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:
    • 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