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Grade 9-12 Weekly Newsletter 2026.09.04


September 4, 2026


Dear Hill Academy Families,


Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! A very warm welcome back to all our returning families, and a special hello to the new families joining The Hill community for the first time. We are thrilled to have you with us as we embark on another exciting year of growth, competition, and academic excellence.


We hope you have all enjoyed a restful, refreshing summer with loved ones and are returning to campus with renewed energy. Behind the scenes, our staff and coaches have spent the last few weeks prepping facilities, organizing learning spaces, and finalizing plans to deliver an exceptional school year. We are officially ready to welcome our Grades 4–12 students back to campus this week!


As we step into this new year our collective mission remains anchored in the guiding principles that define the core of our culture: our H.I.L.L. values.


  • H – Highest Level of Achievement: We encourage our student-athletes to strive for excellence in every endeavour, continuously pushing their boundaries, setting ambitious goals, and reaching their absolute fullest potential both in the classroom and in sports.

  • I – Independence: We cultivate self-reliance and personal accountability, empowering our students to take true ownership of their learning, manage their time effectively, and make principled, responsible choices on and off the field.

  • L – Leadership: We instill the importance of leading by example, lifting up teammates and peers, fostering empathy, and actively driving a positive, supportive culture within our academy and broader community.

  • L – Legacy: We honour the tradition of those who came before us by striving to leave a meaningful, positive footprint. Our students learn that their actions today shape the character, integrity, and standard of excellence for generations to come.


These values are more than just words on a wall; they serve as the everyday blueprint for how our students carry themselves, overcome challenges, and celebrate collective success. Whether in the lab, the classroom, or the training facilities, we look forward to seeing our student-athletes bring these principles to life each day.


Strong communication and collaboration between home and school are vital to our students' success. Please take a few moments to review the rest of this newsletter for important logistics, schedule reminders, and upcoming campus events for the weeks ahead.


We cannot wait to see everyone on campus on Tuesday to kick off what promises to be a remarkable year!


Casey Kirkpatrick

Director- Early Years & Vice Principal (K-3)


In this week's Newsletter:


First Week

Tuesday September 8, 2026

  • Students are to wear Hill Athletic apparel. We encourage students to bring spare clothing as all activities are rain or shine!

  • Bring water bottle labelled with name

  • Apply and bring sunscreen (please note we cannot apply sunscreen to students)

  • We will be providing lunch for all students on day one. Lunch will consist of a hamburger and potato wedges. Gluten free buns will be available. Should your student have allergies or not wish to partake, they are required to bring their own lunch

  • High school students will receive their timetables

  • Students in Grades 4-12/PG are required to bring their laptop or tablet

  • Junior School 4-8 - Students will meet staff in the gym at 8:10.

  • High School 9-12 - Students will meet staff in the cafe at 8:10.


Wednesday September 9, 2026

  • Students are to attend wearing Hill Athletic apparel. We encourage students to bring spare clothing as all activities are rain or shine!

  • Lunch plan starts for those enrolled. To join CLICK HERE. Students not on the meal plan will require their own lunch

  • Students in Grades 4-12/PG are required to bring their laptop or tablet

  • Junior School 4-8 - Students will meet staff in the gym at 8:10.

  • High School 9-12 - Students will meet staff in the cafe at 8:10.


Thursday September 10, 2026

  • Regular school day. Coaches will advise of any required equipment for sport period (please refer to your team's TeamSnap)

  • Students must be wearing their regular designated Hill uniform for academic periods and Hill Athletic athletic uniform for physical education and sport


Friday September 11, 2026

  • Students can wear their regular designated Hill uniform or Hill athletic uniform 

  • Coaches will advise of any required equipment for sport period (please refer to your team's TeamSnap)


Packing List


Please ensure you are equipped with the materials needed to get off to a strong start!

  • Hill Academy Uniform (see the Apparel Guide)

  • Hill Academy Gym Uniform (see the Apparel Guide)

  • Student-athletes should always come prepared to be both inside and outside, rain, snow or shine

  • Student-athletes in Grades 4 and up require a Laptop, Tablet or Chromebook (compatible with Google Suite)

  • Water bottle with your name clearly labelled

  • You will receive your Hill Journal from the school - it is important that you have this at all times.


***Please note that all students will receive their timetables and homeroom assignments on the first day of school.***


Updates from the Ministry of Education


Culminating Tasks and/or Exams

In grades 9 and 10 a student’s final mark will be based on 65% classroom work completed throughout the course, 20% mandatory final evaluations, broken down by subject and 15% attendance and participation. In grades 11 and 12, a student’s final mark will be based on 65% classroom work completed throughout the course, 25% mandatory final evaluations, broken down by subject and 10% attendance and participation. The final evaluations allow the student an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive achievement of the overall expectations for the course. Students must complete this evaluation as scheduled. Please note that uniform is required on exam days (students will be charged for uniform items on exam days if they come without uniform).

Attendance and Participation

Ontario Requirements:

  • Students are expected to attend classes regularly and punctually.

  • Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Ontario's updated secondary assessment and evaluation requirements include attendance and participation as part of the final course grade:

    • Grades 9 and 10: 15% of the final course grade.

    • Grades 11 and 12: 10% of the final course grade.

  • Ontario policy states that excused absences do not negatively affect a student's mark. Excused absences are absences permitted under legislation or school policy. The School will therefore distinguish between:

    • 1. Excused Absences – absences that are permitted under legislation or this policy. They will not negatively affect the attendance component of the student's final course grade.

    • 2. Unexcused Absences – absences that do not meet the criteria for an excused absence and may negatively affect the attendance and participation component of the student's final course grade.


We invite parents and students to review this policy on the Ministry of Education’s website here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/growing-success-assessment-evaluation-and-reporting-ontario-schools-kindergarten-grade-12


Please note that in the coming weeks, we will update Privit to include a sign off on these additions to the student handbook.


Power School

Please note that the Power School Student and Parent Portal will be open on September 8th for grades 9-12 only. Secondary parents and students can now access their accounts.


Students have been provided with their login information, so please ask them to share parent login credentials. Please email christy.flynn@thehillacademy.com for information on accessing Power School.


Cell Phones

To remain aligned with the Province of Ontario’s Cell Phone Guidelines, all student-athletes will be required to place their phones in the phone boxes located in the gym at the start of the day. Phones can be picked up at the end of the day.


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 9-12

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

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

Students must sign in on the sheet in front of Ms. Bush’s desk.


No Sign-Out Privileges

Students do not 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.


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 sport program.


To subscribe directly to your TeamSnap calendar (add to your personal calendar), please click below:


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 1-3 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:




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