7-12 Newsletter 01.16.26
- kevinhayashi
- Jan 16
- 13 min read
January 16, 2026
Dear Hill Family,
This is a busy time of year for transitions. We find ourselves busy finishing one term while another one begins. We are also busy with outside commitments and are often overwhelmed with new opportunities. In all of the business of transitions, I like to see when students are being present and in the moment. I see this in our students, from kindie to graduation, in the form of their curiosity.
Curiosity is more than just asking questions, It is about growth, learning, and discovery. When we stay curious, our brains become more engaged, helping us absorb and retain new information more deeply and meaningfully. Our students push beyond just being told what to do and what to memorize. When they are feeling curious, they explore ideas together, make connections, and get creative.
Being curious also helps to build resilience. I am encouraged when I see our students trying new things, without fearing the challenge or outcome. Staying curious helps us adapt when things don’t go as planned. Many opportunities are born from the unexpected.
But curiosity isn’t just about academic success (though I know that is top of mind at this time of year). We also get to understand the world and each other. By asking thoughtful questions and seeking to understand different perspectives, we deepen our empathy and build stronger, more meaningful relationships.
I get to see our students learn and grow everyday - sometimes through simple encounters, sometimes through play. There is never a bad time to ask a questions and asking will almost always lead to an interesting, creative experience at The Hill. In the words of Albert Einstein: "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."Â
Stay present, and stay curious.
Christy Flynn
Director of Academics
In this week's Newsletter:
Exam Information
As mentioned in previous newsletters, students need to be available to write on January 20th and January 21st in the case of inclement weather. There will be no rescheduling of exams. You can find the detailed exam schedule here and the remaining exams below, as well as our policy on missed or rescheduled exams.
Time | Monday, January 19, 2026 | |
8:30-11:30 | Grade 11 Economics in Cafe Grade 11 Chemistry in Upper Lab Grade 12 Physics in Room 8 | Grade 12 English in Room 2 Grade 12 Advanced Functions in Room 9 Grade 12 Challenge and Change in Room 10 |
12:30-3:30 | Grade 10 Briggs Science in Cafe Grade 10 Quinn English in Upper Lab | Grade 10 French in Room 10 Grade 11 Hossack Math in Room 2 |
Time | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | |
8:30-11:30 | Grade 11 Navi Math in Cafe Grade 11 Biology in Lower Lab Grade 12 Kinesiology in Room 8 | Grade 12 Advanced Functions in Cafe Grade 12 Biology in Lower Lab Grade 12 Economics in Room 10 Grade 12 English in Room 2 |
12:30-3:30 | Grade 9 English in Cafe Grade 10 Beam English in Lower Lab | Grade 10 Dhindsa Science in Upper Lab Grade 11 Law in Lower Lab |
Last week's email contained all necessary exam information. Please refer to all FAQs, including the cell phone policy within that email.
We wish Students the best of luck with their exams this semester!
The Hill Volleyball
We're super excited that we not only had the opportunity to re-introduce The Hill Volleyball this week, but also that we had the opportunity to welcome back Alumna Dani Brisebois as the Director of Volleyball.
For the 2026-27 school year, the focus will be on growing the volleyball program in High School, but who better to work with our Foundations of Sport student-athletes with a volleyball unit than Coach Dani. Look for Coach Dani to jump in with the multi-sport crew throughout second semester.
Read all about it here:
The Hill Summer Camps
Although the weather doesn't think so, summer is right around the corner. We're thrilled to host a selection of camps again this summer at The Hill. As a bonus, Hill student-athletes can use the code: COACHMATTÂ to save 10% on their registration. Stay tuned as we look to announce more even more camps!
June 29 - July 3 - Multi-Sport Camp
July 6 - July 10 - Golf/Multi-Sport Camp
July 13 - July 17 - Lacrosse Camp (boys and girls)
July 20 - July 24 - Multi-Sport Camp
July 27 - July 31 - Multi-Sport Camp
The Nest: A New Hub for Our Student-Athletes
We are proud and excited to announce the grand opening of THE NEST, a dynamic new space dedicated to enhancing the lives of our athletes and the broader school community. For two weeks leading up to the Winter break, we celebrated the launch of this special nook, designed to fuel, support, and inspire our student-athletes.
THE NEST serves as a vibrant hub where students can gather, refuel, and find balance in their busy school days. We are proud to offer products that are sourced locally and baked fresh daily. Some of our delicious offerings include our beloved chocolate chip cookies, muffins, vitamin water, sparkling water, protein-based chocolate milks, fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, and veggies with hummus. We are also eager to hear your ideas for new products, so please send any or all of your requests to lunch@thehillacademy.com. Your input is invaluable, and we appreciate your voice and support!
Before the break, we soft-launched some of our products and tested the best hours to serve our athletes. THE NEST is open from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, covering lunch hours for all grades, Monday through Friday. Additionally, it will aim to be open at the end of the day as we introduce new on-the-go items that can easily be picked up on the way home or to evening sports and activities.
We love seeing our most loyal customers daily, who always add a smile to the process! Some canteen cards are running low; we appreciate your continued support. In addition to our food offerings, school merchandise is available, including hats, blankets, and a cross-section of apparel. In the weeks to come, we are working on adding smoothies and essentials like hockey tape and lacrosse stringing kits. Stay tuned as we grow, refine, and listen to your ideas!
We invite all students to visit and make the most of what THE NEST has to offer. It's a place where athletes can find the energy and environment needed to strive for greatness, both on the field and in the classroom.
A special thank you to everyone who contributed to making THE NEST a reality, and to our community for your ongoing support. Together, we're fostering a culture of health, balance, and excellence, one step at a time. Don’t forget to top up your cards…..we are a cashless system!
Power School Disabled until Second Semester
Please note that the Power School Student and Parent Portal will be disabled for the end of the semester. The portal will reopen again once report cards have been issued.
Volunteers for Alton Fire and Ice Festival
Please note, this is an indoor/outdoor festival. All volunteers will need to dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Students will receive volunteer hours to support the graduation requirement.
Volunteers will be needed from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday, January 31, 2026 and 9:00 AM to 6:00 pm Sunday, February 1, 2026.
There will be a Volunteer Orientation Meeting on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
To apply visit : https://form.jotform.com/253304818379060
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TPC Toronto Special Offer
Our partners at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley would like to extend our relationship by offering the following discounts to the Hill Family:
20% off indoor simulators and lessons
20% off rooms
20% off dining (food only)
To take advantage of these discounts, simply follow the link, using the password: hillacademy to access.
Inclement Weather Protocol
We want to ensure everyone is kept up to date with the inclement weather protocol and procedures.
Depending on the weather and the conditions, one of two decisions will be made:
1. School closure- remote learning
All buses cancelled; students are to perform their schoolwork remotely. This includes before and after care.Â
2. School Bus Cancellation
Either specific buses or all buses are canceled, and the school remains open for staff and students that can safely travel. Before and After care will still be operating.Â
We will do our best to communicate our decision by 6am, utilizing email and social media channels. Decisions will be made considering the safety of students and staff on both the way to and from campus.
The Hill Eats
Discover this week's menu, bon appétit!Â
Daily Lunch
Monday: Chicken Breast Roasted Vegetable Medley Bizmati Rice
Tuesday: Beef Meatballs Chow Mein Asian SlawÂ
Wednesday: PD Day
Thursday: Ham & Grilled Cheese Tomato Soup Baked Beans
Friday: Jerk Chicken Jamaican Rice Coconut Jerk Peas with Grilled Pineapple
If your day student would like to be on the lunch plan, please register now!
Please be advised any feedback or special requests can be sent to lunch@thehillacademy.comÂ
Residence Meal Plan (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday: Continental Breakfast / Soft Shell Beef tacos Chili-Lime Roasted Sweet Potatoes Â
Tuesday: Shakshuka / Pork Schnitzel Slavic Salad Roasted Beets Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday: Continental Breakfast / Chicken Tika Masala Cucumber Raita Fried Okra Na’aN BreadÂ
Thursday: Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap / Classic Meatloaf Broccoli Casserole Herbed Buttered Carrots Fresh Bread Rolls
Friday: Continental Breakfast / Tuscan Chicken Spaghetti Served with Caprese Salad and Garlic BreadÂ
Saturday: Continental Breakfast / Breakfast a la carte / New York Striploin Baked Potato Roasted Corn
Sunday: Continental Breakfast / Breakfast a la carte / Chef's Special
Middle School Sports Schedule
For Grade 9-12+PG, check your individual team's TeamSnap for the most up to date schedule.
Foundations of Sport (7-8)
Monday: Touch Rugby
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: PD Day
Thursday: Frisbee
Friday: Sledding
Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Hockey
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: PD Day
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: Sledding
Hybrid Lacrosse Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Hockey
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: PD Day
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: Lacrosse
Middle School Boys Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Touch Rugby
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: PD Day
Thursday: Frisbee
Friday: Lacrosse
Middle School Girls Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: PD Day
Thursday: Frisbee
Friday: Lacrosse
View a comprehensive calendar of events by visiting www.thehillacademy.com/calendar
Thursday, January 15 - Tuesday, January 20 - Exams
Friday, January 16 - Sunday, January 18 - U16AAA at Oakville Winter Classic, Oakville, ON
Tuesday, January 20 - Final Day of Exams
Wednesday, January 21 - PD Day
Thursday, January 22 - First Day of Second Semester
Friday, January 23 - Sunday, January 25 - U18 Prep Hockey @ PPHL Frozen Frenzy - Rockland, MA
Wednesday, February 4 - Grade 7-8 Ski Trip - Hockley Valley Resort
Wednesday, February 11 - Grade 4-6 Ski trip - Hockley Valley Resort
Monday, February 16 - Family Day (school closed)
Blueprint Nutrition
This school year, the Hill Academy has partnered with Blueprint Nutrition to provide sport nutrition education and support. Blueprint is co-owned by Registered Dietitians, Cara Kasdorf and Rosanne Robinson, and along with their team of Sport Dietitians, they work with athletes across Canada. Their team of Registered Dietitians have worked with all levels and ages of athletes - from local and rep leagues to Olympic athletes, NHL and OHL players, and professional triathletes and endurance athletes. They have expertise in working with both student-athletes and adult athletes to fuel for performance, growth and development, and long-term health. They have expertise to support your athlete, whether the goal is to hit a personal best, navigate busy tournament weekends, or just eat enough to keep up with their sport and academics.
Cara and Rosanne will be providing 4 sport nutrition specific sessions to grades 4-12 throughout the school year. If you would like to seek out additional and more individualized support, Blueprint offers different options to work together.
Two of their most popular packages for student-athletes include:
Eat to Compete Program – $710 for 4 sessions
A high-impact coaching package designed to build strong fuelling habits across training, game day, recovery, and more. Ideal for athletes who want to level up their performance with a comprehensive strategy.
Performance Meal Planning Strategy Session – $295 for a 90-minute session
A focused, one-time consult to help you map out exactly what, when, and how much your athlete should be eating - with a personalized meal plan and timeline tailored to their sport, schedule, and needs.
*Note: all sessions are held virtually via video sessions
*They offer additional packages and sessions based on the athlete’s individual needs
To get started, schedule a free 20-minute clarity call by emailing: sport@blueprintnutrition.ca or booking directly at: www.blueprintnutrition.ca. They have also put together an online Sport Nutrition resource for students. Information about how to access the resource library can be found in their Physical Education and Health Google Classroom.
Airbnb Offer
Looking for a great place to stay right in town while visiting your kids at The Hill Academy? Just 5 minutes from the school right on the main street of Alton village is a cozy 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house that can comfortably sleep 8 people. The perfect place to unwind and hang with your kids and friends for a few nights. The house also offers a summer pool and all year round hot tub as well as backs directly onto the shallow waters of the credit river making for the perfect tranquil setting. Pets are also welcome!Â
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Below you can find the airbnb listing to view all 120+ 5 star reviews. If you'd like to book a stay at the house please reach out through the Cottages In Canada link below to save on some fees airbnb would normally charge, or better yet... reach directly out to the host at her personal email or cell phone number. Don't forget to let her know you're staying at the house because you're visiting someone at The Hill. She'd be happy to provide a discounted rate of 10% off your total stay.Â
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Airbnb Link:
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Cottages In Canada Link:Â
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Direct Contact:
Paige DanforthÂ
519-216-6659
Uniforms
Please ensure your student-athlete is wearing the appropriate uniform for their division. Please note there are NO TIGHTS or BIKE SHORTS PERMITTED. If you have questions regarding apparel please refer to the Gr. 4-12 uniform guide. Any questions, concerns or questions apparel@thehillacademy.com.
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!
Ontario University Applications Centre
January 15th 2026 was the deadline for students to complete their OUAC applications for the 26/27 year. Please see Mrs. Flynn if you have any questions or concerns about your university applications Please refer to the OUAC website with any questions.
Community Involvement Hours
To graduate in Ontario, students need to demonstrate at least 40 hours of community involvement. Forms for tracking these hours can be found on our website.
If you are looking for ways to volunteer this year, try the following local resources:
Interested in Contacting a Tutor?
We have partnered with Jessica’s Tailored Tutoring to provide tutoring going forward. Parents can contact her directly at 705-717-4213.
Student-Dedicated Resource
This year, Ms. Walko will be working as student support. She will be working with students from Kindergarten through Post-Grad to help them achieve academic success. If you, as a student, or your child as a parent, require classroom support, accommodations, or have an IEP in place, please reach out to Ms. Walko directly so we can ensure supports are in place as quickly as possible.
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Students are also welcome to stop by the Resource Room (Room 104) to check in or ask questions. Please contact Ms. Walko with any questions at emily.walko@thehillacademy.com.
Safety and Security
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 come to a complete stop at all stop signs (there are new ones on campus)
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.
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.
School Hours/Information
Middle School (Grade 7/8) & High School: 8:10 - 3:50
Middle School (Grades 7/8) supervision begins at 8:00 a.m. in your child’s homeroom portable. Students who are dropped off between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. may wait in the caf.
If you need to drop off your student-athlete before 7:45 a.m., please ensure they are registered in our Before Care program.
Annual School Calendar 2025-26
Annual school calendars are available on the website:
Attendance Protocol K-PG
ALL STUDENTS:
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 (K-8). The students will need to provide their educator with the slip upon arrival to class. High School students must sign-in at the main office.
No Sign-Out Privileges
Students do not of have sign-out privileges at The Hill Academy, regardless of age. If a student is to leave campus during the school day, attendance@thehillacademy.com must receive an email from parents/guardians indicating that the student is permitted to leave campus, with whom, at what time and for what reason. Student drivers are not permitted to have passengers unless the families have provided written consent in advance.
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.
