Hillside Back to School Night!

Dear Hillside Families,
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Hillside’s Back-to-School Night on
Thursday, September 17, from 6:45–8:15 p.m.!
Back-to-School Night is one of our first opportunities to invite you into your child’s
learning space and give you a glimpse into the routines, relationships, learning
experiences, and expectations that will shape the year ahead. Our teachers are looking
forward to sharing their classrooms and programs with you!
A Welcome from Me
On Tuesday, September 15, at 5:00 p.m., I will send families a brief Principal’s
Welcome video to view at home before Back-to-School Night. By sharing my welcome
with you in advance, we can begin our classroom sessions promptly at 6:45 p.m. and
make the most of our time together that evening.
Back-to-School Night Schedule
6:35 p.m. – Main doors open for families (Pillars at Door 9)
6:45–7:15 p.m. – Session 1: Classroom Presentations
7:20–7:50 p.m. – Session 2: Classroom Presentations
7:55–8:15 p.m. – Session 3: Additional opportunity to visit Special Area faculty
8:15 p.m. – Back-to-School Night concludes
Families with more than one child at Hillside may use Sessions 1 and 2 to attend each
child’s classroom presentation. Families with one child may attend their classroom
teacher’s presentation during either session and use the remaining time to visit our
Special Area teachers and other faculty.
Fifth Grade Families: Please plan to attend the fifth-grade team presentation in the
Upper Gym during Session 1 (6:45–7:15 p.m.). The fifth-grade teachers will present

together only during this session. Families will have an opportunity to visit fifth-grade
classrooms afterward during Sessions 2 and 3.
A Few Helpful Notes for the Evening
Parking: The Hillside parking lot will be reserved for staff. Please allow yourself a little
extra time to find street parking and walk to the building so you are ready for our
prompt 6:45 p.m. start.
Finding Your Way: We know navigating a school building can be tricky when you don’t
spend your days here! Maps will be available as you enter, signs will be posted
throughout the building, and staff members will be stationed in the hallways to
help you find your way.
Individual Student Conversations: Back-to-School Night is designed to provide an
overview of your child’s classroom, curriculum, routines, expectations, and the year
ahead. To protect student privacy and allow our teachers to remain on schedule for all
families, this evening is not intended for conversations about individual students. If
you would like to discuss your child’s progress or individual needs, please reach out to
your child’s teacher to schedule a separate conversation. Our formal parent-teacher
conferences will also take place in early November.
Back-to-School Night is an adults-only event, and childcare will not be available. We
appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
I have been so grateful for the warm welcome I have received from the Hillside
community, and I am especially excited to experience my first Back-to-School Night with
all of you. The partnership between home and school is such an important part of a
successful year for our children, and I look forward to continuing to build that
partnership together.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Hillside on September 17!
Warmly,
Leah Sinisi, M.Ed.
Principal
Hillside Elementary School

Back-to-School Night 2026 Family Letter PDF