Principal

Lauren Bolster

Welcome Back, Hillside Huskies!

Dear Hillside Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We are so excited to welcome our Huskies back to Hillside and begin another incredible year together.

Our theme continues to be ALL IN, and that is exactly how we are approaching this year. We are ALL IN on creating a school where students feel safe, connected, challenged, and proud to be a Husky. Our staff has been working hard to prepare classrooms, strengthen our schoolwide systems, and ensure we are ready to provide an amazing experience for every student from the moment they walk through our doors.

September Dates to Know

• Wednesday, September 2: First Day of School for Grades 1–5
• September 2–4: Kindergarten Family Conferences
• Monday, September 7: No School – Labor Day
• Tuesday, September 8: First Day of Kindergarten + Sips & Sniffles
• Thursday, September 10: First Day of ECEAP

Sips & Sniffles for Kinder Families

We know that the first day of Kindergarten is a big milestone for our students AND their grown-ups! After Kindergarten drop-off on September 8, we invite our Kinder families to join us for Sips & Sniffles.

Grab a cup of coffee, take a moment after that big first-day goodbye, and connect with other Kinder families. We will have an opportunity for families to meet and visit with other parents and caregivers whose children are in the same Kindergarten classroom. We hope this is the beginning of connections that continue throughout your child's time at Hillside!

Starting Strong

During the first weeks of school, you will see a strong focus on building relationships, establishing routines, and teaching our schoolwide expectations. We know that when students understand what is expected of them and feel a strong sense of belonging, they are better prepared to learn.

This year, we will continue strengthening our work around academics, attendance, social-emotional learning, and positive behavior. Our goal is not simply to have students follow expectations—it is to help them become confident learners, problem solvers, and caring members of our Hillside community.

Partnership & Communication With Families

Families are an essential part of our team, and one of our goals this year is to strengthen two-way communication between school and home.

Please make sure you are signed up for ParentSquare! ParentSquare will be one of our primary ways to share school and classroom updates, important reminders, upcoming events, and information throughout the year. Just as importantly, it gives families an easy way to communicate back with us. We want communication to go both ways, and we want you to feel informed, connected, and comfortable reaching out.

Throughout the year, we will also share ways you can support learning at home, understand student assessment and progress, and stay connected to what your child is learning.

One of the most important ways you can help us start strong is by prioritizing consistent, on-time attendance whenever your child is healthy and able to attend. Every school day matters, and every day gives students another opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

We have an incredible year ahead of us, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our Hillside community. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us in this important work.

We are ready. We are excited. And we are ALL IN!

With Husky Pride,

Lauren Bolster
Principal
Hillside Elementary