Hillside Public Schools

Back in October during Red Ribbon Week, the amazing Jr. National Honor Society members at Deanna G. Taylor Academy planted red tulip bulbs as a symbol of making healthy choices, showing leadership, and growing strong together! Today, we are proud to see those beautiful tulips blooming — a reminder that the seeds of kindness, responsibility, and positive choices continue to grow! ❤️🌷

#RedRibbonWeek #JrNationalHonorSociety #GrowingGreatLeaders #SchoolPride #hillsidepublicschools

Thank you to all those in attendance for "Hidden in Plain Sight" this past Saturday (5/09/2026)! Professor Douglas S. Collier of @monmouthuniversity 's Department of Criminal Justice Graduate Program presented in the Hillside High School Media Center! The goal of this event was to simulate a teenager's bedroom, in which several items have been placed that may indicate that the teen is using drugs or vaping. This informative event opened parent's and families' eyes to the reality of vape, and drug usage among young people, and asked the question "do you pay attention to what's inside your child's bedroom? Thank you to Hillside Public Schools District Student Assistance Coordinator Ms. Mullins for coordinating this event, thank you Principal Emenaka, Hillside Police Department Detective Mr. Antoine Brown and more! Shout out to Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, the Hillside Board of Education Members, Hillside Mayor Ms. Andrea Hyatt, Mr. McCoy, all the Hillside Public Schools staff and students present!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hiddeninplainsight #monmouthuniversity #antivaping #studentsfirst

This week, Deanna G. Taylor Academy had so much fun celebrating its incredible educators during Teacher Appreciation Week! 💙🍎

DGTA staff enjoyed special treats all week long, including a fun dirty soda bar, delicious breakfast and lunch treats, thoughtful surprises, and moments to relax and feel appreciated. It was a great way of saying THANK YOU for the endless dedication, care, creativity, and heart teachers pour into their students every single day.

DGTA is so grateful for its amazing staff and everyone who helped make this week extra special. Your hard work does not go unnoticed—we appreciate you today and every day! ✨ #TeacherAppreciationWeek #DGTAProud #ThankATeacher #LeaderInMe

As we come to the conclusion of teacher's appreciation week, here's a post from Hurden Looker Elementary School! Scoops of appreciation for the sweetest teachers & staff around! Yesterday (5/7/2026) the amazing team at Hurden Looker Elementary School were honored with a little ice cream treat because all they do deserves something sweet!" Shoutout to Principal Alvarez and Vice-Principal Pinho! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #icecream #studentsfirst #hillsideone

As part of Hillside Public Schools' anti-vaping efforts, vaping facts and prevention messages will be shared daily this week (May 4th, 2026 - May 8th, 2026)! This campaign is intended to educate our students, families, and community about the dangers of vaping and to support healthy decision-making!

Today's fact: Vaping poses risks of lung damage, which can be life-threatening.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, please contact the Quitline at 866-657-8677.

Hurden Looker Elementary School celebrated Teacher's Appreciation Week with a Red-Carpet Walk for their teachers! Thank you to Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez for capturing photos, shoutout to Principal Alvarez and Vice-Principal Pinho, as well as all of our teachers throughout the district!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #teachersappreciation #hurdenlookerelementaryschool #redcarpet

Today, (5/7/2026), Professor Douglas S. Collier of @monmouthuniversity 's Department of Criminal Justice Graduate Program presented to W.O.K. Middle School 7th and 8th grade students about the importance of staying safe on social media! Thank you Professor Collier and Monmouth University, Hillside Public Schools District Student Assistance Coordinator, Ms. Mullins, Principal Dr. Wilson, Ms. Gash, and more for making this informative presentation possible!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #monmouthuniversity #studentsfirst #socialmedia

Hillside High School had an amazing Chef Day today (5/7/2026), courtesy of none other than @maschiofood! Today's theme was a Fish Fry, which consisted of oven fried flounder, cajun potatoes, roasted garlic parmesan corn on the cobb, cole slaw, cheddar biscuits and more! Thank you, Maschio's Food Services!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #studentsfirst #hillsideone #maschiosfoodservice

As part of Hillside Public Schools' anti-vaping efforts, vaping facts and prevention messages will be shared daily this week (May 4th, 2026 - May 8th, 2026)! This campaign is intended to educate our students, families, and community about the dangers of vaping and to support healthy decision-making!

Today's fact: Nicotine can exacerbate anxiety and depression, impairing memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, particularly in young individuals.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, please contact the Quitline at 866-657-8677.

Yesterday, May 5th, 2026, was Teacher Appreciation Day! Hillside Public Schools District's Technology Department hosted a special event in partnership with @tmobile to celebrate! T-Mobile was onsite at the Hillside High School parking lot to recognize and support our educators, offering giveaways, sharing information about T-Mobile services, and helping us show appreciation for the outstanding work our teachers do every day! All staff were encouraged to stop by, say hello, and take part in the celebration.

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #teacherappreciationday #tmobile #studentsfirst

As part of Hillside Public Schools' anti-vaping efforts, vaping facts and prevention messages will be shared daily this week (May 4th, 2026 - May 8th, 2026)! This campaign is intended to educate our students, families, and community about the dangers of vaping and to support healthy decision-making!

Today's fact: Adolescents are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction than adults due to their still-developing brains.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, please contact the Quitline at 866-657-8677.

Deanna G. Taylor Academy's Mrs. Rachael Fernandes is proud to announce that she has been awarded two certificates through Union County's 2026 Plant a Seed program — one for the Kids Dig In! School Garden Grant and one for the Fruitful Futures Tree Grant! Funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund, these grants help schools and community partners grow existing gardens or establish new ones, providing interactive learning experiences focused on agriculture, sustainability, and healthy food.

The Fruitful Futures Tree Grant provides a fruit tree to be planted on-site, serving as a long-term reminder of the importance of conservation and providing a sustainable food source for years to come. When children engage in gardening programs as part of their school curriculum, health outcomes improve, school performance increases, pro-environmental attitudes develop, and social and emotional interactions benefit! Mrs. Fernandes' efforts in writing and securing both grants will leave a lasting impact — giving our students hands-on learning experiences while cultivating a greener, healthier community for years to come! Great work, Mrs. Fernandes, congratulations!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsideone #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

As part of Hillside Public Schools' anti-vaping efforts, vaping facts and prevention messages will be shared daily this week (May 4th, 2026 - May 8th, 2026)! This campaign is intended to educate our students, families, and community about the dangers of vaping and to support healthy decision-making!

Today's fact: Vaping is not safe; some vapes can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, please contact the Quitline at 866-657-8677.

The energy was high this past Friday (5/1/2026) at Deanna G. Taylor Academy (DGTA) as they kicked off the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) Pep Rally! DGTA was honored to welcome New Jersey wrestling standout Jordan Chapman, who inspired our scholars with a powerful message about hard work, focus, and perseverance. His story reminded everyone that success comes from giving your best effort and believing in yourself. Let’s carry that same confidence and determination into NJSLA testing—DGTA is ready! 💪📚

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #njsla #jordanchapman #hillsideone

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, Hillside Public Schools! Thank you to all of the teachers within our district who educate our students daily and prepare them for a successful future!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #teachersappreciationweek #hillsideone #thankyouteachers

As part of Hillside Public Schools' anti-vaping efforts, vaping facts and prevention messages will be shared daily this week (May 4th, 2026 - May 8th, 2026)! This campaign is intended to educate our students, families, and community about the dangers of vaping and to support healthy decision-making!

Today's fact: Some e-cigarette aerosols contain harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, which can lead to cancer.

If you or someone you know is ready to take the first step towards a healthier lifestyle, please contact the Quitline at 866-657-8677.

Thank you to everyone who joined Deanna G. Taylor Academy (DGTA) for Cross-Curriculum Night on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026! It was a wonderful evening filled with exploration across math, literacy, and science. DGTA staff were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout and loved sharing the incredible learning happening in their classrooms. A big thank you to DGTA students, families, and staff for making the night such a success! Shout out to Principal Graham!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #familynight #deannatayloracademy #studentsfirst

It's the most wonderful time of the (school) year! Today (5/1/2026), was Hillside High School's (HHS) College Decision Day! Hillside High School Seniors gathered in the auditorium to proudly declare the colleges and universities they will be attending! The HHS School Counseling Department (@hillsidehs_schoolcounseling) hosted this energetic, and awesome ceremony, congratulations to all of our Senior Scholars! Shout out to Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, Mr. Boateng, Acting Principal Emenaka, Ms. Martinez, Ms. Mullins, Ms. Ruban, Dr. Ellis, Mr. McCoy, the Guidance Department and more!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #collegedecisionday #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Opening night (4/30/2026) of the One-Act Play Disaster at Hillside High School was excellent! Shout out to Ms. Pribish, and the talented students of the Hillside High School Theater Company (@hhs.performingarts)! Make sure to catch the last showing tonight (5/1/2026) at 6:30 p.m. in the Hillside High School Auditorium!

#hillsidepublicschools #hillsidenj #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Happy National School Principals' Day from Hillside Public Schools! School Principals’ Day is celebrated on May 1st, 2026! This day is dedicated to recognizing the important role of school principals and showing appreciation for their hard work. Take a moment to thank all of our hardworking principals here at Hillside Public Schools!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #principalsappreciationday #principalsday #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities