Teachers & Staff

We are fortunate at Hillside Elementary to employ teachers and staff who are not only highly qualified professionals, but who have a passion for providing top quality education in a caring environment. We encourage you to take the time to get to know our wonderful staff members.

Administration and Office Staff

Dianne Smith
Principal
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Cheryl Boehm
Secretary
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Courtney Carmichael
Assistant Principal, Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction
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Elaine Schiffman
Office Assistant
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Margaret Markgraf
Office Assistant
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Teachers

Preschool 

Rebecca Dippolito
Preschool
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About Rebecca Dippolito

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Josephine Hunt
Preschool
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About Josephine Hunt

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Brielle Tacconi
Preschool
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About Brielle Tacconi

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Kindergarten

Lauren Engle
Kindergarten
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About Lauren Engle

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Katharine Meyers
Kindergarten
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About Katharine Meyers

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Kimberly Ramm
Kindergarten
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About Kimberly Ramm

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Rosemarie Villani
Kindergarten
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About Rosemarie Villani

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Devin Zukofsky
Kindergarten
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About Devin Zukofsky

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First Grade

Amanda Eastman
First Grade
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About Amanda Eastman

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Wendy Bajakian
First Grade
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About Wendy Bajakian

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Jennifer Barbato
First Grade
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About Jennifer Barbato

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Susan Carpenter
First Grade
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About Susan Carpenter

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Kerra Corio
First Grade
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About Kerra Corio

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Meghan Pleus
First Grade
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About Meghan Pleus

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Second Grade

Nicole Alpern
Second Grade
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About Nicole Alpern

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Allison Bachmann
Second Grade
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About Allison Bachmann

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Cynthia Barry
Second Grade
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About Cynthia Barry

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Jennifer Kennedy
Second Grade
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About Jennifer Kennedy

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Alyssa Levy
Second Grade
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About Alyssa Levy

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Catharine Ricca
Second Grade
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About Catharine Ricca

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Third Grade

Jodi Belnick
Third Grade
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About Jodi Belnick

Our Classroom
Welcome to third grade! I am excited to get to know each of you, and I am looking forward to a happy and productive school year. Remember to check Schoology for homework and reminders. Peace, Love, & Happiness - Mrs. Belnick
Resources
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A - Gym, B - Science Lab & Spanish, C - Library, D - Gym, E - Music, F - Art
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Allison Esposito
Third Grade
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About Allison Esposito

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Charlene Gerbig
Third Grade
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About Charlene Gerbig

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Katelyn Lee
Third Grade
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About Katelyn Lee

Our Classroom
Welcome to third grade! I am delighted to meet all of my students this year! Our classroom will foster a community of learners who are not afraid to make mistakes. We believe that with strong will and effort, anything is possible! In third grade, we will explore students' curiosities and make learning fun, exciting, and productive. I look forward to making fabulous memories this year!
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HOMEWORK/ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Read 20 min. and log - Math worksheet
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SCHEDULE OF SPECIALS A DAY Music (10:50-11:30) B DAY Art (10:50-11:30) C DAY Phys. Ed. (2:25-3:05) D DAY Library (9:30-10:10) E DAY Spanish (8:50-9:30) Science Lab (10:10-10:50) F DAY Phys. Ed. (9:30-10:10)
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Nicholas Shapiro
Third Grade
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Fourth Grade

Elizabeth Brown
Fourth Grade
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About Elizabeth Brown

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Leah Cohen
Fourth Grade
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About Leah Cohen

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Tara Eddy
Fourth Grade
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About Tara Eddy

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Scott Greene
Fourth Grade
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About Scott Greene

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Kerry Sidrow
Fourth Grade
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Kristin Talty
Fourth Grade
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Special Areas

Sofia Capparelli
PE/Health
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About Sofia Capparelli

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Kristen Haenelt
Health Office (RN)
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Joanne Iyo
Technology/STEM
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Silvia Jost
Science
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Sarah Kang
ELL
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Elizabeth Klink
Librarian
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About Elizabeth Klink

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Soojung Kwak
ELL
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About Soojung Kwak

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Kathy Lee
ELL
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About Kathy Lee

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Sarah Menchise
Art
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About Sarah Menchise

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Claire Pidi
Music
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About Claire Pidi

Our Classroom
Music is a fundamental and powerful component of an arts education. It helps to enrich students' understanding of the human experience across cultural lines and historical eras. An education in music strengthens creativity and helps students develop aesthetic potential. Furthermore, music education increases students' appreciation of music and contributes to a balanced educational career. Studies reveal that music education can help students develop a stronger self image and self discipline. Ultimately our goal is that every student gain an appreciation of music and the arts as well as experience the life long joy that only music can give.
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The following are music instrument rental dealerships that have served the students of Closter for many years and are recommended for 4th grade instrument rental: O'DiBella Music (Bergenfield, NJ) Music and Arts (Route 17, Paramus NJ) Beau Monde Guitars (Northvale, NJ)
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Our comprehensive program includes Pre K through Grade 4 General Music featuring our Kindergarten Songfest, First Grade Thanksgiving Show, Second Grade Flag Day Show, Third Grade Recorder Concert and Carnegie Hall Link Up program and trip, Fourth Grade Winter Choral Concert. Our instrumental program features a third and fourth grade String Orchestra as well as our instrument music instruction and band program for fourth grade students.
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William Potkulski
PE/Health
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About William Potkulski

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Vincent Salvati
Technology
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About Vincent Salvati

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Dara Weiss
Guidance
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About Dara Weiss

Our Classroom
I.C.A.R.E AT HILLSIDE SCHOOL - Integrity, Caring, Attitude, Respect & Empathy. ICARE is Hillside's character education program. It is one of our efforts to promote a positive school climate through character education. Every month teachers teach lessons on the assigned character trait.
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In addition to the ICARE program, we have...The PATHS Program for Grade K. The PATHS program is grounded in social and emotional learning (SEL). SEL helps children: resolve conflicts peacefully, handle emotions positively, empathize, and make responsible decisions. We also have Kelso's Choices for Grade 2. This is a Conflict Resolution Program. The goal is to teach students several positive ways to deal with difficult situations.
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Basic Skills & Resource Centers

Patricia Brett
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About Patricia Brett

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Ashley Buckley
MSR
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Noelle Caramanna
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About Noelle Caramanna

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Kari Corcoran-McPartland
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Sheila Devine
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Janet Felice
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About Janet Felice

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Kate Maher
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About Kate Maher

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Jamie Morgan
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About Jamie Morgan

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Lisa Pantaleo
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About Lisa Pantaleo

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Regina Pesce
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About Regina Pesce

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Nancy Saccoccio
OT
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Lori Scalera
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About Lori Scalera

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Kerry Vogel
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About Kerry Vogel

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Andrea Watkins
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About Andrea Watkins

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Child Study Team

Vickie Aponte-Solomon
CST Office Assistant
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About Vickie Aponte-Solomon

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Lynne Dubert
CST Secretary
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About Lynne Dubert

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Patricia Eichenlaub
Director of Special Service
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About Patricia Eichenlaub

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Eileen Kennedy
LDTC
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Sara Kim
Social Worker
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Gila Rachlin
Speech
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Joan Romo
Psychologist
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About Joan Romo

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Leanne Schettino
Speech
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About Leanne Schettino

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