Students Clean Up Local Park for Earth Day

April 22, 2024 – In celebration of Earth Day, students from Hillside

Elementary School participated in a park cleanup event at Maple Park. Over
50 students, teachers, and parents gathered early in the morning with gloves
and trash bags to help make the park cleaner and safer for everyone.

The event was organized by the school's Green Team, a group of

students dedicated to taking care of the environment. "It's really important
to keep our community clean and to help protect the Earth," said Mia Reyes,
a member of the Green Team. "We all need to work together to make our
planet healthier."

The students spent two hours picking up litter, recycling items like
plastic bottles and cans, and collecting fallen leaves. By the end of the
morning, they had filled more than 15 large bags with trash.

"This is a great way to show that even small actions, like picking up
trash, can make a big difference," said Mr. Smith, the school's science
teacher. "It’s a fun way to learn about taking care of the planet while also
making our community a better place."

Many of the students were excited to be a part of the event. "I love
helping the environment and doing something good for our community," said
Lucas Tan, a fifth grader. "It feels great to be part of something important."

In addition to cleaning up the park, students also planted flowers along

the walking path to add a splash of color and attract local bees and
butterflies. The flowers will help improve the environment by supporting
pollinators.
 The event was a success, and the students were proud of the work
they did. “It’s nice to see the park looking clean and beautiful,” said Sarah
Garcia, a fourth grader. “I hope we can do this every year!”

As part of their Earth Day celebration, students are also encouraged to

take care of the environment by reducing waste, recycling, and conserving
water at home.
 School Garden Harvests Fresh Vegetables for Lunchroom

May 3, 2024 – Hillside Elementary School’s garden is thriving, and this

week, students and teachers harvested fresh vegetables that will be used in
the school lunchroom. The garden, which was planted in the fall, has grown
tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, and cucumbers, all thanks to the hard work of
students and the school’s gardening club.

The gardening club, a group of enthusiastic students, has spent the

school year learning about plants and gardening techniques. Each week,
they water, weed, and care for the plants. “It’s exciting to see how much our
garden has grown,” said club member Liam Robinson, a 4th grader. “We’ve
worked really hard, and now we get to see the vegetables we planted go into
our meals.”

On Wednesday afternoon, the students and their teacher, Mrs. Davis,

picked the vegetables and brought them to the school kitchen. The cafeteria
staff then used the fresh produce to create a healthy salad for lunch. “It’s
great for the students to eat what they’ve grown,” said Mrs. Davis. “It
teaches them where their food comes from and how important it is to eat
healthy, local foods.”

The school garden project began as a way to teach students about the
environment and healthy eating habits. “We wanted the students to see the
whole process of growing food, from planting the seeds to eating the
vegetables,” explained Principal Garcia. “It’s also a fun way to learn about
teamwork, responsibility, and sustainability.”

The students are already planning for next season’s garden, hoping to grow
even more vegetables and flowers. “Next time, I want to try growing
pumpkins!” said Zoe Martinez, a 5th grader and member of the gardening
club.
This project has not only brought the school community together but has
also inspired students to think more about where their food comes from and
how they can make healthier choices.

Hillside Students Shine at Science Fair

May 5, 2024 – Hillside Elementary School held its annual Science Fair on
Friday, where students from all grades showcased their creative projects and
experiments. The event was a huge success, with parents, teachers, and
students all excited to see the hard work and scientific discoveries.

More than 30 students participated in the fair, displaying projects that

ranged from volcano eruptions to solar-powered cars. Each student had the
opportunity to present their project to judges and explain the science behind
it. “I was a little nervous at first, but once I started talking about my project,
it was fun!” said Olivia Harris, a 5th grader who created a model of the solar
system. “It felt great to explain how the planets move and how they affect
each other.”

One of the highlights of the fair was the “Magic Milk” experiment, presented
by the 3rd-grade team. The students used milk, food coloring, and dish soap
to create a colorful and swirling reaction. “It was amazing to see how the
soap makes the colors move in the milk,” said Emma Thompson, a 3rd
grader. “It’s a fun way to show how science works!”

The fair was not just about fun experiments. Many students focused on
important environmental issues. Jackson Cooper, a 4th grader, built a model
of a recycling machine to show how recycling helps reduce waste. “Recycling
is really important, and I wanted to show how we can make the world
cleaner,” Jackson said.

The judges, who were teachers and local scientists, were impressed by the
creativity and effort shown by the students. “It’s clear that these students
have a passion for science,” said Mrs. Brown, one of the judges. “It’s exciting
to see so many young minds exploring the world of science and asking great
questions.”

In the end, everyone was a winner at the Science Fair. The event helped
students learn valuable skills like research, teamwork, and public speaking,
while also inspiring a love for science. “I can’t wait to participate again next
year,” said Olivia. “I’m already thinking about my next project!”
 Hillside Students Help Local Animal Shelter

May 7, 2024 – Hillside Elementary School students recently organized a

fundraiser to support the local animal shelter, raising over P25,000 to help
care for abandoned pets. The fundraiser was part of the school’s community
service project, and students came together to make a real difference.

The fundraiser, which took place last week, included a bake sale, a pet
supply donation drive, and a raffle. “We wanted to do something special for
the animals in our community,” said Liam Johnson, a member of the school’s
Student Council. “The shelter is always in need of supplies like food and
blankets, so we thought we could help.”

Students from all grades worked together to bake cookies, cakes, and
cupcakes for the sale. They also collected pet toys, food, and blankets from
generous families. The raffle prizes included donated items like gift cards and
a day pass to the local zoo. “It feels great to know we’re helping,” said Sarah
Lee, a 4th grader who helped with the bake sale. “The animals at the shelter
need so much, and we can do our part to make their lives better.”

The money raised will go toward purchasing food, medical care, and other
supplies for the animals at the shelter. Mrs. Davis, the school’s guidance
counselor, visited the shelter with a group of students to deliver the
donations. “It was wonderful to see how happy the shelter workers were to
receive our help,” she said. “This project taught the students about kindness,
responsibility, and the importance of giving back to the community.”

The shelter manager, Mr. Hernandez, expressed his gratitude. “On behalf of
the animals and our staff, we want to thank Hillside Elementary for their
generosity. Your support makes a huge difference in the lives of these
animals.”

The students are already planning more community service projects and
hope to continue helping those in need. “We can’t wait to do more projects
like this,” said Liam. “It’s fun to help, and it feels good to know we made a
positive impact.”

Students Build Birdhouses for Local Park

May 10, 2024 – A group of fifth-grade students at Hillside Elementary

School spent their afternoon building birdhouses for the local community
park as part of the school’s environmental project. The project aimed to
provide a safe space for local birds and teach students about the importance
of protecting wildlife.

Under the guidance of their teacher, Mrs. Turner, the students worked
in teams to assemble the birdhouses from wood, nails, and paint. “We
wanted to create homes for birds so they have a safe place to live and raise
their babies,” said Emily Richards, a 5th grader who helped build a
birdhouse. “It was fun working together, and I’m excited to see the birds use
them!”

The students also painted the birdhouses with bright colors and decorated
them with fun designs. “It’s great to be able to make something that will help
nature and also look nice in the park,” said Noah Evans, another student in
the group. “I hope the birds like them!”

The birdhouses were placed in various trees around Maple Park, just a short
walk from the school. Park officials helped the students install the houses in
safe spots, away from areas with too much traffic. “It’s wonderful to see
these students taking the time to make a positive impact on their
community,” said Mr. Thompson, a park ranger. “These birdhouses will help
many species of birds find a place to nest.”
The project is part of the school’s ongoing efforts to teach students about
caring for the environment. “Learning how to help the environment is so
important,” said Mrs. Turner. “By building birdhouses, the students not only
learn about wildlife, but they also experience the joy of giving back to
nature.”

The students are already planning future projects, including a butterfly

garden and a recycling initiative. “I love that we can help the environment in
so many ways,” said Emily. “I can’t wait for our next project!”

Hillside Elementary Hosts Annual Talent Show

May 12, 2024 – Hillside Elementary School’s annual Talent Show was a huge
success last Friday evening, showcasing the incredible talents of students
from all grades. From singing and dancing to magic tricks and comedy, the
event had something for everyone.

The talent show, organized by the school’s music and drama clubs, took
place in the school’s gymnasium, which was filled with excited parents,
teachers, and students. The night featured 20 performances, with students
demonstrating their unique skills in front of a supportive audience.

“This is my first time performing in front of so many people, and I was really
nervous at first,” said Lucy Chen, a 4th grader who performed a song on the
piano. “But once I started playing, I felt so proud and happy. It’s fun to show
what I can do!”

One of the highlights of the evening was a comedy skit by the 5th-grade
class, which had the audience laughing non-stop. The group of friends acted
out funny scenes from everyday life, poking fun at common school
situations. “We practiced for weeks, and it was so much fun to see everyone
enjoy our skit,” said Jake Thomas, one of the performers.
In addition to the performances, the show also included a group dance
routine by the school’s cheerleading team. “We’ve been practicing for
months, and it felt amazing to finally perform,” said Emily Robinson, a
member of the cheerleading squad. “It was great to see so many people
cheering for us.”

The night ended with a big round of applause for all the performers, and
everyone agreed it was a night to remember. “It’s wonderful to see so many
students share their talents and hard work,” said Mrs. Clark, the music
teacher who helped organize the event. “The Talent Show really shows how
much creativity and talent our students have.”

The Talent Show was not only a celebration of student abilities, but it also
encouraged confidence and teamwork among the performers. “I’m so proud
of everyone who took part,” said Lucy. “It was amazing to be part of
something so special.”
 Hillside Students Participate in Walk-a-Thon for Charity

May 14, 2024 – Last Friday, students at Hillside Elementary School

participated in a Walk-a-Thon to raise money for a local charity that helps
families in need. The event, which took place around the school’s track, was
a fun and exciting way for students to make a difference in their community.

The Walk-a-Thon was organized by the Student Council, and the goal was to
raise P50,000 to donate to the “Helping Hands” charity, which provides food,
clothing, and support to families who are going through tough times.
Students asked their friends and family members to sponsor them for each
lap they walked or ran around the track.

“We are so excited to be raising money for such a good cause,” said Mia
Alvarez, a 5th grader and member of the Student Council. “It feels great
knowing that we are helping people in our community who need it the most.”

The event began with a warm-up led by the school’s P.E. teacher, Mr.
Harrison, who got everyone moving with stretches and fun exercises. Then,
students and teachers walked and ran laps on the track. Some students
competed to see who could complete the most laps, while others simply
enjoyed walking with their friends. “I like that we’re all doing something fun
and healthy while helping others at the same time,” said Ethan Wilson, a 4th
grader.

Parents and family members came out to cheer on the students, and the
atmosphere was full of excitement and support. “I’m so proud of my
daughter and all the kids who participated,” said Maria Johnson, a parent
volunteer. “It’s wonderful to see the students giving back to the community
in such a positive way.”

At the end of the event, students raised over P60,000, exceeding their goal.
“We did it! We raised even more money than we planned, and I’m so happy
to know that the money will help so many families,” said Mia. “It just shows
that when we all work together, we can make a big difference.”

The Walk-a-Thon was a huge success, and the students of Hillside

Elementary are proud of their efforts to help others. The money will be
donated to the “Helping Hands” charity next week, and the school plans to
continue organizing events that support those in need.