The Hillside Happenings!

Keeping Hillside Middle School connected and informed.

A message from Mr. Quartararo-New Principal

A message from Mr. Quartararo-New Principal

Dear Hillside Middle School Community,


Hello, my name is Jason Quartararo (pronounced Quarter-Arrow), the new principal for the 2022-2023 school year. I want to welcome you to Hillside Middle School. I actually started my career in education at Hillside. I was a long-term substitute teacher before I accepted a full time teaching position in Moorpark. I previously served as an assistant principal at Santa Susana High School and most recently serving as principal at Chaparral Middle School in Moorpark.


Effective communication and a strong alliance with our parents are priorities at HMS. We believe that a strong partnership between home and school leads to student success. We utilize multiple communication methods to work with our parents and research shows that with a school/home partnership, students will find more success in school. The school will be using the The Hillside Happenings, an online newsletter that will be sent to families weekly on the happenings at Hillside.


I am very excited for you to meet our new Assistant Principal, Ms. Christine Lobitz who is coming from Chaparral Middle School in Moorpark and Mr. Thomas Buckle who has been at Hillside for the last six years. Rounding out our team are our wonderful school counselors, Ms. Cheri Toyen and Mr. Matthew Thompson.


Please reference this edition of The Hillside Happenings, as it will be updated until school begins on August 10th.


Respectfully,


Jason Quartararo

A message from Mr. Quartararo-New Principal

Office reopens on July 25th

Our office will open from 7:30am – 4:00pm, closed briefly from 12:00pm-1:00pm starting on July 25th For assistance, please call (805) 520-6810.

First Day of School on Wednesday, August 10th

We look forward to the first day of school for the 2022-23 year on Wednesday, August 10th.

Hawk Prep Days


As we prepare for the beginning of the school year, we have organized days and times to have you and your student pick up a class schedule, pre-purchased items, locate your assigned locker and classes, and get your textbooks.


Each grade has a specific day and times based upon their last name.


  • 8th Grade, Tuesday, August 2nd

  • 7th Grade, Wednesday, August 3rd

  • 6th Grade, Thursday, August 4th


Please see the breakdown below:

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Parking: The front parking lot and the east parking lot will be open to parents.

Enter: The Cafeteria front doors and walk through to the gym.


Step 1. Gym - Students will receive the following:

1. Schedule (Schedules will also be posted on Aeries in the middle of week)

2. Locker Assignment

3. Pre-purchase item is ordered during July 25th - July 29th

4. Immunization records can be dropped off

5. There is a fitting area for those uncertain about the sizing of PE clothes & dance clothes.

Step 2.

  1. If you have not pre-purchased go to the student store at the Band room (located next to the gym).

  2. If you have already pre-purchased online you may go find your locker location and classrooms if you need to.

Step 3.

  1. Go to the library and pick up your textbooks for the school year.


Step 4. Go home and secure the following items until August 10th:

  1. Your locker #

  2. Your locker lock (practice opening and locking lock at home 100 times). Memorize your locker combination.

  3. Your schedule

  4. Cover your books

  5. Practice getting up early and preparing for your new going to school routine.

Hawk Prep Day Supplies and Prices

You can pre purchase items from our online webstore starting on July 26th.

https://webstores.activenetwork.com/school-software/hillside_middle_scho/index.php

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Yearbook

Purchase your 2022-2023 Yearbook NOW to secure the BEST price of the year. Starting at $55. This offer is available for a limited time and will end on August 31st.


Yearbook link

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Schedules on Hawk Prep Day & request for changes

Schedules will be picked up at Hawk Prep Day. Any schedule changes will be allowed the first week of school for the following reasons below:


  • You have missing class in your schedule (empty period)
  • You have a duplicate class or period in your schedule
  • You wish to change your elective (based on availability)


Schedule changes are not allowed for the following reasons:


  • Schedule matching with friends
  • Selecting a specific teacher
  • Requesting a class during a specific period


*Students can come to the counseling on the first day of school during the period they have an issue.

Parent Orientation for new families on Thursday, 8/4 at 5:00pm.

Parent Orientation for new families on Thursday, 8/4 at 5:00pm.

The parent orientation will take place at 5:00pm on Thursday 8/4 in the gym. A copy of the presentation will be uploaded to the HMS website for those who are unable to make it.
Parent Orientation for new families on Thursday, 8/4 at 5:00pm.

Student Orientation Activities on Friday, 8/5-students only

These orientations will be a great way for new students to get connected to school and meet new people.
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Vaccination Requirements

Students entering 7th grade need the following vaccinations:


  • 1 dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
  • AND have 2 doses of Varicella (chickenpox).


Any student with previous exemptions- If your student had a previous personal/medical exemption please visit shots for school and speak to your child's physician to begin the vaccination schedule or discuss a medical exemption with them.



Students not meeting these requirements will not be allowed to begin school until the requirements are met.


If the school does not have up to date immunizations they will not be able to begin classes on the 10th. For any questions email Mrs. Espinoza april.espinoza@simivalleyusd.org.

Bell Schedule

Please take a look at our 2022-23 Bell Schedule.
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How early can I arrive on campus?


  • Students who attend 0 period classes can arrive at 6:45am in the morning.


  • At 7:30am we open the cafeteria for early arrival students and for those who want to get breakfast.


  • At 7:45am (Monday-Thursday) we open the main gate to the campus.


  • On Friday the gate opens at 8:50 am.

Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

We appreciate your patience the first 2 weeks as families get accustomed to coming and going on campus. Please review the graphic below that we hope will assist for drop off & pick up times.


(Front of Campus)

The front parking lot has 4 lanes. Lanes 1 & 3 are devoted towards drop off/pick up and lanes 2 & 4 are devoted for thru traffic. See the map below.

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Support the PTSA

Support the PTSA

MEMBERSHIP

Great schools have a connected community. By becoming a member of the PTSA, you are supporting the connectedness that helps make Hillside Middle School a great place to learn and grow. Membership is $7.00. Families can join using this link.
Support the PTSA
AERIES - DATA CONFIRMATION

AERIES - DATA CONFIRMATION

Aeries is the primary tool of communication. It is required that all families should complete the data confirmation in the Aeries portal before our Hawk Prep Days.


AERIES Link

AERIES - DATA CONFIRMATION
Hillside Middle School, Simi Valley

Hillside Middle School, Simi Valley

Hillside Middle School, Simi Valley

2222 Fitzgerald Rd, Simi Valley, CA, USA (805) 520-6810 hms.simivalleyusd.org/