Principal's Message

Hillcrest School – Achieving New Heights in Learning The highly qualified educators of Hillcrest School are dedicated to teaching the whole child.  All of us are committed to developing the needs of our 317 students academically, emotionally, and socially.     Balanced Literacy is an instructional model that gives our students the opportunity to develop their reading, language arts, and writing skills.  Using the workshop model, students progress from teacher-led reading and writing to independent practice.  Each classroom has a leveled library so students can choose books that are “just right.”  Teachers continually record students’ progress on reading and writing to identify student strengths; then, our educators design plans tailored to each child’s needs.  Everyday Math encourages our students to sharpen their math skills through concrete, real-life examples, repeated exposures to mathematical concepts and skills, frequent practice of basic computational skills, and the use of multiple methods and problem-solving strategies.  This unique spiral approach engages students through the use of interactive games. Our progressive scholastic program provides additional instructional services, including support in Language Arts, Mathematics, English as a Second Language, and Bilingual Education.  In addition to rich academic instruction in homeroom settings, Hillcrest students also attend special area classes.  Children learn the importance of developing the mind and the body through participation in vocal music, visual arts, and physical education. Our twenty-first century media center has a wireless computer lab where students can conduct research and practice speaking Spanish using Rosetta Stone.  Hillcrest has an iPad cart that houses ten tablets, which teachers borrow to enhance classroom instruction.  Hillcrest’s library boasts more than 13,000 books for our emerging readers!  From easy readers to the latest chapter books, the library meets the needs of our learners. Hillcrest’s families and staff work in tandem to help our students make positive choices and develop strong characters.  Classroom teachers use the New Jersey Bar Association’s No Bullies curriculum which provides the skills and strategies students need to create a safe and positive school environment.  Prosocial behavior is also rewarded with character coins that students deposit weekly in The Bank at Hillcrest.  Students can cash in their earnings for privileges like lunch with the principal.  At the end of each month, students who earn the most wear t-shirts and are celebrated during the day. Our school’s enrichment programs are unique.  The Wee Deliver Post Office is staffed by second grade mail carriers.  Students are encouraged to write letters to friends, young and old, throughout school.  What an extraordinary way for our young people to develop their writing and communication skills!  Second Grade Enrichment is an opportunity for our oldest students to participate in classes that are out of the ordinary, but related to academic subjects.  The students choose the classes that are most appealing, and then attend the sessions with a small group of friends.  Hillcrest’s Home and School Association is invaluable to our school family.  Whether raising funds for special projects or volunteering to help in classrooms, dedicated families work tirelessly to support our school community.  Members of the Hillcrest HSA provide opportunities for our students to participate in poetry workshops, book publishing celebrations, and the annual Hillcrest Carnival.  The strong home school connection is a critical piece of our students’ success. We are proud of our work at Hillcrest School.  However, we are also committed to continuous improvement.  As we reflect on our achievements, we also identify opportunities to review, refine and reenergize.  We welcome your comments and invite you to visit Hillcrest. Erin B. O’Connell, Principal 973-292-2240