Hillside Family Newsletter
November I 2016
Principal's Corner
As we near the end of the first quarter, and the first round of parent-teacher conferences are in the rearview mirror, I thought I would take a moment to highlight the value of the student/parent/teacher partnership. I frequently tell students that one of the key skills I hope they leave Hillside with is the ability to advocate for themselves and partner with teachers to address their academic concerns and progress. Middle school is the time when the evolution of the student/teacher relationship into a collaborative enterprise - one wherein adults and children work together to achieve learning goals - truly accelerates.
From the adult lens, I always advocate for early, open, direct communication between parents and teachers. Email makes this easier en masse, but there is still value in the well-timed phone call or personal conversation. I was encouraged to see so many parents at conferences engaged in their children's learning. When adults partner to support student achievement, those students progress further and faster than they ever could alone. As we near the first "official" reporting of student progress, I encourage you to maintain those open lines of communication with teachers and address with them any questions you may have about your child's progress. I know you will find Hillside teachers to be willing partners who love to talk about your kids.
William R. Jones, Principal
Sublimation Demonstration in Ms. Harris's Class
Students of the Month for October
Students of the Month Celebration
PTSA News
The next PTSA meeting is on November 3rd at 9:15am in the Media Center.
PTSA is looking for help in the following areas: teacher appreciation coordinator (event is in April or May) membership and/or directory coordinator for next school year
Contact Sandi Lynch at srlynch@outlook.com
Carnival is December 2 from 4:30 - 6pm. Order your all inclusive wrist band at hillsideptsa.org. Wristband includes everything except for food items such as ice cream, sno cones, popcorn, pizza and pop.
PTSA Reflections Contest
The deadline for the Reflections Art Competition is Tuesday, November 1. Art work can be dropped off in the office. Look for the black portfolio next to the Reflections sign. The theme this year is "What is your story?"
Students can enter as many times and in as many categories as they choose. Please make sure to:
1. Fill out student form and put on the back of art work.
Student entry Form
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5rX0_lLs63Kcm5VdVg5YURnaTRYYVJja3BJd0JZTFF3ZGdr
Contest Rules
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5rX0_lLs63KVG9XdFVXUHNhRDJsc1BDMGZZU2FObExFSzVz/view?usp=sharing
If you are having trouble uploading, come to the workshop on Monday or your work on a flash drive with your name on it. Fill out the student form. Put both the flash drive and the student form in an envelope and put in the portfolio in the office. (All Flash drives will be returned.)
* Monday, October 31st - Turn in your art work and get help uploading it.
* Tuesday, November 1st. - Last day to turn in art work to the office.
Hillside Makers’ Club
Would you like to design, tinker, code, craft, build, or make? Would you like an opportunity to connect with friends in a creative space? Are you interested in taking risks as you learn by doing? Does working with a partner to problem-solve and practice decision-making skills sound fun? If so, this is the club for you!
This is NOT your average club! This is a club where you can build confidence as you collaborate with others to explore the way things work, plan projects, and create amazing products! No skills are needed in order to join!
Permission slip at the link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1foAxDljWVFWJZNo0CcpHo2-zoHhjcxywl7SDFe91aS4/edit?usp=sharing
Possible Topics:
Electronics
Coding/Robotics
Crafts
Photography and Videography
Autodesk Inventor
And so much more! (We cannot wait to hear your ideas!)
Club Specifics:
The Hillside Makers’ Club will meet on most Tuesdays after school (3:10-4:00 pm) in the media center. Mrs. Torres (torressh@northvilleschools.org) and Mrs. Harris (harrisje@northvilleschools.org) will be your mentors! You must have parent permission to participate (see below).
Hillside Athletics
7th grade boys' basketball tryouts - November 7th and 9th from 3:15-5:00pm
8th grade boys' basketball tryouts - November 7th and 9th from 3:15-5:00pm
I.M. Boys' Basketball for grades 6-8 is Tuesday, November 1st through Friday, November 8th from 3:15-4:45pm
Swimming and Diving Team - All 6th,7th and 8th graders who are interested in joining the Hillside Raiders Swimming and Diving Team, there will be a parent/student athlete information meeting this Wednesday, November 2nd at 6pm in the Hillside forum. Our first practice will be November 16th, at NHS pool from6:30-8pm. If you can't make the meeting, send an email to hillsideswimanddive@gmail.com and someone will answer any questions you might have. We are looking forward to a fun, successful season. So, anyone who is interested in getting physically fit, meeting new friends, becoming a better competitive swimmer or diver, and having fun please come to the informational meeting and join the team. hillsideswimanddive@gmail.com
All student athletes must have a physical on file to participate.
ATTENTION NORTHVILLE GIRLS INTERESTED IN PLAYING ICE HOCKEY!
Come join some of the coolest girls playing the Coolest Game on Earth with tryouts beginning Wednesday, November 2nd at 4:30 PMat Eddie Edgar Ice Arena.
Anyone interested in playing on the High School Girls Varsity, or with the Middle School Girls Prep Team is welcome to participate. The first exhibition game is November 16th at Ann Arbor Pioneer.
Please contact Head Coach, J.D. Damrath 248.880.2158jd@damrath.com with any questions, or for further details.
Go Mustangs!!
Academic Games News
Hillside Academic Games team competed at the October regional tournament at Pioneer High School on Saturday October 15th.
Thirty-two students represented Hillside Middle School and completed against 250 kids from 19 schools in the region. The 7th and 8th grade team placed 5th in team average and 4th in top five scorers.
6th grader Sabrina Loftus won all three rounds of games and earned a perfect score of twenty.
Table winners are:
6th graders Mayja Chen, Aaria Shah, Vansh Kapoor, and Emily Liao.
7th graders Winston Wong, Sambhav Gupta, Joshua Chacko, Ved Muthusamy, Shreyas Akkaraju, Sameer Torke, Ishan Ghosh, Arya Gowda, Sambhav Gupta and Zhane Yamin.
8th Graders Sameer Narayan, Pamela Calderon and Hillary Luan.
Vision Screening
Attendance Reminders/Procedure
If your child will be absent or tardy on any school day for any reason, please call the school attendance line (248) 344-3605 and leave a message; please spell your child’s name. If your student is being picked up during the day, send a note in with the date, time, and reason. Have the student bring the note to the office first thing in the morning. We will stamp it and return it to them. The student should show the note to the teacher(s) whose class they will miss, then use the note as their pass out of class during the class period they are to be excused.