7-12 Newsletter 10.03.25
- kevinhayashi
- Oct 3
- 11 min read
October 3, 2025
Annual Terry Fox Run at The Hill
This week, our Hill community came together on our beautiful campus for our annual Terry Fox Run. Students and staff participated in walking, jogging, and running laps around our grounds to honour Terry Fox and support cancer research. The energy, school spirit, and sense of community were truly inspiring as everyone embraced the challenge together.
Terry Fox, a Canadian hero, embarked on his Marathon of Hope at just 21 years old after losing a leg to cancer. Despite his own struggles, he ran over 5,000 kilometers across Canada to raise awareness and funds for cancer research, driven by his belief that every child and adult deserves a chance to fight this disease. His courage, perseverance, and selflessness continue to inspire Canadians of all ages, reminding us of the power of determination and compassion.
At The Hill, our Terry Fox Run is more than a fundraiser, it is a living lesson in legacy. By participating, our students carry forward the values Terry stood for: resilience, courage, community, and the drive to make a meaningful difference in the world. Every step our students take reflects their commitment to these ideals and strengthens the sense of purpose and connection within our school.
We are proud to see our students honour Terry Fox’s memory while fostering a culture of empathy, action, and hope. Together, as a Hill community, we continue to build on his legacy, showing that even small actions, like running a lap, can contribute to something much larger: a lasting impact on the lives of others.
Casey Kirkpatrick
Director- Early Years & Vice Principal (K-6)
Reminder: Friday, October 10 is a PD Day for grades K-8 and the school will be closed on Monday, October 13 for Thanksgiving.
In this week's Newsletter:
Terry Fox Run
In 1980, Terry had a dream of a world without cancer. Forty-five years later, Terry's Marathon of Hope lives on. If we work together, we can make such a difference in the lives of so many. Please help fund critical cancer research in Canada by supporting our participation in the 2025 Terry Fox School Run.
Crossing the finish line means hope for everyone with cancer. Together, we can Finish It.
We hosted two Terry Fox Run's this year, with the K-3 Terry on Friday September 26, and the Gr. 4-12 Terry Fox Run on Friday October 3. Donations can still be made directly to the Terry Fox Foundation here.
Truth and Reconciliation Day
On Tuesday, September 30 The Hill Academy observed National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. To read more about the Indigenous-inspired design and Akwesasne Artist Joe King, please read our release here: https://www.thehillacademy.com/post/the-hill-academy-unveils-indigenous-inspired-logo
Blue Jays Spirit Day - Let's Go Blue Jays
Show your team spirit this Tuesday, with our Blue Jays spirit day! In honour of our hometown Toronto Blue Jays making a postseason run, we are encouraging all staff and students to wear Blue Jays fan wear (t-shirt, jersey, etc.) on Tuesday, October 7 (ALDS Game Three).
Uniform rules will still apply for the day (ie. proper footwear, no hats indoors, uniform pants/shorts, etc.). If you are not showing your Blue Jays spirit you will need to be in uniform.
The Hill Eats
The meal plan at The Hill Academy offers students a unique opportunity to embrace "independent thought" by engaging in a diverse culinary experience. Fuelling our bodies with the right nutrition requires thoughtful decision-making. Although we may not always be thrilled by the idea of unfamiliar dishes, trying new and healthy foods can be transformative. Chef Michael introduces dynamic flavours and nutrition through dishes that feature elk, tilapia, and lentils, perfectly designed to meet the athletes' physical and nutritional needs. While these options may not be our first choice, understanding their nutritional benefits are essential. Embracing these opportunities means stepping out of our comfort zones and welcoming new expectations. Discover this week's menu, bon appétit!
Daily Lunch
Monday: Bolognese Meat Sauce, Glazed Carrots, Egg Noodles
Tuesday: Cheese Burger with French Fries, Roasted Corn
Wednesday: Chicken Caesar, Potato Wedges
Thursday: Schnitzel, Kale Slaw, Sweet Potato
Friday: Turkey Sausage Lentil Dal Spiced Rice
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.com
Residence Meal Plan (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday: Continental Breakfast / Roasted Chicken Leg, Steamed Broccoli & Green Beans, Scalloped Potatoes
Tuesday: Waffles & Ham with Scrambled Eggs / Lasagna
Wednesday: Continental Breakfast / Veal Cutlet, Penne Tomato Mixed Green Salad
Thursday: Bacon Egg McMuffin Sandwich / Grilled Chicken Wings with Caesar Salad
Jollof Rice
Friday: Continental Breakfast / Pork Chops, Broccolini, Mashed Potatoes
Saturday: Continental Breakfast / Pancakes, Scrambled Egg & Ham with Blueberry compote / New York Striploin, Baked Potato, Roasted Corn
Sunday: Continental Breakfast / Smoked Salmon Breakfast Wraps, Hashbrowns, Bacon / Pork Ribs & Potato Wedge with Caesar Salad
Picture Day - October 6
Picture Day for students will be held on Monday, October 6. Please have your student-athlete wearing their proper uniform, including their Hill polo shirt that day. Additionally, a photo retake day has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 28.
Power School Student and Parent Portal 9-12
Letters providing access to the student and parent portals were distributed to students in grade 9-12. Please ask your student for the letter so that you can create or update your Power School account. Contact christy.flynn@thehillacademy.com with any questions.
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: Cross Country
Tuesday: Soccer
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Basketball
Friday: PD Day
Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Hockey
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: PD Day
Hybrid Lacrosse Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: Lacrosse
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: PD Day
Middle School Boys Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Soccer
Wednesday: Lacrosse
Thursday: Basketball
Friday: PD Day
Middle School Girls Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Soccer
Wednesday: Lacrosse
Thursday: Basketball
Friday: PD Day
View a comprehensive calendar of events by visiting www.thehillacademy.com/calendar
Thursday, October 2 - Sunday, October 5 - U15AAA at NE Pack Showcase in Utica, NY
Sunday, October 5 - U18 Prep Hockey host Appleby College at Teen Ranch 11:30AM
Monday, October 6 - Picture Day
Tuesday, October 7 - Blue Jays Spirit Day!
Thursday, October 9 - U18 Prep Hockey at Everest - Vaughan Sports Village - 12:50PM
Friday, October 10 - Sunday, October 12 - U15AAA/U16AAA at The Wendy Dufton Tournament - London, ON
Friday, October 10 - PD Day (K-8)
Friday, October 10 - U18 Prep Hockey vs. Everest - Teen Ranch - 2:00PM
Saturday, October 11 - Prep Lacrosse vs. The Ohio State University - Columbus, OH
Sunday, October 12 - Prep Lacrosse vs. Culver Academy - Culver, IN
Monday, October 13 - Thanksgiving (School is Closed)
Thursday, October 23 - Sunday, October 26 - U18 Prep Hockey at Kingston Fall Bash
Thursday, October 23 - Sunday, October 26 - U15AAA at Eastern Exposure Cup in Boston, MA
Saturday, October 25 - U16AAA vs. Buffalo Jr. Sabres - Teen Ranch - 4:30PM
Tuesday, October 28 - Picture Re-take Day
Culminating Tasks and/or Exams
Semester 1 exams are scheduled for January 15th, 16th, and 19th this year. If there is inclement weather (e.g. a snow day on January 16th), that exam will run on January 20th. Students need to be available to write on January 20th and January 21st in the case of inclement weather. You can find the detailed exam schedule here and below, as well as our policy on missed or rescheduled exams.
Missing or Rescheduling an Exam/Culminating Task
Absences (excused or unexcused) will result in a grade of a zero for culminating tasks and/or exams. If an absence is caused by injury or illness, a doctor’s note which identifies the date and cause of the absence is required on the day of the scheduled assessment. Vacation, appointments and games/tournaments are not considered valid reasons for absences. If there is a valid reason for a student needing to miss or reschedule an exam, the student must submit an Exam/Culminating Task Consideration Request.
OSU Study Project
One of the staff athletic therapists, Josh Belletti, is looking for participants for his master’s thesis project through The Ohio State University. The purpose of this study is to investigate how baseline mTBI/concussion testing scores vary from in person administration of tests to virtual or Telehealth administration of tests. The testing battery for both conditions includes the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) in its entirety as well as the Vestibular Ocular-Motor Screening (VOMS). These tests are the same tests done for the baseline concussion testing with all Hill Academy teams. There will also be including depression, sleep and anxiety screens. Testing for the two conditions will occur throughout the school year separated by one week between each test session.
Participation in the study is completely voluntary and can be withdrawn at any point throughout the duration of the study. Interested participants will be required to complete informed consent and parental assent for those under the age of 18. We will be looking to pull study participants from the competitive programs in the senior school.
If there are any further questions, concerns or if you are interested in participating in the study feel free to reach out to him (Joshua.Belletti@osumc.edu).
Student and Parent Code of Conduct
Thank you parents and students! All of our codes of conduct have been signed. Thank you for supporting our school culture!
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.
This Week's Store Feature:
Show some Hill Pride on the sidelines. Introducing our Hockey Fan wear! Whether you are cheering on your athlete or simply wanting to sport your school spirit, order your customized hoodie today! Stay tuned for additional sports teams and designs! A reminder that you can add your customized number :)
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
For Grade 12 students or Post-Graduates who plan to apply to Ontario Universities - please create an account using the OUAC website. The Portal for students is now open, so please speak to Mrs. Flynn once you create your account.
Please also note that the Ontario University Fair takes place in Toronto on September 27-28.
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 a long-time partnership with Jessica’s Tailored Tutoring. This is not a requirement, but we recommend reaching out to this service if you are exploring using a tutor outside of school.
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.
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.
Before and After Care Available
We are proud to offer an exceptional before and after school program for the 2025/26 school year. Our program is designed to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment that supports children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Our before and after school program is available for students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and is designed to complement their school day.
If you are interested in learning more about the Before and After Care available please visit this link.
Annual School Calendar 2025-26
Annual school calendars are available on the website:
Attendance Protocol K-PG
ALL STUDENTS:
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 (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.
We want to thank you for entrusting The Hill Academy with your child's academic and athletic journey. We believe we can achieve great things together, and we can't wait for to get started!
Our Newsletter emails are to keep you informed as to what is happening on campus and upcoming dates and details. The Hill Academy Newsletter will be sent out every Friday at 6pm with information and messages for the upcoming week.
If there is a different or additional email address that you would prefer to be on our distribution list, please email info@thehillacademy.com.
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.
2026-27 Admissions
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-27 school year for SIBLINGS of current students or referrals. Please visit the application portal HERE to apply. Contact Julie Packard jpackard@thehillacademy.com with questions.
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.
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