’s all shower teachers in appreciation and share how we love (❤️) like (👍), celebrate (🎉) and care for (😍) our teachers!
It’s in these challenging times that we truly recognize and appreciate how our nation’s educators play such a pivotal role in our children’s lives—inspiring a lifelong love of learning and discovery and making a difference in their well-being and long-term success.
On May 16th Hillside will bend the rules of time and space to bring notably historical figures to life and together for the annual History Feast! This year will feature persons from American History, so we recommend you get your favorite American food to eat while you watch! Keep an eye on your email for further information.
Open House from our houses!
On Thursday, May 21st, we will hold our second digital Open House via Zoom. Please pass the information along to parents and families who are exploring their education options. We will send out the link to join as the event gets closer.
Grimm Tales
(from Jean)
For Hillside, with its celebrated art and drama programs, we understood that using on-line only classrooms would prove a real challenge. How to produce a play with our middle schoolers that could not be rehearsed or performed live in a theatre together as we have done for decades?
We embraced the notion of combining the two subjects – student-produced art, expertly guided by art teacher Leslie Howells, providing colorful and evocative illustrations; and a live drama performance, co-directed by Sigrid Brunel and Jean Sherrard. The choice for our pandemic times, classic stories from the brother Grimm – tales of wisdom and folly, survival (and even joyful exuberance) in the face of danger.
Working together, students and teachers collaborated on a unique and magical production, available now for viewing on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLFXm_Xcsr0.
Art from Literature
(From Brynne)
For the spring block in American Literature, we are reading The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, which contains many allusions to “The Overcoat” by Gogol.
So, we started by reading the Russian short story and part of the students’ analysis was expressed through artistic representations.
Time Capsules and Propaganda Posters
Students in 4-6 made time capsules to mark the historical import of the pandemic. Additionally, we looked at the purpose and methods of propaganda posters (focusing on American posters during WWI) and made our own relating to the COVID-19 pandemic! Interpretations included advertising (corporate propaganda), advice to limit the spread of COVID, and inspiration to help our spirits.
Events Calendar
Monday, May 4-Friday, May 8
Teachers Appreciation Week
Monday, May 4
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5
GiveBIG
Wednesday, May 6
GiveBIG
Parent Evening with Sarah Odell—7:00 p.m.
Friday, May 8
Spring Electives begin
History Feast Dress Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16
History Feast—5:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 21
Virtual Open House via Zoom—7:00 p.m.
History Feast
Grimm Tales
