Hilltop Elementary School

New Procedure - Reporting Student Attendance

Please note that all student attendance updates must now be submitted directly through the Genesis Parent Portal. Beginning this school year, parents/guardians will be required to use this system to report any present or upcoming absences, tardies, or early dismissals. Pick Up Patrol will only be used for dismissal purposes.

Attendance Reporting Requirements

• Required Notification: Submit an online entry whenever your child will be Absent, Tardy, or requiring an Early Dismissal.

• Timeline: Submit notifications for the current day or schedule them in advance for future dates.

• Details & Documentation: Select each student the notice applies to, state the reason for the attendance change, and attach any required documentation or doctor's notes directly in the portal.

Please refer to the attached document for step-by-step instructions and visual screenshots on how to log in and submit your attendance notifications.

Reminder: All back-to-school forms, documents, and contact information updates must be completed via the Parent Portal by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4.

Bus information has been updated in Genesis. Please review your child's pick up and drop off times. It is recommended that students be at their assigned stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time. Please note that these times are approximate and can fluctuate due to traffic, weather and other factors. If you have questions or concerns related to your child's route, please contact the Business Office at 973-543-4804 or email transportation@mendhamboroschools.org.

In the coming week, Hilltop will hold its first fire drill. The New Jersey Department of Education requires schools to conduct one fire and one security drill per month. Be assured that policies and procedures will be reviewed with your child prior to the first drill.

The Back to School New Jersey State Resource Packet contains resources and helpful tips to keep families healthy . Use this link to access the resource packet:

https://nj.gov/BacktoSchoolResourcePacket/Back%20to%20School%20Resources%20Packet.pdf

There will be multiple Hilltop staff members on the back patio to welcome students and help guide them into the cafeteria, where they will line up with their class.

Before your child heads inside, give your Hilltop student a big hug, a few words of encouragement, and a confident goodbye! We know the first morning can bring a mix of excitement and nerves, and your encouragement will help set the tone for a great first day.

On the first morning of school, all students will enter through the cafeteria and meet their teacher there. Mr. Mucha will welcome and greet all students before teachers walk their classes to their classrooms.

As part of the first-day routine, teachers will show students how to get to their classrooms each morning and review the procedures for morning arrival and supervision. Our staff will be stationed throughout the building to help students feel comfortable and confident as they learn their new routines.

Ms. Tracey Fascia-Pre-K Teacher

Ms. Skylar Schaab- 2nd grade leave replacement for Mrs. Kollamana

Ms. Madison Dabakian- 2nd grade leave replacement for Mrs. Palanca/Interventionist leave replacement for Mrs. Grysman

Ms. Andrea Scalfani- 4th Grade Teacher

Mr. Jonathan Carlile- Physical Education

Ms. Jennifer Russ- District Interventionist

Ms. Kim Jescke- Speech Therapist

Mr. Curtis Mitchell- Teacher Assistant

Ms. Faedra Arwady- CST Administrative Assistant

To view the Mendham Borough School District 2026-2027 calendar, please click here.

• For a list of suggested school supplies by grade, please click here.
• If your family is moving out of the district or relocating to a new home in the district, please be reminded that proper paperwork must be completed and submitted to the Main office. Click here for more information. Should you have any questions, please contact the school.
• All Weekly Update newsletters for the 2026-2027 academic year will be posted to the "News" section of the Hilltop website.
• For class supplies, click here
• Please download our app!

Please see the attached document for custom menus, pre-payment options, allergy-safe meals, and contact information

Photo Day Registration Link

Hilltop Elementary School Photo Day on Thursday, September 3rd!

Use the link below to register to view/order your child’s online private photo gallery:

Hilltop Elementary School Photo Day Registration 2026-27: https://imageartstudio.gotphoto.com/proofing/picture-day-login?code=hilltop26

Important Reminder:

By not registering, you will not automatically receive the email notification with your child’s online photo gallery. Registration is free and there’s absolutely no obligation to purchase. The registration link will close at 11:59 PM the night before Photo Day, so be sure to register ahead of time!

Please see the letter regarding Back To School Night on Thursday, September 3rd.

There is a slight change regarding 4th grade- Teachers will now meet in their classrooms instead of the gym.

Please see the link below if you would like to sign up your child for before and after care through Apollo.Before care and After care are open to students Pre-K through 8th grade.

Students should arrive at school between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. and enter the building via the back patio doors. Families using the car line should enter Hilltop’s driveway, proceed down the side of the building, and drop students off adjacent to the back patio. Upon arrival, students will enter the building and report to their designated areas.

To help keep the arrival process safe and efficient, please keep the following in mind:

• Pre-K students are dropped off by a parent/guardian directly to their teacher on the back patio at 9:00am
• Students should exit the vehicle independently. Parents and guardians should remain in their cars at all times. Staff members will be stationed at the drop-off area to greet students and assist them as needed.
• We encourage families to say their goodbyes at home so students are ready to exit promptly when they reach the drop-off area. This will help keep the car line moving and reduce congestion.
• Parking at Hilltop is limited. Families who need to park are encouraged to carpool, arrive early, or park in a nearby neighborhood and walk to school as the parking lot is for staff only
• For safety reasons, students are not permitted to ride bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, to and from Hilltop.
• Any students arriving at or after 8:35 must be escorted into school and signed in by their parent/guardian.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us create a safe, smooth, and welcoming arrival for all Hilltop students.

Pick Up Patrol welcome letters were sent on Monday, August 24th. Returning families, please log in and confirm your child's dismissal plan. New families, please follow the directions on the welcome letter to set up your account and create your child's default dismissal plan.

Students are dismissed each day at 3:15 p.m. To ensure a safe and organized dismissal, all families must have a default dismissal plan entered in Pickup Patrol. All dismissal changes must also be submitted through Pickup Patrol.

Families picking up by car should enter Hilltop’s driveway, proceed to the back of the school, and wait in the car line. Families may also park off school grounds and meet their child at the designated dismissal areas in the front or back of the school. Students in Grades 3 and 4 may walk home independently; however, this MUST be indicated in Pickup Patrol.

Please keep the following dismissal procedures in mind:

• Pre-K is dismissed at the back patio at 3:00pm. Please do not park in the carline
• Dismissal changes must be entered in Pickup Patrol by 1:00 p.m. This includes playdates, enrichment activities, Girl Scouts, early dismissals, and other changes to a student's regular dismissal plan. Please use the notes section to specify the individual to whom your child should be dismissed.
• Changes after 1:00 p.m. must be called into the main office. Please make every effort to contact the office with last-minute changes by 2:30 p.m. After 1:00 p.m., please do not rely on email for dismissal changes unless you have first spoken directly with the main office.
• If your child is leaving for an appointment and will return to school, select Early Dismissal in Pickup Patrol and indicate in the notes that your child will be returning. Please also specify how your child should be dismissed at 3:15 p.m.
• Early dismissal is not available between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m. Early dismissals during this time interrupt important end-of-day instruction and interfere with established dismissal procedures as staff prepare students for a safe departure.
• Any student who is not picked up on time will be brought to the main office, and a parent or guardian will be contacted.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, efficient, and consistent dismissal process for all Hilltop students and families.

8/31- First Day of School

9/3- Picture Day

9/3- Back To School Night

9/7- Labor Day -Schools Closed

9/8- Delayed Opening for students(10:30am)