Dear Hill Community,
At Hill Academy, fostering self-advocacy and independence in our students is a key part of their development. Encouraging students to express their needs, ask questions, and take responsibility for their actions builds confidence and problem-solving skills. When children learn to advocate for themselves, they become more engaged in their learning and develop a strong sense of ownership over their progress. By promoting independence both at school and at home, we empower our students to take initiative and grow into resilient, capable individuals. Let's continue to support our children in these important life skills!
Casey Kirkpatrick
Director- Early Years & Primary/Junior School Vice Principal
In this week's newsletter:
Halloween
Many of our students enjoy dressing up in costumes to celebrate Halloween. While participation is not mandatory, it is intended to be a fun experience for those who wish to take part. We kindly ask that costumes be appropriate and not disrupt the regular school day. Students are also welcome to wear orange and black if they prefer.
K-2 Downey's Farm Trip is Friday October 25
For our upcoming trip to Downey's Farm, please ensure your child brings a snack packed in a labelled Ziploc bag, along with a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the morning. As we will be spending time outdoors, it’s important that students are dressed appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear for walking around the farm.
School Uniforms
We are pleased to inform you that all youth sizes have been restocked. Please ensure your student-athlete has the appropriate uniform items.
Uniform enforcement began on Monday October 7, 2024
Students are expected to wear Hill athletic shorts or sweatpants, a tech tee or long-sleeve shirt, and a sweatshirt. It is strongly recommended that your child also wear Hill-branded shorts or sweatpants. If not wearing Hill attire, shorts or pants must be black or beige.
Lunch Program
Lunch Lady: Offered Tuesday and Thursdays, please sign up using this link.
Pizza: Will be the following dates:
Oct. 25/Nov. 8/Dec.6/Dec. 20
Pita: Will be the following dates:
Oct. 18/Nov. 1/Nov. 15/ Dec. 13
Kindergarten/Primary Kiss & Ride
For the smooth operation of our Kiss and Ride, it’s essential that students are dressed and ready to exit the vehicle upon arrival. This helps keep the line moving efficiently, minimizing wait times for everyone. We also encourage parents to help their child get in and out of the car quickly and safely, allowing the process to flow more smoothly for all. Your cooperation ensures that all families can drop off and pick up in a timely manner. Thank you for your support!
Foundations of Sport Schedule
Monday: Football
Tuesday: Lacrosse
Wednesday: Football
Thursday: Lacrosse
Friday: Football
(Click image to enlarge)
Daily Timetables
Daily timetables are available in the Hill Families > Parent Resources section of our website, alongside other helpful links for parents.Â
School Calendars
School Calendars are available and can be viewed in the Parent Resources section of the website. Updates will be made periodically, so continue to check the website for the most up to date details.
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Teachers/Coaches
Kindergarten: Ms. Hill (katelyn.hill@thehillacademy.com)
Kindergarten: Ms. Diefenbacher (megan.diefenbacher@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 1/2 : Mrs. Goverde (jodi.goverde@thehillacademy.com)
Grade 3/4 : Ms. Kennedy (haley.kennedy@thehillacademy.com)
Kindergarten Physical Education: Ms. Champagne (amber.champagne@thehillacademy.com)
Coach 1-4: Mr. Cosmo (anthony.cosmo@thehillacademy.com)
Director, Sports Science & Athlete Performance: Drazen Glisic (dglisic@thehillacademy.com)
Director of Early Years & Vice Principal: Casey Kirkpatrick (casey.kirkpatrick@thehillacademy.com)
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!
Safety and Security
In preparing for your student-athlete for the school year, 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 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. There is no parking in the fire routes, crosswalks or kiss and ride areas. If you arrive before the designated pick-up times, you will be directed to park in the lots.
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.
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
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. The students will need to provide their educator with the slip upon arrival to class.
Cell Phone Policy
In April of 2024, Ontario's Ministry of Education introduced guidelines and restrictions for cell phone use by students in schools. Following suit, students in Kindergarten to Grade Eight will need to keep cell phones on silent and out of sight for the entire school day (including breaks). Students in Grades Nine to Twelve will not be permitted to use cell phones during class time unless explicitly instructed by their educator.
For more information on the Ministry of Education's announcement, visit here.
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