Hillside Happenings
March 6, 2026
Dear Hillside Families,
🌟 Habit of the Month: Habit #6 Synergize🌟
As a reminder, students recently received a new district-issued Chromebook. To ensure the devices remain in good condition, we ask that students refrain from placing stickers or adhesives directly on the hardware.
A great way to personalize devices without damaging the Chromebook is by using a clear, snap-on case. This allows students to express their personalities and creativity while keeping the device in its original condition. For families interested in this option, this compatible case for our 14" HP Fortis models is a great choice.
Note: Please be aware that this case is intended for cosmetic personalization only; they are not designed to protect the device from drops or significant impact damage.
Thank you for your partnership in helping our students care for their technology.
-Mrs. Maas & Mrs. Amos
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:
March 11th - Sunset Theater Performance
March 12th - PTA Meeting at 7:00 pm
March 12th - Pizza Day at Lunch
March 16th - Spring Book Fair Begins
March 18th - Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 20th - Book Fair Ends
March 23rd - Dentist R Us Returns
March 26th - Pizza Day at Lunch
March 30 - April 3 - Spring Break
April 6th - Classes Resume
April 8th - Bonventure Skate Night
April 9th - PTA Meeting
April 13th - MSTEP Testing Begins
April 14th - Spring Picture Day
April 14th - 2nd Grade Field Trip
April 16th - 5th Grade Photo
April 24th - Kindergarten Field Trip
April 25th - Science Expo
May 1st - Kindergarten Orientation - No School for Current Kindergarten/Y5 Students
May 4th - 8th - Staff Appreciation Week
May 6th - Farmington Focus Business & Community Showcase
May 13th - Cultural Arts Night
May 14th - 2nd Grade In-School Field Trip
May 14th - PTA Meeting
May 19th - 1st Grade Zoo Field Trip
May 19th - 2nd Grade Greenfield Village Field Trip
May 19th - 4th Grade to the Nature Center
May 19th - Kindergarten/Senior Concert
May 22nd - Half Day of School
May 25th - No School (Memorial Day)
May 28th - 5th Grade Bonaventure Night
May 29th - Color Splash Dash
June 4th - 5th Grade Promotion/Party
June 11th - Last Day of School
The link below takes you to all published newsletters thus far.
Did you know that the 26-27 School-Year Calendar is now available? Click here to download it.
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
🔷Thank you to our Leadership Day Helpers!! 🔷
Student Lighthouse "CARES" 💙
Congratulations to our Student Lighthouse Team and Mrs. Belsky & Mrs. Pelton, who led a snack drive bringing in 60+ lbs of snacks and over $500 for CARES in Farmington Hills! Go Huskies!
Hillside "Reading With River" Grant Funded
Dates to Note 📆
Spring Break - March 30 - April 3
Half Day of School - May 22 - 11:45 AM Dismissal
Memorial Day - May 25 - No School
Last Day of School - June 11 - 11:45 AM Dismissal
One School One Book Reveal - My Otter Half
Golden Apple Awards 🏆
For parents of students with IEPs - It is time to consider nominating an educator for a Golden Apple Award. The Golden Apple Award celebrates excellence in instruction, individualized support, and a deep commitment to students’ academic and social-emotional growth. The award ceremony will be on May 13 at 5 pm.
We invite you to use this form to nominate a staff member who has worked with your student during the 2025–2026 school year. In your nomination, please include a brief narrative describing how this individual has made a positive impact on you and/or your student’s educational experience, exemplifying Golden Apple Excellence. Please complete this form by Mar 30, 2026.
Please nominate only one staff member per student receiving Special Education services. If you have more than one student, please complete a separate form for each.
We look forward to celebrating the outstanding educators who make a difference every day!
Spring Picture Day
2026 Science Expo 🔬
This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to participate in a science expo!
2nd Grade Berman Center Field Trip
🔹News From the PTA 🔹
PTA Executive Board
The PTA is looking for interested parents/guardians for our 2026-27 Executive Board. This is a great way to stay involved and make a difference! Seeking candidates for:
President (2 - year term) – Oversees and directs PTA, local & state liaisons, represents the PTA at meetings/events, Hillside Happenings, Bylaws Updates. The outgoing president is happy to mentor for this role!
Vice President of Academics (1 - year term) – Spelling Bee, Reflections, Robotics/Lego League.
Vice President of Fundraising (1- year term) – Mum Sale, Book Fair, Restaurant Night, Fun Run (fundraising coordination), Bonaventure Nights, & Movie Nights
A slate of nominees needs to be presented at the April 9th PTA meeting for elections to take place at the May meeting. If interested in being on the board, please fill out this form by April 3rd. If curious in learning more about the open positions, please contact Kristen Buring (HillsideHuskyPTA@gmail.com).
Upcoming PTA Meeting ✅
Our March PTA meeting is on Thursday, March 12th, at 7 pm in the Media Center. Join us!
Join the Cultural Arts Night Planning Committee
If you are interested in helping plan, organize, or support Cultural Arts Night, please complete this form. No prior experience is required — just a willingness to collaborate and contribute ideas!
Save the Date! Cultural Arts Night is on Wednesday, May 13th, from 5:30-7:30. This is an event designed to celebrate the diverse cultures, talents, and traditions within our school community.
Spring Book Fair Volunteers
The Spring Book Fair is coming March 16-20th. The Book Fair is 100% parent run and we need your help to make it a success - please sign up here! As a thank you, volunteers can select one book [up to a $10 value] at the end of their shift.
Staff Appreciation Week Volunteers
Staff Appreciation Week is May 4th-8th. We are looking for volunteers to set up/prep the weekend before, help throughout the week and clean up on Friday. Please reach out to Angela if you’re interested at aguerro28@gmail.com!
MDE Teacher Appreciation Video
National Teachers’ Day is May 5, and Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4 – May 8, 2026. Recognizing Michigan's hardworking and dedicated educators is an important piece of MDE's strategic initiative. For that reason, we will be celebrating Michigan’s educators during the entire month of May.
MDE invites students to submit a digital video to recognize and thank a specific educator for their impact. If the student prefers not to appear on camera, please feel free to submit a video showcasing their drawing, accompanied by a voice-over explanation.
Full instructions for submitting videos of appreciation for Michigan’s educators are available on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage.
Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and the MDE YouTube channel. Additionally, social media pages throughout the month of May will be promoting the videos via the Office of Educator Excellence's Facebook.
If you have a child with great things to say about an educator, don’t hesitate use the instructions found on our webpage to submit a video today!
🌷Spring Enrichments 🌷
Spring Enrichments are now available to register!
More info and registration links on the PTA Website!
Brixology (same program, new day!) - Mondays, starting April 6th
Chess Wizards - Tuesdays, starting April 14th
Sunset Theatre presents Trolls - Wednesdays, starting April 8th
MadScience - Thursdays, starting April 9th
Basketball Enrichment info coming soon!
6th Grade Parent Orientation Information
For East Families
For Power Families
Set Sail for Success: Navigating Leadership and Building Winning Habits 🏆
Congratulations to all of our students who were recogized with Leadership Awards this week!!😁
We are so proud of you!! Congratulations:
Lily
Julia
Jayden
Alyson
Ivy
Sevini
Thank you Mrs. Dowd,Mrs. Lamott, and Mrs. Janks
for nominating these amazing students!!
We can't wait to see who's next!😍
Attention Future Fifth Graders - Save the Date
Free Tutoring on Saturdays
Elementary students will have the option to purchase a second slice of pizza on Little Caesars Pizza Day (every other Thursday - March 12 & 26). 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.
Links to Save
LOC Student-Run Credit Union
Connect With Us!
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