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K-6 Newsletter 02.13.26

Updated: Feb 19


February 13, 2026


Dear Hill Families,


"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." – Aesop


This February, our focus is on the character trait of helpfulness! Being helpful means looking for ways to support others, sharing our skills, and contributing positively to our community.


In the classroom, helpfulness can look like assisting a classmate with a tricky problem, sharing materials, or offering to help tidy up after an activity. During sports, students demonstrate helpfulness by encouraging teammates, assisting with equipment, or cheering others on. Within the school community, helpfulness is shown by including others in games, helping younger students navigate the campus, and participating in acts of kindness. At home, students can practice helpfulness by supporting siblings, helping with chores, or offering to assist parents with tasks.


For our student athletes, helpfulness is especially important both on and off the field/ice. They can model good sportsmanship, offer encouragement, assist teammates in practice drills, and support their peers in building a positive and inclusive team culture.

We encourage all students to look for opportunities to be helpful this month, small actions can make a big difference!


Casey Kirkpatrick

Director- Early Years & Vice Principal (K-6)

The Hill Academy


In this week's Newsletter:


Junior School Athletic Banquet

Please save the date for the Junior School Athletic Banquet, which will be held on Wednesday, June 10th. More details to follow.


Trees Being Removed on Campus

The Hill Community may have noticed trees coming down between the main building and the roadway. An Arborist Report had determined that the trees in that area were dying or dead and should be removed before becoming a safety hazard. We applied for and were provided a permit to remove them. We plan to repurpose the space into additional features that student-athletes and The Hill community will continue to enjoy on campus for many years to come.


New Stop Sign

There has been a new stop sign installed on the roundabout at the crosswalk leading to the entrance of the main building. Please abide by all signs on campus to help us keep safety at the forefront of our community.


The Hill Volleyball

Learn more about The Hill Volleyball program, coming to The Hill in 2026-27! If you know of a Volleyball Family outside of our The Hill Community that would like to learn more information, we encourage them to sign up for a Lunch and Learn event that we will be hosting virtually on Wednesday February 25 at 12pm. They can RSVP here to receive a link.


Read the announcement here:

The Hill Summer Camps



Although the weather doesn't think so, summer is right around the corner. We're thrilled to host a selection of camps again this summer at The Hill. As a bonus, Hill student-athletes can use the code: COACHMATT to save 10% on their registration. Stay tuned as we look to announce more even more camps!



The Nest

At The Nest, we've been delighted by the excitement, conversations, decision-making, and laughter that continue to fill our space. It’s been a joy to interact with the students each day as they seek to fuel their growing bodies and find comfort in a place they can call their hub.



Winter Weather Reminder

As the temperature fluctuates, we kindly remind parents and guardians that students must come to school dressed appropriately for outdoor conditions each day. Our classes spend a portion of their day outside, and proper winter gear, such as boots, snow pants, a warm coat, hat, and gloves, is essential to ensure students stay comfortable and safe.

Thank you for your support in helping our students enjoy their outdoor time!


TPC Toronto Special Offer

Our partners at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley would like to extend our relationship by offering the following discounts to the Hill Family:

  • 20% off indoor simulators and lessons

  • 20% off rooms

  • 20% off dining (food only)


To take advantage of these discounts, simply follow the link, using the password: hillacademy to access.


Inclement Weather Protocol

We want to ensure everyone is kept up to date with the inclement weather protocol and procedures.


Depending on the weather and the conditions, one of two decisions will be made:

1. School closure- remote learning

  • All buses cancelled; students are to perform their schoolwork remotely. This includes before and after care. 

2. School Bus Cancellation

  • Either specific buses or all buses are canceled, and the school remains open for staff and students that can safely travel. Before and After care will still be operating. 


We will do our best to communicate our decision by 6am, utilizing email and social media channels. Decisions will be made considering the safety of students and staff on both the way to and from campus.


Blueprint Nutrition

This school year, the Hill Academy has partnered with Blueprint Nutrition to provide sport nutrition education and support. Blueprint is co-owned by Registered Dietitians, Cara Kasdorf and Rosanne Robinson, and along with their team of Sport Dietitians, they work with athletes across Canada. Their team of Registered Dietitians have worked with all levels and ages of athletes - from local and rep leagues to Olympic athletes, NHL and OHL players, and professional triathletes and endurance athletes. They have expertise in working with both student-athletes and adult athletes to fuel for performance, growth and development, and long-term health. They have expertise to support your athlete, whether the goal is to hit a personal best, navigate busy tournament weekends, or just eat enough to keep up with their sport and academics.


Cara and Rosanne will be providing 4 sport nutrition specific sessions to grades 4-12 throughout the school year. If you would like to seek out additional and more individualized support, Blueprint offers different options to work together.


Two of their most popular packages for student-athletes include:


Eat to Compete Program – $710 for 4 sessions

A high-impact coaching package designed to build strong fuelling habits across training, game day, recovery, and more. Ideal for athletes who want to level up their performance with a comprehensive strategy.


Performance Meal Planning Strategy Session – $295 for a 90-minute session

A focused, one-time consult to help you map out exactly what, when, and how much your athlete should be eating - with a personalized meal plan and timeline tailored to their sport, schedule, and needs.


*Note: all sessions are held virtually via video sessions


*They offer additional packages and sessions based on the athlete’s individual needs


To get started, schedule a free 20-minute clarity call by emailing: sport@blueprintnutrition.ca or booking directly at: www.blueprintnutrition.ca. They have also put together an online Sport Nutrition resource for students. Information about how to access the resource library can be found in their Physical Education and Health Google Classroom

The Hill Eats

The Hill Academy is pleased to offer a hot lunch program crafted by The Hill Eats team to include a balanced, macro-friendly nutritional meal that is designed to fuel The Hill Academy's student-athletes.


Grades 1-6 Lunch

Monday: Family Day

Tuesday: Hamburger on a Brioche Buns and Coleslaw

Wednesday: Quesadilla Bean Medley With Grilled Corn

Thursday: Grilled Chicken Breast Caesar Salad Potato Wedges

Friday: Steak Sandwich with Grilled Peppers& Roasted Sweet Potato 

If your day student would like to be on the lunch plan, please register now!


Please be advised any feedback or special requests should be sent to lunch@thehillacademy.com

Sports Schedule

For team based sports (ie. Junior Hockey Development), check your individual team's TeamSnap for the most up to date schedule.


Foundations of Sport (1-3):

Monday: Family Day

Tuesday: Gymnastics/Sledding

Wednesday: Yoga and Games

Thursday: Orienteering Friday: Football


Foundations of Sport (4-6)

Monday: Family Day

Tuesday: Hockey

Wednesday: Swimming/Pickleball

Thursday: Swimming/Tennis

Friday: Football


Hockey (5-6)

Monday: Family Day

Tuesday: Lacrosse

Wednesday: Hockey

Thursday: Hockey

Friday: Football

View a comprehensive calendar of events by visiting www.thehillacademy.com/calendar


  • Monday, February 16 - Family Day (school closed)

  • Monday, February 16 - Girls Box Lacrosse Tournament - Pennsylvania

  • Wednesday, February 18 - Graduation Photos - Grade 8 and Grade 12 - Lower Flex

  • Friday, February 20 - Box Lacrosse Tournament - Brampton Memorial Arena

  • Wednesday, February 25 - Pink Shirt Day

  • March Break: Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 27

  • Tuesday, May 26 - Senior Athletic Gala - Details TBD

  • Wednesday, June 10 - Junior Athletic Banquet - Details TBD

  • Thursday, June 11 - Grade 8 Grad

  • Friday, June 12 - Grade 12 Grad

School Information

School Hours: 


8:10-3:50- Junior School (4-6)

8:30-3:30- Kindergarten and Primary (K-3)


Pick Up (K-6): 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.

Uniforms

Please ensure your student-athlete is wearing the appropriate uniform for their division. Please note there are NO TIGHTS or BIKE SHORTS PERMITTED. If you have questions regarding apparel please refer to the K-3 uniform guide or the Gr. 4-12 uniform guide. Any questions, concerns or questions apparel@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

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.

Annual School Calendar 2025-26

Annual school calendars are available on the website:


Teachers

Kindergarten: Ms. Hill (katelyn.hill@thehillacademy.com)

Grade 1/2: Mrs. Goverde (jodi.goverde@thehillacademy.com)

Grade 2/3: Mr. Debenham (george.debenham@thehillacademy.com )

Grade 4/5 : Ms. Kennedy (haley.kennedy@thehillacademy.com)

Grade 6: Ms. Barbe (julie.barbe@thehillacademy.com )


Director of Early Years & Vice Principal: Casey Kirkpatrick (casey.kirkpatrick@thehillacademy.com)

Attendance Protocol K-PG

ALL STUDENTS:


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 (K-8). The students will need to provide their educator with the slip upon arrival to class. High School students must sign-in at the main office.

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.




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