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(201) 664-4565

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me, and then I’ll remember. Involve me and I learn.”

– Benjamin Franklin

Robin Bell

Robin has been on staff for over 20 years. She received her Master of Science in Special Education from Fordham Univerity. Her Bachelor of Arts in Education was earned at St. Francis College. Robin teaches in our three-year-old program as well as our four-year-old Enrichment program. Robin loves spoiling her grandchildren and can often be found babysitting!

Grace Mueller

Grace joins our staff with over 12 years of teaching experience. She has a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Delaware, and a MS in Literacy Education from Long Island University. Grace teaches in our Jump Start program and the Enrichment program. Grace's three sons attended HUNS. Grace remains active with her older sons' school activities and sports while her youngest attends our program!

Larissa Risalvato

Certified in Elementary Education in Grades K-8, Larissa taught Kindergarten in both the Oakland and Ridgefield Public School systems for over 5 years. She is a TCNJ graduate. Larissa teaches in the three-year-old program. Her daughter attended HUNS. Larissa can be found on the beach when she has free time!

Samantha Dolan

Samantha is a teacher in our four-year-old program. Prior to joining our staff, Samantha worked for over 12 years as both a special education and first grade teacher in Montclair. Samantha graduated from Salve Regina with dual certifications in teaching Students with Disabilities and Elementary Education. When she is not in the classroom, Sam can be found riding her Peleton or reading a book. All of her children are HUNS alumni.

Teachers

Victoria Noonan

Victoria is a teacher in our three-year-old program. Victoria attended Marist College and earned her Master's Degree from Montclair University. Prior to joining HUNS, Victoria taught preschool for 13 years. Victoria can be found at her daughter's recitals and her son's every game or tuning in with popcorn to watch Bravo!

Julie Rothenburger

Julie teaches in our Jump Start program. Julie attended Felician College and went on to teach kindergarten in the Weehawken school district. Julie's daughter currently attends HUNS. Julie stays busy with her two sons and young daughter who attends our school!

Christine Pellegrin

Christine teaches in our four-year-old program. She has a Master's Degree in Education from St. Peter's College. Christine taught in Park Ridge and Demarest prior to joining HUNS. All three of the Pellegrin sons attended HUNS. Christine enjoys any kind of music and creating gorgeous cookies, cupcakes and chocolates!

Jordan Woodford

Jordan teaches in our four-year-old program. Jordan graduated from Millersville University with dual certifications in teaching Students with Disabilities and Elementary Education and attended Walden University for her Master's in Elementary Reading and Literacy, as well as Elementary Mathematics. Jordan taught first, second and fourth grades in Norwood. Jordan's sons atteded HUNS! Jordan's creative flair lends beautifully to cards and other projects she creates!

Michelle Sullivan

Michelle teaches in our Enrichment program. Michelle attended Rutgers and earned her Masters from Montclair. She worked in the Hackensack school district before staying home with her three sons. Michelle enjoys spending time with her boys and the beach.

Teacher Assistants

Joanne Krause

Joanne is an assistant in our Jump Start program and our Enrichment program. She has a certificate in Childcare from New York University. Joanne has three children and can often be found cheering them on at games and recitals!

Jen Aschenbrand

Jen is an assistant in our four-year-old program and our Enrichment program. Her background is in floral design, both corporate and private. Both of her children attended HUNS! We appreciate the creative flair Jen brings to our program!

Stefanie Bohan

Stefanie is an assistant in our Jump Start program and Enrichment program. She has a CPA from University of Connecticut, and worked in corporate finance for 10 years. During her time in business, she enjoyed volunteering with children and helped in a Kindergarten classroom. You may spot Stefanie running around town, getting her steps in! Stefanie's daughter attends HUNS!

Leigh Ng

Leigh is a teaching assistant in our four-year-old program. She received her Master of Science in engineering from the University of Michigan. Her Bachelor of Arts in engineering was earned from Cornell University. Leigh enjoys outdoor adventures and traveling. Leigh has a son and daughter who are both in college.

Marianne D' Andrea

Marianne joins us as a teaching assistant with the three-year-olds. Marianne has spent countless hours volunteering in a preschool in her hometown. When not at HUNS, she can be found with her children and grandchildren!

Laurie Caruso

Laurie is an assistant in our four-year-old program.

She has worked in Northvale in preschool for 14 years previously.

Laurie's grandchildren attended HUNS. Laurie can be found in the bleachers of every game her grandchildren play!

Su Shynn

Su is an assistant in our three-year-old program.Su attended Penn State and graduated with a degree in Media Studies. Both of Su's daughters are HUNS alumni. Su loves playing all sports-look for her on the golf course or softball field in the spring and summer!

Tara Loughlin

Tara is an assistant in the three-year-old Triangle class. She has a degree in Finance from Fairfield University. Prior to joining us in 2018, Tara worked as a Marketing Direcor and her attention to every detail makes her flourish in the classroom! Tara is mom to three boys and is their biggest fan at every sport!

Danielle Selvaggio

Danielle joins us after working as a substitute for the past year. Danielle worked for the Division of Child Protection and Permanency for 13 years and is an avid dog lover! She can be found walking numerous dogs or volunteering at her children's school.

Office

Karena DePeola

Karena DePeola is the Education Director. She graduated from St. Peter's College with Education & Pyschology degrees and has a Master's Degree in educational technology. Karena taught kindergarten and first grades for ten years and spent 7 years teaching in our three-year-old program. All three of her children are HUNS alumni. Karena enjoys spending time on any beach!

Karen Tintle

Karen Tintle is the Business Director. In 2012, after over 7 years in all classrooms at Hillsdale United, she moved into the Business Director's chair. Prior to joining HUNS, Karen was an Officer in the banking industry. She attended the American Institute of Banking.Two of her 3 children are HUNS alumni. Karen loves to travel the world or go into NYC when she is not babysitting her grandson!

Hillsdale United Nursery School Staff

School Calendar

2023-24

September 12& 13: FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

September 25: School Closed

October 9: School Closed

November 2 &3: School Photos

November 9&10: School Closed

November 20-24: School Closed

December 21-January 1: School Closed

January 15: School Closed

February 19&20: School Closed

March 29-April 1: School Closed

April 22-26:School Closed

May 27: School Closed

June 6&7: Last days

*Detailed calendar distributed annually

In 1973 HUNS was started as an outreach project of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church. We are a secular, state licensed preschool aiming to educate the whole child. Our focus is on the social, emotional and academic development for each child. Music, art, science, movement and free play are incorporated throughout our program.

Hillsdale United Nursery School offers classes for 2.5, 3 and

4-year-olds in a safe and nurturing environment. Each class has both a certified teacher and a teacher's assistant. Both half and full day sessions are available.

Programs

Jump Start Program

Age Requirement: Must turn three between October 1 and March.

Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Three-Year-Old Program

Age Requirement: Must turn three on or before October 1st.

Class Days and Times:

2-Day Class - Tues.,Thurs., 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

3-Day AM Class - Mon., Wed., Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Triangle Class - Tues/Thur., 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.,

Wed., 12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

*Option for 5 day schedule(call for details)

Four-Year-Old Program

Age Requirement: Must turn four on or before October 1st

3-Day Class: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00am-11:30

5-Day Class:Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-11:30

Add Enrichment classes to make a full day schedule (9:00-2:30)

Children are expected to be toilet-trained.

4-Year-Old Enrichment Classes

Our 4-Year-Old Enrichment program builds upon and expands the morning curriculum. Children are given an oppurtunity to experience a full day of school while improving kindergarten readiness skills. Teachers use differentiated instruction to meet the various levels of each child. Experiments, team building and problem solving are utilized to build camaradie among peers and foster self -confidence. After lunch at school, our Enrichment classes begin at 12:00 and end at 2:30. The program is offered everyday with the following class groups: Mon./Wed./ Fri;

Mon./ Wed. and Tues./Thurs.

3-Year-Old Afternoon Adventures

During Afternoon Adventures, children will enjoy participating in group activities, science experiments and projects that will enhance and further their love of learning. This fun class explores various units while introducing your child to a full day of school. Afternoon Adventures typically begins in October. More information is provided in the fall.

Lunch Bunch

We offer daily Lunch Bunch beginning in October. Children bring their lunch and stay to play from 11:30-1:00. The cost is $15 per day.

2023-2024 Annual Tuition Amounts

2 Session Classes - $1,980 (9 payments of $220)

3 Session Classes - $2,655 (9 payments of $295)

5 Session Classes - $4,140(9 payments of $460)

6 Session Classes- $4950 (9 payments of $550)

7 Session Classes-$5535 (9 payments of $615)

8 Session Classes- $6120 (9 payments of $680)

9 Session Classes-$6705 (9 payments of $745)

10 Session Classes -$7335 (9 payments of $815)

A pre-payment equal to one month's tuition is due at time of enrollment, along with a $100 non-refundable registration fee. The pre-payment of the September tuition is only refundable when we are notified in writing of withdrawal prior to the deadline stated on Registration Agreement.

Gallery

A Day in the Life of a HUNS preschool student

Circle

Children begin the session by participating in the flag salute. Songs are sung and children are given an opportunity to share with the class. Attendance is taken, the calendar and weather are reviewed.

Story Time

Children listen and interact with a teacher's chosen story.They practice attentive listening skills.

Centers

Children rotate through classroom centers. Centers reinforce skills and concepts being introduced in class. Examples include the easel, blocks, musical instruments, teacher created projects and books.

Free Play

Children are given thirty minutes of free play each session. Weather permitting, they are on the fenced-in playground. On inclement days, they visit the Rainy Day rooms.

Skill Building Circle

The concept is introduced through hands-on learning and activities. Children work in teams and individually to expand their knowledge.

Snack

Our younger students have a school supplied daily snack. Table manners are modeled at this time.

349 Hillsdale Ave.

Hillsdale, NJ 07642

(201) 664-4565

hillsdaleunitednursery@gmail.com

Testimonials

I am so appreciative of all you have done the past two years. I’ve said it before and I will say it again- Hillsdale United is the best preschool around. Thank you for creating a love of school for O. We are so sad to be leaving…O says everyday that she wants to stay there forever. You all should be so proud of the work you do.

-Jessica from Park Ridge

I am so happy Christian has been part of this wonderful school family. Not a day went by without me knowing he was safe, happy and loved at school!

-Andrea from Hillsdale

We feel so fortunate that MacGregor was able to spend his pre-k years at Hillsdale United. He has grown so much and is excited for kindergarten but will miss HUNS!

-Karen from Hillsdale

Hailey has had an incredible two years of learing and making new friends! We have loved watching her grow and are so grateful she spend her preschool years at HUNS! She is excited and ready for kindergarten, but we will miss HUNS.

-Kaitlyn from River Vale

We want to thank you for 9 amazing years at HUNS! This is the best preschool and we are so lucky to have sent our 3 kids here. You have the best teachers!

-Marisa from River Vale