Hillside's Water Project

May 25, 2017 the Buddy Water Project performed in front of an audience of parents, friends and seniors at the Center at the Heights.  We were thrilled to be performing in their beautiful high tech multi-purpose room.

  After a very successful Water Stroll where we performed in eight local restaurants and raised more than $1200, it was fun and empowering to share what we have learned with our parents.  We will finish our year by performing at Volante Farms during their Father's Day Barbecue. Learn more about our water project with Ashley Juliar from the Needham channel.

Hillside Student Council Participates in Pennies for Patients

The students in the Hillside Student Council have participated in many successful community service projects in the last few years such as Coats for Kids and Cradles to Crayons.  This year the students expressed interest in helping others in need in a new way.  For this reason the student council chose to participate in Pennies for Patients, which has never been done before at Hillside.  Pennies for Patients was launched in 1994 by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Since it's inception millions of dollars have been raised in pennies and other spare change by more than 10 million elementary, middle and high school students throughout the country, and has funded research benefiting children with blood cancers.  Hillside joined the effort this year;  the student council advertised and asked their fellow Hillside kids to bring in spare change, and raised a total $1976.88. 

Hillside 3rd Grade Visits Food Pantry

Hillside third grade classes visited the Needham Community Council (NCC), where they toured the facility and were informed about all of the important services the NCC provides to our community.  The children learned that over 100 Needham families visit the Food Pantry each month and about the many services provided by the NCC, such as ELL tutoring, the clothing thrift store, medical supply rentals, and holiday meal deliveries.  Prior to their visits, the students organized pantry collection drives and in all, they collected over 75 bags of food, paper goods, and toiletries to donate to the pantry.

Mitchell visits Cradles to Crayons

The Mitchell Community Service Learning committee visited the Cradles to Crayons warehouse in Brighton on Thursday, March 9.  The Mitchell 4th and 5th graders learned about the mission of Cradles to Crayons and the communities they serve and the kids then got to assist in sorting and preparing donations to deliver to C2C's clients.  The students had a lot of fun while assisting a great organization.

Mitchell March Food Pantry

Thank you Mitchell Community for your continued generosity! Ms. Mackoff's third grade class delivered 34 bags of items to Needham Community Council's Food Pantry today. Stay tuned for details on our next collection on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 when Ms. Seri's class will make the trip.
- The Community Service Learning Committee

Hillside's 13th annual Carol Virginio Memorial Jump Rope for Heart was a great success!

In what has become an annual tradition, Friday, February 17th, Hillside school participated in it’s 13th annual Jump Rope for Heart to support the American Heart Association.  The event is named after former Hillside School teacher’s aid, Carol Virginio, who passed away in the spring of 2013.  Carol was a cancer survivor, a heart transplant recipient, and an avid supporter of this event.    

The event is coordinated by Hillside School’s Physical Education and Wellness teacher Rob Tatro.  This year, Hillside School had over 260 students who helped find sponsorships for the event which, for only the third time in school history, eclipsed the $21,000 mark in total donations to the American Heart Association.  Whether or not students chose to find sponsorships or not, students spent the past several weeks experimenting with new jumping skills, learning about heart health, and supporting this very important organization.  We are so lucky to be blessed with such support from the entire Needham community and beyond and thank you to everyone who helped make another Jump Rope for Heart event a tremendous success! See all photos

Hillside Buddy classes visit their Senior Buddies for Valentines Day

On February 17, Ms. Hsu's fourth grade class went to the Kindred Avery Senior Center to visit their Senior Buddies for the third time this school year, and introduced them to Mr. Watts' second grade class.  All the kids enjoyed singing songs, reciting poetry, and passing out hand made Valentines to the residents.  During their visit, they were treated to cookies and apple juice and had a great time getting to know their Senior Buddies. 

Mitchell Sandwich Tuesday

The Mitchell Community Service Learning Committee had a very successful sandwich making event on Tuesday, Jan 31 in support of Generic Ministry, the Needham charity that provides meals, clothing and other essentials for homeless men and women in Boston.  We had 30 student volunteers along with parents who received a very informative presentation from Generic Ministry volunteer Terry Windhorst about volunteering and Generic Ministry's mission.  The kids made 70 lunches for the homeless and then received a tour of the Generic Ministry van. 

Hillside Student Council Collects Coats and Funds for Local Charities

The Hillside Student Council coordinated the Coats for Kids Drive and raised money for the Cambridge Fire Relief Fund.  In December, Hillside students and families generously donated 65 coats for all ages which were delivered to Anton's cleaners.  These coats will be distributed throughout New England to those in need.  The Student Council also collected $109 for the Cambridge Fire Relief Fund that was established to assist the families and individuals affected by the tragic early December fire in Cambridge. 

Hillside Students and their Avery Center Senior Buddies Collaborate on a Writing Project

Hillside students in Ms. Hsu's fourth grade class had the opportunity to meet their Senior Buddies at the Avery Senior Center in November for a mini autobiography writing project. Students interviewed their Senior buddies and learned all about what life was like when their buddies were in elementary school. The visit really brightened the Senior buddies' day and students were left with a feeling of satisfaction and raised awareness about a time before they were born. They plan to visit their Senior Buddies again after the holidays to share the mini autobiography projects.