Hillside Student Community School

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

(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

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 9^th is the birthday of Hillside’s founder, Edith Sherrard. To honor her, we call it Founders Day, & traditionally hold our 6^th grade Fly Up ceremony. The purpose of the ceremony is to recognize the 6^th 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 9^th. A Zoom invitation will be sent out school-wide soon.

Drama Production

On June 19^th 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.

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

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!

WHAT IS GIVEBIG WASHINGTON?
(From https://www.givebigwa.org/about):

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.

Donations are already open. You can visit https://www.givebigwa.org/hillside-fellowship to donate today.

Parent Event—Sarah Odell, LMFTA, MHP

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 to Sigrid. 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.

Virtual Connections and Tour

We wanted to let you know that Hillside has a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/hillsidesc/. Please “like” us!

Also, we have a lovely new virtual tour that Leslie made (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZzoCTlMvz8).

Take the time to watch it on Hillside’s Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTfQfsW8wHFkMbhaVQ5KFdg Don’t forget to like and subscribe).

History Feast

On May 16^th 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 21^st, 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.

Monday, May 25
Memorial Day – No School

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 10^th 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 8^th 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.

What’s Happening at Hillside

Spotlight On…

Poetry Slam

The 10^th and 11^th 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 7^thand 8^thgraders created board games based on books, while 5^thand 6^thmade 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.

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.