Principal’s Message August 2022

Dear Hillendale families,

It is with great excitement that I welcome all our huskies back to Hillendale Elementary to begin the 2022-23 school year!  It is an honor and privilege to continue to serve as the leader of what is, thanks to our incredibly dedicated staff, students & families, truly one of the best elementary schools in Pennsylvania. I am so excited to begin what will be another terrific school year on Monday, August 29th!

It was wonderful to meet so many of you at our events throughout last school year. I greatly look forward to my opportunity to continue to get to know every child, family, and community member at Hillendale this school year to best support your children during their journey through elementary school. It is our mission to provide all our children a welcoming community dedicated to empowering and challenging students in a safe, caring & inclusive environment.

As an educator, it is one’s core beliefs that create a foundation for success. I believe in the power of rigorous and relevant curricula combined with a focus on ensuring that students are inspired to learn, succeed in life, take care of themselves, build character, and contribute to society. An approach balancing the state’s instructional standards with the development of students’ critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and citizenship skills will lead to long-term success beyond the walls of our UCFSD classrooms. I believe, whole-heartedly, that elementary school, not Disney World, should be the "happiest place on earth!"

On behalf of the entire Hillendale Elementary staff, “welcome back - we cannot wait to see you!”

Please feel free to reach out to me via email or phone: 610-388-1439 with any questions regarding our upcoming school year or simply to introduce yourself!

Be well, 

Joshua Leight

Hillendale Elementary Principal

The "Tail" of Hillendale's Husky

After an adventurous and highly educational cross-country trek, our beloved Husky arrived at Hillendale Elementary in February of 2006! The Husky felt his destiny was to be the mascot of a very special school, so the Husky left his home in Alaska to make our elementary school his permanent address!

It took two weeks for the Husky to travel across our beautiful country. He made many stops along the way, all the while reporting in to our Principal, sharing details about the people he had met, the beautiful landscapes he had traveled and the things that he had learned about each state. We all learned some interesting facts about our country! Lucky for us, the Husky's final steps of his cross-country journey brought him into the Hillendale gym where he received a very spirited welcome from the entire student population. It was LOVE at first sight!

Now, the Husky permanently resides at Hillendale in a special part of the school. Over the course of the school year, the Husky can be seen at various school events sniffing out fun and fetching for spirit. The Husky is dedicated to keeping spirits high and ensuring the love of learning. Make no bones about it, the Husky LOVES the kids AND staff at Hillendale Elementary!

We're so lucky to have such a faithful friend. If you're interested in learning a little more about our beloved Husky, read on!

DogBytes:

• Birthplace: Juneau, Alaska
• Parents: Retired sled dogs from Alaska
• Height: Ranges from 5' 6" to 6' 4"
• Weight: Varies tremendously
• Eye Color: Bright Blue
• Favorite Song: "Who Let the Dogs Out!"
• Favorite Food: Hotdogs
• Favorite Color: Red AND Yellow
• Hobbies: Learning new things, Reading, Taking long walks and Practicing new tricks
• Pet Peeves: Snow Days! (odd, considering he's from Alaska)
• Favorite Activity: Being side-by-side with the happy students of Hillendale Elementary!
• Favorite Book: Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman

Photo Gallery

Our School was once a museum that offered a unique look at America between the years of 1490 to 1890. A visitor could stroll through the Passage of Time, listening as a cassette recorded narrative brought Verrazano, Cortez, Cabot and other explorers to life in a way no book could. In concert with the narrative, a series of colorful dioramas lit up the darkened Passage, and recreated the gradual but ultimately revolutionary discovery of North America as the explorers themselves experienced it. Lounges furnished in Spanish, French, English and Victorian styles maintained the illusion of a world centered in Europe, moving West.

We are the Huskies of Hillendale,
When we work together, we cannot fail!
Sharing, learning, caring too--
We are a part of a REALLY COOL SCHOOL!

One for all and all for one,
Doing our part to make learning fun--
Hillendale O Hillendale,
We're proud to call you our school!

GO HUSKIES!!!

Thanks to Mrs. Chern and others for developing such a great song.