September 15, 2024
September is in full swing! Staff and students are finding their rhythms: early mornings and late evenings, getting to know new roommates or families, adjusting to meal times, practice plans and study hall routines…change is happening.
Even our more seasoned students take some time to settle into a routine, but ultimately everyone is adjusting the changes that September brings. It is always encouraging to see our returning students helping our new students find their way – this is how we start to build our team here. But every one of our students will have an impact on our program here, and it is important to make room for new ideas and new ways of doing things.
I look forward to learning from our new and our returning families and seeing how we can together make this year at The Hill the most, fun, most productive year yet. I encourage our community to be open to change this year – take feedback that is provided, be open to a different perspective and make room for ways that may be different from your own. Every member of the team is valuable and we want our team to win!
“I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.” – Georg C. Litchenberg
Christy Flynn
Director of Academics
In this week's Newsletter:
Opportunity to Travel Abroad for Students in Grades 9-12!
Thank you to all that attended the Zoom Meeting to learn more about this opportunity. G Hardy Tours has provided this link with more information on the trip, including how to register.
You can always reference information on the Parent Resource section of the website.
September 19 - The Hill Family Open House and BBQ
September 25 - Terry Fox Run
September 30 - Day of Truth and Reconciliation (no school)
October 11 - PD Day (Hill Camp info coming soon)
Updates will be made periodically to the school calendars, so continue to check the website for the most up to date details.
We are holding a school wide event on September 25th to honour the late Terry Fox, a Canadian legend. Terry always strived for his highest level of achievement, exemplified by his pledge to run across Canada after being diagnosed with cancer.
Terry's independent thought was to take the initiative and stand up to cancer to run for all kids to help make their lives better. As a leader, Terry acted as a role model for people around the world, showing nothing could hold you back. Finally, the legacy that Terry has on the nation is exempt for what an amazing person he was and what he stood for. To support his goals, donate to the Terry Fox Foundation using the link and instructions below.
Instructions:
1. Click the link
2. Click the red "Donate" button
3. Select "Donate to a Classroom" button
4. Select what class your child is in
5. Enter donation amount
6. Enter information
7. Hit the red "complete" button and DONATE!
School Uniforms
Most of our apparel items have arrived (with exception of size small hoodies and tees and extra small joggers and shorts).
Available in size small; Long sleeves, polos, shorts and joggers.
Available in extra small: tees, polos and hoodies
If you have all your uniform items, please ensure your student-athlete is dressed in Hill attire each day.
Stay up to date by checking each individual team's TeamSnap. Below is an overview of the week of September 16-20.
(click on image to enlarge)
Code of Conduct Forms
Code of Conduct Forms were due last Monday! Please ensure your student-athletes have handed them in.
Junior School received a paper copy from their homeroom teacher and can access a digital copy to print on their homeroom Google Classroom.
High School can assess a copy of their period 6 Google Classroom.
Labeling Items
With so many activities and practices happening daily, it's easy for items to get misplaced. To help keep track of uniforms, equipment, and personal items, we kindly ask that all student-athletes have their belongings clearly labeled with their name. This simple step ensures that lost items can be quickly returned and helps maintain organization throughout the day. Thank you for helping us keep our athletes focused and prepared!
Drop off/Pick up
For Junior School (5-8):
Junior school drop-off will be at the main building, kiss-and-ride no earlier than 7:55 am
Junior school pick-up will be at main building, kiss-and-ride at 3:50pm
Students attending before and/or after school care will be dropped off/picked up through the primary door and into the ½ Classroom, no earlier than 7:30 am and picked up no later than 5:00pm. You must register for this service.
For Secondary School (9-PG):
Secondary school drop-off will be at the main building, kiss-and-ride no earlier than 7:55 am
Secondary school pick-up will be at main building, kiss-and-ride at 3:50pm
Safety and Security
In preparing for your student-athlete for the school year, we want to remind everyone about the safety and security considerations of arriving and leaving the campus.
For all:
Please follow the posted speed limits
Please note and follow the one-way driveway and the stop signs
Please follow the directions of the staff who are supervising pick-up and drop-off times.
Parking lots are to be used for anyone waiting to pick up students. There is no parking in the fire routes, crosswalks or kiss and ride areas. If you arrive before the designated pick-up times, you will be directed to park in the lots.
Fire routes are allocated to help Fire and Emergency Services access buildings quickly in the event of an emergency. Blocking these routes, even to drop off or pick up students, can be dangerous for everyone.
Accessible parking spaces are for the exclusive use for individuals holding valid accessible parking permits. Please do not use or block any accessible spaces without a valid permit.
Absences and Late Arrivals
School success is closely tied to good attendance. When students miss learning time, they often struggle with understanding concepts, completing assignments, and performing well on assessments. Consistent attendance helps your child(ren) stay connected both academically and socially. We encourage you to commit to having your child(ren) attend school every day and arrive on time. Regular attendance builds positive habits that will last a lifetime. If your child is absent from school, please remember to email attendance@thehillacademy.com to report the absence.
If your student athlete is going to miss their Phys. Ed or sport period for any reason, please remember to email DGlisic@thehillacademy.com.
Late Arrivals
If your child arrives late to school, please park in the designated parking areas and walk them into the main office to receive a late slip. The students will need to provide their educator with the slip upon arrival to class.
Allergy Aware School
Hill Families, please be aware that we have several anaphylactic allergies within our school community. These include but are not limited to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. We do not exclude nuts, tree nuts or other big ten foods packed in lunches and for snacks but ask for awareness of these allergies. We ask that parents please help educate their students on what it means to be allergy aware.
Ways that we can all keep our school safe are:
Be aware of specific allergies within your class
Please avoid sending in these foods as part of classroom celebrations to minimize exposure to those with allergies.
Placing food on paper towel or napkin and not directly on the table
Wiping down your area after eating
If using the microwave, wiping down any splatter
Hand washing before and after eating
Being mindful of those with allergies and not eating near them if consuming food that contains an allergen
All nuts are not permitted on any of the buses.
Please see https://foodallergycanada.ca/ for additional resources to help educate on food allergies. We thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students with allergies safe.
Prevalent Medical Conditions
If your child has a prevalent medical condition (asthma, anaphylaxis, diabetes or epilepsy) please ensure that you complete the plan of care as soon as possible so that we can ensure our staff are aware.
Privit
Privit is a safe and secure information management system designed specifically to track health information. Privit registration is now ready to complete. If you have any questions please contact jennifer.bell@thehillacademy.com
New Students
You will be required to create a profile and fill out all information. Please note that a Physicians note stating that you are fit to participate in sport that is within 6 months of the start of school, is only required after Grade 9. Parents are encouraged to fill in as much information as is possible, understanding that some questions will not be applicable and are not required to be filled in.
Returning Students
You will need to login in and update your profile.
Please note that this must be completed prior to the start of school. Failure to complete will delay sport participation.
Registration Instructions: Click HERE
Cell Phone Policy
In April of 2024, Ontario's Ministry of Education introduced guidelines and restrictions for cell phone use by students in schools. Following suit, students in Kindergarten to Grade Eight will need to keep cell phones on silent and out of sight for the entire school day (including breaks). Students in Grades Nine to Twelve will not be permitted to use cell phones during class time unless explicitly instructed by their educator.
For more information on the Ministry of Education's announcement, visit here.
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