Hillside Public Schools

Hillside Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed opening on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. Please refer to your child's school bell schedule for the adjusted start time. Hillside Shuttle bus routes and Hillside in-district special education routes will also operate on a two-hour delay. Buses for Union County Vo-Tech and the Choice School in Kenilworth will run according to their respective receiving schools' schedules. Please travel safely.

Dear Hillside Public Schools Community,

Due to the Governor's declared Weather State of Emergency and the forecasted winter storm impacting New Jersey, all Hillside Public Schools and administrative offices will be closed on Monday, January 26th, 2026.

The district will continue to assess and closely monitor weather conditions. An additional announcement regarding district operations for Tuesday, January 27th, 2026, will be communicated on Monday, January 26th, 2026.

The buses for the Union County Vocational Technical Schools in Scotch Plains and the Choice School in Kenilworth will follow their respective schools inclement weather schedule, not the Hillside Public Schools District schedule.

We encourage families and staff to continue monitoring the district website, official social media channels, etc. for the most up-to-date information. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff.

Good day, in the event of a school closure on Monday, January 26th, 2026, due to inclement weather, the Memorial Service Honoring Mr. Terry Woolard will be held on Friday, January 30th, 2026.  Please see the flyer for more information. Thank you.

On Saturday, January 17th, 2026, W.O.K. Middle School scholars volunteered a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! Dr. King famously stated that "everybody can be great because anybody can serve." Students sorted hats, gloves, and scarves for those in need! Shout out to Dr. Mathura!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #martinlutherkingjr #martinlutherkingday #mlkday #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Hillside Public Schools had an incredible districtwide celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 17th, 2026! Hillside Families and Community members filled the Hillside High School auditorium, as students from each of our schools performed or provided artwork and contributions! Thank you to the students, staff, and faculty who made this event successful. Thank you, Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, Board of Education President Dr. Howard, Hillside Public Schools District Principals, the Hillside Board of Education, and all of our community members in attendance! Most importantly, Hillside Public Schools appreciates and honors the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the historic pursuit of civil rights!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsidehighschool #martinlutherkingjr #drmartinlutherkingjr #mlkday #studentsfirst #schooldistrict #civilrightscelebration #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Totally Tubular! Hurden Looker Elementary School is celebrating the 80th Day of School in 80s style, Thursday, January 15th, 2026! #hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hurdenlooker #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Please join us on Monday, January 26th, 2026, for the Celebration of Life Memorial Service honoring the legacy of Mr. Terry Woolard. The memorial service is taking place from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in the Hillside High School Auditorium, 1085 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205. For more information, please see the attached announcement. Thank you.

Yesterday, January 13th, 2026, was an early dismissal day for students, but our Hillside Public Schools teachers, administrators, and staff were hard at work engaging in professional development sessions! Here are a few photos captured throughout the district of our teachers and staff participating in professional development!

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

Please join Hillside Public Schools on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, for our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. District Celebration! Our commemorative program will take place at Hillside High School, 1085 Liberty Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205, in the auditorium from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This program will include offerings from the Comets marching band and all of the Hillside Public Schools! We look forward to seeing you there. Please see the flyer for more information, thank you.

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #mlkday #mrtinlutherkingjr #drmartinlutherking #hillsidehighschool #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Yesterday, January 8th, 2026, Mr. Busichio's 9th-grade biology classes at Hillside High School took a trip to Students 2 Science (@students_2_science)! Students worked on various activities in a lab designed to model a professional lab. They tested the purity and use of a pharmaceutical drug. Thank you, Students 2 Science, for providing fun, innovative learning to Hillside Public Schools students!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #students2science #hillsidehighschool #biologyclass #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

On December 19th, 2025, the Hillside High School Student Council @hillsidestuco with their advisor, Mrs. Deutsch, was recognized by @rwjbh Cooperman Barnabas Breast Center for a $1,300 donation. This contribution marks the 5th consecutive year that @hillsidestuco @mrsdeutschhhs has raised more than $900 annually in support of the Cooperman Barnabas Breast Center—demonstrating a sustained commitment to service, leadership, and community partnership! #HillsidePublicSchools #HHSStuCo #ServiceInAction #StudentLeadership #CommunityPartnership #GivingBack

The Hillside High School Student Council @hillsidestuco attended the 100th Annual @NJASC (New Jersey Association of Student Councils) Winter Convention on January 7, 2026 at @TCNJ, where Hillside High School was honored as an Honor School for the 5th year—recognizing our continued commitment to strong student leadership. StuCo was also proud to receive a Top Ten Projects Award for their work in Civics Education, highlighting their student-run officer elections and partnership with the Union County Board of Elections @union.boe. The conference also marked the close of Senior Leilani Ortega’s incredible term as the 2025–2026 NJASC Executive Officer of Publications. Her leadership leaves a lasting impact. Thank you to @mrsdeutschhhs for her tireless leadership and commitment to the students. #HillsidePride #HHSStuCo #NJASC #StudentVoice #LeadershipInAction #CivicsInAction

On behalf of Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, the Hillside Board of Education, and Hillside Public Schools District, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #happyholidays #merrychristmas #happynewyear #studentsfirst #newyear #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Today, (December 22nd, 2025), Acting Superintendent Dr. Pérez, Ms. Powell of AT&T Pioneers, Ms. Harris, Ms. Smith, and Hillside Innovation Academy Art teacher Ms. Therres, gifted presents to H.I.A. students in the National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS)! Toys were donated by @att pioneers, a non-profit national network of volunteers. Hillside Public Schools is incredibly grateful for the donation, and the opportunity to continue giving to our children and community!

@att

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #christmastime #seasonofgiving #happyholidays #presents #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Last night (12/18/2025), Hurden Looker Elementary School hosted its 2025 Winter Concert titled "Winter Wonders"! The auditorium at Hillside High School was packed with parents, families, students, and staff from Hurden Looker. The chorus, band, advanced string, and string students did an amazing job performing, shoutout to music teachers Mr. Brandyberry and Ms. Valiante! Thank you, Principal Alvarez, Vice-Principal Pinho, Hurden Looker staff, students, and families!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #winterconcert #hurdenlooker #studentsfirst #holidayseason #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

@xtremedunks of the Xtreme Team came to W.O.K. Middle School today (12/18/2025)! They put on a spectacular show for W.O.K. and H.I.A. students who filled the W.O.K. gymnasium! The dunk show was organized for middle school students who successfully sold milestone numbers of candy earlier this school year. Thank you Principal Dr. Wilson, Vice-Principal Scott-Jackson, Principal Dr. Silva, the Xtreme Team, and all of our middle school staff!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #wokmiddleschool #hillsideinnovationacademy #xtremedunks #candysale #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Yesterday, Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, Ola Edwards Community School hosted its Winter Concert! The band, chorus, and strings students did a phenomenal job! Thank you to all the family members, friends, and community members in attendance! Thank you to our music teachers, Ms. Veech, and Mr. Brandyberry! Shoutout to Principal Davis, Vice-Principal Guilford, Superintendent Pérez, the Hillside Board of Education, and all the Ola Edwards Community School staff!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #oecs #christmasconcert #winterconcert #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

Hillside Public Schools are incredibly proud of all of our Hillside High School students inducted into the National Honor Society last night (12/16/2025)! The Hillside High School Auditorium was packed with parents, families, and students in celebration of their scholars and peers. After the event, inductees were amazed to behold their names added forever to the Hillside High School Hall of Honor! We know you will all continue to do great things! Shout out to Principal Mr. Emenaka, NHS Advisor Mrs. DeSanto, Superintendent Pérez, and former National Honor Society Advisor and Hillside High School teacher, Mr. Scott Nelson who returned for the ceremony! Thank you, Mr. Frisch and Mr. Williamson for providing these incredible photos!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #nationalhonorsociety #honorsociety #hillsidehighschool #congratulations #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities

W.O.K. Middle School had a phenomenal "Winter Wonderland" Winter Concert last night, (12/16/2025) ! The W.O.K. auditorium was packed with students, families, and staff, and all of the performers were spectacular! Great work to the band, strings ensemble, drama club, dance teams, chorus, stage crew, Mr. Moore, Ms. McCargo, Ms. Harris, and more! Thank you to Principal Dr. Wilson, Vice-Principal Ms. Scott-Jackson, Superintendent Pérez, the Hillside Board of Education and all of our wonderful students, and staff!

#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #winterconcert #wokmiddleschool #happyholidays #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities