Hillcrest Academy South Campus
January 2023 Newsletter
Dr. Balsamello's Message
Hillcrest Academy South Campus (HAS) staff and students are excited to be back at our newly renovated school at 1571 Lamberts Mill Road in Westfield! Everyone rose to the occasion by seamlessly making this transition a complete success!
January 2023 Dates
- January 2nd & 3rd - Moved into and set up our newly renovated school!.
- January 4th - Classes Resume for Students.
- January 6th School Spirit: Wear School Colors.
- January 13th School Spirit: Twin Day.
- January 20th School Spirit: Mismatched Clothes Day.
- January 27th School Spirit: Superhero day.
- January 31st - End of Marking Period 2 and 1st Semester.
January Student of the Month
Oliver R. is our Student of the Month for the month of January. He has only been at HAS since the first day at 1571 but has definitely has made an impact on his teachers. Out of all the subjects, history is his favorite and is in an advanced level in history. Oliver is a writer and actually has his own writing channel on social media. One of Oliver's favorite things is shoes!
Teacher Spotlight
Ms Vlastaras (also known as Ms V) is brand new to HAS/UCESC this year but is not brand new to teaching. Ms V has been a teacher for 8 years before coming to HAS. A few cool facts about Ms V is that she lived in Greece for 12 years, her favorite animal is the penguin, she has an extensive collection of plants, and loves to paint canvases. Ms V is currently working towards a Doctorate Degree at Kean University; Go Cougars!
Classroom Spotlights
Ms. Cioffi's Classroom
In January Miss Cioffi’s English classes practiced reading historical documents and comparing them with other types of texts and art.
First, students read an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” in preparation of Black History Month and completed a Historical Document Analysis to learn King’s purpose and message in his speech. Next, they read and reflected on Claude McKay’s poem “America.” Students then wrote a constructed response using the R.A.C.E. writing format comparing the similarities in the two pieces. Students then continued to analyze historical documents by reading Sojourner Truth’s speech “Aint I a Woman” and compared it to an article about Katherine Switzer, the first woman to race in the Boston Marathon in 1967. Students wrote another response in which they reflected on how Truth and Switzer are similar even though their activism for women’s rights occurred over 100 years apart. Lastly, students analyzed another historical document with a piece of artwork. Students read key excerpts from the Supreme Court ruling of Brown v. Board of Education and reflected upon Normal Rockwell’s painting of Ruby Bridges in “The Problem We All Live With.” Students analyzed the court document and the painting and wrote a short response in how the two court document and famous painting are connected.
Mr Barone's Classroom
Back to 1571
Welcome Home!
On January 2, 2023, faculty and staff were able to enter the doors of 1571 for the first time since September of 2021. Excitement filled the halls as everyone checked their classrooms to see what remained the same, what was changed, and for some faculty who got to see the building for the first time! With this month's theme being about leadership and courage, it is without a doubt that the administration, faculty, and staff at 1571 falls under this category.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The 1571 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony took place on January 3, 2023 to make our home coming official! UCESC Superintendent Ms Dattilo officiated the ceremony where not only the faculty and staff of 1571 was in attendance, but many others who were able to help make the return to 1571 possible. The Mayor of Westfield, Shelley Brindle, was also in attendance and had a few words of encouragement for the faculty and staff of 1571. As part of the ceremony, one faculty/staff member from each school was chosen to cut the ribbon and science teacher Ms Arora was the representative chosen for HAS!
Welcome Back School Spirit Day - Wear School Colors
Month of Courage, Leadership, and the Unsung Heroes
Faculty and Staff of HAS
Wall of Heroes
Students put together a Wall of Heroes. Each student took a "superhero action bubble" and wrote who they believe is a hero. From professions that stepped up during the pandemic like doctors and nurses, to those who risk their lives every day like law enforcement and fire fighters, to someone personal in their lives like a parent or a favorite teacher, these students really put thought into who they think a hero is. Heroes are made by the path they choose, not by the powers they are graced with.
Superhero Superintendent!
In celebrating Leaders that have been courageous and considered unsung, someone that is noteworthy at HAS is none other than Superintendent Carrie Dattilo. In the midst of a flood, which damaged her office at 1571, she took on the role of Acting Superintendent when one was needed. She was not expecting to take on the role, nor did she know how long this would last, but the courage she demonstrated definitely proved she was right for the job! She is an example of not needing super powers to be a super hero!
In the Community
January was a busy month for the HAS Community Service program! HAS seniors are hard at work satisfying their required community service hours through working on the Freerice program and other community outreach activities. The HASCSP honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through participating in a Week of Service. During the week, Dr. King’s most famous quotes were read at the beginning of each period, allowing students to reflect on their significance in their lives today. Students continued to reflect on Dr. King’s commitment to serving others by hosting a food drive to benefit the Community Food Bank in Hillside and a Cocoa for a Purpose fundraiser to support the unsung heroes at Feeding America. Throughout his life, Dr. King encouraged others to pursue their dreams. To commemorate this, students created a Dream Board where they listed their own hopes and dreams for the future.
Dr King's Most Famous Quotes
Cocoa for a Purpose
We Have a Dream Board
Our Students In and Out of School
Touchdown!
About Us
Hillcrest Academy South is an alternative high school for students from the Elizabeth Public Schools. Students are referred to HAS by their Elizabeth Academy guidance counselor and administration for an interview at HAS. We provide a small educational learning setting with opportunities to make up courses through our Credit Retrieval Program in a caring environment in order to meet Elizabeth’s graduation requirements.
Website: www.ucesc.org
Instagram: ucesc_has
Facebook: Hillcrest Academy South
Location: 1571 Lamberts Mill Road, Westfield, NJ, USA-Door 3B
Phone: 908-233-9317