March Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside

Spotlight On… Conferences

Conferences are the perfect time to talk with your child’s teachers about their progress, setting goals, and to celebrate all of your child’s successes this year! Conferences will be held via Zoom between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, March 5th. To sign up for a 15 minute slot with each of your child’s teachers, please use the Signup Genius link that Leslie sent out via email last week, also available under “Materials” in Jupiter. Hope to see you Friday!

Open House – March 25th

Hillside will only be hosting TWO more virtual open houses during the 2020-21 school year! Be sure to let your friends and neighbors know about us, should they be looking for a supportive, rigorous, and fun school for their child. Please sign up at this link (https://hillsidesc.org/open-houses/) for our next open house on Thursday, March 25th.

Birthdays, Birthdays! 

Happy March birthday wishes to: Pierce, Ada, Elliot, and Lucas! 

Continue Supporting Black Owned Businesses

Even though Black History Month has come to an end, it is always the right time of year to support local and national black owned businesses. Not sure where to start? These two websites have got you covered. Explore over 150 nation-wide businesses, (https://bit.ly/37Qak7z) ranging from art and design to books and fitness. Wondering about where you can shop locally? Seattle Refined (https://bit.ly/3dNxoYf) has a comprehensive list of black owned businesses in the Seattle area.

Reminder: No School Friday, March 26th

Friday, March 26th is reserved as a weather make-up day. Considering there is no inclement weather this month that will keep us out of school, please expect there to be no school on that day.

Events Calendar

Monday, March 1
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, March 3
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
SAT at School – time
Thursday, March 4
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, March 5
No School – Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday, March 8
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, March 10
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 11
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, March 12
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, March 15
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, March 17
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 18
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, March 19
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, March 22
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, March 24
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
SAT at School – time
Thursday, March 25
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Virtual Open House – 7 p.m.
Friday, March 26
No School – Weather Make-up Day
Monday, March 29
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, March 31
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
Block IIIB Begins

February Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside

Spotlight On…

Spring Conferences – Friday, March 5. Save the Date!

Spring 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 via Jupiter in the coming weeks with the link to sign up for ten minute virtual slots. Just as in November, conferences will be held on Zoom. If you will be unable to attend conferences, please contact teachers individually to make alternate arrangements.

Important Announcement – Re-enrollment

The due date for the re-enrollment forms is Feb. 25/21. An email will be sent to families today via Jupiter.

You’re Invited! Upper School Drama Production

When: Wednesday, February 24th @ 7:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom (link will be provided closer to event date)
Details: Hillside’s Drama Club presents an evening of one-act plays. Ranging from quirky comedy to dark suspense, these short plays explore issues of love, life and death in these uncertain times.

February is Black History Month!

The high school World Literature students are studying, among others, the contemporary Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (who has given some viral TED talks) and Aimé Césaire, a Martiniquan student of Léopold Senghor whose powerful, moving work rivals that of Ginsberg and Whitman and is a force to be reckoned with. Literature students also did comparisons between the recent Youth Laureate Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem and Maya Angelou’s 1993 On the Pulse of the Morning (video linked). James Baldwin, bell hooks, and Ta-Nehisi Coates are just a few other brilliant African-American writers to put on your shelf.
At this week’s Wednesday session, we asked upper school students to choose from a large collection an influential figure or moment of Black history of interest to them and report back next week with their findings.  We look forward to hearing what they learn!
Ways to support:
Locally – One simple way to honor the continuing struggle for racial justice is by supporting local Black-owned businesses, of which here are two preliminary lists (Seattle) (Western WA) — if you have more ideas, let us know!
Nationally – The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. at https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/nmaahc-digital-resources-guide is a fantastic resource for information, and includes digital tours!

Lower School Edible Egypt Project

Students in the Alder Room class were quite busy this month – researching and building an ancient Egyptian monument… all out of FOOD! Students created their own edible methods to recreate glue, sand, bricks and more. Check out their awesome monuments below!

Open House – Thursday, February 25th 

Another month, another open house! Our February open house will be held on Thursday, February 25th. Know any families looking for a positive, encouraging, and intentional academic environment for their child for the 2021-2022 school year? If so, refer them to this page to sign up for our next open house!

Birthdays, Birthdays! 

Happy February birthday wishes to: Norah, Kayla, Leo, and Rebecca!
Hillside is excited to share the charity chosen by the January birthday group: International Rescue Committee.The IRC helps refugees get settled, and it helps those who have had their lives altered from natural disasters.

Events Calendar

Monday, February 1
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, February 3
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, February 4
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, February 5
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, February 8
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, February 10
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, February 11
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, February 12
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
February 15-19
No School – Mid-winter Break
Monday, February 22
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Block IIIA Begins
Wednesday, February 24
Community Building @ Hillside – 11 a.m.
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Upper School Drama Performance – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 25
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Open House – 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 26
No School – Inclement Weather Make-up Day

January Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside

Spotlight On…

Welcome back!

Here at Hillside, we are looking forward to making the most of the new year. On Wednesday, we gathered staff and students together to write our hopes for 2021. Anonymous notes to solidify our dearest wishes and most ambitious goals and dreams. Eventually, our wishes – written on biodegradable paper and hung on a vine maple with twine – will wash away with the winter rains and soak into the earth.

Birthdays, Birthdays! 

Happy January birthday wishes to… Will!

Virtual Open House – January 28th, 7-8:30 p.m.

Now that 2021 is here, many families are looking at their school choices for the fall, and we are eager to tell them about Hillside. Thank you, as always, for spreading the word about Hillside to those you know looking for a supportive school community!

Events Calendar

Monday, January 4
Portfolio Club 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, January 6
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, January 7
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, January 8
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, January 11
Portfolio Club 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, January 13
Block IIB Begins
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, January 14
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, January 15
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, January 18
MLK Jr. Day – No School
Wednesday, January 20
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, January 21
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, January 22
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, January 25
Portfolio Club 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, January 27
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, January 28
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Zoom Open House – 7-8:30
Friday, January 29
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20

Benefits of Sending Your Child to a Preparatory School near Kirkland

hillside sc

Are you considering sending your child to a preparatory school near Kirkland? Deciding which academic setting will be best for your son or daughter can be difficult. This is especially true for new parents and families that have recently relocated. It’s even more stressful because the decision you make now can have a huge impact on your child’s academic future. As you weigh your options, keep these important preparatory school benefits in mind.

Updated Facilities

It is not uncommon for a preparatory school to have better facilities than nearby public options. In fact, equipment of all kinds is likely to be higher quality and more frequently updated. As you tour the school in question, take note of the building and supplies available.

Specialist Teachers

A preparatory school will have a wide array of highly-trained and experienced educators ready to assist your child with all of his or her needs. This is particularly relevant for children with learning disabilities, as teachers with special education training will be better able to address these conditions.

Small Classroom Sizes

No one wants their child to become lost in the crowd. That’s why choosing a preparatory school with small class sizes is really important. This ensures your son or daughter will receive the individualized attention they need and deserve in order to become a successful learner. With fewer students per class there will be fewer distractions and teachers can monitor progress better.

Looking for a Preparatory School near Kirkland?

Whether your child just came of age, needs a change or is relocating from another city, Hillside Student Community School is a great solution. We offer an integrated and challenging curriculum with balanced electives. Our academic team is here to answer any and all of your questions, as well as to provide pertinent information for prospective students and their families. Contact us today for more information.

Top Preparatory School Serving Bellevue Families

Serving the Needs of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Newcastle, Kingsgate & Issaquah

Posted on December 9, 2020 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

December Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside

Spotlight on…

Food, Clothing, & PPE Drive – Final Days!

Social Justice Club’s non-perishable food, clothing, and PPE drive is just about over! So far, the club has collected food and gently worn cold weather clothing to donate to local communities in need. Donations will be lovingly delivered to Sophia’s Way Women’s ShelterIssaquah Clothing and Food Bank, and The Sammamish Tent City.
The last day donations will be accepted is Wednesday, December 16. Please prioritize nutritious staple foods and warm winter clothes, or see lists of needs in organization links above. Hillside will have receptacles ready for donations out on the sidewalk during Wednesday morning check-ins on both 12/9 and 12/16 for easy drop off. Please contact Kalan if you have any questions – kalan@hillsidesc.org

A Rogue’s Christmas 2020

Short Stories Live–with Jean!

A Town Hall holiday favorite celebrating its 13th year, Rogue’s Christmas brings together unconventional holiday tales as part of Town Hall’s Short Stories Live series. This year, curator Jean Sherrard presents a reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, featuring Rogue Irregulars Kurt Beattie, Marianne Owen, Julie Briskman, and Jean Sherrard. Beattie, one of Seattle’s most beloved Scrooges, will be reprising the role here, with incidental and interim music provided by roguish house band Pineola. Join us virtually for laughter and live music at this family-friendly installment of a Rogue’s Christmas.

Consider Giving This Holiday Season

The holiday season is not just a time for cozy mugs of cocoa, staying indoors, and holiday music. More than anything, this season is a time of giving. This year is a challenging one for all non-profits, let alone for those who help people to put food on the table or to pay rent. Regarding the latter, Hillside would like to recommend that you consider a two-fold donation, one to Plymouth Housing and one to Hillside.
Plymouth Housing is a local non-profit organization that works effectively to end homelessness and deal with its causes. You can learn more about them and donate at plymouthhousing.org/.
We are hoping every family can give even a small donation to both these causes, one to help those in need of a home, one to keep alive the dream of education as we believe it should be.
Hillside is seeking to raise $20,000 before the end of December. We hope you will consider helping us to reach or exceed that amount. Several staff and board members have already agreed to give toward this goal, and we would love to see everyone at Hillside give at whatever level they can to show their support and participation. You can donate at hillsidesc.org/giving/, or you may also send a check to:
Hillside Student Community School
5027 159th Pl. SE
Bellevue WA 98006
Our school grows and flourishes academically through the students and families that participate in its vision. We see that vibrancy in our ranking (renewed this year!) as Washington’s #1 school in the arts. Your contributions help keep Hillside a place where students shine in a caring atmosphere, where mistakes are for learning, where the unique gifts of each individual are valued, and where, in our small classes, everyone joins the discussion.

Birthdays, Birthdays! 

Happy December birthday wishes to: Kaia, Clara, Ella and Liam!
Hillside is excited to share the charity chosen by the November birthday group: The Loveland Foundation — The goal of the Loveland Foundation, started by Rachel Cargle in 2018, is to provide accessible therapy for Black women and girls. Supporting this fund contributes to healing the trauma inflicted on women of color by the United States’ systemic racism and to removing the stigma around mental health and therapy.

Events Calendar

Wednesday, December 2
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, December 3
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Virtual Open House – 7-8:30
Friday, December 4
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, December 7
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, December 9
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Thursday, December 10
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, December 11
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, December 14
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, December 16
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, December 17
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, December 18
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, December 21-Friday, January 1
No School—Winter Break

Finding a Good 5-12 Preparatory School near Kirkland

hillside sc

Looking for a new educational facility for your child can be stressful, especially if you’ve only recently moved to the area. But finding a good 5-12 preparatory school near Kirkland may be easier than you think. There are many options worth considering throughout the region. Here are a few tips to help you in your search for the perfect fit.

Ask for Recommendations

You can learn a lot about the various nearby options by talking to people you know. Tell family, friends and coworkers that you’re looking for a 5-12 preparatory school whenever you get the chance. You’ll be surprised by how many recommendations you receive. It’s also a good idea to discuss your search with professional educators – your child’s past teachers can be great resources!

Do Some Research

No matter how many suggestions you receive, you’ll still need to do some research. Pick a preparatory school you’re interested in and take some time to discover what it has to offer. You can visit the school’s website or schedule a time to visit the facility in person. Ideally, plan to do both.

Consider All the Factors

There are numerous factors to keep in mind when selecting a preparatory school, including curriculum, class size, extracurricular activities and advanced education programs. No single aspect should determine your decision. Instead, weigh all your options holistically.

Looking for a 5-12 Preparatory School near Kirkland?

The tips mentioned above can help you find the perfect solution for your child. Consider Hillside Student Community School if you’re interested in an integrated and challenging curriculum with a wide variety of balanced and engaging elective options available. We also offer excellent college planning and running start programs. Contact us today with questions or to find out more about our school’s tuition and fees.

5-12 Preparatory School Serving the Kirkland Community

Serving the Needs of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Newcastle, Kingsgate & Issaquah

Posted on November 15, 2020 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business

November Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside

Spotlight on…


Halloween Extravaganza

Even though traditional trick-or-treating may have been cancelled this year, students who attended Hillside’s annual Halloween party did not leave empty handed! The night was full of spooky costumes, contests, snacks and stories. There was a bewitching candy hunt in the dark forest, and a chilling impromptu puppet show by Hillside’s very own master puppeteer, Kalan. Students then enjoyed their candy fireside as artist-in-residence Jean regaled them with a spooky tale. Thank you to all who helped organize and run this event!

Virtual Open House

Last month’s virtual open house was a huge success! The staff at Hillside are looking forward to sharing all the amazing things Hillside has to offer with members of the community again on Thursday, November 12 at 7 p.m. If you know families looking for a supportive, creative learning environment that was ranked #1 in the Arts by Niche.com, make sure to send them our way!

Birthdays, Birthdays!

Amazingly, there is only ONE birthday to announce for this month. Hillside wishes the happiest of birthdays to Lily!

Schedule Change for Tuesday, November 10

At Hillside, we recognize how important our in-person community days are for our students. Since the in-person day is cancelled next week on November 11 due to Veteran’s Day, we are changing up the schedule the day before, Tuesday, November 10. Morning classes will be cancelled on Tuesday, and students are invited to Hillside for an abridged community day from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Afternoon block classes will continue as usual.

Conferences

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is when we have our Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences. We request that students participate in the conferences so that we can all work as a team to support their education and school experience. Conferences this year will be held virtually on Zoom. You will receive an email next week with a link to the Sign Up Genius schedule. Please sign up for the teachers whom you would like to see; sign up slots are first come, first serve. If none of those times work for you, please contact teachers directly to schedule something.

Food, Clothing & PPE Drive

Canned food clipart free image Social Justice Club will be running a food, clothing, and covid protection materials drive to be delivered to communities in need (Sophia’s Way Women’s ShelterIssaquah Clothing and Food Bank, and The Sammamish Tent City to start). Please prioritize nutritious staple foods and warm winter clothes, and/or see lists of needs in organization links above. Receptacles will be on the Hillside front porch/patio area, and food should be canned or wrapped to avoid attracting animals.


Events Calendar
Monday, November 2
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, November 4
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, November 5
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, November 6
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, November 9
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Tuesday, November 10
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-10:30
Wednesday, November 11
NO SCHOOL – Veteran’s Day
Thursday, November 12
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Virtual Open House – 7-8:30
Friday, November 13
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, November 16
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, November 18
Community Building @ Hillside – 9-11
Drama Club – 11:30-12:30
Thursday, November 19
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, November 20
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, November 23
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, November 25 
PTS Conferences – Times Vary
Thursday & Friday November 26 & 27
NO SCHOOL – Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, November 30
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Portfolio Club – 3:05-4:20
Block IIA Begins

October Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside

 

Spotlight On…

Socially Distanced Camping & Movie Night

Students and their families are invited to come with tents, sleeping bags and pads to our first Hillside camping event of the year, to be held Friday, October 2nd. Families are welcome to arrive at Hillside as early as 5:30pm to pitch a tent before sunset. At 7:30pm, we will be screening a film in our outdoor theater setup. If the weather permits, we also plan to include a few campfires, some socially distanced games, and conclude the night together safely sleeping in separate pods.
We hope to see you there!

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

September 15 to October 15 is officially known as National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to honor and celebrate the amazing contributions from the Latinx community. While labels like “Hispanic” and “Latina/o” are popularly used as interchangeable pan-ethnic categories in the United States, there are some important differences. “Hispanic” is often referred to native speakers of Spanish or those who have Spanish-speaking ancestry. This label, as a result, does not consider Brazilians as Hispanic since their official language is Portuguese. Similarly, the label “Latino” is often used to refer to anyone of Latin American origin or ancestry. This excludes Spanish-speaking countries like Spain since the geographical location is in Europe and not Latin America. To learn more about these differences and more check out this article by The Pew Research Center titled, “Who is Hispanic” (Sept. 2020). No matter what side of the debate you’re on, we can all agree that a Latino/a or Hispanic person can be any race or color. We come in all shades! 
In more recent years, activists, students, and academics have also politicized the grammatical gender in the Spanish language by proposing the “Latinx” label – pronounced \luh-TEE-neks\ – as a gender-neutral alternative to the terms Latino or Latina. Persons who use this terminology do so to advocate for individuals who do not identify with the limitations of the gender binary system, male/female. Critics dislike the term because they argue that it is linguistically incorrect to pronounce. Nevertheless, its supporters believe that the term creates a more accepting inclusive community for individuals of all genders. To learn more about the Latinx term watch #TheKatCall’s YouTube video with Mitu, “What’s With the X In Latinx?”
So, now you know. We have many ethnic terminologies used in our community, but one thing that we can all agree on, no matter the label we choose to identify with, is that we are a proud, resilient community that continues to fight to make the United States a great place for everyone. Join me in celebrating 10 amazing Latinx women who have made history by clicking this link. 
-Lizeth Gutierrez 

 


Open House

Our first Open House of the school year is days away! This year, the open house will be held via Zoom on Thursday, October 8th from 7:00-8:30 pm. We encourage you to share Hillside with any families looking for the right fit for their students. Our community members are our best ambassadors, so please feel free to extend an invitation to those you know to come learn about Hillside!

Birthdays, Birthdays!

Happy October birthday wishes to: Lola, Ausby, Frances and Harrison!

Birthday Initiative Announcements

Hillside is excited to share the charities chosen by our July, August, and September groups:
July
Inspired by recent events, the July Birthday Celebrants would like to donate to the Black Lives Matter Global Network, one of many organizations that support communities of color. Please consider donating in kind, if so inspired.
August
The August Birthday Celebrants would like to donate to the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). CORE is a nonprofit that builds sustainable programs so that communities can “recover, rebuild, and prepare in the face of disaster.” CORE has administered more than 1 million Covid tests this year in the United States.
September
The September Birthday Celebrants would like to donate to the Keith Haring FoodPantry Program, which “…provides nutritional counseling and also distributes hundreds of food packages per month which are specifically tailored to meet the unique nutritional needs of HIV-positive individuals.” This program is a part of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), a non-profit and volunteer-led AIDS service organization based in New York City.
The program shares its name with Keith Haring, an American artist known best for his street art and AIDS awareness activism in NYC throughout the 1980s. His instantly recognizable style captivated many during his time, and Haring’s audience expanded from the streets to prominent galleries around the world. His art attracts fans of all ages today because of its captivating imagery with colorful, dancing figures twirling and exuding beams of joyful movement. Haring himself died of AIDS-related complications at just 31 years old in 1990. The Keith Haring Food Pantry Program continues Haring’s philanthropic legacy and works to uplift the lives of those affected by the AIDS epidemic.
Please consider donating in kind, if so inspired. 

Community Building Day

Students in all grade levels came out on Wednesday to socialize – distantly! – with their teachers and peers. Jean kicked the morning off with a scavenger hunt in the woods. Students were tasked with finding a perfect circle in nature (lots of mushrooms), as well as something really gross (lots of slugs)! Students then broke off into two groups to play games and create usable items and decorations from nature, scavenged from the Hillside woods. We treasure the short amount of time that we get to spend with students on these days! 

Halloween Party

We won’t let ANYTHING cramp our Halloween style this year. That’s right – goblins, and ghouls, and ghosties – oh my! The annual Hillside Halloween Party is still on! Stay tuned for more information later this month.

Events Calendar

Thursday, October 1
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, October 2
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Hillside Camping Event – 5:30 p.m.
Monday, October 5
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, October 7
Drama Club – 3:05-4:20
Community Building Day – 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, October 8
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Open House – 7-8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 9
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, October 12
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, October 14
PSAT – On Campus
Drama Club – 3:05-4:20
Community Building Day – 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, October 15
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Friday, October 16
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, October 19
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Wednesday, October 21
Drama Club – 3:05-4:20
Community Building Day – 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, October 22
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Open House – 7-8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 23
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20
Monday, October 26
Broadway Club – 3:05-4:20
Block IB Begins
Wednesday, October 28
Drama Club – 3:05-4:20
Community Building Day – 9-11 a.m.
Thursday, October 29
Social Justice Club – 3:05-4:20
Open House – 7-8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30
Fiber Arts – 3:05-4:20

September Bulletin

What’s Happening at Hillside…

Spotlight on

First Week

Welcome back to Hillside – we are so glad to be embarking on our 52nd year with you! Although this year is starting off a bit unconventionally, staff and students are adjusting amazingly to the new normal at school.
Thankfully, we are lucky enough to be able to hold once weekly community building days (socially distanced of course!) on campus. This week, we played drama games with Jean and spent time reconnecting with and meeting new friends.

Birthdays, birthdays!

11058378_10153799894037480_1295631808666088687_o-3-871x1024.jpg Happy July birthday wishes to: Tavish, Paul, Sam, Thomas, Rowan & Wis!
Happy August birthday wishes to: Ashton, Joshua, Noah, Jacob, Megan, Kalan & Karen!
Happy September birthday wishes to: Isaac, Liza, Amelia, Kyle, Kael & Julie!
Hillside is excited to launch a new birthday initiative that speaks to our community’s value of participating in our world with a sense of collective responsibility.  Each month’s group of birthday celebrants will come together in choosing a nonprofit or charity that speaks to their hearts, and will donate a modest sum on behalf of Hillside. Stay tuned for the October newsletter to see which nonprofits or charities were chosen by our July, August and September birthday celebrants.

Clubs

All clubs will be held online through Zoom this trimester. Stay tuned for late September start dates! For information about signing up, please contact Lizeth or the club sponsor.
Mondays—Broadway Club
3:05-4:20 with Megan
At the Broadway Club, students will discover or hone their singing skills through vigorous vocal warm-ups, fun singing games, and of course, as they practice and perform their Broadway musical favorites. Click here to read more!
Mondays-Portfolio Club
3:05-4:20 with Leslie
Calling all high schoolers! Prepare your portfolio either in preparation for the AP Art Exams, college applications, or your own satisfaction and growth. Click here to read more!
Wednesdays—Drama Club
3:05-4:20 with Jean
Drama Club is open to 7th grade and above. Since we will be using the Zoom platform, we will work largely on monologues and duets. These may include Shakespearean soliloquies and other poetry and prose of note. Click here to read more!
Thursdays—Social Justice Club
3:05-4:20 with Kalan
This club will explore ideas of Social and Ecological Justice from a variety of perspectives, and investigate strategies of action to effect change – asking questions like: What is privilege and how can it be used for good? What is hope and what do we want for the future?  Click here to read more.
Fridays—Fiber Arts 
3:05-4:20 with Leslie
Explore creating 2-D and 3-D images using fibers. We’ll explore using a variety of techniques such as sewing, weaving, felting, and more! Click here to read more.

Curriculum Night

Curriculum night will be online this year. Expect an email later this month with links to curriculum videos from staff. Watch curriculum night at a time that suits you best!


September Events Calendar

Monday, September 7
No School – Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, September 9
Community Building Day @ Hillside 9-11
Wednesday, September 16
Community Building Day @ Hillside 9-11
Wednesday, September 23
SAT School Day for Juniors
Wednesday, September 23
Community Building Day @ Hillside 9-11
Thursday, September 24
Block IA begins
Wednesday, September 30
Community Building Day @ Hillside 9-11

June Bulletin

(from Kael’s Jupiter message on June 1)
Dear Hillside Community,
As you know, among our school’s basic beliefs is that everyone is of value and has a gift to develop and share with the world—and that everyone deserves a safe, respectful environment where it is possible to do that. America’s core ideals of “liberty and justice for all” express similar tenets. However, our country has yet to fulfil those ideals. Recent events have underlined not only the inequities related to a pandemic, but also the infection of racism, reinforcing the sad reality that not all our citizens have equal access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Over the last few days, in response to violence, protests have spread across the country demanding justice. Some protesters have in turn become violent. After centuries of oppression, such a reaction might seem inevitable. While anger is understandable, however, healing requires medicine, not a club. We need to talk about what that medicine is.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. He said:
This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.
Dr. King promoted non-violent methods of change, but he expressed impatience with those who wanted him to “wait”. He believed that change was needed now. His “now” was fifty-seven years ago. He made an important difference, but our country still has to pull itself out of the quick sands to the rock of justice.
We want our Hillside community to be safe, but learning and growing often mean being uncomfortable and risking mistakes, being open to difficult discussions, and to seeking solutions.
We at Hillside do not have the answers, but we are trying to ask the right questions and engage in conversations to help our nation move towards justice.
Please join us in working to fulfill Dr. King’s powerful words. Please let us know what questions you have. We believe in our students’ ability to be a powerful force to build a more equitable world.
Here are a few resources and a discussion for tomorrow to help us have some of these challenging conversations:
· The Brooklyn Friends School has put together an event with “I run with Maud,” a group seeking justice for Ahmaud Arbery. A group of Ahmaud’s friends and family will discuss racism and what each of us can do to seek justice and create change. It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, at 2:30 pm Pacific Time. For more information and to RSVP, follow this link: brooklynfriends.org/justiceforahmaud/.
· USA Today – George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?
· King5 – How we talk to our kids about race, racism, and identity
· Teaching Tolerance – Beyond the Golden Rule
· New York Times – Race/Related Weekly Newsletter
· The National Association of School Psychologists (paste the link below into your browser) has good points and resources for talking to children about violence, race, and privilege. nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasponline.org%2Fresources-and-publications%2Fresources-and-podcasts%2Fdiversity%2Fsocial-justice%2Funderstanding-race-and-privilege&data=02%7C01%7Cbrownma%40bsd405.org%7C6a90673ffa4541932daa08d805e9f0f9%7C994a41397c06491e809879006d575de0%7C1%7C0%7C637265849910761623&sdata=KZub%2BPSBwz%2BK3wqrZDCPl55zLssZbi3rqirSnOn69AM%3D&reserved=0
Take Care.
Kael, several Hillside Staff, and Board

What’s Happening at Hillside

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Spotlight On…

Bake Off

Friday, 5/29 marked the first ever Hillside Virtual Bake-Off! Eight families competed, & made lemon meringue pies. The event was delicious, & we look forward to doing it again.

Founders Day/Fly Up

July 9th is the birthday of Hillside’s founder, Edith Sherrard. To honor her, we call it Founders Day, & traditionally hold our 6th grade Fly Up ceremony. The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize the 6th graders as they transition to the Upper School. While normally this is a Hillside-only event, we will leverage the silver lining of online connection by making it a Zoom webinar that family, extended family, & friends can attend. Please mark your calendars for 11:40 on June 9th. A Zoom invitation will be sent out school-wide soon.

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Drama Production

On June 19th This year’s Drama Production is an original piece which will be performed live over Zoom. Jean describes it as rated PG-13, so join us if you dare! A Zoom invitation will be sent out as the show becomes closer.

Graduation

Hillside’s graduation will look different than previous years due to COVID-19’s impact. We are still working out the details to honor the graduates. Despite the limited, we are determined to show them just how proud we are. Stay tuned for more information!

American Literature Projects

Please enjoy some powerful images from Brynne’s American Literature class.Screen Shot 2020-06-01 at 12.17.31 PMScreen Shot 2020-06-01 at 12.16.42 PMScreen Shot 2020-06-01 at 12.16.54 PM


Events Calendar

Tuesday, June 9
Founder’s Day—11:40 a.m.
Thursday, June 18
Last Day of School
Friday, June 19
Live Drama Performance: Upper School Production—8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 20
Graduation