Hillside Elementary School

Dr. Briean Madden

Dear Hillside Families:

It is with great pride that I introduce new Hillside Principal Dr. Briean Madden. Dr. Madden comes to us with leadership experience as an Early Childhood Supervisor and K-8 Literacy Specialist. Her experience in education is extensive and includes teaching fourth-grade, first and second-grade inclusion, providing services as a reading specialist, and working with the New Jersey Department of Education as a Literacy Specialist. She officially began her duties at Hillside School on Thursday, September 1, 2016.
 
Mr. Robert Smith, who has held the Interim Principal’s position, will remain in place at Hillside until September 23 to consult with Dr. Madden and assist during the transition. We are extremely grateful to Mr. Smith for his hard work throughout the summer in establishing schedules and assisting with placement and school-opening preparations. His familiarity with the Hillside School and its operations is sure to help Dr. Madden begin the year with the appropriate transition information.
 
In the coming days, you will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Madden personally. During our extensive search for your new principal, administrators, staff members and parents kept your input via parent surveys in the forefront of our discussion. We read each of the responses submitted and paid careful attention to your comments on a range of issues from school climate to educational program implementation. We are very proud of the collaborative effort that resulted in Dr. Madden’s appointment.
 
Please see Dr. Madden’s personal letter of welcome to each of you. Have a wonderful new year of school at Hillside.
Sincerely,
George J. Rafferty
Superintendent of Schools