7-12 Newsletter 10.31.25
- kevinhayashi
- Oct 31
- 12 min read
October 31, 2025 - Happy Halloween!
Hello Hill Families,
Like many this year, I have been following the Blue Jays’ run to the World Series. My wife and I moved back to Toronto in July and hosted a Canada Day BBQ where we had the Jays game on and followed closely since. Those games at the beginning of July are viewed as a turning point in their season. Sweeping the Yankees that week propelled them to the AL East Championship, and eventually into the World Series.
When asked about their success this season, many players have attributed it to the positive culture of the clubhouse. Players consistently refer back to how much fun they are having playing baseball this year because of how tight knit the group is. How every player is willing to take on any role that will contribute to the team’s success. How all players are friends and just great teammates who support each other through the ups and downs of sport.
Hearing the Jays talk like this reminded me of a conversation I had with someone who I coached for five years. We recently had dinner and he mentioned he regretted not appreciating how much fun being in that environment is. That at 30 years old, the five years he spent living with his best friends, going to school with them, and playing lacrosse everyday were the best experiences of his life so far. He wished he knew that in the moment because he would have cherished it that much more at the time.
With these two experiences in mind, I have two recommendations for our student-athletes. First, be a great teammate. Bring positive energy into the room. Support your teammates by picking them up and supporting them. Take on the role that will help your team be successful. When you do these things, you will help your team and generate positive outcomes for everyone. Second, cherish these moments with your teammates. Soak up all of the experiences you can while you are living through them. You will always look back fondly on those times with your teammates but make sure you appreciate them while they are happening.
Let’s go Blue Jays!
Jon Moore,
Vice Principal
In this week's Newsletter:
Introducing: The Hill Soccer!
Earlier this week we officially announced that The Hill Soccer will be coming for the 2026-27 academic year. We are thrilled to welcome Coach Manny and Coach Maddie who will be heading up the Boys and Girls programs respectively. In the mean time, you will see them around campus assisting with any soccer related activities.
You can read the announcement here.
Coming Soon
🤫 The Canteen is launching in the coming weeks! We’re excited to introduce this new space for our student-athletes and staff. It will be a place to enjoy a quick snack, a fresh coffee, a sweet treat (pending Coach Dre’s approval), and so much more.
Take a sneak peek at our rendering! Soon, you can look forward to wholesome snacks, freshly prepared meals for our Hill Families, and a variety of other novelties. Stay tuned for updates—exciting things are on the way!
Parent-Teacher Interviews
Parent-Teacher and Parent-Interviews are scheduled for November 20th and 21st. Grade 1-12 parents will have an opportunity to book a virtual appointment using Pick-A-Time. We look forward to meeting with you soon!
Take Our Kids to Work Day 2025
This year, on Wednesday, November 5, students are encouraged to participate in Take Our Kids to Work day by joining a family member or friend at their place of business. The theme for Take Our Kids to Work 2025 is Lift Up the Future, and although this has traditionally been an event for grade 9 students, there is no age limit for student participation.
If your student plans to attend TOKTWD, please sign the permission form attached here, and send to guidance@thehillacademy by Monday November 3, 2025.
The Hill Eats
Discover this week's menu, bon appétit!
Daily Lunch
Monday: Korean BBQ Burrito, Carrot & Cabbage Slaw
Tuesday: Maple & Mustard Glazed Ham, American-Style Mac and Cheese, Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Wednesday: Chicken Caesar Herb Crusted Potato Wedges
Thursday: Roast Pork Loin, Steamed Peas, Sweet Potato Mash
Friday: Chicken Quesadilla, Corn & Bean Salad
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 / Chicken Kyiv served with Roasted Squash & Parsnip/Potato Mash
Tuesday: Breakfast Poutine / Spaghetti & Meatballs with Homemade Garlic Bread
Wednesday: Continental Breakfast / Mongolian Beef Ramen
Thursday: French Toast served with a Fruit Smoothie / Coconut Chicken stew served with Curried Rice & a Cucumber-Yogurt Salad
Friday: Continental Breakfast / Duck Breast with Blueberry& Port Sauce
Fried Brussels Sprouts & Rice Pilaf
Saturday: Continental Breakfast / Breakfast a la carte / Roasted Chicken Leg served with Curried Green Beans & Sante Fe Salad
Sunday: Continental Breakfast / Breakfast Wrap / Salmon, Roasted Vegetable Medley Greek-Style Lemon/Mint Rice House
The Power of Carbohydrates: Fuel for Learning, Play, and Growth
Carbohydrates often get a bad reputation, but they’re actually one of the body’s most
important sources of fuel—especially for growing students and active young athletes.
Carbs provide the quick and steady energy needed for learning, movement, and focus
throughout the school day.
Carbohydrates are one of the body’s main sources of energy—and an important part of
a balanced meal plan for students of all ages. They give our brains and muscles the fuel
they need to focus, think clearly, and stay active throughout the day.
When we pair carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats, we create meals that keep
energy steady and tummies full longer. For example, a simple grilled cheese sandwich
on whole-grain bread offers a great balance: the bread provides complex carbs for
lasting energy, and the cheese adds protein and fat to keep you satisfied.
Fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, and whole grains are other smart sources of carbohydrates
that come packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The key is choosing quality
carbs—the ones that come from real, whole foods instead of sugary snacks or drinks.
Whether you’re heading into a big test or out onto the field, carbs are your body’s go-to
fuel to perform your best—because learning and playing both take energy
Power School Disabled for Semester 1 Midterms
The Powerschool Parent and Student portals will be disabled on Friday, October 31st while midterm reports are generated. The portal will be opened again once midterm reports have been distributed.
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: Soccer
Tuesday: Soccer
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Multi-Sport
Friday: Multi-Sport
Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Hockey
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: Multi-Sport
Hybrid Lacrosse Hockey (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Hockey
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Hockey
Friday: Lacrosse
Middle School Boys Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Soccer
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Multi-Sport
Friday: Lacrosse
Middle School Girls Lacrosse (7-8)
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Soccer
Wednesday: Cross Country
Thursday: Multi-Sport
Friday: Lacrosse
View a comprehensive calendar of events by visiting www.thehillacademy.com/calendar
Friday, October 31 - Sunday, November 2 - Prep Lacrosse at Fall Terp Classic - Annapolis, MD
Friday, October 31 - Saturday, November 1 - Junior Varsity/Varsity at Tully Cornfield Classic - Tully, NY
Thursday, November 20 - Parent-Teacher and Parent-Coach Interviews
Friday, November 21 - Parent-Teacher and Parent-Coach Interviews - School Closed
Thursday, November 27 - American Thanksgiving - School Closed
Friday, November 28 - American Thanksgiving - 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.
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.
For those who are interested can follow the link provided for the web interest form for the study. Once completed you and your child will be contacted.
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).
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.
Jackets that had been pre-ordered have arrived and are being embroidered. They will be made available to those who have ordered as soon as they are ready!
New! Lost and Found located in the Caf:
Are you missing a uniform hoodie, polo shirt, or quarter zip? Despite labeling efforts, clothing and other personal items are often left behind, dropped, or mistakenly swapped. To address this, the LOST & FOUND is now situated in the cafeteria with a well-organized table displaying lost clothing, water bottles, shoes, jackets, and school supplies.
Items found will be cleared out on a monthly basis and donated. We kindly ask all students to demonstrate integrity and respect by not claiming items that do not belong to them. Please check this location if you are missing anything, as it is the primary area for reclaiming lost possessions.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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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