Hillside Innovation Academy's (HIA) 4th Annual Awards Ceremony took place today (6/10/2025) at A.P. Morris Early Childhood Center! The A.P. Morris Auditorium was full of HIA scholars, teachers, and staff, as well as supportive parents and families. Congratulations to all of the HIA scholars recognized and honored, including the members of National Junior Honor Society, the Student Government Association, Jr. Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society. Students received Awards in Visual Arts, Foreign Language, STEM, Health Sciences and Athletics, Science, Mathematics, English Language Arts, History, Perfect Attendance, and more! Thank you to the HIA staff and students who led the ceremony and presented awards including Ms. Vazquez, Ms. Therres, Mr. Joyner, Ms. Ojeda, and Ms. Dotel, and more!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsideinnovationacademy #awardsceremony #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
The following photos are from this morning's (6/10/2025) Yearbook Signing Breakfast for our Hillside High School Seniors! Shout out to @hillsidestuco! Thank you to our Hillside Media team for capturing these great images.
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hillsidehighschool #classof2025 #yearbooksigning #letsgocomets #hillsidecomets #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On Monday, June 9th, 2025, Hillside Public Schools District held its Lumi @lumistoryai Showcase at Hillside High School! This exciting event highlighted the use of the Lumi AI platform to create comic books and graphic novels! Twenty-one (21) Hillside Public School, Middle School Student Illuminators showcased their work! Scholars from Walter O. Krumbiegel Middle School and Hillside Innovation Academy have been utilizing Lumi, which has provided them with access to digital storytelling tools. The Student Illuminators presented their projects to an auditorium of Hillside Public Schools 6th graders, Middle School students, Hillside Board of Education members, dignitaries, Hillside community members, Lumi CEO Colin Kaepernick @kaepernick7, Hillside Public Schools Directors, Principals, and more at the Hillside High School auditorium and media center! The Hillside Public Schools District and author, activist, athlete, entrepreneur, and founder of the AI platform Lumi, Colin Kaepernick, formed a partnership in February of 2025 to work with students of the Hillside Public School District. Thank you to all of the Hillside Public Schools District and Lumi AI staff, and students who made this incredible event possible, including Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education, Vice-Principal of W.O.K. Middle School Ms. Scott-Jackson, Principal of Hillside Innovation Academy Dr. Silva, Hillside Public Schools Literacy Supervisor Ms. Simon, Principal of Hillside High School Mr. Woolard, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools Ms. Harris, Maschio's @maschiofood, our student emcees, Weequahic High School @nps_weequahic, and more!
#hillsidepublicschools #hillsidehighschool #lumiai #studentvoices #creativityunleashed #colinkaepernick #middleschoolers #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
College Mentoring for Access and Persistence (CMAP) was launched by Ernst & Young (EY) in 2009 as a national initiative to increase college access for high school students. Through this program, EY offices across the country partner with nearby high schools to provide mentorship and college readiness support. In 2017, CMAP was introduced to Hillside High School through EY’s Iselin, NJ office. Beginning in their junior year, participating students attend monthly sessions that include team-building activities and cover a range of college preparation topics. These include identifying the right college fit, writing personal essays, exploring financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and navigating the transition to college life. Students are grouped into mentoring pods, each consisting of four students and four mentors, to encourage deeper connections and personalized guidance.
Beyond monthly meetings, CMAP offers enriching experiences such as college tours, community service projects, career panels, and other events designed to strengthen mentor-mentee relationships. On June 4th, 2025 CMAP proudly celebrated the achievements of its soon-to-be 2025 high school graduates—the fourth CMAP graduating class at Hillside High School! Congratulations scholars!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #cmap #hillsidehighschool #collegereadiness #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Hurden Looker Elementary School Field Day 2025 was a blast today, June 5th! What an incredible way to celebrate a year full of growth, learning, and achievement. Hurden Looker students showed their energy, teamwork, and joy — a perfect culmination of everything they’ve accomplished this school year. Way to go, Hurden Looker Tigers! Thank you Principal Alvarez, Teachers, HL PTA and Parent Volunteers for making today a memorable day for our students!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #fieldday #hurdenlooker #tigers #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, Hillside Public Schools District hosted its "Hidden in Plain Sight & Drug Trends" event at Hillside High School! 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. This informative event opened parent's and families' eyes to the reality of 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 to our speakers: Monmouth University Professor of Criminal Justice Doug Collier, Hillside Police Department Lieutenant Cosimo Tripoli, and Hillside Police Department Detective Antoine Brown! Shout out to Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education Members, all Hillside Public Schools staff and students present!
@hillsidepolicenj @monmouthuniversity
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hiddeninplainsight #antivaping #dea #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Congratulations to Hillside High School Senior Jay-Deen Batchelor! Jay-Deen placed 2nd in the Girls 100 Meter Dash at the Meet of Champions today in Pennsauken, New Jersey!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #meetofchampions #highschooltrack #track #highschool #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Hurden Looker Elementary School recently received a unique pear tree through Union County's Plant a Seed initiative. On June 3rd, 2025, second-grade students, with assistance from Union County Ground Works, planted the tree on the school grounds. This special tree features four branches, each bearing a different variety of pear, providing a diverse and sustainable food source. Students actively participated in the planting process, learning about agriculture, sustainability, and nutrition. They will continue to care for the tree, gaining hands-on experience in environmental stewardship. Over the coming years, the tree will not only provide fresh fruit but also serve as a living classroom for future generations. This initiative exemplifies the power of combining education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship to create lasting positive change. Thank you Ms. Tran and Principal Alvarez for this opportunity for our students!
@unioncountynj
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #gardening #agriculture #hurdenlookerelementaryschool
#studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Congratulations to all our W.O.K. Middle School students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society last night (6/3/2025)! Great work, scholars, and thank you, Principal Dr. Wilson, Dr. Mathura, Vice-Principal Ms. Scott-Jackson, Superintendent Glover, Hillside Board of Education members, and more for making this all possible!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #wokmiddleschool #nationalhonorsociety #studentsfirst #induction #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Hillside High School hosted its Senior Awards Ceremony last night (6/3/2025) ! Congratulations to all the Hillside High School Seniors who received an award across various subjects such as Literature, History, Biliteracy, Athletic training, Academic Decathlon, National Honor Society, JROTC, and more! Thank you to the Hillside Public Schools Guidance Department, Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education members, ESL and World Language Director Ms. Okparaeke, Director of Guidance Ms. Hemeda, Hillside High School Principal Mr. Woolard, Hillside Public Schools Directors, and Administrators for making this wonderful evening possible and recognizing our students! Shout out to the Hillside Media team for providing photos from the event. Lastly, shout out to the students, parents, and families in attendance for filling the Hillside High School Auditorium with love and support!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #seniorawardsnight #hillsidehighschool #awardsnight #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Last night, Monday June 2nd, 2025, Hillside Innovation Academy (HIA) held its Annual Art Exhibition! The National Junior Art Honor Society, led by Art Teacher and Advisor Ms. Therres, hosted the Showcase of Scholars' Artwork, and Art demonstrations! Thank you to HIA Principal Dr. Silva, Hillside Board of Education President Ms. Best, Supervisor of Fine and Visual Arts Ms. Muldrow, the Hillside Board of Education members, Superintendent Glover, HIA Scholars, and parent volunteers! Thank you to all of the students, parents, and families in attendance as well for this marvelous event!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #artshow #hillsideinnovationacademy #arthonorsociety #studentart #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, the Union County Teacher of the Year Annual Recognition Breakfast took place at @keanuniversity! Congratulations to all of the Hillside Public Schools District teachers recognized: Ms. Kramer, Ms. Caesar, Mr. Matherson, Ms. Revollar, Mr. Pantastico, Mr. Ojeda, and Ms. DeSanto! Shoutout to ESL and World Language Director Ms. Okparaeke, Hillside Board of Education President Ms. Best, and Hillside High School Principal Mr. Woolard who were present at the breakfast! @unioncountynj
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #keanuniversity #teacheroftheyear #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On Saturday, May 31st, 2025, W.O.K. Middle School hosted its Daddy-Daughter Sneaker Ball in the Ola Edwards Community School gymnasium! Shoutout to all of the fathers, daughters, and families in attendance for this marvelous event! Thank you to W.O.K. Principal Dr. Wilson, Dr. Mathura, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Scott-Jackson, Principal Davis of Ola Edwards Community School, Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education, and the Hillside Public Schools' staff for making this event a beautiful and massive success! Also, thank you to the Hillside Media Team for capturing great photos from the evening!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #daddydaughter #dance #saturdayfun #sneakers #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
The following photos are from a Glow Math Day that Ms. Crisanaz did with her 5th-grade math classes today at Hurden Looker Elementary School! Students participated in math stations based on skills they learned throughout the school year. The math skills included measuring and identifying angles, finding the area of student names in highlighted blocks, Jenga general math questions, fraction ball, identifying coordinate grid points, and more! Fun, and innovative learning at Hillside Public Schools! Great work Ms. Crisanaz and students!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #math #glowinthedark #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Today, 5/29/2025, 6th-grade students from Hurden Looker Elementary School, Deanna G. Taylor Academy, and Ola Edwards Community School filled the W.O.K. Middle School auditorium for the Recognition and Recruitment Band Showcase! The purpose of this showcase was to recognize current W.O.K. band members, showcase the Band & Drumline, and open enrollment to recruit rising 7th-grade members for next school year! The W.O.K. Dance team also participated in the showcase to drum up excitement and open enrollment for dance! Thank you to band teacher Mr. Moore, dance teacher Ms. McCargo, and Director of ESL and World Language, Ms. Okparaeke. Thank you to Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education, W.O.K. staff, students, and families!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #band #drumline #bandshowcase #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, the Hillside Scholarship Fund held its annual award ceremony in the Hillside High School cafeteria! The Scholarship Fund awarded 25 scholarships to Hillside High School students in the Class of 2025! These scholars earned their recognition via their hard work and dedication. Congratulations Hillside High School Comets! Thank you to our Hillside High School counseling department @hillsidehs_schoolcounseling, Superintendent Glover, The Hillside Board of Education, The Hillside Scholarship Fund, Hillside High School students and staff!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #scholarshipfund #hillsidescholarships #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Congratulations to Hillside High School Senior Isairi Santos who will be participating in the Union County Senior Softball All-Star Game! The All-Star Game takes place on Monday, June 16th, 2025 at 6:00 PM at @keanuniversity 's field! Shoutout to @hillsidehssoftball
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #softball #allstars #allstargame #keanuniversity #hillsidehighschool #unioncountysports
#unioncounty #highschoolsports #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, Hurden Looker Elementary School held its Spring Concert, titled "Tiger Tunes"! The spring concert was the perfect start to Memorial Day Weekend, and featured performances by the Hurden Looker band, chorus, and strings section! Hurden Looker's gymnasium was packed with parents, students, and families! Thank you to our Chorus and Vocal Music Teacher, Ms. Alissa Valiante, and our Instrumental Music Teacher, Mr. Kenneth Brandyberry. Thank you Principal Alvarez, Vice-Principal Pinho, Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education, Hillside Public Schools students, staff, and families!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #hurdenlooker #springconcert #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
On behalf of Hillside Public Schools, we'd like to wish you a safe and healthy Memorial Day! Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the soldiers who died while serving in the U.S. military.
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #memorialday #thankyou #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
Congratulations to all of the W.O.K. Scholars who were inducted into the Jr. Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society on May 15th, 2025! Thank you to Dr. Mathura for providing these photos, shout out to Principal Dr. Wilson, Vice-Principal Ms. Scott Jackson, Superintendent Glover, the Hillside Board of Education, W.O.K. Middle School staff, and students!
#hillsidenj #hillsidepublicschools #socialstudieshonorsociety #inductionceremony #studentsfirst #newpride #newpathways #newpossibilities
