The Hillside Happenings
October 23, 2026
Dear Hillside Families,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us each day. This past week was packed with special moments—from inspiring assemblies and guest visits to rich classroom learning experiences.
We are looking forward to keeping the fun going tonight at HuskyChella! Hope to see your family there for a memorable evening.
✨ Don't Miss Out: Scroll down to enter our ticket giveaway for an upcoming circus show!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Maas & Mrs. Amos
School Hours for 2026-2027:
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.
The link below takes you to all published newsletters thus far.
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. Thomas - kimberly.thomas@fpsk12.net - Office Clerk
Dates to Note 📆
October 30th - Half Day of School (11:45 am Dimissal) Costumes Permitted
November 3rd - No School - Staff PD/Election Day
November 4th - Bonaventure Night (6:00 pm - 8:30 pm)
November 9th - Book Fair Begins
November 10th & 12th - Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 19th - Virtual PTA Meeting
November 20th - Movie Night
November 25th - 27th - No School Thanksgiving Recess
December 1st - Book Blast Kick Off
December 2nd - Picture Retakes
December 16th - Canvas & Cookies PTA Event
December 18th - Spelling Bee Words Go Home
December 21st - January 1st - No School Winter Break
January 4th - Classes Resume
January 10th - Hillside/Detroit Pistons Outing
January 14th - Bonaventure Night (6:00 pm - 8:30 pm)
January 15th - Half-Day/11:45 AM Dismissal
January 17th - No School / Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 21st - Virtual PTA Meeting
January 27th - Spelling Bee
January 29th - Movie Night
Upcoming Spirit Days
Lunch & Learn With Dr. Coffin & Board Members
Big thanks to Superintendent Dr. Coffin and Board Members Angie Smith and Thomas Hull for stopping by Hillside .🏫✨Our students were so excited to share what they’ve been learning, and Dr. Coffin kept everyone engaged with such thoughtful and fun questions. To top it all off, the kids absolutely loved the pizza and salad lunch! 🍕🥗We are so grateful for your continued support, leadership, and connection with our school community! ❤️
Hillside Elementary Improvements - November Bond Info
Mrs. Abbate's Class Earned the Dreambox Trophy for September
Author Visit
A huge THANK YOU to author Stephenie Grey for visiting Hillside during Bus Safety Week!
She spent time reading her delightful book, Iggy Rides the Bus, to a few of our classes and even surprised our students with special treat bags and their very own copy of the book to take home!
Her energy and enthusiasm brought so much joy to our classrooms while teaching our kids important safety lessons. We are so grateful for your wonderful visit, Stephenie!
Unity Day
Wild About Leadership 🐾🐅🐘
Spotting our students leading the pack and showing what it means to roar with character!
Thank you to Mrs. Bongero & Mrs. Pelton for nominating these students!
Akain
Lexi
Saroki's Huskies of the Week
Congrats to This Week's Winners:
Lohitha, Karchenthan, & Mrs. Potocki
Bus or Treat Event
The Greatest Show on Earth is Coming to Town!
Enter to Win Tickets to the Circus 🎪
2nd Grade Family Meeting
FPS Personal Technology Plan
Volunteer Form Goes Digital
A new and improved Digital Volunteer Form is replacing the paper copy! Parents who wish to chaperone on field trips must complete the digital volunteer form each year. Once approved, the main office will be notified. Any family members planning to go to 5th grade camp should complete this right away.
✨PTA Information💙
Student Directory Opt-Out
Student Directory Opt-Out - The annual Hillside student directory is a valuable communication tool and resource for Hillside families, containing an alphabetical listing and contact information for all students, staff and teachers. A printed document is provided to all PTA members and will come home with students in October. Sign up to be a PTA Member today!
You are provided the opportunity to opt-out of having your contact information printed in the directory. Only Complete this Google Form if you DO NOT wish to have your student(s) information included in the 2026 - 2027 Hillside Student Directory. Deadline to Opt-Out is September 30, 2026
Fun Run Top Earners
Congratulations to Nohealani & Isla, highest earners in (K-2) and (3-5 for the Fun Run!
The PTA gifted them with a set of books!
Stay tuned for photos from the huddle of Mrs. Amos and Mrs. Maas covered in toilet paper!
We will be providing a soup, salad, and breadsticks dinner to our teachers during parent/teacher conferences and would love your help! This is a great way to give back to the wonderful Hillside staff for supporting our kids all year long. If you would be willing to donate a food item or volunteer your time, please click here to sign up. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Angela Probst at aguerro28@gmail.com
Room Captains Needed
We are still looking for Room Captains to help out the following teachers: Tandeski, Thiele, Bobrosky, Badrak, Kherkher, Belsky and Lyons
Our goal is to make sure every teacher feels supported throughout the school year. Offering your help with class parties or small asks from your students' teacher, and being a more connected part of the PTA can make everyone’s load lighter and the year run smoother. If you would like to sign up or want more information, click here
Get ready, Hillside families! HuskyChella is almost here, and we're bringing an evening of fall fun, creativity, and community spirit to Hillside Elementary!
Friday, October 23, 2026
5:30–8:00 PM
Hillside Soccer Field & Upper Parking Lot
FREE Admission!
Bring the whole family for an exciting evening featuring inflatable attractions, games, music, local food trucks, community partners, and our student-created Pumpkin Gallery art installations! Enjoy fall favorites like apple cider and donuts while celebrating everything that makes our Hillside community special.
🧺 Bring a Blanket, Stay a While!
Pack your picnic blankets or lawn chairs, find a cozy spot on the field, and settle in for an evening of music, food, and fun with friends and neighbors! HuskyChella is an outdoor event, so be sure to dress for the weather.
🙌 Volunteers Needed!
We're looking for volunteers to assist with event setup, activity stations, refreshments, welcoming families, and cleanup. Whether you can lend a hand for a little while or an entire shift, we'd love your help!
Scholastic Book Fair
Our Book Fair is coming up the week of November 9th and is 100% parent-run! Those who volunteer can select one book [up to a $10 value] at the end of their shift as a thank you. Sign up here
Consider putting funds in an E-Wallet for your student so they can purchase without bringing cash to school. Learn more here
Bonaventure Skate Night
Our next Bonaventure Skate night is on Wednesday, November 4th!
Parent Shout-Out
Reflections - Call for Entries
The 2026–2027 Reflections Theme: “What My Culture Means To Me”
Student Entry Deadline: October 30, 2026
Reflections is a National PTA program that encourages students to explore the arts and express themselves through a nationwide contest. Students can submit art in the form of visual arts, literature, music composition, film production, photography or dance choreography. Entries are judged on how well the art relates to the theme, creativity and technical aspects of the medium. This contest is open to all students attending Farmington Public Schools.
For more details please contact: hillsideptareflections@gmail.com
Or visit: Hillside PTA Reflections webpage
November Restaurant Night
Restaurant Night - Save the Date! Our next restaurant night is November 18th at
Chipotle in Commerce Twp.
Membership
Join the Hillside PTA and help make our children’s elementary experience extra special! Membership is a great way to stay connected with Hillside events, meet other Hillside families and support the programs and activities that make our school community special. There is no obligation to volunteer or attend meetings — support when you can!
Membership is $30 for a family membership (2 adults) or $20 for an individual membership (1 adult). PTA members also receive access to the FREE school directory.
Room Captains
Sign up to be a PTA Room Captain and help keep your child’s classroom informed, connected and supported throughout the school year! Room Captains work with classroom teachers, help communicate PTA information and assist with classroom and school activities.
Support Hillside While Shopping
It takes only a few minutes to link your Kroger & Busch’s accounts (details at the links!) and you will be automatically donating to Hillside while you shop.
Busch's Cash for Education : Busch’s must be updated yearly.
The Hillside Membership Cookie Competition has a final winner!
Congratulations to Mrs. Sabon’s class!
You can still join the PTA! PTA members will receive the Hillside Directory and a Hillside PTA magnet. Thank you for supporting Hillside!
Please consider joining the PTA this school year - sign up here!
Hillside Spirit Wear
Farmington Youth Assistance is excited to host a Frankenslime party!
Join us for a fun-filled evening featuring a delicious pizza dinner and enjoy the spooky science experiments.
Come hear the story of Frankenslime, try some spooky science experiments, and take home ingredients to make your own slime.
This event is open to families with K–3rd grade students attending Farmington Public Schools.
For more details, please check the registration form. https://forms.gle/s2Yztg9NtGnWWyf76
Community Partner Specials! 🎃🍔
Check out special offers and family-friendly happenings from our Hillside community partners! This week, Savvy Sliders is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 24, from 3:00–6:00 PM, featuring free candy and gift certificates for kids in costume, plus special treats and meal offers.
See the flyer below for details!
Nominate a Teacher
The Detroit Red Wings ”Best in Class” program, presented by Coca-Cola and Meijer, sets out to show thanks and gratitude to Michigan teachers and educators who change the lives of millions of children every day, inside and outside the classroom.
Throughout the 2026-27 season, sixty teachers will be recognized though our “Best in Class” program. Fans are encouraged to nominate a teacher who they feel has a significant impact on the lives of children in their community by completing the online form linked in the image.
BUBBL’R is searching for the teacher of the year! Do you know a teacher that goes above and beyond every day and makes a positive impact in their school? Nominate them today!
Nominations will close October 13th. The BUBBL’R team will then choose 10 semifinalists. You’ll be able to vote for your favorite teacher once per day starting October 20th and ending on October 27th. The winner will be announced on November 2nd!
what you win:
• year supply of BUBBL’R
• $10,000 donation to the winner’s school
• BUBBL’R mini fridge
• $500 gift card
Playworks Jr. Coaches at Lunch
Elementary students will have the option to purchase a second slice of pizza on Little Caesars Pizza Day (every other Thursday). 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
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
