Hillside Newsletter

(Full Newsletter with additional information including staff contact list and sports schedules can be downloaded from the bottom of this page)

Hello Hillside Family and welcome to the 2021 - 2022 school year! We are eager and prepared to provide you and YOUR student with an awesome educational experience. We Believe that education is a partnership, a collaboration, and an opportunity to build a learning village. We appreciate the work that you have done with YOUR student and embrace the opportunity to further the educational experience.

In the upcoming weeks, your student will take a series of assessments that we call NWEA or MAP tests. These tests are intended to get a grasp of your students’ proficiency. The assessments allow us to set learning goals with all of our students and adjust instruction to meet learning needs. This may include, increased rigor, or additional support. Please assist us by engaging YOUR student in conversation regarding setting their 3 goals. All students will discuss, with their respective teachers, their Math, Reading, and Science goals. Along with teachers, students will make Achievement projections for Winter and Spring. As we work to attain these goals, please utilize Home Access Center to monitor weekly growth through assignment submission and in-class success, and test performance.

We look forward to collective collaboration, and the opportunity to serve.

This will be a year where our Eagles, young and old will rise-up and SOAR higher.

The Hillside planner on page 12 & 13 is the reading goal sheet. Each child is required to read 25 books for the year. Books are to be logged on page 12 of the Hillside planner and require parent signature. Each teacher will check on the days designated on page 13 in the Hillside planner for books read. The first book check will be 9-2319 and the second book check will be 10-7-19. Students will have their first library visit the end of September.

Library News

The Hillside Reading Challenge is for each student to read 25 Hillside books from the library. Please see your student's planner for the goals for each marking period.

The library has received a lot of new books... come check a good book out!

If the book you want is not available please feel free to request a book that you would like to find in the school library.

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Kalamazoo Public Schools and the Kalamazoo Public Library are continuing allow students to check out books by using their student ids.

Each of the public libraries will accept the id & you may checkout books at any of their locations.

Please make sure your child attends school each day and on time. If your child will be late or not in school for the day, please call the school and send in an absent/tardy form with your child to school the next day. The form was sent home with your child’s registration packet. Extra forms can be picked up in the front office. If your child has a doctor or scheduled appointment please make sure to bring a note in to the office from the doctor. Hillside does have a policy for excessive tardiness. Please make sure to speak to your child about getting to school and all classes on time during the school day.

Meet Mrs. DeVisser (Hillside's new Assistant Principal)

I am excited to join the students, families, and staff of Hillside Middle School! Before coming to Hillside as assistant principal, I was a teacher for 14 years. I love working with middle school students and helping them become young adults. I am here at Hillside to serve students, families, and staff. I look forward to working with each of you!

A Little About Me

My husband, Aaron, and I have two boys. As a family we love traveling and being outside. So far in 2019, we have visited 12 different states! We took a two week road trip this summer and my favorite place we visited was Devil’s Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

My Favorites

Drink: cinnamon spice tea latte

Candy: gummi bears

Holiday: Thanksgiving

Color: pink

Place: South Haven, Michigan

Genre: historical fiction

Sports: basketball (watch) tennis (play)

My Mission and Philosophy

Students need to be in school and learning.

I love working with students, staff, and parents to find workable solutions for all.

I believe that learning is a lifelong process that never stops once you leave a school building or graduate.

Contact Me

Email: devissersj@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Phone: (269)337-0570 x 3245

Physical Education

In order to support our goal of Personal Health and Hygiene, Physical Education uniforms will be sold at Hillside during Physical Education class starting the first week of school. The uniform consists of a shirt ($10) and shorts ($10) for a total of $20 (Cash or Money Order Only, No Personal Checks Please). The uniforms come in Adult sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, and 3XL. When purchased names will be written on the shirt & shorts and they will be kept in the student’s assigned physical education locker. Every Friday students will take their uniforms home to get washed and bring them back Monday. Students must wear a Hillside Physical Education Uniform. A payment plan or a used loaner uniform can be provided if a note signed by a parent is given to Mr. Simon/Ms. Hall. If a student already has a Hillside uniform from a previous year or from a family member they do not have to purchase a new one. Some Physical Education classes will be held outside during the fall and spring. Students are allowed to bring in their own sweatshirt and sweatpants to keep in their gym locker.

TEAM CREATORS

Mrs. Bennett’s Life Skills classes will be

8th grade will be cooking meals and researching nutrients,

7th graders will be having their annual cake contest while staying organized in putting together their Interactive Student Notebooks, and

6th graders will be learning how to be successful in middles school with a focus on how to stop bullying.

TEAM BULLDOGS

Bulldog team will have their first growth incentive party on October 11th for students who have met or exceeded their growth goal in Reading, Math or Science.

Our first library date is Sept. 26th & 1 book should be logged by Sept. 23.

All visitors are to sign in at the office and obtain a visitor’s pass.

Visitors will be escorted to and from the classroom.

Families are not allowed in our student common areas.

Visitors are to be pre-approved by the principal or asst. principal.

Attention Parents/Guardians

Make sure you have filled out your students Family Health Center (FHC) consent form for the Mobile Heath and Mobile Dental unit, coming to Hillside this fall.

For more information on the FHC Mobile Units or how to get a copy of the consent form, contact Communities In Schools, Senior Site Coordinator, Jody Sikkema at 337-0540 ext. 3258.