Workshop: Wednesday April 22nd 7:00 pm, at the James V. Harmon Community Center, 44 Main St
Rodeo: Saturday April 25th 12:00-2:00 pm, at Chase Bank on Warburton
Join the PTSA Traffic Safety Committee, Hastings Bicycle Safety Committee, and Hastings Police Department at the James Harmon Community Center on Wednesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm. We will explain what bicycle safety means and the do’s and don’ts of riding a bicycle in the Rivertowns. There will also be information and sign-up sheets for our Bike Rodeo.
The Bike Rodeo will take place on Earth Day Saturday, April 25th in the Chase Bank parking lot on Warburton from 12-2 pm. Kids will learn how to ride and navigate a bicycle safely in a comfortable setting. Bring your bicycle and helmet for a free safety check. There will be a few extra kids’ bikes and helmets available for use.
2 • PTSA Used Book Fair Donations and Volunteers
Donations for the Used Book Fair (March 4-7, 9-10) are being accepted at Hillside during the month of February, leading up to the February 29 Big Sort. Gently used books (for both kids and adults), games, toys, puzzles, and DVDs/CDs may be dropped-off in the Hillside lobby. (No outdated travel books or textbooks.) We greatly appreciate donations that are delivered in boxes. It also helps when youth and adult items are stored separately.
Lots of volunteers, parents and students, are needed for the February 29 Big Sort to organize the donations. Food will be served, and volunteers will be rewarded with a book of their choice. Come for an hour or come all day. Any time you can give us is helpful. Please sign-up to volunteer.
Volunteers like you make all the difference for these community events! All profits from the Used Book Fair support programming in our schools.
3 • Spirit Wear
The PTSA will sell a limited selection of spirit wear at Hillside Family Dance Night on Friday, February 7 at 6 PM. The next opportunity to shop our entire inventory (and our LAST sale of the year), will be during the Used Book Fair at Hillside from March 4-7 and the Mini-Used Book Fair in the HHS Lobby from March 9-10. Don't miss out!! All profits from spirit wear sales support programming in our schools.
4 • PTSA/SEPTA Tutor Survey
The PTSA presented the PTSA/SEPTA tutor survey results at the January 13 Board of Education meeting. The presentation will be posted on the District website soon. Keep an eye out for it.
In the interim, the power point used during the presentation can be accessed here.
5 • FMS and HHS Parents – Don’t Forget Box Tops!
Each year, the Hillside Student Council works with an advisor to brainstorm ideas for how to use the money from Box Tops and votes on the final choice, which has led to not one but two Gaga pits and so much more!
Please download the ‘BoxTops 4 Education’ app and scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase. The app will automatically find the relevant products and instantly add Box Tops to Hillside’s earnings online. No clipping required! For those of you that still like to clip, the next submission deadline is March 2. (Please drop-off at the Hillside office.) Any Box Top related questions can be directed to Dorothy Neagle.
6 • PTSA School Supplies Sale
The Hillside school supplies sale for Fall 2020 is underway! To place your order, simply follow the Cheddarup link. Your supplies will be delivered to your child’s classroom before school starts next fall.
Grants
For the 2019-2020 school year, the PTSA has awarded the following grants:
Out of Rushmore's Shadow, a unique program about history, ancestry, perseverance, and advocating for human rights, will be presented to the 2nd grade.
The Mental Health Association of New York will train thirty teachers (district wide) in the Mental Health First Aid curriculum
Composer Workshop with Michael Markowski for HHS Band.
NY Philharmonic Young People’s Concert for the 7th and 8th grade band and orchestra.
David Coffin will present Music from the Kings Court to Hillside.
Gaby Cook will teach our 5th and 6th graders the art of swing dancing.
8th Grade will see To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway.
Compostable party supplies requested by the Hillside Green Team.
5th Grade Electricity and Magnetism Workshop by the Liberty Science Center.
5th Grade Gravitational Force and Projectile Motion Workshop by the Liberty Science Center.
Liberty Science Center Assembly at FMS.
HASP students will go to West Side Story on Broadway.
Chris Herren, a former NBA player and motivational speaker on substance use and wellness, talk for HHS students about such topics as drinking, smoking marijuana and vaping, pill use, peer pressure, bullying and cutting.
The First Day screening and parent program facilitated by the filmmaker Jon Hock and addiction expert Fred Muench, President of Center on Addiction.
DJs for FMS socials.
Family University dinner for HHS parents and students.
Sweethearts and Heroes anti-bullying program for all children at Hillside.
Professional Development at the Windward Teacher Training Institute for Hillside and FMS special/general education teachers.
The Omer String Quartet will visit FMS and HHS. The quartet will perform for students and then break off to work with our string chamber groups.
Additional grants funded by the PTSA on an annual basis:
Field Trip Busing for each grade K through 12
Scholarship Fund for Each School (allowing each school to anonymously provide instruments, lunches, and field trip scholarships to families in need of financial assistance)
