Hilltop Elementary School

Hilltop student photos are ready! All families should have received an email from Image Art Studio containing a private access link to view your child(ren)'s online photo gallery. Don't delay in opening this email as it contains a coupon code that expires September 14. If you have not received this email please contact the photographer at imageart411@gmail.com, and include the school name, your child's name and grade in your request.

When picking up or dropping off your child during the school day, please remember to sign them in or out using the Chromebook located in the vestibule. A Google Form is available on the Chromebook and will prompt you to enter the necessary information.

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.

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!

This week's winners

K- Abreu

1st- Bertsch

2nd-Dabakian

3rd-Joy

4th-Cerbasio

School attendance is a powerful predictor of student outcomes. New Jersey defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10% (18 days) or more of school days during the school year.

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.

Lego Enrichment Club can help kids develop problem-solving skills, teamwork and self-confidence. This 8-week club encourages children to build through both guided activities and creative independent free play. Our participants will find inventive solutions in a fun-filled environment that supports the growth of young minds through hands-on, minds-on learning! Come have fun with us!

Christa Epitropakis

Join Mrs. Epitropakis as she brings KidsCare back in a new and special way! Hilltoppers

have a long history of showing their community love in a hands-on way, and KidsCare is

the vehicle that brings children and community service together. KidsCare Club will

work on light community-service projects that help teach kids all about how taking some time out of our lives to show others we care (through making signs to help a coat or

food drive, or greeting cards for Holly Manor and the Military serving overseas) is a

great way to feel great while brightening the lives of those around us.

Jeanette Porsello

We will be making scarfs, hats, pumpkins, Christmas stockings and snow men. No tools, just chunky yarn, fingers and decorations.

Jeanette Porsello

They will learn the recipe for making many different types of slime.

Jean Na

Step into the heart of the African savanna and learn about the iconic wildlife! Each class will focus on an animal of the Savanna, and students will draw along to create an artwork of cheery cheetahs, adorable zebras, dancing giraffes, big elephants, sleeping leopards, majestic lions and more!

Jean Na

Embark on the adventure exploring world national parks spanning over 6 continents! Each class will feature majestic land-based parks to vibrant marine sanctuaries, and we will create artworks inspired by these most incredible places.

Golf

DISCLAIMER: https://mendhamhsa.membershiptoolkit.com/assets/05202/337d4610c608e924f7539d96aaffdf64

9/17- Parent Volunteer Training (9:30am)

9/21-Yom Kippur- School Closed

9/24-Parent Council Meeting