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kevinhayashi
Nov 24

K-4 Newsletter 11.24.24

Hello Hill Family,


Wow, has time flown this semester. It is amazing that we're knocking on the door of American Thanksgiving and getting ready for the holiday season. It has been a great start to the school year! For those that I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet, my name is Kevin Hayashi and I'm the Director of Marketing (feel free to say hello when you see me around campus).


I want to take a quick minute to stop and reflect on, what I believe, should be a great point of pride for parents. Since coming to The Hill Academy, the one thing that has stood out so blatantly to me is the character development that is happening each and every day. Since day one of meeting each member of the Merrill Family, I couldn't help but not how genuine their character and integrity was. I have been amazed each and every day how our student-athletes here at The Hill exude many of those similar traits.


A story I love to tell is from the first school day game I had a chance to go to. The arena was buzzing with the excitement of the students as they gathered in the stands ready to cheer on our Prep Hockey Team. The camaraderie between students was already present even though it was only the first week of school, the score on the scoreboard was tilted heavily in our favour, but that wasn't what impressed me the most.


What impressed me most was after the game, when I saw one student-athlete (a very accomplished hockey and lacrosse player) stop to pick up some popcorn that one of the younger students had dropped earlier. This led to his teammates stopping to help, and then his sister and her friends, and then students who didn't even know who started it. It's exactly that type of contagious character development that I see on display every day at the school, and something that your children have the opportunity to absorb all the time.


What I believe you should find pride in though, is the fact that this happens every day. Next time you drive by the front doors, take a second to see how many times the door is held open and the 'thank you's' that follow. They're little things, but as John Wooden once said; little things make big things happen.


Have a fantastic week, and enjoy the rest this coming weekend,

Kevin.


Kevin Hayashi, Director of Marketing


In this week's newsletter:

 

Primary Holiday Concert

** SAVE THE DATE **

We are excited to announce our upcoming Primary Holiday Concert on December 10th at 4:30PM. We look forward to seeing you there for an afternoon of fun, music and festive spirit!


Photo Retake Day

Photo retake day has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 4. If you missed photo day, please be prepared for retake day.


Upcoming PD Days:

  • November 28/29, 2024- School Closed


Toys for Tots

We will be accepting donations for Toys for Tots through Friday December 6. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted under The Hill Christmas Tree, located in the lower flex area of the Main Building.

(Click image to enlarge)


Respecting Student Privacy

We kindly remind all parents and guardians that photos or videos of students other than your own should not be taken during school events, games, or activities. This helps ensure the privacy and safety of all students and respects the personal boundaries of other families. Thank you for your cooperation and support in creating a secure environment for everyone!


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:

Dec.6/Dec. 20


Pita: Will be the following dates:

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: Hockey

Tuesday: Lacrosse

Wednesday: Lacrosse

Thursday: School Closure

Friday: School Closure

(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. 



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.

 


Teachers/Coaches

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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