Bulldog News

Campus comes alive with fall activities

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

There’s a cool breeze in the air, trees are adopting their colorful autumn hues – welcome to the start of another exciting Hillside school year!

Fall term always ushers in a host of enjoyable and memorable campus activities. This year, in particular, Hillside will be an especially busy place of programs and events.

The season began on a big note with Registration Day on Sunday, September 13. During this special day, students became reacquainted with faculty, staff and each other following the long summer break. International families were also welcomed with a special family reception. The day concluded with a delicious cookout shared by the entire Hillside community.

Also in September, students were encouraged to look their best for Picture Day on Wednesday, September 23, and ninth grade students will once again travel to the White Mountains of New Hampshire for their Senior Overnight on September 24 and 25.

A new twist to our slate of dates to remember this fall is DAR Day on Wednesday, October 7. Usually held in May, DAR Day has been scheduled earlier this year to welcome DAR President General Linda Calvin who will visit our school as part of her national tour. As always, this event is Hillside’s opportunity to truly shine for our loyal DAR supporters. The day will feature special tours, both of the campus and the farm, and the presentation of awards for student achievements.

Following the Columbus Day holiday, Hillside pays tribute to special relatives in students’ lives with our Grandparents/Grandfriends Day on Friday, October 16. This occasion enables grandparents and grandfriends to gain their own perspective on life at Hillside through tours and classroom visits. Of course, it’s also a wonderful time for students and grandparents to celebrate their own special bond between the generations.

Parents and siblings get in on the fun with Fall Family Weekend on both Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17. The schedule for this activity-packed day includes classroom visits, intersquad athletics and community games. The weekend concludes with a gala luncheon buffet to be enjoyed by all.

Hillside recognizes its strong bonds to the larger community through Fall Community Service Day on Tuesday, November 3. Through this event, students and faculty advisors will engage in projects to benefit organizations and citizens in surrounding towns. Past initiatives have included students singing for nursing home residents, sprucing up classrooms at local Boys and Girls Clubs, and engaging in yard work at area churches.

Soon after the Thanksgiving break (November 20 to November 30), Hillside athletes take it to the court with the Hillside Holiday Basketball Tournament on Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12. This contest enables our Varsity Basketball team to display their skills and determination as they play several area schools in the two-day long competition.

Finally, the fall term concludes with the always anticipated Fall Awards Ceremony on Thursday, December 17. Through this important assembly, students are saluted for work well done throughout the term in such areas as athletics, academics and residential life.

It’s going to be a wonderful fall and we hope you are able to enjoy this special time of year with us!

Members of the Class of 2009 reach the summit of Mt. Lafayette during last year's Senior Overnight trip.