Hillside District 93

Greetings Hillside SD93 Families,

As we head into Spring Break, I want to thank you for the continued support, trust, and partnership you provide to our school community each and every day. The connection between home and school is vital, and we are grateful for the role you play in helping our students grow, learn, and thrive.

This school year has moved quickly, and in many ways, it is hard to believe how much we have already accomplished together. From academic growth, student celebrations, family and parent engagement events to memorable learning experiences, our students and families have continued to shine. Most recently, our students in grades 3 through 8 successfully completed IAR testing, and after Spring Break, students in grades 5 and 8 will begin ISA testing. We are so proud of their hard work and appreciate your support in ensuring your child was at school daily, on time, and prepared!

Last week was also a wonderful reminder of the joy that reading, learning, and community bring to our school. Because of your support, over 150 families/participants attended our annual Reading Night event!  A special thank you goes to our PTO, Mrs. Moser and the many staff members who helped make Reading Week such a fun and memorable experience for our students and families. Events like these bring the school community and families together, which helps make Hillside such a special place to be.

With so much learning and a full calendar of planned events, we all need a moment to unplug.  Spring Break provides an important opportunity for all of us to pause, enjoy time with family, get recharged and return refreshed for the final stretch of the school year. Upon our return on April 6, there will be so much to look forward to. Registration for the 2026–2027 school year, will begin.  Parents will be able to complete online registration beginning April 9 through May 29, 2026.  Details are forthcoming.  

This year, we had several events to engage our families such as our Reading and Math Nights,  Grandparents' Day, Bearing Down with Dads, Staley the Chicago Bear and a host of extra events we hope to bring back next school year.  With your support, our students and families can look forward to:

• Classroom celebrations throughout the year

• Fun and educational field trips

• Parent engagement opportunities, including Parent University with an upcoming event: AI for Parents

• PTO and BPAC events

• Annual Alumni Basketball Game

In May, we will continue celebrating with even more memorable moments. We are especially excited to honor Hillside mothers with our very first Mums for Moms Tea, and we will begin celebrating our eighth-grade students as they prepare for graduation and the important milestone of moving on to high school.  And before we know it, we will close out the school year with one of our students’ favorite traditions—Field Day—which signifies the end of another great school year filled with fun, growth, resilience, and achievement.

As we move into the final months of the school year, we remain focused not only on academic success, but also on helping students continue to grow socially and emotionally. This time of year can sometimes bring challenges for students, and it is important that we continue working together to support them in making positive choices, managing emotions, and demonstrating respect for themselves and others. When schools and families work together, our students are best positioned for success.

As the first woman and Woman of color here at Hillside SD93, it is and continues to be both my honor and privilege to serve this great and welcoming community of students, families, and staff. We have much to be proud of this year, and I remain excited and committed to the work that we are all positioned to do together for the students and families of Hillside SD93!  On behalf of all of us at Hillside SD93, I wish you and your family a safe, restful, and blessed Spring Break. I hope this time provides opportunities to relax, recharge, and enjoy special moments together.  I look forward to welcoming all of our Blue Jays back to the 'Nest on Monday, April 6, ready to finish the school year strong!

With Blue Jay Pride,

Antonia Lippitt-Hill, Ed.D