Warm Greetings to Our Hillside Families,
As we enter this season of gratitude and thankfulness, I want to extend my deepest appreciation for the extraordinary welcome you have given me into the Hillside community and for the opportunity to serve as the Superintendent of this phenomenal district. I am profoundly thankful for our students, staff, families, community partners, supporting organizations, and our dedicated Board of Education. It has been my esteemed pleasure and honor to serve as the leader of Hillside School District 93 over these first 100 days since beginning on July 1. Together, we have accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
We opened the school year in a historic way, welcoming our new and returning students and staff with the ceremonial ringing of the school bell by Mayor Joseph Tamburino and Speaker of the House Emmanuel “Chris” Welch. This was a first for both leaders, and it was an unforgettable moment to stand with them as the first woman and first African American selected to serve as Superintendent in the district’s proud history. Their presence signified the strength, unity, and bright future of our Hillside community.
We kicked off the year with full Blue Jay spirit, welcoming families back into the Blue Jay Nest through several meaningful and joyful gatherings. In September, we hosted more than 80 grandparents and special guests at our first-ever Grandparents’ Day Celebration. Our honored visitors enjoyed coffee, juice, and rolls with their grandchildren before touring classrooms and meeting the staff entrusted with caring for their little Blue Jays each day. Oh, what a time they had! The joy in the building was truly heartwarming.
October brought even more excitement as five buses full of K–2 students and parents journeyed to All Seasons Apple Orchard in Woodstock, Illinois. Many of our youngest Blue Jays had never experienced apple picking or learned about the cycle from orchard to packaging. Watching their eyes light up with curiosity and wonder was a beautiful reminder of why we do this work. Parents who joined us shared just as much laughter and bonding, creating memories we will cherish for years to come.
And the fun didn’t stop there! To ensure we included all families, I extended a special invitation to our fathers and the important men who support our children to attend our first-ever “Bearing Down with Blue Jay Dads” event. From team-building and tailgating to friendly races between dads and their children, it was a joyful celebration of the vital role fathers play in the lives of our students. I dare say the spirit of our Blue Jays may even have inspired our beloved Chicago Bears that day! And yes—our wonderful mothers are already eagerly awaiting their special celebration coming in Spring 2026.
In the midst of all these celebrations, I would be remiss not to acknowledge the challenges some of our families have faced—and continue to overcome—with courage and resilience. Issues related to ICE and food insecurity caused by external governmental factors have impacted members of our community in deeply personal ways. Through it all, our students have remained strong, and our staff has shown unwavering commitment. They have continued to show up and show out—providing safety, food, resources, and compassionate support to ensure our families are cared for.
Our student attendance has held strong at or above 93% each month, and we continue striving toward our goal of 95% and higher. Teachers are providing after-school math support, ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed. It’s hard to believe we have already completed 15 weeks of school and that we are only weeks away from closing out another quarter. Even more astounding—2026 is right around the corner!
As we look ahead to a new year, let us remain mindful of the true reason for the season. The students of Hillside School District 93 are the greatest gifts entrusted to me and to our staff this year. It is our mission and our privilege to prepare them for life well beyond our doors. We deeply value the families we serve and the community that empowers us to do this work each and every day.
May every Hillside SD93 family be blessed with peace, love, and joy throughout this holiday season.
With warmest regards and heartfelt appreciation,
Dr. Antonia Lippitt-Hill