What We Do
The Hillside PTO:
- Enhances students' school experience by funding enriching educational resources and programs,
- Supports staff through stipends and appreciation events,
- Strengthens community through social and fundraising events.
How we do it: It takes all of us! We are a 100% volunteer-driven and donation-funded non-profit: everything is possible because of you and our community!
Educational Resources We've Funded this Year (with more to come!):
- $200 stipend for every grade-level classroom teacher ($6,000 schoolwide)
- Scholastic Literacy Magazine Subscriptions for 5 grade-levels
- Approved Funds Requests:
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- Ultimaker 2+ Connect 3D Printer (Technology), in partnership with the 5th Grade class of 2023
- 9-Square in the Air Equipment (PE)
- Ancients Day (3rd Grade)
- ECSE Furniture & Toys (ECSE)
- Career Day Presenters Lunch (Counseling)
- Chick Hatching Incubators (Kindergarten)
- The Classroom Nook Licenses (3rd Grade)
- Field Day Obstacle Course & Popsicles (PE)
- Lego League Robotics Kits (Hillside Robotics Club & Technology)
- National Art Education Association's National Conference (Art)
- Paul Revere Lantern Project (Art)
- Potato Olympics and End-of-Year Activities (5th Grade)
- Red Carpet Day (3rd Grade)
- Squishy Circuit Sculptures (Art)
- STEAM & Project Supplies (Kindergarten)
- World Cultures Escape Room (3rd Grade)
- The Dr. Recess Program: an on-site assembly and games program that promotes the importance of being active and living a healthy life by using developmentally appropriate games to teach social/emotional skills, thinking skills, and motor skills to elementary school children and staff.
- Hawk Cafe: New carts and program consumables for the year. The Hawk Cafe program gives SPED students the opportunity to increase their communication and money skills in a project based learning environment. The proceeds are donated to a charity of the students' choice.
Student Enrichments We're Funding or Subsidizing This Year:
- Odyssey of the Mind team registration and Coach training
- World Culture Fair (February 2024)
- STEAM Showcase (May 2024)
- Fifth Grade Festival Celebration (June 2024)
Community Events & Programs We're Hosting This Year:
- Welcome Week
- Family Bingo Night
- Fun Run
- Trunk-or-Treat
- Family Breakfasts
- Hillside Holiday Lights
- Family Glow Dance
- Read-a-Thon
- Annual Auction & Raffle
- Yearbook Ice Cream Social
Staff Recognition & Appreciation We're Providing This Year:
- 5 New Staff Lounge Dining Tables
- Staff Welcome Back Lunch
- Monthly Staff Recognition Events
- Staff Appreciation Week