The Hillside Happenings
October 16, 2026
Dear Hillside Families,
Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up on November 10th & 12th. When it comes to the fall conferences, please keep in mind that these meetings are timed intentionally to ensure teachers are able to meet with as many families as possible. We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the schedule.
If you find that you have additional questions after your conference, please reach out to your child’s teachers. We want to make sure you get the answers and support you need.
To make the most of your conference time, we suggest coming prepared with a few focused questions based on what you’ve already seen in MiStar or from teacher communication so far. This helps keep the conversation meaningful and efficient.
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 21st - Unity Day - Wear Orange
October 23rd - HuskyChella (5:30 pm - 7:30 pm)
October 30th - Half Day of School (11:45 am Dimissal) Costumes Permitted
November 3rd - No School - Staff PD
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
2026 Senior Adult Extraordinaire
✨Susan Walker ✨
Congratulations to this year's Senior Adult Extraordinaire, Susan Walker!
Nominated by Mrs. Lamott & Mrs. Janks, Susan is a dependable volunteer at Hillside. Her lovely personality has impacted 2nd grade students for 3 years where she works one on one with students in Reading and Math. Students always look forward to when she comes because she builds important relationships with them and makes them feel noticed. Susan spends time getting to know each student and helps them in the most gentle way. She’s also been known to bring a few treats for the entire class from time to time! Soon after the pandemic, Susan wanted to start volunteering and was one of the first SAGE volunteers when the program resumed.
It didn’t take long for Susan’s love of Hillside students and the Junior Optimist program to lead her to become a co-leader, where she has made an impact on many K-5 students at Hillside. Susan always shows up for our meetings, events and service projects ready to help in any way she can. She is constantly bringing new ideas and suggestions to the club, while also listening to our students and supporting the projects and causes that are important to them. She is kind, warm and encouraging with the kids and truly makes them feel like their ideas matter. Susan gives so much of her time to our club and is always willing to jump in wherever she is needed.
Susan has a gift for making students feel loved and noticed. She’s excited and open to help all students in any way in the classroom. Students love reading to her, playing instructional games, or having her help them complete tasks. Susan’s personality is always calm, delightful, and so caring. She’s a wonderful listener with so much patience with our young learners.
Student Lighthouse Leaders at the Senior Adult Breakfast
Leadership in action! 🌟 Our Student Lighthouse Leaders had an amazing morning connecting with community members at the Senior Adult Breakfast alongside staff leaders Riley King and Kathryn Pelton. A special highlight was getting to meet Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich! 🏛️✨
Fire Safety Assembly 🚒
Huge thanks to the Farmington Hills Fire Department, Firefighter Beacome, and team for an incredible fire safety assembly! The kids were thrilled to see Sparky and learned so many important safety tips today. We are so grateful for our local heroes!
Hillside Elementary Improvements - November Bond Info
W.I.G. Party 🎸🎊
Congratulations to the following classes who have reached their Wildly Important Goal (WIG)!!
Mrs. Burzynski's Class
Mrs. Chambers' Class
Wild About Leadership 🐾🐅🐘
Spotting our students leading the pack and showing what it means to roar with character!
Thank you to Mrs. Potocki, Mrs. Bongero, & Mrs. Schultz for nominating these students!
Clark, Mariah, & Cyal
Livvy
Hunter & Bryce
Saroki's Huskies of the Week
Congrats to This Week's Winners:
Ian, Brooklyn, & Mrs. Jarjosa
Farmington Youth Assistance Presents: Literacy Night for Grades 2-4
Bus or Treat Event
NFHS Event
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
🐾🎡 HuskyChella 2026: A Night of Fall Fun!
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!
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
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 is down to its final round! Congratulations to our October 2nd tying winners, Ms. Peloton’s and Mrs. Burzynski’s classes!
There’s one more cookie-decorating party up for grabs. The class with the highest PTA membership on October 16 wins, and Ms. Silver’s and Ms. Sabon’s classes are in the running. Who will take the final prize?
Thank You for Supporting Restaurant Night 🍔
Parent Shout-Outs
Apple Crunch Day
Hillside Spirit Wear
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
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
