Hillside Public Schools

Congratulations to Hillside Innovation Academy 8th grade student Uwaila Agheyisi! Uwaila was one of seven winners from various New Jersey School Districts in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - Zeta Nu Lambda Chapter’s 2026 Stock Market Challenge! The stock market challenge is a premier financial literacy initiative designed to equip middle and high school students with real-world investing knowledge and skills. Held throughout March, this four-week virtual program engaged 96 students registered from across New Jersey and beyond in an interactive experience combining expert-led instruction with hands-on stock market simulation. Participants managed a virtual portfolio of $100,000, gaining exposure to investment strategies, market trends, and financial decision-making. Each winner will receive $100 invested into a custodial brokerage account of their own, providing an early foundation for long-term investing and financial independence!

Please join us on Thursday, April 16th, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. for "Spring into Conversation with Acting Superintendent Dr. Gretel T. Pérez!" This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, engage in meaningful conversation, and learn more about Dr. Pérez’s vision, experiences, and commitment to our school community. Come share your thoughts, ask questions, and help us continue building a strong and supportive school community together! This event will be taking place in the boardroom of Hillside Innovation Academy, 1100 Woodruff Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205. We look forward to seeing you there!

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

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community, the Hillside High School Student Council (@hillsidestuco) has been recognized as a 2026 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC)! The NASC program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Under the guidance of advisor Mrs. Noreen Deutsch, Hillside High School’s Student Council has achieved significant recognition for its leadership and service. In 2024, the council was honored as a National Council of Excellence by the National Association of Student Councils and in 2025 the council was honored as a National Gold Council of Excellence by the NASC. Additionally, they received the Honor School award for the fifth consecutive year and were recognized for their Student Elections Initiative by the New Jersey Association of Student Councils (@NJASC). Their advisor, Noreen Deutsch, was named the NJASC High School Advisor of the Year for 2022-2023!

"The student council at Hillside High School just pulled off something extraordinary,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “Their student-driven change has earned them national recognition as a National Gold Council of Excellence, proving that when young people are given the chance to lead, they turn their vision into real-world impact.”

A student council must meet a variety of criteria to earn the National Gold Council of Excellence Award. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings and a democratic election process, the councils must have demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities such as leadership development and service to the school and community. Great work Hillside High School Student Council!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsidestuco #studentcouncil #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

On Friday, March 27th, 2026, W.O.K. Middle School students attended the 18th annual Human Rights Conference at Kean University! @keanuniversity Students heard former Irish President Mary Robinson and others speak in the topic of sustainability as a human right. They then entered the Kean archives and engaged with artifacts detailing ancient history, American History, NJ history, and Hillside history. While there, they visited an art exhibit where students viewed art created by individuals with disabilities showing that there are no limitations to what we can accomplish. It was an eventful day filled with learning and fun!! Thank you to the chaperones who made it happen, Dr. Mathura, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Giro and to the administrators who support such educational opportunities for our students, Dr. Wilson and Mrs. Scott Jackson! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #keanuniversity #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Last night, March 26th, 2026, was opening night for Hurden Looker Elementary School's production "Willy Wonka Kids"! The show is absolutely spectacular, and Hurden Looker School's gymnasium was packed with students, families, parents, and staff for the sold out show! Tonight, March 27th, 2026, is the second sold out performance! Great job Hurden Looker actors and actresses, and shout out to Principal Alvarez, and Vice-Principal Pinho for all of their hard work!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #willywonkakids #hurdenlookerelementaryschool #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

On Wednesday, March 25th, 2026, 13 W.O.K scholars were inducted into the Jr. Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society! Scholars demonstrated academic excellence, civic engagement, and leadership throughout their time at W.O.K. Thank you to W.O.K. Administrators, Dr. Wilson and Mrs. Scott Jackson and Jr. Rho Kappa Advisor, Dr. Mathura for an awesome night celebrating our Hillside Scholars! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #wokmiddleschool #jrrhokappa #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Breaking News! Hurden Looker Elementary School's production of "Willy Wonka Kids" is officially SOLD OUT for both nights! Shout out to Principal Alvarez.

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

A.P. Morris Early Childhood Center hosted its annual Nourish to Flourish event, where families and staff engaged in hands-on literacy, curriculum, and technology-integrated learning experiences! Together, these experiences emphasized the importance of nurturing healthy minds and healthy bodies to support the whole child. A.P. Morris Early Childhood Center extends its sincere gratitude to its community partners—United Way of Greater Union County (@unitedwaygucc), RWJ Barnabas Health (@rwjbh), SNAP, Hillside Public Library (@hillsidepubliclibrary), and the A.P. Morris PTA—for their continued support and partnership! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #apmorris #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Shout out to Deanna G. Taylor Academy for its ongoing visual displays of student work and creativity!

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

March 12th, 2026, was opening night of Hillside High School Theatre's spring musical "Cinderella"! The show was absolutely spectacular, great work to our talented Hillside High School actors and actresses @hhs.performingarts ! Shout out to theatre director, Ms. Pribish, Mr. Corritore, the stage crew, the band, Hillside High School staff, students, and more!

Hurden Looker Elementary School is participating in the Annual NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology) eSTEM Challenge! Good luck to our Hurden Looker Tigers!! Shout out to Principal Alvarez and Vice-Principal Pinho! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #estem #njit #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Today, March 19th, 2026, Ola Edwards Community School hosted a Women's History Month/Recognition celebratory event! Students from all grade levels filled the bleachers of the gymnasium alongside their teachers, as Mrs. Dale-Rawls and Principal Mrs. Davis presented a handful women with a certificate, and praise for their hard work not only at Ola Edwards Community School but also within the community and Union County! Those honored today included: Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, Hillside Board of Education member Mrs. Egwaikhide, Union County Commissioner Mrs. Delisfort, Dr. Powell, CEO and Owner of Reimagine Now, and OECS 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Alvarez! Hillside Public Schools appreciates all of the contributions of our women within the Hillside community. Thank you, Principal Davis, Vice-Principal Guilford, and Mrs. Dale-Rawls for organizing this event.

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicshools #olaedwardscommunityschool #studentsfirst #womenshistorymonth #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

On Friday, March 6th, 2026, Hillside Innovation Academy hosted its Black History Month program in the auditorium of A.P. Morris Early Childhood Center! H.I.A.'s Black History Month program was awesome, filled with spoken word, dancing, and performances by students and even some H.I.A. staff! This event was the perfect way to end Black History Month, thank you Dr. Silva, Ms. Dotel, Ms. Therres, Mr. Harrison, our wonderful H.I.A. students, Ms. Rios, Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, the Hillside Board of Education, and H.I.A. staff!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsideinnovationacademy #blackhistorymonth #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

The Hillside High School Performing Arts Club (@hhs.performingarts) is hosting a Panera Give Back Night on Thursday, March 19th, 2026! Stop by the Panera at Vermella (1109 Morris Ave. Union, NJ 07083) from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and 25% of your purchase will be donated back to the club! Use the code "FUND4U" at panerabread.com, in the Panera app, or at the Kiosk in the store when placing your order. You can also show the flyer at the register. Your support will help fund the productions at Hillside High School - costumes, set, scripts, and more - while someone else takes care of dinner! Thank you for your support of the arts at Hillside High School!

W.O.K. Middle School is hosting a Chipotle Fundraiser, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.! Purchases can be made online or in person at Chipotle, 1101 Morris Avenue, Union, 07083! Please see the flyers for more details. Thank you!

Today, Tuesday, (March 17th, 2026) the Hillside Fire Department (hillside_firefighters) and the Hillside Board of Education partnered to bring the “After the Fire” assembly program to Hillside High School’s Class of 2026! The assembly took place at 11:00 a.m. in the Hillside High School auditorium. “After the Fire” revolves around two college freshmen survivors (Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons) of the tragic dormitory fire that occurred in 2000 at Seton Hall University in nearby South Orange, NJ. The fire in Boland Hall claimed the lives of three students and injured 58 others. This fire remains one of the deadliest college fires in history. The fire was a result of a fraternity prank gone wrong. While many of the Class of 2026 are preparing to go off to college, almost none will think about their safety while living on campus. This assembly presentation showed the graduating students how things can change in the blink of an eye and how danger can strike, even in a place where they think they are safe. In addition to sharing fire safety tips, other topics included pranking/hazing and the consequences of these actions, learning to love yourself despite your scars, flaws, and imperfections, escape planning and complacency, forgiveness, and overcoming adversity at a young age! Members of the Hillside Fire Department were in attendance for this informative presentation for our seniors! Thank you to Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons @alvaroandshawn, for coming to speak to our seniors! Thank you Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, the Hillside Board of Education, the Hillside Fire Department, Principal Emenaka, Vice-Principal Heartwell, Hillside High School staff, and students!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsidehighschool #afterthefire #firesafety #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilitiies

Congratulations to Hillside High School Theatre's (@hhs.performingarts) successful weekend of their Spring Musical "Cinderella"! Here are additional photos captured by Hillside High School teacher Mr. Frisch! Shout out to theatre director, Ms. Pribish, Mr. Corritore, the stage crew, Hillside High School staff, students, and more!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #cinderella #highschooltheatre #springmusical #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Last Thursday, 3/12/2026, Dr. Mathura, Mrs. Johnson, and Mrs. Giro took W.O.K. Middle School 8th grade accelerated, Jr. Rho Kappa, Student Government, and Lighthouse students to the Metropolitan Museum of Art @metmuseum! They engaged in learning history through artifacts from Greece, Rome, Africa, Asia, and the Americas! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #themet #wokmiddleschool #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Hurden Looker Elementary School (HLES) is excited to present its upcoming production "Willy Wonka Kids"! Live for 2 days only, please come out to support our talented HLES performers on Thursday, March 26th and Friday, March 27th, 2026, at 5:30 PM at Hurden Looker Elementary School, 1261 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, New Jersey 07205! Tickets must be purchased in advance from the HLES main office! For additional information, please see the flyer and/or contact the Hurden Looker Elementary School main office, we look forward to seeing you there.

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #studentsfirst #willywonka #willywonkakids #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities