Hillside Happenings

This month we held our first two huddles! Since our school is so large, huddles are divided up into A and B Groups! A huddle is a student-led assembly where we celebrate student success. Classes share mission statements, accomplishments, goals, and more! Special thanks to Mrs. Lyons, who helps our student leaders prepare for the huddles. Check out a few photos from our huddles below. We look forward to more student celebrations in November!

Reminder: The Lost & Found is filling up! Please take a moment to check for your student's belongings and pick them up from the West Hallway.

School Hours for 2025-2026:

Student Hours: 8:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Half Day: 8:30 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.

Office Hours: 7:45 A.M. – 4:15 P.M.

Save the Dates:

November 4th - No School (Election Day)

November 5th - Parent Lighthouse Meeting

November 5th/6th - 2nd Grade to Nature Center

November 10th - Scholastic Book Fair Begins

November 11th - Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 12th - Bonaventure Skate Night

November 13th - Parent - Teacher Conferences

November 19th - Picture Retakes

November 20th - PTA Meeting (Virtual)

November 26th - 28th - No School (Thanksgiving Recess)

December 1st - Book Blast Begins

December 2nd - 1st Grade Library Field Trip

December 2nd - Lunch & Learn w/ Dr. Coffin

December 9th - Leader in Me Book Event w/ Muriel Summers

December 11th - Bonaventure Skate Night

December 12th - 3rd Grade Capital Field Trip

December 16th - 1st Grade Safari

December 19th - Spelling Bee Lists Sent Home

December 19th - Winter Break Begins at the end of the school day!

(Classes resume on January 5, 2026)

The link below takes you to all published newsletters thus far.

Archive of all Newsletters

The email address: hil@fpsk12.net is not regularly monitored.

To reach someone in the office, please use the email addresses below:

Mrs. Maas - torrie.maas@fpsk12.net - Principal

Mrs. Amos - deb.amos@fpsk12.net - Assistant Principal

Ms. Pliska - emily.pliska@fpsk12.net - Secretary

Mrs. Jacobs - susan.jacobs@fpsk12.net - Office Clerk

Mrs. Huell - tanya.huell@fpsk12.net - Office Clerk

Your oldest student should bring home your Hillside bag and student directory this week.

Also included, coupons to Bonaventure:

- Free admission coupons for November

- $2 admission coupons for various times/dates (check QR code on coupon) This $2 admission is donated back to Hillside!

- These coupons cannot be used for our Hillside skate nights

New members will still receive a bag and directory - consider becoming a member today! There is no obligation to volunteer.

Our Book Fair is coming up the week of November 10th and is 100% parent-run! Those who volunteer can select one book [up to a $10 value] at the end of their shift as a thank you. Sign up here

Consider putting funds in an E-Wallet for your student so they can purchase without bringing cash to school. Learn more here

Purchase tickets today for our Movie Night on November 21st! This is a drop-off event for Hillside students with 150 tickets available. You must purchase tickets in advance. Purchase tickets here

This year's National PTA Reflections art contest theme is "I Belong!" Check out our website to learn more about the program and how to submit your entries by October 28th! https://www.ptahillside.org/academics/reflections

Email hillsideptareflections@gmail.com with any questions.

Support Hillside while you shop at Kroger & Busch’s

Kroger Community Rewards

Busch's Cash for Education : Busch’s must be updated yearly

Restaurant Night - Save the Date! Our next restaurant night is November 18th at Rolling Stoves!

The Farmington African-American Parent Network, in partnership with Farmington Public Schools Student Services, will be launching Free Tutoring beginning Saturday, September 27. Sessions will be held from 9:00–11:00 AM at the Maxfield Education Center (32789 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills).

As part of this initiative, we are also hosting an in-person parent workshop to provide hands-on support for navigating Canvas, MiStar, and the free Varsity Tutors online platform. These tools are essential in supporting academic excellence, and the workshop will give families the opportunity to practice directly on their own devices. For families without a device, loaners will be available.

To make families feel welcome, we will also serve a pancake breakfast, generously hosted and sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Omicron Omega Chapter of Farmington Hills.

Congratulations to all of our students who were recogized with Leadership Awards this week!!😁

We are so proud of you!! Congratulations:

Etoh

Brandon

Samah

Lana

Greta

Zayna

Siddhant

Connor

Yuha

Kamsi

Frieda

Dion

Noe

Thank you Mrs. Belsky, Mrs. Kherkher, Mrs. Bongero, Mrs. Gordon,

Mrs. Mishanec, Mr. Morrow, Mrs. Janks, Mrs. Chambers, Mrs. Dhaliwal & Mrs. Dowd

for nominating these amazing students!!

We can't wait to see who's next!😍

The Detroit Lions Touchdowns for Teachers program is designed to celebrate and support outstanding educators by providing them with Lions experiences and classroom grants to enhance their teaching experience while benefiting their students. This initiative aims to recognize the hard work and dedication of teachers who go above and beyond in their classrooms.

How It Works:

1. Nomination Process: Students, parents, school staff and community members can nominate a teacher who has made a significant impact in their lives or in the classroom.
2. Grant Selection: Nominations will be reviewed by a committee, and selected teachers will receive grants to fund innovative projects, resources, or activities that will enhance student learning.
3. Celebration of Teachers: Recipients will be recognized, showcasing their contributions and the positive effects they have on their students.

Why Nominate?

• Empower Educators: Help your teacher gain the resources they need to implement creative ideas and improve their classroom environment.
• Acknowledge Dedication: Show appreciation for the time and effort your teacher invests in their students every day.
• Developing the Future: Grant-funded projects can lead to innovative teaching methods and inspire students in their learning journey.

Nominate your favorite teacher today and help them turn their classroom dreams into reality!

Free meals will continue through 10/31/25.

Once we have a budget from the state we will know more.

Elementary students will have the option to purchase a second slice of pizza on Little Caesars Pizza Day (every other Thursday - Nov. 6th/20th). The first slice is free, and the cost for an additional slice is $2.25.

Students must have sufficient funds preloaded in their cafeteria account. Deposits can be made online at https://farmington.familyportal.cloud/

Please reach out to Nutrition Services at 248.489.3717 if you have any questions.

Bonaventure is open just to Hillside Elementary and their families, which is a wonderful family friendly evening! The cost is $13, which includes skates. Spectators are always free!

Address: 24505 Halstead Rd - Farmington Hills

River will be joining the Hillside Staff very soon! Please consider donating to help with supplies.

As we begin to transition from summer to fall, don't forget to bring your items to our bin. Donate your old clothes, shoes, & linens. Donated items are recycled, and our school receives a donation. The bin is located on the west side of the parking lot. 

What is Clothes Bin?

Clothes Bin® is a textile recycling program that partners with schools to turn unwanted clothing, shoes, and textiles into funding for student needs. Our bright green bins are conveniently located on campus and equipped with smart technology to ensure timely service. Every bag you drop off reduces waste in landfills and, more importantly, provides direct funding for programs, resources, and activities that benefit our students all year long.

How You Can Help

• By dropping gently used clothing, shoes, and textiles in the Clothes Bin® on campus,

you keep items out of landfills and give them a second life.

• Every bag of textiles you bring in generates real funding for our school’s programs, classrooms, and

activities.

How Our School Benefits

• Enrichment programs

• Classroom resources

• Student activities and events

The Clothes Bin Program focuses on textiles only — toys, books, and household items can be

recycled or donated through other local programs.

Email: torrie.maas@fpsk12.net

Website: www.farmington.k12.mi.us/hil
Location: 36801 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI, USA
Phone: (248)489-3773
Facebook: Facebook.com/HillsideFPS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillsidefp