DISCOVER YOUR GIFTS!
Hillside Student Community School
Congratulations on your Acceptance!
We have some exciting news to share with you all! Our senior class recently heard back from some really amazing colleges regarding their admissions. Please help me congratulate our remarkable students. We are so proud of you.
Congratulations class of 2020!
You rock!
S. Smale — Plans to attend Stanford Engineering (Palo Alto, CA)
M. Ho — Plans to attend UW Information School (Seattle, WA)
R. Sun — Plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)
M. Southwick — Plans to attend UW-Bothell (Bothell, WA)
M. Southwick — Plans to attend UW-Bothell (Bothell, WA)
April Bulletin
What’s Happening at Hillside
Spotlight On…
Online Learning Adjusted Schedule
Thank you all for your patience, support, and feedback as we work to better adapt to the necessity of online school. Here’s the schedule (already sent out by Lizeth) we will be following.
Survey Results
Like all other schools, we are striving to build meaningful learning while not in the classroom. Based on the responses to our parent/student surveys, we are (as you know) moving to four days of synchronous learning, and one day of asynchronous learning. This means that Wednesdays students are expected to check in with each class, but can structure their work time individually during the day. Additionally, we are shortening class time on regular days. Each morning class will be five minutes shorter to allow a stretch break before the next one. Our afternoon blocks will also be shorter to help limit fatigue. Please let us know your additional feedback!
Live Theater in the Time of Social Distancing
Where will you be on Friday, April 10th at 7:30 p.m.? Chances are, you will be home—which means you are set up perfectly to be the audience for our play!
This spring we have all been forced to reimagine what “normal” looks like. Staying at home to help lessen the risks of the pandemic can be isolating, but art and performance can still bring us together. Rather than cancel the traditional play, Jean, Leslie, and Sigrid have reimagined what live theater can be. We will still be mounting a live production of “Grimm Tales,” but as a live readers theater with visuals created by Leslie from the students’ artwork.
Look for the link to the Zoom webinar that we will be sending out as the performance approaches!
Seattle Girls Choir
The organization that 8th grader Frances sings with, Seattle Girls Choir, recently posted a stunning performance rehearsed and performed remotely from each other. We are lucky that we have the technology to remain connected with each other, and even produce are together, even when physically distanced. https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/seattle-girls-choir-performs-online-amid-coronavirus/281-5742a7bb-7814-40e2-8595-e92c82cd1cc3
Spring Electives
Our choices for electives are out! Upper School students, please make sure to respond to Lizeth’s message with your ranking 1-4 of your elective preferences. Complete descriptions are in the message from Lizeth.
OPTION A: Envisioning the Future (with Laura)
OPTION B: Learning Strategy in Go and Chess (co-taught – Wis and Julie)
OPTION C: The Illustrated Story (with Leslie)
OPTION D: Computer Science (with Julie)
OPTION E: Drama (with Jean)
OPTION F: Introduction to Classical Greek (independent study with support from Kael)
OPTION G: Science Experiment (independent study with support from Laura)
OPTION H: Independent Project or Class with Teacher Advisor
Online Resources
If you or your student is at loose ends, here are a few options to help alleviate boredom. Please reach out if you are looking for something else! (online resources)
Monster Mash
The high school biology students created monsters by flipping coins to determine genetic traits, then modeling meiosis and chromosome separation and fertilization to make baby monsters. They drew pictures of their monster families.
Events Calendar
(This is updated based on information as of 3/31/2020. Please double-check closer to the event to make sure information is accurate)
Wednesday, April 1
Block IIIB Begins
Monday, April 6
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Friday, April 10
Drama Performance: Grades 5-8 Production—7:30 p.m.
Monday, April 13-Friday, April 17
No School—Spring Break
Thursday, April 16
Virtual Open House—7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 25
History Feast Rehearsal—2:00 p.m.
Monday, April 27
Possible First Day Back
History Feast Rehearsal—2:00 p.m.
Hillside Atelier—3:00 p.m.
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29
PSAT 10 Testing—8:00 a.m.
March Bulletin
What’s Happening at Hillside
Spotlight On…
Poetry Slam
The 10th and 11th grade used the words of Zora Neale Hurston and August Wilson to craft slam poems in their American Literature block. Featured picture of Tavish, the slam winner!
Open House
Our Open House this Thursday is still a go! We will continue to monitor and follow the recommendations regarding COVID-19; as of now, we should practice good hygiene but are not advised to cancel gatherings. Please join us—and recommend the amazing Hillside experience to any families you know looking at their next academic step. Thursday 3/5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Reading Projects
At Hillside, we value reading. We also value transforming personal reading experience into student projects! The 7thand 8thgraders created board games based on books, while 5thand 6thmade original book covers, scrapbooks, and more!
Branches of Government
The 5/6 students explored the foundations of our government by creating Government Super Heroes! Each student identified the origin story (what article of the Constitution established the branch), powers (checks and balances over other branches), weaknesses (how other branches can check them), and learned about the branch’s basic function. Our completed mobile is in the classroom, so come on in to see how the balancing act is going!
Events Calendar
Tuesday, March 3
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 5
Open House #4—6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 6
Fiber Arts—3:00 p.m.
Monday, March 9
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 12
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Friday, March 13
Fiber Arts—3:00 p.m.
Monday, March 16
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 17
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 19
Field Trip: Jitney at the Seattle Rep. (9th-11th grade)—9:00 a.m.
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Friday, March 20
Fiber Arts—3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 21
Set Build: Grades 5-8 Drama Production—11:00 a.m.
Monday, March 23
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Friday, March 27
Fiber Arts—3:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 28
Set Painting: Grades 5-8 Drama Production—11:00 a.m.
Monday, March 30
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
History Feast Rehearsal—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, March 31
Block IIIB Begins
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
February Bulletin
What’s Happening at Hillside
Spotlight On…
Conferences
Will you be our Valentine? February conferences are coming up, and we are looking forward to meeting with students and parents to discuss classes, the year so far, and what is upcoming. You will receive an email through Jupiter on Tuesday with the sign up link. If you will be unable to attend conferences, please contact teachers individually to make alternate arrangements.
Drama Club Showcase Performance
The afterschool Drama Club has been hard at work. Friday, February 28th, is when we have a chance to see what they have been working on! Mark your calendars and prepare for some entertainment!
Regional Competition
Harrison Lin capably represented Hillside at the regional finals in Tacoma on Saturday. He chose to compete with Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” and Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Charge of the Light Brigade.” Harrison said, “It was super fun and I really enjoyed the competition and experience!”
Harlem Renaissance projects
Events Calendar
Monday, February 3
Hillside Atelier—3:00 p.m.
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 4
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 5
Drama Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 6
Olympia field trip WA ST HIST
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 7
Fiber Arts—3:00 p.m.
Monday, February 10
Hillside Atelier—3:00 p.m.
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 13
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 14
Parent Teacher Conferences – No regular classes
Monday, February 17-Friday, February 21
No School—Mid-Winter Break
Monday, February 24
Hillside Atelier—3:00 p.m.
Games Club—3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 25
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 27
Block IIIA Begins
Fencing Club—3:00 p.m.
Friday, February 28
Fiber Arts—3:00 p.m.
Drama Club Showcase Performance—7:30 p.m.
January Bulletin
What’s Happening at Hillside
Spotlight On…
Hello to Lizeth!
We are so excited to welcome an excellent addition to the Hillside team, Lizeth Gutierrez.
From Kael, “Earning her B.A. at Grinnell College, Iowa, and her PhD. at Washington State University in Pullman, Lizeth worked as a Fellow on the Consortium for Faculty Diversity in American Studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN, for the last two years before returning home to the Northwest. She has experience in conflict management and resolution, collaborating with faculty, museums, and non-profit organizations, and managing and mentoring undergraduate researchers. She has developed curriculum for college and high school students. Highly organized, she is capable at grant writing, public speaking, and management.”
Please make sure to stop in and say hello when you have a chance!
Murder on the Orient Express
Hillside teacher Brynne Garman and Hillside grad Jane Davie are both featured in Valley Center Stage’s upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s classic, Murder on the Orient Express, in North Bend. Brynne is performing as Helen Hubbard and Jane is working Technical Crew in this fast-paced adaptation by Ken Ludwig. The show runs from February 14-March 1. For ticket information, go to valleycenterstage.org/shows/murder-on-the-orient-express/
This show is suitable for all ages.
Thanks in advance for your support!
Edible Architecture
Intermediate students created culinary delights the week before Winter Break. Each student selected a notable piece of American architecture, researched its history and the style of architecture, and then translated the physical building into an edible version.
Our Willy Wonka-like tour through American History starts in 1734 with George Washington’s Mt. Vernon, a Palladian style building. Next we have two 19th century buildings, the Grand Masonic Lodge/Opera House built in 1871 in the Second Empire style, and the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake, a Gothic Revival building finished in 1893. Our final three are from the 20thcentury. The 1923 Mediterranean Revival estate of Vizcaya is a nod to the excesses of the roaring 20s, including Italianate Gardens. 1938’s Fallingwater, the Organic Architecture oeuvre by Frank Lloyd Wright, is a completely different approach; rather than dominate and shape the landscape, it is intended to harmonize with it. By looking at the two buildings you can almost feel the Great Depression and shifting American society that lie between them. Finally, we have the absolutely astounding Modernist 1959 Mitchell Park Horticultural Domes. This complex includes three domes, each of which covers an area equal to half of a football field.
Horticultural Domes
Fallingwater
Vizcaya Doors/Windows
Mormon Temple
Mormon Temple
Grand Opera/Masonic
Mt. Vernon
Fallingwater
Horticultural Domes
Vizcaya Walls
Open House
Now that 2020 is here, many families are looking at their school choices for the fall, and we are eager to tell them about Hillside. We hope that you can join us, and please recommend Hillside to any families you know exploring their options!
Yule Ball
Come one, come all (students and alumni) to the 2020 Yule Ball! It will be the evening of January 23rd. More details to come!
Farewell Joel
Due to the possibility of snow next week, we celebrated and bid farewell to Joel a few days before his actual last day. He will be around for Open Houses, plays, and other activities this spring, so this is not goodbye forever. In addition to cupcakes (thanks, Brynne!) and brownies (Thanks Kati!), Laura knocked our socks off by making Khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread dish from the country of Georgia, one of Joel’s favorite foods.
Beauty in Biology
The biology students put elodea plants in acid indicator BTB solution, exposed one plant to light and covered the other test tube in foil, then compared both tubes to a control with no plant to examine carbon dioxide use and production during photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Events Calendar
