Family Newsletter October

The school year is off to an incredible start! From celebrating America 250 to our famous Hillside Huddle, our halls have been filled with energy, learning, and smiles.

As we head into an exciting new month, there will be even more opportunities for students to learn, grow, and celebrate together through special events and classroom projects. Thank you for your continued partnership in making students at Hillside feel safe, seen, and connected.

Please read on below for important updates, upcoming events, and reminders for the month ahead!

Monday, October 5th

PTO Meeting | 6:00 PM

• Location: Library
• Join us for our monthly meeting to discuss upcoming campus projects and volunteer opportunities!

Thursday, October 8th

• Picture Retake Day
• HEDGEHOG HUSTLE FUNDRAISER
  

Friday, October 9th

• Remote Learning Day- On scheduled Remote Learning Days, teachers will provide Choice Board activities for students to complete independently. The work will be due Tuesday, October 13. All students will be marked present, unless reported as absent by their parent or guardian.

Monday, October 12th

• No School-Enjoy the long weekend!

Wednesday, October 21st

• West Shore Unity Day-Students, staff, and the community wear the color orange to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion as we stand united against bullying.

Friday, October 30th

• No School for Students

• Parent-Teacher Conferences | Check with your child's teacher to schedule a time.

• Book Fair | Stop by the library during your conference window to browse and support our school!

During the school’s regular "Hillside Huddle" gathering, the Hillside community came together to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The event highlighted unity, community spirit, and reflection on the country's founding values as part of our ongoing character education.

Updated Visitor Procedures

Please take time to review the updated Visitor Procedures sent via Blackboard Connect.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Please take time to review our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures.

Absences

• Notify the school by emailing hsabsent@wssd.k12.pa.us
• After three (3) days, for students of compulsory education, if not excused these days will be converted to unlawful.
• Parental excuses: A maximum of six (6) days of cumulative lawful absences for illness verified by parental notification shall be permitted during a school year.
• Doctor’s notes will be required if absent for more than six days or for three or more consecutive days.
• Days in which the students are sent home ill by the school nurse shall be excused and not count as one of the absences counted by parental excuse.

Please review this important safety reminder from our transportation department.

School Bus Safety Rules

🚫Do not cross or approach the bus until both safety devices are fully extended.

🚶Wait on the sidewalk until the stop sign is fully out and the crossing arm is completely extended.

🙅🏻‍♀️Never walk behind the bus.

🏃🏻‍♀️Always cross in front, in full view of the driver.

👀Make eye contact with the driver before crossing the road.

Congratulations to our Students of the Month for September! Great job demonstrating respect!

We are looking forward to focusing on Responsibility this month! For additional information regarding CharacterStrong, including our middle school monthly traits, please visit our CharacterStrong & Social Emotional Learning website

🛼 October 1 | 6:00-8:00 p.m..

PTO Skate Night at Fountainblu (521 Locust Road, New Cumberland)

Calling all Hedgehogs for a fun night at the rink!

Admission is free for families. Skate rentals and skate mates are available for a fee.

🦔 October 8: HEDGEHOG HUSTLE FUNDRAISER

Our first (and largest) fundraiser of the year is back, and we're ready to beat last year's goal! Fundraiser information will be sent home before the hustle itself. Students will collect pledges from 9/21 through 10/16 to earn fun prizes, with every dollar raised supporting PTO sponsored programs & events throughout the year. The fundraiser wraps up on October 8th with a fun walk around the school, celebrating our students' hard work and fundraising success!

🎃 October 22 | 5:00-7:00 p.m.

FALL FEST / TRUNK OR TREAT

Join us in the back parking lot at Hillside for a night of trunk or treating, games, pizza, pumpkin decorating and FUN! Find the sign up at the QR code at the top of this flyer to reserve your spot to decorate your trunk, volunteer at the event, or help with supplies! Attendees will vote for their favorite trunk and a prize will be awarded!

🤸 October 27 | 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Urban Air Fundraiser (4200 Derry St. Harrisburg)

Fundraising takes flight at Urban Air! Meet up with friends to jump, soar and climb the night away. Mention Hillside Elementary at check-in and they will donate 20% of sales back to the PTO!

If you are interested in purchasing any Spirit Wear, the store is active now. Proceeds benefit the PTO. Click on this link to check out what is available https://shop.goaionline.com/hillsideelementary/shop/home