Autumn finds Hillside students engaged in a wide variety of activities in addition to their normal academic workload. October witnessed the start of a new House Program. HSCS students now belong to one of four Houses:
Cerberus Epona Sparrows Sphynx
October 2023 Blog – Outdoor Education Inspiration
At Hillside, we believe that sometimes one of the very best things you can do is get out of the classroom and into spaces where you can explore and create as you learn. Since Hillside is situated on 5 acres of Cougar Mountain’s beautiful forest, there are trails, tons of native plants to examine, perfect spots for camping, and even an outdoor classroom. This past month our learning has been deeply inspired by the woods around us.
The 5th and 6th grade students are studying Native American tribes in US History class this month, and learning how to live a little closer to the land our school is built on. We’re fortunate enough to have a wilderness survival expert on staff, who helped the class learn how to build a tipi survival shelter, including how to gather materials in the forest that are safe to use, and that don’t damage the forest.
We also had our Community Building Day Hike recently! Exploring the forest together and helping each other overcome obstacles is just one of many ways nature helps strengthen our community.
Art classes at all grade levels have been drawing inspiration from our forest this month, as well – the 5th/6th grade students have been enjoying plein air sketching, and our older students learned to sew forest critters. Those hand-stitched squirrels are adorable!
Our science classes often do experiments involving the forest – but this month, did some in-classroom experiments with one of the most important things we find in nature and our forest – water.
By spending class time outdoors, our students have learned to appreciate the world around them through art and survival skills. They’ve also learned important teamwork skills through science, hiking, and tipi construction. We can learn so much from stepping outside of our classrooms – it’s such a gift for our students to have the forest around us!
Looking Ahead:
October Birthdays:
The start of the school year means the return to a familiar environment for some members of our community. But it also means the start of a new adventure for a large number of our students. Eleven new students joined Hillside Student Community School this year. That’s a third of our student body.
Greeting friends old and new consumes the first few minutes of day one, but soon the attention shifts to organized activities designed to strengthen relationships. Social emotional well-being remains a fundamental component of education particularly in a small school setting that relies heavily on social constructivism.
The term ‘social constructivism’ shapes how we learn together. It is through our interaction with each other that we build our knowledge of the world. That can mean a large group of students standing on a tarp with the goal of turning it over without using their hands and avoiding stepping on the floor.
In a pair-work it means one blindfolded student being guided by another through the process of building a house. With the verbal instructions provided by the sighted partner, the temporarily non-sighted individual puts together the Leggo pieces. The end products vary in size and shape. Some have trees. Others have long corridors and still another has a slide.
Placed together in a neighborhood the creations reflect the diversity of a real human community. The parallels are plenty. Some are large. Others are small. Some are in need of repair.
Exploring the world beyond our walls includes field trips. In the first week of school two groups of students traveled to the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. This trip allowed students in our elementary section to use descriptive language featuring their five senses to describe the iconic location.
Older students in the videography class went to the Pike Place Market in search of footage to tell short video stories of a special place in the NW. From shopkeepers, to tourists, to street performers, the Market provides a visual feast.
While we know the value of traveling together to explore our environment and working together to create a new product, we are mindful that humans often need the serenity of silence to work alone to transform small ideas into large realities. Our job as parents and teachers is to find the right balance of group work and individual work. If we find that right harmony, the possibilities are almost unlimited. It’s going to be a great year!
Looking ahead:
Summer Birthdays
September Birthdays
As we culminate this academic year and embark on the exciting adventure of summer break, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and hard work. Read More
From Junior Frances Alls:
Hello Hillside Family and Friends!
For my junior project, I’m hosting two events, the proceeds from which will go toward new lighting at Hillside!
Dance
Are you ready for the 1960s,’70s, and ‘80s-themed dance party of the year?!
For part of my Junior Project, I’m hosting a Dance Party Fundraiser and Blowout benefitting Hillside on Friday, May 12th, 2023, 7-10 pm. I encourage you to join the festivities dressing in your grooviest 60s, 70s, and 80s fashion so you can boogie down to the music as they did back then!
• All proceeds will be used toward getting new lighting at Hillside.
• Get additional information and purchase tickets with the attached link!
Raffle
In addition to the dance, I’m running a Raffle, also to benefit Hillside, with chances to win one of three spectacular prizes!
• Check out the prizes and purchase raffle tickets with the attached link.
• You must be 18 or older to purchase tickets!
• Please share the information with people in your life who want to support you and your school!
• Tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, May 10th, drawing is at dance on Friday May 12th.
• All proceeds will be used toward getting new lighting at Hillside.
Note: You do not have to attend the dance if you wish to participate in the raffle, and you don’t have to purchase raffle tickets to go to the dance! Raffle winners will be drawn at the dance.
PLEASE: Share the link(s) below with anyone in your life who wants to support you and your school!
Also, please join the Drama Club for our program of holiday readings on December 14, featuring Dicken’s ‘Christmas Carol’ and O. Henry’s ‘Gift of the Magi’!