Hillside Weekly

Mon 2/9

• View Mindful Monday Video, below

Tues 2/10

• --

Wed 2/11

• AM: DISC

Thurs 2/12

• --

Fri 2/13

• No School in Observation of President's Day Weekend

Safety Drill: Practice Lockdown drill - it will be happening this month.

If you have taken or do take photos from any point during this school year please upload them here!

As discussed at staff meeting, each through the rest of February, March & April we will have Mindful Monday videos. I will keep the videos at the bottom of the newsletter if it is something you want to revisit at anytime.

Now till 2/13 - Open?

Feb 16-27 - Jack Shannon

March 2-13 - Jake Gregg

March 16-27 - Kerry Boles

April 6-17 - Matt Allen

April 20-May 1 - Mitzi Herrera, in Spanish!

May 4-15 - Alison Maker

May 11-22 - Vicky Reidy

May 25- June 5 - Woodall

June 8 - 10 - Samantha Swerda

Mary McLeod Bethune (1875–1955) was an influential educator, civil rights leader, and public servant whose contributions are often overlooked in traditional history. Born to parents who had been enslaved, she grew up working in cotton fields and later founded a school for Black girls in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1904. Despite limited resources and widespread discrimination, the school grew into Bethune-Cookman University, a private HBCU. (Fun fact: Kiara was accepted to Bethune-Cookman, although opted to stay close to home 😊.) Bethune believed education was the key to opportunity and equality.

Beyond education, Bethune advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt and founded the National Council of Negro Women, helping expand opportunities for Black Americans during the Great Depression. Although she shaped national policy and education, her story is not widely taught, reflecting a broader pattern in which many Black contributors—especially women—have been excluded from mainstream historical narratives.

Educating ourselves about figures like Bethune helps create a more complete and accurate understanding of history. For educators, intentionally learning and teaching these stories models lifelong learning, supports inclusive classrooms, and affirms the importance of representation. Recognizing overlooked contributors is not only about honoring the past, but about teaching history with honesty and purpose.

Reflection Questions:

1. How might learning about overlooked Black contributors, such as Mary McLeod Bethune, change our own understanding of U.S. history?

2. How does our approach to teaching history impact students’ sense of identity, belonging, and possibility?

Learning Resources for students:

• Mary McLeod Bethune - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

• Black History Month Tribute to Mary Mcleod Bethune. Learn about Mary Mcleod Bethune!

Learning Resources for staff:

• Multimedia Presentations - Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

• Mary McLeod Bethune: “First Lady of Negro America” | National Museum of African American History and Culture

3rd Brittany Ott

11th Mitzi Herrera

12th Jayden Brown

21st Rebecca Mouer

22nd Lauren Bolster

24th Lindsey Evans

24th Angela Bankson

29th Amy Anderson