What We Do

The Hillside PTO is a 100% volunteer-driven and donation-funded 501(c)(3) non-profit: without your donations and contributions, the events and educational resources we provide to Hillside would not exist.

 

During the 2024-2025 school year, your donations funded:

SCHOOLWIDE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES & EQUIPMENT

  • $17,000* contribution to the Hillside Playground Improvements Fund, to supplement the 2026 Hillside Playground with additional features 
  • 2 Commercial-Grade Playground Benches Installed at the Track
  • Commercial 36” Poster Printer 
  • PE Pickleball Nets and Equipment
  • Field Day Inflatable Obstacle Course
  • Dr. Recess Workshop
  • Meet the Author Visit
  • Mrs. Mandak Art Conference Registration
  • Art class frames
  • New Soccer Nets

GRADE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES & EQUIPMENT

  • $200 stipends for grade-level classroom teachers 
  • Kindergarten & 1st Grade Secret Garden Assembly
  • Kindergarten Sensory Bins 
  • 1st Grade Scales
  • 1st Grade Boom Cards Software
  • 3rd Grade Ancients Day
  • 3rd Grade Red Carpet Day 
  • 4th Grade Generation Genius Subscription
  • 4th Grade End-of-Year Party Pizza 
  • 5th Grade Math Software
  • 5th Grade Potato Olympics and End-of-Year Activities 
  • 5th Grade End-of-Year Party $1,000 contribution 
  • Scholastic Literacy Magazine Subscriptions for 4 grade-levels

HILLSIDE FAMILY EVENTS

  • Welcome Week
  • Family Bingo Night
  • Superhero Fun Run
  • Family Breakfasts
  • Family Glow Dance
  • Hillside Holiday Lights
  • World Culture Fair
  • Annual Auction & Raffle
  • STEAM Fair 
  • Yearbook & Ice Cream Social

STAFF APPRECIATION EVENTS & EQUIPMENT

  • Commercial Keurig Coffee Maker for Staff Lounge
  • Staff Welcome Back BBQ Lunch
  • Year–Round Staff Events: Stock the Lounge, Staff Just Treats, Staff Harvest Lunch, Staff Cookie Corner, Staff Healthy Surprise, Staff Lucky to Have You, Staff Spring Fest, Principal Appreciation Day, Custodian Appreciation Day, Bus Driver Appreciation Day, Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
  • Staff Appreciation Week
  • Admin Staff Holiday Gift Contribution (Flannel Pajama Pants) 

STUDENT SUPPORT & ENRICHMENT 

  • SPED Hawk Cafe Carts and Coffee
  • SEARCH support
  • SEAC Award Ceremony cupcakes
  • Robotics Club national-level tournament support
  • Career Day Presenters Lunch

PTO OPERATIONS

During the 2023-2024 school year, your donations funded:

Educational Resources & Student Enrichments 
  • $200 stipend for grade-level classroom teachers (up to $6,000)
  • GMC Ultima EZ Load  Laminator
  • PE: 9-Square in the Air PE Equipment
  • PE: Field Day Obstacle Course & Popsicles
  • Technology: 3D Printer (Ultimaker 2+ Connect), in partnership with the 5th Grade class of 2023
  • Technology: Lego League Robotics Kits
  • Schoolwide Dr. Recess Workshop
  • Art: Paul Revere Lantern Project
  • Art: Squishy Circuit Sculptures
  • Career Day Presenters Lunch
  • Odyssey of the Mind team registration and coach training
  • SPED Hawk Cafe
  • Scholastic Literacy Magazine Subscriptions for 5 grade-levels
  • Kindergarten Chick Hatching Incubators
  • Kindergarten STEAM & Project Supplies
  • 3rd Grade Ancients Day
  • 3rd Grade Red Carpet Day
  • 3rd Grade The Classroom Nook Licenses
  • 3rd Grade World Cultures Escape Room
  • 5th Grade Potato Olympics and End-of-Year Activities

Community & School Events

  • Welcome Week
  • Bingo Night
  • Family Breakfasts
  • Fifth Grade Festival contribution
  • Glow Dance
  • Hillside Holiday Lights
  • STEAM Showcase 
  • Trunk-or-Treat
  • World Culture Fair
  • Yearbook & Ice Cream Social

Staff Support & Recognition

  • 5 New Staff Lounge Dining Tables
  • Staff Welcome Back Lunch
  • Monthly Staff Recognition Events: Stock the Lounge, Brunch for Lunch, Full Moon Treat, Harvest Lunch, Cookie Corner, Wellness Day, Rainbow Snack Day, Baseball Opening Day Lunch
  • Staff Appreciation Week