Grade K-3 Weekly Newsletter 2026.09.18
September 18, 2026
Dear Hill Families,
As we wrap up our second week back at school, our classrooms are beginning to look a little different. The blank walls we started with are slowly filling with colourful artwork, first writing pieces, photographs, and signs of learning. Student voices are beginning to fill the spaces, routines are becoming more familiar, and little by little, we are making our classrooms feel like ours.
That first-day excitement is beginning to settle too. The new backpacks aren’t quite as new, we’re remembering where everything belongs, and we’re starting to find our groove again. Maybe I’m biased because I spend my days with some of the youngest members of our school community, but I think there is something really special about this part of September. We’re moving beyond the introductions and beginning to see our classroom communities take shape.
The first few weeks back can be a lot. We’re returning to early mornings, packed lunches, busy schedules, and more structured days after a well-deserved summer. Our children are navigating all of that too, new expectations, friendships, teachers, routines, and sometimes entirely new environments. Whether your child is finding their feet in the Kinder Cabin, settling into Grades 1, 2, or 3, or joining our Hill community for the first time, it takes time to feel at home.
As the excitement settles and the learning really gets underway, I think it’s worth asking ourselves: What do we hope for our children this year?
Of course, we want to see them grow as learners. But I also hope we encourage them to be the child who invites someone else to play, notices when a friend needs help, celebrates someone else’s success, and looks for ways to support those around them. These years give us such an important opportunity to build leadership, not simply by teaching children to lead, but by teaching them to listen, include, encourage, and care for others.
It can be easy to focus on what comes next, the next reading level, math skill, grade, or milestone. Those things matter, but so does giving our children the time and space to be children: to play, wonder, explore, make mistakes, and try again. Those experiences are an important part of their learning and of the people they are becoming.
As educators and families, we have the privilege of helping our children grow while also protecting that space for childhood. Just as our once-blank classroom walls are beginning to tell the story of a new school year, our students are beginning to write theirs too. I hope we make space to celebrate not only what they achieve, but the kind, confident, curious young people they are becoming along the way.
Here’s to finding our groove and making these spaces and this school year our own.
Warmly,
Ms. Hill
Kindergarten | The Early Years
The Hill Academy
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 4:30 PM (JV/JS 6s, Girls Red/White, and Varsity vs. Prep)! Full detailed schedules will be shared ahead of the event. We can’t wait to see you there!
Please let your home room teacher know if you will not be staying for the Open House.
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.
🪺 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
Regular School Information
School Hours:
8:30-3:30- Kindergarten and Primary (K-3)
Pick Up (K-3): To ensure the safety and supervision of all students, any child who has not been picked up within 10 minutes of their dismissal time will be sent to Aftercare and charged accordingly.
This policy helps ensure that every student is accounted for and supervised at all times. It also allows staff to focus on the safe and efficient dismissal of all students. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a smooth end-of-day routine.
Before/After Care (Siblings of Older Student-Athletes)
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.
Siblings of older students who will be utilizing the free before and aftercare please note:
Siblings should only attend before or after care when their older sibling is present at school. If the older sibling is absent for the day, younger siblings should be picked up at their regular dismissal time, unless you have contacted us for needing extended care.
This practice is important to ensure appropriate supervision, accurate staffing, and the safety of all students during extended care hours. It also helps us maintain consistency and fairness for all families using the program.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Message from the Nadarajah/Ramthahal Family
A Hill Student Helping Give Babies the Best Start 💚
Aarya has been part of The Hill Academy community since Junior Kindergarten. Now in Grade 2, she is partnering with Headwaters Health Care Foundation on her “Here for Headwaters Babies” campaign to help fund two important pieces of equipment: a Panda Warmer, which provides immediate warmth and care for newborns after delivery, and an infant transport unit to help safely transport babies requiring additional care. Help Aarya raise 80k!
💚 Donate to Aarya’s campaign:
Thank you to the Hill community for supporting one of our young athletes as she learns that you’re never too young to make a difference.
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 Grades 1-PG
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!
Teacher Contact Information
Kindergarten: Ms. Hill (katelyn.hill@thehillacademy.com)
Mrs.Kieswetter: (megan.kieswetter@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 1: Mrs. Goverde (jodi.goverde@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 2: Ms. Manser (grace.manser@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 3 : Mrs. Cosmo (erin.cosmo@thehillacademy.com)
Student Support: Ms. Walko (emily.walko@thehillacademy.com)
Primary Support/Kindergarten Physical Education: Ms. Baird (hailey.baird@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 2 Physical Education/Kindergarten Physical Education: Mr. Debenham (george.debenham@thehillacademy.com)
Primary Foundation of Sport: Coach Dre (DGlisic@thehillacademy.com)
Coach Krista (krista.gott@thehillacademy.com)
Director of Early Years & Vice Principal (K-3): Casey Kirkpatrick (casey.kirkpatrick@thehillacademy.com)
Uniform
For Student-Athletes in Kindergarten - Grade 3
All Hill branded uniform items must be purchased from The Hill Store
All Day:
Hill shirt
Hill branded polo shirt for special events
Hill branded jogging pants or shorts (or athletic black skort)
Tights, leggings or bicycle shorts are NOT permitted
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 DGlisic@thehillacademy.com.
Privit
A reminder to update your Privit as documentation is updated (ie. Passport renewal, etc.)
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 designate sport program. Through TeamSnap you will receive all communication with relevant information, events, equipment needs.
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.
Transportation
If your Grade 1-3 student-athlete requires transportation, please submit this form immediately.
Annual School Calendar 2026-2027
Annual school calendars are available on the website:
