2008/2009 Programs and Events...Brought to You by The Hillside PTA
Academic Enrichment
Tutoring
The tutoring program is a great way to make a difference! Tutors are matched with a student who they tutor throughout the year in either reading and/or math. It requires only one hour (or less) a week of time and no special training. One-on-one attention is a great help for kids.
For more information, please call Caroline Truax.
Science Olympiad Day
Hillside is conducting its first Science Olympiad Day on Wednesday, November 12. All 3rd through 5th grade students will compete in hands-on, science experiments, including using scientific evidence to solve "crimes," engineering principles to build bridges and towers, and prior science knowledge to compete in academic pentathlon relays.
Fifth grade students will work in teams to construct "egg catchers" out of recycled materials, and then have their egg contraption dropped from the top of a fire engine ladder to test whether their model protected the egg.
Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will participate in a Science Fun Day, as these students begin to explore the engineering and physical scientific concepts of the older grades, in a non-competitive setting. The day will conclude with a pep rally and parade for Hillside's enthusiastic scientists.
Reflections
In its more than 30-year history, the National PTA Reflections program has encouraged millions of pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art. This year Reflections program has four categories: Literature, Photography, Visual Arts and Dance. THIS YEAR'S THEME IS "WOW". In classrooms, students learned about the creative process through The Art of Expression mini lessons, which will helped them understand: their interests and strengths; how to brainstorm; what is uniqueness; and how to communicate to an audience.
Projects have already been submitted and winners will be announced Nov 6 and awards given on Feb 13; winners will advance to Council level.
Environmental Education
Programs for environmental education provide information and resources to enrich the environmental education of our students.
One of our programs is the recycling of used inkjet cartridges and cell phones. Give these recyclables to us! With credits we earn, we will purchase new digital cameras and scanners for the Technology Lab. We have collection boxes inside the school for students to drop these recyclables.