Grade 4-8 Weekly Newsletter 2026.09.18
September 18, 2026
Dear Hill Families,
As we get settled into the groove of the new school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on some of the reason I feel our hockey program here at The Hill Academy is so special. You may have seen the news recently regarding alumni Tanner Adams, who was front and centre in one of the largest trades in OHL history. It is always incredible to see our athletes making national headlines, but the real story behind Tanner’s journey isn't just about his point production or draft status, it’s about his character.
From the very first day Tanner stepped onto our campus in grade 9, his infectious personality and positive energy were felt by everyone around him. It didn't take long for his peers and coaches to recognize those leadership qualities, earning him the captaincy on our U15 AAA team before going on to lead our U16 AAA squad. Tanner was an absolute weapon both on the ice and in the classroom, truly embodying our "We Before Me" mantra in everything he did. A prime example of his leadership would be hearing from Chef Mike that Tanner was, once again, sticking around after dinner to help with dishes. He wasn’t asked, it wasn’t expected of him, it was just something that he knew had to be done. He is a phenomenal young man, and while we will be watching and cheering him on as he takes this next massive step in his junior career, his success is a direct result of the culture and mindset built right here.
That said, while high-profile headlines are exciting, Tanner’s story isn't the sole defining narrative of our hockey program or this school. As Director of Hockey, I can tell you with complete sincerity that I am just as proud of the grit and enthusiasm being displayed by our junior school hockey development players every time they step on the ice, as I am of Tanner and his former teammates now moving on to junior ranks or stepping up to our Prep Hockey team. Seeing our youngest student-athletes lace up their skates, tackle new challenges with a smile, and support one another on the ice is what true development is all about.
Every single student-athlete who walks through our doors, whether they are taking their first strides in our junior program or preparing for the OHL draft, is on a unique, supported journey.
Our entire coaching staff and faculty are dedicated to ensuring your children are looked after, challenged, and mentored every step of the way, both as players and as people. We are absolutely thrilled to have your families as part of our community this year, and we can’t wait to see how all of our student-athletes grow, compete, and lead in the year ahead.
Ryan Toomey
Director of Hockey
In this week's Newsletter:
Picture Day - October 6
Student photos will be taken on Tuesday, October 6. A photo retake day has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.
Open House - September 22
Mark Your Calendars for The Hill Academy Open House and Showcase Games!
Join us on Tuesday, September 22 for our fall Open House! This is a fantastic opportunity to step inside the classrooms, connect with your student-athlete’s teachers, and hear directly from our academic team.
Kindergarten–Grade 3: Classroom visits begin at 3:30 PM
Grades 4–8: Classroom & gym sessions run from 3:50 PM – 4:25 PM
Grades 9–PG: High school parent drop-in in the Caf from 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Stick around after the classroom sessions to head out to Legacy Field for an exciting evening of Hill Lacrosse showcase games starting at 3:30 PM (Girls Red/White, JV/JS 6s, and Varsity vs. Prep)! Full detailed schedules will be shared ahead of the event. We can’t wait to see you there! Our PG Leadership group will be collecting non-perishable items for the Orangeville Food Bank.
If you are not staying for the Open House, please let your home room teacher know.
Terry Fox Fundraiser
On Thursday, October 1st, The Hill Academy will host our annual Terry Fox Run for all students.
Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope remains one of the most powerful examples of resilience, courage, and selfless dedication in Canadian history. Running a marathon a day on an artificial leg to raise money for cancer research, Terry embodied the exact values we strive to instill in our student-athletes every day: grit, integrity, and relentless pursuit of a purpose greater than oneself.
This year, our Terry Fox Run also kicks off our year-long House Competition. Every student-athlete at The Hill (Gr.1-PG) has been assigned to a House, where they will earn points for their team throughout the school year through athletic, academic, and community achievements.
Our fundraising efforts for cancer research mark the very first challenge of the House Competition. We encourage you to talk with your student-athlete about which House they represent and learn about the significance of their House name to The Hill Academy community.
You can support your student-athlete and contribute directly to their House's fundraising total by clicking their team name below:
Additionally, The Hill Academy will be placing a t-shirt order directly from the Terry Fox Foundation, and include an additional $5 donation to the Terry Fox Foundation in each order. This pre-order will only be available until this Sunday, so get your orders in today!
Shirts can be ordered through The Hill Store, here through Sunday.
The Hill Marks Historic 20th Anniversary
Canada’s premier student-athlete institution welcomes 325 students and largest-ever faculty, buoyed by Olympic lacrosse momentum, historic OHL draft results, and world-class athletic partnerships.
Read the full story here.
🪺 Step Up to The Nest!
We’re excited to welcome our Grade 1–3 students to The Nest during lunch for a chance to step up to the counter, make a choice, and purchase a snack to fuel their body and mind!
This is a great opportunity to put the “I” in HILL — Independent Thought into action.
Students will be encouraged to think critically about what their body needs, make their own snack choice, and take responsibility for their purchase.
There’s no cash at The Nest. Parents can use the links provided to purchase a $25, $55 or other available snack card, and we’ll work with each student to help them understand and keep track of their revolving balance.
Beyond the snack, The Nest is a fun opportunity for students to build independence, confidence and social skills — practicing ordering, using manners, making choices, interacting with others and enjoying the experience of stepping up to the counter!
We look forward to interacting with your child — they are the highlight of our day! 🪺
The Nest Team @The Hill Academy
Student Success and Accommodations
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. As our Director of Student Success; she works with our entire school community from Kindergarten through our post-graduates.
Students are also welcome to stop by the her workspace to check in or ask questions. Please contact Ms. Walko with any questions at emily.walko@thehillacademy.com
Before/After Care
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.
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.
Kiss and Ride Protocol
A smooth and efficient Kiss & Ride starts with everyone being prepared. Please have students dressed, organized, and ready to exit the vehicle when you arrive.
To help keep traffic moving, we ask parents to assist their children in getting out of the vehicle quickly and safely. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping the line moving and reducing wait times for everyone.
Please keep the following in mind:
The right side is designated for student drop-off.
The left side is for through traffic.
The roadway past the main school is one-way.
Please drive slowly and remain alert, particularly around the main building and designated turning areas.
Thank you for helping us make Kiss & Ride a safe, smooth, and efficient experience for all Hill families!
Uniform
For Student-Athletes in Grades 4-8
All Hill branded uniform items must be purchased from The Hill Store
In Class:
Hill polo shirt
Black or khaki pants, shorts or skort
Students are permitted to wear a Hill hoodie, Hill crewneck sweatshirt, or Hill track jacket over their polo
Male student-athletes' shirts must be tucked into their pants with a belt
Pants/shorts/skort cannot; be plaid, have cargo pockets, or be made of sweat suit material
Tights/leggings are NOT permitted
All shoes must be presentable, clean and professional looking
Crocs and sandals/slides are NOT permitted
Student-athletes are only permitted to wear their Hill track suit in class on Fridays. Both the pants and jacket must be in The Hill Academy uniform and worn with a Hill shirt.
In Physical Education:
Hill work-out shirt and shorts must be worn
Hill hoodie, Hill crewneck sweatshirt or Hill track jacket and track pants can be worn over top
Other:
Hats are not permitted at any time within the school buildings
Non-Hill jackets and outerwear are not permitted to be worn in class at any time
A separate order for Hill branded winter jackets will be made available in first semester
Uniform items must be purchased here: The Hill Store
Uniform apparel orders can be picked up in the main office
Absences and Late Arrivals
Parents/guardians are responsible for reporting student absences to The Hill Academy. When a student is absent, please email attendance@thehillacademy.com to report the absence.
If a student-athlete will miss a Physical Education or sport period for any reason, please also email your physical education lead, Grades 1-3 Krista Gott, Grades 4-6 Anthony Cosmo, Grades 7-8 George Debenham, and High School Drazen Glisic copying Kyle Piper.
Privit
Returning Students:
You MUST update your PRIVIT profile forms prior to the first day of school (or training camp).
New Students:
You will be required to create a profile and fill out all information
Please note that you will need to upload a Physicians note stating that you are fit to participate in sport that is within 6 months of the start of school
*** Please note that PRIVIT Forms must be completed prior to the start of school. Failure to complete will result in the student being sent home.***
Click HERE for registration instructions.
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!
TeamSnap
You will receive an invitation to TeamSnap for your child's designated sport program.
Through TeamSnap you will receive all communication with relevant information, events, equipment needs. Individual TeamSnap teams have been set up by grade or sport program.
To subscribe directly to your TeamSnap calendar (add to your personal calendar), please click below:
Grade 4-6 Sport Programs: http://ical-cdn.teamsnap.com/team_schedule/f01ceefc-88a6-4ae9-874f-785cd5ff816f.ics
Grade 7-8 Sport Programs: http://ical-cdn.teamsnap.com/team_schedule/0b41aa0f-966c-4fa9-ae58-052548e17b86.ics
Upcoming Events
Tuesday September 22 - 1:00PM - U16AAA vs. UCC - Alder Arena, Orangeville
Tuesday September 22 - The Hill Open House - Curriculum Night - The Hill Academy Campus/Legacy Field
Tuesday September 22 - 3:30PM - Red vs. White Lacrosse Games - Legacy Field
Wednesday September 23 - 9:00AM - Assembly with special guest, Author Jon Gordon
Thursday September 24 - 2:00PM - U16AAA vs. UCC - Wilder Arena, Toronto
Friday September 25 - 1:00PM - Prep Hockey vs. OHO - Teen Ranch, Caledon
Saturday September 26 - 5:00PM - Prep Hockey vs. OHO - Iroquois Park Sports Centre, Whitby
Monday September 28 - TBD - U15AAA vs. Guelph Gryphons - TBD
Tuesday September 29 - Orange Shirt Day at The Hill Academy
Tuesday September 29 - 2:00PM - U16AAA vs. UCC - Wilder Arena, Toronto if necessary
Wednesday September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (School Closed)
Thursday October 1 - Terry Fox Run
The Hill Eats
The Hill Eats, led by Chef Michael, provides delicious, nutritious hot lunch for student-athletes at The Hill Academy.
To add The Hill Eats TeamSnap calendar to your personal calendar, click here, or copy this subscription link: http://ical-cdn.teamsnap.com/team_schedule/e002921d-f099-49aa-8200-4a3c85a8b827.ics
Chef Michael's upcoming menu can be found below (Breakfast and Dinner have been listed for Residence Student-Athletes):
If your day student-athlete would like to join the lunch plan, please register now.
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.
Student-athletes are to be aware that there is a labeled microwave in the cafeteria area away from the other microwaves that is dedicated to those with allergies. Staff and student-athletes who do not have allergy concerns should not use this microwave.
Transportation
If your Grade 4-8 student-athlete requires transportation, please submit this form immediately.
School Hours/Information
Grades 4-12 School Hours: 8:10am - 3:50pm
Junior School 4-8 supervision begins at 8:00 a.m. in your child’s homeroom. Students who are dropped off between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. may wait in the cafe.
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 2026-2027
Annual school calendars are available on the website:
